Disappointing Republicans

Two prominent Republicans recently announced they were having affairs, Senator John Ensign (R-NV) and Governor Mark Sanford (R-GA). While I wasn't very familiar with Ensign, I had come to like Sanford over his opposition to the stimulus.

Why do Blue States have the Worst Economies?

It's not a coincidence that the most economically successful states during these times also happen to be conservative states. Of course, now liberal progresive socialists want to export the ideas that didn't work at the State level, nationally. Perhaps if I have time I'll do a comparison between economic health and the precent that voted for Obama.

Where Struggling Americans Can Find a Fresh Start

Texas is the Most Popular Destination

Alaska isn't alone in having difficulty attracting skilled employees. Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Oklahoma also have trouble finding folks willing to relocate from areas with faster-paced lifestyles, Goss said. Some states have encouraged immigration to fill employment shortages, he said.

Tim Johnson, managing editor of online moving-services company Relocation.com, said few people are relocating these days, but Texas is the most popular destination for those who are.

Texas, like many of today's other economic bright spots, never had a housing bubble or bust. Its job market has remained relatively strong, in part because it is a major oil and health-care hub.

"The clear winner is Texas," Johnson said. "People really see Texas as a place for good economic prospects."

Why?

1. Lower taxes: There is no sales tax. If a family is looking at paying $10,000 in taxes in California and $5,000 in Texas, No sales tax.


2. Fewer restrictions on which business can operate. For example, when California decided to stop construction of power plants in California, it meant they had to import electricity from Nevada and other surrounding states. That meant jobs in those plants went to Nevada.


3. Right to work laws means that unions aren't prevalent. Unions drive up the cost of doing business. What the unions and politicians forget is that companies can move. They may be forced to move in order to remain competitive or attract capital.


4. No Housing Bubble and Bust. Texas has both the ability and room to expand. Houston, at least, does not have zoning laws. This allows for a transition of neighborhood. An old commercial site can be turned into a housing complex without having to bribe government officials or fight special interest groups. Much of the area inside Houston's 610 loop has undergone revitilization that couldn't have happened if there were zoning laws. Texas also doesn't have any land use restriction laws. Finding new places that the environmentalists allow you to build in California is hard. This makes the existing land skyrocket.

So What Did We Get for the Bailout?

Late last year, the government, under "Republican" GW Bush, decided to unilaterlly bailout out GM and Chrysler. So how much was the country benefited by shoving taxpayer money into failing companies? Apparently not much as both are in bankruptcy as predicted.

Over course, now Obama has unilaterlly revised bankruptcy laws to usurp the secured debt holders and mandate who should benefit from bankruptcy. In the Chrysler bankruptcy, secured creditors got 33% of the assets, while unsecured creditors (the UAW) got 42% and 55% of the new company.

Not only am I doubt of the government's ability to turn around GM, I am worried about the chilling effect that these actions on future lending. Who wants to lend when your rights as a lender may be usurped by the Obama.

WSJ: Monday, U.S. President Barack Obama defended government intervention in GM as the auto maker enters Chapter 11 bankruptcy, saying the actions are part of a "viable, achievable plan that will give this iconic company a chance to rise again."

Under the plan, the government would own 60% of the new GM, but Mr. Obama said auto executives "will call the shots and make the decisions about turning this company around." He said the government would refrain from playing a management role in all but the most critical areas. (commentary: sure they'll just appoint the puppets) "Our goal is to help GM get back on its feet...and get out quickly," he said....

Meanwhile, GM Chairman Kent Kresa said he will keep five current members of the board of directors, and said that the Obama administration has final say on who will fill out the new board. Meanwhile, GM Chairman Kent Kresa said he will keep five current members of the board of directors, and said that the Obama administration has final say on who will fill out the new board.

What Chrysler Bankruptcy Spells for Healthcare?

Statistical evidence indicated that the closing of Chrysler dealerships may have had some partisan influence. The closing of approximately 25% of Chrysler dealerships were supposedly made by a super secret matrix of different criteria.

Another blogger looked into this. Not only did, a set of five dealerships owned by influential Democrats remain open, but their competition in five seperate locations were shut down.

So what happens when healthcare gets nationalized by the Obama? Will your donations record be reviewed before surgery gets approved. Will an otherwise healthy, 45 year old Republican be bumped down a heart transplant list in leiu of a 80 year old Democrat with chirrosis of the liver?