How is Texas becoming like California? (Austin: transplants, how much, taxes)

[joejitsu]

I've noticed alot of California vs Texas coming up lately. In many of these threads Texans accuse Californians of trying to change Texas into California. I have only lived in Texas for a year, and only briefly visited California so I unaware how Texas is becoming more like California. I am wondering if anyone could cite specific examples? Like increase in taxes, more consumer culture, more environmental regulation, etc.

[theloneranger]

Texas is NOT becoming like California. Some, but definitely far from most, California transplants would like to see Texas look more like California, and complain about this to no end. But regardless of how much they whine nothing is happening to our state and our traditions.

The only way Texas is becoming like California is that a lot of Californians are moving here.

[TexasTheKid]

Originally Posted by joejitsu

I've noticed alot of California vs Texas coming up lately. In many of these threads Texans accuse Californians of trying to change Texas into California. I have only lived in Texas for a year, and only briefly visited California so I unaware how Texas is becoming more like California. I am wondering if anyone could cite specific examples? Like increase in taxes, more consumer culture, more environmental regulation, etc.

It's a decreasing sense of libertarianism pervasive over the last ten or fifteen years. No longer can you smoke in bars or allow your child to ride in the front seat of the car. More laws are going on the books that limit individual freedoms in the name of safety. We've turned to basing our laws off the lowest common denominators of society rather than the precepts of individual freedom and personal responsibility. The state is turning into a *shudders* nanny. Rational adults are treated like children because a handful of irrational adults act like children. We've gone from managing ourselves to basking in the irresponsibility of having the government manage us because we've become too lazy to do it.

It wasn't always like it is now in California. The nanny-state crept in insidiously and surreptitiously like a thief in the night taking away freedoms bit by bit until the people were no longer held accountable for their actions and the government was crumbling from its largesse. California used to be a tough western state. Now, not so much. It's happening here too. And, this change followed in the wake of the first wave of Californian immigrants. They brought their smoking ban with them, and the people of Texas said, "Yeah, that makes sense," rather than, "Wait, we can decide what's best for ourselves." Then they brought their child safety regulations, and the good people of Texas said, "Yeah, that makes sense," rather than, "Wait, we can decide what's best for our kids." Then the Californians got bolder, joined the local governments and emasculated Austin's music scene. And, they're not done yet either. I don't share in theloneranger's optimism. I think the trend is close to becoming irreversible.

[momof2dfw]

Do we really have to rehash all of this again..........
There are at least a couple dozen threads already with the same stuff that is going to be said again here.

[TexasHorseLady]

Originally Posted by TexasTheKid

It's a decreasing sense of libertarianism pervasive over the last ten or fifteen years. No longer can you smoke in bars or allow your child to ride in the front seat of the car. More laws are going on the books that limit individual freedoms in the name of safety. We've turned to basing our laws off the lowest common denominators of society rather than the precepts of individual freedom and personal responsibility. The state is turning into a *shudders* nanny. Rational adults are treated like children because a handful of irrational adults act like children. We've gone from managing ourselves to basking in the irresponsibility of having the government manage us because we've become too lazy to do it.

It wasn't always like it is now in California. The nanny-state crept in insidiously and surreptitiously like a thief in the night taking away freedoms bit by bit until the people were no longer held accountable for their actions and the government was crumbling from its largesse. California used to be a tough western state. Now, not so much. It's happening here too. And, this change followed in the wake of the first wave of Californian immigrants. They brought their smoking ban with them, and the people of Texas said, "Yeah, that makes sense," rather than, "Wait, we can decide what's best for ourselves." Then they brought their child safety regulations, and the good people of Texas said, "Yeah, that makes sense," rather than, "Wait, we can decide what's best for our kids." Then the Californians got bolder, joined the local governments and emasculated Austin's music scene. And, they're not done yet either. I don't share in theloneranger's optimism. I think the trend is close to becoming irreversible.

This is an excellent post. Yes, this is the kind of change I've seen, where people from a "nanny state" atmosphere (and it doesn't have to be California) or who really really really want to dictate that everyone else be just like them become involved in our local and state governments and push that kind of agenda. It's slow, but insidious (and I can hear the founding fathers, of both Texas AND the United States, rolling over in their graves, considering all they gave to prevent just such a society).

It should be said that it's most definitely not MOST people moving here from California (or other nanny state areas) who do this, just those who feel that it's in their best interests to replicate that here and who have the time and money to push that agenda.

[sxrckr]

Lets pray that, in many ways, it does NOT become like CA.

[Canine*Castle]

Originally Posted by sxrckr

Lets pray that, in many ways, it does NOT become like CA.

Except for the illegals and Mexico border states, I don't ever see that happening.

[joejitsu]

Originally Posted by TexasTheKid

It's a decreasing sense of libertarianism pervasive over the last ten or fifteen years. No longer can you smoke in bars or allow your child to ride in the front seat of the car. More laws are going on the books that limit individual freedoms in the name of safety.

A politician has to write these laws up, and they have to approved by the Texas government. Do you think that the influx of Californians was the primary factor for this to happen?

[Cupcake77]

[quote=joejitsu;9650821]Texans accuse Californians of trying to change Texas into California. quote]



I don't think they are trying to change Texas into California, I think just make it more livable.

[TexasHorseLady]

[quote=Cupcake77;9667430]

Originally Posted by joejitsu

Texans accuse Californians of trying to change Texas into California. quote]



I don't think they are trying to change Texas into California, I think just make it more livable.

And there's the problem - for some Californians (the ones we don't care for), the definition of "livable" is "just like California, NOT like Texas".