Bio:
We're the official collegiate arm of the Democratic Party in Texas. We're members of the College Democrats of America and the Texas Young Democrats and the Young Democrats of America.
Around midday on November 16, Lauren Pierce, UT College Republicans President and Texas College Republicans Secretary, tweeted:
"Y'all as tempting as it may be, don't shoot Obama. We need him to go down in history as the WORST president we've ever had! #2012."
While we are accustomed to College Republicans supporting politicians who oppose students' right to vote, and cut financial aid and loans to students, this level of disrespect to any elected official is unexpected and appalling.
It is never acceptable to joke about assassinating an elected official. While one would assume the tragic events in Tucson less than a year ago would have been enough for our generation to understand that, it appears that the vitriol being spewed by National Republican leaders has tarnished the sense of appropriateness of some College Republicans.
Texas College Democrats encourages Lauren Pierce to resign from her leadership positions in the UT College Republicans and Texas College Republicans. Lastly, UT College Republicans should look to their counterparts, the University Democrats, for guidance in how to participate positively in the political process.
Texas College Democrats is the official collegiate arm of the Democratic Party in Texas. Being members of the College Democrats of America, the Texas Young Democrats and the Young Democrats of America, those in TCD believe in Democratic ideals, and provide education and resources to like-minded students from across the Lone Star State.
* For questions and information, please contact TCD Communications Director Trenton Garza by e-mail at tgarza@txcollegedems.org *
With 644 days left until the 2012 election welcome to Lone Star Left! This is the very first post so lets get started with a number that will make even the staunchest Corporate Republican pour their tea on themselves!
$27,000,000,000.00
That's the amount of money Texas is in the hole for. Boss Perry and the other Corporate Texas Republican's ran their most recent elections on how great the economy was here in Texas and how our conservative policies have kept Texas's unemployment numbers lower than other parts of the country. Those are great talking points, but what will happen to Texas when our legislature has to deal with a twenty seven billion dollar reality?
With education already in their cross hairs, the same good ol' boys who brought us Tuition Deregulation (and the skyrocketing college costs to follow) are now ready to cut pre-school programs across the state!
Talk about a slippery slope! If educating Texans early isn't important then do you really think that Boss Perry will have a conscience when it comes to teacher salaries or programs like Art, One Act Play, Band, and dare I say but would not put it past him FOOTBALL?
Don't forget that with those cuts hard-working Texas educators and building staffs will be out of work, and do you really think that they are just going to stay here in the Lone Star State waiting patiently for Boss Perry and the rest of Stupor Majority to brainstorm a plan? WRONG!
At some point Texans are going to have to suck it up and start funding education in this State, but instead Corporate Republicans are pushing through Voter discrimination legislation, mandated Perrycare which force sonograms into the decision of how a woman should handle her body, and the ever popular attempt of getting guns in the hands of Texas students instead of new, cheaper, and unbiased text books. So as we head into this new session remember that Boss Perry and his compatriots in the Corporate Republican party have a vision for Texas:
POOR AND STUPID!
Until next time, keep your chin up and your chest out - it's great to be a Liberal!
Texas College Democrats Applaud Senate Vote to Repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"
Austin, TX - Texas College Democrats President Ryan Lofton Payne released the below statement today, following a vote in the U.S. Senate to move forward on critical legislation that would repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." The legislation would allow Americans to serve in the military regardless of their sexual orientation.
"The Senate did the right thing today for our country and our military by voting to move forward with legislation that would repeal the outdated and discriminatory 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy. President Obama pledged to overturn this policy when he campaigned for office, and today, US Senators cast critical votes to move toward achieving this goal. The repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' which is supported overwhelmingly by the American people, will ensure that brave men and women who wish to serve in the military can do so regardless of their sexual orientation. It is the right thing to do, will be a boost to our national security, and would be a major victory for equal rights in America."
Other members of the Texas College Democrats board had this to say:
"The repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' is a victory for all Americans who believe no soldier, or anyone for that matter, should have to hide who they are."
-Vice President Garrett Hall
"Our military exists to protect our nation and all its citizens. It's only fair that our armed forces reflect the American spirit of unity, equality, and tolerance."
-Secretary Oscar Boleman
"This is great news! It's about time! This is a historic step towards an inevitable full breadth of equality in all facets of life for gays in America."
-Development Director Dallen Terrell
"Finally! The repeal of DADT was long overdue."
-Programs Director Dancey Glover
"By ending this unjust law, patriotic Americans in uniform will no longer be discharged for being true to themselves and living lives of integrity. This is a triumph not only for civil rights but also for national defense."
-Communications Director Alexander Clark
"The repeal of DADT marks a turn in LGBT relations. Just a half decade ago, the Senate was voting whether to discriminate against the LGBT community in our Constitution and now at the end of the decade we see our military become truly open to all Americans."
-Political Affairs Director David de la Fuente
"The repeal of DADT, which has cost this nation hundreds of millions of dollars stands as a true victory for fiscal conservatism within our federal government and further allows our nation to stand as champions for our brave, selfless men and women in uniform."
-Membership Director Kendall Scudder
"This courageous action by the Senate allows so many to continue to serve their nation. DADT repeal continues our nation's tradition of expanding equality for all."
-President Emeritus Andy Jones
The fight for civil rights, a struggle that continues, will no longer include this one. While we celebrate, there is still much to do.
The Texas College Democrats' Fall Conference is fast approaching (Sept. 18th)
It will boast statewide candidates, party leaders, and top-notch trainings from political professionals.
It will be held at the Progressive Center of Texas in Dallas.
The cost of registration is $20.
The following is the tentative schedule
9:30-10:30 - Registration Check-In and Breakfast/Speakers
10:30-11:20 - Training 1: New & Traditional Media
11:30-12:20 - Training 2: College Voter Registration & GOTV
AUSTIN, TX - Students are beginning classes and already attending their first College Democrats meetings of the year. If you're one of the many chapter Presidents across the state or are interested in starting a chapter at your school here is an extremely helpful link from the College Democrats of America: http://bit.ly/dx8qWX
Here are some best practices from TCD President Emeritus Andy Jones:
1. Solidifying membership is key. A high profile speaker at the first meeting is awesome, but the second and third have to be about keeping members, not talking at them.
2. Motivate the base. Get student organizations that have helped your chapter in the past motivated to work with you again.
3. Fun, fun, fun. We're not the West Wing campaigning for Santos. Food at events, contests, rewards, etc. Fun, fun, fun 'til her Daddy takes the ballot away...
Here is the first three weeks of state strategy from TCD President Ryan Lofton Payne:
Week one • Contact local election office and schedule a time to deputize your group.
• Start registering people in high traffic areas of campus.
Week two • Make sure you have contacted local candidates and inform them of where you will be registering on campus.
• Contact professors that teach the largest classes and ask if you can come in and register the class at the beginning of class.
Week three • Start getting ready for the fall conference in Dallas and really start focusing on what you have implemented in the first two weeks.
Also, this just in! Sneak peek at the Texas College Democrats' fall conference trainings:
1. College registration and GOTV (get-out-the-vote)
2. Old & New: Effective media for college campuses
3. Issue advocacy: making a statement at your school
4. Tools for success: fundraising & chapter development
Mark your calendars! The conference is set for September 18th and will be held at the Progressive Center of Texas in Dallas. Expect more details in the next week.
College Democrats to Meet in Dallas: Is Texas the Next 'Big D'?
Dallas, TX - Texas College Democrats will have their Fall Conference September 18th at the Progressive Center of Texas located at 1409 S. Lamar Street. Speakers and trainings will be announced in the coming weeks. Dallas was one of the last urban areas to turn blue but Obama net gained more votes in Dallas than any other city in Texas.
Southern Methodist University Democrats, who won the bid, is the home of the George W. Bush Presidential library and is on first glance in a conservative area. In 2008, SMU was named #3 among all U.S. colleges for "Most Conservative Students" by the Princeton Review. However, SMU Democrats was one of only two college chapters to qualify for the full five delegates at the TYD 2010 Convention, was the second largest Texas delegation to the CDA 2010 Convention, and SMU Students for Bill White is the third largest SFBW chapter in North Texas, only behind Austin College and UNT.
Former YDA President David Hardt and current YDA Vice President Renee Hartley are from Dallas. The Dallas County Young Democrats is one of the largest Democratic activist organizations in Dallas County, and one of the largest Young Democrats groups in the nation. With almost 600 members, the DCYDs are able to provide strong volunteer support to local Democratic and community events including parades, campaigns and rallies.
Dallas County has been the most productive county in taking back the state house with 4 gains. Also, a Democrat running county-wide in Dallas County hasn't lost since 2004. More importantly, there are more recognized vulnerable Republican state house members in Dallas County than any other county in 2010.
The Metroplex represents a very real prospect for Texas to turn blue. Texans are folks who love common sense and aren't afraid to swim upstream. In a time when Texas Republicans are in the news shouting about "terror babies", stealing taxpayer money for personal expenses, and being recorded to work part-time for a full-time salary---people from across the Lone Star state will look at their ballot and do the only thing a reasonable, rational, logical person would: vote Democratic.
The Case for 2010: Young People in Texas Look for a Democratic Future
Austin, TX - Living in Texas, we are often told that Republican victories are inevitable. We buy into the lie that because we are young and because we are Democrats our votes don't really matter. We don't get excited for our elections, we don't get involved, and sometimes we don't even vote. Republicans would have us believe that they will always be in power and that there is nothing we can do about it.
"If you want to make something happen, tell a Texan it can't be done"
However, statistics show that our generation trends in the opposite direction. In 2008, if 18-29 year olds had decided the election the Lone Star state would have been blue on the electoral map. Within the Democratic Party, Texas continues to lead in national youth roles:
David Hardt, YDA President (2007-2009)
Katie Naranjo, CDA President (2008-2010)
Renee Hartley, YDA Vice President (2009-Present)
Alejandra Salinas, CDA President (2010-Present)
Democrats have an incredible opportunity to win big this November starting at the top of the ticket of great candidates by electing Bill White to be the next governor of Texas. White represents our best opportunity to win back the Governor's mansion since Ann Richards while Perry represents the greatest vulnerability. People often forget that he won re-election in 2006 with only 39% of the vote.
Rick Perry has proven his corruption and incompetence to voters across the state through murky land deals, a dropout crisis in our public schools, a $18 billion budget deficit, a rental mansion that is costing taxpayers $10,000 a month, claiming that the BP oil spill was "an act of God", or seriously talking about how Texas should secede from the Union.
"Shouldn't we be the state the leads the nation, not that leaves the nation?"
The eyes of Texas are upon you. Organize your campus, register people to vote, and volunteer for our candidates. America is watching us-waiting to see if we will allow for Rick Perry to have an unprecedented 3rd term and the Texas GOP to remain a source of national shame. We must do everything in our power to take back our state.
