Houston to edge past Chicago

[Vol Texan]

Well, I'm not sure this is a good or bad thing...but it is an indication of how successful we are here in Houston, as opposed to Chicago.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/americas-city- ... 07316.html

Houston has been one of the fastest-growing U.S. cities for years, fueled by an energy industry that provided the backbone of the economy, low taxes and prospects of employment that have attracted job seekers.

But Houston also embodies the new, urban Texas, where political views have been drifting to the left, diversity is being embraced and newer residents are just as likely to drive a hybrid as a pickup truck.

Houston's move is also indicative of demographic shifts unfolding in the United States that will increase the population and political clout of the Lone Star State over the next several decades.

Within eight to 10 years, Houston is forecast by demographers in the two states to pass Chicago, which has seen its population decline for years, as the third-largest city.

Houston is projected to have population of 2.54 million to 2.7 million by 2025 while Chicago will be at 2.5 million, according to official data from both states provided for their health departments. New York and Los Angeles are safe at one and two respectively.

[brhalltx]

I'm more worried about the "drifting to the left" part.

[RoyGBiv]

I'm more worried about the "drifting to the left" part.

[Oldgringo]

I've noticed, over time and places, that new arrivals want their new home to be like their old home; e.g., Atlanta is no longer a southern city and Florida is no longer a southern state. Should we include Austin and the muslim influx into western Europe?

Good luck, y'all.

[Taypo]

I've noticed, over time and places, that new arrivals want their new home to be like their old home; e.g., Atlanta is no longer a southern city and Florida is no longer a southern state. Should we include Austin and the muslim influx into western Europe?

Good luck, y'all.

Austin should DEFINITELY be in that category. Western Europe will get there, but its gonna take a few years for the impact of what's happening now to manifest.

[Vol Texan]

Sure, the newcomers want to turn Texas blue, indeed. And for those of you who live in other parts of this state that think it will be localized just to the big cities...just wait until there are enough big city voters to get some important state laws changed. That'll be a bad day, indeed. We all need to do our part to reverse that tide - and those of us in the big cities need to work overtime at it.

For me, I have a simple strategy: I don't use educational discussions as my opening salvo in trying to convert them. I figure the best way to start new residents to thinking 'red' instead of 'blue' (politically) is to take them shooting.

Start 'em off small (22LR), and work 'em up to something substantial (.44 Magnum). I figure it's hard for them to keep a firm grip on all of their 'blue' ideas once they send a few rounds downrange. Once they feel the freedom of self-reliance that accompanies the smell of gunpowder, they might start to question some of their pre-existing biases. I may not sway them entirely, but I certainly hope it gets the process started.

So far, I've brought no less than 6 first-time shooters to the range this year: one from the UK, one from Thailand, two young Houston-born 20-somethings, and a couple of friends from the Houston Heights (Houston's version of Austin). All have had a great time, and most have gone on to shoot again.

[Cowboyhockey14]

I work in the oil and gas industry and have noticed a lot more people in the last 5 years that are not native to Houston or even Texas. Many of whom will not embrace the Texas/Houston historical lifestyle. Many complain of how Houston is and what it isn't. Hopefully the turning to left shifts back to the right....quickly.

[Abraham]

I ran into this type complaint some years back when a Chicago transplant colleague was bemoaning how much better and smarter things were done in Chicago.

I politely suggested she move back to Chicago.

She stared at me for a good ten seconds and NEVER complained about Houston again, at least in my presence.

On another note: In HEB one day, I observed, placed on a small table, next to the deli counter, a tray of tooth pick spiked cheese samples for the shoppers to try.

A woman (a stranger) observed me helping myself to one of these delightful tidbits. In an imperious tone, she loudly announced she was from California and such samples were against the law there.

I politely suggested she head back to California while I ate her sample.

If you move here from another state, fine, but refrain from telling us who love Texas, how much better it is back in your old home state.

We really don't care...

[RJGold]

I ran into this type complaint some years back when a Chicago transplant colleague was bemoaning how much better and smarter things were done in Chicago.

I politely suggested she move back to Chicago.

She stared at me for a good ten seconds and NEVER complained about Houston again, at least in my presence.

On another note: In HEB one day, I observed, placed on a small table, next to the deli counter, a tray of tooth pick spiked cheese samples for the shoppers to try.

A woman (a stranger) observed me helping myself to one of these delightful tidbits. In an imperious tone, she loudly announced she was from California and such samples were against the law there.

I politely suggested she head back to California while I ate her sample.

If you move here from another state, fine, but refrain from telling us who love Texas, how much better it is back in your old home state.

We really don't care...

Amen...!!!

Had a similar situation recently at work. We hired a guy from New Jersey and moved him to Houston. After about 6 months, we opened a North East office in (you guessed it) New Jersey. He was complaining to me (in a lighthearted manner) that he could have just waited and gone to work for us in New Jersey. I just smiled and said, "...true, but then you wouldn't have had the priveledge of moving to Texas!!!".

He is a good spirited guy and took it as it was intended...

[Oldgringo]

I ran into this type complaint some years back when a Chicago transplant colleague was bemoaning how much better and smarter things were done in Chicago.

I politely suggested she move back to Chicago.

She stared at me for a good ten seconds and NEVER complained about Houston again, at least in my presence.

On another note: In HEB one day, I observed, placed on a small table, next to the deli counter, a tray of tooth pick spiked cheese samples for the shoppers to try.

A woman (a stranger) observed me helping myself to one of these delightful tidbits. In an imperious tone, she loudly announced she was from California and such samples were against the law there.

I politely suggested she head back to California while I ate her sample.

If you move here from another state, fine, but refrain from telling us who love Texas, how much better it is back in your old home state.

We really don't care...

My point exactly, love it or leave it; IOW, go back where you came from.