What will cause change?
It should be about life and human welfare, but it won't.
To quote James Carville in 1992 "It's the economy stupid".
( Stupid in this case are Texas state Republican's who have made horrible choices regarding all things energy.)
The economic fallout from this debacle will be historic and catastrophic. It will be one of the more costly for natural disasters and was preventable. Agriculture, insurance, food industries, shipping, housing and the HUGE economic impact for the "New Silicon Valley" tech corridor which will be losing billions and billions. For example, not long ago one tech giant (Intel I believe) had a controlled shutdown of their plant for about a week. It took months to operate normally again. These tech semi conductor companies did not have enough time to power down correctly before power was lost, they had little warning. This will cost that industry billions alone, not millions.
There will need to be a complete overhaul for true reliable energy to keep and attract business giants. They will demand it.
Money talks.
@unk-p That’s funny unk-p! I was just lamenting about having to look at Cruz strolling through the airport in those skinny jeans. Doesn’t he know anything? Apparently not. Skinny jeans have been forbidden this fashion season! Kaput. Banished I say!
My eldest son, DiL and three grandkids are in Arlington, Texas. Luckily they did not lose power, although they did have to boil water for a few days. My son was the only person in his entire multi-state company to have power for approx three days, so he was working 24/7 days doing IT help for customers. To quote Diane, my DiL, "We are so so so so so Blessed and LUCKY! Thank you God!" Because they use a FIXED rate company for their electricity, they are not being hit with absurd disgraceful utility bills, although she did say the electric bill was "a little" higher than most winters.
@jeans3head lol skinny jeans and a beer belly! Betcha Heidi bought those for him on some kind of passive-aggressive shopping spree. Surprising that she hasn't changed her name to Heidi Goodbye-di and dumped that slob.
Imagine being an A to A+ credit rated CO-OP business one week and in debt 2+ Billion dollars the next because of the Texas storm energy debacle. That is what happened to a CO-OP energy company. They are not the only energy company who has already filed bankruptcy either. They are also not the ones responsible for causing the problem either.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/brazos-electric-bankruptcy-texas/
Keeping Texans in my prayers. Many feel like Gov. Abbott's decision about lifting the mask mandate and opening 100% of businesses after the storm is like an exercise in trying to survive.
This is exactly what my daughter has conveyed to me.
Masks are the one thing allowing many to function in society right now, something which brings a small level of comfort to those who must face the public to do their job or obtain basic human needs.
In Texas, the most basic of human needs was taken away from the majority of the population for days on end. Many are STILL without drinkable water believe it or not. Taking away the mask mandate creates an environment where people continue live in a fight or flight mode. That is not sustainable for their mental health let alone all the physical health problems which will likely explode through the population. Getting a good grip on the virus will allow for a quicker economic recovery. People who are diligent about wearing masks and social distancing contribute greatly to the economy but will spend cautiously until the environment in their communities is safer. Until then it will continue to be a focus on basic needs and survival. That and supporting businesses which have mask mandates whenever possible.
My husband and I can't understand why the stupid governor would do this. It's almost like they want to hurt or kill people? Makes no sense. I know a lot of Texans who are very unhappy about it.
@triciact Honestly I think that's what they want, they know that soon they will be voted out and they want to kill as many Democratic voters they can. The Republicans want an apartheid situation where a few have power over the many. They are terrified of the Democrats winning. They are terrified of losing power and privilege. In Missouri they are vaccinating rural areas and not the cities. They are trying to kill people, in my opinion.
In Missouri they are vaccinating rural areas and not the cities. They are trying to kill people, in my opinion.
I was shocked when Poplar Bluff MO hosted a huge mass vaccination clinic a month or so back, but thrilled that my Missouri family had the opportunity to get vaccinated. That is a poor, depressed and depressing area of the country.
@triciact Honestly I think that's what they want, they know that soon they will be voted out and they want to kill as many Democratic voters they can. The Republicans want an apartheid situation where a few have power over the many. They are terrified of the Democrats winning. They are terrified of losing power and privilege. In Missouri they are vaccinating rural areas and not the cities. They are trying to kill people, in my opinion.
I'm gonna go all Libra again and say maybe they're just making an extra effort at rural outreach? In most of the country the rural areas are underserved by the health care system so in general it would be good news to hear of mass vax in rural areas.
Are they really not making an effort in the cities and if not, do they give an excuse/reason for it?
@jsr78 Thanks for the reference. It's just me, I suppose, but generally I blame incompetence before I look for evil intentions. Not to say evil doesn't exist, esp. among certain segments of the ruling class, but... well,... that's all I'll say.
As a Texan, I wouldn’t say that Abbott & the GOP are actively trying to kill us - they just don’t care about people over profits & power. There’s no need to assume malicious intent when total incompetence & apathy achieve the same effect.
Abbott & his cronies will try to “punish” the democratic urban areas where they can, though - cos it’s more important to send a message to their opponents rather than try to help people recover from a crisis.