United States. While the petition was unsuccessful, it does bring up the question: could Texas

make it on it’s own? How Powerful is Texas?

Well, Texas is the largest state in the contiguous US, with nearly 27 million residents. That

means that about 1 in 12 Americans live in the Lone Star State. Texas also generates

about 1.5 trillion dollars a year. Which would put the hypothetical nation of Texas right

between Spain and Australia as the world’s 13th largest economy. This is largely because

of their abundant resources. Texas has more farms and ranches than any other US state,

and massive oil reserves. Alone, they produce 35% of the US’s crude oil.

So on paper Texas has enough people, land, money, and oil to survive. But what about

an army? Well, Texas is home to more than 25 military bases, including the only nuclear

weapons assembly plant in the United States. They also have a bevy of lucrative aerospace

contracts. We’re not saying that Texas would be able to maintain this military prowess

or even marshall up an army, but the culture and infrastructure are already in place.

But despite all of this Texas still has some huge problems. The Bureau of Labor reports

that the average worker's median income is below the national average. They also have

a higher poverty rate and worse income inequality than much of the country AND more minimum

wage workers than any other state, making up nearly a fifth of all minimum wage jobs

in the US. Poverty on this level could lead to economic collapse or social unrest. A possibility

that grows even more real as you look at some of the criticism directed at their social

policies.

The Center for American Progress gave Texas an F on it’s treatment of women, citing

wage inequality, limited access to reproductive services, and poor elderly care. Texas is

also one of the few states which restricts public office to those who believe in a “Supreme

Being”. Texans and their elected officials tend to vote along a strict conservative line,

usually against things like minority rights and gay marriage. There is a chance that an

independent Texas wouldn’t exactly be the land of the free that proponents of secession

would promise.

In the end we can’t know whether or not Texas could make it on their own, but we do

know that their role in the US economy and defense is crucial. And that this alone makes

Texas one of the most powerful regions on earth.

If you enjoyed this video, make sure you check out my channel, The Young Turks, right up

top here. We cover the news, and everything the internet is talking about, every single

day. For some stories about other places in the world working towards independence, check

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