[Republic of Texas]

" If Texas is generous to the successful, it is equally hard on the unfortunate. This is a land of low taxes, weak trade unions, a shrivelled public sector and a paltry welfare state, all of which ensure that plenty co-exists with poverty. Houston's shimmering towers and malls sit next to festering slums, with unpaved streets and shot-gun shacks; the city's world-class medical centre squats atop a health-care system that fails to reach the state's poorest citizens. The University of Texas boasts a star-studied faculty and the second-largest endowment after Harvard, with 21m acres of oil-fields to its name. But Texas also has some of the worst schools in the country. "

The answer to these problems? Lower taxes, weaker trade unions, smaller public sector and welfare state. Give us a few years, we'll get it straightened out.

[harpu]

AMEN...

[Bob Mc]

"Give us a few years, we'll get it straightened out."

Yeah, we're obviously lacking in socialist and communist government wealth re-distribution schemes. But Texas can do anything, we can even catch up with the likes of Kalifornia if we can just get a few more big city liberals down here.

[Publius]

Take a look at what Texas is doing for infrastructure. It will change how things are financed and built in America. (Adobe required)

[rmlew]

stop the flow of illegal destitute uneducated mexicans and poverty rates will decline.

[johnb838]

Lower taxes? Hell we got NO state income tax. Put that in your pipe and smoke it, California.