Posted on 07/23/2011 1:57:55 PM PDT by AmericaTalks
There has been much buzz about the possibility that Texas Governor Rick Perry will throw his hat into the GOP presidential ring. Many conservatives and Tea Party activists see him as a very attractive and viable candidate, one who would liven up a field that seems devoid of exciting prospects.
But before Republicans start salivating too heavily, it is important to examine Perry closely. His conservative bonafides leave much to be desired.
Let's examine his record.
Prior to 1989, Rick Perry was a Democrat, who supported Al Gore for president. Perry was Gore's campaign manager in the state of Texas that year.
As Governor of Texas, Perry would have us believe he is a small government guy. But the facts say other wise.
Total spending in Texas the year he became governor in 2000 was approximately $49 billion. Last year it was approximately $90 billion. That is hardly reducing the size of government over a 10 year period.
The total debt of the state of Texas has more than doubled since he became governor. The debt to GDP ratio in Texas is 22.9% and the debt per citizen is $10,645. That's worse than California.
Perry claims he is for keeping taxes low. Not true. He has raised taxes repeatedly during his tenure as governor. Texans have higher taxes and fees than they had before he was elected.
While everyone lauded Perry's leadership by pointing to the low unemployment rate in the Lone Star State, it should be noted that 23 states have a lower unemployment rate than Texas. And Texas has the highest percentage of workers making minimum wage out of all 50 states. In 2007, 221,000 residents of Texas were making minimum wage or less. By 2010, that number had risen to 550,000.
The education system in Texas is abysmal. Barbara Bush, in an op-ed piece in the Houston Chronicle, wrote:
• We rank 36th in the nation in high school graduation rates. An estimated 3.8 million Texans do not have a high school diploma. • We rank 49th in verbal SAT scores, 47th in literacy and 46th in average math SAT scores. • We rank 33rd in the nation on teacher salaries.
What does that say about the stewardship of Rick Perry with regard to education?
Rick Perry also claims to have a tough stance on illegal immigration. But the facts indicate otherwise.
He signed the DREAM Act in 2001, giving in-state tuition to undocumented students. Perry said at the time, "We must say to every child learning in a Texas classroom, ‘We don’t care where you come from, but where you are going, and we are going to do everything we can to help you get there". This measure is similar to the one the Democrats are pushing at the federal level, one which conservatives vehemently oppose.
Perhaps the biggest issue people opposed to the nanny state should be concerned about is Perry's issuance of an executive order back in 2007 that would have forced almost every single girl in the state of Texas to receive the Gardasil vaccine before entering the sixth grade. Perry was in the tank with Merck. There were apparent financial connections between Merck and Perry reported by news outlets, such as a $6,000 campaign contribution and Merck’s hiring of former Perry Chief of Staff Mike Toomey to handle its Texas lobbying work.
The Texas legislature put the kibosh on that idea by crafting a bill that overturned the executive order.
Subsequently, very serious safety issues with the vaccine came to light. The biggest problem with regard to the Gardasil issue was that Perry appeared to be condoning premarital sex, or at least assuming that middle school girls were going to be engaging in sexual activity, which is the only way that the cervical cancer that the vaccine prevents can be contracted. Many parents and conservatives were justifiably outraged.
When one takes into account these facts about Rick Perry, the only conclusion that can be reached is that Perry is for the expansion of government and its intrusion into our lives.
On Perry's possible run for the White House? No thanks. I think I'll pass.
Listen to America Talks Monday through Friday at 6 pm Eastern Time and Saturdays at 9 am Eastern Time on www.blogtalkradio.com/americatalks and at www.americatalks.com.
No need to be sorry. I agree with what you said.
Palin is not a victim--it's time to grow up.
Liberalism is responsible for the sorry state of Texas schools and American Schools, not Perry nor any other governor.
Good grief!! You’d rather have Obama? This is NUTS!!
Could not agree with you more! I would vote for Elmer Fudd over Obama!
But, Texas had an 11 billion SURPLUS in 2008 and I'd guess that is pretty rare even in states with balanced budget amendments.
If you liked GW Bush you will like Perry. Open borders, Mexican trucks on our roads, global free trade continues etc etc.
I agree about the Gardasil. It was wrong, wrong, wrong. But we corrected it. That’s one thing I like about Perry though is that he will listen to his base. He isn’t like Obama where it’s his way damn anyone who disagrees.
I did a lot of research about the Gardasil vac and eventually decided to have my 15-year-old daughter vaccinated this past month. Now they’re recommending it for boys too and I will likely have my son vaccinated when he’s old enough. I raise them with conservative values and discuss consequences with them, but I want them protected should they make a mistake.
Yeah, you also say President Bush is not a true Christian either. We all know that’s a lie. One need only examine your posting history to see that you’re a troll.
“These goons are not about winning and they’re not about running off Obama.”
If Perry is your best, you elect him. It’s not a Marxist talking point to oppose the guy who signed off on in-state tuition for illegals and has failed to shrink any part of Texas government. Somehow, the “best,” your oh-so-great governor, can’t even get Bonfire going again at his own alma mater.
Meanwhile, you’re all for the GOP picking a guy who can endorse Giuliani, but those who disagree with you are “goons.” Did you get your education at the same school as the rest of the RNC hacks or were you smart enough to just skip kindergarten altogether? If you weren’t so Obama arrogant, you might understand that people are sick of being forced to choose a RINO as a lesser evil instead of voting for a conservative. I suspect many of those who so vocally oppose your candidate would rather not be “winners” on your Rat Lite Express.
“For starters, the TTC was never implemented. Secondly, the private companies were going to PAY FOR THE DAMNED ROADS TO BE BUILT instead of the taxpayers having to be taxed for it. And the companies wouldn’t even own the land.”
What a bunch of horse squeeze. Sure, they wouldn’t TECHNICALLY own it—but they’d “lease” it until the roads were paid off by tolls across that land, i.e., roads that would have NEVER been paid off because the toll agency would have annual rolled maintenance costs in to avoid the payoff. Your little ‘lease’ technicality is just something that Perry and his globobuddies threw in to confuse the issue.
But stick around for another fifty years and prove yourself right. We’ll see how soon 130 and 45 go back to the public. Probably every bit as quick as the Beeline and Florida Turnpike turned free in Florida.
Here's a start. Do your own research! ever heard of Forbes magazine? http://blogs.forbes.com/clareoconnor/2011/07/20/rick-perry-for-president-meet-24-billionaires-whove-backed-him/
ever heard of YouTube? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90jfQrb4wAE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSIZ2-1kLnY&feature=related
Your rude comments do nothing but diminish your credibility.
Jealous catty types area a real turn off.
In the last election, I think Gov. Palin campaigned with a lot of these Republicans because she was trying to work within the party to help clean it up. However, I believe now she's realized that some of these people she helped are actually a part of the problem and in the establishment. Rick Perry is only one of them. She also campaigned for Saxby Chambliss in Georgia too, but look at his corrupt tail now. He's a part of the infamous, so-called "Gang of Six". That are playing games in the U.S. Senate compromising with Obama and the Democrats in the debt ceiling debate.
But, yeah I'm on to you Rick Perry. You're PHONY!
He most certainly did not. Gore’s 1988 campaign was the last pro-life Democratic presidential campaign.
yea because of the screaming by residents of every county in the state - Perry fought for it till the same people that run the Tea Party principles ran it out of town.
On top of that at the same time he rolled out this idea he started the relentless increase in taxes on small business, he never once had a tax cut for anyone but he did double the amount spent on government - 49 billion in 2000 92 billion this session. He is no cosnervative...the TTC is the same as the bridge to NOWHERE from the folks who spend other peoples money like it was their money. Perry and some alaskan politicans believe in spending spending spending.
On top of that at the same time he rolled out this idea he started the relentless increase in taxes on small business, he never once had a tax cut for anyone but he did double the amount spent on government - 49 billion in 2000 92 billion this session. He is no cosnervative...the TTC is the same as the bridge to NOWHERE from the folks who spend other peoples money like it was their money. Perry and some alaskan politicans believe in spending spending spending.
oh and one more thing - the robber said to the police - “I did not actually take the money I only pointed the gun.”
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