Texas ranks #1 in small business climate. nt

[clarice]

[link:http://smallbiztrends.com/2013/04/best-small-business-tax-environment.html|

Way to go !!!!!!

[NYC_SKP]

1. The list reads like a Right Wing to Left Wing list of states, NY and CA at the bottom.

Texas and Florida (can you say Governor Bush) at the top of the list.

I'm not very confident in the source or the criteria, I'm not confident that actual small businesses would agree.



Source: http://chiefexecutive.net/best-worst-states-for-business-2013

[clarice]

3. Who should I have consulted ? Popular Mechanics? lol. nt

[clarice]

5. BTW... I pulled the info from Small Business Trends website.

I think they DO agree.

[NYC_SKP]

20. I don't mean to accuse you of bias, it's just that all the sources I find are anti-union.

I've been trying to see what other articles are using these numbers and almost every one has an anti-union pitch to make.

I don't doubt that larger businesses find it easier to function in Texas, et al, but I'm not sure that truly small businesses, the kind put out of business by "business friendly" climates that server Walmart and others would agree.

It's certainly worth discussing, though!

[clarice]

24. At LAST....a well thought out, intelligent response. Thank you NYC. nt

[Egalitarian Thug]

133. Of course. In America the friendliness to "small business" is nothing more than, "how

much will the state allow you to abuse and steal from employees?"

There's a lot of room for improvement on the other end of that list as well, but we've just totally lost sight of what it's all about.

[LuvNewcastle]

2. They're really popular with factories that store explosive materials.

They don't have to worry about inspections or anything!

[clarice]

4. Blah Blah Blah. nt

[LuvNewcastle]

9. More like Boom! Boom! Boom! n/t

[clarice]

10. Out go the lights. nt

[11 Bravo]

14. No doubt about it, business is booming in Texas! (Unfortunately ...

they also occasionally take out the stray community, but what the fuck. You can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs ... right?)

[clarice]

22. I guess *shrugs shoulders* nt

[HangOnKids]

77. When presented with facts you shrug?

OK.

[clarice]

80. *shrug* nt

[HangOnKids]

82. Powerful clarice

Just farking amazing.

[wild bird]

149. Boom boom out go the lights.

Reminds me of a song done by The Pat Travers Band.

[Bandit]

6. They also rank number one in polution.

Yea Texas

[kelliekat44]

36. STOP!!! nt

[HangOnKids]

75. Why? n/t

[KamaAina]

7. What were the criteria?

Low wages? Lax requirements for employee health care? No inspections of poisonous or explosive stuff, like in West?

Yup, Texas has it all.

[denverbill]

13. Here's the 'About Us' from the website.

"We believe that capitalism may be the most important factor in spreading human health and prosperity around the globe. By producing what people want and need in innovative ways, capitalists satisfy our everyday demands, create jobs, raise standards of living, extend lifespans and more.

CEOs are the cornerstones of the free enterprise system, and we help them do their jobs better to the benefit of their customers, employees, shareholders and themselves."

My bet is that if the list was created for workers, it would be almost exactly the opposite. Texas has more low-wage/no benefit jobs than any state in the country, thanks to lax regulation and illegal immigration.

[clarice]

18. Again, I pulled the info from "Small Business Trends".

I didn't happen to notice the original source. Shoot me. nt

[kimbutgar]

136. Clarice how much are they paying you to troll here?

Your "Texas is great " bias is astounding. Why would someone move their business to a state of people with no healthcare, poor education, polluted skies and water. Do you live in one of those towns that is running to out of water because it's used up in fracking? Or the polluted waters in the gulf with skin eating bacteria. Texas has become a cesspool of religious freaks, greedy tea baggers and brainwashed people like yourself.

No, I will continue living in the best state of California. If you give an employee a choice whether to work in Texas or California, California wins in a landslide.

I've been to Texas 3 times and I couldn't wait to go back to my beautiful California.

[clarice]

152. California is very beautiful. I had a good time there. Stay in touch. nt

[LittleBlue]

57. CEOs are the backbone of democracy, freedom and the American way

Blah blah blah. That website reads like a right-wing porn fantasy.

[clarice]

8. Why all the hate???!!!!!nt

[maddezmom]

11. Maybe cuz you sound like Rick Perry?

Here is the link to the ratings
http://chiefexecutive.net/how-ceos-grade-the-states-2013

[clarice]

15. That was cruel and unnecessary. nt

[11 Bravo]

73. Damned near as cruel as your "shrugs shoulders" response to a post regarding the deaths ...

of the innocent neighbors living near one of those virtually unregulated Texas businesses of which you are so enamored. You know, the one that blew the fuck up, leveling an entire neighborhood.
Now, feel free to shrug away.

[clarice]

76. I know it well. Went there for 2 days doing volunteer work.

What did YOU do ? Please look before you leap.

[11 Bravo]

84. Of course you did. And after viewing the carnage you shrugged your shoulders. Cool story, sis.

[clarice]

88. Wow, I feel so sorry for you. But....ignore. nt

[Redneck_Dem]

17. Psst

It messes up the progressive paradigm when a 'red-state' is successful.

[maddezmom]

23. Sorry, I live here and yes the economy is great but not much else

http://www.kxan.com/news/as-texas-economy-grows-so-does-proverty-rate

[clarice]

26. I think the PEOPLE are great. nt

[maddezmom]

31. Yeah, some are ....others not so much.

[clarice]

34. I guess that holds true wherever you go. nt

[LondonReign2]

89. Then why do they (we, I live here) vote overwhlemingly Republican?

[Redneck_Dem]

45. The OP is about the economy

[maddezmom]

46. Yup and

I am just adding a bit more info about the the state of Texas.

[Marrah_G]

142. The OP is about dropping a bomb and hoping to get other posters hidden

That's all it is about.

[denverbill]

27. That's because red-staters tend to have peculiar definitions of successful.

What's meaningful is median per capita income.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_by_income#States_ranked_by_median_household_income

1 Maryland $70,004 $69,272 $70,545 $68,080 $62,372
2 Alaska $67,825 $68,342 $70,378 $67,035 $64,169
3 New Jersey $67,458 $67,034 $68,595 $65,967 $59,972
4 Connecticut $65,753 $66,953 $68,460 $64,333 $57,639
District of Columbia $63,124 $64,098 $67,214 $63,746 $60,681
5 Massachusetts $62,859 $64,081 $65,401 $62,365 $56,236
6 New Hampshire $62,647 $60,567 $63,731 $62,369 $60,489
7 Virginia $61,882 $59,330 $61,233 $59,562 $55,108
8 Hawaii $61,821 $59,290 $57,936 $54,317 $47,221 (2005)[8] PDF
9 Delaware $58,814 $58,931 $61,021 $59,948 $53,770
10 California $57,287 $56,860 $57,989 $54,610 $52,214
11 Minnesota $56,954 $56,548 $58,078 $55,591 $53,439
12 Washington $56,835 $55,616 $57,288 $55,082 $57,363
13 Wyoming $56,322 $55,430 $56,993 $55,212 $54,039
14 Utah $55,869 $55,117 $56,633 $55,109 $55,179
15 Colorado $55,387 $54,659 $56,033 $53,514 $48,201
16 New York $55,246 $54,119 $55,701 $53,568 $52,003
17 Rhode Island $53,636 $53,966 $56,235 $54,124 $49,280
18 Illinois $53,234 $53,341 $56,361 $55,062 $50,819
19 Vermont $52,776 $52,664 $53,207 $51,731 $47,227
20 North Dakota $51,704 $51,618 $52,104 $49,907 $51,622
United States $50,502 $50,221 $52,029 $50,740 $46,242 (2005) [9] PDF
21 Wisconsin $50,395 $49,993 $52,094 $50,578 $48,874
22 Nebraska $50,296 $49,520 $50,713 $48,576 $47,791
23 Pennsylvania $50,228 $48,745 $50,958 $49,889 $46,729
24 Iowa $49,427 $48,457 $50,169 $48,730 $45,485
25 Texas $49,392 $48,259 $50,043 $47,548 $43,425
26 Kansas $48,964 $48,044 $48,980 $47,292 $47,489
27 Nevada $48,927 $47,827 $45,685 $43,753 $43,753
28 South Dakota $48,321 $47,817 $50,177 $47,451 $44,264
29 Oregon $46,816 $47,590 $50,861 $49,136 $46,841
30 Arizona $46,709 $47,357 $49,693 $47,085 $48,126
31 Indiana $46,438 $45,734 $46,581 $45,888 $45,040
32 Maine $46,033 $45,424 $47,966 $47,448 $44,806
33 Georgia $46,007 $45,395 $47,988 $46,597 $45,837
34 Michigan $45,981 $45,255 $48,591 $47,950 $47,064
35 Ohio $45,749 $45,229 $46,867 $45,114 $44,651
36 Missouri $45,247 $45,043 $46,032 $43,424 $44,624
37 Florida $44,299 $44,926 $47,576 $46,253 $46,395
38 Montana $44,222 $44,736 $47,778 $47,804 $44,448
39 North Carolina $43,916 $43,674 $46,549 $44,670 $42,061
40 Idaho $43,341 $43,028 $43,508 $41,452 $40,827
41 Oklahoma $43,225 $42,492 $43,733 $40,926 $37,943
42 South Carolina $42,367 $42,442 $44,625 $43,329 $40,822
43 New Mexico $41,963 $42,322 $43,654 $43,531 $38,629
44 Louisiana $41,734 $41,725 $43,614 $42,367 $40,676
45 Tennessee $41,693 $41,664 $42,822 $41,567 $40,001
46 Alabama $41,415 $40,489 $42,666 $40,554 $38,473
47 Kentucky $41,141 $40,072 $41,538 $40,267 $38,466
48 Arkansas $38,758 $37,823 $38,815 $38,134 $37,420
49 West Virginia $38,482 $37,435 $37,989 $37,060 $37,227
50 Mississippi $36,919 $36,646 $37,790 $36,338 $35,261

[HangOnKids]

92. The progressive paradigm?

Got a problem with that?

[Notafraidtoo]

143. Their is no successful red state.

When the workers in your state are so poor they cant pay more or equal amounts of federal taxes as the state receives you are a failed state, Every red state is a tax moocher because workers in those states don't make enough money to be above the poverty line and the ones that are above poverty don't make much above it so they get massive amounts of blue state workers tax money.


You certainly have a messed up view of success when you consider low wages,low education and graduation rates,high mortality due to lack of health care, highest rates of cancer because of pollution,highest obesity rates because healthy food is expensive and to expensive for low paid employees,highest rates of heart disease and it goes on and on and on.

I think people cheering for Texas live in the couple of states in the south that are doing even worse and just don't realize what its like to live in a civilized state like Massachusetts.

[Redneck_Dem]

145. Is the OP about all those things you mention?

Or is it about the success of the "small business climate" in Texas?

Personally, I am not so petty to use politics to dismiss success or failure.

[maddezmom]

146. But the politics of TX directly relate to the "success"

So they should be part of the discussion.

[Redneck_Dem]

148. That's the thing

The 'discussion' (OP) is about the success of TXs small business climate, but since, as you say, that success is directly related to the politics of TX, people change the subject to dismiss the success in order to satisfy a hate based on politics.

[maddezmom]

150. My dislike for the politics are not based on hate

It is based in how it relates to the people living here.

[DisgustipatedinCA]

48. Because it's precisely what you wanted to happen

Drop a one-line Republican talking point followed by an n/t, then sit back and watch the fireworks.

Myself, I'm in California. We have a terrible business climate. Taxes are high. Regulations are rough. It's hard to get any business done here. Oh, and we have the 7th largest economy in the world. We'll get by...somehow.

[clarice]

51. Very cruel and unnecessary.nt

[Marrah_G]

59. But mostly true

[clarice]

64. Which parts? If upping my State is offensive to "Ya'll", I'm sorry. nt

[HangOnKids]

81. Sure you are n/t

[Hong Kong Cavalier]

54. This.

+1

I live in Minnesota, and we're doing just terrible, too. Not as terrible...I mean "terrible" as California, but what can ya do? We have more moose (meese?) and they tend to muck up small businesses.

[clarice]

56. What is it that is repressing the economy in Minn ? Never been there. nt

[Hong Kong Cavalier]

62. Context matters, not your desire to fulfill your fact-less narrative.

I was replying to the poster above who said that their economy in California was so terrible, they're the 7th largest economy in the world.

While we're not doing as well as they are (I was sarcastic when I used the word "terrible". That's why it's in quotes.) we are doing quite well in Minnesota, with a plummeting unemployment rate. Funny thing is, it all started when the DFL (That's the Democrat Farmer-Labor party, the state Democratic party) got the governorship (Mark Dayton) AND reclaimed the entire legislature.

Oh, and we have marriage equality in Minnesota as well. Unlike Texas.

The only thing that repressed the economy in the last eight years was GOP Governor Tim Pawlenty and his bullshit "No new taxes" pledge. Once again, a republican's policies nearly destroyed a state and left the Democrats the mess to clean up.

You remember him, don't you? He was a 2008 candidate for about a month. He and Rick Perry agreed on more than a few economy policies, I bet.

TL : DR = I was being sarcastic in my prior post.

[clarice]

65. Jeeez, sorry.....angry much? nt

[Hong Kong Cavalier]

69. You're clearly not sorry.

Not one bit. And I'm nowhere near angry. I merely thought to engage you in a bit of fact-based discussion about my post and an explanation.

You clearly don't really want to discuss anything; just throw out one-liners at people and watch the reaction. And when people find out the right-wing sources for your "stats" and call you out on it, you simply get defensive.

Welcome to the DU. Hope you survive the experience. (Bonus points if you can figure out where I paraphrased that quote from)

[clarice]

72. No, I am truly sorry. nt

[SammyWinstonJack]

79. Why should the poster be angry? Clearly his state is doing much better than Texas, financially and

likely in most others areas, also. And before you ask, yes I have been to Texas. Lived there 20 yrs and only left recently as in months.

[clarice]

86. That was my question..... why was his post back to

me so hateful? I simply asked why the Minn economy was so bad ( as he mentioned in his post) I had no idea he was being sarcastic.

[HangOnKids]

90. Ohhh because he is a big meanie

Does that help?

[clarice]

50. Employee satisfaction. Four Texas Cities in the top 30.

[link:http://www.glassdoor.com/blog/glassdoors-employment-satisfaction-report-card-city/|

Sorry DenverBill

[clarice]

61. No thoughts on this one? nt

[maddezmom]

63. Sure, do you have a link?

[clarice]

67. Yes, sorry, here it is.nt

[link:http://www.glassdoor.com/blog/glassdoors-employment-satisfaction-report-card-city/|

[maddezmom]

70. The full list doesn't show up for me the comment section

Leads me to believe this is a flawed poll.

[clarice]

71. Ok. nt

[HangOnKids]

85. Replying to yourself?

Classic!

[Marrah_G]

12. Good for business, not so good for people.

[clarice]

16. Have you ever been here? Why are so many people moving here? nt

[LanternWaste]

19. Better view to see explosions resulting from unregulated businesses.

Better view to see explosions resulting from unregulated businesses.

That's why I live here...

[clarice]

21. Oh Good Lord....nt

[LanternWaste]

33. Vapid premise results in vapid responses

Vapid premise often results in vapid responses, regardless of whether the Lord is good or not.

[clarice]

35. Speaking of vapid......nt

[HangOnKids]

87. Jesus you may have hit a fact in this post n/t

[Marrah_G]

25. Nope and I have no plans to go there

I find the politics that rule your state to be disgusting.

[clarice]

28. Ever been here? nt

[clarice]

30. BTW...we are working to change that. nt

[Marrah_G]

47. And I hope you are successful someday

[clarice]

55. It takes a village. nt

[SoCalDem]

53. Our son & daughter-in-law moved there from Seattle

stayed there long enough to have their daughter...hated it (Texas) and then skedaddled back to Seattle with their little Texan.. They lived in Magnolia, and their year there was a valuable learning experience for them.. They learned how much they love Seattle

[clarice]

58. Texas is not for the meek, that's for sure. Congrats on new grand baby. nt

[SoCalDem]

60. They are not meek...just discerning.. the grand-daugher is a keeper for sure n/t

[HangOnKids]

93. Nailed it!

Con-grats on the baby girl, Grand Kids are so wonderful.

[LondonReign2]

94. Why are so many people moving here?

Because Republican rule has allowed businesses to pollute as much as they want, bust unions, and avoid and/or cap liability. It is indeed a great environment for business. Just not so great for human beings.

[maddezmom]

96. +1000

Clarice won't address any of thos issues just keeps on cheering.

[clarice]

97. true...but at LEAST the "Human Beings" can find work here. Agreed? nt

[LondonReign2]

104. Your view is that unlimited pollution, breaking labor unions, lax or no regulations, and

protecting corporations against liability are good things because they lead to jobs?

[clarice]

111. What in the hell are you talking about? Never, and I mean NEVER

label me in that manner. How DARE you ?!

[LondonReign2]

113. You didn't answer, did you?

Why do you think Texas is ranked by CEOs and chambers of commerce as the #1 environment for small businesses?

Is it the labor friendly stance? The fair regulations? The excellent environmental requirements? The pro-human tort laws?

[clarice]

115. I am too offended to offer you an explanation. Please be more

open hearted.

[LondonReign2]

116. Sure you are

OTIO

[HangOnKids]

129. Are you stomping your feet clarice?

With a question mark and an exclamation point?

[Rectangle]

29. Oh, Yay Texas-- of which its citizen are facing an evironmental nightmare>

due to corporate Natural Gas Fracking, climate change induced drought. and, no water
regulations!

Read at link

http://www.deathandtaxesmag.com/204025/texas-is-fracking-itself-out-of-water-30-towns-will-be-dry-in-the-next-year/

None of those nasty regulations!!

Nope!

[clarice]

32. Funny, everywhere I go, help wanted signs. nt

[Rectangle]

37. Yeah, you're gonna need help. After your drinking water is gone

or poisoned.

Don't come running to the Gov't.

Yay Texas!

[clarice]

43. Why would I do that ? nt

[pampango]

38. This says a lot. Colorado-"Anti-business forces won 2012 elections and are delivering on promises."

"Anti-business forces" = Democrats?

Ohio:

“Ohio’s lack of ‘right to work’ regulations and high utility costs make it increasingly more unattractive for capital investment.”

“Ohio has made a dramatic turnaround under Republican leadership.”

Delaware:

Advancing regulatory reform but suffering perceptual hit from Democratic control.

18 of the top 20 are right-to-work states.

[clarice]

39. For the haters......States ranked by charitable contributions...Texas #13..NOT BAD.

[link:http://philanthropy.com/article/Sharing-the-Wealth-How-the/133605/|

[maddezmom]

40. How about poverty?

Education? Women's rights?

[clarice]

41. RE:Charitable donations: Is it so hard to say "Way to go Texas"?

[clarice]

74. I guess it is. nt

[maddezmom]

83. Doesn't seem all that remarkable considering

By population TX is ranked #2.

[LondonReign2]

99. Megachurches

[clarice]

102. #13 in charitable donations. nt

[LondonReign2]

106. Yes. See "Megachurches" above

[clarice]

114. unclear...why does it matter where the charity is coming from?

[LondonReign2]

117. OTIO

[clarice]

118. YTHY. nt

[TexasTowelie]

42. Clarice,

I'm glad that Texas does rank #1 in a category that normally wouldn't be considered negative, but there are many reasons why it is true. Texas is the only state that does not mandate that employers carry workers compensation insurance, the civil justice system is rigged in favor of business interests regarding tort laws, and there is no income tax which means that the tax burden is replaced by more regressive tax policies. Those are items that we should be ashamed about rather than boasting with pride.

[clarice]

44. Curious, do you WANT a State Income tax?.nt

[Marrah_G]

49. Absolutely

Taxes are not evil.

[clarice]

52. I never said they were. I was just curious. Thanks. nt

[TexasTowelie]

66. Does anyone WANT to be taxed?

Well of course it would be lovely if everyone could get something for nothing, but that isn't reality.

However, I could tolerate paying income tax if it was offset with a reduction in the sales tax and more goods were exempted. The state currently collects 6.25% sales tax compared to 4% about three decades ago. That tax hits the lowest income people more than the wealthy.

I could also tolerate paying income tax if it provided more for resources such as public and higher education, increases to programs such as WIC, CHIP and other social services such as re-opening mental health hospitals. There are other areas that lack funding such as our parks and transportation infrastructure.

In addition, state income taxes can be deducted from the federal income tax returns while certain other taxes do not receive that benefit.

In the words of Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., "Taxes are the price we pay for a civilized society."

[clarice]

68. agreed. nt

[Egalitarian Thug]

135. Well, most people do want paved roads, clean water, functional schools, their children to

grow up free from diseases, breathable air, not to have to step over or drive around the dispossessed, and so on.

Oh, and then there's this:

In fiscal 2009, the IRS collected about $163 billion from Texans and the state received about $224 billion, for a net gain of $61 billion. Federal spending in Texas also exceeded tax payments in 2008 by $8 billion. It was the other way around in 2006 and 2007, when tax payments by Texans exceeded federal spending by a total of about $47 billion.

If only the rest of the nation was as "smart" as Texas and took 37% more than it contributed...

"I've got mine, fuck y'all" should be the state motto, as you've clearly demonstrated in this thread.

[ErikJ]

78. Cant find the article. Apparently CEO's rate Texas the most business friendly

They apparently rate on how low taxes and regulations are in any given state. The classic race to the bottom. Bernie Sanders says this will eventuially lead to disaster and the feds should withdraw highway funds from states that participate in this race to the bottom.

"..............CEO's quoted by the magazine say things like 'Texas is probably the most business friendly state I've ever been in and supports the efforts of new and existing businesses' and 'Texas is wonderful biz environment. Friendly, well-educated, motivated workers. Great tax base and very good educational system.'



Florida is #2 in the survey, North Carolina ranks number three.



On the other end of the scale are the two states Texans love to hate. New York ranks 49th, while California ranks 50th.



While California's 'living environment' ranks high, the Golden State is not so golden when it comes to taxes and regulations, ranking the worst in the country.



California also as a far larger debt per resident than Texas, far more state employees per capita, and substantially higher taxes. Many CEO's cited the new 11% state income tax rate approved by California voters last year, saying it escalates California's 'self imposed decline.'



One CEO's comments said it all: "California is accelerating down the wrong track. At some point even the climate will be outweighed by the massive disincentives to business and the tax policies on the modestly successful. It is well on its way to becoming an environment where the super elites (Hollywood, Silicon Valley, and the political class) are separated from the 'service class,' by a personal income chasm as the unions continue to plunder the state's treasury."



That CEO says he is considering moving his business...with hundreds of employees...to Texas.

...................
http://www.woai.com/articles/woai-local-news-119078/texas-ranks-1-in-business-climate-11266423/


Read more: http://www.woai.com/articles/woai-local-news-119078/texas-ranks-1-in-business-climate-11266423/#ixzz2cdSF5j1F

[clarice]

91. My point exactly. nt

[ErikJ]

110. So you agree with Bernie Sanders?

States that participate in the race to the bottom should get no highway funds?

[clarice]

112. Not sure, let me think about it. Thanks. nt

[Shrike47]

100. Yay CEOs! Yay Enron!

[Arctic Dave]

95. And close to the bottom in healthcare.

Close to the bottom in environmental stewardship.

Close to the bottom in education funding.

Close to the bottom in high school graduation.

Highest in executions.

Close to the top for incarceration.

If Texas is so awesome, why do so many come to Alaska to work?

[HangOnKids]

98. Ahh those hateful facts!

Please don't post those things.

[clarice]

101. Love of seal blubber? Just a guess. BTW, Alaska IS beautifull.

[Arctic Dave]

103. That's because we take of our State.

I've been to Texas several times. Can't say the same and not be lying.

[clarice]

105. Keep up the good work. nt

[Skittles]

107. yeah but you have to live in TEXAS

[Rectangle]

109. Hey Texas. You're #1 ------in people without health insurance

coverage!

http://www.texmed.org/Template.aspx?id=5517

Lots of low paying jobs, with no benefits.

Way to go!!

[rurallib]

119. Texas - turning paved highways to gravel

heading backwards in the time machine.

[clarice]

120. I have never met a more hate filled group in my life. nt

[maddezmom]

121. Hate filled?

People posting facts are not hate filled.

[clarice]

122. But being called a Republican is. nt

[maddezmom]

123. I didn't call you a republican

I said you sounded like one.

[clarice]

126. Does that mean that I can't have differing opinions on some issues?

All I did was to try to give props to my State, and look what I started. Live and learn.

[maddezmom]

128. Your entitled to any position or opinion you want

But you asked the question and I answered with my opinion.

[clarice]

130. Please don't misunderstand. I didn't mean YOU, you've been

very nice. It's some of the others. Friends?

[Shrike47]

125. Perhaps you should avoid us?

[clarice]

127. why ? I've made many friends in the short time that I've been here. nt

[HangOnKids]

134. But DU is hate filled

You said it yourself. I know you are looking for bumps to your thread, I love it because it is so fuzzy. I have always loved you clarice.

[rurallib]

131. you are not proud of the asphalt to gravel policy?

[clarice]

132. I do love 4 wheelin' nt

[NYC_SKP]

137. It's not everybody, clarice. A lot of people get set off by "Texas" posts.

It's not even if it's good or bad news, most have never been there (I have).

This community has a lot of people who are just so angry with some of the things that happen in Texas, like textbook selection and executions, and Texans, like the Bush family, that they just don't think first and instead react.

And sometimes it's in a very mean way.

I am embarrassed by us, sometimes, and I'm sorry that your post is being so rudely challenged.

[maddezmom]

139. And some of us live here

Great...some survey says we're # 1 in something but we are far behind the pack in things that are important to me. Poverty. Women's Rights. Graduation rates. Health Care. I could go on and on but I will stop there. I hate region bashing but I also dislike cheer leading for a state about one thing while overlooking the bigger issues. Sorry.

[clarice]

157. No sorry required, I'm a big girl. nt

[trumad]

151. OH FUCK THAT!

This guy smells of troll 50 miles away. He will be PPRed within a week,

[clarice]

159. Thank you Trumad, I always welcome a

well thought out, reasoned opinion. BTW... I wear White Diamonds, not Eau de Troll.

[clarice]

153. You are a TRUE Gentleperson. Very classy. nt

[Blue_Tires]

158. Well to be fair, for a long time they have made themselves easy targets

and even then they only get a fraction of the hate/jokes/scorn that Florida usually gets...

[Rectangle]

124. Texas--#1 in going back to dirt roads!! Backwards is the new Forwards!!

here's the story;

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/08/19/texas-begins-replacing-paved-roads-with-gravel-due-to-lack-of-funding/

You can't make this shit up!

[Demo_Chris]

138. Texas is EXCEPTIONAL when it comes to small businesses...

Speaking from personal experience here.

Getting your business permit takes about 5 minutes online. When it comes to paying your state taxes, the state bends over backwards to assist you. They really REALLY seem to want to help. I consider them an excellent example of government actually working well.

[ErikJ]

140. Except health care and protective regulations.

Texas is intent on keeping Obamacare out which ends pre-existing conditions freeing people to quit their jobs and strike out on their own small business which I think is the #1 fear of big business.

[Notafraidtoo]

141. Thats the one of the worse thing's to be number 1# at.

To be number 1# in business climate means you are number 1# in anti consumer protection,anti labor,anti environment, anti education,you do know that all this is going to come crumbling down when growth stops due to low wages and no way to increase them? the worse thing for small business is consumers with no money. This is recipe for temporary gains resulting in long term loses. Its also going to result in a brain drain, why make 35k in Texas when you can make 80k in California for the same job or 160k in Australia.


There is a ton of things Texas scores high in that are horrible- bad education, low income, no health insurance, high pollution, mooching off the government because they get more fed money than they give,teen pregnancy, low IQ, child mortality, accidental shootings, food borne illness the list goes on and on and on, Sorry Texas is shit but if you think having a lot of low wage jobs to choose from a good thing go right ahead and cheer it.

[clarice]

155. How do you REALLY feel ? lol. nt

[rdharma]

144. Does Texas have any drinkable water left?

Or do they just have polluted leftover fracking fluids?

[cali]

147. VT is 39th and yet is has much lower unemployment.

TX has 6.5% compared to Vermont at 4.6%.

[Blue_Tires]

154. Blue_tires ranks in the bottom 0.1% in "Number of fucks given"

I Won

[clarice]

156. Cursing isn't necessary my friend. nt

[Bradical79]

160. I feel like I'm missing something

Where's the list? Who made this list? What's the criteria? Link?

Just curious where all this conversation/argument is coming from when all I see is "Way to go !!!!!!"

[clarice]

161. Hi Bradical, I pulled the list from a site called

"Small Business Trends" (I tried to post the link in the original
OP) but I'm kinda computer challenged. Anyway I didn't notice at the time that SBT had pulled the list from a place called
CEO magazine. That's why everyone had a conniption fit.
I'm now an Evil Capitalist / Troll / home wrecker / etc.