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Well . . Mr. Bob Beckel!

The TV is on.  The Five is on and they were talking about debt in California and how many folks . . individuals and jobs . . are leaving there and moving to Texas because of our tax friendly climate.  Beckel said something like “California is a beautiful state.  Can you imagine people leaving California and moving to Odessa or Midland?”

And?  What’s your point?  Texas is a mighty big state and a mighty nice place to live and while I can’t speak for Odessa or Midland, I can speak for Brownwood, Texas and I’d take this any day over most any place else.  And, just a little over a year ago, I would have agreed . . anywhere but Texas!

So, Mr. Beckel, you think there’s some place in CA that’s prettier than this?

Or this?

People come from far and wide to see our wildflowers!

You may not see this in CA, but it’s not hard to find such signs in TX.  And, most of these folks are ready to back up their words with actions!

My guess is that anyone who doesn’t think Texas is a beautiful state just hasn’t been in the right place at the right time.  And the beauty of the scenery doesn’t compare with the beauty of the folks here.  Everyone is so nice.  We have fantastic highways.  When I used to drive from Missouri to Louisiana, it was torture driving across the Oklahoma and Louisiana highways after driving in Texas.  We have no state income tax and as much as I’ve complained about the real estate in this area, anyone from California probably wouldn’t see anything wrong with it.

Mr. Beckel . . you are wrong about Texas!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. He is a real jerk. I would not live in California if you paid me. Fees and taxes are sky high and the state is still deep in the financial hole. Prices for a home are ridiculous.
    I have had only one extended trip to Texas and found it beautiful with the most charming people. A few years ago we drove thru northern Texas and I found it interesting.
    Jobs are plentiful and I hope Chad looks over what the state offers and makes a move west!

    • Oh, I wouldn’t say he’s a jerk. I know many folks in CA who love it and no matter how bad it is somewhere or how much better it looks somewhere else, moving away from “home” and family and friends is never easy. If I lived in CA, and that was home for me, I’d probably squawk about leaving but I don’t think anyone should be knocking the beauty of Texas and certainly no one should be knocking the business climate here.

  2. Grew up in Odessa and would love to move back, but alas our business and kids are here in NM now. I would take good ole Texas economy and taxes any day over California! And there aren’t so many damn people in Texas!! 🙂

    And I think Mr Beckel has never heard the saying…. “Don’t Mess with Texas”!

  3. Now, now. I live in Oregon, but I was born in California. California is a beautiful place with a fantastic climate, and the people couldn’t be friendlier. Not saying one is better than the other…they are different, and each is beautiful in its own way. Please don’t trash other people’s homes.

    • Barbara my apologies if you thought my comment was trashing California. I have been there a few times and yes it is beautiful. Can’t get much better than the wine country anywhere, or the ocean. But there ARE alot of people, and if you grew up in a more rural area it’s hard. Just like I have a hard time when I visit my daughter in Phoenix. And the taxes are higher than most places. I should have reread what I typed before hitting the post button.

  4. First of all I find Mr. Beckel is quite often wrong(read that as always LOL) Secondly I am FROM cali…let me assure you it a good place to be from 🙂 I left 25 + yrs ago. My kids and grandkids still live there. One of them is doing terrific, one not so well. I encourage them to leave the state but my Son’s wife is a Party/City girl (originally from Mexico) She will NEVER leave the state…Too bad. My daughter is considering it, with the economy so crummy. I lived there when there Gov was in office the first time…what a JOKE!! The whole state is over the edge and I find the people in TX much nicer. I have always liked TX, but WA is beautiful to….Yup Cali and Mass are 2 states where I could never live. I even hate to visit but it is my Gramma duty…I hope The grandkids eventually get out. It is hard to leave …but I for one, am glad I did.

  5. All I ask is that newcomers don’t try to make us just like where they came from. I hate it when people move here and then complain because it’s not like “back home.”. Come on down, but leave us as you find us!

    • Yep . . if they don’t like Texas, and the way things are done here, there are 49 other states . . or was that 57 other states?? Guess it depends on who you ask! 🙂

  6. PS I don’t think you were trashing anyone’s home???? Forgot to add that to the diatribe above…..

  7. I barely even watch the news anymore – so depressing – either economy or violence – or are they both becoming the same LOL
    Karen

    • I try to watch it enough to know a bit about what’s going on. There are some things I do or don’t do based on what’s happening on the news. I’m not addicted to and I can usually turn my TV on for 10 minutes about 8:30 a.m. and see what the stock market is doing, then turn it back on for 10 minutes about 3 p.m. to see what the stock market did and that’s enough for me. Sometimes I forget about it and it’s on longer and that’s how I ended up hearing The Five today.

  8. I was born in So Cal. At 51, the discouragement with my state is painful. The problems are well known. We pay high to live here and pay for most of the freeloaders of the country ( I have seen it my whole life, a state of hardworking people down to 1 in 2 taking welfare, criticize me if you will, I have a flame retardant suit on ). Our unemployment is the one of the highest in the country! why, The companies have been regulated and taxed to the point that they are gone! They love Texas. A move for us would be difficult for the family reasons Judy states. I still drive down to the ocean to walk and sure enjoy the dolphins and ocean, but your scenery looks beautiful!!!!!!!!!!! I checked out Wyoming on the internet the other day, I can’t imagine a state with so few people, amazing. We have even considered buying a house in other state and my husband flying on Southwest on the weekends, because it is that expensive to live here. I am sorry, but Bob Beckel is absolutely disgusting to me, and has no solutions but the stupid ones that got us here in the 2010′ s in the first place. Oh, we have just heard our budget short fall will be 16 billion instead of 9 billion budget, just a minor understatement. No surprise to informed citizens trapped here, but was a surprise to Governor Moonbeam. It is downright scary here and I am an optimist, yikes!

  9. This will get me in real trouble, but it is the bloated state and local pensions that are the biggest freeloaders, not your basic poor person. This is a documented fact and the shills in Sacramento want to play their violin and collect their pensions while the Titanic sinks, just not getting it.

  10. I truly miss the blue bonnets! My I have a copy for my own personal use. You photo is so lovely. When I was a kids you could see whole fields of blue bonnets. Never have seen that anywhere else in the world.

  11. I was certainly not “trashing” California. Merely stating that if I could choose a place to live, it would be difficult to choose CA. Reasons being the terrible economy of the state, prices of homes and high taxes. I have relatives who live there yes Californians are charming too. I meant no harm. Just the facts mam(Jack Webb’s favorite saying). I realize we are not always given a choice- certainly Judy did not choose Texas but it turned out fantastic for her and Vince.
    I hold no ill will for anyone or any state. Just offering my opinion.
    Sorry if anyone was offended

    • As a So Cal native, I appreciate your honesty! It is odd to be a “laura ingalls wilder gal in my heart” living where it is so crazy. I wish we were as adventuresome as Mr. Ingalls who would move if they had one or two neighbors. I loved those books!

  13. Judy, IMO Bob Beckel is wrong about pretty much EVERYTHING! What a complete doofus!

  14. People ARE leaving CA in droves. Mostly businesses; but, some families are leaving too. It’s sad because CA once was one of the better states to live in. But now, with the state government in everyone’s business combined with high taxes, people are leaving….

  15. Californians like Colorado, too. The more the merrier as long as they leave their politics and the way they think a state can be run billions in arrears there.

    • Yes, lots of my family and friends have moved to CO from CA. It’s beautiful there in the summer, but I was absolutely miserable there in the winter!

  16. I think most of the states are in financial trouble no matter where you are in this country. When we are traveling, I tend to read the local papers and it’s the same thing everywhere. But, there is good most everywhere also. Here in New York, the taxes are driving alot of people away. I have a 3 minute walk to the bay from my house and in the other direction, a 4 minute drive to the Atlantic ocean. Watching the sun rise over Montauk Point with the lighthouse as a backdrop makes it worth it all.

  17. Judy,
    I think you are now a True Texas!! As a native Texan and a very avid traveler…..there AIN’T no place like Texas!!! Bob Beckel doesn’t have a clue what he is talking about!! Pam from beautiful East Texas…..Piney Woods area 🙂

  19. wow…there are MANY lovely places in AMERICA. The problem is we are no longer helping each other. California has many problems politically that have gone on for YEARS no matter which party was in power. I love Texas but some of the repressive policies make me sad. That being said the land and the differences in different parts of the state make it truly unique. I think all states have something to offer to this country and it upsets me to think that we would ‘trash’ any part since I am an American first!

    • I’m not sure what “trashing” you’re talking about. Remember that policies some find repressive are policies others desperately want to keep. There’s a place for all of us . . we just have to find that place that’s a good fit.

    • Not sure what you mean that we are no longer helping each other. I know a whole lot of us who help many folks and we’ve been helped by a lot of folks here.

  20. I’ve loved reading your blog for quite some time and I think this is the first time I’ve commented. I’ve always thought of myself as half Texan since I lived there as a child and 1/2 of my family is still there, my Dad and all of his siblings, their children, etc. But I’ve been raised in California and I will live and die in California. I don’t want to knock anyone’s home state, but even with the problems we are having in California, I love it.

  21. First of all…..consider the source. I disagree with at least 90% of what Mr. Beckel says. In fact I stopped watching that show because I got sick of hearing his messed up opinions and rants.
    Second of all….I believe its possible to love and hate the places we live or the places we’re “from”. I love Oregon (the beauty of the environment) but I hate our political landscape. It’s all based on our perspective.

  22. Oh he’s an idiot! I love that show, but it grates on me to have to listen to him bloviate! I just consider the source, and save some of what he says for later ammunition in other local discussions. And I agree, California is a great place to be from. I was born and raised there, and left it 7 years ago, and haven’t look back!

  23. Davy Crockett said, “You may all go to hell, and I will go to Texas.”

    There is beauty in every state. There are economic woes in every state. There are nice people and nasty people in every state. “Bloom where you are planted” and “brighten the corner where you are”!

  24. Unfortunately, the current bent of politics–at least from one political party–is to try to pit one group of Americans against another. Rich vs. poor, black vs. white, and now California vs. Texas. I dislike the divisiveness I have seen in politics lately.
    You’re right Judy, your home is beautiful, don’t listen to the idiots who say otherwise.

  26. In general, Bob Beckel shouldn’t be listened to about ANYTHING!!! I’ve visited CA once and never been to TX, but I’d choose TX any day.

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