Thanks again Jim for getting my brain twisted into knots. Pissed and no where to go. I haven't read anyone in Austin decrying Mrs. Cox's fate. Where are the yellow bastards? Where are they? At home afraid they'll be primaried out of power. "Let's us kill some more immigrants and mother's. If we run off all the qualified teachers who'll be smart enough to vote agin' us, the christian right? Shit, they can't even see what we did to them with that voucher thing."
This is what I have learned from good research and reporting from guys like you and Dece. Yes I'm a dumbass but I know some pretty smart people. Help us all. Please don't stop doing what you do.
The most infuriating and disappointing key to Paxton, Abbott, and Patrick’s actions and control that they’ve were aALL re-elected AFTER this draconian, government takeover of health care abortion ban was already in place! Not only did they all get the-elected but in the last presidential election Trump got MORE votes than he did the FITST time! Between the gerrymandered districts, the Baptists, and the no tax or regulation business people there’s no hope for any change except in local elections, and that’s a struggle.
I’ve lived in Texas all of my 65 years and my vote has never counted for a presidential race and for a good 35 yrs had little chance of having a voice in state or federal office races. In Denton , where I live, I’m now in a district that stretches to AMARILLO! My only hope and choice in a vote is in city mayoral and council elections. And when we as a city voted to ban fracking in the city limits, Abbott and MY representative stepped in and said, you can’t do that. So much for “getting government off our back”.
If I could move tomorrow I would. I see no hope for this state ever changing in my lifetime. And it seems all of the new comers are coming for low taxes and lowered priced housing, although that’s pretty much gone now, and they identify with the crowd we have in state and federal offices, hell, we just sent more to Washington the last go around.
Yes, it’s Abbott, Patrick, Paxton, and the state Senate, BUT it’s the VOTERS who are REALLY to blame!
That's exactly what's happening, Frank, yet voters keep sending craven souls like Abbott, Patrick, and Paxton back into office. We seem to be choosing our own doom.
As someone who recently moved to Texas I am frequently shocked by the politics in this state. Your substack articles have been very educational and enlightening and I thank you for them. There is so much I like about Texas and Texans... it's sad to see how Abbott brings things down to such hateful extremism. BTW the Frontline episode about Uvalde was most excellent - they can try to keep things silent but, for now, journalists are still shining a light where it needs to go.
Come on, Jim, you could have made good money shilling the news for Sinclair or Salem or any of the other christo-fascist owners. Of course, you wouldn’t have a soul, but your pockets would be full.
Nope, it’s not. We can see the whole damn American democratic experiment falling apart, one piece at a time, state by state, in a slow motion catastrophe.
Another great essay, very personal and well-written, Jim. I am glad to have traveled along a parallel path with you during most of the last 30+ years, although I was working in policy and politics, professions much shadier than your broadcast journalism.
I share your (to put it kindly) exasperation with the current state of our Texas politics. Unified control of the state government has lessened its efficiency, fairness and quality. Our state's elected leaders, across all three branches of government, now cater to an older, monochromatic and radicalized base that comprises perhaps 5% of the electorate. As they have become more extreme, the gap between their agenda and the good of all Texans has grown.
It's time for more of us to get into the ballot booths and make our voices heard.
Thanks again Jim for getting my brain twisted into knots. Pissed and no where to go. I haven't read anyone in Austin decrying Mrs. Cox's fate. Where are the yellow bastards? Where are they? At home afraid they'll be primaried out of power. "Let's us kill some more immigrants and mother's. If we run off all the qualified teachers who'll be smart enough to vote agin' us, the christian right? Shit, they can't even see what we did to them with that voucher thing."
This is what I have learned from good research and reporting from guys like you and Dece. Yes I'm a dumbass but I know some pretty smart people. Help us all. Please don't stop doing what you do.
The most infuriating and disappointing key to Paxton, Abbott, and Patrick’s actions and control that they’ve were aALL re-elected AFTER this draconian, government takeover of health care abortion ban was already in place! Not only did they all get the-elected but in the last presidential election Trump got MORE votes than he did the FITST time! Between the gerrymandered districts, the Baptists, and the no tax or regulation business people there’s no hope for any change except in local elections, and that’s a struggle.
I’ve lived in Texas all of my 65 years and my vote has never counted for a presidential race and for a good 35 yrs had little chance of having a voice in state or federal office races. In Denton , where I live, I’m now in a district that stretches to AMARILLO! My only hope and choice in a vote is in city mayoral and council elections. And when we as a city voted to ban fracking in the city limits, Abbott and MY representative stepped in and said, you can’t do that. So much for “getting government off our back”.
If I could move tomorrow I would. I see no hope for this state ever changing in my lifetime. And it seems all of the new comers are coming for low taxes and lowered priced housing, although that’s pretty much gone now, and they identify with the crowd we have in state and federal offices, hell, we just sent more to Washington the last go around.
Yes, it’s Abbott, Patrick, Paxton, and the state Senate, BUT it’s the VOTERS who are REALLY to blame!
Texas is becoming the proof of concept for the first trump dictatorship...
That's exactly what's happening, Frank, yet voters keep sending craven souls like Abbott, Patrick, and Paxton back into office. We seem to be choosing our own doom.
As someone who recently moved to Texas I am frequently shocked by the politics in this state. Your substack articles have been very educational and enlightening and I thank you for them. There is so much I like about Texas and Texans... it's sad to see how Abbott brings things down to such hateful extremism. BTW the Frontline episode about Uvalde was most excellent - they can try to keep things silent but, for now, journalists are still shining a light where it needs to go.
Come on, Jim, you could have made good money shilling the news for Sinclair or Salem or any of the other christo-fascist owners. Of course, you wouldn’t have a soul, but your pockets would be full.
Well thanks for cheering me up. :(
Happy to help, buddy!
I am simply appalled. It's not just Texas, either.
Nope, it’s not. We can see the whole damn American democratic experiment falling apart, one piece at a time, state by state, in a slow motion catastrophe.
Another great essay, very personal and well-written, Jim. I am glad to have traveled along a parallel path with you during most of the last 30+ years, although I was working in policy and politics, professions much shadier than your broadcast journalism.
I share your (to put it kindly) exasperation with the current state of our Texas politics. Unified control of the state government has lessened its efficiency, fairness and quality. Our state's elected leaders, across all three branches of government, now cater to an older, monochromatic and radicalized base that comprises perhaps 5% of the electorate. As they have become more extreme, the gap between their agenda and the good of all Texans has grown.
It's time for more of us to get into the ballot booths and make our voices heard.