| Since 2000, Ohio has lost 200,000 manufacturing | | | | Ohio is a "closed shop" state, which means |
| jobs, while at the same time home foreclosures | | | | workers can be forced to join a union whether |
| are the ninth highest in the nation. Family income, | | | | they wish to or not. |
| adjusted for inflation has also declined. | | | | Texas: No Forced Unions, No State Income Tax |
| As is so often the case, especially with the | | | | Foreign owned companies-those that bring jobs to |
| selective reporting of the liberal media, isolated | | | | Americans-completely shun "closed shop" or |
| facts bring out the doom and gloom side of | | | | forced union, states. Most such jobs pay better |
| things, true in this case, but with no attempt to | | | | than those lost. |
| dig, for sensible explanations. | | | | Texas, is a "right to work" state, where workers |
| This kind of laziness, usually leaves the impression | | | | can make their own decision on whether or not |
| that the free-market has once again failed, leading | | | | to join a union. |
| logically to the conclusion that if government was | | | | Texas has had enormous job growth, going back |
| involved, the problem would not exist. | | | | to 1997, adding 1,615,000, compared to Ohio's loss |
| Quite the opposite is true. | | | | of 10,400. |
| Nafta Becomes the Scapegoat | | | | At the end of December 2007 the |
| Ohio is just one of the big losers of auto jobs and | | | | unemployment rate in Ohio, was higher than the |
| auto plants. Michigan and Indiana have a similar | | | | national average by a full 1%. In Texas |
| problem. Are the companies and jobs that are | | | | unemployment was significantly below the national |
| leaving, moving their plants and jobs to foreign | | | | average at 4.5%. |
| countries? No they're moving to other states, | | | | Exports from Texas have yielded $150.9 billion in |
| including Texas. | | | | revenues. In Ohio exports have yielded one-fourth |
| Why would they do that? The American | | | | of that bringing in $37.8 billion. |
| Legislative Exchange Council ranks Ohio 47th out | | | | Per-capita income growth has been 55% in |
| of 50 in economic competitiveness. | | | | Texas, 43% in Ohio. |
| What are the specifics of Ohio's poor economic | | | | In manufacturing, the sector that has cost Ohio |
| competitiveness factor? | | | | 200,000 jobs, Texas has gained 36,000 |
| Ohio not only has a state income tax, it has the | | | | Jobs. |
| sixth highest personal income tax rate in the | | | | The powerful special interests, in this case, the |
| country, just under 9%. Not satisfied with having | | | | United Auto Workers, excessive taxes and |
| just the sixth highest income tax on individuals, | | | | government meddling, have once again resulted in |
| for corporations, the tax moves up to third | | | | unnecessary, devastating losses. |
| highest in the nation at 10.5%, prompting a | | | | That never stops such diversion from |
| derisive slogan throughout the state, which says: | | | | nanny-state forces and all who conspire with |
| "Ohio lays out the red carpet for companies - | | | | those forces, to shift the blame to free-market |
| when they leave the state." | | | | forces. |
| What hurts Ohio workers even more is the | | | | In this case, Nafta. |
| damage done by the United Auto Workers. | | | | |