Tales of Idiocy from Austin
Part I of an expected series
Republican Governor Greg Abbott of Texas decided to reinvent the wheel recently.
It seems Governor Abbott, who missed the lesson in constitutional law class where things like immigration and foreign policy are presidential powers, decided that the State of Texas needed to reinspect trucks from Mexico laden with $240 million of produce. It did not go well1.
Spoiled produce, blocked roads and bridges, and the realization that the GOP continues to campaign to its base instead of to people who might vote Democratic.
One cannot blame Abbott, however, as the Democrats in Texas have lost six gubernatorial elections in a row with just above 40% of the vote on average. The last Democrat to win, Ann Richards, did so in 1990 with a plurality of 49.5%.
Democratic optimism about beating Greg Abbott, who is running for reelection and a landing spot on the “once Trump decides that he is not running” 2024 GOP presidential sweepstakes, is based on Beto O’Rourke, Republican bungling, and a different political reality in recent federal elections in the Lone Star State.
Barack Obama got 43.68% in 2008, Hillary got 43.24% in 2016, and Joe Biden got 46.48% in 2022. Hillary’s numbers in 2016 are particularly impressive as she was a terrible campaigner, massively hated by everyone Right of Center, and managed to improve the Libertarian ticket results three-fold from 20122.
In the last two senatorial elections the Democrats won 43.87% in 2020 and 48.33% and 2018. MJ Egar kept Senator John Cornyn to 53.51% and Beto O’Rourke kept Senator Ted Cruz to 50.98%.
The polling in the race has gone from another poor Democratic showing back in December to a tight two point race as of last month3. The good news is that Abbot went from 52% in a Quinniac poll just before Christmas last year to a mere 42% in Texas Lyceum poll in March. The bad news is that O’Rourke is polling at an average of 40%.
Last winter Texas Republicans, particulary Senator Ted Cruz and Governor Greg Abbott, took a fair amount heat for power failures during a 2021 Texas winter storm4. One would think that a political party who defended a complete lack of preparation or empathy for a complete policy failure would not poll above 40%, but then it’s Texas.
In addition to the Texas 2021 freezeout and the spoiled food truck fiasco, there is the “transgender kid hunt”5, a variety of draconian abortion laws, and a basic authoritarian stances by Abbott himself6.
If the GOP loses the gubernatorial race, the Attorney General race, and loses ground in the Texas legislature, it will be a tough political lesson. If the Democrats fail to make inroads, the political climate will get much much worse for Texans who aren’t reactionaries.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/apr/16/greg-abbott-texas-mexico-truck-inspection-policy
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2022/governor/tx/texas-governor-abbott-vs-orourke-7376.html
https://www.texastribune.org/2022/02/17/texas-winter-storm-2021-stories
https://www.texastribune.org/2022/02/28/texas-transgender-child-abuse/
https://www.dallasnews.com/news/watchdog/2021/07/02/the-founding-fathers-created-three-branches-of-government-but-gov-abbott-doesnt-act-like-a-fan/
Top 10 Reasons Democrats are Better Than Republicans
This is a political list for mostly Democrats to vote on. In my opinion, the Democrats are better than the Republicans, and there are reasons for that. I want others to add more and vote on my existing reasons.
The Top Ten
1
Democrats Are Not Homophobic
So what if its against moral values. I'm a Republican Trumper and I personally don't see why Old Bush Republicans care so much about Gay marriage. I mean Republicans care more about whether or not 2 gays can get married then they do about working class single mothers being able to afford food for their kids! P.S. don't bring up moral values, you old Bush Repubs support the death penalty and P.S.S. don't bring up the Bible either because Jesus never once talked about Homosexuality and you guys don't support stoning people who wore clothes with two different types of linen.
Look, I respect people I don't care who the hell they are. Black, white, transgender, gay, straight, male, female, the list goes on. But I'm still a republican
To be honest, I don't support gay people because the Bible tells us that it is a sin. If you are gay, then you are going to go to hell. I'm a republican, but I don't hate them, I just don't support their idea of homosexuality.
I agree with this 1000%. This is why I am finished with the Republican party.
by the way, great list!
2
Democrats Don't Try To Live In The Past
Jesus Christ I 100% wish they would do this! Especially when it comes down to their religion! I have nothing wrong with believing in a religion as long as that religion DOES NOT FORCE everyone on this planet to reverse back into the Dark Ages! NOR does anyone of that religion wish/want anyone else down into Hell for not being just like them NOR kill the followers of a religion whom don't like that religion or is just of another religion! Manly Christians and Muslims and Catholics...I'm watching you guys!
Liberals are not all bible bashers, don't believe we are still living in the Wild Wild West era, not like early liberals, know that homosexuality, lesbians, bisexuality is just romance just like heterosexuality, are fine with transgenders the embryo is female. Feminism is not we hate men its gender equality. Its wrong to lock kids in cages. Now republicans go and talk about how much you love George W Bush because he was a republican president remember?
Exactly. We move towards the future and we consider it as well. We've abandoned old, tired, and bigoted beliefs of homophobia and racism that Republicans have so frequently adopted. We care for the future generations with our support of green energy and education, but also the elderly with retirment security. We're creating a safe country for women who are unable to proceed with their pregnancies, and we are dominant amongst the most financially successful states!
With one major caveat. I think I speak for most of us when I say it'd be great if we could clone FDR, or download his brain into a replicant, then get rid of term limits and re-elect him..
I think we look to the future for many reasons, mostly to get away from the shame of past generations and an opportunity to see peaceful conclusions to those lingering biases and hypocrisy.
3
Democrats Acknowledge The Separation of Church and State
The United States is supposed to be a country with religious freedom not a country with only Christianity.
One of the most important parts of the Constitution.
4
Democrats Support Greener Energy
Republicans are against innovating our energy sources, which also fight climate change and end our reliance on unrenewable energy.
Republican here, I agree with Green energy. All that Fossil fuel Co2 is damaging the planet beyond belief. As the guy below me said, Nuclear Energy is the future. It even cleans up Co2 and it provides a lot of energy at a relative minor cost in comparison to the amount of energy created.
Okay this is Easily one of the only reasons to go Democrat however with newer more reasonable studies coming about I believe most Republicans are on the eco clean train as of late.
Come on, I know we have gas prices as low as less than $3, but we shouldn't forget that we will eventually have to resort to other renewable energy resources once we run out of nonrenewable energy resources such as oil and coal.
5
Democrats Believe Healthcare Is A Right
Republicans want healthcare only connected with employment. Which really means you will lose your healthcare when you are too sick to work, and need it the most.
Most people end up paying less in the long run with Universal Health Care. Republicans just don't like it because "they aren't sick right now," but eventually they will need it.
To republicans it isn't even though dozens of countries have free healthcare
6
Democrats Support Education Funding Over Military Funding
First of all our military is good enough. Our education is not. We are spending billions on our military which is already extremely powerful, & not enough on our education. No wonder other countries are calling us stupid. But instead of funding more important things, President Cheeto decides he wants to spend more money on our overpowered military, while calling our allies' leader's names & ruining relations with them. Nice going Trump.
No they don't really compare the last 2 presidents Donald Trump and Obama both different parties. And, Donald Trump funded more than Obama ever could.
I'm a Libertarian and I think both Republicans and Democrats are annoying but honestly this reason is one reason why Democrats are better.-DarkBoi-X
First off we have the most powerful military so cutting funding is not a big deal
7
Democrats Support Equal Pay For Women
Women have more general expenses than men, with make up and feminine hygiene products. They created us. They deserve respect.
The gender pay gap exists, but not because if sextet reasons. It's because women typically work lower paying jobs that offer more benefits and job security.
Women do not get equal pay. Men just hate women getting equal pay.
8
Democrats Support Minimum Wage Increase
Democrats actually recognize that inflation exists. Republicans create social murder. Choking out sales in the economy, by weakening employees purchasing power exponentially.
I'm a republican, but I agree the minimum wage does need an increase
A lot of republicans agree with the minimum wage increase too
9
Democrats Believe In Climate Change
Even if you don't believe it we should still take care of our planet, and not stifle innovations in energy, and recycyling.
10
Democrats Know Military Action Should Be The Last Resort, Not The First
Unlike Donald Trump, who will destroy America if he resorts to military action first.
A great strategy, beats knee jerk reactions.
Top 10 Reasons Democrats are Better Than Republicans
This is a political list for mostly Democrats to vote on. In my opinion, the Democrats are better than the Republicans, and there are reasons for that. I want others to add more and vote on my existing reasons.
The Top Ten
1
Democrats Are Not Homophobic
So what if its against moral values. I'm a Republican Trumper and I personally don't see why Old Bush Republicans care so much about Gay marriage. I mean Republicans care more about whether or not 2 gays can get married then they do about working class single mothers being able to afford food for their kids! P.S. don't bring up moral values, you old Bush Repubs support the death penalty and P.S.S. don't bring up the Bible either because Jesus never once talked about Homosexuality and you guys don't support stoning people who wore clothes with two different types of linen.
Look, I respect people I don't care who the hell they are. Black, white, transgender, gay, straight, male, female, the list goes on. But I'm still a republican
To be honest, I don't support gay people because the Bible tells us that it is a sin. If you are gay, then you are going to go to hell. I'm a republican, but I don't hate them, I just don't support their idea of homosexuality.
I agree with this 1000%. This is why I am finished with the Republican party.
by the way, great list!
2
Democrats Don't Try To Live In The Past
Jesus Christ I 100% wish they would do this! Especially when it comes down to their religion! I have nothing wrong with believing in a religion as long as that religion DOES NOT FORCE everyone on this planet to reverse back into the Dark Ages! NOR does anyone of that religion wish/want anyone else down into Hell for not being just like them NOR kill the followers of a religion whom don't like that religion or is just of another religion! Manly Christians and Muslims and Catholics...I'm watching you guys!
Liberals are not all bible bashers, don't believe we are still living in the Wild Wild West era, not like early liberals, know that homosexuality, lesbians, bisexuality is just romance just like heterosexuality, are fine with transgenders the embryo is female. Feminism is not we hate men its gender equality. Its wrong to lock kids in cages. Now republicans go and talk about how much you love George W Bush because he was a republican president remember?
Exactly. We move towards the future and we consider it as well. We've abandoned old, tired, and bigoted beliefs of homophobia and racism that Republicans have so frequently adopted. We care for the future generations with our support of green energy and education, but also the elderly with retirment security. We're creating a safe country for women who are unable to proceed with their pregnancies, and we are dominant amongst the most financially successful states!
With one major caveat. I think I speak for most of us when I say it'd be great if we could clone FDR, or download his brain into a replicant, then get rid of term limits and re-elect him..
I think we look to the future for many reasons, mostly to get away from the shame of past generations and an opportunity to see peaceful conclusions to those lingering biases and hypocrisy.
3
Democrats Acknowledge The Separation of Church and State
The United States is supposed to be a country with religious freedom not a country with only Christianity.
One of the most important parts of the Constitution.
4
Democrats Support Greener Energy
Republicans are against innovating our energy sources, which also fight climate change and end our reliance on unrenewable energy.
Republican here, I agree with Green energy. All that Fossil fuel Co2 is damaging the planet beyond belief. As the guy below me said, Nuclear Energy is the future. It even cleans up Co2 and it provides a lot of energy at a relative minor cost in comparison to the amount of energy created.
Okay this is Easily one of the only reasons to go Democrat however with newer more reasonable studies coming about I believe most Republicans are on the eco clean train as of late.
Come on, I know we have gas prices as low as less than $3, but we shouldn't forget that we will eventually have to resort to other renewable energy resources once we run out of nonrenewable energy resources such as oil and coal.
5
Democrats Believe Healthcare Is A Right
Republicans want healthcare only connected with employment. Which really means you will lose your healthcare when you are too sick to work, and need it the most.
Most people end up paying less in the long run with Universal Health Care. Republicans just don't like it because "they aren't sick right now," but eventually they will need it.
To republicans it isn't even though dozens of countries have free healthcare
6
Democrats Support Education Funding Over Military Funding
First of all our military is good enough. Our education is not. We are spending billions on our military which is already extremely powerful, & not enough on our education. No wonder other countries are calling us stupid. But instead of funding more important things, President Cheeto decides he wants to spend more money on our overpowered military, while calling our allies' leader's names & ruining relations with them. Nice going Trump.
No they don't really compare the last 2 presidents Donald Trump and Obama both different parties. And, Donald Trump funded more than Obama ever could.
I'm a Libertarian and I think both Republicans and Democrats are annoying but honestly this reason is one reason why Democrats are better.-DarkBoi-X
First off we have the most powerful military so cutting funding is not a big deal
7
Democrats Support Equal Pay For Women
Women have more general expenses than men, with make up and feminine hygiene products. They created us. They deserve respect.
The gender pay gap exists, but not because if sextet reasons. It's because women typically work lower paying jobs that offer more benefits and job security.
Women do not get equal pay. Men just hate women getting equal pay.
8
Democrats Support Minimum Wage Increase
Democrats actually recognize that inflation exists. Republicans create social murder. Choking out sales in the economy, by weakening employees purchasing power exponentially.
I'm a republican, but I agree the minimum wage does need an increase
A lot of republicans agree with the minimum wage increase too
9
Democrats Believe In Climate Change
Even if you don't believe it we should still take care of our planet, and not stifle innovations in energy, and recycyling.
10
Democrats Know Military Action Should Be The Last Resort, Not The First
Unlike Donald Trump, who will destroy America if he resorts to military action first.
A great strategy, beats knee jerk reactions.