Don’t get me wrong. I do not support Gov. Abbott. I’m just trying to capture why we need to GOTV down here. It could be worse. Much worse.
Gov Abbott’s latest forays into border stunts, banning mask mandates, trying to keep companies from enforcing federal vaccination mandates, effectively banning abortions, etc. all seem to stem from the fear of being primaried. And thus continuing the slide (unless D’s GOTV) since Gov. Ann Richards. Say what you will about Shrub, I believe each Republican Governor since Gov. Ann has been stupider and meaner than the previous one.
Then, there’s the current crop of Republican contenders. The fore-runners are:
Allen West: The carpetbagger most recently the GOP state chair. As if there weren’t already enough “conservatives” in Texas. Thinks Abbott did not do enough to let COVID ravage more Texans. Currently residing in a hospital for said disease (may he recover quickly). Being fiscally conservative a spendthrift, believes that monoclonal antibodies and hospital stays are cheaper than a free vaccine (ok, $250 all-in). Or, as a veteran, maybe he just believes in socialized medicine. Sounds like a winning combination in the GOP primary.
Don Huffines: Former state senator from Irving. First candidate to have a yard sign up in my neighborhood. His platform includes abolishing property taxes over 10 years. Without starting state income taxes. While magically “fully funding” public schools and police. For those outside of the Lone Star State, we have property taxes, sales taxes, and corporate taxes here. And we have “Robin Hood”, where property taxes in wealthier districts fund schools in poorer districts. Property taxes have been growing far faster than the cost of living. We need something to give. But Texas schools cost $52 billion in 2018, and the current annual state budget is ~$120 billion. I don’t know how you make up $50+ billion with just sales & use taxes and corporate taxes, and not have the Chamber of Commerce run you out of town. Methinks Don has been huffing something…
Chad Prather: A BlazeTV host and comedian from Arlington. Seriously, we’ve got enough media personalities in our state’s government (Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick — old people should die from COVID for their children). Chad’s also anti-mask pro-COVID. He’s also geographically challenged and believes we can have a complete border wall with Mexico. And that we need more ICE, not less. And something, something about “big tech media organizations and politics who seek to silence conservatives.” From the BlazeTV host. Did I mention that the recent pinnacle of GOP Governors’ intelligence was W?
There are a few other declared GPO candidates. But none with much name recognition. This is the cast of characters that are scaring Abbott into the “let’s see who can be the most extreme” race for the bottom.
Meanwhile, they are all totally ignoring things that Texans care about day-to-day. Like keeping people from freezing in the winter, literally. And from dying from the heat in the summer. GOP gaslighting is standard fare these days, but there’s a special form of hatred that happens when they’re gaslighting you when you don’t have electricity for a week. It’s been months and it’s still with me. Or property tax relief, without some magic-bean solution. Or having control of one’s body, without having to drive hours to another state, if you can. Or getting through the pandemic with as many family and friends as possible.
This is why we need to GOTV. The message should be easy. The Democratic Party — trying to keep you alive. Or maybe just the party that literally supports “Life, Liberty; & the pursuit of happiness.”