For years, Californians have been fleeing the high taxes, outrageous housing costs, stifling business regulations, and general political climate of the state. And Texas has been one of the most popular destinations.
While Texans are generally a pretty friendly bunch, many aren’t eager to welcome those fleeing California. Such Texans fear that these immigrants will bring California’s “Progressive” political ideas to the Lone State State. They don’t want Texas to be Californized. They don’t want the ideas that are wrecking California to be implemented in Texas.
This is a legitimate concern. Unfortunately, many of those leaving California don’t see a connection between their political ideas and the policies that are ruining the state. They support land-use regulations, rent control, restrictions on development, and other policies that drive up the cost of housing, but they are oblivious to the connection. Many fear that the ex-Californians will support Texas politicians who advocate those same policies.
The ideas that are destroying California will be just as devastating in Texas. But the solution isn’t to pull up the welcome mat and discourage migration. The solution is to combat bad ideas with rational ideas.
First, that means rejecting the idea of democracy. Democracy means unlimited majority rule, that the majority may do what it pleases because it is the majority. Democracy means that the majority may impose whatever land-use regulations, restrictions on development, taxes, and controls on business that it wants. And that has been what has occurred in California.
Second, it means defending individual rights–the freedom of each individual to live his live as he deems best, so long as he respects the freedom of others to do the same. Fundamentally, democracy is a rejection of individual rights; democracy forces individuals to live as the majority decrees.
We should welcome those who come to Texas to make a better life for themselves and their family. That motivation has brought tens of millions to this great state, including Stephen Austin and the pioneers he led. But we should not fear that the immigrants will change Texas. Instead, we should educate them on what it means to be free. Sadly, that is a lesson that many Texans also need to learn.