The Importance Of Change In Texas

As the 1990’s approached Ann Richards the democratic gubernatorial nominee wins the governor’s race. Democrats are in control of the Texas legislature and confront a federal court ruling that called for educational funding to across Texas to be equalized. The issue of funding education remains a problem thought the early democratic 90’s to the early Republican 2000s.

Texas represents a national demographic shift that will cause the United States to become a “minority-majority” country in the near future. Texas achieved that status in 2004, when racial and ethnic minority populations, both native and foreign-born, collectively outnumber non-Hispanic whites; in addition, the state

Because if a constitution does not reflect the state it’s supposed to, everything else does not matter. Texas is a diverse state in constant change, and the constitution should be able to adapt to current

Texas has all three political cultures all over the state, but when people outside of

The people of Texas are diverse and carry their “big can-do attitudes and accents” (Pearson); making Texas a bigger than life state. The political culture of Texas is impacted by two different subgroups of

I believe that many people in Texas do not care to vote because of apathy and the majority see a system that is corrupt, full of lies and

The Texas population consists of people with a variety of different cultural and racial background. The Texas population seems to be very young with an approximate 27.3 percent of the population being under the age of 18, and about 11.5 percent being over the age of 65 (U.S. Census Bureau, “Texas.”). Factors that increase the Texas population include higher birthrates, lower death rates, as well as immigration from other countries and states. The population is changing from a primarily white population as recorded during the 1990s to a projected primarily Latino population by 2050. However, Latinos were not a considered a separate ethnic group until the 1990s but were counted to the white population which consisted of European whites and the Latinos. The African- American population decreased from over 20 percent during the 1850s to below 20 percent population as of 2015. Asian- Americans are considered the smallest population in Texas at 4.5 percent (The Asian Population,” 2010 Census Briefs). Due to the changing economy and

States’ rights, the fight for the unborn and their right to life, and resistance to gun legislation, tend to be some of the top issues for conservative Texas voters. The last time a Democrat carried the state of Texas was in 1976, when Jimmy Carter won the Presidential election. During the 2004 presidential election, then President and Republican candidate, George W. Bush, won with 61.09% against 38.30% votes for the Democratic candidate John Kerry. However, in the more recent Presidential elections that were held in 2008 and in 2012, the very popular Democratic candidate, Barack Obama, did not win the majority vote for Texas. Thus, looking at this information, it can be said that the state of Texas tends to lean more towards the Republican side.

Texas remains a large state with masses of diversity in addition. Despite all the Texas greatness and large land there remains one issue that stays still not immense in, which is voting. Surprisingly, only twenty-two percent of Texans vote. Furthermore, Texas is positioned second to last with the lowest voting rate. There exist plenty of reasons Texas has such a minimal voter turnout rate. One reason mentioned in the Texas Civil Health Index “transpires Texas demographic” (Texas 20). In addition, another reason befalls that people actually believe that their vote doesn’t matter. Finally, a third reason stands that people ensue uneducated. Voting will transform our lives, if citizens just speak up everything will be just the way Texans want it. Texans need to benefit of their freedom and not let only segment of the state control our appeals and needs. It is essential to vote; that will be the only way our voice could be heard; it

Texas has a reputation throughout history of differing views from the federal government in laws and politics pertaining to social, fiscal, and educational issues. On the whole, Texas operates as a largely conservative state. Because of this, policy-making is often right wing. With the institution of a Democratic, liberal president, the State’s dissent from the Federal government has only increased over certain issues. One hot topic of the 2012 Presidential election was immigration. With the major increase in immigration, it is no surprise that the issue was so emphasized. Between 2000 and 2011 there was a 30 percent

Texas is currently dominated by the Republican culture with a popular belief in conservatism that has lasted for many years. Democratic and Liberal groups are also present in the Texas but play as the minorities. Although demographics through the years show that a change in the dominant party could very well be eminent, Texas remains a red state for the time being. Currently the population is estimated at 24.5 million and is dominantly Anglo with minorities including African American, and Hispanic. In the coming years though, it is estimated to change where as the Hispanic population will surpass become the new majority.

Another reason Texas will remain a Republican state, is because our rights to bear arms is extremely important to most of the population. Many citizens within the state use guns to hunt, protect themselves and their homes, and for school events like FFA. The Democratic Party is trying to take away this right due to their liberal views. They think extended background checks will help keep guns out of the hands of law breaking citizens and criminals. Majority of the people within Texas have broken the law, to something as minor as speeding and to severe as murder. On top of law breaking citizens, many criminals do not have the background of

Texas was loyal to Democratic Party for a long period of time due to a number of reasons. First, it has to be recognized that Democratic Party played pivotal role in political development of Texas dating back to the time when the white Americans first settled there. This made Texan Democrats evolve from a loose political association into an organized party. Another reason why Texas remained a stronghold of the Democratic Party was the unavailability of a second party to rival them throughout much of the state's history (Alwyn, 1971). Democratic Party was the only viable party in Texas from 1836 up to 1952. This made them dominate politics at all levels. Politics in Texas revolved around personalities rather than political parties (Alwyn, 1971).

The population of Texas is always changing and growing causing Texas as a whole to change in order to accompany the needs of everyone involved. When the year 1900 hit, Texas had over 3 million people with the majority living in rural areas. When the price of oil collapsed the growth rate dipped down to 1 percent, but as soon as the economy started healing the population numbers grew greatly. “By 2010, the number of people was estimated to be 25.1 million. Forty-five percent of the population were non-Hispanic white in 2009…Eleven percent were African American. Thirty-eight were Hispanic, up from 25 percent in 1990” (21). The domestic immigration, international immigration, and the difference between births and deaths have contributed to the population growth in Texas. Texas was not being defined by the majority of the population being natives of Texas but by others coming to this great state

Texas is a state that has always been recognized for its size and politics. Elections are a huge part of democratic societies that are intended for citizens to choose their public leaders and approve the policies set by candidates. Political parties and interest groups also play a key role in shaping opportunities for public participation. Most Texans and historians know that the Democratic Party’s historical dominance is important to state politics. It is less likely that people are not aware of the consequences of the one-party system for public participation and democracy in Texas. Like many of the rim South states, the white elitist belonged to the Democratic Party which stemmed from the end of Reconstruction until the late 20th