It’s appearing more likely every day that Gov. Rick Perry of Texas will throw his hat into the ring and run for President. He has tremendous support with Republicans and a lot of people seem to think he is a strong conservative. Refusing to stop the recent execution of an immigrant, ignoring even the requests of both President Obama and Former President George W. Bush, has bolstered his appeal and given the false conservative illusion.
1. In 2000, when Perry was elected Governor, total spending by Texas was $49 billion. By 2010 it was $90 billion.
2. As Governor, Perry is one of four members of the Texas Bond Review Board, which approves most state debt transactions. Since Perry took office on December 21, 2000 the outstanding bonds and notes for the state of Texas have increased from $13.7 billion to $34.08 billion.
3. In an August 2007 trip to Mexico, Perry called the idea of building a fence along the U.S.-Mexican border “idiocy.” While on this trip he also discussed with Mexican officials the Trans-Texas Corridor, part of the planned NAFTA superhighway system. This superhighway system would require the state use of eminent domain, seizing privately owned land to build roads which would be leased to foreign companies.
4. Rick Perry has claimed he hasn’t raised taxes. He has signed legislation increasing taxes on fireworks, purchases or rentals of diesel equipment, changed the emissions reductions fund to bring in an additional $234.9 million, increased cigarette taxes, increased the franchise tax and several miscellaneous fees.
5. In 1988, Rick Perry supported Al Gore for President and was his campaign chairman in state of Texas.
6. From December 2007 to April 2011, weekly wages in Texas increased 0.6%, compared to 5.0% in the U.S.
7. Rick Perry is very weak on immigration. After Arizona passed its illegal immigration law, Perry issued a statement indicating he has “concerns with portions of the law passed in Arizona” and believes “it would not be the right direction for Texas.”
8. Rick Perry wants the U.S. to pay for medical care for Mexican citizens living in Mexico. He said, “Legislation authored by border legislators Pat Haggerty and Eddie Lucio establishes an important study that will look at the feasibility of bi-national health insurance. This study recognizes that the Mexican and U.S. sides of the border compose one region, and we must address health care problems through that region. That’s why I am also excited that Texas Secretary of State Henry Cuellar is working on an initiative that could extend the benefits of telemedicine to individuals living on the Mexican side of the border.”
9. In February 2007, Perry issued an executive order mandating that Texas girls receive the Gardasil vaccination, which protects against some strains of human pappiloma virus, a cause of cervical cancer. The order provided the vaccination free of charge to those who were not covered by insurance at a cost to the state of Texas of $360 per person. An opt-out provision for parents was available. Perry’s decision has been criticized by social conservatives and parents due to the moral implications of the vaccine and safety concerns. In May, 2007 Perry allowed a bill to go into law that would undo his executive order.
10. Rick Perry endorsed Rudy Giuliani for President in 2007.
If Republicans want to select a true conservative as their candidate for President in 2012, Rick Perry should not even be considered.
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