(There are more topics to be addressed this week than I can begin to contemplate. I am concentrating instead on the faltering and failing Texas legislature as it takes away individual rights and tries to bring a specific religion into public schools. Almost every new law being passed by this contemptuous body contravenes what the founders had in mind when they organized the colonies. More maddening, perhaps, is that the people who know better and want better, the Democrats, appear incompetent and unwilling to step in front of the evil that is afoot in our state.
Point taken about democrats and poor messaging. That has been infused into politics across the country and nationally for many cycles. But I also recall a 2021 episode of The Circus in which Alex Wagner interviewed three Democratic Texas legislators. One of them told her that between gerrymandering and voter suppression laws, Democrats could turn out every single voter in a district and they would still lose. Leveling that playing field by getting Rs and Independents to vote differently is a mighty heavy lift for messaging. All the suggestions in your penultimate graph are great, but the task of changing hearts and minds in a state where leadership is racing Florida to the bottom and the deck is stacked against fair elections is daunting enough to make Sisyphus shoot himself.
The conundrum of our lives, my brother.
Problem is, Myra, the current Great Migration is into Texas. Lambs to the political slaughter, my view.
Chef’s kiss to ending this superb essay with a quote from Sam Houston, who would be appalled and ashamed at the current state of the Legislature.
Point taken about democrats and poor messaging. That has been infused into politics across the country and nationally for many cycles. But I also recall a 2021 episode of The Circus in which Alex Wagner interviewed three Democratic Texas legislators. One of them told her that between gerrymandering and voter suppression laws, Democrats could turn out every single voter in a district and they would still lose. Leveling that playing field by getting Rs and Independents to vote differently is a mighty heavy lift for messaging. All the suggestions in your penultimate graph are great, but the task of changing hearts and minds in a state where leadership is racing Florida to the bottom and the deck is stacked against fair elections is daunting enough to make Sisyphus shoot himself.
Time for another Great Migration. When a state government is your enemy, it's time to dump it.
How can I love Texas and hate it at the same time?
What Are The Signs You Might Be Experiencing Cognitive Dissonance?
General discomfort that has no obvious or clear source.
Confusion.
Feeling conflicted over a disputed subject matter.
People saying you're being a hypocrite.
Being aware of conflicting views and/or desired but not know what to do with them.
I'm sure there's a pill for it.