Religion And Liberalism In Austin (Houston, Dallas: fit in, houses, friendly)

[artsyguy]

Kind and true words. Good job Doctor.

Originally Posted by doctorjef

If Texas is not a sea of conservatives, how come it has Rick Perry for Gov., had GBW for Gov., has Kay Bailey Hutchison and that other dick for senators, had an anti-sodomy law that made homosexuality a crime until the US Supreme Court overturned it, and -- need I go on? Texas is a conservative ****-hole. Austin is a tolerable exception to the rest of the benighted state.

[TexasHorseLady]

Originally Posted by doctorjef

If Texas is not a sea of conservatives, how come it has Rick Perry for Gov., had GBW for Gov., has Kay Bailey Hutchison and that other dick for senators, had an anti-sodomy law that made homosexuality a crime until the US Supreme Court overturned it, and -- need I go on? Texas is a conservative ****-hole. Austin is a tolerable exception to the rest of the benighted state.

Well, first, we put people in the position of governor, for the most part, that we don't want to have any real power.

Second, for some people and in some areas of the country, politics is the ONLY thing that matters about their neighbors. Here, definitely, not so much - I couldn't tell you the politics of most of my friends, neighbors, and acquaintances, because it's just not an issue. And that's held for most of my life in Texas, not just in Austin.

Third, there are a few people who just seem to have a compulsion to run down Texas with no real knowledge of the State and to paint the entire state with a broad, inaccurate brush. I tend to categorize them with the kind of people who just seem to have a compulsion to run down (insert category of people who some people are traditionally bigoted about, your choice).

[homeinatx]

Texas is a huge state- well over 20 million people and consequently impossible to generalize. It is also one of only 4 majority minority states ( Hawaii, New Mexico and California are the other three), so it is as diverse in population as it is in topography. It is also the most gerrymandered state in the U.S., which is why all state wide-offices are currently Republican. (Austin is the largest city in the U.S. that does not have a congressional representative- thanks Tom Delay) I thought this was appalling until I learnt that gerrymandering the electoral districts was a time-honored Democratic party tradition when they were in power in TX. I like reminding smug liberals from wherever that Texas is a helluva lot more diverse in terms of both its racial make-up and political opinions than wherever they are from. And, of course, the people are much more friendly and polite. No-one knows who might have a concealed weapon.

[theloneranger]

Originally Posted by homeinatx

Texas is a huge state- well over 20 million people and consequently impossible to generalize. It is also one of only 4 majority minority states ( Hawaii, New Mexico and California are the other three), so it is as diverse in population as it is in topography. It is also the most gerrymandered state in the U.S., which is why all state wide-offices are currently Republican. (Austin is the largest city in the U.S. that does not have a congressional representative- thanks Tom Delay) I thought this was appalling until I learnt that gerrymandering the electoral districts was a time-honored Democratic party tradition when they were in power in TX. I like reminding smug liberals from wherever that Texas is a helluva lot more diverse in terms of both its racial make-up and political opinions than wherever they are from. And, of course, the people are much more friendly and polite. No-one knows who might have a concealed weapon.

The districts were never gerrymandered to be Democratic-leaning. The entire state was largely Democrat. It was instead gerrymandered within the Democratic party toward the liberal wing or the conservative wing--with the conservatives largely winning.

Once the conservative Democrats started becoming Republican was the first time that the districts started to be gerrymandered on a partisan basis--and yes, the Democratic party did gerrymander the districts in 1991, but you can't possibly claim that it was as gerrymandered and borderline illegal as the 2001 redistricting, and there is absolutely no way you can claim that an unprecedented mid-decade redistricting should be legal.

[theloneranger]

Originally Posted by doctorjef

If Texas is not a sea of conservatives, how come it has Rick Perry for Gov., had GBW for Gov., has Kay Bailey Hutchison and that other dick for senators, had an anti-sodomy law that made homosexuality a crime until the US Supreme Court overturned it, and -- need I go on? Texas is a conservative ****-hole. Austin is a tolerable exception to the rest of the benighted state.

Because it only takes about 45% of those who bother to vote to elect an *******.

Almost any Texan, Democrat or Republican, will tell you that W was a good if not an excellent governor. He did what he was supposed to do--let Bob Bullock run the state and sign the bills when they hit your desk. He ran as a fairly moderate Republican in both 1994 and 1998 and had a lot of Texas Democratic support in 2000. It wasn't until his presidency when he had actual power and idiotic advisors that he began to be a poor leader.

Rick Perry is a blowhard and you won't find a huge number of Texans who disagree with this. Over 60% of voters in the 2006 general election voted against him. However, his position is largely a ceremonial one with little legislative power, so it suits him well.

For a Texas Republican, Kay Bailey has largely avoided the partisan hackery and worked for the good of most Texans. I don't usually agree with her votes on fiscal issues, but she is not as crazy as many republicans.

"That other dick" is a perfectly acceptable description of John Cornyn. Sorry, folks, but "Big John" hasn't done jack for this state.

Homosexuality has never been a crime in Texas. Male homosexual activity was. That law was on the books for many, many years and that was the case in every state in the Union. Texas was not the only state to have its laws changed by Lawrence v. Texas.

Personally, I think gays should be able to do whatever they want in private, but the law isn't any different from laws prohibiting adults from doing other thnigs which are largely considered immoral consensually--such as assisted suicide.

And if you are going to call Austin a "tolerable oasis," you have to mention El Paso and the Valley, which are much more heavily Democratic. Dallas, Harris, and Bexar Counties also are liberal run now and lean further to the left every election.

Texas is far from a "conservative *******." However, we are legally required to respect the wishes of the majority our people, and sometimes those wishes aren't progressive--tradition means a lot here.

[theloneranger]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

Well, first, we put people in the position of governor, for the most part, that we don't want to have any real power.

Second, for some people and in some areas of the country, politics is the ONLY thing that matters about their neighbors. Here, definitely, not so much - I couldn't tell you the politics of most of my friends, neighbors, and acquaintances, because it's just not an issue. And that's held for most of my life in Texas, not just in Austin.

Third, there are a few people who just seem to have a compulsion to run down Texas with no real knowledge of the State and to paint the entire state with a broad, inaccurate brush. I tend to categorize them with the kind of people who just seem to have a compulsion to run down (insert category of people who some people are traditionally bigoted about, your choice).

Excellent assessment of the political landscape here. Your posts are always so informative and respectful.

[austin-steve]

good posts tlr

[artsyguy]

Legally individuals who live liberal lifestyles can do whatever they want within law despite "the wishes of the majority and their non progressive-traditions".......

The majority does not dictate denial of rights, privileges, or lifestyle either. Although it has in the past and it was completely unconstitutional.

People aren't perfect and our system is governed by checks and balances run by people. It takes time for things to correct itself.

Originally Posted by theloneranger

However, we are legally required to respect the wishes of the majority our people, and sometimes those wishes aren't progressive--tradition means a lot here.

[love roses]

I'm a conservative and I've never voted for Rick Perry. I've always voted Dem or Ind for governor. You may call it a conservative ****hole, but it sure is employing a lot of transplants from some, might I say, Pretty liberal parts of the country?

[atxcio]

Originally Posted by theloneranger

And if you are going to call Austin a "tolerable oasis," you have to mention El Paso and the Valley, which are much more heavily Democratic. Dallas, Harris, and Bexar Counties also are liberal run now and lean further to the left every election.

No. El Paso and the Valley may vote democratic, but the hispanic majority is socially conservative. They vote democratic for different reasons, like immigration or economic programs. The same can be said for inner-city Dallas or Houston; the minority population tends to be socially conservative (religious, anti-gay marriage, etc) but vote democratic for financial reasons. Yes, they might appear as blue dots in a red state, but don't expect them to be a liberal or progressive oasis in any way...

Austin is the only "blue dot" in TX that is blue for reasons other than a large minority base voting democratic for economic or immigration reasons.