I'm from Texas myself. I love Texas and it would pain me if I ever have to move. The biggest thing I love about Texas is how our state government is set up. The state of Texas will not tax your income (ever since Obmamcare came out that might change but I don't think it will). You will have to pay for federal income taxes but you don't have to pay for state level. Legislators only meet for 3 months every two years. This is a good idea because legislators have time to come up with a bill, send it to be reviewed by everyone, and then they can vote when the meet. It's gets stuff done fast. Government officials do not get paid much, so they do have day jobs. Texas is the only state in the country that fly their flag at the same level as the US flag. Other states must fly theirs at a lower level. The state cannot legally go into debt without permission from the voters, and if they do get permission it's just for infrastructure or other buildings. Depending on where you are going, it can take an entire day. For example, if you are driving from El Paso to Beaumont (both are at the farthest ends of the state) it would take at least 10 hours, maybe even more, to drive that because that's over 1,000 miles. If you were just driving through the panhandle that would still take at least three hours. Texas is huge. It is the second largest state after Alaska. People from California always argue that they are larger than Texas and they are not. Yes, they have a longer coastline than us, but area wise they are smaller.
The stereotype does upset me a little because people assume that we all live on ranches, have livestock, and so on. I live in the suburbs right outside of Houston. I do have to admit though, I did take horseback riding lessons. I do not have cows, horses, longhorns, or any kind of livestock. I do not drive a truck, but there a lot of people who do. Those stereotypes do bother me, but I just shrug it off because there are some that are true. Almost every family in Texas, has a gun. Mostly rifles and shotguns, but that's just me saying it. We love barbecues, and it's considered a crime to season your meat with sauces and not herds and spices. Everything is bigger in Texas. The steaks here can be thicker than your fist if you want it. Texas is the only place where you can find a Whataburger. That is best burger joint ever, and it's only in Texas. Then there is Freebirds which is only in Houston. It's like Chipolte but it has way better food.
I think I have rambled on for far too long now. So here's a every wrapped up. I love Texas. I was born and raised here, and I don't plan on leaving anytime soon.
I do have a question though. I have heard that if you went to another country and you said you were from America you would get the typical cold shoulder response. However, if you said you were Texas the reaction is completely different and people are really friendly towards you. Is this true?
