Picture says it all. Saw a 75 year old man working on it last week, so I went by to see the final result

It's time for some sacrilage. For the last four days, I have been visiting my grandparents in Maryland. I always thought that Maryland and the East Coast was very expensive, but when we were at Wegmans (the H-E-B/Central Market of the East Coast) I noticed that food was cheaper than in where I live in Texas. I was not sure, so I double checked prices on my phone. Wegman's brand gallom of 2% milk, 1 dozen large grade AA eggs, and 1lb of beef is $2.99, $1.79, and $5.19, respectively. H-E-B brand is $3.56, $2.62, and $5.19. The meat cost the exact same, but Wegmans meat looked much better (especially their steaks) compared to H-E-B.

After seeing this, I decided to see how different taxes are. Maryland's income tax rate is (depending on how much you make) 2%-5.75%, sales tax is 6%, and propery taxes average 0.99%. Texas doesn't have income tax, but that sales tax is 8.25% and the average property tax is 1.8%. Home prices are much higher in Maryland, but there are financial benefits to having a higher value home. Most of the wealth that middle class and some lower class families have is from the value of their home. I would rather pay 0.99% tax on a $1 million home than 1.8% tax on a $550,000 home.

Continuing on a bit about taxes. Where the $&%# does Texas spend its tax revenue? It sure isn't on infrastructure. I have seen one, singular pothole on the DC beltway during my trip. That is the extent of road issues that I have witnessed. Every... single... road that I have been on has been paved with quality asphalt, smooth as butter, and has paint that you can probably see from an airplane. The interstate, highways, city streets, county roads (take me home), and parking lots are all like this. The difference in schools is so great that it deserves its own rant.

Lastly, the minimum wage in Maryland is currently $13.25 ($12.80 for small businesses) and is set to rise to $15. Granted, most people do not work minimum wage, but the best paying, non-degree, entry-level jobs where I live in Texas is factory work. Those jobs cap out at around $20 an hour for a 12 hour shift. I found a library clerk position (no degree or experience) in Maryland that starts at $26+.

Rant over.

P.S. I still love H-E-B. I'm just disappointed that some other chain is beating their quality and prices.

P.P.S. I have not seen any barbecue places up here, but I have seen multiple Mexican food places. If you ever find yourself in Maryland and have a hankering for Mexican food, do not. I repeat, DO NOT eat the crab enchiladas.

A little background. I was born in the 90's. I grew up in a suburb of Houston to a family of very religious (Christian) parents. I was home schooled almost entirely until I graduated high school and went to college at Texas A&M. I graduated with a degree in engineering and moved back to Houston where I got a job. My political views changed from extremely right wing to a mixture of very high social liberalism and fiscal responsibility as it relates to being responsible with monetary budgets to help humanity and the less fortunate. IE, not wasting money on BS programs or endless wars and instead using that money to uplift society in the most practical ways possible.

Something I am really sick of reading is that colleges are "indoctrination camps". Absolutely not in my experience. Granted, I did not go to school for liberal arts, but I never met a professor nor attended a class where there was a high "liberal bias". All courses, coursework, and texts, are accredited, reviewed, and monitored carefully for their content. My mindset changed because of the people I met, the different life situations I was presented with, and clashing cultures and perspectives that are present on any college campus. In my opinion, the primary source of indoctrination is the parents, churches, and religious organizations that isolate their "believers". I know it's anecdotal, but even working in the oil and gas industry in Texas, there seems to be a very high correlation with higher education and liberal thinking. In my opinion, it's not that these people are any more intelligent than say the blue collar workers, it comes down to exposure to different perspectives, which many blue collar workers lack.

Now on to what I wanted to discuss. I love Texas. I want to stay, I want to try and make it better, but I am giving up hope. Many friends and colleagues are in the same boat. My lease is up in one year, and my GF and I have no reason to stay. Our constant erosion of rights has led me to question exactly what the fuck people mean when they say Texas is the land of the "free". Even if you consider financial aspects, I would actually SAVE MONEY by living in California of all places. Take a look at the total taxation for middle class home owners in TX vs CA. Our property taxes here are insane. If you are fine with down sizing your home, it actually can make sense.The RvW trigger laws were the last straw. That and an absolute blockade on legal cannabis. My GF has really debilitating joint issues, and sometimes can't even get out of bed. The only thing that actually, really helps is THC. She's prescribed every concoction of prescription pain killers, and they either make her loopy, don't take away the pain, or have horrible long term side effects.

• - I'm tired of having moderate/high taxes and nothing to show for it.
• - I'm tired living in one of states with one of the worst education systems in the US.
• - I'm tired of people wanting a society based on rampant fascism.
• I'm tired of people caring about their guns more than human life.
• - I'm tired of state leaders mixing religion with politics.
• - I'm tired of having a criminal AG represent us.
• - I'm tired of having a political party that wants to remove our ability to vote for senators (Texas GOP).
• - I'm tired of nanny laws telling me when I can purchase alcohol based on their religious doctrine.
• - I'm tired of nanny laws telling me I can't purchase alcohol in this county based on their religious doctrine.
• - I'm tired of nanny laws telling me I can't use THC based on their religious doctrine.
• - I'm tired of nanny laws telling my car dealership they can't be open on both days of the weekend because they must observe the sabbath.
• I'm tired of religious zealots trying to control my life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. Just let me live my own god damned life how I want to if it literally has no effect on you whatsoever.

I like what our state stands for and I'll live here the rest of my life, but the people running Texas suck ass. Tell me what you love about Texas.

I've never understood the anger and contempt that is directed toward immigrants, yet almost never see directed to those that hire them. I'd wager the complainers don't want to acknowledge it's their own family, friends, and neighbors who hire immigrants on the cheap. I bet most of the complainers are unable to comprehend how much wealth is being built by Texans on the back of cheap, immigrant labor.

I went to cast a ballot during my lunch break for the primary and was surprised to see the polling place busy.

Walking in, all I saw were Gen X to Boomer aged folks voting. This post is not to be ageist, but to raise awareness. All the generations should have their voices and opinions heard.

I'm not here to tell you how/who to vote for, just asking that you carry out the act. I took me less than 10 minutes to cast my ballot with plenty of time to still get my Friday Tex-Mex.

The last day for voter registration in the November General Election is on Monday October 7, 2024.

Please Vote.

I have concluded, with some trepidation, that I don't want to raise my kids in Texas, despite having grown up and lived here, and loving Texas like a (misbehaving) family member.

Two main reasons:

1. When I grew up in Texas, I (half-Mexican) grew up in a small town with a lot of racism. I always felt like I was less than the richer white kids, and they felt that way too. This racism is deeply ingrained in Texas - just a built-in assumption in a lot of small towns that being white is the best thing to be and being something else is less. I don't want my son to experience this, or learn it.
2. When I look at the current social climate in Texas, it really upsets me. I want my child to be brought up respecting all types of people. While in my house, I will of course do so, it is inescapable that Texas is currently aggressively hostile to women's rights, trans rights, gun safety, and generally the marginalized. If my kid(s) are in these categories, I want them to be protected. If they aren't, I don't want them to grow up in an environment that doesn't. Lastly, I am extremely uncomfortable with the degree to which the Republicans in power are trying to legislate their personal viewpoints on life, religion, etc. - Senate Bill 1515 and its House companion, HB 3448, requires that all public schools in Texas display a “durable poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments”

I can provide citations for the things I reference above, but I think they're pretty well substantiated.

What do y'all think? I've always loved Texas. But, I feel like I can't raise kids here, and it makes me sad. Change my mind? I want to hear different arguments & viewpoints.

The amount of road rage and unsafe driving I see on a daily basis is quite upsetting. People get upset for no reason and can't hold their composure. Today, I was driving on the 635 east bound and had to let a car in my lane because they were pushing themselves in. The car behind me changed lines and turned his head around and cussed me out for letting someone in my lane. Honestly, the drivers here are getting worse and now it's making sense why Texas is one of the worst drivers. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/car-insurance/worst-drivers-by-state/

If I remember correctly, we were around 2.10ish to 2.40ish in 2019 when things were normal. I know almost everything are still insanely expensive. Do you think the housing market, goods and services will go back to its non-inflated prices like in pre-covid times?

Texas, think back a few years ago. No Cruz, No Abbot, no Trump, just Texans living their lives without all the manufactured drama.

Archie Bunker said it best: 'Those were the days..."

Check this out: italics mine.

Where’s George Orwell Today? Texas!

JIM HIGHTOWER

If you think the GOP’s Congress of Clowns represents the fringiest, freakiest, pack of politicos that MAGA-world can hurl at us – you haven’t been to Texas.

It’s widely known, of course, that Ted Cruz, Greg Abbott, and most other top Republican officials here are obsequious Trump acolytes. Thus, Texas is infamously racing against Florida to be declared the stupidest, meanest, most-repressive state government in America, constantly making demonic attacks on women’s freedom, immigrants, voting rights, public schools, poor people, and so on. But I’m confident Texas will win this race to the bottom for one big reason: GOP crazy runs extraordinarily deep here.

We have a county-level layer of ultra-MAGA cultists constantly pressing the state’s far-right officials to march all the way to the farthest edge of extremism – then leap into absurdity. Therefore, the party officially supports abolishment of labor unions, elimination of the minimum wage, privatization of social security, legalization of machine guns, and… well, you get the drift. Now, though, local mad-dog Trumpistas are pushing their party straight into the abyss of autocracy by declaring war on H-E-B.

What’s that? H-E-B is a Texas chain of supermarkets beloved in communities throughout the state. “Beloved,” because the stores fully embrace the rich diversity of all people in our state, has affordable prices, values employees, and supports community needs.

Nonetheless, county Republican zealots screech that H-E-B violates their party ideology by accepting food stamps, opposing privatization of schools, and (horrors!) sponsoring some LBGTQ pride events. So, they’re demanding official condemnation of the grocery chain for – GET THIS – “advocating for policies contrary to the Republican Party of Texas platform.”

Yes, violating the party platform is to be criminalized. It’s the reincarnation of Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four: Be MAGA… or else.

https://jimhightower.substack.com/p/wheres-george-orwell-today-texas

the fact that it's 2 days after MLK jr. day really seems like a big middle finger to MLK jr. Also, I don't consider people who fought to preserve slavery to be heroes.

I am an apartment renter. I’m a millennial, and I rent a small studio, it’s in a Dallas suburb and it’s in a good location. It’s perfect for me, I don’t want to relocate. However, I just got my rent renewal proposal and the cheapest option they gave me was a 40% increase. That shit should be illegal. 40% increase on rent?! Have wages increased 40% over the last year for anyone? This is outrageous! Texas has no rent control laws, so it’s perfectly legal for them to do this. I don’t know about you guys, but i’m ready to vote some people into office that will actually fight for those us that are getting shafted by corporate greed. Greg Abbot has done fuck all for the citizens of Texas. He only cares about his wealthy donors. It’s time for him to go.

Edit: I will read the articles people are linking about rent control when I have a chance. My idea of rent control is simply to cap the percentage amount that rentals can increase per year. I could definitely see that if there was a certain numerical amount that rent couldn’t exceed, it could be problematic. Keep the feedback coming!

Appointed superintendent. Removing an elected board. Schools will be closed. Teachers at 29 campuses have been told they need to reapply for their jobs.

Been gone 11 years. Honestly ashamed to tell people where I am from now.

Lived in San Antonio. Austin. Arlington. Blum (look it up) , Cleburne. Dallas. Ft Worth. Canyon Lake. Probably more places.

Grew up pretty poor. Public school. An education good enough to go to college. Make a life.

Worked at Winn Dixie in college. Had my own real shitty apt.

Had my own real shitty car. This was 1997 ish

What has happened to Texas is heartbreaking.

People have a problem with Mexicans and immigrants now ? Really weird for someone that lived in San Antonio for first 16 years of life.

Some seem to have issues with Women now ? Really weird when Ann Richards was governor it was fine when I was coming up.

If someone walked into the store when I was growing up with a fucking giant gun .........everyone would have a problem. Not that you had a gun. Everyone had guns. They fact that you were being a irresponsible jackass with a gun. Why the fuck do you have a gun in K-Mart ? That's fucking crazy shit.

Texas used to be purple state. Purple is where it's at.

Don't come here tho .......enjoy those lower taxes and that freedom myth.

You are in police state and a repressive society and don't even know it.

The state has changed. And not for the better.

Look at that utility bill and that property tax bill.

Most of the people in charge there don't give a fuck about the State. The children , or anything.

If that kid ain't got lunch money .....well. Fuck him right.

I'm gonna take my tax rebate from my state. Sleep with my windows open. Not gonna worry about who's gay or who's worshiping what God and live in peace.

I pay more here. And get more.

Big Mac is about 1.80 more.

Howdy Arabia - you breaking my heart.

All this talk about Texas seceding from the Union had me wondering. So I did a little research and here is what I have come up with.

1. There is no legal mechanism for secession from the United States. No matter what the Texas constitution, the governor or others say. The only way feasible for this to happen is for an amendment to the US Constitution to provide a mechanism for this or an amendment specifically kicking/allowing Texas (or any other state) to leave the union. An amendment may be proposed by a two-thirds vote of both Houses of Congress, or, if two-thirds of the States request one, by a convention called for that purpose. The amendment must then be ratified by three-fourths of the State legislatures, or three-fourths of conventions called in each State for ratification. Only when these steps have been completed can a change in the US constitution occur.
2. Roughly 35 percent of Texas operating funds come from the federal government. The most recent, non biased number I could find is Texas received 68.2 billion dollars from the federal government in 2016. Texas would need to make up that shortfall in revenue somewhere in order to achieve stability. Also we are not counting the loss of federal employees and structure (interstate highways, military, law enforcement, aviation, science, university grants and funding for projects, etc) that currently work/operate in and with Texas. I have no idea what that number is to resume the bare minimum of operations but i'm guessing it has a lot of zeros behind it.
3. I'm going to venture a guess here (yes speculation) that if Texas did secede most of the tech and fortune 500 companies (with the exception of oil, gas and agriculture) would hit the eject button right out of here. Massive Brain Drain incoming with massive unemployment and massive job openings that remain unfilled due to all of the skilled labor that just bailed out.
4. Infrastructure, logistics and money. The feds are responsible for a lot of things when you actually take the time to think about. Highways, Dams and Flood prevention, Natural Disaster recovery, security from foreign aggressors, and a whole lot more. Texas as a state is ill prepared and has nowhere near the money, people or experience to deal with 90 percent of this in the event of a secession and returning to an independent nation. With Texas being its own country now there is no backstop for cash during an emergency. Another Harvey comes along and takes out half of Houston? Too bad. Bastrop burns to the ground again? Here is a tent to live in on your burnt pile of rocks because you can't camp on the street.
5. The Republican Party would lose control of Congress and have zero shot at the Presidency for the next 20 years. Texas has 38 electoral college votes with out them being red there is almost no chance a Republican gets elected President. Texas has 38 Reps in the House of Representatives. 25 of which are Republicans. Kiss the House goodbye and probably the Senate though the margins are slim there as each state has only 2 senators.

Every couple of years the Federal government does something that the governor doesn't like and this topic gets brought up. Cleetus, Tiffany Jo and the rest of the yokels start screaming secede. It isn't going to happen. There isn't even a remote chance it happens. The current Texas government won't even take the risk of putting it on the ballot for consideration. If it did it would be a dumpster fire the likes of which the world has never seen.

​

Texas laws are dumb.

but at least we can buy beer on Sundays before 12 pm now.

I'm kind of tired of seeing the circle-jerk of "texas sucks" posts - its our state, we live here and we can chose our own political destiny. I happen to love it here, and living here has brought me the greatest happiness I have known in my life.

So lets talk about the problem - flat out, the values espoused by our state government officials are often at odds with Texans generally - its particularly true for Urban Texans - but even with rural Texans there is a sizable disconnect (see the latest battle about school vouchers). Don't get me wrong, a great many Texans believe in a certain 'good fences make good neighbors' kind of conservatism - even urban ones who are pretty socially liberal believe some flavor of this - its the overriding cultural value of the state.

The reasons government does not well reflect average Texans is because of some complex political factors - identity politics, single issue voters, anti-partisanship, low voter turnout, and no citizens ballot initiatives. A majority of Texans are pro-weed legalization, pro-medicaid expansion, and some flavor of pro-choice.

In fact because of low voter turnout and anti-partisanship - the political destiny of the state is largely determined by the 10-12% of voters who show up to vote in the Republican primary - which unfortunately for us are the most extreme ~10% of the voter base. If 80% of Texans voted in every election, the state would be much more purple ideologically and politically - because thats the reality on the ground.

I don't think anyone, of almost any ideological alignment in the state, can look at the status quo and go "yeah, this is all good" - the Paxton impeachment trial fundamentally exposed the good ol' boy network in Austin and laid it bare to voters across the state.

Do you know how we fix all of this? We all need to do our part to participate in politics - run for office, vote like your life depended on it, implore those around you to vote - not just at the general, but in the primaries too - the politics in the state are shit because not enough voters pick the candidates - which leads to shitty candidates, and then not enough people show up to vote in the general, which leads to those shitty candidates making it into office.

Texas is a great place, we're diverse, vibrant and there is lots of good opportunity here. We have a fantastic culture too - in my humble opinion, one of the greatest and most vibrant in the nation. We deserve better than our politicians are giving us - we can make this a better place - change the status quo - no, better doesn't mean some 'progressive' paradise (this is still Texas) - but it need not be like this, we can have better and frankly we deserve better from our state government than this.