With Texas recently (September 2021) passing a more restrictive voting-rights legislation as well as a draconian anti-abortion bill, it seemed an appropriate time to read Ms. Collins’s book ‘As Texas Goes...’. The nonfiction work was published in 2013 but is still very relevant today. Last year, I read Lawrence Wright’s sentimental nonfiction book ‘God Save Texas: A Journey into the Soul of the Lone Star State’ (published April 2018). While Mr. Wright was a homegrown Texan who moved away, then returned, Ms. Collins was originally from Ohio and moved to New York City when she became an adult. Much like the lifelong Mainer who is writing this review (Texas probably sees my state as godless Commie country,) the author looks askance at Texas shenanigans. If the Lone Star State’s actions stayed within its borders, their nonsense might be easier to ignore. However, ‘As Texas Goes…’ argues the state very much affects non-Texans.
The state revels in the rural cowboy mythos where personal independence and a personal code of justice are sacrosanct. Ms. Collins serves up plenty of Texas history showing this mindset as well as some quirky facts like their constitution forbids an atheist from holding elective office. The author also addresses what she calls the state’s empty-place ethos; how the Alamo is a Rorschach test; and the flight of Texans from the Democrats to the Republicans. She also highlights such notable Texans as Presidents Johnson and the two Bushes, Governor Rick Perry, House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, Speaker of the House Jim Wright, House Majority Leader Dick Armey, and Senator Phil Gramm. I would not be surprised if you draw in blood a pentagram on the floor and say three times the names of the last five guys mentioned above, you can summon a second-rate demon from the netherworld. Ms. Collins shows how the Texas political mindset is to suppress voter turnout of minorities and the poor and make their state a wealthy oligarchy that constantly puts the screws to poor folks. On a national scale, the author explains the state’s effect on financial deregulation, education, education privatization, textbooks. sex education, social services, climate change, environmental regulation, tort reform, luring businesses from other states, and privatizing public services. Make sure to read the book’s eye-opening appendix unless you’re highly allergic to facts.
It’s difficult for me to imagine the majority of Maine citizens embracing the Texas mindset. Maine is polar opposite when it comes to most of, if not all, the topics Ms. Collins covers in the book. Even the present-day handling of Covid-19 and implementing safety protocols reinforces the author’s argument and makes this bald ole Mainer wonder if a large dollop of Texans are hankerin’ or being forced to take the fast train to their almighty maker. ‘As Texas Goes…’ is a fast interesting read with a sizable dose of gentle sarcasm. At no point did I laugh or even snicker. Ms. Collins's fact-based book shows a lot of Texas political bragging was, is and probably will continue to be simply cow pies dressed up to look like gourmet chocolate cake.
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