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Texas Culture

Texas is a state like any other. However, its peculiarities only known to Texas people alone, for example Molly Ivins quips, “By trying to be honest about it, one accidentally ends up underlying its sheer strangeness. She has described the states of Texas as one “with all good will, nasty statistics, historical evidence, and just a bow of recognition to our state of racism.” The underbelly of Texas diverse and strangeness lies in its camaraderie of political leaders capable of doing anything to grease their palms. Underhand deals, corruption, and insider dealings are what political leadership in Texas is genius.

Mary Tyler ‘Molly’ Ivins is a liberal author who wrote widely on politics laced with humor. She was born in California, and brought up in Texas. Her articles in the New York Times and as a host of other dailies were mostly populist and took no definite stand over an issue. In columns, she employed satire and irony to drive her point home. She was however, infuriated by the sleaziness and malfeasance of Texan public officials, who, according to her “never seem to take things seriously.” She won herself several awards for campaigning for justice, democracy, and good governance within Texas and beyond. Her choice of Texas as the prime culture for her editorial columns was quite befitting to a state with extremes in every aspect of social, cultural, political, and economic establishment (Ivins, n. pag)

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Texas is among the best states in the US, a home to biggest cities in America and the world. It is one of the swing votes eyed by every aspiring presidential candidate because of the significant number of Electoral College votes. The diversity of people here makes it almost an independent state from any ideologies within the federal government of the United States. Blacks, African-Americans, Indians, Hispanics, Liberals, and conservatives are all at home at this largesse of a state (Ivins, n. pag).

Molly states that the perceived ‘more civilized’ tag of Texas could be a product of the interaction of several cultures that combine to produce the best. “Texas is mosaic of cultures, which overlap in several parts of the state, with the darker layers at the bottom… so it could be argued we’re becoming more civilized.” Texas politics could be the worst undoing or the best show that its citizens, through their leaders, have done. The diversity in society along cultural, religious, racial, and philosophical ideologies makes politics a very delicate balancing act in Texas. Political parties as a means of having enabling citizens to participate in political dialogues have maintained a very high sense of responsibility. Some scholars have always lashed out at some politicians for dividing a very tense society through very partisan politics (Ivins, n. pag). Curtis, Gregory, and Gregory Curtis (p. 7) are of the view that political leadership within Texas do not stand for anything because they represent very diverse interests. The truth of the matter is that the hands-off approach of many legislators from this vast state is a tactic to hold the society united.

To the extent that people from Texas regard themselves as that, when abroad portrays a sense of unity and ‘patriotisms’ for their state and by extension the togetherness of their political ideologies. Molly noted that lobby groups dominate the legislature in Texas that vested interests in state contracts and other business deals. It is however a pointer to the level of openness that the state government deals with. It is wrong to presume that the presences of special interest groups are there to agitate for their own benefit; it could be for the transparency purposes (Cashion, p. 1531).

The concept of ‘majority minority’ is a pessimistic view of some disgruntled people. They are trying to nurture the thought that Texas would end up being a deeply divided state on account of its diversity. This would never be the case because of the redistricting agenda. If sails to a success would only ensure that, the particular agendas of each group are deliberated upon without causing any divisions within the society. The cynical view that Texas people could be wallowing among the lowest states could be an exaggeration of the real situation on the ground. The shocks in the oil/gas industry would inevitably affect the economy of Texas just as the meltdown in financial markets would spell doom over Washington DC. The diversification and divestures plans by the state government are meant to cushion its economy from any external shocks. Again, this is an effort by the political leadership to keep Texas’ state economy within checks to be able to provide valuable services to its citizens (Ivins, n. pag).

Unregulated capitalism and the remotest idea that lobbyists would eventually buy out the government through campaign contribution may have some level of relevance. However, to imagine that the government itself controls fraud could as well pass for a gimmick. The electorates, through their own wisdom and judgment, elected the members of the Congress knowing too well that their political and economic agenda (Ivins, n. pag). It is therefore laughable that Molly could consider the governor, senator, and representatives from various parts of Texas as agents of grand scheme of a ‘control fraud.’ Banish the thought. According to Burka (p. 146), a vibrant economy has everything to do with accountable political leaders probably elected on ideas and merits, but not party affinity.

House Representative, Debbie from Houston has rebuffed the sleazy agenda of providing free services to citizens as non-descript and lacks any thoughtful economic backing. In principle, citizens should support the government through taxes. The socialists philosophy of free goods and services cannot stand the debate in the House of Representatives because of the obvious reasons; the need to tax people. In as much as tax burdens the people, it is not only in Texas. Everyone pays taxes to support critical government services of security, healthcare, education, and infrastructural development (Ivins, n. pag). The thought of linking the frauds and subsequent collapse of Enron to the state government of Texas could as well be malicious. Several corporations have been bailed from bankruptcy within the US for reasons of mismanagement and grand scandals.

Is Texas America is a thrilling piece that Molly critiques the management of government affairs in Texas state. It is a depiction of the vital role of media for a functioning government. In as much as some concepts could have been blown beyond proportion, it still serves the interest of holding the government to account. At some instance, the article portrays the state politics as partisan and run by deeply corrupt leaders. It may not be further from the truth, but again it is out of reasonable proportion. In her criticism, Molly does not spare anyone, including the president. Upon her death, President George Bush eulogized that “I respected her convictions, her strong belief in the power of written and spoken words. Her commitment and quick wit will be missed”

Works Cited

Burka, Paul, and Paul Burka. “The politics of winning.” Texas Monthly 22.10 (1994) : 146.

Cashion, Ty. “The Conquest of Texas: Ethnic Cleansing in the Promised Land, 1820-1875 (review).” S The Lancet. “Americaʼs future.” The Lancet 2012 : 1531. Print.

Curtis, Gregory, and Gregory Curtis. “Dear Governor.” Texas Monthly 28.4 (2000) : 7.

Ivins, Molly. "Is Texas America." Bush's home is a damn peculiar place. November 17, Nation 2003, n. pag. Print.