Bill White rocked the Democratic convention this weekend by drawing stark differences between a Texas run by Rick Perry and a Texas run by Bill White. A Rick Perry Texas means every man is out for himself. Mr. White also made it crystal clear that Rick Perry is in this race solely for himself and his self-promoting interests. Case in point: Rick Perry puts in seven legislative hours per week while collecting a full time, taxpayer supported salary. He lives in a $10,000 a month rental mansion, compliments of we the taxpayers, when he could live in far more modest accommodations to save us a few bucks. Rick Perry needs to live like a king while putting the burden onto the shoulders of taxpayers.
Mr. White also reminded us of Rick Perry's appalling hypocrisy where federal dollars are concerned. For one who bashes the federal government on a daily basis, Rick Perry has taken more U.S. money than any other governor except for those of New York and California.
Mr. Perry continues to be too terrified to debate Bill White. Why is the Governor such a chicken?
While Governor Perry and his family vacation in China, his campaign spokesman, Mark Miner, thought it would be super cool if he were to hold a press conference in front of Bill White's campaign headquarters.
I think Mr. Miner seriously misunderestimated Bill White and his supporters.
A big thanks to Philip over at BOR and to Texas Democrats for their bold, effective and hilarious efforts at showing us a true Texas clown.
Meanwhile, it seems that, except for his daughter's expenses, the Governor is not paying for his family vacation in China. An organization called Texas One is funding the trip.
The Texas One top tier supporters that contribute $50,000 annually over three years include Exxon Mobil, Centerpoint Energy, Shell and others.
I think we've seen this movie rerun far too many times. Mark Miner might think it is cute to deliver a generator in front of Bill White's campaign office while his boss is off serving as a tool for the interests of some of the biggest corporate fat cats in Texas.
Democratic candidate for Texas Attorney General Barbara Radnofsky blasts Republican AG Abbott for challenging a law that does not exist. In her New Year's Eve press release Radnofsky wrote:
The Texas Attorney General is wrong on the law of his challenge of the senate version of the health care bill. He is wasting taxpayer resources on a loser challenge.
Attorney General Abbott challenges the constitutionality of a law that does not exist, promising to use the office of the Texas Attorney General to "explore all legal options" to dismantle federal legislation. Ironically, Texas would receive subsidies and benefits of greater magnitude than most of the nation, in the $7.5 to 10 billion range.
There they go again. Not only are Republicans willing to burn precious taxpayer resources on a frivolous lawsuit that has no legal basis, but they are also hell bent on thumbing their noses at extraordinary financial subsidies and benefits for Texans. Texas, as we well know, has the highest number of uninsured. Folks don't have health care insurance because they can't afford it or they have pre-existing conditions that no insurance company will cover. The federal health care reform bill would make health insurance more affordable and it would prevent insurance companies from denying coverage for pre-existing conditions. It would also put a stop to insurance companies that cut patients loose when their health care needs become too costly.
These benefits and consumer protections are what Abbott wants to kill. Abbott, like all Texas Republicans is more concerned about the interests of insurance companies than he is the people of Texas. It should also be noted that the Party that rails 24/7/365 against trial lawyers and frivilous lawsuits has no problem with either when Republican lawmakers are the ones doing the suing.
In 2006 Barbara Ann Radnofsky ran as the Texas Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate. BAR was not very well known at the time and though she ran an excellent campaign, she could not beat the very deep pocketed, well-moneyed and formidable candidate at the time, Kay Bailey Hutchison.
Fortunately for Texans, Barbara Ann did not go away. For the past two years BAR has spent her time helping Democrats in Houston get elected to office. She supported several Democratic judges that won in 2008. And now she is running for the state's Attorney General. Knowing what I know about Barbara Ann, she is as determined to win as ever.
I've had the pleasure of meeting Barbara Ann several times. The video clip below is a perfect portrayal of who she is and what she is about.
Barbara Ann Radnofsky is an extremely hard working, tireless woman who has impeccable credentials. She has extensive experience in law as she worked for years at the prestigious firm, Vinson and Elkins, in Houston. Barbara Ann is a no nonsense person too who will tackle issues that plague the state, such as our ridiculously high electricity costs with passion and vigor.
On average, residential electricity rates have increased by greater percentages in deregulated states than they have in regulated states. And, among deregulated states, nowhere has it increased by a greater percentage than it has in Texas. A review of federal data shows that since 1999, electricity prices for residential users have increased by more than 64% in Texas."
64%!
Are we tired of being robbed blind yet? If we are we'd better do something about it and get rid of the guy who will continue to let it happen.
Texas Democratic Party Chairman Boyd Richie told national Democrats on Thursday that anti-tax tea party participants and those who question President Obama's citizenship are "fools" that get too much media attention. Richie said the president's critics are riding a tidal wave of anti-government sentiment. He said fielding strong candidates and winning local and statewide elections next November is the best way to silence the president's most outspoken critics.
"We will no longer have these fools who call themselves teabaggers and birthers and others out there garnering the press," he said. "Instead, we will have people saying, our government does work for me."
I have many times gnashed my keyboard in frustration because Texas Dems seem to stop short of calling Republican shenanigans.
So I'm particularly happy to see these fools called exactly what they are-even if I use still stronger language such as "assholes" for folks who promote secession and the overthrow of a duly elected president because they don't like the color of his skin.
More of this, Texas Dems!!!
Wedge Republicans. Unite Democrats.
We are not a nation of blue states or red states. Nor are we a nation comprised of only one dominating race or religion. America is a beautiful, though far from perfect, potpourri of people consisting of a rainbow of skin hues, religions, ideas and creative forces.
No matter our skin color, we share much in common. In so many ways we are the same. At the very least all of us care deeply about our children, our parents, siblings and other family members. All of us are concerned about the well being of our friends and other members of our many communities. We share a common work ethic. Few of us expect handouts. Most of us are resourceful and creative. We will do whatever it takes to provide for our loved ones.
Throughout the generations, people from everywhere on the planet, including my grandparents, immigrated to America because we are a nation founded on the principles of tolerance, democracy, accountability, personal responsibility and optimism.
We all know when we've been misled by those whom we trusted to represent our interests and values.
I think we will agree that the time is especially ripe for change. And I'm talking about real serious change where everyone, from we the little people to the Wall St. fat cats and the movers and shakers in our local, state and federal government, are all held to the same standard of ethics and personal responsibility.
(Make sure you know how you can make your vote count. - promoted by boadicea)
Tonight I received a forwarded message from Gerry Birnberg Chair, Harris County Democratic Party.
There is a FALSE rumor going around by e-mail telling people that if they vote Straight Democratic Party, they must also cast a vote specifically for Barack Obama in order to have an Obama vote registered. THIS IS FALSE INFORMATION probably initiated by Republican dirty tricksters, but now being spread by well-meaning Barack Obama supporters.
The truth is that if you cast a Straight Democratic Party vote, you will be voting for Barack Obama and your Straight Democratic vote will count as a vote for Obama. But if you then go down and "vote" for Obama, you may actually be cancelling your Obama vote.
Don't be fooled: Just cast a Straight Democratic Party vote and that will get Obama and all the Democratic candidates up and down the ballot.
Sigh.... How predictable...
I intend to vote a straight D ticket on October 20th when my very favorite early voting poll opens. That would be Fiesta Mart on Kirby Drive, across from Reliant Stadium.
Vote D or suffer the consequences of four more years of hell.
(Junior John is a disgrace, let's do better for Texas with Rick Noriega. - promoted by boadicea)
This diary is an expanded and updated re-post of one I wrote previously on Texas Kaos. This updated version is also cross posted on The Burnt Orange Report.
As predicted, John Cornyn voted for the Wall St. bailout the other night. I never doubted for a moment that John Cornyn would ever in a day let down his buddies the fat cats. After all, the Republicans enabled Wall Street's financial melt down by voting for deregulation and lifting all "shackles," as they would call it, from their beloved soul mates on Wall Street.
Deregulate, Baby, Deregulate.
And boy did they ever do that big time.
Republicans dumbly believed Wall St. would police itself. Indeed, this is what a recently retired professor at the London School of Economics has to say about the U.S. financial melt down:
This morning the Advisory Committee on the Texas Democratic Party Convention/Caucus System met at Austin Community College to, according to an email from the Texas Democratic Party Chairman Boyd L. Richie, "studying the current convention/caucus system. Furthermore, based on the testimony taken at these meetings, the committee will then consider this feedback and possibly make recommendations for changes."
This has been a difficult issue for this blogger to take a firm position on, in part because that the caucus system is one of the reasons that I became involved in Democratic politics. However, it would be disingenuous of me to ague a position without honestly examining the system and giving an honest assessment. Which has led me to this position: the Texas Democratic Party primary system of caucuses and ballet voting is a flawed misstep.
All emphasis from original email from Travis County Democratic Party:
For more information about proceedings of the senate district caucuses, how to sign in for your credential, and other very important items, please go to the following link:
http://www.txdemocrats.org/the...
(Well done. Congrats to all who helped make this common sense outcome possible. Remember, before you can win, you have to fight. - promoted by boadicea)
The Lonestar Project is reporting this in a press release today:
Events unfolded in dramatic fashion today in Marshall, TX. As the case was set to go to trial, the Plaintiffs, including the Texas Democratic Party and Democratic activists, were approached by lawyers for the State of Texas offering a settlement agreement.
(The SDEC is a very important body that is responsible for moving Texas Democrats forward in an effective and unified manner. Please take time to be informed if there's a competitive race in your Senate District. You'll want to know who these folks are, and what their plans are. - promoted by boadicea)
... as well as candidates for state party office (including DNC):
and complete the questionnaire there for endorsement purposes. If you have a photo suitable for the Web and a short bio, upload it as a part of the survey and we'll include it in your endorsement. When the Campaign for Change endorses you we will also post your information on the website, which you may download, print, e-mail or otherwise use to advance your candidacy and campaign.
The sooner you submit the questionnaire, the sooner we can endorse you, and the sooner we can help you publicize and win your race!
Individuals selected for endorsement will be given an opportunity to speak at the Progressive Populist Caucus on Friday June 6, from 10:30 until noon, Level 3, Rm. 9, A-B-C.
So you are wondering what the Cheese Tray Awards are? It is very simple. One of my favorite sayings is "Do you want some cheese to go with that whine?" I plan to start awarding the Cheese Tray Awards to the biggest whiners in politics and boy do we have a lot of them today.
Follow me below the fold to see the Biggest Whiners in Politics.
(Capable people are the greatest treasure. - promoted by boadicea)
In 2006, I had reached a point in my life where just voting wasn't enough. Reading the League of Women Voters Guide to learn about the candidates wasn't enough. Telling my friends and family to vote wasn't enough.
I was appointed to a vacant Precinct Chair slot after calling the Travis County Democratic Party to volunteer for something, anything... I hadn't expected to become a precinct chair, but when I was told that there was a need for one in my precinct, I stepped up.
The more involved I become, the more involved I want to be.
When I found out that there was a Senate District level of government in the Texas Democratic Party, I decided to check it out. I have been going to the meetings since January of 2007. What I've learned is, in a nutshell, I can, and want to do this.
I'm Susan Shelton, and I am running for the SDEC Committeewoman for Senate District 14. I'll explain why after the jump.
Keynote Speaker James K. GALBRAITH is the author of Unbearable Cost: Bush, Greenspan and the Economics of Empire.
Professor Galbraith holds the Lloyd M. Bentsen Jr. Chair in Government/Business Relations at the LBJ School of Public Affairs, University of Texas. He serves as a policy advisor to the OBAMA campaign, having previously served in that capacity for the EDWARDS campaign.
When: Saturday, February 23rd from 12-3pm
Where: Conley-Guerrero Senior Activity Center
808 Nile Street
Austin, TX, 78702
Map to Location
Phone: 512-478-7695
All Democrats Welcome (Caucus Membership/Renewal Solicited)
One of the resolutions that got killed Saturday was the one that would have put a referendum on Iraq on the primary ballot. This was the second round in the fight to get the Iraq referendum on the ballot. The Iraq referendum resolution had already passed the Resolutions Committee at the last SDEC meeting a few months ago and it was even brought up to the full SDEC meeting back then. It would have passed the full SDEC then, but it was unnecessarily tabled at that earlier meeting because party leaders were ignorant of the Texas statute that allowed the SDEC to put referendums on the ballot. They had to go look up the statute after the meeting and then found out that the grassroots activists were right and the SDEC could put referendums on the ballot just by a vote of the SDEC. It is unbelievable that the party tabled the proposal on such a lame motion. The parliamentarian or the person chairing the meeting should have been aware of the rules and allowed a vote on the resolution. Such ignorance of the rules is a joke. We need to elect party leaders at the next convention who have a basic understanding of state laws pertaining to party business.
Thanks to the undemocratic refusal of party insiders to allow a vote, the resolution failed to pass a second time last weekend. So now there will be no referendum on Iraq on the Texas Democratic Party ballot. I wanted to find out what happened, so tonight I called a few people on the phone. Madeleine Dewar, a member of the SDEC and one of the official sponsors of the Vote Us Out of Iraq resolution, called the meeting a "disaster" and said that she had the thirty two votes needed to pass the resolution in advance of the meeting. Scott Cobb, who initiated the campaign, last summer to get the referendum on the ballot said: "In California, Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a bill that had passed the California legislature on Aug 31 to put a referendum on Iraq on the ballot in California. The Texas Democratic Party should be ashamed of itself for acting like Schwarzenegger and preventing a referendum on Iraq from being on the ballot."
The Texas Democratic Party has a new office and web site.
They moved to beautiful new headquarters at 505 W. 12th Street, Suite 200 just down the street from the Capitol building.
The brand new web site (same web address, www.txdemocrats.org) includes innovative tools and resources to help Democrats across Texas communicate with each other and organize in their own communities.
