Yes, I agree...people DO think you are exaggerating about all the negatives in Texas. They think people who are in Texas or have lived there are keeping it all to themselves, I guess. NO, none of us are kidding. These horrors exist there. Do some internet homework and verify.
Texas public schools give...what? Something like 1 or 2 full years of a Texas history course to brainwash kids into believing they are in the Holy Land of States. No wonder native born Texans will never leave. Who would leave the "best" State in the country in their minds? There is a REASON Texans love Texas so, and it starts right in their public schools.
That was THE reason I refused to get too heavy into a romance with a Texan: I knew no Texas guy would ever leave Texas. Am I right? Or am I right, Texas folks?
In Illinois, I think we got something like 1 or 2 six WEEKS on Illinois history. Big difference, and you will not find anyone in Illinois that thinks they are in the Holy Land of States like Texans either.
Texans say: "If every State was run like Texas, America would be better run." Well, in some ways they just may be right, but they brainwash those kids in public school really early and well.
Has anyone mentioned that between Austin and San Antonio it is THE premier flash flood area of the country? You haven't lived until you hear the stories about someone getting caught in a 1-2' flooding on a street..and they find their body the next Spring in a drainage ditch. Currents are too strong.
I could go on and on like REWahoo with information, but not sure out-of-Staters would believe it. No, folks not from Texas, we are not lying here.
And I have been to Laredo many, many times, Texas2Step...I believe you, cause I know you are telling them the truth about that border town.
Granted, before 9/11 and the tightening of the borders, so many Americans from La., Ok., Tx., etc. came down there as meds are so much cheaper in Mexico (for 30 cents you just go thru a gate at the border), and it was such a blast buying things cheaper on the Mexican side. Laredo is not without it's charm, of course....but old and rundown. The WalMart was one of the better and newer buildings I saw there. Anyway, last time I was there there were hardly any Americans, and the fun was gone from Laredo. Wonder if it ever picked up? Maybe not as the last time I checked, the American government was warning Americans to stay away from the Laredo area of the border: too many gunfights on the Mexican side, called Nuevo Laredo, from drug sellers! Again, I am not lying...check on the internet. I forget how many people have been killed in that area from the drug wars since 9/11, but alot. Again, verifiable on the internet.