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  • Texas -- a failed state


    Brisketexan

    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.

     

     


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    14 hours ago, mchookem said:

     

    so...i also hate mosquitoes, humidity, and flying tree roaches. and i like getting high. we're moving to Colorado as fast as we can. 🤘

     

    Chose central Oregon for much the same reasons.  In terms of reasons for leaving, add blistering summers, a dearth of majestic scenery (there are some great spots in Texas,  yes, but not a bunch of them), and the backwards attitudes on so many things as other reasons I left.    For example, I can buy beer when the stores open on Sunday, not have to wait until Noon. The Death with Dignity act.  Everyone votes by mail.  Things that just make sense, whether right or left. The people here are friendlier by far than they were in most of Texas, honestly. 

    But it was first and foremost the desire to experience a true four seasons and great outdoor activities more so than politics.  My views every day are better for me than they ever would be in Texas, and the climate suits me.  The smoke for a few weeks was pretty bad, but dealt with it OK.

    Plus I get a coast w/in a four hour drive.  Colorado being land locked was a mental stopper for me.  Downsides are a real lack of diversity, for a long time by malicious design.   And the rural areas can make small town Texas look like Berkley. 

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    We loved living in Wisconsin, but after we left, their politics went bsc.

    Spouse pays attention to some of the things that may not be pressing immediately, but to consider for the future and for our children: sea levels will affect coastal regions. Drought will change landscapes, weather patterns will change etc. This in turn affects production. People w/o food get real mean real fast. We are considering options but don't have anything specific lined up.

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    On 2/18/2021 at 9:26 AM, Eskimohorn said:


    Username definitely does not check out. Dont remember the chapter where Gus and Woodrow were pig farmers.

    Well, Gus said we didn't rent pigs, and we don't. A man that rents pigs is capable of anything. But we're happy to eat them. 

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    On 2/19/2021 at 12:55 PM, MC Fresh Breath said:

     

    Chose central Oregon for much the same reasons.  In terms of reasons for leaving, add blistering summers, a dearth of majestic scenery (there are some great spots in Texas,  yes, but not a bunch of them), and the backwards attitudes on so many things as other reasons I left.    For example, I can buy beer when the stores open on Sunday, not have to wait until Noon. The Death with Dignity act.  Everyone votes by mail.  Things that just make sense, whether right or left. The people here are friendlier by far than they were in most of Texas, honestly. 

    But it was first and foremost the desire to experience a true four seasons and great outdoor activities more so than politics.  My views every day are better for me than they ever would be in Texas, and the climate suits me.  The smoke for a few weeks was pretty bad, but dealt with it OK.

    Plus I get a coast w/in a four hour drive.  Colorado being land locked was a mental stopper for me.  Downsides are a real lack of diversity, for a long time by malicious design.   And the rural areas can make small town Texas look like Berkley. 

    Yeah, but on the other hand you're way too fucking close to eastern Oregon, which makes aggy look positively progressive by comparison.

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    Well I’m committed at least for the next 3 years while I finish grad school part time. Not going down with a fight though. If anything I’m more motivated than ever to find ways to help out the Democratic Party or nonprofits focus on sound public policies. 

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    15 hours ago, wildcat09 said:

    Yeah, but on the other hand you're way too fucking close to eastern Oregon, which makes aggy look positively progressive by comparison.


    I suppose.  I would have to drive there to see that, though.  Otherwise I am 25 minutes from a ski resort in winter and epic mountain biking trails, hiking, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, on and on In the warmer months.  I haven’t even scratched the surface of activity possibilities here.  And real trees, holy mackerel.  If you are a fisherman you would be in heaven here too.   

    Nowhere is perfect, but I feel like it is perfect for me.   

     

    Edit:  I had a few beers in me when I pounded this one out on the phone.  I sincerely apologize for the bragging.  I am happy here, and I'm glad I decided to not live my entire life in one State, no matter which one.

    Edited by MC Fresh Breath
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    Lot of threads this could go in, including the abortion one, but this is probably most fitting.  Texas legislators want to prevent women from even going out of state for an abortion.

    At least they have stopped pretending they don’t want a full-blown police state.

     

    Edited by atomheartbevo
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    8 hours ago, atomheartbevo said:

    Lot of threads this could go in, including the abortion one, but this is probably most fitting.  Texas legislators want to prevent women from even going out of state for an abortion.

    At least they have stopped pretending they don’t want a full-blown police state.

     


    microchip all females, only way to be sure 

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    I'm in Colorado for the month.  Today we were at the Golden farmer's market and as these two fat women came walking up, I commented to my daughter (who lives in Golden) that until then, I hadn't seen a really fat person since we got here.  
    She said, "Yeah, everyone who lives here has some form of exercise as their main hobby." 
    About 20 seconds later, another fat lady came waddling by, wearing a Texas A&M t-shirt.

    How does she like Golden? That’s one of the top spots for our eventual relocation. Granted, I’ve only spent a few hours there but it seemed ideal for mountain and Denver access. I’ll take my 10th grader up in September to check out CSOM, CSU, and CU.
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    2 hours ago, CooterBrown said:


    How does she like Golden? That’s one of the top spots for our eventual relocation. Granted, I’ve only spent a few hours there but it seemed ideal for mountain and Denver access. I’ll take my 10th grader up in September to check out CSOM, CSU, and CU.

    It is literally about the best place in the country.  I would retire in Golden if I could afford it.

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    9 hours ago, atomheartbevo said:

     

    If the governor of Texas has that much power when working hand in hand with POTUS, why didn't Abbot and Trump save Texas?  They had 4 years. 

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    8 minutes ago, Js1 said:

    If the governor of Texas has that much power when working hand in hand with POTUS, why didn't Abbot and Trump save Texas?  They had 4 years. 

    Non-specific and vague references to brown people are scary! 

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    I sort of wish Biden had the nads to tweet out something like. 
     

    Texas officials begging their people to conserve power in a state well known to get hot in the summer…SAD!!!

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    11 hours ago, atomheartbevo said:

     

    Gee, that seems to sound a lot like a former President's campaign in an election that he lost. 

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    33 minutes ago, Queen Bitch said:

    Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck Texas

    seems like providing drugs that help keep people alive and not spread a deadly virus would be pro life but what the fuck do i know?!

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    4 minutes ago, 4th&Five said:

    seems like providing drugs that help keep people alive and not spread a deadly virus would be pro life but what the fuck do i know?!

    God, can someone run on making venue shopping illegal?   These fucksticks find the most sympathetic judges so rule in their favor.  This tool is notorious for it.  

     

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    1 hour ago, 4th&Five said:

    seems like providing drugs that help keep people alive and not spread a deadly virus would be pro life but what the fuck do i know?!

    But the drugs are keeping the gays alive. A god-fearin' Texan shouldn't be required to fund them pills that keep their sinful lives going.

    Under his eye.

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    All drugs can keep gays alive. All drugs can keep breeders alive.  
     

    Weird that being gay is somehow different than other sins. No healthcare for all sinners has a little larger pool. 

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    1 hour ago, Pato del Muerto said:

    All drugs can keep gays alive. All drugs can keep breeders alive.  
     

    Weird that being gay is somehow different than other sins. No healthcare for all sinners has a little larger pool. 

    Surely you aren’t saying that being gay is a sin.

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    2 minutes ago, Satchel said:

    Surely you aren’t saying that being gay is a sin.

    I was posting from their perspective.  Which they have because of a really old book that supposedly is no longer valid because of the newer book, but they still cherry pick from it to validate that their bullshit is in line with god’s thinking. 

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    1 minute ago, Pato del Muerto said:

    I was posting from their perspective.  Which they have because of a really old book that supposedly is no longer valid because of the newer book, but they still cherry pick from it to validate that their bullshit is in line with god’s thinking. 

    Gotcha. Because the majority of Christians are very poorly catechized, most don’t understand that the Bible is not and was never intended to be a science book or a sex manual.

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    3 hours ago, trauma babe said:

    Texas has now literally targeted every aspect of the care I provide through my clinic lmao

    It's almost like the state is telling this dyke to gtfo

    When the government of a state tells you exactly who they are and exactly how difficult they are willing to make your life believe them. I hope you are able to relocate to a state where who you are and what you do for a living are both fully respected.

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    A six figure loan for school is my only current option, but as always, my DMs are open for any women who want subsidize my life in exchange for companionship

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    There’s a lot at stake here:

    https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2022/9/7/23341076/obamacare-reed-oconnor-prep-supreme-court-braidwood-becerra-affordable-care-act

    When Congress enacted the Affordable Care Act, it delegated the power to determine which preventive treatments should be covered by insurers to three different federal entities with specialized experience on vaccines and preventive medicine. 

    The US Preventive Services Task Force (PSTF) has fairly broad authority over preventive care for all patients. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) determines which vaccinations should be covered. And the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) issues “comprehensive guidelines” governing women’s health and preventive care for infants, children, and adolescents.

    This delegation of authority allowed these entities to make sure that, as new health challenges emerge and new treatments are developed, those treatments would remain broadly available to patients. If Congress had simply itemized a list of vaccines which insurers must cover when it enacted Obamacare in 2010, for example, that list could not have included the Covid-19 vaccine — because Covid-19 did not exist in 2010.

    The three federal entities have placed about 80 items on the list of preventive services that health insurers must cover. These items include things like blood screening for newborns, vision screening for children, birth control, Pap smears, and screening for conditions like depression, hepatitis, HIV, and some forms of cancer.

    The Braidwood plaintiffs took issue with that. Those plaintiffs are a hodgepodge of individuals and business owners (along with some businesses owned by individual plaintiffs) who object to buying insurance that covers at least some of these treatments, either on religious or economic grounds. 

    Their most potent legal argument is that delegating this power to federal agencies violates something known as the “nondelegation doctrine,” a judicially created doctrine that the Supreme Court briefly flirted with in the 1930s, and then abandoned for nearly a century.

    This ill-defined doctrine places vague limits on Congress’s power to delegate policymaking authority to federal agencies. In a 2019 dissenting opinion that a majority of the Court has since signaled that they find persuasive, Justice Neil Gorsuch claimed that the Court should strike down any congressional delegation of regulatory power that does not set “forth standards ‘sufficiently definite and precise to enable Congress, the courts, and the public to ascertain’ whether Congress’s guidance has been followed.”

    In any event, the nondelegation doctrine is not currently the law — Gorsuch’s dissenting opinion is, for now, just a dissent. And O’Connor’s decision in Braidwood concedes that existing law does not permit him to strike down Obamacare’s entire preventive care regime as a violation of the nondelegation doctrine.

    But there is enormous risk that this Supreme Court will change existing law and doom the regime in fairly short order. Two years ago, in Little Sisters v. Pennsylvania (2020), all of the Court’s Republican appointees joined an opinion by Justice Clarence Thomas, which strongly implied that HRSA’s decision to require health insurers to cover birth control violates nondelegation — although Thomas ultimately declined to strike down the birth control rule because “no party has pressed a constitutional challenge to the breadth of the delegation involved here.

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    Texas has now literally targeted every aspect of the care I provide through my clinic lmao
    It's almost like the state is telling this dyke to gtfo
    CO will gladly take you.
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    Texas has now literally targeted every aspect of the care I provide through my clinic lmao
    It's almost like the state is telling this dyke to gtfo

    Wanna move to NYC with me?
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