Why it Works in Texas

Written by SleeplessByTheSea

Longest serving governor in
Texas' history

Over the past month, I have received several requests from friends in other places for my opinion of our governor. Here's my answer. Rick Perry is a decent man, despite the fact that he is a career politician. He didn't start out that way. 

He started out as a hard working young lad, on his Dad's ranch. Then he joined the USAF, served, and worked his way to the rank of Captain.  He attended Texas A & M University, and later entered the world of politics. He is a family man, married with two grown children, and he is a professed and practicing Christian.   

Has he done everything right in Texas? No!  Of course not. Nobody is right all of the time.  But, he has the leadership skills to guide our state in the right direction, and that is what is paramount in a leader. Most of us here in Texas don't pay a whole lot of attention to the everyday workings of our state for the simple fact that we rely on those we've elected to do what we hired them to do. And, when they don't do it, we replace them. 

The fact that Perry is now the longest serving governor in our state, now serving in his 3rd, 4 year term, ought to tell you that he is a successful and reliable leader. Our state is solvent, and our state is growing. It's been growing since I moved here back in the early 70's. It's a trend simply because our state affords people to live their lives, to do what they want, without being over-taxed or over-burdened by government. 

Texas is big, and we have a lot of everything here, from the windswept plains of west Texas, to the large, sprawling skyscraper buildings that define our big cities. Many of us here are implants. We came, we saw, we stayed. We have many, many millionaires here, but not nearly as many as we do lower income families, many of which have relocated here from not only our southern border, but abroad.  ( I am referring to the legal ones, mind you!). 

We get along in an amicable fashion, and go about our own business of living and raising our families. The millionaires provide most of the jobs and the citizens reap their rewards, and are able to provide for their families, and plan for their future. Perry wisely knows that bringing new businesses into our state only enhances the the employment climate for the entire state.  

When we personally met Gov. Perry at a luncheon gathering last fall, he told us how they were continuing to work hard to bring in businesses that were looking to relocate, such as Caterpillar.  And just last year, the new Toyota assembly plant opened just south of San Antonio. You don't see our governor outsourcing any jobs, and you never will!

Perry is a reliable, proven leader, not afraid to tackle hard tasks. Some of the skills that I feel make him a good leader are his convictions. (He believes what he says, and he's not afraid to say it.) And his religion; he is a man of faith and not timid about sharing it and relying on it.  He does not force his faith on others, but is willing to encourage it. 

I mention above that he's not afraid to admit mistakes. He made one a few years ago about trying to insist our young girls were required to have a vaccine against a deadly disease which caused uterine cancer.  Our citizens set him straight. That was crossing a line, and he admitted his error. That is not easy for a politician to do.  But, it is admirable when they do. 

Perry believes in relying on your own resources. He would not be allowing other countries to have leases to them, rather than us reap their benefits.  He also believes in less government in our lives and as few taxes as possible to keep what government we have running smoothly. We have no income tax in Texas, and Perry doesn't plan on changing that.

If this all sounds like an endorsement for Perry, I guess it is.   I see him as the best candidate that has been willing to tackle the mess in DC to date.  And I believe he'd do everything in his power to stick to his word.  What you see with Perry is what you get.

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Sixteen Years of Cainsian Economics



The Antithesis to John M. Keynes

 The more I learn about Herman Cain, the more I love his history and policy, and while I would love to see him take the reins of leadership in America, I'm still not convinced that he'd garner enough of the vote. It's not because I doubt his appeal or ability, but because I doubt the fortitude of my fellow citizens behind the secrecy of the voting booth.

There are still some who wouldn't vote for the man if he had a patented, copyrighted cure for America's ills posted online. That is sad, but not enough to preclude him from winning the Big Chair. No, that obstacle would be placed by well-meaning people who are not concerned about Herman's color, but rather about the potential of wasting their votes on someone who historically has little chance of winning with virtually no prior political experience.

Considering that only four U.S. Presidents have ever been elected directly from the Senate with no demonstrated executive track records, the idea of a virtual outsider winning the White House seems less likely than porcine aviators. While Herman Cain certainly has demonstrated an economic acumen , his is an expertise in dealing with a board of directors rather than two houses of Congress. This could have a severe potential to reduce his electoral viability.

Thumbs Up to a Perry Run

There is news just breaking, however, that could portend to be the vehicle to get Cain his insider credentials even while he helps to turn this giant fiscal ship away from the waterfall. Real Clear Politics is reporting that Texas Governor Rick Perry may be inching toward the 2012 race. For Perry's part -- and that of his inner circle -- the report "comes as a surprise" as they all deny any plans for the Governor to toss his hat in the ring.

This exercise is, therefore, mere wishful thinking and speculation, a great big "what if". So let's examine the possibilities...indeed, what if?

Rick Perry succeeded George W. Bush as Governor of Texas and has been a strong leader of that state ever since, having become the first ever to win three consecutive four-year terms. Perry's platform, in a nutshell, is one of a strong defense (especially on the border), fiscal restraint and personal liberty. Critics will complain that he's espoused some conflicting positions, but I would challenge them to produce a single candidate who has not at some point in his or her career.

If Perry actually decides to run for President, based on what we already know, he would be nearly invulnerable in the primaries, although it is still much too early to determine since the field is as yet unformed. What of his chances in the general election, though? That may be a much taller order to fill, and one that could possibly be bolstered by a running mate such as Herman Cain.

Herman Cain, like Governor Perry, has a tremendous following among the Tea Party, and as such is considering his own run at Pennsylvania Avenue but, as noted above, he faces a steep uphill battle. What if Cain was tapped as a running mate, however, by Rick Perry should the latter win the nomination? The two together would prove to be a most formidable duo against Obama in the general election regardless of who Obama settles on for a running mate (assuming that Joe Biden will be replaced at some point).

If a Perry/Cain administration could extricate the nation from the maelstrom its now swirling in, it is not inconceivable that Cain would enjoy eight years of first-hand experience in the White House. And if given a prominent role in shaping the fiscal policies of a President Perry, could ultimately end up being the first black president to actually help America. That would not only be a welcome respite from the misery we have endured of late, but would repair the damage wreaked by Obama to future candidates of color.

Here's hoping that the old axiom -- "where there's smoke, there's fire" -- is true, and that Perry is seriously considering a run. If that does happen, it would be incumbent upon us to strongly suggest Herman Cain as a running mate.

Keep your fingers crossed, America.

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