Still Not At Terms With The Outcome Of The Election

This citizen of Houston was as of a few days ago still somewhat frustrated with the outcome of the recent election.

President Elect Romney—They Never Saw It Coming Because They Did Not View Obama Voters As Equals

Above is a picture from the Romney President Elect website that was up for a brief time.

It seems the Romney campaign never saw the defeat coming.

This is no surprise at all.

Mr. Romney and Paul Ryan were clear that they saw a large portion of the nation as nothing but lazy moochers.

The nearly all-white party they led denied the seriousness of rape in a view shared by Paul Ryan.

How could such righteous men be defeated?

The idea of defeat was apparently so unlikely that it was not even considered.

Yet in the end Romney-Ryan were defeated by a diverse coalition of non-persons, and people so lazy that they got to polls is sufficient numbers to carry the day.

Taking It Easy—I’m Certain The Obama Second Term Will Be Nothing But Blue Skies And A Day At The Beach

I took it easy yesterday on the day after the election.

I spent the day walking along the beach at Galveston, Texas.

Was I able to do this because in a second Obama term many of us will be able to freeload and do nothing while the “wealth creators” and the “job creators” do all the work?

No.

I was able to take the day to drive to Galveston because I had the day off from work.

The conservative idea out there after this election that people voted for Mr. Obama because they wanted free stuff is just about the dumbest thing I have ever heard.

I guess this is what you get from folks who deny global warming, and who thought until the very end that Mr. Romney would win the election.

On Mr. Obama’s Reelection

The outcome of the election yesterday was hopeful enough.

When I reflect on the liberal leanings of many I know, and when I think about how these are hard-working, tax-paying folks who value longterm friendships and the virtues of honesty and inclusion—I’m mystified at the screaming and anger on the other side.

And I’m mystified by the anger at a moderate center-left President.

This is the 5th time in the last six Presidential elections that Republicans have lost the popular vote. I’m heartened that at the highest level of our politics, that anger, fear and exclusion do not carry the day.

Election Day

Today is Election Day.

I worked a poll today for my candidate for State Representative.

Soon we will know the results.

Unless for whatever reasons we don’t know the results due to whatever circumstance.

In any case, the work of freedom will be up to each of us no matter who wins the Presidential election and the very many other elections other across Texas and across the nation.

It is up to everyday citizens to work for the future and the nation that they hope for.

Election Day Is Here—Jill Stein For President—The Work Of Freedom Is Up To Each Of Us

Tomorrow is Election Day in the United States.

(Above–The Bald Eagle is a symbol of our nation.)

I have already voted for Green Party nominee Jill Stein for President of the United States.

I believe that Ms. Stein is the only candidate for President speaking honestly about climate change, our economy that is rigged for the few at the expense of the many, and about the ongoing attacks in our nation against the right to dissent.

Here is the website for Ms. Stein.

If I lived in a contested state I would have voted for President Obama because I believe there are meaningful differences between the two parties.

Here is a list of Green Party candidates in Texas for 2012.

If there is no Democrat on the ballot where there is a Green–or if the Democrat is unlikely to win—please consider the Green and help build a strong voice for the left that will move the Democratic Party just as Libertarians have moved the Republican Party.

It is also possible the day will come that Greens win elections.

An important local election here in Harris County, Texas is for Texas House District 134. I live in this district.

Centrist Ann Johnson offers a hopeful voice against first-term Tea Party extremist Sarah Davis.

Here is the website for Ms. Johnson. 

Texas political blogger Perry Dorrell has compiled two excellent lists on who a liberal or progressive might consider in Harris County and in Texas for 2012.

Here is Perry’s post for federal and statewide offices.  

Here is Perry’s post for Harris County and state legislative races. 

No matter if Mr. Obama or Mr. Romney wins the Presidency tomorrow, big money will still call the shots.

The work of freedom is up to each of us.

Every Texan and every American has the ability to attend a public meeting, attend or organize a protest, write or call an elected official, talk to friends and family, start a blog, donate money, write a letter to the editor, volunteer for candidates and causes, engage in acts of civil disobedience, and to run for public office.

We can also seek to impact society by consistently acting in a way that reflects our best values. Or by working on an artistic or creative effort that expands the range of thought and imagination we have in our society.

It is after the votes are counted that the real work will begin.

Who Can A Liberal Support In Harris County And Texas In 2012?—TPA Round-Up

Here is the weekly posting of the Texas Progressive Alliance round-up. The TPA is a confederation of the best political bloggers in Texas. TPA members are citizen-bloggers working for a better Texas.

(Above–Texas and all the nation will be voting on Tuesday, November 6. Image by TUBS.)

In addition to the fine posts linked to below, I’d like to also please offer the endorsement list for candidates in Houston and Harris County as compiled by my friend and fellow blogger Perry Dorrell at the great Texas political blog Brains & Eggs. 

Here is Perry’s post for federal and statewide offices.  

Here is Perry’s post for Harris County and state legislative races.  

Perry has done a lot of work on these endorsement lists at his blog, and what he has determined merits a look.  They are the best lists I’m aware of who a liberal might consider at the ballot box in Harris County and Texas in 2012.    

As I say every week in this post—Every Texan and every American has the ability to attend a public meeting, attend or organize a protest, write or call an elected official, talk to friends and family, start a blog, donate money, write a letter to the editor, volunteer for candidates and causes, engage in acts of civil disobedience, and to run for public office.

We can also seek to impact society by consistently acting in a way that reflects our best values. Or by working on an artistic or creative effort that expands the range of thought and imagination we have in our society.

I run these words each week in this space because there is nothing more important I can say.

The work of freedom and justice is up to each of us.

Here is the round-up—

Off the Kuff looks at the 30-day finance reports for various legislative races.  

BossKitty at TruthHugger is sick of the prevailing backwards attitude of some GOP candidates. Maybe their flawed understanding demonstrates where America’s education system has failed:Legitimacy Denied for Rape and Climate. And, with permission, is able to share this awesomeRepublican Rape Advisory Chart that speaks for itself. And BossKitty sees significance in the clash between a hurricane and a cold front: God’s Will And The 2012 Election.

The Texas Cloverleaf asks if no paper ballots mean no problem at the polls?

It’s closing in on 10 years since the GOP took full control of Texas. WCNews at Eye on Williamsonhas a rundown of how things have changed.

Not all Republicans favor rapists… but all rapists — just like all racists — vote Republican. PDiddie at Brains and Eggs gets the breaking news straight from a rapist himself.

Rick Perry has his own Solyandra problem Libby Shaw tells us about the governor’s high tech investment bust. Unlike the phony baloney Soladra issue, Rick’s little scheme managed to pick four losers to back. Read all about it at TexasKaos.

At the local level, Neil at Texas Liberal said that Ann Johnson merits your support and your efforts in Texas House District 134. At a global level, Neil said that global warming may well play a part in the big super storm impacting the United States.  

CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme wants to know how shooting a truck full of unarmed Latinos from a helicopter can be good criminal justice procedure for the DPS?

Yard Signs Tell The Story Of Mitt Romney’s Campaign

Above you see a picture I took of some political yard signs that I encountered while out and about in Houston last week.

The signs tell the story of this election.

You vote for Mitt Romney thinking that it will be to your Self-benefit, but the truth is all it will do is help predatory capitalists like Bain Capital.

Sarah Davis Is A Tea Party Extremist And Is Way Out Of Touch With Texas House District 134

Tea Party extremist District 134 Texas State Representative Sarah Davis says she is “The True Voice of Independence.”

Ms. Davis was first elected by a small margin in the Tea Party 2010 election year.

134 is a centrist moderate district and Ms. Davis realizes this fact.

That is why Representative Davis does not discuss the fact she is quite at home with the Tea Party, and quite at home with Tea Party attacks on public education and on health services for women.

Ms. Davis would rather you believe that she is “The True Voice of Independence.”

You see above that Rep. Davis is an enthusiastic backer of the “Tea Party Message.”

Ms. Davis is helping hold up the Tea Party message for all to see—Ms. Davis is the person on the left holding the sign—just as she supports and bolsters Tea Party extremism in the Texas House of Representatives.

A better option for Texas House District 134 is centrist Ann Johnson. 

Ms. Johnson has been endorsed by the Texas Small Business Association. 

For the Texas Small Business Association to endorse a Democratic challenger over a Republican incumbent suggests that not only does Ms. Davis embrace far right views, but that she is also seen by even usually supportive groups as unable to deliver effective leadership.

The Houston Chronicle has endorsed Ms. Johnson.

Here is part of what The Chronicle said about Ms. Johnson—

…..voters deserve a representative who doesn’t just avoid bad votes, but leads on good ones. We believe Democratic challenger Ann Johnson can be that sort of leader. …Johnson began her career as a prosecutor at the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, where she was known for her no-nonsense, hardworking attitude. After leaving the prosecutor’s office, she dedicated herself to the world of juvenile law, where she focused on issues like child exploitation and sex trafficking – two issues that need the attention of the Texas Legislature….Johnson’s focus on juvenile issues doesn’t end at the courtroom. On the campaign trail, she rattles off embarrassing statistics on Texas kids – we’re 43rd in high school graduation rates, 45th in SAT scores, and have the highest percentage of children without health insurance. Texas should not be content with these rankings, and Johnson certainly isn’t, advocating smart educational investments like all-day Pre-K and capping class sizes….In this race, Ann Johnson is the better bet for Texas’ future.”

The race in District 134 offers a clear choice.

One one hand there is a hard-working moderate who has shown herself able to win the support of even Republican-leaning advocacy groups.

On the other hand there is a Tea Party extremist who pretends to be something she is not, and who is unable to earn the backing of the Texas Small Business Association.

As a fellow resident of 134, I ask you to please consider voting for Ann Johnson.

Jim Dougherty Running As Democratic Nominee In The 2nd Congressional District Of Texas—Read Why He Feels He Merits Your Vote

Jim Dougherty is the Democratic nominee for the 2nd Congressional District of Texas.

Above you see a picture of Mr. Dougherty.

The Republican candidate is incumbent Ted Poe.

The Green nominee is Mark Roberts.  

Here is the website for Mr. Dougherty.

Here is a map of the 2nd Congressional district.  This Houston-area district was radically redrawn in the most recent Congressional redistricting.

Here are facts and dates relating to voting in Texas in 2012.

I asked Mr. Dougherty to write a brief essay for the blog about this campaign.

Here is what he said—

Politics is caring about people- family and others, assuring opportunity for all, giving back to the community, and being a force for the betterment of our surroundings.  It is about being principled while finding the common ground for an ordered society, and doing it honestly and with integrity, always thinking forward, and seeking best practices for governing and civic involvement.  I am running for the newly configured Congressional District 2 with the belief that in order to be the best we have to understand the evolving needs of our neighbors and be committed to represent their point of view in Washington.

I entered this race knowing the odds.  But I also know our country needs to be flexible.  Our people and our Congress need to come together to get things done.  We have an incredible opportunity to do just that.  My experience as an attorney, CPA, mediator, small business owner, former prosecutor and Board member of various nonprofit organizations –civic, educational, cultural, business, recreational, legal, and religious—has provided me the ability to collaborate, listen, communicate and build consensus.

I built my business fighting for peace, equality, and justice; nurtured my family and raised my two children in Houston.  I know we have greater potential to make an even bigger impact for our country and our world by working together. Washington policies matter and Texas needs a voice that will represent the 100 percent!

Early Voting Ongoing In Harris County And All Of Texas—Who Can A Liberal Or Progressive Support?

Early voting is ongoing in Texas.

The last day of early voting is Friday, November 2.  General Election Day is Tuesday, Novermber 6.

(Above–A ballot box.)

I’m supporting Green nominee Jill Stein for President.

Ms. Stein is the only honest voice in this campaign regarding our rigged economy that benefits the most wealthy to the detriment of everyday working people, climate change, and police state-like attcks on the right to dissent.

If I lived in a contested state I would vote for President Obama because there are substantial differences between the two major party candidates.

An important local race can be found in Houston State House district 134. Centrist Democrat Ann Johnson is running to unseat extreme Tea Party Republican Sarah Davis.

Representative Davis has time and time again voted to gut public edcation in Texas and has been part of Governor Rick Perry’s attacks on womens health in Texas.

Texas political blogger Perry Dorrell has compiled two excellent lists on who a liberal or progressive might consider in Harris County and in Texas for 2012.

Here is Perry’s post for federal and statewide offices.  

Here is Perry’s post for Harris County and state legislative races. 

Who Can A Liberal Support In Harris County & Texas In 2012?—Texas Progressive Alliance Round-Up

Here is the weekly posting of the Texas Progressive Alliance round-up. The TPA is a confederation of the best political bloggers in Texas. TPA members are citizen-bloggers working for a better Texas.

(Above–Early voting is ongoing in Texas through November 2. General Election Day is November 6.)

In addition to the fine posts linked to below, I’d like to also please offer the endorsement list for candidates in Houston and Harris County as compiled by my friend and fellow blogger Perry Dorrell at the great Texas political blog Brains & Eggs. 

Here is Perry’s post for federal and statewide offices.  

Here is Perry’s post for Harris County and state legislative races.  

Perry has done a lot of work on these endorsement lists at his blog, and what he has determined merits a look.  They are the best lists I’m aware of who a liberal might consider at the ballot box in Harris County and Texas in 2012.    

As I say every week in this post—Every Texan and every American has the ability to attend a public meeting, attend or organize a protest, write or call an elected official, talk to friends and family, start a blog, donate money, write a letter to the editor, volunteer for candidates and causes, engage in acts of civil disobedience, and to run for public office.

We can also seek to impact society by consistently acting in a way that reflects our best values. Or by working on an artistic or creative effort that expands the range of thought and imagination we have in our society.

I run these words each week in this space because there is nothing more important I can say.

The work of freedom and justice is up to each of us.

Here is the round-up—

Off the Kuff has one more poll of Texas to discuss.  

BossKitty at TruthHugger has mixed feelings about the extravaganza of F1 Circuit of the Americas and what it’s doing to the sleepy little community of Elroy and Cedar Creek — which will see little benefit for many years — in The Road to Elroy for F1 Wheeler Dealers. And why do corporations decide what news Americans need to hear and see? Why was such a significant news story first discovered on al-Jazeera: Foreign News and HuffPo Get What American News Media Misses. And after watching the talking heads, gotta share this: Hey ya’ll, we are NOT electing a President.

This week WCNews at Eye on Williamson posted about the “Wal-Mart-ization” of transportation in Texas: Profit, greed and ideology.  

CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme is just disgusted with Greg Abbott and his Republican cronies pandering to the people who want to force their religion on every American.

The passing of Sen. Mario Gallegos will set off a scramble to lay claim as his successor in the Texas Senate, writes PDiddie at Brains and Eggs.

Neil at Texas Liberal offered up a list of Green Party candidates on the ballot in Texas in 2012. Please consider this list as Texas Democrats offer another lackluster effort in 2012, and as our political system increasingly seems unable to deal with the most important questions of long-term job creation and climate change.

Libby Shaw writes about Rick Perry’s latest mission: promoting Romney in Colorado. That should turn out real well for him. Check out Rick Perry To Go to Colorado to Promote Mitt Romney atTexasKaos.

Yes On 2012 City Of Houston Bond Issues And On Houston School Levy

I’m voting yes on all the City of Houston bond issues.

(Above–Our City of Houston.)

There are five bond renewals on the ballot.

These bond issues involve renewals of ongoing bonds and will not cause tax increases.

The money will be used to pay for things such as fire station repairs and library improvements.

A tax increase in Houston for vital city services and for improvements to our municipal infrastructure would be just fine in my view.  But that is not what is being done on the 2012 ballot.

Here is a Houston Chronicle story with more specifics on the bond issues.

I am also supporting the Houston Independent School District bond levy.

It is not asking very much that we make investments in our community so that we can have parks to visit and so that our fire stations are well-maintained.

Richard Mourdock’s View On Rape Is The Same As Paul Ryan’s View On Rape–Romney/Ryan Would Redefine Rape

(Blogger’s Note 10/26/12–This is a post I ran on the blog last month. It seems appropriate  to run this post again given the comments of Republican Indiana U.S. Senate nominee Richard Mourdock. Mr. Mourdock said that pregnancy that results from rape are “something God intended.”  Mr. Mourdock is one of a number of Republican candidates across the nation in 2012 who oppose abortion even in cases of rape. Mr. Romney recently filmed an ad for Mr. Mourdock and still says he supports Mr. Mourdock. These are  positions supported by Republican Vice Presidential nominee Paul Ryan.)  

When I was in Cincinnati recently I saw Mitt Romney’s jet at Lunken Airport in Cincinnati.

Above you see a picture I took of Mr. Romney’s plane. Governor Romney was speaking at Cincinnati’s historic Union Terminal.

The RR on the tail of plane stands for “Redefining Rape.”

Or–if maybe there are 3 R’s on the tail–it could be “Romney Redefines Rape” or “Ryan Redefines Rape.”

Vice Presidential nominee Paul Ryan shares the view of Missouri Congressman Todd Akin that some forms of rape are not “legitimate rape.”

How have we reached the point where we feel that some forms of rape are not rape at all?

Here in Texas, women who seek a constitutionally protected abortion are subject to the state-mandated rape of the forced sonogram law. Rick Perry signed that law.

These folks fly around in big airplanes and hold the highest offices in the nation and run for President and Vice President of the United States–But really they are simply brutal men who would redefine rape and brutalize the poor.

Texas Attorney General Abbott Threatens To Arrest United Nations Election Observers In Texas—I’ll Buy Any U.N. Election Observers In Houston A Glass Of Texas Wine

United Nations observers will be in the United States to monitor our upcoming elections.

( Above–The United Nations General Assembly Hall. After all the ballots are cast in Texas, they will be flown to New York to be counted by the U.N. The election will be official when U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon declares the winners. Photo by Patrick Gruban.)

Republican Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott says that any such observers in Texas may face arrest.

From The Huffington Post—

“Greg Abbott, the Republican Attorney General of Texas, issued a stern warning this week to members of a United Nations-affiliated delegation expected to be on hand to monitor voting at polling places around the country on Election Day…In a letter to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, a body created by U.N. charter and responsible for helping to ensure the integrity of elections, among other tasks, Abbott warned the diplomatic poll-watchers that their involvement in U.S. elections could have strong legal repercussions…”It may be a criminal offense for OSCE’s representatives to maintain a presence within 100 feet of a polling place’s entrance,” he writes. “Failure to comply with these requirements could subject the OSCE’s representatives to criminal prosecution for violating state law.” Such a restriction makes election monitoring highly difficult. The OSCE announced earlier this month that it would send 44 observers to polling places around the country on Election Day in order to monitor possible disputes that could arise in the voting process. The move came in response to a petition from liberal-leaning voting rights groups, including the NAACP and ACLU, that suggested the OSCE’s presence could help combat what they fear will be a concerted effort to suppress votes from supporters of President Barack Obama.”

Houston hate-speech Clear Channel radio station KTRH mentioned this topic recently on Facebook.

Here is how some KTRH Facebook followers responded—

“i say shoot anyone seeking to come into this country to try and oversee our elections. And shoot anyone who does not have a state or federal picture ID when they show up to vote”

“What next, they’ll be observing in our bedrooms.”

“We do not need the UN interfereing with Texas.Maybe it is time to succeed.”

“Observing from a far? I could care less! Up in our business? I say welcome to Texas and GET A ROPE…..”

“I run the election process in Galveston County. If one of the UN observers shows up at one of our polling locations they will be asked to leave. If they do not, law enforcement will be called to forcibly remove them. Only election workers, bona fide poll watchers and voters are allowed in at the polling sites!”

Absolutely. Our big state of Texas could at any time be put under United Nations control. I am very glad that Attorney General Abbott will protect us from whatever number of the 44 poll observers who may be sent to Texas.

There have been real efforts at voter suppression in Texas. The so-called Texas Voter ID law was struck down by the courts because it targeted minority voters.

Attorney General Abbott backed the ID law even though it sought to make it more difficult for Texans to vote.

Here is information about helping fight voter intimidation in Houston and Harris County.

Here is a report by Common Cause about efforts to suppress the vote in Texas and in others parts of the nation.

I will take any United Nations elections observers in Houston out for a glass of Texas wine should I encounter them at the polls. I’m certain I will be able to identify them by their blue U.N. helmets, and by the black helicopters they will have parked near the voting locations.

Here is the link to the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association.

Here is the link for the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. These are the folks who will be sending the observers.

The OSCE has issued a statement saying Attorney General Abbott’s threats violate international agreements.

From that statement—

“Ambassador Janez Lenarčič, the Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), expressed his grave concern today over the threat of criminal prosecution of OSCE/ODIHR election observers. This threat, contained in an open letter from the Attorney General of Texas, is at odds with the established good co-operation between OSCE/ODIHR observers and state authorities across the United States, including in Texas, Lenarčič said, adding that it is also contrary to the country’s obligations as an OSCE participating State. The ODIHR Director shared his concerns in a letter to United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.“The threat of criminal sanctions against OSCE/ODIHR observers is unacceptable,” Lenarčič said. “The United States, like all countries in the OSCE, has an obligation to invite ODIHR observers to observe its elections.”

Damned right. I welcome these observers with open arms. The one-word state motto of Texas is “Friendship.” A threat to arrest people who have every right to be here is not very friendly.

Welcome U.N. Observers! And good luck with your mission of improving the quality of our democracy in Texas. We can use all the help we can get.