In the political universe, bathrooms would be policed to ensure that entry is based on an individual's "biologically determined sex." Who would do the policing isn't clearly stated. Perhaps Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who was most vociferous in his criticism of President Obama's directive that transgender students be allowed to use public school facilities that matched their gender identity.
A majority of Houstonian’s believe a local equal rights ordinance is important.
In Houston's universe, according to the Kinder survey, 70 percent of Houston residents say it is "very important" to pass a local equal rights ordinance to protect people from discrimination. Odd, since the survey was conducted a few months after voters failed to approve just such an ordinance. They appeared to be responding to the same boogie-man, perverts-in-the-Ladies-Room fears being enflamed by the lieutenant governor.
The majority of us support abortion and gay rights.
Civil rights? The platform would outlaw ALL abortions and ban gay marriage. Harris County residents support abortion rights by 57 percent; 56 percent support gay rights.
We are not in favor Donald Trump’s wall. No thank you. We would rather see a path to citizenship for our city’s immigrants.
Build a wall to keep immigrants out? A resounding no: 77 percent of Harris County residents are in favor of a path to citizenship if undocumented immigrants meet some reasonable requirements; 63 percent declared that immigrants contribute more to the American economy than they take. As for religious tolerance, 51 percent were generally positive in their feelings toward Muslims.
Despite the recent economic downturn in the oil and gas industry, we are highly optimistic about the future. The majority of us believe the government should do more to reduce income inequality and help poor families.
Most important, the pessimism about America that is the hallmark of Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump's campaign will not find fertile ground here. Houstonians are remarkably optimistic about their lives. Despite the recent difficulties of the oil business, 62 percent rated job opportunities as "excellent" or "good"; 61 percent said they expected their financial situations to be getting better in the next few years. Despite the teeth-jarring, suspension-busting potholes that litter our streets and the freeway-jamming traffic, 38 percent rated life in the Houston area as "getting better." And they are willing to share their good fortune: 66 percent believe the government should do more to reduce income differences, and 59 percent said that we are spending too little to improve conditions of the poor. The Republican platform would repeal minimum wage laws and oppose mandatory pre-school and kindergarten.
Given what Rice University’s Kinder Institute has revealed about Houston, why did the city vote down the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance last year? Why do we end up with politicians in our state government who do not represent us? Nor do they share our values.
The answer is simple. Voting matters. Big time.
The questions, of course, are why in a democracy this generosity of spirit and optimism is shared by too few of our state government leaders and why Houston's equal rights ordinance failed to pass last year's referendum. The answer is simple: Voting. The more votes cast, the more representative the results. If Houstonians want their attitudes reflected in public policy, the only way to make that happen is by casting their ballots. Not just in the big presidential races, but in primaries, local elections, run-off elections, whenever there is an opportunity to shape our universe. The 2015 election that defeated the Equal Rights Ordinance had one of the largest turnouts in decades: 27.5 percent. Almost three quarters of our citizens did not vote. This election cycle's primary runoff races are being contested on Tuesday, May 24. We look forward to seeing a large turnout.
Every election matters. Every single one of them. We end up with politicians like Donald Trump, Ted Cruz and Dan Patrick because Republican primary voters turn out all of the time. Election after election. The GOP knows how to energize its evangelical base with social hot button issues such as transgender bathrooms, gay marriage and abortion. It foments fear among the Party’s gun loving NRA base. Democrats will take your guns away! The Party will repeal the Second Amendment! The Muslims are coming!
Democrats should do the same. Not with fear but with the hope our core values naturally engender. President Obama won two elections based on hope, change and optimism about our future.
If we fail to vote we end up with more scary, narcissistic characters like Trump, Cruz and Patrick. As well as with their right wing extremist and intolerant agendas that have nothing in common with our values as Democrats, or as decent human beings for that matter.
For Houstonians who haven’t voted early in the run-off election please find your polling location and sample ballot here. If you want to learn more about the candidates please visit the League of Women Voters voter's guide.
For those of us who do not live in Houston please visit your local county clerk’s web site or contact the nearest Democratic Party headquarters in your area.
Vote like our lives depend upon it because they do.
Too busy? Does one really want more of this?
The Pecksniffian Mr. Patrick, always on the lookout for an opportunity to sow seeds of discord in a godly cause, announced recently that Texas needs a North Carolina-style law to keep transgender people out of what Patrick considers the wrong restroom.
You've heard about the problem Patrick and other bathroom-fixated ideologues and opportunists are so bravely seeking to address, right? Surely you've heard about the hordes of hairy-legged men donning calico dresses, invading women's restrooms and preying on young girls. To hear Patrick tell it, the perversion is so pervasive we're surprised he's not calling for an immediate special legislative session. Maybe he'll even find funds for statewide potty patrols (similar, perhaps, to the stick-wielding enforcers of public morality in some Arab countries).
Meanwhile, Patrick and Ken Paxton, the state's law-breaking top law-enforcement official, are trying to bully the superintendent of the Fort Worth public schools into resigning. Kent Scribner has to go, they say, because he put in place policies designed to protect transgender students from discrimination. Fortunately, local control still prevails, for now, at least.
I didn’t think so.
66,000 cases of child abuse, 171 deaths from abuse, 0 cases of transgender bathroom assaults
A serious elected official would spend his time and energy on serious issues. Most Texans can name quite a few: public education, higher education, health care, foster care, transportation, climate change, storm protection, tax reform. the list could go on. One other thing: A serious man would not scapegoat a group of people who already have problems with public understanding and acceptance.
We need politicians who don’t feel the need to vilify others in order to prop up and promote themselves. Surely we can do far better than the likes of Trump and Patrick and their deplorable political agendas.
The problem, of course, is not transgender restroom usage; that's a hoax crafted for scapegoating. The problem is pandering politicians who are wasting time and taxpayers' money. The problem is Dan Patrick.
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