America's Gift from God - It's not Alcee Hastings

Just ask a Texan, he will tell you--Don't mess with Texas.

With an estimated population of 26,956,958, the second most populated state in the country, Texas has been an economic powerhouse since the turn of the 20th century and after its discovery of vast oil reserves. It is ranked number 1 in economic performance. Many industries have a large presence in the state.  Read about them.  Energy continues to be a large and important part of Texas' economy.

Wikipedia says: The economy of Texas is one of the largest economies in the United States. As of 2013, Texas is home to six of the top 50 companies on the Fortune 500 list and 51 overall, (third most after New York and California). In 2012, Texas grossed more than $264.7 billion a year in exports—more than exports of California ($161.9 billion) and New York ($81.4 billion) combined. As a sovereign country (in 2012), Texas would be the 14th largest economy in the world by GDP (ahead of South Korea and the Netherlands.

• Texas had a 3.3% increase in nonfarm payroll jobs
• The working age population grew by 1.3%
• Exports grew by 4.1% to about $279 billion, solidifying Texas' lead in international exports among the states.

Economic Rankings

American Legislative Exchange council

Whether it is Davey Crockett in 1836 who said “I must say as to what I have seen of Texas it is the garden spot of the world. The best land and the best prospects for health I ever saw, and I do believe it is a fortune to any man to come here. There is a world of country here to settle.--You May All Go To Hell And I Will Go To Texas” or in 2002--“I love Texas because Texas is future-oriented, because Texans think anything is possible. Texans think big.” ~Senator Phil Gramm

So what's with Alcee Hastings who referred to Texas as “crazy” and said that Florida was “in many respects, coming close to being just as crazy.”  He served as a Judge on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida from 1979 until his impeachment and removal from that post in 1989. He is one of only eight federal officials in American history to be impeached and removed from office.  Now I would say, that's pretty damn crazy.