Half of the people can be part right all of the time,
Some of the people can be all right part of the time.
But all the people can't be all right all the time
I think Abraham Lincoln said that.
"I'll let you be in my dreams if I can be in yours,"
I said that.
--"Talkin' World War III Blues," by Bob Dylan
In the upcoming session, Republicans will be their own worst nightmare, while Democrats will help answer dreams for the future of Texas.
In November, I thought the levels of Republican failure had topped out. Tom Delay, once the most powerful politician in the country, was trounced by a Democrat in his home state of Texas. Delay still managed to hurt Texas, though, as his illegal redistricting map forced Texas to be as weak nationally as its ever been when Democrats took control of the U.S. Congress. The redistricting map Delay ramrodded down the throats of the Texas Legislature took out senior Democrats that could have served on powerful committees, unfortunately before it was ruled unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Of course, that last action led to the defeat of another Texas Republican, Henry Bonilla, by Democrat Ciro Rodriguez. And Delay's poisoning strong-armed tactics seeped into his Texas counterpart, Tom Craddick. Not only did Craddick's obscene demands in the Regular Session cost him Republican incumbents in the primary and general election, but it seems it very well may also cost Craddick his speakership.
I've read that today has already been named, "Bloody Tuesday," and that the next 140 days, as the Texas Legislature meets to discuss, debate, and enact legislation that will change the future of Texas, is going to be an all-out war. But as we gavel the beginning of the new Texas Legislature, I can't help but wonder -- where are the lines drawn?
The battle lines are drawn back and forth, up and down, right and further right...across the Republican Party of Texas.
The havoc wrought by the horrid leadership of "The Terrible Toms" -- Craddick and Delay -- has undercut the leadership ability of the entire Republican Party. Exactly who do they look to for leadership -- a Governor who was elected by less than 40%, a Lieutenant Governor who is terrified of its newest member, Dan Patrick, or a Texas House that, as it is gaveled into session, does not know who its presiding officer will be.
Meanwhile, Texas Democrats are fighting to move Texas forward by advancing one basic principle: I'll let you be in my dream if I can be in yours.
What does that mean? Trust the Democrats to lead (let them be in your dream), and find solutions to the real problems facing Texas (we will be in yours).
What am I talking about? I'm talking about eliminating tuition deregulation and making college affordable for every Texas family. I'm talking about restoring health care benefits for over 200,000 Texas children. I'm talking about lower electricity rates, lower insurance rates, and a minimum wage increase that honors the hard-working people of Texas.
In the upcoming session, Republicans will be trying to elbow their egos out of Dan Patrick's shadow -- all while Democrats attempt to revamp the teacher retirement system. In the upcoming session, Republicans will argue about how little they can spend to help Texans -- all while Democrats look to invest in better opportunities for all Texans.
In the upcoming session, Republicans will be their own worst nightmare, while Democrats will help answer dreams for the future of Texas. Stick around -- it's going to be a wonderful time.
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