This town in which I reside straddles the state line between Texas and New Mexico. So, it is "officially" considered two towns. But why?
One town, artificially divided by arbitrary government lines, with different rules... and so the residents can be robbed for the benefit of different gangs of archators. And with different government handouts (of stolen money).
Business-wise, it is one town. The businesses here compete with each other regardless which state they might be in. The differing "tax" rates probably artificially manipulate the market somewhat, but it's not noticeable to me when I'm shopping.
Socially, it is one town. People go to church across the line. They have friends across the line. There's one newspaper. It has one yearly parade and government worship festival.
It is only two towns when you have to take government into account. And then it is also two counties and two states. And two time zones, on top of that.
Government lines are silly.
And this particular line isn't even very consistent. It's supposed to be a straight north-south "border", but depending on where along the hundreds of miles of it you happen to be, the "official" state line is randomly east or west of other parts, based (I suppose) on historical assumptions or something.
Maybe there should be a wall!
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| This is the border marker. Can you see the state line? |
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Reminder: I could really use some help.
More evidence that government is a faith based religion.
ReplyDeleteDrop a nuclear weapon on the town. Then it won't matter.
ReplyDeleteBristol VA/TN is the same way. The line runs right down the middle of the main drag. Different alcohol and bar rules on each side.
ReplyDeleteOur town halves have different names, but the Texas half is in a dry county.
DeleteNew Mexico has a state income tax and Texas doesn't, so I'd figure that into any calculations of sales tax comparability.
ReplyDeleteYeah. And that income "tax" factor artificially skews the job market, too. Except that the majority of the jobs are 10 or so miles west in New Mexico.
DeleteBurn the whole place, what happens? Nothing exists there, including archators. You end up with lots of building room for Libertopia and no one in your way. Problem solved.
DeleteThink of it like clearing land to farm. The trees are the problem, so chop them down, burn the roots, use the wood and till up the land. Plant in the spring, harvest in the fall.