As a lifelong native Texan this essay rings true. In the name of short term profits and lower taxes we have sacrificed infrastructure, healthcare, education and the environment. I could say plenty of good things about Texas and my fellow Texans. Many of the sentiments that have lead to our growth and economy are good things — if taken in balance and with compromise. When politics overtakes reality and commonsense there are no reference points or solid value anchor points. My hope is an end to gerrymandering, ego power posturing and bully aggression fear based ideology and a swerve back to community and balance.