Posted on 06/27/2012 11:39:43 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
Not only do my ex’s live in Texas, but your ex’s, and pretty much everyone else’s ex’s as well. All of America is moving to Texas. Especially the ex-residents of high tax states like California and New York. And, I'll bet many of the ex-residents of Big Brother tax and spend Massachusetts, Illinois and Michigan are there too. The fact is Texas led the nation in net population growth for the past decade, while New York and California led the nation in net population loss. Interestingly, the most new Texans (over 550,000) came from one state- California. They brought with them a remarkable $14.3 billion in income, but even that paled to the almost $1 trillion in assets and income that re-located New Yorkers brought to the Lone Star State.
From 2000 to 2010 a staggering 3.4 million people moved out of New York resulting in a net loss of 1.3 million residents. California was a close second with a net population loss of 1.2 million during the same decade.
So why is everyone running for their lives from New York and California? And why are so many of them heading to Texas? The answer is taxes, regulations, and quality of life. Americans have figured out that high taxes and excessive regulations kill jobs and quality of life. People simply want to have more opportunity for success and keep more of the money they work so hard to earn.
It’s no coincidence that New York has ranked first or second in the nation for tax burden every year since 1977. That includes state income taxes, property taxes, and sales taxes. There is also gas tax of a whopping 49 cents per gallon, and the highest estate and gift taxes in the nation. After grabbing more of your money than any state while you’re alive, New York also steals more of your money after you’re dead. I should know- I left New York 25 years ago and never looked back.
California now ranks first (ie worst) for highest state income tax. Add to that the mantle of worst state in the nation for excessive rules and regulations. It’s no wonder the Milken Institute ranks California as having the worst business environment in the nation. I should know- I left California too.
Lest you think this is some kind of fluke, or that taxes are not the determining factor in this “escape from NY and California,” it isn’t just Texas that is gaining all these fleeing residents. The U.S. Census reported that all of the top 15 states for population growth during the past decade are no tax or low tax states like Nevada, Florida, Arizona, Utah, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. It seems Americans are smarter than politicians give them credit for- they are voting with their feet for lower taxes, pro business attitude, and more economic freedom.
Because no state in the union has a better economy, let’s look "up close and personal" at the Texas miracle. Texas practices what I proudly call “Wild West Cowboy Capitalism.” And it works!
Texas has zero state income tax, zero capital gains taxes, and zero death taxes. It is a “right to work” state where employees may choose to join a union, but are never forced to. It is pro business and anti-lawyer (discouraging class action lawsuits and the first state to pass a “Loser Pays” law). Texas is also tight-fisted with welfare and entitlement benefits- unlike New York and California. The result of this limited government attitude is people with high incomes, assets, and ambition are moving into Texas, while those who lack work ethic, and feel entitled to handouts are moving out. Good riddance.
But the most important attribute of Texas is that its constitution limits the time that politicians can meet. The Texas Legislature is limited to meeting only 4 months every other year. That pretty much explains everything. Texas and my state of Nevada have no state income taxes and the fastest growing populations in America…not in spite of, but because the politicians aren't allowed to sit in their seats all year long thinking of new ways to re-distribute income, impede business, and destroy jobs.
Let’s look at the remarkable results of favoring hard working job-creators over entitlement addicts, and business owners over lawyers. Texas now has more Fortune 500 headquarters than New York. It tied for the highest state economic growth in America over the past 50 years, while displacing New York as the second largest state economy. The annual Texas economy has passed $1 trillion, accounting for 8.3% of the entire U.S. economy. In the last three years one third of all jobs in America were created in Texas, and in the past decade, more jobs were created in Texas than in the other 49 states COMBINED.
One smart businessman, Andrew Puzder, sums it up. Mr. Puzder, CEO of California-based CKE Restaurants with over 3000 restaurants including Carl’s Jr. and Hardees was recently quoted in the Wall Street Journal. He calls his home state of California “the most business-unfriendly state…” Opening one of his restaurants in California takes 2 years and costs $200,000 more than opening one in Texas, where it takes only 6 weeks. Is it a surprise that CKE has stopped opening new restaurants in California, but plans to open 300 in Texas?
So there you have it. Now you know why everyone’s ex’s live in Texas (or soon will), and why businesses, as well as people, choose states that treat them better, give them more freedom, and allow them to keep more of their own money. Imagine that? The results of smaller government, restrained politicians and lower taxes is dramatically increased wealth, happier citizens with a higher quality of life, and far higher job creation.
PS. My Texas friends want everyone to know, “Come on down, ya’ll are welcome. Just leave your liberal politics at home.”
We have severe water shortages in Texas—which are no joke at all. Our rivers, streams and lakes are almost non-existant.
We are also in the midst of a terrible heat wave, with temps in the 105-108 range, and it’s not cooling down much at night.
We’re all praying for something to break soon and send us a Noah-like rain.
We can’t ask ALL FReepers to move here, but maybe some sort of time share can be set up somewhere. I would suggest Corpus in the Spring and Fall, Hill Country for the Spring and Fall. The mountains out west for Summer. Anywhere for Winter.
I know, here in Frisco...it was 100 degrees last night in my garage at 10:00 pm. Went out to have a smoke, took two drags....back inside....I could quit if this heat lasted past August:)
If I only had a pool...would live in it.
But God bless Texas...it hot and we are FREE!
Wish you would! :)
California is hot and windy year around
Snakes under every house.
Spiders on every widow sill.
Nothing grows here and it NEVER rains.
Everyone here is a liberal or gay.
Illegals distroy everything.
Lived in Texas three years,miss it a lot.
Thanks for reminding us that living in Texas, even on a 105 degree day, after 109 yesterday, is still better than living somewhere else. You have to be tough and independent to live here, but it’s worth it.
Just so you know....because of the HUGE influx of people wanting to live the good Texas life, there is a critical housing shortage especially in the Permian Basin area of west Texas because of the oil industry going gangbusters!
Nice cigar... wine (in the plastic glasses)... floating around in the late evening... it's good. When the trees start dumping their leaves... not so much.
It works great. My whiny neighbor is moving back to Oregon. This guy is a real piece of work - good riddance!
Texas because of the oil industry going gangbusters!
Unless it’s China or India. Then it’s just bringing the poor farmers out of their desperate social and economic quagmires and miseries.
That isn't what happened to California, what happened to California was the growth of Catholic and non-Protestant voters which turned California into a permanent blue state.
Now, that’s funny! Had to repost on my Facebook page. :)
You got hate from the article?
when I am overwhelmed by liberals in TX I see stories about Christian organizations that are helping others and I know there is something about TX that can’t be found in NYC or LA. Pop this in your browser - 40,000 sq ft of food for the poor. YEA
http://thescoopblog.dallasnews.com/2012/06/christian-charity-opens-new-relief-distribution-hub-in-grand-prairie.html/
Sprinkler? In west Texas we aren’t allowed to use sprinklers any more. It’s all hand watering in my town....once a week!
But, I won’t be leaving!
TEXAS CIRCLE FLIES
A cowboy gets pulled over by a State Trooper for speeding. The trooper started to lecture the cowboy about his speeding, and in general began to throw his weight around to try to make the cowboy feel uncomfortable.
Finally, the trooper got around to writing out the ticket. As he was doing that, he kept swatting at some flies that were buzzing around his head. The cowboy sez, “Y’all havin’ some problem with circle flies?” The trooper stopped writing the ticket and said, “Well yeah, if that’s what they’re called. But I never heard of no circle flies.” “Well, sir,” the cowboy replies, “Circle flies hang around ranches. They’re called circle flies because they’re almost always found circling around the back end of a horse” The trooper says, “Oh,” and goes back to writing the ticket. But, a moment later he stops and says, “Are you callin’ me a horse’s ass?” “No, sir,” the cowboy replies. “I have too much respect for law enforcement to call y’all a horse’s ass.” “That’s a good thing,” the trooper says and goes back to writing the ticket. After a long pause, the cowboy, in his best Texas drawl says, “Hard to fool them flies though.”
You are a true Texan If:
1. You can properly pronounce Corsicana, Palestine, Decatur, Wichita Falls, San Antonio, Burnet, Boerne, Nacogdoches, Mexia, Waco, Amarillo, and Waxahachie.
2. A tornado warning siren is your signal to go out in the yard and look for a funnel.
3. You’ve ever had to switch from “heat” to “A/C” in the same day.
4. You know that the true value of a parking space is not determined by the distance to the door, but by the availability of shade.
5. Stores don’t have bags, they have sacks.
6. You see people wear bib overalls at funerals.
7. You measure distance in minutes.
8. Little Smokies are something you serve only for special occasions.
9. You go to the lake because you think it is like going to the ocean.
10. You listen to the weather forecast before picking out an outfit.
11. You know cowpies are not made of beef.
12. Someone you know has used a football schedule to plan their wedding date.
13. You have known someone who has had a belt buckle bigger than your fist.
14. You aren’t surprised to find movie rental, ammunition, and bait all in the same store.
15. Your “place at the lake” has wheels under it.
16. A Mercedes Benz is not a status symbol; a Ford F350 4x4 is.
17. You know everything goes better with Ranch dressin’.
18. You learned how to shoot a gun before you learned how to multiply.
19. You actually understand this and you are “fixin’ to” send it to your friends.
20. Finally, you are 100% Texan if you have ever heard this conversation:
“You wanna coke?”
“Yeah.”
“What kind?”
“Dr. Pepper!”
Can I just get a refrigerated truck, LOL?
Snakes under every house.
Spiders on every widow sill.
Nothing grows here and it NEVER rains.
Everyone here is a racist redneck.
You won’t like it here at all STAY AWAY.
Public Service announcent from Stay the Heck outta Texas.
You forgot to mention that just about every plant and animal in Texas is out to get you. If you haven't found a scorpion in your shoes, you haven't yet been introduced to our favorite insect.
Not that the mosquitos so large they can carry off small dogs and children. Where you think the concept of a vampire came from? You mentioned the heat, but it deserves more discussion. Yesterday when I rode my Harley home from work, it was 105 degrees. Kinda like riding through an oven. If you don't have AC in your car, don't even think about it.
Newcomers to the DFW area can learn how to recognise the difference between the sound of a train and an approaching tornado. If you're unlucky enough to be on the coast, get a hurricane tracking chart and learn how to use it.
Additional Public Service announcent from Stay the Heck outta Texas.
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