I got this from another board from believe it or not a Texan.
So what does Texas have to survive as a Republic?
1. NASA is just south of Houston. We'll control the space industry.
2. We refine over 85% of the gasoline in the United States .
3. Defense Industry--we have over 65% of it. The term "Don't mess with Texas," will take on a whole new meaning.
4. Oil - we can supply all the oil that the Republic of Texas will need for the next 300 years. What will the other states do? ... Gee, we don't know. Why not ask Obama?
5. Natural Gas - again we have all we need, and it's too bad about those Northern States. John Kerry and Al Gore will have to figure out a way to keep them warm.
6. Computer Industry - we lead the nation in producing computer chips and communications equipment -small companies like Texas Instruments, Dell Computer, EDS, Raytheon, National Semiconductor, Motorola, Intel, AMD, Atmel, Applied Materials, Ball Microconductor, Dallas Semiconductor, Nortel, Alcatel, etc, etc. The list goes on and on.
7. Medical Care - We have the research centers for cancer research, the best burn centers and the top trauma units in the world, as well as other large health centers. The Houston Medical Center alone, where Michael DeBakey did his first heart transplant employees over 65,000 people.
8. We have enough colleges to keep us getting smarter: The University of Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Texas Christian, Rice, SMU, University of Dallas , University of Houston , Baylor, UNT ( University of North Texas ), Texas Women's University, Texas State, etc. Ivy grows better in the South anyway. Np, there isn't a Sam Houston Institute of Technology (no S.H.I.T.)
9. We have an intelligent and energetic work force, and it isn't restricted by a bunch of unions here in Texas. it's a Right to Work State. Therefore, it's every man and women for themselves. We just go out and get the job done. And if we don't like the way one company operates, we get a job somewhere else.
10. We have essential control of the paper, plastics, and insurance industries, etc.
11. In case of a foreign invasion, we have the Texas National Guard, the Texas Air National Guard, and several large military bases. We don't have an Army, but since everybody down here has at least six rifles, several pistols, and a pile of ammo, we can raise an Army in 24 hours or 24 minutes if we need one. If the situation really gets bad, we can always call the Department of Public Safety and ask them to send over the Texas Rangers.
12. We're totally self-sufficient in beef, poultry, hogs, and several types of grain, fruit and vegetables, and let's not forget seafood from the Gulf. Also, everybody down here knows how to cook 'em so that they taste good. Barbeque, chili, and Tex-Mex. Don't need any food from other places.
13. Three of the ten largest cities in the United States, and twenty-three of the 100 largest cities in the United States, are located in Texas. And Texas also has more land than California, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Maryland, Rhode Island and Vermont combined.
14. Trade: Three of the ten largest ports in the United States are located in Texas.
15. We also manufacture cars, trucks, and heavy road building equipment down here, but we don't need to. Except for near the gulf coast, nothing rusts in Texas. Most of our vehicles stay beautiful and run well for decades.
16. We have every kind of land here from desert to swamps and from high mountains to sea coast.
17. And don't forget we have no state income tax. Houston has no pesky zoning laws or other building regulations (except for necessary safety regulations), so you can build a roller coaster right next to a residence. They like it that way.
These are just a few of the things that will keep the Republic of Texas in good shape. There's nothing out there we need and don't have.
Add in the other southern gulf states and the energy market and shipping port control is all but total.
