Calling All Texans
Folks, this is a bleg. I need help.
Preparing to interview Gov. Rick Perry for Uncommon Knowledge down in Austin next month, I keep finding the same question coming to mind: What makes Texas Texas?
While my beloved California has raised taxes, imposed onerous regulations, and run vast budget deficits--and all this under both Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican, and Gov. Jerry Brown, a Democrat, demonstrating that dysfunction here in the Golden State has become bipartisan--while California has been doing all it could to drive business and enterprising citizens out of the state, Texas has welcomed business, keeping taxes low, imposing a relatively light and more or less sensible regulatory regime, and--this is Perry's personal accomplishment--enacting a tort reform that seems to have ended frivolous lawsuits against business. Of the jobs created in this country in the last few years, according to some estimates, the majority have been created in one state, the Lone Star State.
Pretty clearly, Texas is now deep into a virtuous cycle: Conservative policies have created jobs and wealth--and a hunger for more such policies. But how did the cycle get started? Does it all go back to Sam Houston and the hardy, self-reliant Anglos who moved into the state when it was still part of Mexico, then declared independence? Does it have something to do with the willingness of the business class to participate in politics? Whereas here in California loads of businesspeople shun politics--one of the proudest boasts of the Silicon Valley entrepreneur is that he refuses to have anything to do with politics--in Texas, I've noticed, they seem to play a more active role, helping to choose, and fund, good candidates.
The history of the place, the current business culture--what?
I repeat, What makes Texas Texas?
I'd be happy to hear from anyone who thinks he has an insight to offer, but, needless to say, I extend a particular invitation to the denizens of the Lone Star State. Honestly, I just can't figure it out. Say on!
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Comments:
Mar '11
Re: Calling All Texans
Though I spent over two years in Texas while serving in the Army, I couldn't begin to answer that one. However, I would love it if we could get Joshua Treviño to weigh in on this.
Nov '11
Re: Calling All Texans
As a native-born Texan, I don't know for sure, but here are a few thoughts.
We have a lot of space, and people are spread all over. It seems like population density is often directly proportional to statist inclinations. California is pretty large as well, but people are clustered along the coast, causing a sort of artificial density.
Our state constitution was written by people who were extremely wary of government power. Some examples: We have one of the weakest governors in the country. Our state legislature meets only once every two years in regular session. All our judges are elected. Every state election has a brace of proposed constitutional amendments to do things the legislature is constitutionally prevented from doing (few of these pass).
For ten years prior to entering the union, we were our own country. This is still a source of pride to many Texans and fosters a sense of independence -- we're less likely to worry about what the other states are doing, or what they think about us.
We don’t have the extreme natural beauty that California has, so we don’t attract the sort of people who worship nature.
Edited on May 27, 2012 at 5:14amNov '10
Re: Calling All Texans
Being forced to take Texas state history in school -> a sense of pride and civic duty -> people aren't eager to pillage the state's coffers
May '11
Re: Calling All Texans
I think the turning point was when the Democrat legislators ran off to Ardmore Oklahoma during a redistricting fight. From that time forward, the Republicans in Texas have acted like winners and enacted conservative legislation. The Texas government seems to actively try to live with the income that comes into the state coffers.
Another reason that Texas works is that the public is not receptive to tax increases. Enough Texans understand that when the government spends, they are going to have to pay the bill. Texas state governement is funded largely by a sales tax. It would not be in a legislator's best interest to suggest raising the sales tax.
This happens on a local level as well. In Tyler Mayor Kevin Eltife (now state senator) implemented a 1/2 cent sales tax. Since then the city of Tyler pays for improvements in cash. I'm pretty sure the city doesn't have any debt.
Texas has true citizen legislators. They are only in session 6 weeks every two years. The legislators have real jobs and businesses and have to live with the laws that they pass. Huge difference from California.
Jun '11
Re: Calling All Texans
From a friend in Los Angeles who is from Texas:
"Rick Perry makes Texas what it is. That's my answer. And I will be moving there 24 hours after Obama wins another term."
Nov '11
Re: Calling All Texans
Also, we're a right-to-work state, not only legally but culturally.
Oct '10
Re: Calling All Texans
I wasn't born here, but as we non-natives say, I got here as fast as I could. I've only been here for 35 years, so I can't say for sure how it all got started. But, I think, Texas' physical size, natural resources, and proximity to the border (and cheap immigrant labor) gave it some of the natural advantages that California has (or had).
But for some reason in California, the Progressive and Labor movements took hold, in Texas they did not. Maybe the inhospitable (compared to California, at least) climate discouraged the kind of get-rich-quick, easy money mentality that the Gold Rush engendered.
Sep '10
Re: Calling All Texans
It's the BBQ. Specifically the Salt Lick in Driftwood.
Nov '11
Re: Calling All Texans
"Rick Perry makes Texas what it is. That's my answer. And I will be moving there 24 hours after Obama wins another term." · 1 minute ago
Your friend has the causality reversed. Texas made Rick Perry who he is. Governor Perry is a reflection of the state.
As I mentioned earlier, Texas constitutionally has a very weak governor. To give Rick Perry, or any governor, credit for our economy is fallacious.
May '10
Re: Calling All Texans
Great question, Peter. As a lifelong Texan, I don't know.
Austin, Dallas, San Antonio and Houston are liberal cities, like any large and densely populated cities. That's where the political power is concentrated. The suburbs are another story.
But I think John is onto something when he mentions the sales tax. A sales tax is universal, whereas an income tax can be applied differently to different citizens (with countless loopholes and favors). That and the codified weakness of our state government are certainly factors.
As for culture, I'd like to think we are exceptional in many ways, but outsiders would surely be better judges. Care to be our Tocqueville?
Edited on May 27, 2012 at 5:33amNov '11
Re: Calling All Texans
And the brats in New Braunfels. And the steak (from prime rib to chicken fried) and tex-mex...most anywhere.
Edited on May 27, 2012 at 5:43amMar '11
Re: Calling All Texans
My guess is that a big part of the state's present policy regime owes to the collapse of the Texas oil industry not long before I went to college in West Texas in the early 80s, and the consequent need to reinvent itself by attracting other industries to the state. Suppose the interesting question to pursue there would be what made Texas political culture more flexible than (say) Michigan, right-to-work likely being part of the answer.
Nov '11
Re: Calling All Texans
jhimmi: I wasn't born here, but as we non-natives say, I got here as fast as I could. I've only been here for 35 years, so I can't say for sure how it all got started. But, I think, Texas' physical size, natural resources, and proximity to the border (and cheap immigrant labor) gave it some of the natural advantages that California has (or had).
But for some reason in California, the Progressive and Labor movements took hold, in Texas they did not. Maybe the inhospitable (compared to California, at least) climate discouraged the kind of get-rich-quick, easy money mentality that the Gold Rush engendered. · 13 minutes ago
Similar thoughts occurred to me as well, but I was already at the 200 word limit.
Mar '12
Re: Calling All Texans
A love of freedom and something like Texan exceptionalism. Texans, real ones, believe that their state and people are different.
May '12
Re: Calling All Texans
From a 12 year Texan.
Diversity: We don't have a majority racial/ethnic group and there is little racial tension in Texas given our size. Question for Gov. Perry - how to stem illegal immigration while offering in state tuition for illegals etc. and maintain the cultural balance we have achieved.
Strong 10th Amendment State: Gov. Perry's book is among the best contemporary books re state's rights. The EPA war on Texas is going to come to a head when so many coal plants are shut down we may have daily 'brown outs', what is he going to do besides continue to sue the EPA to protect our energy.
Self reliant culture - it just isn't cool in Texas to see how many benefits you can get from the state. The majority here get that it is stealing from your neighbor. Ask Gov. Perry how we can stop sending so much money to DC to fund transfer payments.
Strong 2nd Amendment State - have you seen the line outside of a gun show when it opens on Saturday morning? You would think it was Game 7 of the World Series and the Rangers were giving away tickets.
May '12
Re: Calling All Texans
Aaron Miller: Great question, Peter. As a lifelong Texan, I don't know.
Austin, Dallas, San Antonio and Houston are liberal cities, like any large and densely populated cities. That's where the political power is concentrated. The suburbs are another story.
Agree that Austin is a Texas version of the Bay Area in CA, but not sure I agree with the other cities as being liberal. There are liberal congressional districts within them (Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee come to mind), but overall I think the energy industry in Houston and the financial industry in Dallas are very much conservative.
Dec '10
Re: Calling All Texans
Peter, although we've lived in New Mexico for over 30 years, in my heart I'm still a Texan. And that might be part of the answer to your question. How many other states have a myth to live up to? It keeps your spine a little straighter and your voice a little deeper.
Sep '10
Re: Calling All Texans
Maybe it's because Texas was born out of its own war of independence and was its own sovereign state before being annexed by the United States. It's relationship to the United States in some ways resembles being related by marriage rather than blood.
Apr '11
Re: Calling All Texans
Trying to explain Texas, why not start small? Try to explain Kinky Friedman.
Apr '11
Re: Calling All Texans
Native Texan here. Grew up in Dallas, have lived in Austin the last 30 years (and have workef for state government for 28 years). Texans are sincerely proud of Texas. My daughter laughs about going off to college in the Midwest and her grandfather telling her "don't brag too much about being from Texas because you don't want your new friends to feel bad." A healthy distrust of the Feds. No unions (and even my mostly Democratic state co-workers have been astonished by what has gone on in Wisconsin). People generally see their houses as homesteads rather than ATM machines and home (and land) ownership is important.Also, Austin is liberal but more in a live and let live way. Plenty of conservatives (and a lot of churchgoers) here and people get along fine.