Ever since Gov. Rick Perry fired up an anti-tax crowd (or swastika-carrying, tea-bagging group of nutjobs, depending on your political persuasion) in April, Texas secession has become a popular topic.
While I will admit to having bought a “secede” bumper sticker this summer, I can honestly say there was little to no significant conviction behind my purchase, as it never actually made it to my truck window. In reality, I simply enjoy yelling “secede” at parties or football games. You should try it — the response from people in close proximity is always interesting, particularly at parties.
But could Texas really make it on its own? The state’s detractors are quick to note that Texas ranks near the bottom in education and other important areas. But if you look at the statistics, Texas has been burgeoning in recent years, despite the rest of the country’s troubles.
For instance, if Texas were a country, it would theoretically have the 12th largest gross domestic product in the world, ahead of such countries as Russia, India and Mexico.
Furthermore, if Texas were a sovereign nation, it would be the fifth-largest oil producer in the world.
Texas’ economy also seems sturdy enough to stand alone, as its business-friendly policies have attracted more Fortune 500 companies to Texas than any other state. Texas has also been the United States’ No. 1 exporting state for six years running, 1.2 million jobs have been created in the last five years and, in the last year, half of all the jobs created in the U.S. came from Texas.
We all know about Texas’ size. The state extends across 267,339 square miles, or 7.4 percent, of the nation’s total area — which would make Texas the 10th-largest country in the world. I mean, come on, the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is bigger than Manhattan. In addition to encompassing a massive stretch of land, Texas has the largest population growth rate of any state in America. One thousand people per day are added to our population, and that number is rapidly increasing.
Why all the growth? Texas has a low cost of living, a relatively stable housing market and sound tax policies. For instance, there is no state income tax, nor is there a tax on goods in transit — perhaps contributing to Texas’ ranking as the No. 1 state in which to do business, according to CNBC.
Add this to the fact that Amarillo has the largest helium well in the world, Laredo is the world’s largest inland port and South Texas’ King Ranch is larger than the state of Rhode Island, and you have a compelling argument that Texas is not only the most self-sufficient state in the country, but could also be better off without the United States.
Sure, you could probably rattle off statistics that prove the likely failure of Texas’ secession, but if nothing else, the facts outlined here can serve as a reminder to everyone of Texas’ superiority to every other state.
But like I said earlier, there is absolutely no sincerity behind my cries to secede — Perry and I are similar in this manner.
I’m just the type of person who takes pleasure in talking about the theoretical prospect of secession. After all, I love “Amurica” way too much to actually ever want to be disjoined from the greatest country in the world.
Despite this, I guarantee I am the maniac you will see carrying the “secede” poster this weekend at the Texas Tech game.
Hey, who knows? Maybe Kirk Herbstreit and Brent Musburger will notice me.
Earnest is a finance junior.
Time for a plebiscite!