Cabbages and Kings

The other day I was reading something about what it means to be a Texan. The writer said “I’ve been here 10 years so I guess that makes me a Texan.” I wanted to say, Oh, honey! Bless your heart! I was born in Austin in the 1950’s. I grew up in San Antonio through the 60’s and 70’s. Last night I watched a special about Willie Nelson. It reminded me of the Texas of my youth.  We were an people who were unwilling to be defined. We were not “the south”. We’d never even heard of “sweet tea” or Bucees!!  We understood that our relationship with Mexico was different than anyone else’s, because we used to be Mexico!! Texas history was a class required to graduate. (I was surprised to discover that other states don’t require their students to learn their state’s history. Who knew it was a Texas thing??) I hear people talk about Migrant Workers or Guest Workers. I remember people coming from Mexico to work. They would stay for a couple of years, send money back and then go back themselv...

I think we’ve lost an understanding of what the words “liberal” and “conservative” actually mean. So many different qualities have been added to these words to add a bias that the words don’t actual connote.  According to Webster: Liberal: Inclined to be open to ideas and ways of behaving that are not conventional or traditional. Marked by tolerance and freedom of the individual. Conservative: Tending or inclined to maintain existing views, conditions or institutions. Traditional. Marked by moderation or caution.  The power of this combination is formidable. It allows for both innovation and caution. The one pushing for change and new ideas while the other is calling for caution, careful evaluation and respect for traditional approaches.  Usually these two ideologies work well together when the people involved know they must compromise to move forward. If either one takes a hard line and won’t move, the power of this combination is lost.  The political world wants to...