Texas may have good job growth but it still ranks 27th in the unemployment rate.

Texas has the highest percentage of minimum wage jobs of any state.

While there are a few great paying jobs the medium income is 5.9% below the national average.

Under Rick Perry, since 2000, about 300,000 new Texas jobs were in government. Well over half of them, fueled by the surging population, were at public schools. Employment in the state’s public sector has jumped 19% since 2000, compared with a 9% rise in the private sector.

If Texas Gov. Rick Perry enters the 2012 presidential race, he’ll almost certainly run on the strength of Texas’ economy under his three terms as governor. But as the Houston Chronicle pointed out, there are many reasons why Texas’ economy is growing that have little to do with Perry’s policies. The Chronicle lists ten, including rising oil prices, increased government and military spending, cheap immigrant labor, an abnormally strong housing market, and even, potentially, a growing drug trade. Moreover, Texas’ strong employment and GDP growth mask deep structural inequality problems in the state, such as a lack of good jobs and health insurance coverage.

http://blog.chron.com/txpotomac/2011/07/ten-reasons-why-the-texas-economy-is-growing-that-have-nothing-to-do-with-rick-perry/

You man like that association with that anti-gay Rev Hagee?

Pastor Hagee's Statement Regarding Hurricane Katrina

As a believing Christian, I see the hand of God in everything that happens here on earth, both the blessings and the curses. Pastor Hagee did speculate that Hurricane Katrina may have been divine retribution against New Orleans because of an excessive “level of sin” in that city, and he specifically cited plans for a “homosexual parade” as an example of such sin.

http://www.pastorhagee.org/Fact5/Fact5.html

That article was GREAT, Dennis.

The little things Perry doesn't want us to know.

That and the $6.4 billion that Perry siphoned off the stimulus to defer Texas's debt crisis and make himself look smart, while at the same time passing the debt back to the rest of us and complaining about the stimulus, even on a day that he actually accepted stimulus money.

Thanks for the terrific article, Feisty. Gotta love these conservatives who preach about getting government out of people's personal lives yet nationwide, the GOP has placed itself firmly in the personal lives of women and in doctor's offices.

Dennis, more great information from Texas.

Gotta love these conservatives who preach about getting government out of people's personal lives

As long as it's on their terms Jody! ;o)

Dennis - terrific info!

Yeppers, Perry's bags are so full of trash, if he's fool enough to announce for President, there will be many full-time jobs for opposition researchers.

But all they need to do is check us "Vine bloggers' posts. Great stuff guys. By the way, Bev - Hagee is so toxic that McCain refused an endorsement from him in 2008.

Dennis,

Texas may have good job growth but it still ranks 27th in the unemployment rate.

Really? What 26 states have unemployment below 8.2%?

And how many of those states are having to deal with a growing population due to people fleeing liberal states like California where unemployment is half again higher, where there is no chance of jobs, where taxes are thru the roof and only the rich and poor on welfare can afford to live there?

Employment in the state’s public sector has jumped 19% since 2000, compared with a 9% rise in the private sector

Yea, like I said above ..... a lot of people are moving to Texas - have to educate all those kids, a lot of services to provide.

But more importantly, Texas hasn't faced the bloated government problems that are simply crushing other states.

The Chronicle lists ten, including rising oil prices,

Imagine what it would be without Obama, without Obama's war on energy, without Obama's shut down of the GULF!

Please tell me you really want to go there.

increased government and military spending,

The mention of 14,000 troops being re-located to Ft. Bliss over the last 3 years?

That's the best they got? Is that all those government jobs they were talking about?

14,000 extra troops - Wow ....... Are the fast food joints having to stay open till midnight now!

Is the Chronocile a liberal rag or what?

cheap immigrant labor,

Huh? Where is cheap immigrant labor not cheap ...... how is this benefit to Texas and not a benefit to California and every other state?

an abnormally strong housing market,

Yea, as the article stated, they didn't allow of the stupid crap that went on in other states such as ..... California?

and even, potentially, a growing drug trade.

Huh?

Texas is benefiting from a growing drug trade? How asinine.

BTW - Isn't this the very thing Perry is always harping on Obama to do his damn job and secure the borders, to actually deport a couple.

Is Perry taking $10 million of US tax payers stimulus money and selling 2,500 AKs, sniper rifles, etc to the drug cartels

Moreover, Texas’ strong employment and GDP growth mask deep structural inequality problems in the state, such as a lack of good jobs and health insurance coverage.

What a worthless load of crap. Name a state with more Fortune headquarters.

Bob-numbers,

Excuses, and more excuses as always. If you have a problem with the information then I suggest you write an op-ed to the Houston Chronicle and point out to them your wondrous database of factual information.

Maybe they will print a retraction.

Feisty,

You are right about the vaccine mandate.

Dispicable.

Big government cronyism just like Obama.

Perry will get you if you take your eye off him.

Obama? He will screw you right in front of your face and laugh about it.

Between the two - I'd pick Perry in half a heart beat.

Thanks, Bob, for your factual rebuttal. Perry may not be perfect but at least he's got proven, successful leadership experience than what we have now or could potentially have in the big house.

Dennis,

Excuses? Hardly.

I thought it was an adequate explanation / over all refutal and liberal de-bunking.

Olivia,

Great point about leadership experience.

Amazing that we actually elected a guy with not one second of it, huh?

You certainly didn't challenge anything I said.

Nah ...... any independents readers here at FR can make their own mind up...... it's pretty simple.

Whoops ...... I got Olivia in the middle of the reply to Dennis ...... sorry about that.

Wow Fiesty,

Great point! Where were you when Obama was hanging out with the convicted terrorist Bill Ayers or the racist Reverend Wright? I can see how you would think Perry is the devil and all, being a Republican from Texas, with a booming economy (no matter the reasons), with low state taxes for businesses, with companies from all over considering relocating there, and being a Shiite Christian. Let's see, he has served as an officer in the Air Force, flew planes I believe, he has convictions (maybe they don't seem agreeable to you), he wants to limit government and that sounds good to me.

Hi Feisty,

Great article. Gosh, that Redneck Cowboy is a piece of work.

he wants to limit government and that sounds good to me

Seriously?

Did you even read my comment?

He FORCED vacinations on pre-teen girls...

That sure smacks of BIG GUBMENT if you ask me!

PS: I would chose a different screen name - you are ANYTHING but rational

PPS: If I was the judge handing down the sentance for his convictions, the George W Bush wannba would be looking at 20 years to life!

It's amusing watching the Obots flail about in fear over another man entering the race who may dethrone their lord and savior.

Face it, someone's going to do it. I think it will be Romney. But that's just me.

I'm hoping most of you will be so disgusted you flee to Cuba.

Here's another comparison to Carter...in case you missed it.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/dows-losing-streak-now-in-ninth-day-2011-08-03

BTW Feisty.......do you consider those vaccinations children are required to take during their toddler years as "forced"? or just common sense?

Ms. Fiesty from Obama's backyard,

How ya digging those taxes up their in Roselle?

Doug Ponders - got there before I could. I recently had to get vaccinations just to attend University to get a PhD. It was mandated, granted, I am not a little girl, but I am an American citizen and I felt like my rights were infringed upon. But I got over it. I had the same vaccinations when I was 1-4 years old and still had to have them again because state law required it!

So from your ire over the vaccine to prevent HPV (a type of cervical cancer for which both of my daughters have been vaccinated against) can I assume you are against Measels, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR), polio, small pox, and other vaccines too.

No Fiesty, you'd rather hound dog some triviality about Perry and use that to show some hypocracy as evidence of his dark, evil side. You never did respond to Mr. Obama's relationship to known domestic terrorists or radical race icons. Do you see domestic terrorism as equivalent to forced vaccinations?

I was only trying to spoof your argument but you were way too sharp for me, calling me irrational. I feel like I have just been cut down by a fifth grader. Grow up and stop pretending you are smart just because you spout some daily drivel on Newsvine.

Those vacinations Perry forced on girls upset way more conservatives that I know. You want to know why because it was for Chlamydia. Meaning that some girls might then think they could be promiscuous. I am a believer in vacines and had my daughter vacinated but to hear some talk Perry was going to drag young girls out into the street and talk them into being sexually active.

But it was kinda anti - what Perry now stands for you know the anti-big Gubment stuff but thats just standard for Perry. He's for something til he's not, depends on the money.

No Irrational, you'd rather hound dog some triviality about Obama and use that to show some hypocracy as evidence of his dark, evil side...

You never did respond to Mr. Obama's relationship to known domestic terrorists or radical race icons.

That's so easy, even a 'fifth' grader can do it! lol

You want to know why because it was for Chlamydia.

Umm.. I don't know how to break it to you but, there is NO vaccine for chlamydia.

The ONLY thing those vaccinations were about was the almighty DOLLAR!

As evidence with the questionable ties between Perry's staff & Merck!

Now, if someone could just invent a 'vaccine' for the right wing spin we would be onto something! ;o)

PS: I too am a believer in vaccines and a bleeding heart liberal.

However, when it comes to vaccines for STD's it is MY choice as a mother as to whether or not I want to vaccinate my daughter! Stay the hell out of our bedrooms!

Oh you disrespected me again. How refreshing, a liberal who insults whenever they have nothing to offer. You almost never get that on here.

So you are for vaccinations just not when Texas Governor Perry is for them. I see. So we have to bring out the Merck conspiracy on the matter just to make it even more sinister. Let's check a fact here, according to you Merck twisted Perry's arm so they could make a buck. But where is the connection to Sanofi-Pasteur who also makes the vaccine? There is none! OMG, that sure limits the conspiracy! How many have taken the vaccine nationwide?

I'll stand by my original observation of your irrational comments... K?

Sorry, but I don't deal in 'stuck on stupid' - hey - I disrespected you again - go tell Mom! ;o)

I'll let the readers decide who put up a cognitive argument & leave it at that!

Have a nice evening!

[As evidence with the questionable ties between Perry's staff & Merck!]

You mean like Eric "The Creep" Cantor and his ties to financial organizations that were esentially placing bets on whether the United States would default or not?

At least if "Eric" is going to buy $2000 suits, he should at least make sure it 'effing fits...he looks like a five year old playing dress up in his daddies clothes...

Feisty

I believe your life's mission and motto is "stuck on stupid". Your post certainly are. You NEVER provide an informed or even semi-rational argument which is based in fact.

Thank you too -- Dougie -- you also have a wonderful evening! :O)

You can lead a mule to water - yet, you still make them drink!

And I TRULY appreciate you & your ilk for continuing to prove you all are still STUCK ON STUPID!

Obama 2012 - YES WE CAN & YES WE WILL! lol

Crusty Bed Head, you can keep repeating your favorite slogan but it's not going to change a thing

The American people won't get Okey Doked again!

Fiesty, When Obama has flatulence what does it taste like? I am sure you know.

So, Obama was president when Standard and Poors downgraded our debt. Not because of the TEA Party or Boehner or McConnell and so on. They are on record as stating because the debt deal did not do more to cut our debt. Clearly that blame is on the Democrats like Pelosi and Reid and the Planless Mr. Obama.

You are so stuck on your vitriolics it really makes you worthless on these vines. I cannot wait to see your first post after Obama is landslided by Perry. I bet you don't have the sportsmanship, the good manners, the intelligence, to admit you were wrong. Oh well.

The GOP talks about "individual responsibility" while saying that citizens should not be forced to take individual responsibility to acquire health insurance. Their idea of personal responsibility seems to be "do whatever". Sometimes it is necessary for State and Federal Governments to force people or businesses to do what they should have done on their own.

OK..so do it through a tax. Do not create a mandate to buy a product from a private company. The only reason this individual mandate was implemented was because the Democrats did not have the political courage, again, to create a tax.

The mandate was the GOP's idea, Alan; Iowa's own GOP Senator Grassley put it in the HCR bill. Your argument is exactly why liberals wanted a "public option" or "medicare for all." Health care should not be traded on the stock market for profit.

Alan, NJ -- the mandate started out as a Republican idea, precisely because Republicans DO NOT HAVE the courage to create a tax. That's why it wasn't a problem for Gov. Romney when he implemented it in Massachusetts, and why Gov. Huntsman thought mandates would be okay. President Obama did not want to mandate insurance and it was because of Republican input that it came about.

What we do know about Gov. Perry -- he doesn't come up with ideas. He waits for "brilliant" people like Gov. Jindal or Gov. Sandoval to come up with things that he can borrow. Ergo, Gov. Perry realizes that he himself is not brilliant, not a person with new ideas. Secondly, he can't say what it is about the Affordable Care Act that he feels is harmful....ie, he doesn't have a working knowledge of policy theories. If Gov. Perry feels so strongly about states' rights, he should remain as an official at the state level (this was also true for Gov. Palin). The Presidency requires that a person consider the needs of people in all 50 states.

Alan, NJ

OK..so do it through a tax. Do not create a mandate to buy a product from a private company. The only reason this individual mandate was implemented was because the Democrats did not have the political courage, again, to create a tax.

Alan,

Wouldn't taking off the mandate and applying a tax to cover health coverage pretty much be a single-payer system? Is that what you're advocating?

I am not trying to put words in your mouth, just trying to flesh out you position as compared to the above statement.

For a start. Why do you came back with it was a republican idea? Was it a good idea? So Grassley put it in the bill but didn't vote for it? Doesn't sound like he was really behind it. If I have an idea to kill someone, but someone else commits the murder who is blamed? Get over it. Democrats co-opted this idea and now they have to live with it.

As to single-payer. Define what it means in practical terms and I'll tell whether I support it or not. Does it mean government sets the price for every procedure in every location? Does it mean the Canadian system, or the UK? Medicare for all? Hell we can't even pay for Medicare Classic, how can we afford Medicare for all, unless its radically different from the current entitlement.

But to come to the original point. Democrats needed a way to bring everybody into the system to make it affordable. They chose the mandate mechanism. I think they did it because they didn't have the courage to call it an excise tax (which they actually did during the court proceedings).

Alan,

I don't know much about single payer besides what I learned off of "Sicko" and the right's constant attacks on it. I'm sure that somewhere between those two positions lies the truth of the matter. So, I can't give you the model which I prefer.

But in extremely general terms, my understanding of Single payer is that you pay the government (through taxes) and the government negotiates rates and pays. Every one is covered, no uninsured citezens.

I'm not trying to be cute here. is there a form of single payer that you (as a conservative leaner) would support? If so, why?

I'm not trying to be cute here. is there a form of single payer that you (as a conservative leaner) would support? If so, why?

I don't know if this is a left or right position but I think Obamacare is basically a huge expansion of Medicade which will not achieve its goals as providers will not be available at the current rates.

What I would have done was Medicare for Kids. This could have been paid for through the various SCHiPs programs and specific tax. All kids would be covered up to the end of full-time education (so around 18 or 22). This would have solved the kids issue with the previous status quo, and included pre-natal mothers, so our infant mortality rate would actually be improved. In addition, it would have reduced costs to employers / individuals as it removes the need for children's insurance. I think it would be a win-win as politically it would be very hard to vote against children's healthcare, and you would have the business lobby behind it.

As to the type of single-payer, I've lived in the UK so I know the pros and cons of their system and all systems have their strong points and their weaknesses. So it really does come down to specifics (not trying to avoid the question it's just that the devil is truly in the details).

At the end of the day, the biggest failure of Obamacare was that it did not attempt to cut provider incomes, because that is the only way to reduce costs.

Alan,

Thanks for the insightful response. I completely agree with your approach! I too, think this could have gotten through congress and special interests.....

But where does that leave the uncovered adults, and how would you address them. (I ask you these questions because it's sometimes hard to find real dialog here with those sitting on the other side of the table)

Thanks again.

Well after the kids, then you have to look at the chronic and pre-existing conditions groups. Can we come up with some high-risk insurance pool, or they may require a government program, maybe expand the VA system, because they cannot be insured by the private sector. As to the poor this is a much tougher issue because of the numbers and therefore the cost. What I would be looking to aim for over a 10 year period is to create a primary care system that would be open to everyone. Private insurance, whether paid for by employers or individuals would cover catastrophic conditions (which unfortunately need financial limits on them). I can't flesh out everything (not Ezra Klein you know), but you see how it would be an evolving program, that would have be changed as it was implemented. The other thing is that the private sector has to be involved because they have the incentive to reduce costs, and the government side has to have a budget (not an open ended entitlement) that creates hard choices because the sad thing about health care is that it has an insatiable demand and fixed supply.

Unlike Obama, Gove Perr ydidn't copnsult with the Legislature. Obama consulted with Congress onhelathcare,and it was the Congressional decison voted nationally that mandated health insurance. Congress isthevioce ofthepople. Perry instead issued anexecutive order amdeating treatment-withno public hearing or input.

First, he disregaded democracy.Second he mandated-far more than anyone not just treatment, but specific treatments. This is long distance diagnosing that is alsomst as bad as Bill Frist's attenpt of long disasce diangosing of Terry Shavio' s brian injurys. Onlyworse, Terrywas a specific person..Perry ordered every teen in Texas

This is almost dictataorship of the teenager.Preumably it wouldn't stop there..it could be to use condomss and excacly what kind and when. This is mandatory Perry-"DoctorPerry" who cliams he knows best.

Wasn't the republican thing about "freedon"?

Perry make Obama look prgressiva and conservative at the same time: he doesn't arrest you for not having specific treatments-yet requires you to bear the burdens of the community's general health so that it is less, not more expensive.

Perrycare ends you in a jail cell.

Alan,

Great discussion (although I admittedly received more than I gave). I leave today with more than I came with, and for that I thank you.

Ted and Alan, Thank you for a polite and respectful discussion.

exactly right, like saved or created, shovel ready projects.

He hopes he comes across as a hick to sound like the regular guy, his base are hicks that are not yet hit with hard times. I hope they figure it out soon he is not on their side.

Mitch, I'll give you shovel ready jobs (Even as I have seen the re-invsestment sign on a ton of highway and surface road projects in my area....)

But let's talk about 'saved or created' Many, many people of all different political stripes have conceded that the stimulus created jobs. and many more were saved. Are you saying that having a job saved that would have otherwise been lost has no value?

Ted: Mitch, I'll give you shovel ready jobs (Even as I have seen the re-invsestment sign on a ton of highway and surface road projects in my area....)

The company that made those signs made a killing.

Ted: But let's talk about 'saved or created' Many, many people of all different political stripes have conceded that the stimulus created jobs. and many more were saved. Are you saying that having a job saved that would have otherwise been lost has no value?

It has no meaning. How do you even figure out that the job was "saved"? And if you want to come up with some process for counting "saved" jobs - do you also have to come with a number of destroyed jobs - because at some point you have to tax someone to pay that borrowed money back.

I would hate to see GWB number of destroyed jobs were that stat tracked......Good lord!

It has no meaning? let's see: So Joanna Smith has a job as a clerk with a construction company, due to the recession Joanna's management has been downsizing non-essential personell. Joanna's boss says he is doing everything he can to protect her position, but is loosing the battle with corporate. Then, the company gains a brand new renovation project for city X's surface roads funded by the stimulus, allowing the company to call back laid off workers, and, thankfully, keep Joanna employed.

I bet "jobs saved" means something to anyone who has been in this precarious position....

Just because two doctors prescribe different medication for a patient, does not infer that either Doctor values his patient any less...Let's stop with the hyperbole...

Mitch, No President, past, present or future has absolute powers. In this case the GOP strategy was to block every thing that he has tried to do. They did the same thing to Carter and yes, I remember it well. I don't have to rely on revisionists to spin their biased views. The economy of this Country has taken a severe hit. Many of us who have 401K or IRA' will suffer. This mess was created because the Tea Party members dragged this out far too long. I am deeply worried that we have not seen the worst of it. Our economy was much too fragile for this kind of grandstanding.yes I will be voting for President Obama in 2012 and yes, I will vote against any Tea Party member that I can. There is not one of the GOP list of hopefuls that could do any better. The House and the Senate would not allow it.

Sorry Tom, the polls say otherwise. Obama is currently losing to the bland Mitt Romney by 8 points. Gross.

If Romney can out poll the President, imagine what someone who appeals to the Republican base will do to him.

Rational American-- You're right Mittens ought to start measuring the drapes now. How exciting it will be to have our first billionaire for a president. That ought to appeal to the Tea party base. Keep me abreast of those polls, after all they are so very meaningful at this stage.

That drip! drip! you hear is just sarcasm, sorry about that.

Rational -

I beleive that any republican that appeals to the republican base more than Romney will loose support from the independents, which results in a net loss of support....

Missy:

Just say you don't like Perry because he is a Republican. All you are doing is co-signing with these people from other states that don't know jack about what is going on in Texas. I bet you haven't lost any weight since Perry has been the Governor.

The reason the TTC project stopped was because of the economy, not because it was a scam. Farmers were going to make out like fat rats selling that land along hwy59. My family owns land in Wharton county and we were offered 3X what that land is worth. You need to talk to some people that was intimintely involved in that project; not a damn activist either.

BTW: Minimum wage = JOB.......NO wage = NO JOB.....

Texas has a major immigration problem and that creates a hostile environment on it's economy.

I'm from Texas but I don't know a lot about Perry; if my father (Democrat for 40yrs) says he is alright; then I know he is a decent man.

Missy, you are 100% correct. Perry is a liar, Texas faces a $24 billion shortfall. He mishandled the stimulus. The Property taxes are through the roof. Healthcare and education is near the bottom of all other States. His "prayer event" is already failing. In a Stadium that holds ovr 70,000 people, only 8,000 have reserved a seat. That is one Stadium that is going to look pretty empty. I wish that we could get him out of Texas but, I would never wish that on the rest of the Country. Perry is certainly not the brightest blub and he would make the perfect puppet for the Tea Party. This is the last thing that we need in these troubled times.

fayse:

What has Perry done to YOU personally????????

Most of that 24 billion is from all of these illegals on state programs, emergency room visits, etc.....

Perry is a clone of W. Not very bright.

Job1:

How in the hell do you know how smart this man is? Did you educate him? What Ivy league school have you ever attended? WHat class were you the validictorian of? What degrees do you hold? What position in ANY government have you held?

Just as I thought...just runnning off at the mouth. Go back to sleep, you have missed an entire century.

Typical Liberal.

It doesn't take a PHD to see that Perry is nothing more than a Half-Wit Redneck Cowboy who is running for President. Let's Remember W.

Typical Redneck.

Actually Bush is brighter than Perry. Bush was a far better governor than Perry.

Bush was always a republican. Perry plays what ever side he thinks will win him votes. He started out democrat, then he was republican, rather moderate really, then he got real conservative, and now he so darned ole, gosh Tea Party republican. Give me a break. Its all about who he thinks butters his bread.

So true all the Missy said but lets remember Perry and ole W don't even get along all that well these days. Perry sorta forgot who got him where he is. Perry distanced himself real fast when Bush came home.

God just told me something about Perry. "In your guts you know he is nuts."

Great information. Thanks Rudy.

We of the United States of America need to listen and watch well next election, not only for President, Your State Congress...everything. I read an artical about a lady talking about the ones that are disable, in nursing homes. Social Security cant stop, medacaid, medicare must go on. In November of 2012. Vote with eyes wide open. Obama "Changes" may have went from bad to worse!

A lot of us has paid in thinking we will be able to get social security when we can no longer work. Where is all of the Americans money with holding all these years we, they paid in? We are intitled to it, it belongs to us! The Rich like Donald Trump ect: Those are the ones need to help us get back on the right track!

Who agrees?

Amen! We are "Jeseus" chosen people and he didnt put us on this earth to suffer. It can be done, people who need or disable needs it, social security is hard to get, you have to be found by two doctors you're disable. Think about it!

Election Nov, 2012. Watch, listen and learn before you cast your vote, even if our votes count!
I'm looking foward to some comments on this.

Arlin you must have been drunk or something for those first 2 years, your memory is obviously cloudy to say the least - weird, almost too recent to even call that crap revisionist history. More like complete intellectual dishonesty

I remember it as Obama jamming it down the country's throat - and so did most people that's one of the main reason's Democrats were kicked out of the House in historic numbers in Nov '10.

stick around, more to come in Nov '12...........

even held a paying job.

I wasn't aware United States Senators worked for free... or IL State Senators for that matter.

WOW Who knew?

You're hysteria is enlightening...

PS: If you don't want to vote for him fine but stop spreading bull@!$%# - it doesn't help your cause!

PPS: You may now resume watching Fox News for your talking points! ;o)

Come on, Olivia -- at least get the facts straight. President Obama has held many paying jobs in his lifetime. He may not have run a business, but then, there is nothing in the Constitution that disqualifies people who are not business owners, and he now "runs" the US government so he does have experience in this category. If you want to talk about secretive presidents, you might think of Richard M. Nixon, whose "secrecy" was illegal and led to his decision to resign rather than face impeachment. What will Gov. Perry do about "illegal people"? and Gov. Romney? (He hired them to mow his lawn, although he said it wasn't his fault because he had outsourced the hiring to a contractor).

Olivia, beautiful post really captures how the country feels - nice change from the seemingly endless band of merry liberal wing nuts on here