You Have The Ability To Fight Back And To Organize—Texas Progressive Alliance Round-Up

At the end of this post is the most recent weekly Texas Progressive Alliance round-up. The TPA is a confederation of the best political bloggers in Texas.

The do-it-yourself, self-starter ethos of progressive political blogging in Texas, combined with the advocacy of these bloggers for government action to protect our environment, guarantee access to health care, and to strengthen the rights of working people, is a healthy mix to consider for your own political activism.

Just as we are seeing in Egypt, average people themselves must take a lead role in the freedom of average people.

This does not mean there is no role for interest groups and political leaders in expanding the rights, responsibilities, and opportunities available to all. But just as Texas progressive political citizen-bloggers give their time and effort to advocate for what they believe, every person in Texas and in our nation has the same ability.

With brutal cuts coming in our State of Texas budget—cuts due to Republican mismanagement of the state budget and due to the selfishness and short-sightedness of many of our fellow Texans—it is up to each us to demand that our budget reflect the best that Texas can be. We don’t have  to be fighting each other for the scarce resources allocated by anti-tax zealots who think it is good sport to talk about secession from the Union.

We can all fight back on our own and organize as free citizens for a better Texas and for a more hopeful future.

The round-up—

Off the Kuff took an early look at fundraising for 2011 city of Houston elections.

The Big Gas Mafia says it’s impossible but hydraulic fracturing causes gas to migrate, threatening lives… AGAIN. TXsharon puts 2 and 2 together atBluedaze: DRILLING REFORM FOR TEXAS.

Bay Area Houston has a press release from the governor titled Rick Perry Asks Republican Voters to Quit Their State Jobs.

A Texas republican is at the forefront of the movement to kill Medicare. CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme is not surprised.

This week at Left of College Station Teddy calls out Congressman Bill Flores’ health care hypocrisy for voting to repeal health care reform that ensures health care for millions of Americans while voting against repealing his own government health care. Teddy also covers the week in headlines.

The Texas Cloverleaf highlights the Texas House Republican vote against open government.

Ryan at TexasVox asks “Where’s the outrage?” from TCEQ approving another polluting power plant despite local opposition, warnings from the EPA, and rulings from two SOAH hearings. The facility is ironically named Las Brisas plant in Corpus Christi.

During the voter I.D. legislation fight on the floor of the Texas Senate last week, a new problem emerged on the policy. And it’s not what you think this time: potential problems for minorities, or the elderly, or rural Texans, or poor folks. This time, it’s a problem with your right to vote. Yes, you. Letters From Texas explains why.

Eye On Williamson points out that the state GOP’s proposed budget is asking for huge sacrifices from poor and working Texans, but little or nothing from the wealthy and corporations, in the Texas GOP budget proposal is morally bankrupt.

Ever been broken down on the side of the road and everybody in the car is arguing about who’s going to get out in the rain and try to fix what’s wrong? Well, that’s where the state’s highway fund is. And our Austin representatives are “ready to have a discussion” about it. PDiddie at Brains and Eggs double-checked, and no, nobody has a roadside assistance plan, either.

At TexasKaos, Libby Shaw serves up a heaping helpin’ of snark in Rick Perry Urges Republican Voters to Abandon Public Schools. By the reactions she got, she ruffled a few feathers. You go girl!

Neil at Texas Liberal had jury duty the past week. Neil dressed well for the responsibility and feels that you should do the same when you are called. What merits greater respect than our common society?