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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.

     

     


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    pyrohornIII

    Posted

    So I have finally secured a date and time for our AMA with new TDP Chair Scudder.    It will be at 8:30 PM the night of Wed, Sept. 3.  I am waiting for Imamac to suggest something other than Zoom to use, but if nothing else, we'll have a Zoom with him and you folks can ask/suggest what you want.  

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    Willfully Horn

    Posted

    32 minutes ago, TwiceHorn said:

    The post was presented as representing a possible groundswell of opposition from a "regular dude" farmer/firefighter.  Unfortunately, I don't think that's what that represents.  Love what he says, but until further notice, a minority like Talarico.

    Nothing gets out the vote, yes, assuming there is a vote, like predictions of doom.

    That’s not even playing through the whistle in a game where the opponent cheats at will. 

    tx 3 putt

    Posted

    35 minutes ago, HenryJames said:

     

     

    get out and vote 

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    TwiceHorn

    Posted

    7 minutes ago, tx 3 putt said:

     

    get out and vote 

    And beat some Trumptards senseless on the way and on the way back.

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    pyrohornIII

    Posted

    Or maybe beat some sense into them?  Not sure they can lack anymore sense than they do now.

     

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    BurntOrange&White

    Posted

    On 8/22/2025 at 6:52 AM, Willfully Horn said:

    Another speech, similar to the one that criticized redistricting given by an aggy. This guy claims to be an East Texas farmer.

     

    They'll still vote R, don't be fooled.

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    tx 3 putt

    Posted

    1 minute ago, BurntOrange&White said:

    They'll still vote R, don't be fooled.

     

    correct 

    have to sway the middle of the road voters, just enough of them

    Biff Tannen

    Posted

    22 hours ago, Kyrie Eleison said:

    BOOM!  no more cack.  

    Can’t stop laughing at this. 😂

    berlinerbaer

    Posted

    8 hours ago, VABuckeye said:

    Question.  I've been seeing some reports that by redistricting and guaranteeing 5 more red seats that Texas has put 10 other districts at risk.  Is there truth to this? It would be epic if that's how it plays out.

    Yes, it's true. There are only so many R voters and they are being drawn out of safe R districts to flip safe D districts. There is a lot of predicted light pink within the rural parts of the triangle/central TX right now when before it was all ruby red.

    I've seen serious analysis that shows only 3 of the 5 Republican gains are likely to pan out. They made the error in fully flipping Casar, Green's, and a rep by Dallas' seats (not Crockett) but just barely nudged Cuellar and Vicente Gonzalez's seats rightward, even though those two are probably the most difficult to dislodge. Team Turnip honestly believes their gains with Latinos will stick, so they didn't think they needed to mess with South Texas much. Trump won both of those seats while the Dem reps both won by several points. In a likely 2026 environment, with an 8 - 10 point R to D swing, they likely stay blue.

    That says nothing about the rest of the state, where the R vote is being spread out to attack those three deep blue seats. Surprises are possible.

    Meanwhile, if it comes to pass, the 5 flips from R to D targeted in California are highly likely to play out.

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    BearSchlong

    Posted

    yeah…wife and i have 4 combined: my oldest is a 3L, middle one is a Sr at Baylor, her son a Soph at Baylor and my youngest Soph at SFA.  in 3 yrs we’ll have all of them out, and she vests in her job that same year.  
    we’re fucking outta here the very next day.  
     
    this bunker mentality makes me weary, the heat sucks at 57, much less what it’s going to feel like at 60, these jagoffs running the state not giving a shit about fuck other than more power and finding another kid to suck off or poke, fucking measles running wild now…by then it’ll be some strain of diabolical gonoherpesyphylaids that makes your dick spontaneously blow up while you’re standing in line to buy a Shasta at some shithole Allsups.  
     
    BOOM!  no more cack.  
     
    fuck I lost enough time in my addiction and we got shit we wanna do amongst like-minded folks before we die who are just vibing in their Chacos, fly-fishing rivers, hiking mountains and shooting ducks, muleys and elk without having to look over their goddamn shoulder every 10 minutes or cringe at the latest chucklefuckery.
     
    the Texas i was born and raised in is gone…at least the rest of my days.  it’s up to my kids and yours to get it back…if they want it and aren’t tail-grabbing our asses on the way outta town themselves. 
    it’s been fun, y’all.  but embrace being a refugee sooner rather than later.  
     
    those who choose to stay and fight, SA-LUTE!  may you die with your boots on. 
     
    goddamn i’m glad neither grandpa is alive to see this shit. 

    I read this on the banks of the Yellowstone River, while tanning ribeyes and watching a herd of elk. My wife has 4 years left to vest.

    Staying at a magnificent house, and I ruined ol Mr. Boudreaux’s dinner by telling him it was designed and built by a west coast Democrat.

    Poor bitter ol fucker was sweating a drink so bad today I sat my wife down and told her look, your uncle is about to get the shakes bad, is acting like an asshole, and if you don’t get him a bottle of scotch and a case of beer I’m gonna leave his ass here without a car while I go adventuring.
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    bluto

    Posted

    Does stephenville naming their high school stadium after art briles qualify for this thread?

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    mchookem

    Posted

    as the one who did 100% of the planning and prep for our move...pretty clever business plan. movers, pods, shipping cars, storage, deliveries, etc etc...in addition to just prepping/selling house...i was retired and had all the time in the world for research, bids, phone calls, coordinating dates, etc.

    to be fair, my mate did about 85% of the packing 😊 but i provided the schedule. it was a pretty good trade off and being in IT... yeah i had an actual project plan 😆 

    pyrohornIII

    Posted

    You know that trooper got some ribbing when he got back to the Capitol.  

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    Ag with kids

    Posted

    On 8/13/2025 at 9:08 AM, Im_smarter_then_you said:

    This is a joke right?

    Why would this be a joke?

     

    Democrat run states are more gerrymandered than Republican run states.

    F250

    Posted

    26 minutes ago, pyrohornIII said:

    You know that trooper got some ribbing when he got back to the Capitol.  

    Awkward Krieger GIF by Archer

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    Ag with kids

    Posted

    On 8/13/2025 at 9:32 AM, Macanudo said:

    He's an Ag with 9 kids.  He most certainly is not all right. 

    Meh...

     

    I've done OK in life.

    Ag with kids

    Posted

    On 8/13/2025 at 9:45 AM, Biff Tannen said:

    God, what a nightmarish existence.

    JFC...yeah...it was...

    Raising 9 kids was a shit ton of work.

    But, I got them all to adulthood.

    And they're all good kids.

    caddy-shack.gif

    Ag with kids

    Posted

    On 8/13/2025 at 8:02 AM, LCHorn said:

    This is more for @Ag with kids, but one reason Bozo keeps picking on you is that you're a good representative of the kind of thinking that's confused the present, dysfunctional system as working for you.   Millions of Texas Republican voters would be, for example, shocked to find out that their business friendly, low tax, low service state is taxing their household more than they would pay in blue or purple states.    

    I only try to discuss the subjects that have been presented to me.

    Bozo hasn't brought the taxation system of Texas up.

    I have not stated whether I think the current Texas taxing system is optimal or good.

     

    That is a different discussion that should be a different thread.

     

     

    Im_smarter_then_you

    Posted

    18 minutes ago, Ag with kids said:

    Why would this be a joke?

     

    Democrat run states are more gerrymandered than Republican run states.

    image.thumb.png.a1af1cbacd734db817fbcad685b07828.png

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    Ag with kids

    Posted

    12 minutes ago, Im_smarter_then_you said:

    image.thumb.png.a1af1cbacd734db817fbcad685b07828.png

    You realize that most of those "gerrymandered" states only have 1 to 2 representatives, right?  And that goes to both the right and the left.

     

    Vermont is not gerrymandered because it's 100% Democrat.  It only has 1 representative.  It's either 100% Democrat or 100% Republican.  Since most of their citizens lean Democratic, their  Representation is 1-0 Dem.

     

    Similarly, North Dakota only has 1 representative is not gerrymandered because it's 100% Republican.  It only has 1 representative.  It's either 100% Democrat or 100% Republican.  Since most of their citizens lean Republican, their  Representation is 1-0 Rep.

     

    It's not rocket surgery...

    Ag with kids

    Posted

    On 8/13/2025 at 9:49 AM, Im_smarter_then_you said:

    Yep but that’s nine future GOP voters

    I also have 22 grandkids...:D

    Ag with kids

    Posted

    On 8/13/2025 at 9:54 AM, wildcat09 said:

    I bet they homeschool all of them too.

    No...

     

    They went to public schools in Texas...but one of the GOOD parts of Texas.

    Im_smarter_then_you

    Posted

    7 minutes ago, Ag with kids said:

    You realize that most of those "gerrymandered" states only have 1 to 2 representatives, right?  And that goes to both the right and the left.

     

    Vermont is not gerrymandered because it's 100% Democrat.  It only has 1 representative.  It's either 100% Democrat or 100% Republican.  Since most of their citizens lean Democratic, their  Representation is 1-0 Dem.

     

    Similarly, North Dakota only has 1 representative is not gerrymandered because it's 100% Republican.  It only has 1 representative.  It's either 100% Democrat or 100% Republican.  Since most of their citizens lean Republican, their  Representation is 1-0 Rep.

     

    It's not rocket surgery...

    Texas, Ohio, North Carolina , Pennsylvania, Wisconsin aren’t that sparse

    mchookem

    Posted

    wtf aren't sequential replies supposed to merge themselves?

    Ag with kids

    Posted

    1 minute ago, Im_smarter_then_you said:

    Texas, Ohio, North Carolina , Pennsylvania, Wisconsin aren’t that sparse

    Ok?  And?  Your map is showing that Red states are less gerrymandered than Blue states...

     

     

    Hint:  Green is Very gerrymandered...Red is less gerrymandered.

     

    Eight of those states in your pic are Red states.

     

    And I will disagree with Maryland since they're 7-1 Democrat (88%)...

    Im_smarter_then_you

    Posted (edited)

    7 minutes ago, Ag with kids said:

    Ok?  And?  Your map is showing that Red states are less gerrymandered than Blue states...

     

     

    Hint:  Green is Very gerrymandered...Red is less gerrymandered.

     

    Eight of those states in your pic are Red states.

     

    And I will disagree with Maryland since they're 7-1 Democrat (88%)...

    Is this also a joke? The red are the most gerrymandered and as you pointed out, 8 of those are red states.

     

    From the article: Much of the worst gerrymandering was concentrated in parts of the Southern and Northeastern United States. The 11 worst offenders were North Carolina, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Louisiana, Arkansas, Utah, Texas, Ohio, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

     

    Don't really need an article as this is pretty common knowledge

    Edited by Im_smarter_then_you
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    Im_smarter_then_you

    Posted

    1 hour ago, Ag with kids said:

    You realize that most of those "gerrymandered" states only have 1 to 2 representatives, right?  And that goes to both the right and the left.

     

    Vermont is not gerrymandered because it's 100% Democrat.  It only has 1 representative.  It's either 100% Democrat or 100% Republican.  Since most of their citizens lean Democratic, their  Representation is 1-0 Dem.

     

    Similarly, North Dakota only has 1 representative is not gerrymandered because it's 100% Republican.  It only has 1 representative.  It's either 100% Democrat or 100% Republican.  Since most of their citizens lean Republican, their  Representation is 1-0 Rep.

     

    It's not rocket surgery...

    Holy shit, just realized, you thought the graphic implicated ND as the most gerrymandered?  No, it's not.  It's saying the states that are red are most gerrymandered.  😁  Poor aggy.  Thought you were trolling.  Turns out you're just old and dumb.  And aggy  Ok redundant

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    tx 3 putt

    Posted

    The Governor of Texas is a Republican.

    The Attorney General of Texas is a Republican.

    The Texas House is controlled by Republicans.

    The Texas Senate is controlled by Republicans.

    ALL NINE JUSTICES on the Texas Supreme Court are Republicans.

    Governor Hot Wheels wants to blame Democrats for the economy and every other problem in Texas.

     

    Question Mark What GIF by MOODMAN
     

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    ChiTownDoc

    Posted

    5 hours ago, tx 3 putt said:

     

    lol.  GL bitch.  She better hope Trump deports her at this point…

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    HenryJames

    Posted

    5 hours ago, tx 3 putt said:

     

    10 Things You've Never Noticed From Idiocracy

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    BurntOrange&White

    Posted

    Is Texas too far gerrymandered to pull off something like republicans did in the 90s with flipping a bunch of seats?

    Willfully Horn

    Posted

    28 minutes ago, BurntOrange&White said:

    Is Texas too far gerrymandered to pull off something like republicans did in the 90s with flipping a bunch of seats?

    I’ve read speculation that the new map has ten light pink, and fewer deep red, districts, so yes, it’s not out of the realm of possibility.

    South Austin

    Posted

    6 minutes ago, Willfully Horn said:

    I’ve read speculation that the new map has ten light pink, and fewer deep red, districts, so yes, it’s not out of the realm of possibility.

    Still, that realm is very small.

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    Fudge Nuggets

    Posted

    10 hours ago, Ag with kids said:

    Ok?  And?  Your map is showing that Red states are less gerrymandered than Blue states...

     

     

    Hint:  Green is Very gerrymandered...Red is less gerrymandered.

     

    Eight of those states in your pic are Red states.

     

    And I will disagree with Maryland since they're 7-1 Democrat (88%)...

    Dumbass aggy.

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    Foosters

    Posted

    9 hours ago, tx 3 putt said:

     

    Do you want a fatwa, because that's how you get a fatwa.

    • Haha 1
    wild_turkey

    Posted

    I also have 22 grandkids...

    Your carbon footprint is enormous. Why does anyone have 9 kids?
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    Vegas64

    Posted

    22 minutes ago, wild_turkey said:


    Your carbon footprint is enormous. Why does anyone have 9 kids?

    To make up for the DINKS and those who have 0 or 1, for negative growth rate with an eye to future GDP growth for the unquenchable thirst of late stage capitalism?

    Gap03

    Posted (edited)

    26 minutes ago, Pescado_Rojo said:

    Because 7 of them are likely to die from easily preventable diseases or child labor accidents? 

    If Ag with Kids and his ilk have their way, that's definitely the way shit will go down - a return to the good ol' days ...

    Oregon-Trail.jpg

    Edited by Gap03
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    Longhorn_Fan68

    Posted

    1 hour ago, Willfully Horn said:

    I’ve read speculation that the new map has ten light pink, and fewer deep red, districts, so yes, it’s not out of the realm of possibility.

     

    1 hour ago, South Austin said:

    Still, that realm is very small.

    yes, that's why the pink area is so highly sought after

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    Brisketexan

    Posted

    1 hour ago, South Austin said:

    Still, that realm is very small.

    5d57ad6a-dec0-429c-8199-daed1cde0c44_tex

    7 minutes ago, HenryJames said:

     

    "And we have voices too."  Dude. Clock is running on that.  The regime has declared its intent to revoke the broadcast licenses of all networks that do not praise the regime.  The regime literally just declared the opposition political party to be a terrorist group.  The 1st Amendment is dead.

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    Bozo_Casanova

    Posted

    14 hours ago, Ag with kids said:

    Why would this be a joke?

     

    Democrat run states are more gerrymandered than Republican run states.

    Come on man. It’s one thing to maintain an indefensible position. It’s another to believe in things that are demonstrably untrue. 
    Do better. 
     

    13 hours ago, mchookem said:

    wtf aren't sequential replies supposed to merge themselves?

    image.png.4b810a2266f0fa7ad63d523608702215.png

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    chainsaw

    Posted

    Just now, Bozo_Casanova said:

    Come on man. It’s one thing to maintain an indefensible position. It’s another to believe in things that are demonstrably untrue. 
    Do better. 
     

    He's an Ag.

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    babysdaddy

    Posted

    12 hours ago, tx 3 putt said:

     

    Didn't she already lose in Nebraska or Kansas?  Fucking wacko

    • Haha 1



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