Yeah, I think the latter component is what makes this request ludicrous. Everything in Texas is so spread out. It is not a place you can reasonably get around without a car. Mass transit exists, but it's pretty inefficient in most the cities.
I wouldn't feel bad using a pejorative for fascists. Neither do I feel bad using a pejorative for other authoritarians. Their disrespect for human dignity, liberty, and worth disqualifies them for protection against such a minor indignity.
Tankies is fine for anyone on the side of the tanks at Tiananmen Square.
I think that's fair. For what it's worth, I'm not willing to assume it's political theater anymore. Eventually theater drags the Overton window to the right and becomes a demand of the base and becomes policy.