Comments on: Yo, Andre! I found out where our jobs aren’t

By: concernedhall

concernedhall — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 21:55:50 +0000

Our state economy can’t be blamed on tax cuts. Because there have not been any tax cuts only tax shifts. Bottom line you can’t cuts taxes and increase spending. Not possible. It is like taking a bath and not getting wet. Though I think Speaker Richardson has tried that a few times.

The problem with the State of Georgia is we have no leadership. Those that call themselves leaders are void of ideas. Republican or Democrat do something cause nothing ain’t working.

People should start listening to people like Alan Powell. The only true physical “fiscal” conservative in the state house.

By: Clone Of B. Plyler

Clone Of B. Plyler — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 20:41:41 +0000

If you wanted to get political on this issue-#2 South Carolina is the only R state gov’t-the rest are all D’s.

It’s not honest to blame a bad economy on state gov’t unless state tax is driving business away. If that’s so, then you could make a strong case for it in Michigan.

By: Progressive Dem

Progressive Dem — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 16:34:42 +0000

Using more accurate statistics might help.

http://www.bls.gov/web/laumstrk.htm
Georgia is number 40 in the highest unemployment states as of February BLS statistics.

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/business/stories/2009/03/24/georgia_shrinking_income.html
Gowth in per capita personal income in Georgia was the among the four worst in the country in 2008.

http://www.bls.gov/web/lauhsthl.htm
Georgia’s unemployment is at an all time high.

In every previous economic recession, Georgia fared better in unemployment.

Georgia and Atlanta, which is the primary economic driver for the state, have taken steps to position itself and to compete with not only neighboring states, but with other international cities. Investments in Lake Lanier, Hartsfield-Jackson, WCC, interstate highways, Georgia Tech, UGA and the entire investment in the university system resulting from the Hope Scholarship, Port of Savanah, Quick Start, MARTA, 1996 Olympics – have all led to improving the economic development capabilities of the state. And of course none of this would have occured without a progressive and tolerant attitude regarding Civil Rights.

While I agree that “States can’t effectively conduct macroeconomic policy.” I don’t believe economic growth and unemployment rates are merely a function of location, and we can “only hope to do a little better than their neighbors.” There are steps that can be taken to improve and protect our relative economic position vis-a-vis our neighbors and other regions. Georgia has previously invested in their people and their infrastructure and our growth has exceeded not only our neighbors, but has been one of the best markets in the country.

This is our economic nadir, and it happens to come after 8 years of GOP ascendency in the Gold Dome. Cause or conincidence? But fact never the less.

By: meh130

meh130 — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 15:59:53 +0000

I agree GA has not had as strong an employment record over the last two decades as some other states in the south, but GA has the advantage of a a better diversified job market (more on that point in a moment). This recession has been unique in that it started bottom up, first as a new home construction collapse (lower class day laborers, middle-class skilled workers and contractors), spread to a commercial construction collapse (middle-class skilled workers, upper middle class engineers and architects), and then spread out from there into the banking system, and finally, consumer spending. The construction collapse meant it hit high growth metro areas first and hard. How much of GA’s economy is metro Atlanta? How much of metro Atlanta’s economy was the new home construction market? How much of metro Atlanta’s economy was commercial construction market?
Now compare that to North Carolina, a less diversified economy hit hard by the banking collapse.
When recovery comes, the construction jobs will come back quickly. The upper-class investment banking jobs in Charlotte may take decades to come back.
I think the one mistake GA made was not pursuing manufacturing jobs more aggressively, like other southern states, especially Tennessee and Alabama. The shutting down of Hapeville Assembly and Doraville Assembly will not be offset by the KIA plant in West Point
So there is plenty of blame to go to the politicians for GA’s current state. They have relied on Atlanta’s rise as a transportation and commerce hub, and therefore relied on constant Atlanta construction to be the source of blue-collar jobs.

By: Buddha the Magnificent

Buddha the Magnificent — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 15:43:56 +0000

SavannahDem has apparently never heard of a business cycle, but what would you expect of such a poor educational background that it created a democrat?

By: Chris

Chris — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 15:19:05 +0000

TR – While not as scarce as gold, it is harder to create than fiat currency (UPDATE balanceSheet SET Value=Value 1000000000000 WHERE Account=’Federal_RESERVE’) and therefore would have led to less financial ruin.

By: Taft Republican

Taft Republican — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 14:46:34 +0000

Personal pet peeve:

“over the past few (Republican lead) years haven’t created any jobs.”

The word there should be “led,” as in, the past tense of “to lead.” The word “lead” (pronounced like “led”) is a base metal.

Example: “Using lead as money instead of gold led the country to financial ruin.”

By: IndyInjun

IndyInjun — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 13:58:13 +0000

Nah, that wasn't a personal attack. THIS is a PERSONAL attack!

By: Bill Simon

Bill Simon — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 04:15:51 +0000

Savannah,

As I recall, your national Dems took over Congress in 2007. And, coincidentally enough, 2007 is when this “recession” was deemed to have begun.

Business owners smelled the feces that the Dems were throwing down the pike and started consolidating their operations when they saw how the Dems were going to operate with Nancy “Nutball” Pelosi, and Harry “Reek” Reid.

By: Icarus

Icarus — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 03:11:26 +0000

You’re claiming that the national GOP has leadership, Savannah?

Very generous of you. That’s a step farther than I’m willing to go.

By: Mark Rountree

Mark Rountree — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 23:40:14 +0000

Keep munching, Rick. It’ll keep you busy.

In what way is what Icarus wrote a personal attack?

He called it like it is, and simply referenced Andre, a front page poster, for making a statement. Andre’s a big boy. He can handle it.

You’ve got to love the Intolerant Left. If you disagree with them, they are shocked at dissent and react by screaming ‘personal attacks!’

I don’t recall you jabbering “personal attacks” when Rev. Wright actually made them.

Any reason for the double standard?

By: SavannahDem

SavannahDem — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 22:45:39 +0000

So, your argument is that the loss of jobs in GA is not the fault of the GA Republican party/leadership; it’s the fault of the national GOP/leadership?

Good point, Icarus. Good point.

By: Rick Day

Rick Day — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 22:39:31 +0000

*munches popcorn*

personal attacks! way to uplift the dialogue, conservatives!