Lessons from RedMcCombs’ legacy, plus unfair taxes for women

A weekly newsletter on money, politics and life in Texas. [San Antonio Express-News - Header Logo]( [View in browser]( PRESIDENTS DAY SALE - EXTENDED: ONLY 99¢! Save on unlimited digital access. [Subscribe Today.]( [A little humility goes a long way]( Some entrepreneurs work quietly, and diligently, to build a business that serves the community’s needs and generates profits. Others live loud and proud, seeking celebrity. Almost every San Antonian knows the name Red McCombs. From his car dealerships and sports teams to philanthropy, the McCombs name is painted on buildings across Central Texas. A self-made billionaire, he never hesitated to leverage his fame and fortune to advance his agenda. Billy Joe “Red” [McCombs died this week at 95](. A self-described car peddler, he fulfilled the larger-than-life stereotype of a Texas salesman: friendly, blustery, optimistic, and intense. McCombs carefully preserved his personal and professional brand. He was involved in politics, giving to Republican candidates and lobbying for his businesses. He even [chaired the private military company formerly known as Blackwater](. In Austin, folks say [he’s the reason you cannot buy a new Tesla in Texas](. But you never saw McCombs leading a political press conference or throwing a fit in public. Perhaps as a result, McCombs was lionized as a force for good. Houston’s version of McCombs is diving head first into a political fray and risks breaking his brand. [Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale]( came to fame with his over-the-top late-night television commercials selling mattresses. He parlayed a modest start-up into the Gallery Furniture empire. To promote his business, he’s repeatedly placed bets with customers on the Houston Astros' success. If the team does well, he gives customers their money back. [Mack hedges his bets in Las Vegas](, of course. He’s no fool. But there is no way to hedge a political bet, as he found out when his candidate for Harris County judge, Alexandra del Moral Mealer, lost to incumbent Democrat Lina Hidalgo. Folks who admired Mack for allowing people to shelter in his stores during hurricanes are now taken aback by his claims the election was rigged. He won’t believe statisticians who explain his disenfranchisement claims are absurd. Rather than accept defeat, he’s not only [wasting his fortune and taxpayer money](, but he’s risking his standing as a pillar of the community. [The more he writes]( and speaks, the more he seems like a spoiled rich dude than a good neighbor. Elon Musk serves as an object lesson. When he was building electric cars and spaceships, Americans admired him. As soon as [he started commenting on politics and bought Twitter, his popularity plummeted](. We should all remember that success in one realm does not mean you’re brilliant at everything. A little humility, and a dose of discretion, can go a long way. After all, every business person knows reputation is everything. [Chris Tomlinson Headshot] Chris Tomlinson Business Columnist chris.tomlinson@express-news.net What Else I'm Writing [Story photo for Patterns are often misleading, question them]( Photo: Sam Owens, Staff Photographer [Patterns are often misleading, question them]( Our brains are pattern recognition machines, but too often, historical injustices lead us to the wrong conclusions. What I'm Reading Must Read: A new state psychiatric unit stays empty while waitlists swell. If you don’t pay people properly to do a tough job, they won’t do it. ([Houston Chronicle]( and [San Antonio Express-News]() Should Read: Texas Republicans take their epic battle against blue cities to a new level. The GOP only supports local control for GOP voters. ([Houston Chronicle]( and [San Antonio Express-News]() Interesting Read: [How Monopoly Became America’s Cruellest Board Game.]( How a game designed to critique capitalism became a way to indoctrinate American children. (The New Yorker) Technical Read: [Urban economic development in Africa: A case study of Nairobi city]( Can the Kenyan capital provide a successful roadmap? (Brookings Institute) Fun Read: [Get ready for Fiesta San Antonio 2023 must-see events.]( Mardi Gras is over, but it’s not too early to plan for San Antonio's equivalent after Lent is over. (San Antonio Express-News) Question of the Week What role should business leaders play in politics? Reply directly to this email and tell me your thoughts. Mailbag Last Week’s Question: Do you have a favorite “Simpsons” episode or quote? No one answered last week’s question, but the newsletter generated some hate mail! “You should really take some vacation time or maybe even a leave of absence to attend a class of two at a non-woke university. Perhaps your natural inclination to be a propagandist would be truncated, enabling you to endure as a more credible journalist. On a positive note, at least you are transparent about your inclination to be offended by the history and culture of this country. It’s just unfortunate that you can’t appreciate the USA as much as the majority of us do. No, I’m not a Trumpster.” –Steve Wischoff, Cinco Ranch “Here’s an idea: Why don’t you move to China. You’ll be happier and so will we.” –Mark Taylor, Houston “Glad you’re out of the office next week. Can your substitute provide a more balanced viewpoint? You have driven me to the edge of canceling my subscription. Currently sticking around for the crossword, Jumble, Sudoko and Cryptogram!! (Long-time subscriber!)” –John Kiappes, Houston Thank you to all the new San Antonio Express-News subscribers who provided delightful feedback while I was in Mexico City. I would publish your kind words, but that would be immodest. The Takeaway Texas politicians have [expressed unusual bipartisanship on a critical issue for half of Texans: the tampon tax](. Why the Legislature did not always exempt tampons, sanitary pads, pantyliners and other menstrual products from sales taxes has a long history, but hopefully this year the men meeting in Austin will do the right thing. Now, if only the men in Washington would do something about the so-called panty tax. Almost all underwear sold in the United States is imported, and the federal government levies tariffs on all of it. But for some reason, [the average tax on women's underwear is 15 percent, compared to 11.5 percent for men's underwear](, a report from the Progressive Policy Institute reveals. Purchasers of women’s underwear pay three-quarters of the tariffs collected because women spend more on underwear than men. Adding insult to injury, the more expensive items classified as “aristocratic silks” only incur a 2.1 percent tariff. Working-class polyesters are the most heavily taxed, at 16 percent. Yet another example of how [life is more expensive for women.]( Share With Your Friends Do you know someone who would like Tomlinson's Take? For the Houston edition, [send them here to sign up](; for the San Antonio edition, [send them here](. Express Briefing All the news you need to start your day in San Antonio [SIGN UP](             [San Antonio Express-News]   ONLY 99¢ FOR UNLIMITED DIGITAL ACCESS! Extended: Save with our Presidents Day Sale. 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