Tuesday, April 24, 2007

A Race to the Bottom

Participants in Women’s Legislative Days, held in Austin in January, were introduced to a publication entitled "Texas on the Brink: How Texas Ranks Among the 50 States," issued by Senator Eliot Shapleigh, D-El Paso.

Several Texas blogs, including TexasKaos and the Houston Chronicle blog, have cited statistics from the report, but these facts bear repeating because they quantify our state’s race for the bottom.

Here are just a few statistics from the report:

  • Texas ranks 50th in the percentage of adults with a high school diploma
  • Texas SAT scores rank 47th
  • Texas ranks 44th in the percentage of women living above the poverty level
  • Texas is 1st in the number of job discrimination lawsuits
  • Texas is 5th in teenage birth rate
  • Texas ranks first in the percentage of uninsured children and adults
  • Texas ranks 44th in the percentage of eligible voters who vote
  • The most disturbing statistic from the report, however, is this: 45% of families in Texas earn poverty-level wages. Thus, we have the dubious distinction of being 2nd in the nation in income inequality between rich and poor.

    When John Edwards talks about two Americas—one for the rich, another for the poor—Texas illustrates his point. That’s surely nothing to brag about.

    7 comments:

    Ted McLaughlin said...

    That is an incredible statistic - that 45% of families are below poverty level in income!

    Shows just how far the Republicans have gone in selling out our state to the corporations.

    While they pay ridiculously low salaries, the management divide up millions in bonuses.

    Bradley said...

    We should be ashamed of these numbers.

    Texans are a proud bunch: I wish we could use that Texas pride for good. Let's give ourselves something to be proud of!

    Anonymous said...

    Texans have muxh to do to get themselves off the botton of the heap and some issues can be resolved with votes. Unjust courts are certanly nothing to be proud of. Dallas Family Court Judge Marilea Lewis needs to be removed or voted off the bench. Her bias activities are exposed in comments on "How Crazy is this?" on Digdeepertexas. http://digdeepertexas.com/?s=how+crazy+is+this%3F "Injustice for one is injustice for all"

    Anonymous said...

    Judge Lewis uses her LITTLE TOOL AKA Joseph Amberson AKA, "Short man syndrome" personified. This ugly, disgusting tool works for her EVIL acts in court under the guise of "best interest of the child." If the Best Interest of the child had any physical ability, Joe Amberson and Lewis would ignite into flames whenever they claimed they were acting for this boy. The TRUTH will be all of their demise. I can only wonder how do they sleep at night? How do you live with yourself when you enable child sexual abuse???? Does Joe actually Believe that it is okay to fondle little boys in the shower???? God help them and justice destroy them. It is just a matter of time. All that enable this evil act and support this abuser WILL fall and they will face PUBLIC justice and demise. God and all that is good will empower this mother to continue to fight for this abused child. I look forward to THAT day when all the abuse enablers will fall and the child will be safe. I know that there are still GOOD people in this world who will fight this corruption and court abuse. People who are appalled and nauseated with this story and with the actions of these people. That day is coming SOON. They will get all that they have worked for and ALL that they deserve!!! They will BURN here and there. If you have the ability to act in ANY way to protect this child from further abuse please follow your heart and your spirit. DO THE RIGHT THING. Say NO to this corruption at the expense of an innocent abused little boy. Stand up and make the day of justice come very soon. I KNOW It is coming SOON. LET US ALL HOPE THAT They will get all that they have worked for and ALL that they deserve!!!

    Anonymous said...

    Dear Anonymous,

    I share your believes about Lewis, and would like to talk with you more indepthly concerning this judge. I have firsthand experience dealing with her and her biased/ twisted viewpoints that lead her to ignoring court appointed psychologists' findings and recommendations. I want to file a legitimate complaint against her, but would like to include others who have found themselves at her merciless mercy. Please contact me at: dalian_ch05@yahoo.com

    Together, we could bring true justice and hold her accountable.

    Thanks,
    M-

    Sonia said...

    I am ALSO sick of Judge Marilea Lewis! She needs to GET OFF THE BENCH!!!

    I have started a blog, "Get Judge Lewis OFF THE BENCH"

    She us up for Election Nov. 2, 2010! I am tired of being a victim of Judge Lewis! Please VOTE JUDGE MARILEA LEWIS OUT!!!

    Anonymous said...

    all those folks who are bloggers against Judge Lewis are angry parents who did not get their way in court. Why don't you get some help and just be a parent. Write about your responsibility of not parenting and stop hating. You all need help for yourselves. If you think blogging against a Great Judge like Judge Lewis is healthy for you blog on, but she is the best Judge down there. A lot of people think so and I will make sure she gets re-elected again and again. Get some help for yourselves or medication.