Texas is really, really bloody scary right now

[JesusInTheCabbageVan]

People were struggling with poverty even when things were going well. They've been hard hit by COVID, and now this.

Link here www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/18/texas-food-banks-crisis-storm-freezing-supplies

Terrifying.

@IndecentFeminist

It said that 87% of children in Dallas live in poverty, that's insane

What is your source for this astonishing bit of misinformation?

www.keranews.org/government/2018-12-05/1-in-5-children-in-dallas-county-lives-in-poverty-report-says

The level of poverty in the US is horrifying.

I always thought of Oregon as a fairly privileged state but Portland has the worst homeless problem in the Country.

www.opb.org/article/2020/12/18/school-delivers-worksheets-food-to-homeless-students-during-the-pandemic/

Wishing misfortune on people with a different political point of view does make you a terrible human being. Is there a reason that so many on the left accuse anyone on the right of being hateful whilst being blind to their own hate? People are without food, water and electricity, stop being a dick.

Your comprehension skills are seriously lacking. “Struggling to find sympathy” is not in any way the same as “wishing misfortune on people” ffs.

@Porcupineintherough

They are suffering as a result of the values they uphold. I am really struggling to feel sympathy for them - which probably makes me a terrible human being but there it is.

They? Like, every Texan? The kids who are freezing right now you mean?

What values do 'they' uphold that means they deserve to freeze, starve, and have no drinkable water?

Do tell.

Yes we just ate bread, fruit and stuff from the fridge like cheese etc. kept it outside in the cold. Thankfully we had bottled water in. Some shops were open on if they could but even they had to throw food away. It’s been scary.

@Porcupineintherough

They are suffering as a result of the values they uphold. I am really struggling to feel sympathy for them - which probably makes me a terrible human being but there it is.

It does, I'm afraid. You should fix that.

I am a born and bred Texan and I currently live in Houston.

I am truly shocked and saddened by what two posters have written (and probably many more who think like them) that they felt little sympathy for what is happening to people in my city and in my state who are suffering because of their perceived voting practices.

If you knew anything about my state, the cities of Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, El Paso and Laredo are Democrat-run cities and have been for a very long time.

Right at this moment, anyone's personal politics are not important. People are suffering and need help during this uniquely difficult time. I've been happy to help my fellow Texans, my neighbors, no matter what their "ideology" happens to be just as I've had neighbors check up on my family who voted different than me because we are human beings capable of empathy and compassion.

I'm glad that I don't judge the entire MN population by the disgusting words and idiotic thoughts of a few posters who frankly need to grow-up.

Yes I think that's it mainly -- Texas wants to be all libertarian, now there's a big emergency that is worse because of those libertarian policies, and it wants people to help and feel sorry for them.

It's not exactly a left vs right thing. Wyoming, for example, is very conservative but I can't imagine people being salty if something happened there. It's a really Texas specific thing. I wouldn't expect non-Americans to get it.

Again, I personally still feel bad for Texans though.

@WannaCapybara see my second post.

What, the one where you change 'they' to 'the people' and carry on your same point?

The hyposcrisy of this statement would be surprising if it wasn't so typical of the liberal left.

Wtf? I don't think the pp's statement was typical of anything, least of all the liberal left, thanks.

I am really struggling to feel sympathy for them - which probably makes me a terrible human being but there it is.

If you struggle to feel sympathy for people who are freezing and starving then yeah, you’re a terrible human being.

In the article @MissConductUS

In Dallas, youngsters are also a huge concern: citywide, 87% of school children live in low-income households.

@Mintjulia

I can't have much sympathy for a state that voted for Trump. They voted to deny poor people healthcare. What kind of human beings do that? Now perhaps they understand what that means!

I have huge sympathy for those who are suffering but bear no responsibility for their political choices ie the children living in poverty.

Our country voted for Boris - that's a vote for child poverty, an increased wealth-poverty divide etc. Not everyone did- not everyone voted for Trump and some of those that did only did so out of ignorance.

@TwilightSkies

I am really struggling to feel sympathy for them - which probably makes me a terrible human being but there it is.

If you struggle to feel sympathy for people who are freezing and starving then yeah, you’re a terrible human being.

This.

People who are in Texas right now, I'm so sorry this is happening to you, it's a horrendous situation and I can't stop thinking about the news footage I've seen from there. I'm glad that friends and neighbours are supporting each other wherever they can.

It is terrible. Nobody deserves to suffer and we ought to know better than to politicize people's suffering. They got what they deserve. Really? Have some grace, ffs.

That said, the problem with the American mentality, overall, is that we're so goddamn opposed to ANY form of federal regulation. It's as if those two words in themselves are blasphemous in their meaning. And this mentality has grown legs, teeth, and hair in my lifetime. Keep government out. We don't want federal regulation. It's a rallying cry as old as America itself and it gets us into trouble every time we face natural disasters.

We are constantly courting deregulation and placing our trust in big corporations who are out for profit and not remotely interested in the welfare of the people. And this current situation in Texas is continued proof of that.

I hope the intense period of hardship passes soon and that there is the support to recover and repair. Awful for everyone , specially families with young children and the elderly.

That's terrifying, will the government help them out?

Yes. Emergency Declaration since the 14th.

www.fema.gov/node/613509

The problem is that the power grid is disconnected from other states and had no means to produce energy. This was to evade federal regulations by secessionist leaders.
www.texastribune.org/2011/02/08/texplainer-why-does-texas-have-its-own-power-grid/

This should be a lesson to us of how not to elect our leaders. It won’t be though. I feel terrible for Texans, no matter how they voted ....and whatever the case around their voting they need help which should be coming from their governance. As for Ted Cruz.... well, he is so clearly an absolute wanker. Shame on him and well done to Beto O'Rourke for throwing himself into helping with the disaster effort even as a private citizen. I hope that he seeks election again at some point and that the people of Texas remember this.

@elp30

I am a born and bred Texan and I currently live in Houston.

I am truly shocked and saddened by what two posters have written (and probably many more who think like them) that they felt little sympathy for what is happening to people in my city and in my state who are suffering because of their perceived voting practices.

If you knew anything about my state, the cities of Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, El Paso and Laredo are Democrat-run cities and have been for a very long time.

Right at this moment, anyone's personal politics are not important. People are suffering and need help during this uniquely difficult time. I've been happy to help my fellow Texans, my neighbors, no matter what their "ideology" happens to be just as I've had neighbors check up on my family who voted different than me because we are human beings capable of empathy and compassion.

I'm glad that I don't judge the entire MN population by the disgusting words and idiotic thoughts of a few posters who frankly need to grow-up.

Absolutely I am appalled by the smugness of the posters who 'struggle to find sympathy' and have the 'well thats what you get because other people in your state voted for Trump'. Yes you are horrible people, while pretending to be oh so kind and caring type.

@IndecentFeminist

In the article *@MissConductUS*

In Dallas, youngsters are also a huge concern: citywide, 87% of school children live in low-income households.

Low income does not equal poverty.

@elp30

I am a born and bred Texan and I currently live in Houston.

I am truly shocked and saddened by what two posters have written (and probably many more who think like them) that they felt little sympathy for what is happening to people in my city and in my state who are suffering because of their perceived voting practices.

If you knew anything about my state, the cities of Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, El Paso and Laredo are Democrat-run cities and have been for a very long time.

Right at this moment, anyone's personal politics are not important. People are suffering and need help during this uniquely difficult time. I've been happy to help my fellow Texans, my neighbors, no matter what their "ideology" happens to be just as I've had neighbors check up on my family who voted different than me because we are human beings capable of empathy and compassion.

I'm glad that I don't judge the entire MN population by the disgusting words and idiotic thoughts of a few posters who frankly need to grow-up.

That's been what every person I know who's lived there has said, and my personal experience of Americans. Their politics are selfish and weirdly religious, but personally they are kind, helpful and friendly. They just want to do it themselves rather than have the government take their money and do it for them.

I think it's thick as mince to understand the need for police and fire departments but not medical care! But it's not because they aren't lovely humans.

And the thought of a boil water advisory with no power to boil water and children in the house terrifies me. Kindness should be the only response.

@Porcupineintherough

They are suffering as a result of the values they uphold. I am really struggling to feel sympathy for them - which probably makes me a terrible human being but there it is.

So people living in poverty are to die because of the values "they" uphold? Whoever "they" are and whatever "values" you don't like. I wonder if that is why so many people are dying in the UK - there's some bloody awful values held by people over here too.

Yes, it's a shame there isn't a voting button because you are definitely a terrible human being.

Once the crisis is over, if those who have suffered say 'I'm still going to vote Cruz/Abbott' well then there's no hope for those people.

I hope that he [O'Rourke] seeks election again at some point and that the people of Texas remember this.

Maybe in 2024, but not against Cruz, which will be only in 2026. A long time in politics.
Maybe 2022 for governor?
But, hopefully, most voters will remember the effect of right wing, secessionist state policies.