The Red Road to Houston

by: mrcarter1

Mon Sep 20, 2010 at 10:08 AM CDT

Took the family on a road trip last week down 71 to I-10 then on to Houston and was struck by the volume of Tea Party Slogans and signs supporting Republican candidates - and not just in fields usually exclusively reserved for pro-life billboards, etc.  Plenty of homeowners and a high number of consumer oriented businesses are proudly displaying them. The Red and White of congressional challenger Donna Campbell (oops - sorry, "Doctor" Donna Campbell) - trying to upset incumbent Lloyd Doggett - is all over the place. Also, lots of homegrown pearls of wisdom preaching the gospel of  self reliance and evil of government dependence have popped up out front of repair shops and gas stations.

Know that really cool classic car lot next to 71 near Columbus? I always wanted to visit and check out the cars but that won't ever happen after seeing their front fence plastered with Campbell signs and regurgitated Tea Party talking points.

For business owners to proudly display that stuff means they certainly aren't worried about scaring off potential customers...In fact, they may be getting negative feedback if they choose NOT to go along with the crowd.

Like many, I have been guilty of laughing at the ridiculous idiocy of the Tea Party crowd. I keep thinking there's no way the rational, intelligent people out there are going to let a bunch of paranoid whack jobs take over our government...but guess what guys - the paranoid whack jobs out there are going to vote. Their families will vote. Their friends will vote. Their church groups will vote. The guy that changes their oil will vote...

The anger out there (whether it be racist, economic, homophobic, Fox news inspired, etc.) is deep and real - especially in rural parts of this state.  

The Land of Puppies and Illegal Bumper Stickers

by: mrcarter1

Mon Sep 13, 2010 at 01:37 PM CDT

The day prior to the event, Republican Paul Workman's people "marked his territory" by plastering the street with signs supporting their man...so the site of a bunch of "wild eyed" DEMS setting up shop with signs supporting Bolton and other candidates rocked their world in the most negative way.  

Neighbors emerged from their protective bunkers long enough to approach Travis Co. Constable Richard McCain (who was attending the party as a guest) and demand that he use the power of the law to force guests to remove cars sporting politically themed bumper stickers from the street out front of their homes. Const. McCain politely explained it was a public roadway and any car parked legally could not be moved - especially for featuring bumper stickers. Apparently, this wasn't acceptable for one neighbor - who kept pressing and pressing the issue before McCain had to slowly and seriously explain that forcing the cars to move would "violate the constitutional rights of car owners".  

As the party broke up a woman approached to explain how uncomfortable she was with the party guests parking so close to her home. The government, she exclaimed, was out to get her - and somehow tied that in to her opposition to healthcare reform. She concluded with the re-assuring statement:  "I'm not a monster - I adopt puppies and kittens."