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I think that it’s now safe to say that we Texans now live in a failed state.  30 years of GOP rule, setting our own standard, living the “Texas Dream,” which they’ve bragged about relentlessly…and let’s see where we are:

A majority of the state in complete failure, unable to deliver the most BASIC of services (things that are called “utilities,” not “luxuries,” for a reason).  No power.  No water.  No means of clearing roads (that one, I can’t fault the state so much….but it wouldn’t be as big a crisis if people weren’t stuck in their homes with no power and water).  So citizens are stuck in their homes, some of them dying there. 

Water resource planning?  After pretending for decades that a drought would never happen again, and not doing ANYTHING to develop resources in the state water plan (a document actually developed using science and mathematical projections), we had several locations, including actual cities, down to a few days of water supply.  We’ve finally gotten on our horse a bit, but it may be too late if the next drought comes anytime soon.  

State rank in key categories:

Education – 34

Health Care - 37

Infrastructure - 33

Opportunity - 39

Environment - 44

Infrastructure - 33 

In overall quality of life ranking by US News, we are now #38, down from #36 just two years ago.  At that rate, we’ll be in the bottom 3 within ten years.

We are SUPER independent, and FUCK the feds….but we have requested federal disaster assistance more than any other state in the past decade or so.

But hey, our economy is ranked #15!

That’s right, we have a “roaring economy” and the “Texas Miracle!”  But we can’t deliver the basics for our citizens.  The economy is VERY efficient at funneling bazillions to the very few…..with little of it “trickling down” to most Texans.  Yeah, the people on this board generally do fine, but face the facts – we’re the top 10% or so.  We are educated, older, and fortunate.

Our federal system allows for state-by-state experiments.  Texas is the poster child for near anarcho-capitalism and zero regulation or oversight.  We have tested that approach, for over a generation now (30 years of Republican rule).  That approach is a failure.  The evidence is undeniable, and overwhelming.  It doesn’t matter how many River Oaks millionaires you produce if the rest of your people are dying in their homes.  Shit, some of those River Oaks millionaires might be freezing to death today, too.

The kids of a middle class family can hardly afford to go to a good state school.  Their prospects for employment are mediocre.  Their prospects of suffering crippling medical debt at some point are significant.  Their chances of not having basic utilities needed for life safety at some point – all but certain.  Their chances of becoming ill or dying from a pollution-caused illness are material.

What’s the result?  Our leaders have sold Texas as a paradise – move here!  Bring your business here!  And some businesses have done so, adding opportunity…..but providing little to no tax support for the infrastructure we all depend on.  To the contrary, over the past few years, I know more and more people – educated people, people who can do their jobs elsewhere, who are looking to bail on this state.  It’s people with young kids, who want them to grow up in a better place.  It’s people in their working years, who simply want a better path.  It’s retirees, who want a safe and secure place to live.

We have consumed our seed stock.  We have burned through our reserves.  We are now consuming ourselves.  The ability to pitch Texas as the land of opportunity is done.  Seeing what we have become, the tentative thought/plan my wife and I had of wrapping up our careers here and then getting the hell out of Dodge is becoming much more concrete.  My children are already unlikely to make their future in this state.  Now we are, too.

But the response from the Republican leadership and their sycophants – “how are you gonna pay for it?  Taxes?  That’s socialism!  You want that stuff, you have to pay for it!”

Fuck yes I do, and I’m okay with that.  I want groceries…so I have to pay HEB.  I want a car…so I have to pay Ford.  I want clothes…..so I have to pay Dillards.  I want my population educated….so I have to pay the school district.  I want electricity, with enough capacity to keep us running when we need it…..so I have to pay my bill, maybe with a capacity surcharge.  I want water to come out of the taps….so I have to pay for development of resources and maintenance of infrastructure.  I want roads….so I pay taxes to build and maintain them.  YES, I have to pay for all of those things, and “nothing is free” – no fucking shit.  So, let’s pay for it.  We have the #15 economy….we HAVE the funds in this state.  An economy with the flow of funds that ours has can produce and maintain all of those results.  But we have chosen a different path; funnel all the dollars to the top, and spend next to nothing for the public good.  We have privatized profit….we have socialized the costs.  And we are dying because of it.

My fellow Texans are dying in their homes….and there’s nothing I can do about it today.  And I am enraged.

I love Texas.  I am 6th generation here.  My ancestors have Texas historical markers on their graves.  We helped make this state, and this state helped make us.  It educated us (back when college was affordable).  But it’s time to face the fact – this state is a failure, and on its current path, with its current leadership and philosophy, it will only get worse.  This state has a terrible future, unless we dramatically change our path.   Chances of that happening?  0.0% -- because we’ll continue to vote for the guys who make our leadership priorities bathroom bills, and transgender sports, and requiring the national anthem be played at certain events.  Any bill that has been proposed to improve emergency preparedness of gov’t entities has been crushed by the Republicans controlling the lege….but we will definitely stick with those guys.  No taxes.  No government functionality.

What we are seeing happening right now is our system working EXACTLY AS IT WAS DESIGNED AND INTENDED TO WORK.  And we will, I guarantee it, collectively decide to stick with that.  This state is in free-fall, and anyone with eyes can see it.  And anyone with a brain is starting to think of ways to make their life elsewhere.  It breaks my goddamned heart to see us commit collective suicide, but here we are.

 

 

User Feedback

Recommended Comments

miguelito

Legacy Members

I bet he gets a pardon.

tx 3 putt

Legacy Members

I’m shocked a spurs game wasn’t involved 

bluto

Certifiably Surly

To unlawfully carry a weapon in Tx is something. 
 

and ya that trend line on statewide voting looks good but I’m pretty confident we see a reversal this yr. Been an absolute shit ton of political self sorting with the in/out migration in Tx. 

StassneyHorn

Legacy Members
(edited)

Republican voting was mostly flat for 4 consecutive presidential elections until COVID

Edited by StassneyHorn

tx 3 putt

Legacy Members

Troy Nehls is a huge douche ….

 

PenelopeWitherspoon

Certifiably Surly
19 minutes ago, tx 3 putt said:

IMG_0613.jpeg

So, does this mean 34 time convicted felon Donald J. Trump cannot be on the ballot in Texas?

Dnaguy

Certifiably Surly
13 hours ago, tx 3 putt said:

 

 

13 hours ago, bolverk said:

Guess his profession.

 

 

From his bio:

Quote

Benjamin Mostyn is an Army Veteran that spent nearly 5 years of his career deployed. He is a Certified Master Instructor and taught at the collegiate level for many years. He majored in Political Science, graduated at the top of his class in Undergraduate and Graduate School from the University of Arizona, and is a member of (4) international honors societies. Before the military, Ben grew up in Austin, TX, was the youngest employee/supervisor of the MCI Telecommunications Corporation, and was one of the first (4) students in the nation to graduate from a pilot program wherein students attended High School and College simultaneously. He has owned businesses and has served as an executive for various companies, leveraging decades of experience in management and consulting. Ben is also known for his time spent as a model, actor, and comedian in New York City, appearing in numerous publications, on stage, and on-screen. Settling his roots once again in Texas, Ben uses his skillsets in management, crisis resolution, and diplomacy to help Buyers and Sellers achieve their goals. Ben is actively engaged in his community, mentorship, and continues to assist in global affairs.

 

I bet if you dig a little into all his claims and accolades, you find a couple that may not be completely on the up-and-up.....

But that's just pure speculation based on his seemingly effusive vainglory.

The whole paragraph sounds like he uploaded a ridiculously jeujed resume into ChatGPT and just kept prompting it with: I need it to sound douchier

tx 3 putt

Legacy Members

Move more brown people to fort bend county 

 

safe sex

Burnt Ends

Ken would never ban books

YGIFS

Full Members
3 minutes ago, safe sex said:

Ken would never ban books

Well he might ban the right side of the page.  ;)  

Nice Guy Eddie

Certifiably Surly
(edited)
3 hours ago, Dnaguy said:

 

From his bio:

 

I bet if you dig a little into all his claims and accolades, you find a couple that may not be completely on the up-and-up.....

But that's just pure speculation based on his seemingly effusive vainglory.

The whole paragraph sounds like he uploaded a ridiculously jeujed resume into ChatGPT and just kept prompting it with: I need it to sound douchier

  • army vet (5 year deployment)
  • college professor
  • top of class with both undergrad AND grad school
  • attended high school and college simultaneously
  • youngest employee at MCI (is that a flex?)
  • started own companies and been executives in others
  • consultant
  • model
  • actor
  • comedian
  • crisis resolution
  • assists in global affairs

that's quite the resume. Can he just jump right to running for the President. He's got my vote based on the impressive resume that I doubt has any lies or exaggerations.

But seriously it wouldn't shock me if none of this true.

Edited by Nice Guy Eddie

Dnaguy

Certifiably Surly
(edited)
34 minutes ago, Nice Guy Eddie said:
  • army vet (5 year deployment)
  • college professor
  • top of class with both undergrad AND grad school
  • attended high school and college simultaneously
  • youngest employee at MCI (is that a flex?)
  • started own companies and been executives in others
  • consultant
  • model
  • actor
  • comedian
  • crisis resolution
  • assists in global affairs

that's quite the resume. Can he just jump right to running for the President. He's got my vote based on the impressive resume that I doubt has any lies or exaggerations.

But seriously it wouldn't shock me if none of this true.

IMDB shows he was in one episode of Law & Order SVU in 2005 called “Pure”.

https://m.imdb.com/name/nm1837575/

 

Go Number One GIF by DEEPSYSTEM

Edited by Dnaguy

tx 3 putt

Legacy Members

Coming soon to Texas …..

 

HenryJames

Certifiably Surly
23 hours ago, Nice Guy Eddie said:
  • army vet (5 year deployment)
  • college professor
  • top of class with both undergrad AND grad school
  • attended high school and college simultaneously
  • youngest employee at MCI (is that a flex?)
  • started own companies and been executives in others
  • consultant
  • model
  • actor
  • comedian
  • crisis resolution
  • assists in global affairs

that's quite the resume. Can he just jump right to running for the President. He's got my vote based on the impressive resume that I doubt has any lies or exaggerations.

But seriously it wouldn't shock me if none of this true.

Only thing missing is disaster scientist.

texasdago

Legacy Members
35 minutes ago, tx 3 putt said:

Coming soon to Texas …..

 

So, works for a mosque too, right?

tx 3 putt

Legacy Members
5 minutes ago, texasdago said:

So, works for a mosque too, right?

Spongebob Squarepants No GIF

tx 3 putt

Legacy Members

The pedophiles and groomers will be lined up to volunteer their time for this one

Dnaguy

Certifiably Surly
6 minutes ago, tx 3 putt said:

The pedophiles and groomers will be lined up to volunteer their time for this one

The folks who wrote the legislation?

 

pacman

Burnt Ends
(edited)

Duplicate

Edited by pacman

pacman

Burnt Ends
(edited)

 

 

Screenshot_20240609_104603_X.jpg

Screenshot_20240609_104701_X.jpg

Edited by pacman

Biff Tannen

Burnt Ends
On 6/6/2024 at 10:32 AM, tx 3 putt said:

IMG_0613.jpeg

We just ignoring this or what?

ChuckNorrisActionJeans

Certifiably Surly
10 minutes ago, Biff Tannen said:

We just ignoring this or what?

Guessing that only applies to state offices

YGIFS

Full Members

It actually goes all the way down to County, Muni, and even School Board levels.  

Again, it's a nuanced position that the Framers simply did not anticipate.  On the one hand, they kept it so convicted people could still run for/hold office.  The idea being some British loyalists couldn't still swoop in, have some show trial, throw a candidate for Congress in jail, and make sure they could serve the newly found nation after they got out.  By the time Texas comes along and forms its Constitution, that wasn't a big concern anymore...so they just issued a blanket "you get convicted, you can't run for anything."  Many western states have similar language in their constitutions because it wasn't a huge deal after the mid-1800's.  I kinda see an in-between compromise.  But no states are changing shit about this right now given the right stakes.  Maybe in the 2032-33 cycles/sessions.  

Texas could put a constitutional ballot measure to change this in the next two years.  But considering the language of them typically reads like it was written after Trump got an online law degree and then drank a lot of cough syrup...I doubt it would move the needle much.  

Fudge Nuggets

Legacy Members
(edited)
20 minutes ago, ChuckNorrisActionJeans said:

Guessing that only applies to state offices

Make them confirm it.

Edited by Fudge Nuggets

tx 3 putt

Legacy Members
2 hours ago, ChuckNorrisActionJeans said:

Guessing that only applies to state offices


And democrats 

F250

Legacy Members

image.thumb.jpeg.d208ffb7369fda6d7b4a6e649848adda.jpeg

 

 

These white supremacists don't seem to be passing the test.

aDg7M69_700b.jpg

DigglerontheHoof

Certifiably Surly

Dude legit looks like a serial killer. 

Longhorn_Fan68

Certifiably Surly
(edited)
6 minutes ago, DigglerontheHoof said:

Dude legit looks like a serial killer. 

and don't try to catch him on his right side - he'll hear you coming!

Edited by Longhorn_Fan68

WBT

Legacy Members
On 6/3/2024 at 10:30 PM, tx 3 putt said:

Michelle Obama Hope GIF by Obama
 

TX Pres Election Outcomes
2000 - 38.0% Dem v 59.3% Rep (George Bush)
2004 - 38.2% D v 61.1% R (Bush)
2008 - 43.7% D v 55.5% R (John McCain)
2012 - 41.4% D v 57.2% R (Mitt Romney)
2016 - 43.2% D v 52.2% R (Donald Trump)
2020 - 46.5% D v 52.1% R (Trump)

Trump has been the best thing for the Texas Ds in decades

Longhorn_Fan68

Certifiably Surly
23 minutes ago, WBT said:

Trump has been the best thing for the Texas Ds in decades

when's the reaping? we've been sowing for at least the 45 years I've been on this planet

Bozo_Casanova

Legacy Members
44 minutes ago, WBT said:

Trump has been the best thing for the Texas Ds in decades

Failing up is not a strategy 

Nice Guy Eddie

Certifiably Surly
57 minutes ago, WBT said:

Trump has been the best thing for the Texas Ds in decades

 

33 minutes ago, Longhorn_Fan68 said:

when's the reaping? we've been sowing for at least the 45 years I've been on this planet

The more that the GOP hurts rural communities the more they vote GOP. There are some masochistic MFers living in small towns.

Pescado_Rojo

Certifiably Surly
1 hour ago, Nice Guy Eddie said:

 

The more that the GOP hurts rural communities and blames democrats the more they vote GOP. There are some masochistic MFers living in small towns.

fixed for accuracy. 

texasdago

Legacy Members
14 hours ago, F250 said:

image.thumb.jpeg.d208ffb7369fda6d7b4a6e649848adda.jpeg

 

 

These white supremacists don't seem to be passing the test.

 

Conner spelled with a K.  Seems on-brand. Probably a big fan of homecooking from Karen's Kountry Kitchen in small town Texas.

tx 3 putt

Legacy Members
(edited)

Texas Gun Rights has announced Kyle Rittenhouse as the organization’s outreach director. The gun advocacy group disclosed the new hire on Tuesday. 

Edited by tx 3 putt

Thrawn

Legacy Members

I hope whoever handles their office supplies has stocked up on crayons. He will have to have something to keep him busy. I would hope they are smart enough to keep him away from the guns, but probably not.

tx 3 putt

Legacy Members

I’m sure Abbott appointed fair and impartial judges 

MonkeyDoughnut

Burnt Ends

How could this possibly be constitutional at any level?

Nice Guy Eddie

Certifiably Surly
2 minutes ago, MonkeyDoughnut said:

How could this possibly be constitutional at any level?

You can fight it but this new court will decide the case.

MonkeyDoughnut

Burnt Ends
17 minutes ago, Nice Guy Eddie said:

You can fight it but this new court will decide the case.

Michael Scott GIF

CooterBrown

Full Members
On 6/10/2024 at 11:51 AM, texasdago said:

Conner spelled with a K.  Seems on-brand. Probably a big fan of homecooking from Karen's Kountry Kitchen in small town Texas.

Karen's Kountry Kitchen was a real restaurant in Kyle.  It was always amusing to see the name on the I-35 blue restaurant sign when driving past that shithole.

Js1

Certifiably Surly
On 6/10/2024 at 9:30 AM, Longhorn_Fan68 said:

and don't try to catch him on his right side - he'll hear you coming!

He's part Ferengi.  But only on his right side.

Fudge Nuggets

Legacy Members
On 6/10/2024 at 9:35 AM, WBT said:

Trump has been the best thing for the Texas Ds in decades

And it's meant fuck all.  Things are worse, not better.

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