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:
Re: Calling All Texans
I'll jump in here to let you all know that this interview will be taped in front of a live audience on June 13th at 11AM in Austin as part of an event being put on by The Texas Public Policy Institute. We are in the process of securing a number of tickets for Ricochet members. We'll have more information about that next week. We'd also be interested in having an informal Ricochet meetup in Austin on the evening of June 12th.
Edited on May 27, 2012 at 7:13amNov '11
Re: Calling All Texans
Here's something that may illuminate Texan thinking (or at least this Texan's thinking).
Reading Leslie's very cogent comment, I had an immediate, involuntary reaction to the innocent phrase "before being annexed by the United States." We joined the United States, intentionally and of our own will. We weren't annexed like some growing city sucking up unincorporated, surrounding land.
I doubt Leslie intended to imply this, and suspect the citizens of most other states wouldn't think twice about the phrase. To me, the idea of Texas sovereignty is so strong that the tone of passive annexation is mildly grating.
Illogical, I know, but there you are. Maybe I'm unusual in this, but I doubt it.
Remember the Alamo.
Added: Oh, and Leslie, I love the "related by marriage" metaphor. Perfect.
Edited on May 27, 2012 at 7:29amApr '11
Re: Calling All Texans
Terry Mott
Remember the Alamo. · 11 minutes ago
Do other states require as much state history as Texas does? How many Alamo dioramas have been produced by Texas schoolchildren? I know mine have rendered our state shrine in sugar cubes, popsicle sticks and clay.
Oct '10
Re: Calling All Texans
I hope Perry is willing to be Romney's surrogate when Roms begins to make California as the prime example of failed "blue model" Obamanomics vs Texas.
Apr '11
Re: Calling All Texans
In answer to the question "What makes Texas Texas?," I recommend the book Texas: A Novel by James Michener. I read it to educate myself when I moved to Fort Worth in 2006. I had not realized that Mexico won its independence from Spain in the 1820s, only a decade before Texas won its independence from Mexico. Thus, Texas was part of an independent Mexico for about the same length of time than Texas was an independent country. When Texas joined the union in the 1840s the state retained sovereignty of government-owned land, which is one reason why the U.S. Department of the Interior has less power to make mischief in Texas than it does in other states, particularly in re the power to forbid oil drilling. Texans retain a collective memory of fighting for their freedom from adversaries who play rough (Michener's description of the Apaches and the Comanches is refreshingly free from Political Correctness). Texans are no more likely to surrender their hard won freedom to modern day demagogues than their ancestors were likely to surrender it to a demagogue like Santa Anna.
Jun '11
Re: Calling All Texans
I'm not a Texan, although I do have a twinge of Texas envy, despite being a proud Alabamian. I think Texans talk about Texas like Americans used to talk about America. (Yes, I know most of us here still talk about America like that, but a whole lot of people don't.) I heard Josh Trevino on a podcast somewhere speaking fondly of "immigrants" to Texas. He was talking about people from other states, not just other countries. That struck me as odd at first, but I get it. Texans write songs about their state (or should I say "Republic"), they fly the Texas flag everywhere, they even get the Texas flag on their boots. It's something you don't see anywhere else, not even Alabama, although we're quite proud of our football. ;)
Apr '11
Re: Calling All Texans
It has a lot to do with our Scotch Irish heritage. The Scots who helped Cromwell were allowed to stay in Ulster to help keep the Irish from rebelling against the Parliament anymore. Those people were then vilified by the returning monarchy and then starved out. They escaped to America, decided they would not get along with the people on the coast, and so moved to Pennsylvania, where they had to clear to woods to get cattle to raise and grow their food. They tamed the frontier, together.
The problem was once they settled someplace, other people would show up and bring their laws that were not ours and then sick their lawyers on us, so we just kept moving west. The Scots practiced a pretty fair idea of democracy, because we believe that we are better than anyone else, so there’s no reason not to be a mayor or something.
When we took Texas, nobody wanted it, and so that culture of mistrust of the government, self reliance and being a good neighbor that makes our idea of government, and even life in general, a matter of practicality, at which we Scots excel, was allowed to seep in.
Edited on May 27, 2012 at 2:32pmJul '10
Re: Calling All Texans
Whataburger
Jan '12
Re: Calling All Texans
Gryffin has it right. Austin is no San Francisco and never will be. The "live and let live" attitude here really does extend into the city. It's sort of a conservative or libertarian streak, and I think it's in the water. And it's not just "leave me alone", either. People seem to get along better in Austin despite differences in politics.
Oct '10
Re: Calling All Texans
I don't have any explanation for why Texas is different, but having spent a couple of years there, I can testify that it is. I was there in the seventies and if you had car trouble along the road, it was only a matter of time before someone stopped to help. Usually with an ample toolbox.
Dec '11
Re: Calling All Texans
I went to grad school in Texas and stayed 12 years, loved it. In Texas politics is like football, it's not a contact sport, it's a collision sport.
It must be something in the water. My oldest daughter is a native Texan, and although we left when she was little, she has an independent streak a mile wide.
Part of what makes Texas Texas has to be the way that power is decentralized. Texans like to remember the Alamo and the Republic of Texas, but they forget that they seceded (much to Sam Houston's dismay). When they came back into the Union, they wrote a constitution designed to keep the carpetbaggers at bay. A Governor doesn't have much more power than the bully pulpit, and that seems to be spread out throughout government.
May '10
Re: Calling All Texans
It's also notable how even most left-wingers in Texas identify as Texans and are proud of their state lineage. I've rarely met a liberal Texan heavily invested in national self-flagellation the way many other US liberals are. Really, it's such an eclectic state, and because of the general 'live ad let live' mentality just about everyone can find a place to feel comfortable.
I've always felt that Texas benefited from its location. Next to its distinct political history prior to joining the US, geographically it bridges the US South, West, and Southwest and thus has cultural influences from all of them.
May '10
Re: Calling All Texans
I grew up in Texas, but not live there at the moment, unfortunately. I plan on getting back there as soon as possible.
A colleague of mine (not a Texan) likes to joke that Americans see Texas the way other parts of the world see the US. I find this claim amusing, and fairly apt.
May '10
Re: Calling All Texans
I'm riveted. Even though I sort of know the Texas history, listening to all the natives here put it into clearer perspective is fascinating. I'm a Midwesterner with only a small exposure to the South, so I can only comment as an outsider. Someone mentioned this already...Texas is a micro example of how America should be. Strong economy, entrepreneurship, pride, fierce individuality and independence, and an emotional bond with freedom that reminds me of a state filled with Patrick Henrys. But, despite the pride and refreshing arrogance, I felt extremely welcomed when we considered moving to Dallas 12 years ago. Pieces of Texas can be replicated, but never the whole of it.
May '10
Re: Calling All Texans
Interesting. But, did Governor Perry play a substantially vital role as a strong leader who rallied Texans and directed public sentiment? That's how I see him as an outsider, anyway.
May '10
Re: Calling All Texans
My grandparents were from Sweden and the majority of my extended family lives in Minnesota. I can say nothing looking even remotely like Texas comes from the Scandinavians.
Dec '11
Re: Calling All Texans
Andrea Ryan
Interesting. But, did Governor Perry play a substantially vital role as a strong leader who rallied Texans and directed public sentiment? That's how I see him as an outsider, anyway. · 0 minutes ago
Maybe it is the expectation of leadership that makes Texas different. When Phil Gramm changed parties, he resigned his seat in the US House, and ran for the vacant seat as a Republican. Not something that would happen in most states.
Apr '11
Re: Calling All Texans
Liberty is what makes Texas what it is but it must be understood that liberty comes with a certain number of problems.
One is on one’s own (quite literally where I live) and must learn to rely upon themselves first. Since this is not possible entirely (each man to his trade, as the saying goes,) this is where being neighborly comes in, which means using what you are good at to help other people out so they might be nice enough help you out when the time comes, and since Texas is deadset on destroying her children, that is a safe bet to make.
When a windstorm or hurricane comes through, people (just people) come literally out of nowhere with chainsaws and tractors to clear things up usually even before it is even makes the news. However, being prideful people, we really can’t let that sort debt just go unpaid, so that is how these things get passed on to our children.
Apr '11
Re: Calling All Texans
Actually the Governor's office is a good example of how Texans think. We have separated power into a tripod and the governor's office has the least power of that trio, mainly because we had to run a carpetbagger out of the Governor's mansion at gunpoint. Perry's job is to sell Texas as the viable working place it is and that is all it is and Perry, I would imagine, he would say the same thing. Leadership is something that some people are good at (like I said, each man to his trade) and handy to have around, but the only successful leader is the one who knows he is no better than anyone else. Someone has to be a grunt and do the hard job and those jobs are more important than good leadership.
Dec '10
Re: Calling All Texans
"What makes Texas Texas?"
Air conditioning. Seriously. I saw it on TV, so it must be true.