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May 3, 2015: A Closer Look at Scott Walker’s Record on Jobs "Wisconsin ranks 40th in the nation for job growth, or so says a recent Bureau of Labor Statistics report. Many in the media and political circles pounced on the release as evidence that the policies of Republican Gov. Scott Walker, a potential presidential candidate, have left the Badger State trailing much of the nation.

But the report failed to give sufficient context to Wisconsin’s job growth. The BLS, along with other reports touting similar results, ranked states based on how much private employment increased over a year.

Why might Wisconsin’s employment increase seem modest? One reason could be that more Wisconsinites than people in many other states already had jobs, which they did. Another wrinkle comes from factors like the energy boom in the upper plains states. In states like Wisconsin not so blessed with shale, job growth can seem comparatively slow.

Let’s look at Wisconsin’s employment growth since Mr. Walker took office. Since February 2011, Wisconsin’s employable population has grown by about 100,000 people, but the number of people employed increased by about 135,000. That means employment outpaced population growth significantly.

But how does it compare with national employment growth? One important measure is the percentage of the employable population that is actually employed, what the Bureau of Labor Statistics calls the employment-population ratio. The U.S. employment-population ratio has grown 1.5% since Mr. Walker took charge.

Yet Wisconsin’s employment-population ratio has jumped 2.5%—significantly more than the national improvement rate. Wisconsin is also gaining ground against other states. In February 2011 Wisconsin ranked 12th in employment-population ratio. It now ranks ninth."

July 3, 2014: The real reason Wisconsin growth lags? It's not Gov. Scott Walker

It all depends on how you measure it.

How fast did Wisconsin recover from the 2008 melt down, prior to Walker's election, affects how many jobs were created since Walker was elected. The nation's central regions always recover faster than the coasts.

Or who benefitted most from the taxcuts, business or consumers, and more importantly, whether the tax cut beneficiary spent the tax cut or used it as savings.

The issue is not just about Walker, but also Christie in NJ and Brownback in KS.

I wonder how many Wisconsinites fled to Minnesota , Texas, or North Dakota.

Bottom line is that more and more people are questioning supply side economics. Or, if there is a fiscal policy that works anywhere/everywhere anytime/everytime. In which case Walker is merely a symbol.