Quote of the Day: Gone to Texas

 

“As for Texas, GTT will have consequences. The state welcomes its new residents as friends, but do many of the new residents know and understand the policy set that has driven them from one state, most likely declining and blue, to the Lone Star State?” — Bryan Preston, PJ Media, 12/8/2020

Thanks to Bryan Preston, I now know the acronym that I should have put on my Christmas card: GTT. And to answer his question, yes, I do know!

I can’t speak for the thousands of others who have been moving to Texas recently, but I very consciously fled the Democratic policies that have taken over in Virginia. I traded Democratic representation at the federal, state, and local levels in the Commonwealth of Virginia for Republican representation in my new home state. I love that I can now claim Ted Cruz as one of my senators, and was glad to vote for John Cornyn. Democratic policies were essentially chasing our family out of Virginia, especially those favored by the public schools. The coronavirus restrictions and the announcement of completely online learning tipped the scales in favor of leaving, but we had been preparing to escape even before those developments.

I don’t know what percentage of new Texas residents are similarly inclined toward conservative politics, but the stark difference between blue-state restrictions and red-state freedom feels so obvious that even left-leaving California refugees would get it. I hope. And yet, I moved to Virginia when its electorate was a reliable Republican majority. Over the course of 20 years, I watched the pro-growth (and pro-immigration) policies of Virginia transform the state into a laboratory for left-wing politicians. I’d like to avoid that happening in Texas, and I’m willing to do my part toward that end.

So I have a question for native Texans or long-term residents who made this move long before me: how I can I help?

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  1. Jimmy Carter Member
    Jimmy Carter
    @JimmyCarter

    Where at in TEXAS are Y’all?

    • #1
  2. Seawriter Contributor
    Seawriter
    @Seawriter

    Jimmy Carter (View Comment):

    Where at in TEXAS are Y’all?

    What he said. I am in League City, which is in Galveston County.

    • #2
  3. Arahant Member
    Arahant
    @Arahant

    God bless Texas!


    This is the Quote of the Day, an ongoing project to help get more voices on the site. It can be the easiest way to start a conversation on Ricochet. (Some people do put in a lot more effort, of course.) Our sign-up sheet for December is here and waiting for you. We welcome new participants and new members to Ricochet to share their favorite quotations.

    Another ongoing project to encourage new voices is our Group Writing Project. December’s theme is ‘Tis the Season. If you’re looking to share your own thoughts rather than those of others and have some ideas about the holiday(s) season we are entering, why not sign up there?

    • #3
  4. DonG (Biden is compromised) Coolidge
    DonG (Biden is compromised)
    @DonG

    Don’t California my Texas!

    • #4
  5. DonG (Biden is compromised) Coolidge
    DonG (Biden is compromised)
    @DonG

    Lilly B: So I have question for native Texans or long-term residents who made this move long before me: how I can I help?

    I think the GOP is a weak organization (but I live in Austin).  Col. Allen West is the new GOP chair, so maybe we’ll get more organized.  The website is looking better.  I suggest getting involved.  Start at the precinct level. 

    • #5
  6. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Good for you, LillyB. Enjoy that fine state!

    • #6
  7. EODmom Coolidge
    EODmom
    @EODmom

    DonG (Biden is compromised) (View Comment):

    Don’t California my Texas!

    Witness Austin. And Harris County – HP moving there to old Compaq sites won’t help. 

    • #7
  8. Jimmy Carter Member
    Jimmy Carter
    @JimmyCarter

    EODmom (View Comment):
    And Harris County

    Harris County was Katrinaed. 

    • #8
  9. Stad Coolidge
    Stad
    @Stad

    Guess who else is moving?

    https://www.dailywire.com/news/elon-musk-bye-california-ive-moved-to-texas

    • #9
  10. EODmom Coolidge
    EODmom
    @EODmom

    Jimmy Carter (View Comment):

    EODmom (View Comment):
    And Harris County

    Harris County was Katrinaed.

    that too. 

    • #10
  11. Bob Thompson Member
    Bob Thompson
    @BobThompson

    I am glad to see that you were able to get away from Northern Virginia. The good people of Texas need to educate those who move there from the deep blue areas when they need it. Looks like you are already well-educated so you can help.

    • #11
  12. Lilly B Coolidge
    Lilly B
    @LillyB

    Jimmy Carter (View Comment):

    Where at in TEXAS are Y’all?

    Montgomery Co. It seems refreshingly sane. People are allowed to shop, dine and go to school but still wear masks and attempt to mitigate biggest public health risks. People are friendly and service providers are friendly and competent. Plus it’s warm in December, so what’s not to like?*

    * Venomous snakes and massive spiders in my yard. 

    • #12
  13. Lilly B Coolidge
    Lilly B
    @LillyB

    Stad (View Comment):

    Guess who else is moving?

    https://www.dailywire.com/news/elon-musk-bye-california-ive-moved-to-texas

    Yep. That’s why I figured this was a topical quote. I linked the PJ Media article in the quote attribution, and the reason for the article was Elon Musk’s move. Matthew McConaughey has been making the rounds to address newcomers and the need to not remake Texas in California’s image.

    • #13
  14. Seawriter Contributor
    Seawriter
    @Seawriter

    You are pretty close to @aaronmiller. Get in touch with these people, and pitch in. My recommendation is get into their outreach committee. If you are not afraid of public speaking, talk about what happened in Virginia.

    Maybe we should have a greater Houston area meet-up.

    • #14
  15. EODmom Coolidge
    EODmom
    @EODmom

    Seawriter (View Comment):

    You are pretty close to @aaronmiller. Get in touch with these people, and pitch in. My recommendation is get into their outreach committee. If you are not afraid of public speaking, talk about what happened in Virginia.

    Maybe we should have a greater Houston area meet-up.

    I’d recruit my Houston area (Pearland) niece to join in. 

    • #15
  16. Chuck Coolidge
    Chuck
    @Chuckles

    Lilly B (View Comment):
    * Venomous snakes and massive spiders in my yard. 

    Have you met the roaches yet?

    • #16
  17. Jimmy Carter Member
    Jimmy Carter
    @JimmyCarter

    Chuck (View Comment):

    Lilly B (View Comment):
    * Venomous snakes and massive spiders in my yard.

    Have you met the roaches yet?

    Skeeters.

    • #17
  18. Chuck Coolidge
    Chuck
    @Chuckles

    Jimmy Carter (View Comment):

    Chuck (View Comment):

    Lilly B (View Comment):
    * Venomous snakes and massive spiders in my yard.

    Have you met the roaches yet?

    Skeeters.

    That’s why so many Texans go armed.

    • #18
  19. Seawriter Contributor
    Seawriter
    @Seawriter

    Jimmy Carter (View Comment):

    Chuck (View Comment):

    Lilly B (View Comment):
    * Venomous snakes and massive spiders in my yard.

    Have you met the roaches yet?

    Skeeters.

    About the time I moved to Texas (1979) a particularly big mosquito landed at Ellington Field. They pumped in 300 pounds of JP4 before realizing it wasn’t a Texas ANG fighter.

    • #19
  20. Full Size Tabby Member
    Full Size Tabby
    @FullSizeTabby

    We moved to nort-central Texas (west of Fort Worth) two years ago from western New York state. We gravitate toward former California’s, as we grew up in California.  Most of the former Californians we now meet recognize that Texas should not follow California. 

    But when in doubt, I invite them to the gun range. There seems to be something instinctive about understanding freedom once someone has had a successful target session. 

    • #20
  21. Lilly B Coolidge
    Lilly B
    @LillyB

    Chuck (View Comment):

    Lilly B (View Comment):
    * Venomous snakes and massive spiders in my yard.

    Have you met the roaches yet?

    Yes, but I had repressed the memory until you mentioned it.

    • #21
  22. Tex929rr Coolidge
    Tex929rr
    @Tex929rr

    We love immigrants such as yourself,  and detest those who move here for work and bring CA/NY/IL/MA with them.  

    You will eventually meet one of these dudes.  This one was apparently checking out my modem.  They have no sense of humor.  

    • #22
  23. Arahant Member
    Arahant
    @Arahant

    Full Size Tabby (View Comment):
    We moved to nort-central Texas (west of Fort Worth)

    Still in Tarrant Co. or Parker? Or further west?

    • #23
  24. Aaron Miller Inactive
    Aaron Miller
    @AaronMiller

    I’m in Spring and some of my family is in Montgomery County. Maybe in January we can arrange another meetup for the area. 

    The biggest downside of the area is its popularity. Newcomers are welcome, but the traffic gets thicker every year.

    • #24
  25. Bob Thompson Member
    Bob Thompson
    @BobThompson

    This is regular Northern Virginia stuff now:

    IF THEY RENAME IT AT NIGHT, MAYBE NO ONE WILL NOTICE:

    Hope you don’t see this in Texas.

    • #25
  26. DonG (Biden is compromised) Coolidge
    DonG (Biden is compromised)
    @DonG

    Lilly B: GTT

     

    Anybody in Texas should know this quote.  It is probably the origin for GTT.

    “You may all go to hell and I will go to Texas.” Davy Crockett said this angrily after losing his Tennessee bid for the U.S. Congress.

    • #26
  27. Seawriter Contributor
    Seawriter
    @Seawriter

    DonG (Biden is compromised) (View Comment):

    Lilly B: GTT

     

    Anybody in Texas should know this quote. It is probably the origin for GTT.

    “You may all go to hell and I will go to Texas.” Davy Crockett said this angrily after losing his Tennessee bid for the U.S. Congress.

    Crockett was a late adaptor. The phrase originated in the 1819 Bank Panic. It was definitely in use by 1825, a decade before the Texas Revolution started.

    • #27
  28. Jimmy Carter Member
    Jimmy Carter
    @JimmyCarter

    Bob Thompson (View Comment):

    This is regular Northern Virginia stuff now:

    IF THEY RENAME IT AT NIGHT, MAYBE NO ONE WILL NOTICE:

    Hope you don’t see this in Texas.

    My high school mascot were Rebels; Richland Rebels since it was built in ’61.

    This summer the name was changed to royals. It’s happening. 

    • #28
  29. Lilly B Coolidge
    Lilly B
    @LillyB

    DonG (Biden is compromised) (View Comment):

    Lilly B: GTT

     

    Anybody in Texas should know this quote. It is probably the origin for GTT.

    “You may all go to hell and I will go to Texas.” Davy Crockett said this angrily after losing his Tennessee bid for the U.S. Congress.

    I almost did a post with the Davy Crockett quote a month or so ago, but then I recalled @she‘s post from March and thought better of it. No need to be a poor imitation of the always excellent Mrs. She. 
    https://ricochet.com/727552/quote-of-the-day-the-ballad-of-davy-crockett/

    • #29
  30. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Tex929rr (View Comment):

    We love immigrants such as yourself, and detest those who move here for work and bring CA/NY/IL/MA with them.

    You will eventually meet one of these dudes. This one was apparently checking out my modem. They have no sense of humor.

    That’s a little baby compared to some I saw – and sometimes trapped – north of Phoenix.

    • #30
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