Texas University cheerleaders know which side scored the touchdown...
Posted on 11/01/2009 7:13:30 PM PST by SeekAndFind
Texas, increasingly, is the economic and intellectual leader of the U.S. During the last 18 months before the current recession took hold, while the country as a whole was still creating jobs, more than half of those jobs were created in a single state: Texas.
Texas has usurped the leadership position that, decades ago, belonged to California. Today California is in decline, likely irreversibly so. William Voegeli draws the sad but instructive comparison in the Los Angeles Times:
In America's federal system, some states, such as California, offer residents a "package deal" that bundles numerous and ambitious public benefits with the high taxes needed to pay for them. Other states, such as Texas, offer packages combining modest benefits and low taxes. These alternatives, of course, define the basic argument between liberals and conservatives over what it means to get the size and scope of government right. ...
California and Texas are not perfect representatives of the alternative deals, but they come close. Overall, the Census Bureau's latest data show that state and local government expenditures for all purposes in 2005-06 were 46.8% higher in California than in Texas: $10,070 per person compared with $6,858. ...
Confronted with a stark choice between government dominance and freedom, Americans are voting with their feet:
One way to assess how Americans feel about the different tax and benefit packages the states offer is by examining internal U.S. migration patterns. Between April 1, 2000, and June 30, 2007, an average of 3,247 more people moved out of California than into it every week, according to the Census Bureau. Over the same period, Texas had a net weekly population increase of 1,544 as a result of people moving in from other states. During these years, more generally, 16 of the 17 states with the lowest tax levels had positive "net internal migration," in the Census Bureau's language, while 14 of the 17 states with the highest taxes had negative net internal migration.
That's not hard to understand. As Voegeli says, "All things being equal, everyone would rather pay low taxes than high ones." So high-tax states like California have to be able to show that their taxes are somehow worth it:
Today's public benefits fail that test, as urban scholar Joel Kotkin of NewGeography.com and Chapman University told the Los Angeles Times in March: "Twenty years ago, you could go to Texas, where they had very low taxes, and you would see the difference between there and California. Today, you go to Texas, the roads are no worse, the public schools are not great but are better than or equal to ours, and their universities are good. The bargain between California's government and the middle class is constantly being renegotiated to the disadvantage of the middle class."
These judgments are not based on drive-by sociology. According to a report issued earlier this year by the consulting firm McKinsey & Co., Texas students "are, on average, one to two years of learning ahead of California students of the same age," even though per-pupil expenditures on public school students are 12% higher in California. The details of the Census Bureau data show that Texas not only spends its citizens' dollars more effectively than California but emphasizes priorities that are more broadly beneficial. Per capita spending on transportation was 5.9% lower in California, and highway expenditures in particular were 9.5% lower, a discovery both plausible and infuriating to any Los Angeles commuter losing the will to live while sitting in yet another freeway traffic jam.
But those higher taxes in California must be going somewhere. Why aren't they benefiting those many thousands of citizens who are leaving the state for greener pastures?
In what respects, then, does California "excel"? California's state and local government employees were the best compensated in America, according to the Census Bureau data for 2006. And the latest posting on the website of the California Foundation for Fiscal Responsibility shows 9,223 former civil servants and educators receiving pensions worth more than $100,000 a year from California's public retirement funds. The "dues" paid by taxpayers in order to belong to Club California purchase benefits that, increasingly, are enjoyed by the staff instead of the members.
No doubt similar studies in other high tax states, like my home state of Minnesota, would show the same thing: taxpayers aren't getting anything in particular for their money, likely less than citizens in other states, but public employees are doing very well indeed. This explains why public employees' unions have become the Democratic Party's most loyal supporters, while those who are not on the public employee gravy train increasingly are packing up their belongings and moving to lower-tax states like Texas.
The debate, really, is over. High-tax states don't deliver a better lifestyle--not for taxpayers, anyway. One of these days, voters will figure out that the same thing holds true at the national level. Higher taxes may be OK if you're a public employee; otherwise, they're a dead loss.
When even the liberal Los Angeles Times laments the state California is in, there clearly is something wrong.
READ THIS :
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-voegli1-2009nov01,0,825554.story
TITLE: The Golden State isn’t worth it. Our high-benefit/high-tax model no longer works, especially compared with low-tax states like Texas.
Texas=cultural center of the univers....oops!!!! i forgot thats Oklahoma
As a Texan - Come on down folks! We love business and offer the best of both worlds - low taxes and a nice climate.
Mrs POF and I pay a huge amount of taxes in CA. What do we get for it? Not much — it all flows to the “deserving poor.” Crappy roads, lousy schools, idiotic regulations over every aspect of our lives.
We do get the ocean nearby, redwoods, beautiful mountains not too far and lots of sunshine. But not one of those things was created by government.
Interesting take from the LA Times article :
California and Texas are not perfect representatives of the alternative deals, but they come close. Overall, the Census Bureau’s latest data show that state and local government expenditures for all purposes in 2005-06 were 46.8% higher in California than in Texas: $10,070 per person compared with $6,858. Only three states and the District of Columbia saw higher per capita government outlays than California, while those expenditures in Texas were lower than in all but seven states. California ranked 10th in overall taxes levied by state and local governments, on a per capita basis, while Texas, one of only seven states with no individual income tax, was 38th.
One way to assess how Americans feel about the different tax and benefit packages the states offer is by examining internal U.S. migration patterns. Between April 1, 2000, and June 30, 2007, an average of 3,247 more people moved out of California than into it every week, according to the Census Bureau. Over the same period, Texas had a net weekly population increase of 1,544 as a result of people moving in from other states. During these years, more generally, 16 of the 17 states with the lowest tax levels had positive “net internal migration,” in the Census Bureau’s language, while 14 of the 17 states with the highest taxes had negative net internal migration.
These folks pulling up stakes and driving U-Haul trucks across state lines understand a reality the defenders of the high-benefit/high-tax model must confront: All things being equal, everyone would rather pay low taxes than high ones. The high-benefit/high-tax model can work only if things are demonstrably not equal — if the public goods purchased by the high taxes far surpass the quality, quantity and impact of those available to people who live in states with low taxes.
Texas—football capital of the Big 12. Hook-em Horns!
Today California is in decline, likely irreversibly so
And now most of these unAmerican morons are in congress and the senate pushing America over the cliff in the footsteps of CA.
AGENDA BY DESIGN.
Taxpayers out - tax spenders in.
Hence the real reason for “health care reform”: A way to vastly increase the ranks of the SEIU aka Outer Party (ref Orwell 1984).
Texas, the intellectual leader???? That bunch of goat-roping, redneck goobers with dead cow skulls for decorations in their yards is the “intellectual” leader of the country??? Not no way! Not no how!
You know why they don’t have icewater at the University of Texas? The guy who knew the formula graduated.
parsy, whose first ex-wife was born in Texas and lives there now
I’ve said it before on here, I think Texas has one of the best economies in the United States right now. Combine that with the relatively lower housing prices and no income tax, it’s a great place to start a business or move part of your operations. (Especially the Woodlands outside of Houston - the houses are, dollar-for-dollar, far better bargains than New Jersey or New York.)
Sad but so true. I’m a life-long Californian. Live in the beautiful Bible-belt area of eastern Madera county. But the state gov’t is heading down, down, down and will not recover.
I agree, everyone out of California, and go to Texas. Cheap houses, plenty of jobs, wonderful weather etc...Next year might be too late. Get a jump on it!!
You were saying?
I am a fan of HGTV, in particular their real estate programs and their design shows re-doing old houses, because that’s a particular interest of mine.
I am constantly amazed at the total DUMPS that people pay $400,000 to $500,000 in many other states, and in some inner cities up to $1,000,000 for a thousand square foot domicile, that doesn’t even have a clop of dirt to plant a flower in.
For $500,000 in Texas, you can buy a pretty fancy 4 bedroom multiple bath/garage 2-3,000 sq foot home sometimes with a an acre or two if it’s not smack dab in the city.
bookmark
I believe liberals know this, which is why there is the drive to federalize everything. Theye instinctively hate that there is an outside we can flee to.
I thought this was a thread about football. As a resident of the DFW, we have the best HS football in the state, and therefore, the nation....I would say the Cali and Florida are tied for second.
And yes...hook em horns!!! We got some of the best college ball around too.
Oh, ya...our economy is rockin too.
Texas University cheerleaders know which side scored the touchdown...
Now Deagle, you need to 'fes up. Everything else you said was right on the money, but we don't have a climate that can compare to California's. Michigan, maybe...
As another Texan. I have to add a caveat: If you want to come here and then vote to turn our state into a blue/donk tax and spend hellhole like the one you left, then you are NOT welcome!
The Texas “Texaplex” is on track to be the fastest growing area of the US over the next ten years.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FC16-4fh-Qc
Is my concern misplaced?
You have much less of a chance of that happening in Texas than in California.
Texas citizens can legally carry guns and much crime is therefore deterred.
California, not so much.
There are illegals everywhere....and the majority do not rape or worse. Maybe you should move to Alaska and drive a snow mobile.
Oh, and I say that as a former Los Angeles resident who grew up there. It was bad when I left, I am told it has gotten no better, and Texas has done nothing but improve from a point better than the California I left since I got here.
Doesn’t this bode well for Perry?
Perry has really nice hair.
as compared to Pelosi?
There are illegals in Alaska, too. :P
Amen!
“Today California is in decline, likely irreversibly so.”
No,only as long as California is ruled by DemocRats or RINOs who have no spine to turn back the state to conservatism.
By the time that might happen, there will be nobody left to resurrect the state and all the resources will be depleted or placed off limits.
As another Texan (albeit a transplanted one) we don't want the liberal infection voting 'Rats in to spoil the Lone Star State either.
Wow...you have no idea of which you speak - heh...
I lived in Michigan (Grand Rapids) for 3 years and enjoyed the most lovely snow storms of my life - and had a great deal of fun sliding around the place...
Texas is lucky to get any snow at all any year... only the most northern parts (of which I no longer belong). Hot during the Summer, yes...but cheap electricity and lots of Air Conditioning makes the time past nicely...
The no State Tax, and low business taxes allow for many businesses to relocate here. The only problem is the high (by my standards) sales tax (almost 8%) which is a killer.
Yeah. They’re already making Austin a little weirder than we’d like and prolly one of them is responsible for burning the Governor’s Mansion.
Right on! Oklahoma is the center of the Universe!
I’m not in Cal., but in Oregon. Texas looks more attractive by the day. Certainly cheaper than moving to another country.
Are you perchance located in the furthest northern regions of Texas? Even Dallas seldom gets snow...so am wondering...
I’ve lived in Alaska - in the middle of the Aleutian Chain, in fact, an island called Unalaska - and snowmobiles are fun! But it does get a little chilly in the winter, and the nights can get a little long.
Everybody is smarter than Pelosi, even Texans.
parsy, who is from Arkansas whose Razorbacks used to be part of the Southwest Conference
The anti-business posture of the government is driving business to another state. California is governed by radicals...too high tax rate.......one fourth of thw wealthy have left California!
Depending on how dumb the Feds get, you may end up moving to another country... the independent Republic of Texas.
As an Oregon resident looking for a sane place to live, Texas is certainly on my radar.
Heh...right on. Don’t want any blueblood transplants, only businesses or true Conservatives... Of course, if they have been here a few months, they will eventually change their minds...ha.
Jimmy is that you?
Kay’s mousey.
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