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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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    tx 3 putt

    Posted

    12 hours ago, Satchel said:

    He’s a UT Law grad.

     

    all schools have shitty grads 

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    Nice Guy Eddie

    Posted

    18 minutes ago, tx ind said:

    Will Cain is Temu Tucker Carlson

    yep. I believe Will Cain had a CNN show way back in the past when he was viewed as a potential Tucker Carlson. Then he had a co-host. Then the co-host didn't have Will Cain. And its not that his takes necessarily went against CNN viewer's opinions, they just weren't that good. 

    The interview with Talarico demonstrated how Cain has a loose understanding of the facts and can't easily talk his way around a high quality, adversarial guest. He needs to be talking directly to the viewer where he can't be challenged.

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    Hookah Horns

    Posted

    12 hours ago, Satchel said:

    He’s a UT Law grad.

    According to wiki he basically fucked around for 6 years after graduating before founding a publication about quinceaneras (lulz). That's one way to use your $200k+ education (I'm including Pepperdine undergrad).

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    HenryJames

    Posted

    11 minutes ago, tx 3 putt said:

     

    all schools have shitty grads 

    New motto?

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    Hookah Horns

    Posted

    25 minutes ago, hornmpa96 said:

    Will Cain should have gone with the “I slept with you wife” comeback. It’s the king of all comebacks - even better than jerk store.

    Frustrated George Costanza GIF

    Greatest ever Costanza moment for my money.

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    Hookah Horns

    Posted

    1 minute ago, HenryJames said:

    New motto?

    Sure but needs to be in latin. Omnes scholae habent alumni merda.

    Biff Tannen

    Posted

    12 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:

    [gesturing generally towards everyone who posts on Surly]

    image.gif.79545aaf386fcc39a6072302e014e474.gif

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    dcbc

    Posted

    21 hours ago, LCHorn said:

    And the dog's name....Harry Potter.  

    Hairy Pawter

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    A-Tex Devil

    Posted

    2 hours ago, Nice Guy Eddie said:

    yep. I believe Will Cain had a CNN show way back in the past when he was viewed as a potential Tucker Carlson. Then he had a co-host. Then the co-host didn't have Will Cain. And its not that his takes necessarily went against CNN viewer's opinions, they just weren't that good. 

    The interview with Talarico demonstrated how Cain has a loose understanding of the facts and can't easily talk his way around a high quality, adversarial guest. He needs to be talking directly to the viewer where he can't be challenged.

    So like every Fox News host in history?

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    Nice Guy Eddie

    Posted

    1 minute ago, A-Tex Devil said:

    So like every Fox News host in history?

    I need to work on being more concise in my writing. Saying Fox News host would have been enough.

    A-Tex Devil

    Posted

    I listened to Will Cain on either Simmons or Rusillo last year.  He seemed like he’d be tolerable if you stayed out of politics.  But he looks like a dime store Jesse Waters here. 

    Pancho

    Posted

    50 minutes ago, A-Tex Devil said:

    I listened to Will Cain on either Simmons or Rusillo last year.  He seemed like he’d be tolerable if you stayed out of politics.  But he looks like a dime store Jesse Waters here. 

     

    He was. He wasn’t bad at all, definitely better than Chris Childers or whoever on XM84.

    Then he went hard right. It sucked as he pushed back on people and their narratives of Texas football. Next thing I know, he’s off ESPN and on Fox News 

    mr.goodkat

    Posted

    21 hours ago, Chuckie Finster said:


    Nothing says “steel spine” like bitching out of an interview then carefully crafting your response the next day.

    totes alpha 

    • Haha 1
    Superhero

    Posted

    https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/newsom-make-announcement-redistricting-after-threatening-end-trumps/story?id=124651447

     

    Quote

    California will move forward with redistricting vote to counter Texas, Newsom says

    California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday that he is moving forward with putting proposed new congressional maps for the state on the ballot on a Nov. 4 special election in an attempt to counter mid-decade redistricting being pushed by Republicans in Texas.

    "I know they say 'Don't mess with Texas.' Well, don't mess with the great Golden State," Newsom said at a news conference, flanked by Democratic members of Congress and California union leaders.

    "We're doing this in reaction to a president of the United States that called a sitting governor of the state of Texas and said, 'Find me five seats,'" he added later.

    He said the state government will affirm its commitment to the state's independent redistricting commission after the 2030 census, "but we're asking the voters for their consent to do midterm redistricting in 2026, 2028 and 2030 for the congressional maps to respond to what's happening in Texas … and we'll do so in a way that also affirms our desire as a state to level the playing field all across the United States."

    In a campaign video released concurrently with his announcement, Newsom framed the issue in stark terms.

    "It is a five-alarm fire for democracy in the United States of America. Donald Trump, who is trying to light a torch on democracy, continues to try to rig the election," Newsom says in the video.

     

    Speaking to reporters after the announcement, Newsom said California won't move forward with its mid-decade redistricting plans if Republican-run states considering redistricting don't move forward with redrawing their own maps.

    "This does not go forward -- I want to remind everybody -- unless one of these other states move forward, there's still an exit ramp -- not just Texas, but Missouri, as I mentioned, or Florida, Indiana, these other states that are considering doing the unprecedented, rigging their elections with midterm redistricting. So we're hopeful they don't move forward. If that's the case, this effort will not be necessary. But we're not waiting," he said.

    Republicans are criticizing Newsom's move as political. *lol*  *lol*  *lol*

    "Gavin Newsom's latest stunt has nothing to do with Californians and everything to do with consolidating radical Democrat power, silencing California voters, and propping up his pathetic 2028 presidential pipe dream," National Republican Congressional Committee spokesperson Christian Martinez said in a statement ahead of the press conference.

    "Newsom's made it clear: he'll shred California's Constitution and trample over democracy -- running a cynical, self-serving playbook where Californians are an afterthought and power is the only priority."

    Fuck the GOP

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    Longhorn_Fan68

    Posted

    Quote

    Newsom said California won't move forward with its mid-decade redistricting plans if Republican-run states considering redistricting don't move forward with redrawing their own maps.

    fuck that, do it anyway. 

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    mchookem

    Posted

    they caved already? lol

    TwiceHorn

    Posted

    On 8/13/2025 at 10:23 PM, Satchel said:

    He’s a UT Law grad.

    Being a UT law grad does not make one an actual Longhorn, an adoptive one at best.  That's why hot wheels is so annoying.

    I'm fairly certain the largest percentage of UT law grads after UT undergrads is aggy.

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    crash_davis

    Posted

    On 8/14/2025 at 1:16 PM, A-Tex Devil said:

    I listened to Will Cain on either Simmons or Rusillo last year.  He seemed like he’d be tolerable if you stayed out of politics.  But he looks like a dime store Jesse Waters here. 

    That's a pretty low bar.

     

    Will Cain = Dime store Jesse Waters

    Jesse Waters = Temu Tucker Carlson

    Tucker Carlson = Fucking Idiot.

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    BurntOrange&White

    Posted

    18 hours ago, TwiceHorn said:

    Being a UT law grad does not make one an actual Longhorn, an adoptive one at best.  That's why hot wheels is so annoying.

    I'm fairly certain the largest percentage of UT law grads after UT undergrads is aggy.

    All I have to say about Cain is he follows the football team, knows about our recruiting(I’m fairly certain he subscribes to Inside Texas). He is definitely a big time Horn fan. 

    Bozo_Casanova

    Posted

    14 minutes ago, BurntOrange&White said:

    All I have to say about Cain is he follows the football team, knows about our recruiting(I’m fairly certain he subscribes to Inside Texas). He is definitely a big time Horn fan. 

    Hmm… did he Swim4Texas?

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    tchookem

    Posted

    This is more for [mention=2294]Ag with kids[/mention], 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.    
    But what about owning the libs?
    LCHorn

    Posted

    34 minutes ago, BurntOrange&White said:

    All I have to say about Cain is he follows the football team, knows about our recruiting(I’m fairly certain he subscribes to Inside Texas). He is definitely a big time Horn fan. 

    The political leanings of Inside Texas has always been weird, even before Alex P Keaton wannabe Nahlin took over.  It wouldn’t be at all surprising for Cain to be on there.  

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    Evil Bill Obrien

    Posted

    2 hours ago, Bozo_Casanova said:

     

    Same energy from Dannie Goeb, only more authoritarian and less funny:

    20nnie.gif.bd2404aeddf51a5abbda2ba988ccc7bd.gif

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    Underdog

    Posted

    On 8/14/2025 at 11:49 AM, tx 3 putt said:

     

    all schools have shitty grads 

    Yep… 

    image.jpeg.173e595d75abc1ca9789e3e252f41e0d.jpeg

     

    • Haha 1
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    Longhorn_Fan68

    Posted

    4 hours ago, Bozo_Casanova said:

     

    totally normal, non-authoritarian shit right here. I would have yelled "fuck you, come get me!" had I been there

    Player

    Posted

     

    So could the Dems effectively break quorum again merely by refusing to stand for a prayer?
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    Eskimohorn

    Posted

     

    Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
    • Hook 'Em 3
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    Chuckie Finster

    Posted


    Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

    Get that woke nonsense out of here!
    • Like 3
    tx ind

    Posted

    2 hours ago, Eskimohorn said:


    Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

    Dannie Goeb isn’t in Congress, checkmate libtard

    CTC2

    Posted

    On 8/13/2025 at 3:59 PM, UncleSonny said:

    Holy shit, what a little bitch 

    I’ve never heard of this guy but at first I thought it was the dude from Boogie Nights who get into the car with Roller Girl. 

    IMG_1621.jpeg

    • Haha 2
    Pato del Muerto

    Posted

    3 hours ago, Eskimohorn said:


    Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

    Didn’t you hear?  This isn’t about religion, it’s about respect for the Texas senate!  

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    TwiceHorn

    Posted

    8 hours ago, Underdog said:

    Yep… 

    image.jpeg.173e595d75abc1ca9789e3e252f41e0d.jpeg

     

    mole-uncle-buck.gif&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=91dba

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    • Like 2
    TwiceHorn

    Posted

    9 hours ago, LCHorn said:

    The political leanings of Inside Texas has always been weird, even before Alex P Keaton wannabe Nahlin took over.  It wouldn’t be at all surprising for Cain to be on there.  

    I mean, it's a bunch of white middle aged dudes.  Longhorn fandom is probably at least half MAGA.  Look at this place.

    Willfully Horn

    Posted

    Reminded me of derisive comments I’ve heard from folks whose church prays standing up about folks who pray in a church while kneeling.

    speed817

    Posted

    Wasn't sure where to put this so here this goes....

    Screenshot_20250817-173432.thumb.png.98fb6c3ffe765adec551bff46ce196e4.png

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    DDD Dad

    Posted

    On 8/14/2025 at 10:05 AM, Brisketexan said:

    My life philosophy and goal is "when you think of Ballinger, think of me."

    I've found that setting very modest life goals helps with overall happiness.

    I’ve been to Ballinger. It ain’t all that. Right @Ghost of LL?

    Brisketexan

    Posted

    That's just Texas in 2025, being its authentic self.  I applaud the self-awareness and honesty.  Own who you are, Texas.  And that shit....is EXACTLY what Texas is.

    • Fuck Around and Find Out 1
    Brisketexan

    Posted

    1 minute ago, DDD Dad said:

    I’ve been to Ballinger. It ain’t all that. Right @Ghost of LL?

    There was a pretty cute gal from Ballinger I flirted with hard in college.  Tried to connect, and it just wasn't happening.  Later that semester, started dating the gal who I ended up marrying.  Early December, we became a real-deal couple.  Days later, Ballinger gal called ME (1) to tell me she was having a little Christmas party at her condo, and (2) she'd really like me to come, as her date.  Had to let her down.

    That's the way I roll.  Breaking cute Ballinger gals' hearts.

    Kinda dodged a bullet, though.  She and my wife actually knew each other, and ran in the same circles over the years.  Turns out, she was kinda weird.  Don't know if that was her, or the Ballinger coming through.

    DDD Dad

    Posted

    23 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:

    There was a pretty cute gal from Ballinger I flirted with hard in college.  Tried to connect, and it just wasn't happening.  Later that semester, started dating the gal who I ended up marrying.  Early December, we became a real-deal couple.  Days later, Ballinger gal called ME (1) to tell me she was having a little Christmas party at her condo, and (2) she'd really like me to come, as her date.  Had to let her down.

    That's the way I roll.  Breaking cute Ballinger gals' hearts.

    Kinda dodged a bullet, though.  She and my wife actually knew each other, and ran in the same circles over the years.  Turns out, she was kinda weird.  Don't know if that was her, or the Ballinger coming through.

    Probably the Ballinger. 

    • Like 1
    TwiceHorn

    Posted

    Borger is where it's at.

    • Haha 1
    High Plains Drifter

    Posted

    On 8/13/2025 at 9:03 AM, speed817 said:

    I hope there's a day when a football player runs his ass over when he's on the sidelines.

    But then hotwheels will sue the player and the university for millions.....

     

    DeAndre Levy his ass: 

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DeAndre_Levy

     

    Levy played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers from 2005 to 2008...

    In November 2006, Levy inadvertently collided with nearly 80-year-old Penn State coach Joe Paterno on the sideline during a game, fracturing Paterno's shin bone and damaging knee ligaments.[1][2] Subsequent to the Penn State child sex abuse scandal, Levy now calls that incident "my proudest moment in college".[3] In response, 21 former Penn State football players signed a letter condemning his comments.[4]

     

     

     

     

     

    • Haha 2
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    bluto

    Posted (edited)

    1 hour ago, speed817 said:

    Wasn't sure where to put this so here this goes....

    Screenshot_20250817-173432.thumb.png.98fb6c3ffe765adec551bff46ce196e4.png

    There was a near permanent maga merch tent right off the interstate for a while a few miles from there. Rockwall co is a fuckin shit hole… it’s where ppl from mesquite who ‘Made it’ moved to. 

    Edited by bluto
    • Hook 'Em 3
    DDD Dad

    Posted

    2 minutes ago, bluto said:

    There was a near permanent maga merch tent right off the interstate for a while a few miles from there. Rockwall co is a fuckin shit hole… it’s where ppl from mesquite who ‘Made it’ moved to. 

    I played golf at Mesquite yesterday so this hits close to home. 

    Ghost of LL

    Posted

    1 hour ago, Brisketexan said:

    There was a pretty cute gal from Ballinger I flirted with hard in college.  Tried to connect, and it just wasn't happening.  Later that semester, started dating the gal who I ended up marrying.  Early December, we became a real-deal couple.  Days later, Ballinger gal called ME (1) to tell me she was having a little Christmas party at her condo, and (2) she'd really like me to come, as her date.  Had to let her down.

    That's the way I roll.  Breaking cute Ballinger gals' hearts.

    Kinda dodged a bullet, though.  She and my wife actually knew each other, and ran in the same circles over the years.  Turns out, she was kinda weird.  Don't know if that was her, or the Ballinger coming through.

    Shortly after @DDD Dad and I finished with a bunch of Ballinger work, I hit it off with an entirely different really cute Ballinger gal on a Southwest Airlines flight.  Sadly, I was (and am) married.  But damn--she seemed really fun.

    • Fuck Around and Find Out 1
    crash_davis

    Posted

    Fuckers are cheating again.

     

    • Rage+1 3



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