PA. is now 49th among the states in Job Growth (Daily News Column)

[JPZenger]

http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/attytood/The-Corbett-economic-miracle.html

"...Corbett's platform of "jobs, jobs, jobs" has made things worse, worse, worse. Late in 2012, the lines finally crossed so that Pennsylvania's unemployment rate is now higher than the national average -- and the gap has been getting worse and worse. Last month, more people simply disappeared from Pennsylvania labor market -- some 33,000 in all -- than any month in the last 30 years...

Where'd everybody go? Earlier today I spoke with Mark Price, a labor economist with the Keystone Research Center. He noted -- with the caveat that numbers can fluctuate from month to month -- that in March Pennsylvania ranked 49th in the nation in job growth, ahead of only Wyoming.

...What went wrong? It's had not to think that Corbett's policies, endorsed by GOP lawmakers, have been a factor. The overarching theme of the last two-and-a-half years has been reducing corporate taxes and offering tax breaks on a tail-chasing effort to create mostly non-existent private sector jobs; at the same time, massive aid cuts in education can be blamed directly for 20,000 job losses (not to mention the wider ripple effect), and more layoffs seem to be on the horizon. The governor's one big idea -- to make Pennsylvania "the Texas of natural gas" -- hasn't really panned out, has it?"

[Newest Reality]

1. ALEC works!

Kochery has proven to be successful and the fun has only begun. I would like to be the first to welcome our Lords to Serf City USA.

[blue neen]

2. All the giveaways to the frackers, the International Oil Goons, the Robber Barons.

Trips to Brazil and Chile. The destruction of our schools. The takeaway of Adult Basic Insurance. The pillaging of essential services for the disabled.

All this for what? To be 49th in Job Growth. You have got to be freaking kidding me!

This administration should be hanging its head in shame...but they won't.

Hey Corbett! Concentrate on jobs for Pennsylvanians instead of trans-vaginal ultrasounds.

What a jerk.

[Freddie]

3. One-Term Tommy

Reading Health Care System just announced the elimination of 400 positions, no doubt due to Corbett's refusal of Medicaid expansion. Health care is a huge employer especially in areas where industry is gone, often the only place left to get a good job.

[blue neen]

5. Health care is the number one employer in Western Pennsylvania.

UPMC, followed by West Penn/Allegheny.

We need the Medicaid in so many ways.

[Pat Riot]

4. Where did everybody go?

I think they're mostly still here, but their 99 weeks of UC are up and so they're off the books. Struggling or wallowing in despair in their foreclosed homes or a shelter or moved back in with family members.

The cry of jobs, jobs jobs was nothing more than a meme to convince the public that fracking is A-OK and should be given free rein.