Is Texas really as conservative/narrow-minded as people say it is? (Houston: insurance, school)

[TX_AGGIE13]

Hmm....

Conservative
Tough
Competative

I'd like to think, and hope so, but unfortunately I don't think as much as it used to be. I'd say yes in the small towns.

[crbcrbrgv]

I would say that Texans are much less narrow-minded than people from out of state who make blanket statements or ask questions like "Is Texas really as narrow-minded as people say?"

[Canine*Castle]

Originally Posted by TexasReb

Most native Texans remain generally conservative.

As do many transplants, even those from California. Love ya, TexasReb.

[Sandy Springs Rep.]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

I'd have to know what you mean by "conservative". Do you mean red versus blue? Do you mean fiscally conservative? Define your terms, and maybe you'll get a good answer.

Or, don't, and you'll probably get a political knock-down dragout by default.

Good question. I guess I was referring more to socially conservative, but I'm interested in both.

Mainly, I want to know if Dallas and Houston are more conservative than other big metropolitan areas, either in terms of social views or fiscal issues, tax issues, whatever. I've always thought of Texas as socially conservative, e.g. being pro-gun, harsh penalties for criminals, "traditional values", a lot of importance placed on religious belief/Christianity, etc. Those are my general perceptions, but it could just be those things are characteristic of the whole south and not any more prominent in Texas than in any other state.

Originally Posted by Cowboybootnut

As far as I am concerned, it is not conservative/narrow minded enough.

Not trying to diss your city, but I did read somewhere Plano was the 5th most conservative/Republican-voting city in the country.

Originally Posted by Cathy4017

AMEN to that one! It was done very deliberately to try to stir things up.

No, actually, it really, really wasn't. I'm trying to learn more about your state, do you have a problem with that?

Originally Posted by crbcrbrgv

I would say that Texans are much less narrow-minded than people from out of state who make blanket statements or ask questions like "Is Texas really as narrow-minded as people say?"

It's narrow-minded to ask if what some people say about Texas is actually true or not?

Just FYI, I originally posted this in the General U.S. forum, where there is a lot of debate on this subject. I did not post this thread in the Texas forum looking to stir up trouble with all the posters from Texas.

[TexasReb]

Originally Posted by Angel713

Texas has actually been a historically Blue state. It changed when Reagan became president.

Angel, this is true...in a sense...but needs to be qualified. As a legacy of Reconstruction, Texas was part of the so-called "Solid South" and was a "one party" Democratic state up until the 1970's at least. However, as another poster alluded to, it was conservative Democrat. Some may remember that former governor John Connally headed a group called "Democrats for Nixon" during the presidential election of 1972.

[TexasReb]

Originally Posted by Canine*Castle

As do many transplants, even those from California. Love ya, TexasReb.

LOL Love ya too, CC!

[Synopsis]

Originally Posted by TexasReb

Why do you associate being a conservative with poor, narrow/minded (whatever that means) and uneducated?

Because according to the OP, if you don't agree with their views, you are narrow-minded.

I'm about as conservative as they get, and I don't consider myself narrow-minded at all.

It seems the so-called "progressives" only believe in diversity when it comes to seeing things their way.

[GClark]

I have lived in the Dallas area my entire life. To answer your question, Texas is conservative in terms of traditional values such as family values, and predominately politically conservative. But, the enormous number of people that have relocated to Texas from northern states over the last 20 years is changing that. Politically, it is more conservative, but we do have many in Texas legislation that are not. It is a good mix. Racially, I would say that Texas has come a long way from the 1950's and 1960's racial wars. Especially in large metros like Dallas/Ft Worth. I would say the days of the racial prejudices are gone for good. There will be prejudice people anywhere you go, but I think that is the minority. We have a diverse culture here in DFW. People get along as good here as they do anywhere, and I have been around. I would not recommend deep south Texas unless you would enjoy living in Mexico. The hill country is really nice. I am currently seeking real estate in east Texas. I grew up in the country north of Dallas, but there is no country left around here now. All the farms and ranches are gone and replaced with concrete. I am a country boy and I got to get out of this metromess. I have had enough of it. Y'all come on down, everyone else does. I think you will like it here.

[Muhnay]

We used to be, that is before we started allowing our Southern Neighbor to influx us with many liberal minded ( I WANT MY FREE HANDOUT ) people, as well as the many Californians who Fu.. err messed up their state are coming here to do the same to ours. Texans used to be about standing on your own two feet, and facing what ever was before you with out fear or shame. Now we are a sanctuary state, allowing people who have messed up their countries and states to come here and do the same to ours. Sad really. Texas Pride is being shat on, and we stand idly by and watch.

Originally Posted by Sandy Springs Rep.

It seems like Texas has a reputation for being very conservative, politically (more so than other southern states) and very "tough" and "competitive", I guess you'd say. My biggest question is, is this accurate? Is it really any more conservative than other states like Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, etc.? I used to think that it very much was, but the more I've thought about it, the more I've realized that Texas a very diverse, complex state, with many different demographic factors, and you can't generalize a state with 24 million people (2nd most populous state in the country) in any way..

[Houston3]

Originally Posted by Sandy Springs Rep.

I started this thread not to bash Texas, but to get some legitimate opinions from people who live in or have been to Texas. I admit, I have somewhat of a prejeduce against Texas for various reasons, but reading what people say on this forum has greatly changed my mind and I do not dislike it as much anymore.

It seems like Texas has a reputation for being very conservative, politically (more so than other southern states) and very "tough" and "competitive", I guess you'd say. My biggest question is, is this accurate? Is it really any more conservative than other states like Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, etc.? I used to think that it very much was, but the more I've thought about it, the more I've realized that Texas a very diverse, complex state, with many different demographic factors, and you can't generalize a state with 24 million people (2nd most populous state in the country) in any way.

So obviously, like any other state, Texas has many different geographic regions and areas that are all different. So my question for Texans is, when you compare apples to apples, are big cities in Texas (Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, etc.) more conservative than big cities in other states? Are small towns in Texas more conservative/narrow-minded than other small towns? Are metropolitan areas as whole (Dallas and Houston) more conservative than other metropolitan areas as a whole? This is what has intrigued me the most.

Again, this is not an anti-Texas thread, I'm geniunely interested in the perspectives of people who have spent a significant amount of time in Texas.

I'd say no more than they are in Georgia.