"We've voted ourselves into a state of idiocy"

[sonias]

San Antonio Express News Editorial 1/23/11
A city's hopes threatened by state's indifference

It's time for legislators to put a new motto on Texas license plates: “First in prisons, last in schools.”

As the Texas Legislature strips funding from virtually every education initiative and institution in the state from pre-kindergarten programs to public schools to the higher education system, perhaps now people will start to connect the dots.

We've voted ourselves into a state of idiocy.

Voters have increasingly bought into the now ubiquitous “no new taxes” sound bite, an intentionally manipulative campaign strategy that has made Texas a one-party state. Now come the consequences: A state already last in the nation in investing in the education of its children is poised to fall even further behind.

Contrast that with the images of backslapping state leaders at last week's swearing-in ceremonies in Austin. What were they celebrating?

I sat Saturday morning at the TriPoint YMCA as hundreds of engaged residents gathered for the fifth and final planning session of Mayor Julián Castro's SA2020 strategic initiative. What the process ultimately yields remains to be seen, but the collective energy and commitment of the people stood in stark contrast to the self-congratulation and indifference so evident in the state Capitol.

"First in prisons, last in schools." Sad state of priorities in Texas. It will certainly lead to an even further drop in education and intelligence in this state. I won't be surprised to learn that Texas as a state will have substantial portions of our populace who will be illiterate. And the Texas Rs are just fine with that.

:grr:

[northoftheborder]

1. Ashamed to be a Texan

[tavalon]

6. Pleased to have finished my 20 year incarceration in that state

I wasn't behind bars but it did suck.

[sonias]

8. Explain please

Did you make an permanent escape from the state?

:shrug:

[tavalon]

9. Yes

It took me 20 years with the last five being active toward that goal. I now live in the beautiful state of Washington and am astounded by its beauty every day. I'm also appalled that the makeup of the state is quite similar. An oasis of sensible in the Seattle area (think the bubble of Austin, especially in the south) and inbred idiots pretty much everywhere else in the state. The nice thing up here, though, is there are only two large cities and Seattle dwarfs Spokane. In Texas, Austin could be as rational as rain, and there was Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Ft Worth and El Paso to fuck it up.

[plumbob]

2. Ashamed to be in any way associated with the dumbasses who

keep voting against their own interests, for sure.

When I was a kid, situations got bad, and some adult would say, "Somebody needs a beating." I do believe I understand now.

[sonias]

4. "Somebody needs a beating."

I do believe that we'll get one now.

Well said, well said...
:thumbsup:

[onestepforward]

3. yes, we did.

Maybe if Texas hits rock bottom it will encourage non-voters to vote next time? I'm trying to think of something positive, but not coming up with much.

:-(

[hobbit709]

5. We're Number One! We're Number One! In STOOPID!!

[white cloud]

7. Can't go any lower

How long do we have to stay at the bottom with TRRPerry