Ever since I moved to California, I expect people to wrinkle their noses a little bit when I mention that I’m from Texas. “Those racist rednecks,” they say.
But today, I got a little love, a little thumbs up, a little “lucky you” from a Californian.
Perhaps it shouldn’t surprise me too much. I was in a gun shop. No, Steve, I wasn’t buying a gun. I was buying mace. And when I had to give the guy my phone number, and he wondered where the area code was from, and I said, “Texas,” he said, “Ah! Very nice.” And he gave me an approving look. Then he said, “Well, welcome to a non-free state.”
I laughed. Texas has certain freedoms California doesn’t have and vice versa.
Many Texans wrinkle their noses when they realize I live in California. “Those crazy commies,” they say.
But I like both states. I’ve found kind and funny people in both places. It doesn’t matter if you’re liberal or conservative, I probably share some opinions with you. And even if I don’t, that doesn’t mean I can’t like you just fine.
Other than smoking dope, what freedoms does CA have that TX doesn’t?
Smoking dope is kind of huge.
In terms of practical social freedoms, gays have a lot more freedom–and some legal protections–that they lack in Texas.
And socially speaking more generally, including relationships between people of different ethnic backgrounds, California seems a lot freer to me than Texas, with perhaps the exception of El Paso.
But as far as legalities go, California is legislated beyond belief. It’s ridiculous. And it costs a lot of money, money we don’t have. As far as laws go, Texas is definitely a “more free” state.
God Bless Texas