Really? Seriously? I don’t think I’ve ever commented on a Houston Chronicle editorial before but the first paragraph of their editorial about banning smoking in Texas dated 2/20/2011 jumped off the screen and slapped me upside the head:
Seventy percent of Texans support a statewide ban on smoking in public places, according to a recent poll by Baselice & Associates. When was the last time that many Texans agreed on anything?
Three things on which Texas voters agree at the 70% level immediately came to mind, each of which the SAME editorial board has railed against: Voter ID, English only, and the death penalty! Don’t believe me? Take a look at the polls: (click on the picture to enlarge)
Voter ID (July 2008, March 2009, June 2009):
English only (May 2010):
Death penalty (February 2010):
Told you so.
I can agree with this sentiment though:
We know it’s naive to believe that good legislation with overwhelming popular support should sail through the Texas Legislature.
It is naive because as of today we still do not have Voter ID or English only legislation in force. And most likely after this session, we will still not have English only legislation. But we WILL have Voter ID.
Will we see a similar call to action from the Chron ed board encouraging their readers to contact their legislators to pass Voter ID or English only? Um, don’t hold your breath, okay?
Here is a call to action for you if you want to help. English only? Forget about it this session, it isn’t going to happen. Voter ID? Don’t worry about it, it is going to pass. The best thing for you to do in that area is to head over to a King Street Patriots meeting and drop a couple of bucks in the hat as it passes by, showing them your appreciation for leading the charge.