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.

It Is Up To Us To Act—The Extreme Right Will Always Be With Us

Here is a Rick Santorum sign and a Tea Party sign that I saw in Cincinnati today.

No matter if it is the 40% that voted for Barry Goldwater in 1964, or right-wing extremists today, these folks are always with us. They steal our time and resources with ceaseless efforts to move the nation backwards.

We can’t deny that these folks are here, and that they have the right to proceed as they will. Yet the bottom line is our own actions as liberals and progressives.

The evidence is all around us as to the presence and actions of the crazed right. It is incumbent upon us to equal and to exceed the efforts of these dangerous zealots.

You Have To Stay Your Own Course

When the police state raids Occupy camps, the Tea Party and libertarians are nowhere to be found protesting an aggressive and violent government.

When finally a movement starts that opposes economic injustice, many progressives calculate if and when it will be safe to support it.

When a new Hispanic opportunity Council district is created in Houston after much fuss, hardly anybody votes.

When the GLBT Political Caucus in Houston gains influence on behalf of a just civil rights cause, the influence is used to back candidates who support right-wing economics.

The lessons are clear–Just like the ships in the Houston Ship Channel, you have to stay your own course even in polluted waters.

(Above–A ship in the Houston Ship Channel.)

Stay The Course—Concern Yourself With The Substance Of The Message And With Your Own Hard Work

Above is a picture of myself from Occupy Houston on October 29.

I found the sign I am holding at the Occupy site.

I often use the phrase “Stay the Course” in my personal conversations.

I use the phrase because I recall that Ronald Reagan used it to his benefit.

We should set a goal and then we should stay the course to reach that objective.

I like everything written on that sign.

You’ll notice the misspelled word on the sign.

I don’t care.

I know that spotting misspelled words on signs made by Tea Party backers is something of a sport for some folks on my side of the aisle.

I think this is often done to make fun of the person holding the sign instead of critiquing the view that person is espousing.

If those folks holding up the misspelled Tea Party signs were so dumb, how come they outworked us and beat us so badly in the 2010 elections?

Calling other people dumb does not make it better when you have been whomped at the voting booth.

People may be a lot of bad things. They may be ill-informed about the issues of the day. Or they not be very nice at times.

But people are not stupid.

If you say somebody is stupid, you’re saying you are better than them in some basic organic biological way.

I’m not for that kind of talk.

That sign I’m holding is a great sign.

Let’s worry about the roots more so than the branches.

Here is the Occupy Houston website.

Here is the Occupy Galveston website.

Here is the Occupy Wall Street website. 

Poke around the web and Facebook and find an Occupy effort near you.

Or start one yourself.

No Tea Party Highway Rest Stops Between Cincinnati And Columbus

Here is a photo I took two days ago of a State of Ohio highway rest stop on I-71 between Cincinnati and Columbus.

Many people were using this government provided rest stop.

I did not see any Tea Party rest stops on the highway. I’d not be surprised if some Tea Party supporters use this rest stop while traveling in Ohio.

Government provides many helpful things that people use each day. The reflexive critics of government have no real idea how they would replace these services.

If Your Opposition Sees You As Illegitimate By Definition, Then All You Can Do Is Work Hard And Win

Republicans impeached Clinton, stole the 2000 election, question Obama’s citizenship, wreck the economy for political gain, use legislation to keep the poor and people of color from voting, and talk about states rights and seccession.

(Above–Clinton impeachment trial in the U.S. Senate.) 

Our political disputes today are not about just policy differences that are open to compromise in the long-term.

There is no middle ground when the other side sees you as illegitimate by definition.

It is just about conflict and the need to win at this point.

(Below–Our fellow Americans. Photo by dbking)

Details Of King Street Patriots Tea Party HQ Opening—The Tea Party Sure Does Like To Hang Out With Political Insiders

This past Monday, a local Tea Party cell known as the King Street Patriots opened a new headquarters in Houston. Governor Rick Perry and many other Republican elected officials attended this event.

Top Texas political blogger Stace Medellin attended a protest outside this opening ceremony. Below is a picture that Stace took of freedom-loving Americans participating in the protest—

Thanks to Stace for allowing me to use the picture.

Looks like the insiders and the powerbrokers were all inside with the Tea Party, while the patriots were outside doing the work of holding the powerful to account.

Local Democratic activist Lissa Squires attended the event inside the new Tea Party HQ.

At the end of this post are the notes Ms. Squires took and has been kind enough to allow me post.

Once people see what the Tea Party stands for, they will reject the Tea Party.

I’d just like to note a few things based on my thoughts and on what Ms. Squires observed—

* Look how comfortable the Tea Party already is with power. I thought they were supposed to be everyday citizens holding government accountable. Yet here is the Governor of Texas and many other elected officials in attendance at the big Tea Party event.  

* According to the notes taken by Ms. Squiers, Governor Perry said that there will be enough funding in the Texas budget for schools and nursing homes. Beyond the fact he’s not telling the truth, this is an admission that government has a major role to play in our lives. If Governor Perry must assure even a Tea Party meeting that schools and nursing homes will have adequate public support, what is the objection to any other possible functions of government?   

* One of the elected officials at the Tea Party event was Texas District 134 State Rep. Sarah Davis. In 2008, Ms. Davis supported Hillary Clinton for President. How could Ms. Davis have switched ideologies to such an extent in such a short amount of time? Why would anybody on any side of the ideological divide trust Rep. Davis as a true friend?

* The sonogram bill the Governor mentions, forces women considering an abortion to get an unwanted sonogram and forces doctors to discuss details of the sonogram with the women. No matter what you think about abortion, if the State of Texas can force one type of unwanted medical procedure on free citizens, why can’t it force any other type of medical procedure on Texans?    

* The head of the local Tea Party cell, Catherine Engelbrecht, seems to think that the Tea Party agenda is what God wants for Texans and for our nation.   

* While Republican officeholders backed up the Tea Party, it would have helpful if more elected Democrats had been at the protest.    

* The King Street Patriots assert that they are funded by local donors and not outside wealthy interests.  While–Of course–I’m certain they are telling the truth, it still would be good to see this claim thoroughly investigated.    

Here are Ms. Squires’ notes—-

Main Coordinator/Speaker:   Catherine Engelbrecht, founder of King Street Patriots

Attendees:  Sam Malone, Ted Poe, Rick Perry, Dan Patrick, Kevin Brady, John Culberson, Sarah Davis, approx 200 people

Prayer:  Luis Lopez – Lakewood Church.  From Proverbs: “upright people” quote (main point of prayer)

Opening Comments:  Dr. Steve Steinlight, “Center for Immigration Studies” –  sanctuary cities are countenanced and are dangerous; E-Verify should be mandatory; main way Nazis got power was not enforcing local laws.

Presentation of “Resolution”:  Dan Patrick and Sarah Davis signed a resolution in Austin today and brought it to Kathy Engelbrite for founding the King Street Patriots.  She was also given an American flag. 

Comments by Dan Patrick:  we have balanced the budget with no Rainy Day funds (standing ovation and Perry waving arms over head around and around); schools and nursing homes are funded.

Speech by Governor Perry (began by swinging his suit jacket over his head in a circle):

• Love of liberty is worth dying for and King Street Patriots understand.  This base of operations will perpetuate the values that make this country great.
• “New interests” since 2008, (laughs from audience), but we made progress in 2010 and are sending message to so-called progressives that their agenda is not the American agenda
• I carry a copy of the Constitution in my pocket, thanks to the KSP and Tea Party
• Carter deflated this country.  Reagan came back with pro-growth and love of country and faith in individuals
• The liberal mindset of “you need to get by with less, because we are going to take more from you” was partially stopped by Reagan but it is still going on
• Liberal Utopian Fantasies will kill jobs.  Obama’s bold and liberal efforts are not right and must be stopped
• D.C. is overstepping its boundaries daily.  It has co-opted the job creation language.
• Texas is #1!  CEO’s love us because we respect and uphold the 10th Amendment
• D.C. is Oz.  Its not what the Founding Fathers intended.  Pull back the curtain!  Its time!
• Its nonsense that we should all look alike and be alike.  We have to compete with each other.  Competition is American.  There’s only been one time that our leader didn’t want us to compete in the Olympics.  (hint, hint)
• GOP Governors are the answer!  Look at Scott Walker!  People like him and Bobby Jindal can push us to do more.  Private sector will be stronger and wealth will be created.
• Can’t have money for teachers and cops if there are no entrepreneurs to create the jobs.  We will look like California.
• Its a pivotal time now.  Only 2 weeks left in Austin and much pressure to spend money.  But we weren’t kidding in 2010!  NO SPENDING!!  Call everyday.  We need to hear from you. 
• Still doing Voter ID and Sonogram Bill – We are sending a message to the country:  Watch us!  Be impressed!
• The Loser Pays bill puts us over the top, better than we already are, into the stratosphere.  I told Haley Barbour I was going to do this and he said, Rick, if you do this you can put a toll road on every highway that goes into Texas!  (much laughter and applause)  We are setting standards!  We say NO to special interests.
• The main point, the main thing we have to do, the purpose of the KSP, is to rally Americans to defend their freedom like Paul Revere did.

Closing comments by Ted Poe:  No one goes to war for bigger government and more government programs.  We have to stand up for our rights.  Obama doesn’t own our oil and natural resources.

Closing comments by Kathy Engelbrite:  We need a True America with true elections.  Thats what True the Vote is for.  We have to focus on moving Forward, and that’s why Forward is our logo.  We do this for our children.  Its on us!  We are called to believe!  We can change our country back to the founding principles that we want, that we need, and that God intended for us to have.

Announcement that IPad electronic donation takers were in each corner – had large signs indicating where they were stationed.  Envelopes were passed around to also put donations in.  Large scoll-type banners with quotes and sayings hung on every wall.  Thanks given to all who built the stage, arranged for building to be turned into new office, made donations to get new furniture and decorations.

Protest At King Street Patriots Tea Party HQ Opening—Texas Progressive Alliance Round-Up

https://texasliberal.wordpress.com/2011/05/19/details-of-king-street-patriots-tea-party-hq-opening-the-tea-party-sure-does-like-to-hang-out-with-political-insiders/ the end of this post is the Texas Progressive Alliance round-up. The TPA is a confederation of the best politcal bloggers in Texas.

(Update 5/18/11–Stace Medellin at Dos Centavos has written about the protest that took place. I’ll be making a post on the subject in the next few days.  5/19/11–Here is my post.)   

With the round-up this week is information about the protest to be held this Monday, May 16 at the opening of the new Tea Party headquarters in Houston.

From local politcal blogger Egberto Willies—

Are we ready to make a difference? Are we going to stop talking and begin putting our actions where our mouth is? The process of really taking back our country for the middle class from those who are attempting to move it closer to an absolute plutocracy begins now.  I received the following email from a democratic organizer requesting that all Democratic and Progressive groups show up to welcome Governor Rick Perry & GOP Rep Ted Poe at the opening of the King Street Patriots new Headquarters on Monday May 16th. Many Democratic and Progressive groups in the surrounding area will be attending. Let us do our part and go out there with signs and numbers. We must be more effective than the Tea Party.

FROM THE ORGANIZER:
The odious King Street Patriots are having the grand opening of their brand new headquarters up on 290 just south of I-610 on Monday, May 16, 2011. It’s from 7-9 p.m. RICK PERRY is coming to the event. We should welcome them and Gov. Goodhair.

The new headquarters will be located at 7232 Wynnwood Lane in Houston. You can type in “Rally at King Street Patriots” on Facebook and find more details. Or you can just show up at 7 PM at 7232 Wynnwood Lane.

While  my own schedule will not permit me to attend, My hope is that this event is just the first of many such demonstrations in the Houston-area in support of a better future for our city, state, and nation.

The work of freedom is up to each of us.  Every individual 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 you value, and even run for public office.

Also, our local Tea Party says they operate solely off of donations from average citizens. While–of course–I take everything these folks say at face value, it would be interesting to see this claim throughly examined.

The round-up—

Off the Kuff takes a look at the new House districts to see what opportunities exist for Democrats.

Nat-Wu of Three Wise Men has a post about local elections in Irving.

BossKitty at TruthHugger sees a divided America as easy pickings for anyone who is really organized. If the Tea Party succeeds, America becomes a loose federation of independent states, with all social programs and responsibility for regulation falling into individual state hands. Everyone in each state will foot the bill for services previously funded by the federal government. The Tea Party would replace big government with corporate governance … they don’t want funding for anything because their corporate buddies will be in charge. Federal Government in the crosshairs REDUX — OpEd.

Governor Perry To Attend Opening Of New King Street Patriots Tea Party Office In Houston—TPA Round-Up

At the bottom of this post is the weekly Texas Progressive Alliance Round-up. The TPA is a confederation of the best political bloggers in Texas.

With the round-up, I’d like to give some equal time to the King Street Patriots Tea Party group.

The King Street Patriots Tea Party will be opening a new headquarters on Monday, May 16 at 7:00 PM. This new headquarters will be located at 7232 Wynnwood Lane in Houston.

(Update 5/15/11 —There will be a protest.) 

According to the notice of the event, Governor Rick Perry will be attending.

The notice also says you must RSVP to attend. It does not restrict attendance in any way. All you have to do is RSVP.

Given that the Tea Party talks about holding our politcal leaders accountable, I think that it would be consistent with the purpose of this gathering for citizens to attend and ask the Governor respectful questions about public affairs in Texas.

I’m certain that such questions would be seen by Tea Party supporters as true to the Tea Party mission of public participation in civic affairs.

The King Street Patriots also say in the announcment—“King Street has NO major underwriters/silent partners/conservative Santa Claus. We exist SOLELY through the generosity of patriots like you.”

It is wonderful that so many freedom loving citizens are paying the expenses for this new headquarters. I congratulate the King Street Patriots Tea Party. I’m certain that claim of self-funding would stand up to any scrutiny.

How heartening it is that the Governor of a big state like Texas would just drop on by a humble little event sponsored by citizen-patriots who give of themselves for the good of our nation.

The round-up—

Marxists, CFL light bulbs, and Paul Tsongas? These topics and more were discussed during Congressman Michael Burgess’ recent town hall meeting in Frisco, covered by the Texas Cloverleaf.

We have a new map for the State House. Off the Kuff has a first look at it.

At TexasKaos, liberaltexan explains the Republican Path to Plutocracy. Are you listening, Paul Ryan?

Former Texas Lt. Governor Bill Hobby served in the office longer than anybody else. So when he sounded the alarm on the Great State’s lack of leadership, in a poem he wrote entitled “The Perverted Village,” Letters From Texas figured people better listen up.

Texas state comptroller Susan Combs is under intense fire for allowing the personal data of 3.5 million Texans to be left unsecured online for more than a year. Calls for her resignation and various lawsuits aren’t being quelled by her belated apologies and offers to pay for credit monitoring services for those affected. PDiddie at Brains and Eggs sees a political career crashing in flames, and a scrum among the GOP sharks in the tank to eventually replace her.

Rick Perry Asks For Help From Washington For Texas Wildfires—Where Are The Tea Party Volunteer Disaster Relief Teams?

Texas Governor Rick Perry wants President Barack Obama to declare parts of Texas as disaster areas because of ongoing wildfires.

( Above—2011 Texas wildfires.)

From CNN—

‘Texas Gov. Rick Perry is asking the federal government to declare the state a disaster area, a bid to spur assistance during a particularly potent wildfire season that has imperiled lives, structures and livelihoods in 252 counties, his office said in a statement Sunday. In his letter written late Saturday to President Barack Obama, sent through a Texas-based Federal Emergency Management Agency official, Perry said that above-average temperatures, lack of rain and low humidity have “caused extreme fire danger over most of the state.” “The wildland fire risk potential has reached a critically high level,” the governor wrote. These conditions “present a serious hazard to the lives and property of the citizens of the state.”

I see.

Texans need help from the federal government because of things beyond their control.

I thought the conservative Texas ethos was that a man or woman controls his or her own fate.

This call for help from Washington is being made by a Governor who has engaged in treasonous speculation about secession, and who is pushing savage budget cuts on the most vulnerable Texans.

We should recall that while those suffering from the impact of wildfires merit quick help, many in Texas nursing homes or many Texans who are sick due to no fault of their own also need help.

Of course, it is no surprise that Rick Perry wants help from Washington. According to a map prepared by Texas State Comptroller of Public Accounts Susan Combs, Texas took almost $28 billion dollars in federal stimulus money.

I’d also like to know when the Tea Party volunteer fire companies and the Tea Party disaster relief teams will be rushing to assist people impacted by the fire? Where are county Republican parties in Texas organizing teams of citizen-volunteers to help out our fellow Texans so that they will not have to turn to government?

Are we going to allow socialized fire companies of public employees team up with Washington to do the job that everyday Texas citizens should be doing?

People who have been harmed by the fires should be helped. However, since many of our political leaders in Texas would rather people die than use the Rainy Day fund or raise the taxes needed to meet the legitimate needs of Texans, it is fair to comment when these same officials declare that some Texans are indeed worthy of help from government.

Let’s be clear about the facts—

1. Despite all the tough talk, Rick Perry calls on Washington and Barack Obama for help to solve problems facing Texas.

2. Despite all the criticisms of the federal government from Republican political leaders, Texas received many billions of dollars of Barack Obama approved stimulus funds.

3. While I’m certain many very good citizen volunteers are helping out with the wildfires, the Tea Party movement and other Texas conservatives who sing the praises of citizen action are no place to be found in any organized fashion when help is needed most.

When Will Harris County Judge Ed Emmett Show The Leadership He Is Asking Of Others?

Republican Harris County Judge Ed Emmett hopes Republican legislators in Austin will do they right thing in the face of drastic cuts to vital services that are on the way in Texas.

Here is what Judge Emmett has said as reported in the Houston Chronicle—

” In his State of the County address March 4, County Judge Ed Emmett said the county would only see positive changes in the coming years if lawmakers at all levels showed “vision and courage,” such as by raising fees or taxes to pay for mental health care if necessary to secure funding. Emmett, a Republican former state representative, said he expects such actions from the GOP-dominated Legislature at some point. “They’ll get there,” Emmett said. “And if they don’t, then I hope some of them get beat. It’s just that simple. We all have to govern. It’s fine to campaign on what you’re against, but sooner or later you have to govern.”

We can all hope for the things, no matter how unlikely, that we wish to see in life.

Judge Emmett was speaking about funding cuts the legislature is cooking up for Texas counties.

It is unclear what Judge Emmett is really asking of others.

Faced with large cuts for the most vulnerable, and for many other essential services in the Harris County budget just recently approved, where has been Mr. Emmett’s own call for increased revenues to meet the legitimate needs of our county? Where is his leadership? If the money is not going to come from Austin, maybe we need higher taxes in Harris County.

Here is what the Chronicle reports the most recent budget holds for the people of Harris County—

“Facing an 11.3 percent drop in revenue, Harris County Commissioners Court passed a budget today that could mean dozens of law enforcement jobs cut or left vacant, hundreds fewer patients receiving mental health counseling and fewer books in county libraries.”

Does anybody seriously think Harris County is currently over-served by government?

Judge Emmett did send one of his top campaign officials to a meeting of a local Tea Party cell last year to reassure them he was on-board with the Tea Party agenda.

Mr. Emmett himself did not show up at the Tea Party meeting.

You can never quite pin the guy down.

Will Judge Emmett be sending another underling to a Tea Party meeting to sell them on the idea of increased revenues for government?

Which Republican legislators in Harris County will Judge Emmett be campaigning against in 2012?

I’m glad Judge Emmett is open to discussing the issues before Harris County in a more helpful way than are most Republican officials.

( Which is not to suggest that many Democrats have been helpful. Most of our elected Democrats in Houston and Harris County have little to say about what is going on in Austin. And it will be a cold day in Hell when you find just about any of them actually organizing voters and registering new voters for the fights ahead.)

Yet given the gravity of what’s taking place now in the legislature, it is time for Judge Emmett to step up beyond being acceptable to enough Republicans and tolerable to enough Democrats, to remain politically popular.

It is time for Judge Emmett to show the leadership he is asking of others.

(Fellow blogger Charles Kuffner has also written on Judge Emmett’s recent comments.)

When Will Government Get Out Of Our Lives?—Socialism In Clear View

Above is a picture I took two days ago in Cincinnati’s Eden Park.

Look at all the ways government intrudes in our lives.

Government tells us we are at the corner of Alpine and St. Paul.

Maybe we feel we are someplace else.

The government just wants us to think we are at the corner of Alpine and St. Paul.

Government tells us this is a one way street.

What about hard-working, English-speaking, tax-paying Americans who want to go another way down this street? 

First they tell us what we can do in our very own cars. Next they will harvest our organs for a United Nations organ bank.

The government wants us to stop at a certain place on the road.

What if this is not the place we wish to stop?

Should not free citizens be able to employ their superior knowledge of traffic management to know just the right place where they should stop?

Government says we can not turn left between noon and ten on Sunday. 

Where is that restriction in the Constitution?

Sunday is the sabbath. What if God directs me to turn left at Alpine and St. Paul in the middle of the afternoon on a Sunday?

If you look at the top of the stone wall near the pole of the traffic sign, you see that the stone wall was built by the New Deal Works Progress Administration in 1941.

Socialism.

When will the Cincinnati Tea Party come to tear down this wall and build a new one with citizen-volunteer labor?

How have the people of Cincnnati allowed this socialism to stand in clear view for 70 years? 

When will government get out of our lives?

( Photo copyright 2011 by Neil Aquino)

Cincinnati Tea Party Cell Drinks From Cracked Cup

Above is a picture I took today of a bumper sticker for a Tea Party cell here in Cincinnati.

The sticker reads as a libertarian con job. Unable to ever win more than 1% running as libertarians, they are trying something new.

I guess if social issues matter to you, the Cincinnati Tea Party would have you go elsewhere.

You knew the Tea Party had a lot of crackpot ideas. Based on the image above, it seems the very cup they drink from is cracked.

Why would you put a tea bag in a cracked cup?

The hot water leaks out and scalds people with drastic budget cuts to education and needed social services in these hard times.

The Cincinnati Tea Party cell would no doubt tell you that they have many good ideas on how we should conduct our public affairs.

Yet they are unable to even design a bumper sticker that makes sense.

State Rep. Borris Miles Says Texans Should Flood State Capitol Just Like In Wisconsin—Where Are Other Elected Texas Democrats?

Houston-area Texas State Representative Borris Miles says that Texans should flood the Texas State Capitol in Austin just as people are doing at the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison.

Here is a portion of what Rep. Miles said—

“We need to fill the Texas Capitol like the citizens of Wisconsin are doing in Madison and let our voices be heard.  I have been inspired by the citizens of Wisconsin turning their capitol into the people’s house and we need to do the same thing here in Texas.”

Why should Texans do such a thing?

Again from Rep. Miles—

“Make no mistake, balancing the budget purely through by budget cuts will have a disastrous effect not only on District 146, but the entire state.  In fact, Standard & Poor’s said that Texas needed to combine new revenue along with budget cuts to prevent significant negative impacts on local governments and public schools.  I have not tried to hide my disgust with the proposed budget whose deepest cuts will fall on children, the poor, the disabled and the elderly.”

Other elected Democrats at all levels of government in Texas should also be calling for average citizens to take the lead in fighting back against the brutal cuts being planned in our Texas legislature.

Is anybody aware of any leadership coming from Houston City Council on these questions? Has Mayor Annise Parker made clear a strategy of any kind with these cuts on the way? Is the city lobbying in Austin? Will that lobbying make any difference? Are we just supposed to sit by quietly? Would Tea Party activists, who out-worked and out-organized the other side in 2010, do nothing if they were under attack in Austin?

What about where you live in Texas? Are the Democrats you vote for year-after-year well-representing you when the stakes are so high for the things we value as Democrats and as liberals and progressives?

Rep. Miles has it right. Everyday Texans must take the lead in working against the brutal cuts under strong consideration in Austin.

Where Are GOP/Tea Party Citizen-Volunteers To Help Make Up Texas Budget Cuts?—Is It Only Volunteer Militias They Wish To Join?

The state budget proposed by the Republican-led Texas State Senate is as brutal and irresponsible at that proposed by the Republican-led Texas House.

Instead of rasing the taxes we need in Texas to live as full human beings with quality education and decent health care, the Texas Republican plan for the $25 billion shortfall is to cut without regard to the future of our state.

Texas is 43rd of the 50 states in overall tax burden.

Will states rights views be of value when your kids are not educated as well as kids in other places, and when you are sick and need help?

One thing I’ve been wondering about is where are the citizen volunteers in Texas to help make up cuts caused by the deficit? I thought the whole Tea Party/Republican Party idea was that individual citizens, private business places, and church groups can do the work of government.

You know–Like the good old days when everybody would pitch in for a barn raising such as you see in the picture above.

I’m looking to private initiatives to help educate people are impacted by classroom cuts, and to help tend to sick people who lose access to care. I know Texans will “man up” and help build roads, and help clean and maintain our state parks.

Right?

Last year in Oklahoma there was a suggestion by Tea Party leaders and by some members of the Oklahoma legislature that a volunteer citizen militia be created. Citizen militia groups played a role in the 2010 elections in both Alaska and Kentucky.

Do these folks only pitch in when they can shoot guns and make up plans to fight liberals in the streets?

I’m certain we will soon have bake sales and garage sales to help fund needed services in Texas. I know once the extent of the problem is seen by everyday Texans, that our church groups and civic groups will rally to help our state.

Right?

Fellow blogger John Coby at Bay Area Houston suggests government employees in Texas who vote Republican should willingly give up their jobs. These government-employed Republicans are people voted for folks they knew would bash and slash government to the extent possible.