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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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    scottsins

    Posted

    Who can/should I send money to. I want to support a Texas democrat  

    Talarico
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    • Like 2
    SubliminalHorn

    Posted

    Destroying a world class university to own the libs

    • Hook 'Em 1
    Satchel

    Posted

    1 hour ago, SubliminalHorn said:

    Destroying a world class university to own the libs

    They’re hoping to follow the aggy model of being a conservative well ranked public university.

    BevoAbyss

    Posted (edited)

    8 hours ago, SubliminalHorn said:

    Destroying a world class university to own the libs

    Correct.

    Joining the SEC is all ya need to know about the future of UT-Austin, faculty rights, and academic freedom. 

    As I said when it happened, joining the SEC was an Abbott-Regents move to align UT with the fascist MAGA Deep South. It was never merely about  "big boy" football and $$$$. That was the smoke screen.

    And it worked. Just look at all the SEC love on the football boards.

    Edited by BevoAbyss
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    Dbeasy

    Posted

    What’s the story on the new UT Austin President? Good? Bad?

    BevoAbyss

    Posted (edited)

    33 minutes ago, Dbeasy said:

    What’s the story on the new UT Austin President? Good? Bad?

    We know the answer. Likely some good and a lot of bad. How else does he get through the approval process?

    And we know Abbott had to approve or it ain't happening. 

    So he will do what Abbott and BOR tell him what to do.

    Amid the good ... expect a lot of bad.

     

    Edited by BevoAbyss
    • Hook 'Em 1
    Im_smarter_then_you

    Posted

    12 hours ago, Planet Houston said:

    And people were surprised when Hartzell moved to SMU? 

    Let that sink in…SMU…more of a liberal haven of learning than UT. 

    I thought Jay was. A pretty conservative guy?

    Im_smarter_then_you

    Posted

    1 hour ago, BevoAbyss said:

    Correct.

    Joining the SEC is all ya need to know about the future of UT-Austin, faculty rights, and academic freedom. 

    As I said when it happened, joining the SEC was an Abbott-Regents move to align UT with the fascist MAGA Deep South. It was never merely about  "big boy" football and $$$$. That was the smoke screen.

    And it worked. Just look at all the SEC love on the football boards.

    I don’t see any sec love on the football boards

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    Willfully Horn

    Posted (edited)

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

     

    Edited by Willfully Horn
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    TwiceHorn

    Posted

    2 hours ago, Im_smarter_then_you said:

    I thought Jay was. A pretty conservative guy?

    He probably is, but getting out from under a performative lege, governor and BOR was a high priority, I'm sure.

    Chuckie Finster

    Posted

    3 hours ago, Im_smarter_then_you said:

    I thought Jay was. A pretty conservative guy?

    There's nothing conservative about the current state leadership.

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    SimonBolivar

    Posted

    2 hours ago, 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.

     

    Lol oh yeah the end of Abbott and Trump here...sure.

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    Longhorn_Fan68

    Posted

    1 minute ago, SimonBolivar said:

    Lol oh yeah the end of Abbott and Trump here...sure.

    yeah, I hate over the top hyperbole like that. it's that sensational bullshit that got us here in the first place

    Willfully Horn

    Posted

    It’s the hope that kills you energy is worse, imo.

    • Like 1
    Im_smarter_then_you

    Posted

    1 hour ago, TwiceHorn said:

    He probably is, but getting out from under a performative lege, governor and BOR was a high priority, I'm sure.

    There's rumblings from my conservative friends was Jay felt handcuffed during the protests and actually wanted to be handle the protesters with more veracity.  I think he wanted to go to a more conservative place and that's certainly SMU

    Satchel

    Posted

    4 hours ago, Pato del Muerto said:

    356c1914-e949-4c78-9d46-156cacf88faf_tex
    University

    They may not be Methodists for much longer.

    Superhero

    Posted

    Y'all are welcome to move to California.

    Need some good alumni to watch football with.

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    • Haha 1
    LCHorn

    Posted

    On 8/22/2025 at 10:50 AM, Im_smarter_then_you said:

    wanted to be handle the protesters with more veracity

    What is handling with veracity?

    YChang

    Posted (edited)

    On 8/22/2025 at 5:28 AM, Dbeasy said:

    What’s the story on the new UT Austin President? Good? Bad?

    A political stooge until proven otherwise. And not in a good way of I'm gonna secure funding or recruit top notch faculty to advance research type of having to play politics of being a University president. And I don't see anything from his background that tells me he values academics/research. 

    Edited by YChang
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    TwiceHorn

    Posted

    3 minutes ago, YChang said:

    A political stooge until proven otherwise. And not in a good way of I'm gonna secure funding to advance research type of having to play politics of being a University president. And I don't see anything from his background that tells me he values academics/research. 

    Yuup.

    • Hook 'Em 2
    YChang

    Posted

    So... best case scenario is we have a repeat of what we saw with Florida I guess? And he leaves soon. 

    Ghost of NMAS

    Posted

    UT will rapidly become a combination of an aggy and liberty, just with better athletics

    • Hook 'Em 1
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    YChang

    Posted

    Just now, Ghost of NMAS said:

    UT will rapidly become a combination of an aggy and liberty, just with better athletics

    I am perhaps naively an optimist and believe that this dark period too will pass... mirroring what's going on in our country. 

    • Hook 'Em 2
    Ghost of NMAS

    Posted (edited)

    I believe that America has reached the tipping point, and there is no return.  Texas, of course, is leading the way. 

    I think I still have my old physical copy of "The Anarchist Cookbook"

    Edited by Ghost of NMAS
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    Im_smarter_then_you

    Posted

    28 minutes ago, LCHorn said:

    What is handling with veracity?

    Screaming Pumped Up GIF by WWE

    4th&Five

    Posted

    7 minutes ago, Ghost of NMAS said:

    I believe that America has reached the tipping point, and there is no return.  Texas, of course, is leading the way. 

    I think I still have my old physical copy of "The Anarchist Cookbook"

    Yeah, I’m in the “it’s only going to get worse” camp. We may have little victories along the way but this state and country seem hell bent on their own destruction. 

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    Im_smarter_then_you

    Posted

    30 minutes ago, Ghost of NMAS said:

    I believe that America has reached the tipping point, and there is no return.  Texas, of course, is leading the way. 

    I think I still have my old physical copy of "The Anarchist Cookbook"

    Texas and Florida are the book ends of the new America.  Rest of us are fringe 

    Willfully Horn

    Posted

    The wife commented that the formation of military jets that flies repeatedly over our house, low enough to see the pilots, only seems to do so on days folks are protesting at the Capitol.

    Fudge Nuggets

    Posted

    On 8/21/2025 at 2:52 PM, tx 3 putt said:

    get out the vote 

    Cute.

    tx 3 putt

    Posted (edited)

    2 hours ago, Im_smarter_then_you said:

    Texas and Florida are the book ends of the new America.  Rest of us are fringe 

     

    both states will be fighting for the trump presidential library 

    Edited by tx 3 putt
    YChang

    Posted

    Just now, tx 3 putt said:

     

    both states will be fighting for the trump presidential library 

    Come on now... Trump has no love for Texas. 

    tx 3 putt

    Posted

    Just now, YChang said:

    Come on now... Trump has no love for Texas. 

    $$$

    Fudge Nuggets

    Posted

    Fuck this place.  Between property tax, MUD tax and homeowners insurance, I’m paying over $1,500 per month to live in a house that’s paid off.

    • Hook 'Em 2
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    Hermanator

    Posted

    I helped convince my daughter to go to college in a state that respects her rights way more than this one. Chances are as soon as next summer the wife and I will move there to join her. 

    I would never suggest going to UT today, and I would never go to UT if it were like this in the late 90s.  I stopped any and all donations to the university, and the only connections I will have to it from now on are the lifetime Texas Exes membership I got a long time ago and watching football and men's basketball on TV. Once we move out of state there's a good chance I'll never set foot on campus again. 

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    tx 3 putt

    Posted

    40 minutes ago, Hermanator said:

    I helped convince my daughter to go to college in a state that respects her rights way more than this one. Chances are as soon as next summer the wife and I will move there to join her. 

    I would never suggest going to UT today, and I would never go to UT if it were like this in the late 90s.  I stopped any and all donations to the university, and the only connections I will have to it from now on are the lifetime Texas Exes membership I got a long time ago and watching football and men's basketball on TV. Once we move out of state there's a good chance I'll never set foot on campus again. 

     

    90's austin was peak austin 

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    Im_smarter_then_you

    Posted

    1 hour ago, YChang said:

    Come on now... Trump has no love for Texas. 

    Serious?   He loves anything southern.   Anyways I think Florida will get a Don jr library while Texas gets an Eric one

    YChang

    Posted

    2 minutes ago, Im_smarter_then_you said:

    Serious?   He loves anything southern.   Anyways I think Florida will get a Don jr library while Texas gets an Eric one

    Super serious. Compared to Florida? Why would he choose Texas?

    Pancho

    Posted

     

    • Like 1
    • Haha 5
    Underdog

    Posted

    Things Trump loves: 

    Himself

    Himself

    Money

    Himself

    Fucking Ivanka

    Himself

    Money

    Etc… 

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    Im_smarter_then_you

    Posted

    9 minutes ago, YChang said:

    Super serious. Compared to Florida? Why would he choose Texas?

    I love all my kids but yes he would have a favorite.  I think he’ll have two libraries at least.  He and Abbott seem to be tight. Congrats.   Plus de santos had the audacity to run against him

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    kibbles

    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.

     

    it also helps that everything is on record now and you cannot just tell the same lies over and over.

    sasquatch69

    Posted (edited)

    2 hours ago, Im_smarter_then_you said:

    Serious?   He loves anything southern.   Anyways I think Florida will get a Don jr library while Texas gets an Eric one

    My guess is it will be adjacent to Mar-a-Lago, and he’ll charge a hefty admission price to enter - and make a killing on even more expensive “VIP access” tickets where you get a fake gold-plated tchotchke.

    Edited by sasquatch69
    Macanudo

    Posted

    25 minutes ago, sasquatch69 said:

    My guess is it will be adjacent to Mar-a-Lago, and he’ll charge a hefty admission price to enter - and make a killing on even more expensive “VIP access” tickets where you get a fake gold-plated tchotchke.

    You'll get a worthless memecoin deposited into your electronic Trump Wallet that only cost $45.47!!!




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