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What's the Matter with California That Isn't the Matter with Texas?

By W. James Antle, III on 4.23.09 @ 10:48AM

Over at TPMCafe, Steve Sailer lays out a theory as to why California has turned blue while Texas has turned red: abundant land and high wages promote affordable family formation, while overcrowding and income stagnation promote dependence on the generosity of liberals. Personally, I'd like to see him update his findings on the "marriage gap" for the 2008 presidential election, since Barack Obama eked out a narrow victory among married women this time out.

View all comments (14) | Leave a comment

ruth| 4.23.09 @ 11:06AM

No Hollyweird in Texas. Lucky ducks.

Daisy| 4.23.09 @ 11:08AM

California used to be a red state; I hope Texas stays that way.

Tim| 4.23.09 @ 11:54AM

What's wrong with movie stars that ain't wrong with cowboys?

ruth| 4.23.09 @ 12:06PM

Would you pose that question to a cowboy, up close and personal, Tim?

Pete| 4.23.09 @ 12:08PM

Hollywood and cowboys (er, sheepboys) = Brokeback Mountain.

Teleprompter Messiah| 4.23.09 @ 12:12PM

Culture plays its part. Texas is a place where Jesus and momma are important. The only place like California is Austin which is, as one wag put it, "the one place in Texas for people who hate Texas."

ruth| 4.23.09 @ 1:07PM

TM: Saying all of California is like Berkeley is like saying all of Texas is like Austin. It just ain't so. Plenty of Californians love Jesus and momma; millions, actually.

sestamibi| 4.23.09 @ 2:32PM

Like Steve Sailer, I too have lived in both states. He is right insofar as one can't begin to compare the climates or the most beautiful parts of both states, but if I had to settle for the magnificent mountains and deserts of Big Bend Country or the Gulf Coast beaches of Padre Island at one-tenth the cost of California I wouldn't consider that a bad bargain.

Daisy| 4.23.09 @ 3:13PM

I don't mind that people have left California--those freeway commutes just get a little shorter and the gorgeous beaches a little less crowded. Everyone is happy!

Angel| 4.23.09 @ 3:14PM

I wish a lot more would leave!!

Teleprompter Messiah| 4.23.09 @ 4:23PM

Ruth: No offense intended. The north and eastern parts of California are red. I am wholehertedly in support of the state being divided along the red/blue fault line.

The same can be said for New York. Cut out NYC and New York is red, red, red.

Maybe we need to go on the German model and let the metropolises be "states"?

Ran| 4.23.09 @ 4:33PM

"What's the Matter with California That Isn't the Matter with Texas?"

Well... What's the Matter with California That Isn't the Matter with Taxes?

Sean| 4.23.09 @ 5:43PM

I have also lived in both states. California 30 years ago was much more conservative than Texas is now. I really can't imagine seeing a child with a BB gun riding a bike with no helmet being allowed in most Texas towns. The biggest thing that has made California blue is massive illegal and legal immigration. If you think illegal immigrants don't vote you are fooling yourselves. Immigration has also contributed to overcrowding and a general moving out of your typical conservative population.