N.G. asks from Arlington, TX on August 16, 2011
Curious... What Do YOU Think of Rick Perry?
As a Texan, I have been hearing a lot of "Rick Perry" buzz lately but I admittedly have not been keeping up with the latest and greatest of the impending electoral race. I am not a native Texan, and I come from a VERY democratic state, and as you probably know, Texas is a VERY republican state, so I'm fascinated by the regional difference in political mentality. My co-workers are STAUNCH republicans so I'm constantly hearing pro-Rick Perry rhetoric. Just out of complete curiosity, what do you Moms across the country think of this candidate and why?
1 mom found this helpful
Featured Answers
L.D. answers from Dallas on August 16, 2011
I think anyone who is interested in Rick Perry should look into his funding cuts to education and social services. In 2006, he lowered property taxes which fund education and replaced the taxes with a business tax. He was told that there were problems with his business tax, and that there would be a budget shortfall in 4 years.
In 2010, AFTER he won an election based low taxes and his strong budget, it came out that Texas faced a huge budget shortfall and had to cut billions of dollars from social services and education. We now have childrens medicaid which most doctors will not accept, and have fired thousands and thousands of teachers. Class sizes have shot up in every district which did not raise local taxes to compensate for the shortfall.
Texas is at the very bottom of the nation in education spending, and students score at the very bottom of the nation on national assessments.
A governor who fails to educate the children of his state, and who fails to consider the health and wellness of the states most helpless residents is a pretty sorry governor.
The ONLY reason I would consider voting for him is to get him out of Texas.
And I am Independent.
16 moms found this helpful
A.S. answers from Boca Raton on August 16, 2011
Disgusting . . . (and I'm a conservative leaning independent).
I'd rather not vote than vote for him.
Yikes.
9 moms found this helpful
G.H. answers from Chicago on August 16, 2011
If my only choices were Obama & Perry, I would vote for Perry....anybody but Obama for me........and Obama is cocky & arrogant too.
N., I live in Obamaland & hate it, we need to trade homes, at least till Obama is out of office (hopefully sooner rather than later)
8 moms found this helpful
More Answers
L.A. answers from Austin on August 16, 2011
Ah, the death penalty,, He would not stop the execution of one man that later it was found was not guilty and the evidence and doubt had been given to Perry! There have been others that now that they are publicly being studied also probably were not guilty, again Perry went ahead and allowed them to be executed, even though the questions had been shown to him..
And wait until you hear how many files and documents have been purged about his terms as Gov.. Per his order.. Mostly to do with his spending, and travel..
Egads! He used to be a Democrat until there were hardly any Democrats in Texas anymore.. Flip flop
We have the highest number of teen pregnancy because of the abstinence education he pushed.
He wanted all girls to get vaccinated for the paplona virus but had no way to fund it and it was not going to be an option.. the State was going to make it a law.. Now he says that was mistake. Flip flop.
We have the highest number of uninsured poor children in the NATION!
He cut education funding for our public schools before cutting any other funds in our state.
He never made higher than a grade C at Texas A&M when they used to accept anyone who's family could afford to pay tuition.. even PE he made a C.. He made an F in economics and surrounds himself with some of the best looking young men, who have no experience in running our state.. Hardly any women.. makes me wonder if he thinks we are not smart enough for state govt.. His friends even admit, they used to tease him (and he agreed) he is not very bright..
But one of my pet peeves is that when our Governors Mansion was almost burned to the ground.. Instead of being willing to live in a modest home and use the vast amount of rooms at the State Capitol building.. He has been living in a State funded $10,000 a month rental property..
We are all cutting and cutting our own budgets, but he and his wife.. alone.. live in this rental for YEARS!!!!!
He thinks he is King of Texas not a state elected official..
17 moms found this helpful
L.S. answers from Los Angeles on August 16, 2011
Ah, yes, the secessionist (and wasn't he just ranting about Ben Bernanke being "treasonous??" Interesting). He's the male version of Sarah Palin, in my book. All looks, no substance. Here is what a friend of mine recently wrote of Gov. Goodhair:
"Ricky Perry is like one of those little lizards you see in your garden. He changes depending on what stage he is on. He is as close to a bipolar candidate as you can get. His demeanor ranges from one extreme to another in a matter of seconds. Historically he doesn't debate, so it will be interesting to see how they are going to drag him onto a stage to face questions. It will also be interesting to see how the national media handles him, and whether or not they will scrutinize his claims to be the "miracle man" of Texas. For anyone who thinks GW Bush was a train wreck, you haven't seen nothing yet. Rick Perry makes GW Bush look like Winston Churchhill"
17 moms found this helpful
L.D. answers from Dallas on August 16, 2011
I think anyone who is interested in Rick Perry should look into his funding cuts to education and social services. In 2006, he lowered property taxes which fund education and replaced the taxes with a business tax. He was told that there were problems with his business tax, and that there would be a budget shortfall in 4 years.
In 2010, AFTER he won an election based low taxes and his strong budget, it came out that Texas faced a huge budget shortfall and had to cut billions of dollars from social services and education. We now have childrens medicaid which most doctors will not accept, and have fired thousands and thousands of teachers. Class sizes have shot up in every district which did not raise local taxes to compensate for the shortfall.
Texas is at the very bottom of the nation in education spending, and students score at the very bottom of the nation on national assessments.
A governor who fails to educate the children of his state, and who fails to consider the health and wellness of the states most helpless residents is a pretty sorry governor.
The ONLY reason I would consider voting for him is to get him out of Texas.
And I am Independent.
16 moms found this helpful
3.M. answers from Chicago on August 16, 2011
Don't know much about him, but his "Prayer Rally" bothered me. I wish politicians would be a little more low-key about their faith. It has no place in government.
13 moms found this helpful
T.K. answers from Dallas on August 16, 2011
I would like to take Leslie out for a margarita. I'm not impressed by his governorship, and I am the polar opposite on my political views, values, and piorities from him. However, I think he is a shrewd politician and will be a good competitor. Somehow he has gotten all sorts of credit for Texas economic success.... but we're the 5th poorest state in the nation. Our econmic growth has been due to an increase in population and that increase is due to ...dun dun dun.....Mexico! I am also peeved that this Republican, staunch supporter of no govt handouts used governement money to pay for his prayer rally. Funny how it's ok to spend tax dollars on a Christian prayer rally, but not education funding. That shrewd politician needed to out religify the Mormons. It's all a flea circus
11 moms found this helpful
A.S. answers from Boca Raton on August 16, 2011
Disgusting . . . (and I'm a conservative leaning independent).
I'd rather not vote than vote for him.
Yikes.
9 moms found this helpful
D.P. answers from Pittsburgh on August 16, 2011
Well, just on social issues alone, he is not 'IT' for me:
He opposes any and all recognition of domestic partnerships.
He opposes funding for elective abortion.
He signed the Mandatory Ultrasound Bill-requiring the abortion practitioner or a certified sonographer to perform a sonogram before any sedative or anesthesia is administered. Before every abortion, the abortion practitioner must give an explanation of the sonogram images of the unborn child.
Sorry--I don't think women need him looking out for their bodies.
He also said he had no problem ignoring the Supreme Court’s 1962 ruling that barred organized prayer in public schools. ??? Really? What other Supreme Court rulings might he have no trouble ignoring?
I feel he is a little too religious for politics.
Oh--he does have an A+ rating from the NRA. Oh goody! LOL Is that good news? I don't think so.
Oh, in his defense, anyone over the age of 14 has probably leaned in a civics class that it costs WAY more to execute a prisoner than to feed and house him for 30-40 years. That's just basic knowledge, isn't it? Maybe not. Now you know!
9 moms found this helpful
M.K. answers from Dallas on August 16, 2011
I'm with LeeLee and Leslie. He's one of those politicians that make me feel disgusted about politics.
9 moms found this helpful
Email