[kodablah]

I too grew up [and reside in] Texas. I grew up in rural Texas and live in a large city now. I don't believe the religious zealotry is near as prevalent in the public (even the voting public) as it is in the representatives. I know stories like this don't make it seem so, but I find that many Texans vote based on fiscal policy instead of social policy. The unfortunate consequence is the politicians tend to be both fiscally and socially conservative putting voters in a quandary to prioritize if they don't side with all values.

Couple that with post-election apathy towards what's going on in Austin, and you get crackpots. Not saying that some people don't specifically vote for creationists, but my limited experience tells me most do not.

[MrRage]

I certainly agree with what you're saying. There is a difference between fiscal and social conservatives, and the fiscal camp is larger. The religious right by themselves are not as powerful as some on the left make them out to be. But I still think the evangelicals have a certain power, because the fiscal camp needs them to vote. So the fiscal camp whips up concerns about the social issue du jour to get them to the polls.