Larry Wilson: You'll never guess who's prospering in hard times

On returning from my annual family reunion in Texas last summer, I wrote about picking up the edition of The Economist in the Amarillo airport touting the many fiscal successes of the Lone Star State in contrast to our beloved California.

[Cable News Guy]

Larry,

You fail to mention that these best performing locations all have low state/local taxes. You can't grow the economy if government is spending it all. It's amazing that the Obama stimulus of funding state/local government jobs (creating or saving jobs) is being offset in our State by continued overspending and under collection of taxes.

You may not want to literally go anywhere once you experience the potential impact of Obama healthcare, cap and tax, immigration reform, etc. on our economy. Shucks, there's no relief in sight even on the State level. Pray the tea party folks grow in large enough numbers to reverse the current political thinking.

[Amen]

I wouldn't move to Texas if you paid me to. Those guys in Hanalei have it right.

[To be fair]

It's not like Bush wasn't creating huge deficits with his wars. People who bash Obama have selective amnesia.

[Cable News Guy]

To be fair wrote:

It's not like Bush wasn't creating huge deficits with his wars. People who bash Obama have selective amnesia.

That's why I talked about being saved by the tea party folks. If you look and hear real hard, those grown ups are bipartisan and/or independents wanting the best for our Country. Yes Bush created huge deficits. But Obama is doubling and tripling those deficits in less than a year!

[True Freedom]

Amen wrote:

I wouldn't move to Texas if you paid me to. Those guys in Hanalei have it right.

if you can defacto say you wouldn't move to Texas, then you don't belong there. Move to Hanalei.

As a previous poster stated.. one thing the prospering states have is low/no state income tax.

Imagine how much more spending my family would do, if we got to keep $40K we pay in CA state income tax?

[Average American]

If Left Wing Larry Wilson were even a marginally reflective person, he would identify Texas' blueprint for economic success, and seek to apply that paradigm here in California.
Likewise, a reflective person would seek to identify what California's legislature is doing to retard the state's economic growth.

As another commenter clearly points out, Texas' economic health is due to lower taxes and lower state expenditures.
At the same time, California's pathetic state economy is due to its enormous taxes and astronomical state spending.

To illustrate just how much wasteful spending is committed by the California state legislature, consider this; Texas doesn't even have a state income tax, yet they can still run the state with the BEST economy.
Texas' legislators are part-time.
They only meet every other YEAR. That way, they're not sitting around meeting with lobbyists all year, as the corrupt California state legislature does.

Left wingers such as Larry Wilson embrace higher taxes, as well as more intrusive, bloated government into our daily lives.
Recently, Left Wing Larry wrote a column where he claimed to be upset with the California state legislature for the budget crisis---but that "anger" was just for show.
The truth is, Larry has long endorsed the policies of the Democratic-controlled legislature's tax & spend circus.
And in the future, Larry will continue to publicly endorse those left wing tax & spend policies in the pages of the Star News.

It's pretty simple.
Texas has lower taxes, and lower state spending. They have the best state economy in the country.

On the other hand, California has the highest taxes in the country, and the most state spending. California is bankrupt, and a state unemployment rate which is approaching 13%.

[Change the zoning]

Obama is doubling and tripling those deficits in less than a year, because Bush presided over a total economic collapse. Obama had no choice but to prop up the economy with massive spending.

True Freedom pays $40K per year in State tax, which means his income is probably over $400K/year. If you make that much money then stop whining about paying tax and move to Texas. It's worth a higher tax rate to me to stay the hell out of Texas.

Texas' economic health is because:

1. There hasn't been a hosuing boom there in 25 years and so there was no associated bust.

2. The one sector of the economy doing well is energy, which is the strength of the Texas economy.

3. The former President did everything in his power to help his cronies, er constituents, in Texas.

Let's go back 10 years. Which State had the better economy then, even with high taxes?

[Bluebonnets-This tle]

Amen wrote:

I wouldn't move to Texas if you paid me to. Those guys in Hanalei have it right.

Good, we won't pay you, stay in LA. Thanks, we appreciate it.

[Bluebonnets-This tle]

To be fair wrote:

It's not like Bush wasn't creating huge deficits with his wars. People who bash Obama have selective amnesia.

People who bash Bush have forgotten 9/11.

[People from Texas]

Must be morons if they think that Bush's sojourns into Iraq had anything to do with 9/11 or national security. He did a really good job in Afghanistan putting down the Taliban and capturing Al Qaeda leadership, at least. Money well spent. GWB is quite possibly the worst President the US ever had.

[Bluebonnets-This tle]

People from Texas wrote:

Must be morons if they think that Bush's sojourns into Iraq had anything to do with 9/11 or national security. He did a really good job in Afghanistan putting down the Taliban and capturing Al Qaeda leadership, at least. Money well spent. GWB is quite possibly the worst President the US ever had.

It was on 60 minutes Sunday night how the people of the marsh's in Iraq have returned. Saddam drained the marsh's to kill off the people there as they stood against him in 1991. They are quite appreciative of Bush rescuing their way of life. He is also very much loved in Africa as he did more to conquer aids than any President before him.

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/editoria...

http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/17/g...

The worst president in history is in the Whitehouse right now. He's only taken 11 months to prove it, a new record.

[Bluebonnets-This tle]

People from Texas wrote:

Must be morons if they think that Bush's sojourns into Iraq had anything to do with 9/11 or national security. He did a really good job in Afghanistan putting down the Taliban and capturing Al Qaeda leadership, at least. Money well spent. GWB is quite possibly the worst President the US ever had.

Funny thing, Bush said it didn't have anything to do with 9/11. It had to do with many nations agreeing after 9/11 the Saddam was an evil threat to the region. Also agreeing was the current secretary of state and 76 other senators who voted to go. We haven't seen a response yet from you lefties on that. I guess it's OK for hillary to say go into Iraq, but not Bush, eh? More dem double standards.

[The Old Coach]

Change the zoning wrote:

Obama is doubling and tripling those deficits in less than a year, because Bush presided over a total economic collapse. Obama had no choice but to prop up the economy with massive spending.
True Freedom pays $40K per year in State tax, which means his income is probably over $400K/year. If you make that much money then stop whining about paying tax and move to Texas. It's worth a higher tax rate to me to stay the hell out of Texas.
Texas' economic health is because:
1. There hasn't been a hosuing boom there in 25 years and so there was no associated bust.
2. The one sector of the economy doing well is energy, which is the strength of the Texas economy.
3. The former President did everything in his power to help his cronies, er constituents, in Texas.
Let's go back 10 years. Which State had the better economy then, even with high taxes?

What the hell are they smoking in LA these days?

Texas has had quite a housing boom in the last 25 years. We just don't charge the enourmous prices that you do, and don't tax the kazoo out of homeowners as they do in wierdafornia.

http://www.thewoodlands.com/
http://kingwood.com/

These subdivisions are all over the state with others in the planning stage. Sheesh.

The economy of Texas is one of the largest growing economies in the United States. In 2006, Texas was home to six of the top 50 companies on the Fortune 500 list and 56 overall, more than any other state.[1] Texas has an economy that was the second largest in the nation and the 15th largest in the world based on GDP (nominal) figures. As the largest exporter of goods in the United States, Texas currently grosses more than $100 billion a year in trade with other nations.

Petroleum, biomedical, technology, shipping, aerospace (NASA headquarters) defense manufacturing and agriculture to name the main ones. There are many more.

We don't have a state income tax, you do. We have limited government, you don't. Houston has the second highest number of Fortune 500 companies in the US, second to New York.

Please try to edit your responses of unnecessary material before attempting to impress us with your insight. Y'all come see us, heah?
to impress us with your insight.

[You are too stupid]

For me to bother even crafting a response. Please stay in Texas and stop voting in federal elections. Thanks.

[Petro]

Amen wrote:

I wouldn't move to Texas if you paid me to. Those guys in Hanalei have it right.

Im from Texas and Im embarrassed, thats why I never admit it.

[The Old Coach]

You are too stupid wrote:

For me to bother even crafting a response. Please stay in Texas and stop voting in federal elections. Thanks.

You have no response. All you have is inferiority. I will travel where I damn well please, including kookoofornia when I need a laugh. I always vote in federal elections and always vote for the best candidate. They didn't win much in 08 but things are changing as you noticed Nov. 3. You can fool some of the people all of the time.......(execept libeals, they are fooled easy by empty promieses of their candidates).

[The Old Coach]

Petro wrote:

<quoted text>
Im from Texas and Im embarrassed, thats why I never admit it.

Try wearing a mask or moving. That will help.

[True Freedom]

Petro wrote:

<quoted text>
Im from Texas and Im embarrassed, thats why I never admit it.

As a born and raised Texan, I am embarrassed for you too!
a) You say you never admit to being from Texas, yet in the same sentence you admit it. You are about as sharp as a bowling ball. Dumber than a box of rocks. Nicely done.
a) if you are not proud to be in Texas, it's time to relocate

Petro wrote:

True Freedom pays $40K per year in State tax, which means his income is probably over $400K/year. If you make that much money then stop whining about paying tax and move to Texas. It's worth a higher tax rate to me to stay the hell out of Texas..

Not whining, just making the point that I believe high taxes actually hurt the local economy. This does not just apply to income taxes, but also local sales taxes which are over 10% in some areas.

As income taxes increase, more of the wealthy (who bear a disproportionate percentage of the burden: top 4% pay 65.3% of all taxes collected) will leave the state, pushing us further into the hole.

As sales taxes increase, more folks will internet shop and buy out of state.

As for my family, moving to Texas would be a great option. However, my wife was born here, and has an ailing mother here... so leaving is not really an option at this time.

There are many things I love about living in California: the beaches, the weather, the mountains...

However, you mentioned some reasons for why Texas is prospering.. but there are many more:
a) try running a small business in California. Compare your worker's comp liabilities to the laws in Texas.
b) entitlements programs/ social welfare/ etc... many more people are milking teet here in California, hence, the State spend billions on public programs.

As a matter of opinion,(ie nothing more than anecdotal evidence to back this up), but when you are born and raised in Texas, you are taught to be strong, proud, and hold yourself up. Most folks in Texas are too proud to accept public assistance, or would work hard night and day to get off of it. In contrast, I believe, many here in California live above their means, get into trouble, then milk the system for every penny possible. It's more of a cultural paradigm here; therefore, Texas can spend a whole lot less per capita on public assistance programs.

[The Old Coach]

True Freedom wrote:

<quoted text>
As a born and raised Texan, I am embarrassed for you too!
a) You say you never admit to being from Texas, yet in the same sentence you admit it. You are about as sharp as a bowling ball. Dumber than a box of rocks. Nicely done.
a) if you are not proud to be in Texas, it's time to relocate
<quoted text>
Not whining, just making the point that I believe high taxes actually hurt the local economy. This does not just apply to income taxes, but also local sales taxes which are over 10% in some areas.
As income taxes increase, more of the wealthy (who bear a disproportionate percentage of the burden: top 4% pay 65.3% of all taxes collected) will leave the state, pushing us further into the hole.
As sales taxes increase, more folks will internet shop and buy out of state.
As for my family, moving to Texas would be a great option. However, my wife was born here, and has an ailing mother here... so leaving is not really an option at this time.
There are many things I love about living in California: the beaches, the weather, the mountains...
However, you mentioned some reasons for why Texas is prospering.. but there are many more:
a) try running a small business in California. Compare your worker's comp liabilities to the laws in Texas.
b) entitlements programs/ social welfare/ etc... many more people are milking teet here in California, hence, the State spend billions on public programs.
As a matter of opinion,(ie nothing more than anecdotal evidence to back this up), but when you are born and raised in Texas, you are taught to be strong, proud, and hold yourself up. Most folks in Texas are too proud to accept public assistance, or would work hard night and day to get off of it. In contrast, I believe, many here in California live above their means, get into trouble, then milk the system for every penny possible. It's more of a cultural paradigm here; therefore, Texas can spend a whole lot less per capita on public assistance programs.

You sir, are a gentleman. There is hope in California! Keep up the good work. I notice your ISP was San Mateo, I served in the Army with a guy from there back in the 60's. Great guy, Fort Hood Pool, racquetball and bowling champion. Only thing I could beat him in was the swimming meet. Imaging, someone from Texas beating a Californian in swimming. Oh well, go figure.

[People in Texas are funny]

Example:

Some of them think that Nasa Headquarters is in Texas. That's a laugh riot.

I wouldn't expect any less from our misinformed friends from Texas. I don't have all day to refute the misinformation and half-truths our Texan friends spout out. I love the Texan spirit of independence, but the ignorance and provincialism is appalling. At least the women in Texas are beautiful. I give you that.

Gotta run. "King of the Hill" is on.