Despite a massive load of out-of-state money from the Left shoveled into Democrat races for Texas House seats, it appears the balance of the Texas House will remain the same for this all important redistricting cycle. With 83 Republicans (some in name only) and 67 Democrats (all liberals) voters in Texas chose not to reward Democrats and their agenda with power over state policy and law.
You’d think all legislative Republicans would be happy that voters ensured no power-sharing or dickering with Democrats would be needed, but exhibiting the disease* that infects some in the GOP, there are those working to do what voters refused to do: Hand Democrats influence they’ve not earned at the polls.
Rep. Dade Phelan
Rep. Dade Phelan of Beaumont, a Republican positively ranked by the homosexual lobby for his support, has announced that he’s secured the Speaker of the House position and released a list of supporters. That list, that represents the votes he needs, includes a very large amount of liberal House Democrats which means Phelan would be yet another Speaker who owes his enormous power to Democrats giving them serious influence over Texas policy they have not been given by voters.
Speaker selection pledge form.
Worse, no doubt out of the self-interest hope of key committee position, conservative state reps James Frank, Dustin Burrows, Drew Springer, Brooks Landgraf and others were on that list. The problem is that all four of these men signed an official promise they would not pledge advance support to speaker candidates and instead would ensure that House speakers are chosen from within the GOP Caucus “without Democrat influence.”
If they indeed pledged support to Phelen, with his large Democrat coalition, it makes them liars of the worst type: Men who have no honor because their written promises are nothing to get in the way of their ambition.
*This GOP official disease has shown that when folks afflicted with it control a state party, it leads to its demise as a competitive force. Why would voters bother with the rancor when there is not clear distinction between the parties on issues they have the most emotional investment in. (A hint to weak Republicans: People are not emotionally invested in tax policy and budgeting.)
Wholeheartedly AGREE with you that this is a TRAVESTY. Many so-called Republicans seem to believe that that we, the voters, don’t inform ourselves and that we have Short Memories. WRONG on both counts!
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“A popular government without Popular Information or the Means of Acquiring it is but a prologue to Farce or Tragedy or perhaps Both. KNOWLEDGE WILL FOREVER GOVERN IGNORANCE, and a People who mean to be their own Governors MUST Arm themselves with the POWER KNOWLEDGE GIVES.”
– James Madison
(1788)
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Keep on Helping us to Stay Informed! However, we need to shoulder our Responsibilities to use multiple resources to stay informed and then VOTE our values….
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Regards, Ron W. Brown
Lubbock
In addition to these “liars of the worst sort” is the TOO OFTEN RIGGED PROCESS itself. The Republican “REPRESENTATIVES” are supposed to REPRESENT the will of their districts, NOT their own self aggrandizement.
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The built-in, back room, power play is accomplished by “Republicans in the Texas House should select their Speaker nominee BY SECRET BALLOT in a binding caucus without Democrat Influence”. This should be a roll call vote, transparent to the voters at home so that they CAN BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.
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THE SECRET BALLOT is a great protection for individuals to cast Ballots without fear of ridicule or reprisal. It’s use in the process of selecting the Speaker is a TRAVESTY!
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“A popular government WITHOUT POPULAR INFORMATION or the MEANS OF ACQUIRING IT is but a prologue to Farce or Tragedy or perhaps Both.
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” KNOWLEDGE WILL FOREVER GOVERN IGNORANCE, and a People who mean to be their own Governors MUST ARM THEMSELVES with the POWER KNOWLEDGE GIVES.”
James Madison, 1788
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Regards, Ron W Brown
Lubbock, TX
The reason for secret ballot is due to the enormous power held by a speaker. Members need to be able to back a candidate without fear of the winning candidate knowing they were opposed by the specific member.