It’s a real part of Texas history that politics is a blood sport. But there was something that set us apart from most states, because once the dust and blood pressure had settled, those elected always banded together in the better interest of Texas. Sometimes it was a difficult bridge, but it was hammered out, as I learned talking to Texas elected officials and historians over several decades.
What it meant:we carried greater clout in Congress and public affairs, despite our relative smaller population, because Texans, D's and R’s, conservatives or liberals or moderates, always put Texas first. Our home grown political fights stayed at home. In Washington, they translated to bi-partisan votes, and with the state’s ever-growing economic clout made us a force.
I still hear independent Texans speak of voting their conscience, voting for the best person, voting for the most “qualified”. That’s just a wasted vote today. Candidates are either a D or an R. Just check the voting records; impeachment, border wall, Obamacare. How many bothered to consider all the voters in their districts, when voting the party line instead. You may count yourself as an independent, but very few office holders do.