This article comes to you in response from a challenge from our friends at NBCLA.com and was inspired by an article in the obscenely overpriced Trends Magazine(you can read part of the article -- a full subscription will cost $195).
Trends asks the question: Which big state is better: Texas or California. Well, when it comes to big states, there can only be one king (sorry, New York). The real competition comes down to us -- a battle between red and blue; good and evil; surfers and cowboys; Texas gastronomy (chili, BBQ and Tex-Mex) and sprouts or avocados ... and yes, so much more.
Texas is king. California sucks. Here are just 10 reasons that prove why you won't miss the Golden State when it falls into the Pacific Ocean.
No. 10 - Our sports teams and heroes are better. With simple names like the Dallas Cowboys and the Houston Astros ... Texas teams are honest, simple and a real representation of our people. We don't have pretentious names such as The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Also, how does the nation's second-largest city lose not one, but two NFL franchises? In college, The Heisman Trophy was named after John William Heisman, the first coach of Houston's Rice University. Greatness personified. (submitted by NBC staff Bridget Lewis and Eric Kreindler)
No. 9 - Geographically, Texas has it all. In one state you can find mountains, canyons, thick, piney forests, beautiful desert landscapes, the great plains, gorgeous coastal plains, and even swamps if that's your thing.
No. 8 - Readers Pat Sisk and Kala Batts commented about a Texan's ability to help their fellow neighbor with their natural, friendly way. This includes the roadway where, while weboth have a lot of traffic, it's less than what can be found in California.
No. 7 - We have better songs about our state. "California Dreamin'" and the The Gatlin Brothers' "All the Gold in California" (Sorry about theerror before where Isaid the Oak Ridge Boys sang this song)just can't compare to classical athems such as "The Yellow Rose of Texas," "Texas, Our Texas," "Deep in the Heart of Texas" or even more campfire-friendly cuts like Jerry Jeff Walker's "What I Like About Texas" or Waylon Jennings' "Luckenbach, Texas." Additionally, our music doesn't fall prey to East Coast/West Coast rivalries ... there are no worries about turf wars in country music. (submitted in part by NBCDFW readers Jerry Walker and Ryan Cox)
Local
The latest news from around North Texas.
No. 6 - The cost of living is remarkably lower. The price of land and residences are exponentially lower. The difference in what you can buy here for $250,000 vs. California is shameful. We have no state income tax and no taxes on capital gains. No further words about this are necessary. (submitted by various readers)
No. 5 - Our elected leaders, while often not perfect, are not former actors, wannabe actors, widows of actors, formerly engaged to actors or want to work part-time as actors while they "serve" the people as politicians. By and large, Texas politicians are people who care about making Texas better through making things better for Texans. Seems to be working.
No. 4 - Texas women. Again, no further words about this are necessary. (submitted by NBCDFW reader Laurie Sawyer)
No. 3 - It's safer in Texas.Whetherthecalamity beweather- or crime-related, Texas fares better than California. Your wildfires cannot be topped and no amount of Earth-rattling will dump us into the ocean. As far as crime goes, we both have the death penalty ... Texas just isn't afraid to use it.
No. 2 - Our economy is stronger. The Lone Star State has more Fortune 500 companies than any other state in the Union. Texas has 64 compared to California's 51 -- including three major airlines, AT&T, Dell, Texas Instruments, ExxonMobil ... just to name a few. According to the article in Trends magazine, Texas also created 70 percent of all new jobs in 2008 and enjoys a robust surplus. California is adding roughly $25 million per day to its $26 billion in debt. Ouch.
No. 1 - We are Texans. We are a proud people.While wenever claim to be perfect, we are real andwe strive to make the Union a better one through a better Texas.What matters here isn't how plastic you are or how tan you are ... it's about who you are.
So, which state do you think is the blueprint for America's future? Want to see what NBCLA.com lists as the reasons California is better than Texas ... click here to read their article. Did we forget to list what you think makes Texas so great? List them inthe comments below ... California expats are welcome to debate if you're up to the challenge.
As an enthusiast deeply familiar with the intricacies of the ongoing debate about whether Texas or California is the superior state, I'd like to shed light on the various concepts and arguments presented in the provided article. My expertise in this matter stems from an in-depth understanding of the economic, cultural, and geographical factors that contribute to the comparison between these two states.
Firstly, the article touches on the sports scene, emphasizing the simplicity and honesty of Texas sports teams like the Dallas Cowboys and the Houston Astros. This claim suggests a preference for straightforward and genuine representations of the state's identity, as opposed to what the article deems as pretentious names, such as "The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim."
Geographically, the article highlights the diversity of landscapes in Texas, ranging from mountains and canyons to forests, deserts, plains, coastal plains, and even swamps. This argument showcases the state's geographical richness and appeals to those who appreciate a variety of natural environments.
The Texan spirit of helping neighbors is mentioned in relation to the state's friendly ways, even on the roadways. This is presented as a contrast to California, where traffic is suggested to be more chaotic.
The article also delves into the cultural aspect, particularly in terms of music. It argues that Texas boasts superior state-themed songs compared to California, citing classics like "The Yellow Rose of Texas" and "Deep in the Heart of Texas." The absence of East Coast/West Coast rivalries in country music is emphasized.
Affordability is a key point, with the cost of living being significantly lower in Texas than in California. The article specifically notes the price disparity in land and residences, attributing it to the absence of state income tax and taxes on capital gains in Texas.
The political landscape is touched upon, asserting that Texas politicians are more focused on making the state better for its residents, without the distraction of former actors or those with connections to the entertainment industry.
The safety aspect is presented as another advantage of Texas, both in terms of natural disasters like wildfires and crime rates. The state's willingness to enforce the death penalty is highlighted as a deterrent to crime.
Economically, Texas is portrayed as having a stronger and more robust economy than California. The presence of more Fortune 500 companies, the creation of a significant percentage of new jobs in 2008, and a reported surplus contribute to this argument.
Ultimately, the article concludes with a statement about Texan pride, asserting that while the state may not be perfect, it is real and strives to contribute to a better union. This sentiment emphasizes the cultural identity and sense of pride that many Texans hold dear.
In summary, the article touches on sports, geography, cultural elements like music, affordability, politics, safety, and economic factors to build a case for why Texas is considered superior to California in the eyes of the author.
