The Texas economy: strong (Photo courtesy Texas State Comptroller's Office)
Many of those who scoff at the notion of Texas independence do so by trying to paint a portrait of a trailer-park redneck republic which slides rapidly into Third World status without the many intricate connections to its sister states fostered by the benevolent government in Washington, D.C.
"...its worth would crater precipitously, after NAFTA rejected it and the United States slapped it with an embargo that would make Cuba look like a free-trade zone," one blogger predicts. "Indeed, Texas would quick become the next North Korea, relying on foreign aid due to its insistence on relying on itself.
"In short: the state of Texas would rapidly become direly impoverished, would need to be heavily armed, and would be wracked with existential domestic and foreign policy threats. It would probably make our failed states list in short order. Probably better to pay the damn taxes."
But is that an accurate portrait -- and are the "damned taxes" the problem? The facts suggest otherwise.
For starters, the Texas economy isn't based on trailer-park economics.
As noted in Wikipedia, the Texas economy is the largest one that's still growing in the U.S., and in 2006 the state was home of six of the top 50 companies on the Fortune 500 list and 58 of the top 500 -- the most of any state. In 2008, the state had a Gross Domestic Product of $1.245 trillion, second-largest in the U.S. and 15th-largest in the world.
Texas currently conducts more than $150 billion a year in trade with other nations; it leads all other states in exports, and has for five consecutive years. In 2005, per-capita domestic production in Texas was $42,975 per person.
Them toothless trailer-park hoochie mommas sure do know how to work, don't they?
Texas has the second-largest workforce in the nation, some 11 million citizen workers, and an unemployment rate among the lowest in the U.S. The reason for that: the state government has made economic development a priority in recent years, and has helped create a favorable business climate for companies looking to relocate. Texas also eschews a state-level income tax on prooductivity and its real-estate prices compared to other states and regions remains largely undervalued.
Moreover, the state's economy is far from the two-dimensional stereotype commonly portrayed. Texas is a lot more than just cattle and oil.
Sure, Texas leads the nation in the production of beef, oil and natural gas. It also leads the nation in both the production of alternative energy and in the construction of new alternative energy productin facilities; an independent Texas would be completely energy-independent and among the world's leading exporters of oil, natural gas and energy products.
Texas also has a thriving lumber industry based in the eastern part of the state, while the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is a key center for the defense industry, a banking center and the information technology industry. Texas is the nation's No.2 manufacturer of computers, components and electronmic equipment.
The Houston/Beaumont area features the world's largest concentration of petrochemical refining and production facilities, and Houston is a major center of medical and biomedical research, aerospace research and shipping. The Port of Houston is the largest port in the nation and sixth-largest in the world.
Texas is also a leader in the production of cement, crushed stone, lime, salt and sand and gravel.
The state is also among the world's leaders in the production of rice and cotton, primarily along the Gulf Coast, and in the production of citrus products in the Rio Grande Valley. Texas features the most farms, both in terms of numbers and in acreage, in the nation.
In addition to cattle, Texas also leads nationally in the production of sheep and goats. The Texas Panhandle and South Plains has also become a major producer of cereal crops.
Texas agricuture is also a leader in the production of greenhouse and nursery products, corn, hay and wheat. The state ranks No.2 in the nation in the production of sorghum. Peanuts and sugar cane are other valuable crops, along with onions, potatoes, watermelons and grapefruit. Texas farmers lead the nation in the production of cabbage.
Texas has another brand of famrer as well: Texas' fishing industry thrives. The state is among the nation's leaders in its annual shrimp catch, and both commercial and sport fishing are major industries. In addition, there is a growing commercial catfish-farming industry.
Despite some setbacks in K-12 education over the last 15 years or so when Texas bcame infected with the failed "New Standards" education "reforms" of former Governor and President George W. Bush, by and large the state retains a solid reputation for its higher education system, from premier universities such as Rice, SMU, Baylor, Texas and Texas A&M to a broad array of junior colleges and trade schools. That has helped create a more adaptable work force which has in turn helped fuel the diversification of the state's economy since the oil bust of the 1970s.
Clearly, Texas features an economy which would enable an independent republic to thrive. The question is whether or not the United States would be vindictive enough to attempt to embargo Texas should it secede--and whether or not that embargo would work.
A peaceful secession process and thoughtful negotiation with the U.S. on a wide range of issues--economic, military, and social--should preclude any vindictiveness on the part of Washington. America would pick up a strong new trading partner and valuable new ally, and even an independnet Texas could not ignore its long-established ties to the remaining states.
Moreover, independence would also enable the new Republic to seek its own markets for its products and new partnerships with other nations, free of the often-contradictory constraints of U.S. foreign policy. Many Texans already reject NAFTA for its favoritism toward other countries, and not being part of NAFTA doesn't mean Texas couldn't still trade with its neighbors in the Western Hemisphere.
It's easy to attempt to belittle the Texas independence movement with stereotypes, but far harder to beat it with facts. And the fact is, a Republic of Texas would be eminently economically healthy.
Comments
Thank you. Great article which hits the nail on the head: Most of the problems that we do have here are due to Federal regulations, not state policies.
Great article Dave! It made it on Lew Rockwell!
There have been many successful secessions lately. Ukraine, Czech Republic,Lithuania,and many others come to mind. I would think that Texas is even more competent than those countries to be a success.
One also shouldn't rule out the possibility that Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arizona (among other states) would join Texas in independence.
Of course they could manage economically if the US govt would let them secede peacefully, but what are the chances of that? And do they want to secede? Some do, but many, maybe most, do not. I hope Texas does secede, so that I, as a New Yorker, will have a decent country to move to.
I pray that Texas does it. I plan to move there if they do and become a citizen of the Republic of Texas. I suspect the Feds will find some excuse to quash the "rebellion". It was much about money in the 1860's as it is now. The Fed's will need Texan money to survive. The question is will the Feds send an army to burn, loot and rape civillians as they did one hundred and fifty years ago??? If they do I will stand with Texas and possibly die.
I totally agree with you.
The notion that Texas would be isolated is silly. What state wouldn't want to trade with it? If the creeps in Washington forbade it, perhaps people would come to their senses and realize that it is the cesspool on the Potomac we should isolate, not the peaceful, productive people of Texas. Thanks for the great piece (I came here from lewrockwell.com).
Texas proud! I am locked in New England during grad school, but my heart will always be in Texas. Secession is truly American, and if people could rid themselves of the grasp of the endless and putrid propaganda radiating from the power centers of this hijacked nation, perhaps they could see what an independent Texas could do for Liberty. Thank you for the great article!
I am in Arkansas. Can we go with you?
Thank you for a thoughtful article. Of course, the best trade policy that any state can have is tariff-free trade. Such a policy of unlimited trade (not managed trade) will have the affect of increasing both trade volume and the productivity of local industries. See Hong Kong prior to 1999 for an example. Now imagine the entire state of Texas as free and productive.
The economic viability of an independent Texas Republic could be threatened if the parasites in Mordor-on-the-Potomac try to saddle the Lone Star State with their "fair share" of the flamingly horrible national debt recently rung up (into the stratosphere) by the two factions of this nation's permanently incumbent Boot On Your Neck Party. "Sure, you can leave," they'll say, "but only if you pay up - in full."
If TX (or Montana, Alaska, Vermont, etc.) actually tried to secede, it would sadly result in civil war. Obama would use the crisis to impose martial law, and it would give him the chance to fulfill his ultimate "I am the new Lincoln" fantasy of preserving the Union. Too bad, though. When TX joined, it was with the understanding that they could secede at any time.
No one has mentioned how and when this might possibly occur. With the mounting debt that overhangs the US gov't we might well side-step this obligation by bankruptcy. One form of bankruptcy is to dissolve & reform the constituent parts in a new alignment.
Perhaps the US should as a form of black ops, empower a Texas secessionist movement to be followed by total dissolution and new American Union struck with 50 new nation-states.
We could keep the Bill of Rights, add a few (no standing armies perhaps, and clearer anti-trust language) & strike a new bargain unencumbered by the past debts and obligations.
If progressives and libertarians would talk we might find more common ground with each other than with the two parties. Health care and other issues might be easier negotiated in the 50 states that would replace the Federal Gov't. An American Union might want to issue a new currency free of the debts on the dollar.
Due to debt the US gov't could seek to dissolve it
Texans will see new levels of vindictiveness from DC should they attempt to secede. No doubt the thugs in DC salivate over such a target rich environment after years of making the rubble bounce in Iraq and Afganistan.
Though Texas has the right to secede and the economy to thrive, there will be war with the U.S. and that will not be the fault of Texas.
At other websites there is a large amount of remarks from what can best be described as "Yankee hotheads" who threaten to "kick your [burro] again." The ironic part is that there is no one alive from the last contest that kicked or was kicked so there is no "again" to it.
Texans who receive payments from the federal government (SS, Military Retired & Disabled, etc.) will probably resist a secession movement since the U.S. will threaten to cut off such payments under auspices of the 14th Amendment. This will be pure hypocrisy since American citizens can "emigrate" to other foreign countries (i.e. Israel and Mexico) and receive their checks as long as they remain citizens.
Texas will have to accept some military assistance from another World Superpower. Since there is no issue like slavery to turn World opinion against Texas, help will be th
The reasons given for a survivable independent Texas are not the issue. An independent Texas would survive as would an independent Wyoming, Montana, Washington or New Hampshire. The citizens of the rest of the USA would not tolerate their government shutting down business relations and demanding border controls with Texas or any other break away states. That would be silly and hurt both Texas and the rest of the USA. I do not even believe that the Federal Government of the USA could do this with New Hampshire as the entire of New England would be furious.
The only thing that bothers me is that if history is any guide, the Federal Government of the USA would act with extreme violence at the prospect of losing 8% of its subjects. I suspect that given its use of force in keeping Afganistan or Iraq or Hawaii from becoming independent that it would be police state nightmare-bloodbath conditions to keep Texas from becoming independent.
Count KS in.
Instead of Texas becoming independent, why don't we just expel the District of Columbia from the US? Then they can just regulate themselves to death.
Should Texas decide to secede and the U.S. government try to stop it by force, other states would immediately join it against federal aggression and Americans from around the country would flock to Texas' aid. Most U.S. troops would refuse to fire on fellow Americans and the the U.S. government would be forced to either allow the secession or call in mercenaries. Given its track record, I'd bet on the latter. It's time to re-instate the Constitution.
"When all government, domestic and foreign, in little as in great things, shall be drawn to Washington as the center of all power, it will render powerless the checks provided of one government on another and will become as venal and oppressive as the government from which we separated." — Thomas Jefferson, Letter to Charles Hammond [1821]
"Though written constitutions may be violated in moments of passion or delusion, yet they furnish a text to which those who are watchful may again rally and recall the people." - Jefferson, 1802
Let's get this party started. Who do I contact? Anyone got
any suggestions?
A Southwestern Confederacy of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana would have sufficient oil, natural gas, and coal for its own uses. It would have enough farmland to feed the world. It would have enough timber to supply the world. It would have ports. In short, given sound monetary policy, it would have everything it needed to be a very successful country.
Not to mention, we could have a heck of a football conference.
I'm originally from San Antonio so i support this all the way. To be honest the Feds would be incredibly stupid to attack Texas, should it secede. Not only does Texas hold important military assets but almost everybody owns a gun and as we have seen especially in Iraq, a few insurgents can do incredible damage with just a few bullets or IEDs. Such an attack would be the end of the US military and ultimately the US Gov.
On trading the ultimate loser would be the US as well and not only because the loss of the $1.245 trillion dollars but the neighboring states who import power from Texas would have to pay higher prices on electricity. Also any embargo would send oil prices skyrocketing with the largest domestic producer cut out of the market.
In short the secession of Texas would bring the Feds to their knees if it were anything but peaceful, and I can only pray it happens.
Hey WOW, finally someone who sees the whole picture. I have been waiting for this comment for years, the U.S. cant control Iraq or Afghanistan, so imagine if they lose Texas, a big chunk of their fighting force is gone, and dont forget Texas is much larger than Iraq and Afghanistan, The U.S. doesnt have the manpower or equipment already, much less if they lose Texas.
What about the illegal immigrants, almost all from Mexico, and the huge Hispanic population, loyal Democrats mostly? Solve that, and you might be on to something.
All those wonderful things Texas has. No wonder the rest of the Country votes to plunder them. Don't you love Democracy? Where we can vote to plunder other peoples stuff legally?
Trust me realist. My spanish speaking friends have had quite enough of having their hard work plundered by those who think people are too stupid to take care of themselves. Who do you think started this latest independence movement? Who loves Liberty? Go look at the names on the Alamo, and you will find only ten European peoples names there.
In theory, it's a great idea. However, for one thing, we'd be exchanging one oppressor with another. Second, the biggest financial thugs on the planet, the Bush's, just happen to have been running a large part of their trillion/quadrillion dollar ponzi scheme from Texas...which might be th eonly reason why if this did succeed, Texas wouldn't be hassled too much by the Feds, who would still get their baksheesh from the financial thugs in Texas. And another thing...having known ROT standoff leader Rick McLaren, and that he was running a money-laundering operation out of his "ROT" "Embassy" and what a megalomaniac he was, folks wanting Texas secession had better consider who its leaders will be.
Living in Utah which is another state forced into the union with plans to recover after the feds fail. I think most of Utah would support an independent texas and would follow along at some point. I have worked in the south and love it there.
Rob Paul for President of the free and independent republic of Texas! That combination would convince me to drag my sorry computer scientist but back to Austin - keep Austin weird please.
(Also got here from lewrockwell.com)
Secession from the unbelievably corrupt and dysfunctional government headquartered in DC sound like a good idea. However, it is worth remembering that Texas has an unfortunate history of spawning some of the most vile politicians, e.g. John Connolly, LBJ, Jim Wright, Sam Rayburn, Phil Gramm, Tom DeLay, and the two odious Bushes, to name a few, in our country's history.
Clearly, some way will have to be found to permanantly disenfranchise policians like those if secession is to have any way of solving existing problems.
The way to secure Texas' economic future is, ofcourse, to secure the rights of private property, the sanctity of contracts, and the banning of force and fraud from private exchange--including, and perhaps especially--the integrity of the money supply!
If Texans can do this, your withdrawal from the dysfunctional, brutal,and unspeakable government headquartered in DC should ensure y'all a great future!
PEACE AND FREEDOM !!
David K. Meller
What this article fails to consider, is how many Texans would reject the idea of secession and move to another state so as to remain Americans. Surely that would ruin the economy of the state. Plus, I guarantee loads of companies would boycott the state and/or move their headquarters away.
I fail to see how succession is really going to re-establish a government of the people for the people and by the people and be the champion of liberty it desires. Our nation could have been divided and concurred in the 1800's. Since it wasn't, we lost our liberty and self governance through the second best means, not divide and concur, but corruption in high places. From the Yankee point of view we need you great men of the South, without your help and assistance what is going to happen to our Union? Will it perish forever from the face of the Earth? Do you believe you can preserve self government by alienating like minded men from the North?
The great General Lee was a man who believe that the unity of this nation was perpetual, yet he fought to end that unity because he could not go to war against his homeland, nor could he see his homeland attacked without defending it! Succession will put like minded men of both sides against each other and secure the victory against self gover
I appreciate stinky's comment about Hispanics being fed up too. Let's do it!
Instead of Texas becoming independent, why don't we just expel the District of Columbia from the US? Then they can just regulate themselves to death.
The argument that the disunited states would be easily conquered by an invading power doesn't explain why Sweden and Switzerland have maintained their neutrality and enjoyed peace during the same two centuries in which the United States has been invaded, subverted, bombed, and threatened with thermonuclear annihilation.
Those two Bushes were not born and raised in Texas. They are transplants, from Connecticut. LBJ was a piece of crap jew, who allowed the terrorist state of Israel run amok with nuclear weapons, threaten everyone around her, and kill 34 sailors on the USS Liberty, threatening the survivors with court martial if they dared to speak out about it. As long as there are NO Jews in any position of power, and state and even the United States would be better off. Russia got rid of the jewish oligarchs and now is an economic and military powerhouse. The problem with the US Gov is Jews, pure and simple.
In regard to Craig's statement that if Texas were to secede, the droves of people leaving the State "to remain Americans" would surely bankrupt the Texas economy is hogwash. Sure there would be some small segment of the population who would choose to leave, but just as in the American revolution the vast majority would stay.
I dare say that the only problem Texas would have in regard to its population would be what to do with all the hundreds of thousands of new immigrants that would flock to an independant Texas to escape the grasping clutches of the u.S. federal government!
Speaking for myself, the day this great State declares its independence, I will sell out my holdings, lock, stock and barrel and hang a sign on the door that says "GONE TO TEXAS!"
I believe peaceful secession is a fine idea, but I also like the idea of cutting the District of Columbia off of the continent and letting it drift out to sea like a trash barge. Is there anyone we can contract to make that happen?
All kidding aside, I would support the people of Texas 100% if they chose to get out of this failed, bloody US Empire...
I moved to Texas in 1980. My wife and children are "native" Texans. I am so thankful I live here. Most of my extended family still live in States in ecnomic chaos.
I am grateful I live in Texas and, God willing, I will remain a Texan.
I'm with Cleophus. I lived in Texas in the early 80s while in the Air Force. I loved it. Sadly, Ann Richards and Mark White were bigger blights than the Bushes...
Even if Texas didn't secede, I would consider moving there just because of the independent spirit that is so strong there. Plus I have many friends in that part of the country...Houston and San Antonio. It's pretty high on the Freedom Index too.
I have a degree from UT. I now live in SC. If Texas seceeds, SC will not be far behind.
An aspect of Texas' history makes it an ideal candidate for seccesion. When Texas joined the Union it retained all public land unlike most states to the west of us (Texas that is). If Texas srcceeded,very little compensation would be headed D.C. way.
Businesses would absolutely flock to Texas from the remaining 49 to escape the awful regulatory environment created by the Federales.
Can't believe this is even a discussion. Basic principles will always lead to prosperity: private property, enterprise, specialization, division of labor and free trade. Even the smallest country can become rich when these are applied.
But don't take my word for it. Notice for yourself that many of the smallest nations of the world have the highest standards of living: Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein - I could go on. Anyone really think that Switzerland has any major natural advantages that Texas doesn't? Do people not realize that there exist many rich nations that have only a fraction of the land, people, and natural resources of Texas? Talk about American ignorance.
Capital will always flow to the parts of the world that protect it the most. If Texas were to secede, slash taxes, and lessen regulation, it would have all the industry and prosperity any nation could ever hope for.
Stinky said:
"All those wonderful things Texas has. No wonder the rest of the Country votes to plunder them. Don't you love Democracy? Where we can vote to plunder other peoples stuff legally?"
Welcome to one of the things that has killed California too...we USED to have a great state. Maybe if you guys are successful, we can leave too.
People laugh and scoff at the "Texas Independence" mindset. Being a proud ranch owner in Texas, I assure you the majority of our people (outside of Austin that is) are past fed up. They think this talk is insane and "saber rattling". Washington better listen. I bet 200 hundred head of grain fed Herefords against a donut that Obama doesn't visit us anytime soon. He knows he has alienated most of us down here with his arrogance. I know a bunch of Texas Ranchers that would volunteer to be on the "Texas Border Guard."
Business Week recently ranked the top strongest metro areas, in terms of economics. Three of the top 5, and 5 of the top 10, are in Texas. Not too shabby for a bunch of "ignorant rednecks."
See: images.businessweek.com/ss/09/10/1022_40_strongest_us_metro_economies/1.htm
Fear is an emotion used to control people. I have decided in the last few years that I refuse to live under any fear any longer.
My fellow Texans who died at the Goliad Massacre and at the Alamo
CHOSE to fight for their belief in a independent Republic. Do you think they had fear - I would say yes - but not a cowering fear - but a fear of what would happen to them and their families IF THEY DID NOT FIGHT. I am a peaceful person but I am TIRED of the extortion from the Potomac rats. I am willing to fight and die for the freedoms that were given to me, if I live in fear I am continuing to allow the fedarales (sp??) to manipulate and extort from me.
COME AND TAKE IT!!!
DON'T TREAD ON ME!!
I think it is a good idea if Texas did. Then when the Chineese or some other countries start to call in their markers on what the US owes they want have to help pay on the mess Washington DC has made. Also there would be no more blackmail from DC or Obamma's socialist commie government too. I wish them the best if they do. Good luck and God Bless... I just hope the state of Tennessee will follow too...JR...
Texans would HAVE to be heavily armed. Whoever wrote that is not a Texan.
It will probably happen by 2014. At least Gerald Celente believes it could happen and he is no right wing crazy. An economic crash and or a terrorist nuke would find states fleeing from the Union like rats from the Titanic.The corrupt Marxist regime in DC will only get worse. The insurrection is coming. God Speed Texas.
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