IF ONLY WE COULD LIMIT THE BENEFITS OF GROWTH TO WHITE FOLK!:

Immigration and the Texas Miracle (E.D. Kain, 8/24/11, Forbes)

Critics of the Texas model, such as Paul Krugman, argue that the state owes its success to a growing population as opposed to any miracle policies. Other detractors have argued that population growth should be taken out of the equation altogether. Under that scenario, Texas ranks dead last in job creation.

Leader of the pack?

Michigan - home to the slowly dilapidating auto industry and the city of Detroit, a metropolitan area hardly known for its economic vibrancy.

If anything, this proves how important population growth is to a robust and growing economy - exactly the opposite point that Think Progress is fumblingly attempting to make. Controlling for population growth misses the point altogether. As Kevin Williamson notes, "A booming population leads to growth in jobs. But there is another half to that equation: A booming economy, and the jobs that go with it, leads to population growth."

The secret to the Texas miracle is keeping things cheap.

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