Reply #128: Why all the Texas bashing in this thread?

[Not Sure]

You think I enjoy getting fucked by the electric companies so bad that I can't afford to move to another state, let alone just keep up with my other bills? Any merit raises I've gotten at work have not only been offset by higher gas and electricity prices, it's like getting a demotion.

You think I voted for the pricks in the White House? I was one of the loudest critics in 2000 because I'd seen what he'd done in his time here (which we all knew was just a bullshit figurehead turn at the governorship to weasel his way into the White House). I don't claim any kind of clairvoyance, but it was crystal clear to me that if Bush/Cheney got elected, we'd see war in Iraq and higher fuel prices (one hand washes the other, you know).

Maybe it has something to do with growing up in Texas, because I'm not that cynical and I'm not that smart. But everything these bastards do in the name of the "free market" (wake up, idiots! there's no such thing!) is just another inventive scheme to fuck consumers out of their money. Examples? Okay:

Want new roads? Well, we can't pay for them so you'll need to buy a tolltag and pay to drive the roads you've already paid for your whole working and driving life.

Want a lottery? We promise: it won't have anything to do with education because we'd hate to undermine our stellar Texas schools. Whoops! we're out of money, so we're going to use the lottery money. After all, lotteries are the only way you can ensure poor people pay taxes.

It's proven time and again and deregulation was no surprise to anyone paying the slightest bit of attention here.

As I write, I realize I am taking this personally and I'm not your target. I miss Texas, man, I really do. Because this ain't it. Hell, the Texas bashing is justified.

I'll admit it: you guys are right about there being a bunch of dipshits in Texas. These people are lied to every day by all the "news" talk shows and "preachers" on tv and the radio. They are told that anyone who tells them something other than what el Rushbo and Pat Robertson gives them permission to believe is a communist atheist who deserves to burn in hell. And they believe it. There's no shortage of people in my neighborhood trying to "save" me. So yes, Texas is populated with dipshits, but they are a product of a shitty environment. I hold them accountable, but no more than I hold accountable those who keep the schools, tv and radio stupid.

These bad times have a silver lining, though. I'm finding out that there are actually a good number of good people here in Texas, even after you start talking politics with some of them. I've actually seen a couple DU stickers on cars and the Texas forum is proof there are some really bright people a stone's throw from my house.

But they're outnumbered by all the brainwashed dittoheads, born again oppressive religious zealots, and self-styled libertarians who think that the only person in the world worth paying attention to is looking back at them in the mirror. And given these shitty times, some of them are starting to come around. But fuck them. They did this.

Since I can't afford to leave Texas -- and I shit you not I'm at that point most days -- I'll take comfort in seeing those assholes suffer. They get to hold their noses and vote McCain or stay at home and complain. I'll just set the thermostat at a miserable level and go wait my turn to vote Obama. It might change the country, but changing Texas is too much to hope for, which is really disappointing. We still have to suffer with Goodhair and Abbott's anything-goes policies for big business. I'm about ready to give up.