We've all heard the expression "Nero fiddles while Rome burns", right? In Texas, we have an updated version of that old saying:" The Texas Senate burns money while a few self-described Tea Party people get their jollies attacking House Speaker Joe Straus". What the heck is wrong with these people?
We know that this type of leadership was to be expected from Speaker Straus. Are we going to stand by and let him get away with the dirty politics?
I say NO!—-Let's let his office know how we feel and turn the tables on him and his Rino tag-alongs. A new Re-Districting Plan had come out tonight. Now is the time to let Straus know we are not going away.
That comes from our old buddy Ray Myers. It is really sad to see someone so misguided, so clouded by hatred of Speaker Straus (why?) that he can't see the truth. And the truth is that under Speaker Straus's leadership, the House passed a budget that did not use the Rainy Day Fund and spends about $15 BILLION less than one the Senate finance committee passed just this morning. Where was Mr. Myers? Under Speaker Straus, the House passed a real, meaningful sonogram bill while the Senate passed…something other than a real sonogram bill. Where was Mr. Myers? And his minions from a few North Texas Tea Party groups?
Rather than focusing on the Senate, which is proving to be anything but fiscally conservative this session, Mr. Myers and team are worried that the House will pass a redistricting map that doesn't protect a few guys they like. Really? Is the purpose of redistricting to protect incumbents? Is that what the Tea Party has devolved to? No, it hasn't because Mr. Myers and minions are but a small percentage of people that attend Tea Parties and are tired of protecting incumbents. And they don't like it when people like Mr. Myers claim to be the be all and end all of all that is conservative. Heck, Mr. Myers can't even get basic facts right. For example, he says:
The truth of the matter is: Joe Straus has directed Committeeman Burt Solomon's to proceed with the retaliation plan to punishing anyone who opposes his agenda.
Do not under estimate the value of reminding all that Straus promised no retaliation but in fact the large number of those paired did not vote for Straus and are strong conservatives .
Really, the truth of the matter? Um, no, there is no truth in that statement. If it were true, you would see many more "pairings". And I'd say don't overestimate your ability to bully Speaker Straus. But about your statement that "the large number of those paired did not vote for Straus", that is just plain wrong. Of the fourteen Republicans paired in Rep. Solomon's redistricting map, only five of them voted against Speaker Straus. Don't believe me? Here is the journal record of the vote. And here are the pairings:
- Landtroop/Perry
- Burkett/Driver
- Hamilton/Ritter
- Harper-Brown/R. Anderson
- Scott/Torres
- Flynn/Cain
- Chisum/Hardcastle
The five that voted against Speaker Straus are Landtroop, Perry, Burkett, Flynn, and Cain. BTW, I find it hard to believe that Burkett can't beat the ethically challenged Driver – same goes for Cain against Flynn. If you want good analysis of the plan that Rep. Solomons has put forth, check out Matt Stiles' column over at Texas Tribune. Whatever you do, don't listen to people like Mr. Myers. Remember, he was going to "crush" Speaker Straus the first time around too.
It is misinformation like this that is making people hesitant to attend Tea Party rallies. The turnout at last weekend's Tax Day rallies in Houston was very small, especially compared to the enthusiasm of previous years. And it isn't because people are embracing tax and spend ways – no, they are still very much resolved to change the system. But why attend a rally that focuses on the wrong people as the villains? If these people don't get their heads in the right place, the Senate just might win the battle of spending. How about a little help for Speaker Straus instead of spreading lies about him?
Oh, and if you find yourself frequently using the term "RINO", don't expect to be taken seriously. Okay?
Amazing! It is like watching Democrats of the 90's squabble between themselves.
The "Rino" name calling reflex is finally strong enough to tear down the big tent. I
wonder what the Gipper would think of all of this back-biting behaivor.
Simple