Rick Perry not riding off into the sunset.

[Vortigern99]

Seeing as how it is supposed to be representative of those constituents, since they - you know - elect those folks in the governor's mansion and legislature then... yeah, we kind of should expect that.

Welcome to Democracy 101

Thank you, I've enjoyed your class. The instructor is a bit condescending and unnecessarily sarcastic, but he seems at least to know the basics of the subject.

In Democracy 201, you begin to learn about things like gerrymandering districts to favor certain parties; election engineering; voter suppression (generally of minorities and poor persons who might be more likely to lean leftward); and the fact that more older people (who tend to be more conservative) vote than younger people (who tend to be more liberal).

 

[Tony]

Texas has been an even mix of liberal and conservative for decades, folks. We had a woman Democrat governor in the not-too-distant past, in case y'all have forgotten. Our cities and universities teem with masses of lefty artists, musicians, cineastes, teachers and intellectuals. We have world-class medical centers, research facilities, and a tiny little space science center you might have heard of. There are at least as many of "us" (progressives, librulls, civil rights activists, Darwinists, etc.) as there of "them" (GOP members, bankers, oil men, Creationists, etc.)... and we all somehow make it through each day without killing each other.

Y'all just don't know any of that 'cause you don't live here.

You're in Austin, so your view is skewed. But here in the suburbs of Houston, if I were to have an atheist bumper sticker or Wendy Davis sign in my yard, I would almost surely become a target for vandalism. Right-wing, white trash Christian culture is a live and well here.

 

[Dr. Keith]

You're in Austin, so your view is skewed. But here in the suburbs of Houston, if I were to have an atheist bumper sticker or Wendy Davis sign in my yard, I would almost surely become a target for vandalism. Right-wing, white trash Christian culture is a live and well here.

Vort got away from "Real Texas" as soon as he could! Not that I blame him . . .

But the fact that you and I live on in "Real Texas", even if we are in hiding, supports his position.

 

[Tony]

Vort got away from "Real Texas" as soon as he could! Not that I blame him . . .

But the fact that you and I live on in "Real Texas", even if we are in hiding, supports his position.

I think the fact that we are in hiding sort of undercuts his position that people here co-exist in harmony.

 

[lobosrul]

Texas has been an even mix of liberal and conservative for decades, folks. We had a woman Democrat governor in the not-too-distant past, in case y'all have forgotten. Our cities and universities teem with masses of lefty artists, musicians, cineastes, teachers and intellectuals. We have world-class medical centers, research facilities, and a tiny little space science center you might have heard of. There are at least as many of "us" (progressives, librulls, civil rights activists, Darwinists, etc.) as there of "them" (GOP members, bankers, oil men, Creationists, etc.)... and we all somehow make it through each day without killing each other.

Y'all just don't know any of that 'cause you don't live here.

I was living in a Dallas suburb when she was elected. IIRC (I was 11 at the time) it was a close election, and she won mainly because her opponent was one of the biggest asshats to ever run for public office. Still, I do remember seeing bumper stickers and yard signs supporting her without any vandalism.

 

[cwalner]

I hear y'all might get Wendy Davis instead? Turn that place blue, or at least purple!

Nah, it would pink like her sneakers.

 

[Bob Klase]

Seeing as how it is supposed to be representative of those constituents, since they - you know - elect those folks in the governor's mansion and legislature then... yeah, we kind of should expect that.

Welcome to Democracy 101

Thank you for explaining why the House of Representatives is controlled by Republicans.

 

[GT/CS]

You're in Austin, so your view is skewed. But here in the suburbs of Houston, if I were to have an atheist bumper sticker or Wendy Davis sign in my yard, I would almost surely become a target for vandalism. Right-wing, white trash Christian culture is a live and well here.

Agree 100% (Vort knew I would). Moving to Humble was an eye-opening experience for someone originally from the Pacific Northwest.

 

[Vortigern99]

You're in Austin, so your view is skewed. But here in the suburbs of Houston, if I were to have an atheist bumper sticker or Wendy Davis sign in my yard, I would almost surely become a target for vandalism. Right-wing, white trash Christian culture is a live and well here.

Listen, I grew up in suburban Houston (Galleria area) and in rural areas around Conroe. I went to college in a small country town. I've spent time all over the state, knocked tens of thousands of doors and visited with people in their homes in every central Texas community from Copperas Cove to Killeen to Hutto to San Marcos. I realize and fully acknowledge that conservatives are a major cultural force all over Texas. But what you seem to be missing is that so are liberals. Your anecdotes don't trump mine. I stand by my assessment that the population here is split about even ideologically.

 

[GT/CS]

Listen, I grew up in suburban Houston (Galleria area) and in rural areas around Conroe. I went to college in a small country town. I've spent time all over the state, knocked tens of thousands of doors and visited with people in their homes in every central Texas community from Copperas Cove to Killeen to Hutto to San Marcos. I realize and fully acknowledge that conservatives are a major cultural force all over Texas. But what you seem to be missing is that so are liberals. Your anecdotes don't trump mine. I stand by my assessment that the population here is split about even ideologically.

Not in Houston, unless you go to Montrose.

In our office I'm the only liberal (I'm really not liberal, I just hate the Republican party) on a floor of nearly 30 people, and many of them aren't just conservative, they are hard core conservative.

I don't think my experience is unique.

 

[Darth Rotor]

Pity us poor folks here in Texas. W., .

If you need pity, maybe you ought to follow Steve Earl and get out of Texas.

That would be awkward, they'd have to shift from racial insults to sexist insults. They're not good at changes.

We had the chance to elect Kinky Friedman in 2006, and blew it. (I voted for him). Not our finest hour, collectively.

I hear y'all might get Wendy Davis instead? Turn that place blue, or at least purple!

She seems to like a purple bulb ... as rumor has it.

3) Pray on it for the Lord's guidance.

"If you want to hear God laugh, tell him your plans."
I suspect Rick may have heard the Almighty laugh, recently.

Texas has been an even mix of liberal and conservative for decades, folks. ... Y'all just don't know any of that 'cause you don't live here.

Willful ignorance is becoming a larger hallmark of JREF posters. It didn't used to be that way.

You're in Austin, so your view is skewed. But here in the suburbs of Houston, if I were to have an atheist bumper sticker or Wendy Davis sign in my yard, I would almost surely become a target for vandalism. Right-wing, white trash Christian culture is a live and well here.

Tony, BS. I live in a more conservative part of Texas, and there is a highway billboard near here advertising for atheists. No vandalism yet.

I stand by my assessment that the population here is split about even ideologically.

You are dealing with idealogues masquerading as skeptics. What's a Texan to do?

My advice is to drink heavily* -- Shiner Bock or Tito's vodka -- and slow roast a brisket.

(* = only if of legal age)

 

[Tony]

Listen, I grew up in suburban Houston (Galleria area) and in rural areas around Conroe. I went to college in a small country town. I've spent time all over the state, knocked tens of thousands of doors and visited with people in their homes in every central Texas community from Copperas Cove to Killeen to Hutto to San Marcos. I realize and fully acknowledge that conservatives are a major cultural force all over Texas. But what you seem to be missing is that so are liberals. Your anecdotes don't trump mine. I stand by my assessment that the population here is split about even ideologically.

Right now, my anecdote is reflected in the electoral make-up of the state. Yours is not (although I wish it were).

As an aside, the Galleria area isn't a suburb.

 

[Tony]

Tony, BS. I live in a more conservative part of Texas, and there is a highway billboard near here advertising for atheists. No vandalism yet.

You mean those billboards that are hundreds of feet in the air and are inaccessible to almost everyone? Yeah. Its a surprise it hasn't been vandalized.

 

[Tony]

Not in Houston, unless you go to Montrose.

In our office I'm the only liberal (I'm really not liberal, I just hate the Republican party) on a floor of nearly 30 people, and many of them aren't just conservative, they are hard core conservative.

I don't think my experience is unique.

What kind of company is it? I have the benefit of working in an office where I am the only American, so I don't have to interact much with the yokels.

Glad you are in the state BTW, we need more voters like you.

 

[daredelvis]

Agree 100% (Vort knew I would). Moving to Humble was an eye-opening experience for someone originally from the Pacific Northwest.

Not in Houston, unless you go to Montrose.

Or the 3rd ward, I lived there for about 5 years. The city of Houston is pretty liberal, for Texas, but living in the Houston suburb of Pearland was totally different.

I think the argument that Texas is a pretty even split with a slight advantage to conservatives, is incorrect. There are many Democrats, but they are a mix of conservative with a few real liberals thrown in. Some parts of my 3rd ward civic club were a little nutty, but for the most part they were blue collar, middle of the road Democrats (they didm't care for the gay). The 3rd ward is probably at least 80% Democrat. On the other hand, the conservatives in texas are a mix of normal people and tea partiers, and the tea partiers wield quite a bit of control. FFS Ted Cruz and Rick Perry come from the same state!!!??! That's not a moderate populace.

Daredelvis

 

[Tricky]

Not in Houston, unless you go to Montrose.

In our office I'm the only liberal (I'm really not liberal, I just hate the Republican party) on a floor of nearly 30 people, and many of them aren't just conservative, they are hard core conservative.

I don't think my experience is unique.

I work at an international company in Houston and the split isn't nearly as lopsided there, but that's because such a high percentage of the people aren't from Texas. In my neighborhood (in the suburbs), it's about as right-wing as it can be. There may be a few more liberals out there, but they don't make much noise about it. My openly gay next-door-neighbors were hounded out by the hateful people on the other side of them.

And remember, this is Houston, one of the more centrist cities. No, Texas is not an even split, and the ones on the Right side of the split are quite likely to be far right.

A few years ago when we lived in apartments, my wife's car was selected for vandalizing. It was the only car in the parking lot with a Darwin Fish on it.

There are some really good people in Texas, (like Darth) but there are lots of sphincters too. Lots.

 

[Dr. Keith]

As an aside, the Galleria area isn't a suburb.

Not now, but it was when I grew up there. Westheimer was two lanes in each direction and I remember when the Transco Tower was built it was the tallest suburban building in the US. My Dad thought it was crazy to build office buildings so far out, nobody would move there.

The city of Houston is pretty liberal, for Texas

Yep, but even my conservative parents seem to like your lesbian mayor. I don't keep up much, but she must be doing something right.

There are some really good people in Texas, (like Darth) but there are lots of sphincters too (like Dr. Keith). Lots.

Dude, that's not cool.

(Yes, I added it, but it was implied, we all knew what you were thinking. Please don't ban me for being brave enough to point it out.)

 

[CynicalSkeptic]

You're in Austin, so your view is skewed. But here in the suburbs of Houston, if I were to have an atheist bumper sticker or Wendy Davis sign in my yard, I would almost surely become a target for vandalism. Right-wing, white trash Christian culture is a live and well here.

I've lived in the Houston burbs for nearly a decade now, and the Darwin fish on the back of my truck is still intact.

Actually this one:

 

[Tricky]

I've lived in the Houston burbs for nearly a decade now, and the Darwin fish on the back of my truck is still intact.

Actually this one:

That's because it's on a truck, which sort of balances things out. If it were on the back of a Volvo, the car would be trash by now.

 

[The Fallen Serpent]

I wouldn't say that Texas is evenly split ideologically, but that social and economic progressives are both making good head way again. The state's conservative bias appears to me to be largely helped by the usual ideological laziness and political inertia you find anywhere. There are few people that I have met that liked Ted Cruz but felt any conservative was better than a Democratic senator. Democratic politicians can be well respected by a good number of conservatives here but they have to stand out and really prove themselves first.

As to ideological laziness, I hear quite a few interesting ideas periodically. A number of conservatives I know will in the same sentence condemn progressive taxation while stating the rich should pay a larger portion of their income in taxes. I saw this in my native Oregon too but the bias was different overall. So I end up seeing a lot of support for the anti-progressive politicians but few people who actually approve of a flat rate taxation setup. In general, I would say most locals are in favor of improving immigration to allow larger numbers from hispanic nations to migrate legally though not necessarily as citizens.