Apr 2009
Not All Texans Are Malcontents
Note: This article has been edited from it’s original content.*
There’s no polite way to say this, no way to make it pretty and neat, so here it goes: In my opinion, Governor Rick Perry is a malcontent and political agitator. He is quite possibly the biggest demagogue to ever stand up in front of a crowd of right-wing, anti-tax cry babies and proclaim that Texas may secede from the United States of America. Actually, I think he is the only one who has ever done that in the history of the state and the nation. I am still in shock at the absolutely incomprehensible magnitude of such an irresponsible statement coming from the mouth of the chief executive of the state. It is so utterly pretentious and devoid of any common sense principles, that it can only be described as demagoguery of the cheapest kind. A mind-melting lapse of intelligence that suggests that the Governor is out to score political points with those on the very edge of the far right. He even exclaimed that he was “with the right-wing extremists” while making his secession comments on Wednesday. I wonder if Governor Perry had the presence of mind to remove his American flag lapel pin from his collar (the one that he never took off for the past 8 years) before making such a bold and unpatriotic statement of dissidence? There are not enough adjectives in the English language (and believe me I am leaving a lot of the ones I really want to use out) to adequately describe the ineptitude necessary to formulate such a statement as made by Governor Perry.
Governor Perry does not speak for me and he does not represent me as a Texan. Contrary to popular belief, not all Texans are right wing fanatics and ultra conservative. As a Texan, the Governor should know that it is legally impossible for Texas to secede from the United States. It is possible for the state to break up into four smaller states, but Texas is NOT leaving the Union. To make such a rabble-rousing remark does nothing but make the state look like a collection of right-wing extremist wack-jobs who like to talk tough and act mean. This kind of rhetoric reveals just how low the GOP has sunk with the loss of the last Presidential election. It also shows just how low Governor Perry is willing to go to draw attention and support as he prepares for his bid to win the Governorship again in 2010. Unfortunately, there are a lot of Texans who do agree with the Governor and who see fit to keep re-electing him and people who think like him. My hope is that this kind of senseless talk will result in people waking up and replacing the Governor with a sensible, intelligent person who is able to serve the common good of the people of the state without blind duty to partisan politics.
In case Mr. Perry and the anti-tax tea dumpers haven’t noticed, the work that the Obama administration and Congress is doing to correct the economy is starting to work as the stimulus money begins making it’s way into the system. For the first time in a very long time there are signs of hope and improvement in the economy and this is the best response that the GOP can come up with? Crying about taxes and the government spending too much money? Where were the pity parties when one trillion dollars was spent on the misguided and unnecessary war in Iraq? Didn’t hear anything about that one did you? If Governor Perry and the GOP insist on throwing temper tantrums to get attention, then please just go away. Try to make some constructive noise for a change and maybe somebody will listen and take you seriously.
(*My apologies to anyone offended by my frankness in the original article. I have attempted to tone the language down here to be less incendiary and insulting. While I can always respect those with differing views and opinions, and welcome debate and opportunities to explore both sides of an issue, I think that it is always important to differentiate between constructive criticisms and comments versus demagoguery fueled by political rabble-rousing. There is nothing logical or constructive about the latter and it does not fall into the same category. While I can appreciate the concern many have expressed over the recent stimulus bills and the extraordinary amount of monies invested into these programs, it is pretty easy to again argue the necessity of such actions given the crucial and fragile condition of the US economy.)
There’s no polite way to say this, no way to make it pretty and neat, so here it goes: In my opinion, Governor Rick Perry is a malcontent and political agitator. He is quite possibly the biggest demagogue to ever stand up in front of a crowd of right-wing, anti-tax cry babies and proclaim that Texas may secede from the United States of America. Actually, I think he is the only one who has ever done that in the history of the state and the nation. I am still in shock at the absolutely incomprehensible magnitude of such an irresponsible statement coming from the mouth of the chief executive of the state. It is so utterly pretentious and devoid of any common sense principles, that it can only be described as demagoguery of the cheapest kind. A mind-melting lapse of intelligence that suggests that the Governor is out to score political points with those on the very edge of the far right. He even exclaimed that he was “with the right-wing extremists” while making his secession comments on Wednesday. I wonder if Governor Perry had the presence of mind to remove his American flag lapel pin from his collar (the one that he never took off for the past 8 years) before making such a bold and unpatriotic statement of dissidence? There are not enough adjectives in the English language (and believe me I am leaving a lot of the ones I really want to use out) to adequately describe the ineptitude necessary to formulate such a statement as made by Governor Perry.
Governor Perry does not speak for me and he does not represent me as a Texan. Contrary to popular belief, not all Texans are right wing fanatics and ultra conservative. As a Texan, the Governor should know that it is legally impossible for Texas to secede from the United States. It is possible for the state to break up into four smaller states, but Texas is NOT leaving the Union. To make such a rabble-rousing remark does nothing but make the state look like a collection of right-wing extremist wack-jobs who like to talk tough and act mean. This kind of rhetoric reveals just how low the GOP has sunk with the loss of the last Presidential election. It also shows just how low Governor Perry is willing to go to draw attention and support as he prepares for his bid to win the Governorship again in 2010. Unfortunately, there are a lot of Texans who do agree with the Governor and who see fit to keep re-electing him and people who think like him. My hope is that this kind of senseless talk will result in people waking up and replacing the Governor with a sensible, intelligent person who is able to serve the common good of the people of the state without blind duty to partisan politics.
In case Mr. Perry and the anti-tax tea dumpers haven’t noticed, the work that the Obama administration and Congress is doing to correct the economy is starting to work as the stimulus money begins making it’s way into the system. For the first time in a very long time there are signs of hope and improvement in the economy and this is the best response that the GOP can come up with? Crying about taxes and the government spending too much money? Where were the pity parties when one trillion dollars was spent on the misguided and unnecessary war in Iraq? Didn’t hear anything about that one did you? If Governor Perry and the GOP insist on throwing temper tantrums to get attention, then please just go away. Try to make some constructive noise for a change and maybe somebody will listen and take you seriously.
(*My apologies to anyone offended by my frankness in the original article. I have attempted to tone the language down here to be less incendiary and insulting. While I can always respect those with differing views and opinions, and welcome debate and opportunities to explore both sides of an issue, I think that it is always important to differentiate between constructive criticisms and comments versus demagoguery fueled by political rabble-rousing. There is nothing logical or constructive about the latter and it does not fall into the same category. While I can appreciate the concern many have expressed over the recent stimulus bills and the extraordinary amount of monies invested into these programs, it is pretty easy to again argue the necessity of such actions given the crucial and fragile condition of the US economy.)
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