Texas is a whole other country. As MHD says correctly, it has been the crossroads of dozens of immigrant peoples struggling to dominate land, control resources, and put down roots, starting with the Comanche and the Spanish, right up to the massive South Asian diaspora now in the major metro areas. As a result, modern Texas is not like anywhere else.
There are five major probelms Texans will have to address in the coming struggle to preserve Texas.
First, decline in the productivity of world oil reserves, tariffs on imported oil, and OPEC+ keeping world oil prices low enough to undermine the shale oil business are all threatening the profits of the Texas oil industry, the backbone of the state economy. The domestic oil industry was on the right track with green energy prior to the Trump regime, but now Exxon Mobil and their buddies may be fomenting war in Venezuala to seize control of their substantial oil reserves. Texans would bear a large share of the costs in blood and treasure of that military action.
Second, water resources are dwindling, and population growth in Texas is rapidly outstripping supplies. The Edwards aquifer is a ticking clock. Water shortages would undermine the agricultural industry in the Valley, on top of deportation of the labor force, kicking out another important leg of the state economy.
Third, carpetbagger Christian dominionists have seized control of the state government in Austin, and are in the process of destroying the public education system by using vouchers to destroy K-12, and political control to attack the flagship university systems. This would set Texas back by decades, if allowed to proceed.
Fourth, the large presence of the tech oligarchy in Texas, primarily Musk and his businesses, are creating negative externalities by dumping increased utility costs and environmental degradation costs onto Texas communities. In addition, the brakes need to be slammed on "company towns", and any other experiments in the establishment of zones that are exempted from state or local control.
Fifth, a national secret police force has been created out of ICE, and their co-option of Texas municipal and county police forces, and the establishment of a private detention camp system in Texas, are sweeping Texans into illegal and inhumane activities, as well as dumping federal immigration enforcement costs onto Texans. The entire apparatus should be dismantled and razed to the ground. The federal government cannot require Texas to participate in any of these activities.
Keep up the good fight, Michelle. Best wishes and Happy Holidays, from my family to yours.
You hit the nail on the head. I completely agree that these are some of the major Texas problems we will see going forward. I haven't been paying attention to the fossil fuel industry since the orange one was elected, but I can only imagine what he's done.
As far as ICE and DPS go, we can nip that in the bud (if only), we flip Texas. I'll never give up hope. This issue didn't begin with Trump, though; it started with Greg Abbott and the Lone Star Project. And at the very least, if we flip the Texas House, maybe we can pressure Democrats to impeach him (too wishful?).
Thank you for the insightful post. Happy holidays to you and yours as well. 💙🎉🎄🎁
Damn, Michelle this is a hellava statement. I appreciate and support your efforts to bring justice and democracy to Texas. Good luck to all your hard work.
“ we are done waiting”….keep up the pressure for our candidates to embrace progressive values, and not cave to the national DNC centrists who would dilute them.
Thank you for the edifying message with my morning coffee. You, HCR and Krugman always vie for my first read of the day🔥today you were first💪
What a fantastic way to start my day!!! After I finish this coffee, I think I'll go kick some anti-democratic ass!! So well said and spot on. We know about revolution here, lest anyone in Austin and cities forget. We remember and it's high time we did something about it. We're here and we're coming to take back what's ours and create what should be. Texas should be a beacon of what we can achieve in this country rather than one of the biggest supporters of the most corrupt, immoral, and criminal administrations in our nation's history.
I agree with what Thornton said with one caveat - we don't need luck. We need to work out asses off every day.
Texas is a whole other country. As MHD says correctly, it has been the crossroads of dozens of immigrant peoples struggling to dominate land, control resources, and put down roots, starting with the Comanche and the Spanish, right up to the massive South Asian diaspora now in the major metro areas. As a result, modern Texas is not like anywhere else.
There are five major probelms Texans will have to address in the coming struggle to preserve Texas.
First, decline in the productivity of world oil reserves, tariffs on imported oil, and OPEC+ keeping world oil prices low enough to undermine the shale oil business are all threatening the profits of the Texas oil industry, the backbone of the state economy. The domestic oil industry was on the right track with green energy prior to the Trump regime, but now Exxon Mobil and their buddies may be fomenting war in Venezuala to seize control of their substantial oil reserves. Texans would bear a large share of the costs in blood and treasure of that military action.
Second, water resources are dwindling, and population growth in Texas is rapidly outstripping supplies. The Edwards aquifer is a ticking clock. Water shortages would undermine the agricultural industry in the Valley, on top of deportation of the labor force, kicking out another important leg of the state economy.
Third, carpetbagger Christian dominionists have seized control of the state government in Austin, and are in the process of destroying the public education system by using vouchers to destroy K-12, and political control to attack the flagship university systems. This would set Texas back by decades, if allowed to proceed.
Fourth, the large presence of the tech oligarchy in Texas, primarily Musk and his businesses, are creating negative externalities by dumping increased utility costs and environmental degradation costs onto Texas communities. In addition, the brakes need to be slammed on "company towns", and any other experiments in the establishment of zones that are exempted from state or local control.
Fifth, a national secret police force has been created out of ICE, and their co-option of Texas municipal and county police forces, and the establishment of a private detention camp system in Texas, are sweeping Texans into illegal and inhumane activities, as well as dumping federal immigration enforcement costs onto Texans. The entire apparatus should be dismantled and razed to the ground. The federal government cannot require Texas to participate in any of these activities.
Keep up the good fight, Michelle. Best wishes and Happy Holidays, from my family to yours.
You hit the nail on the head. I completely agree that these are some of the major Texas problems we will see going forward. I haven't been paying attention to the fossil fuel industry since the orange one was elected, but I can only imagine what he's done.
As far as ICE and DPS go, we can nip that in the bud (if only), we flip Texas. I'll never give up hope. This issue didn't begin with Trump, though; it started with Greg Abbott and the Lone Star Project. And at the very least, if we flip the Texas House, maybe we can pressure Democrats to impeach him (too wishful?).
Thank you for the insightful post. Happy holidays to you and yours as well. 💙🎉🎄🎁
Damn, Michelle this is a hellava statement. I appreciate and support your efforts to bring justice and democracy to Texas. Good luck to all your hard work.
Thank you 💙
Love this, and a wonderful reminder of what we are for. Always.
“ we are done waiting”….keep up the pressure for our candidates to embrace progressive values, and not cave to the national DNC centrists who would dilute them.
Thank you for the edifying message with my morning coffee. You, HCR and Krugman always vie for my first read of the day🔥today you were first💪
What a fantastic way to start my day!!! After I finish this coffee, I think I'll go kick some anti-democratic ass!! So well said and spot on. We know about revolution here, lest anyone in Austin and cities forget. We remember and it's high time we did something about it. We're here and we're coming to take back what's ours and create what should be. Texas should be a beacon of what we can achieve in this country rather than one of the biggest supporters of the most corrupt, immoral, and criminal administrations in our nation's history.
I agree with what Thornton said with one caveat - we don't need luck. We need to work out asses off every day.
Thanks, Michelle! Shared on Bsky hours ago!
Needs to be ready in all the blue states!!!!!
Amen, sister! We need to talk...