Random thoughts on a chilly night

I was about to start this postwith the unoriginal observation that Texas is at it again—unpredictable weather.Yesterday and apparently overnight we enjoyed some much-needed rain of themoderately gentle variety rather than the heavy downpours that run off beforethey can soak into the ground. I was especially pleased because I thought thenewly exposed roots for my two huge trees must be grateful. But then the phrase“Texas is at it again” struck me in a whole different way.

This week showed us Texas, GregAbbott, at the behest of his oil-rich billionaire sponsors, shoving Texas everfarther to the right. What kind of a governor indulges in revenge politics,deliberately challenging state politicians who opposed him, in this case on theinfernal question of school vouchers? Unfortunately, money talks and Abbott’schallengers beat out several of the more moderate Republicans on thedown-ballot. It looks like we are doomed to have school vouchers, which willfurther weaken our already pitiful public school system. Texas needs to putthat money into teacher raises, classroom equipment, etc. In short, it needs tostrengthen public education, not siphon off possible funding. The irony is thatthe voucher amount is not enough for many low-income families to send theirkids to private school so who benefits? The rich who are already sending theirkids to private schools and now get some money for doing so. It’s a rotten system.

Ken Paxton was not quite assuccessful in avenging himself against those who voted to impeach him, andthere’s now a glimmer of hope because he is finally going to go to trial laterthis spring on fraud charges he’s delayed for years. But right now he’s busysuing everyone in sight—an El Paso faith-based organization that helpsimmigrant (of course Paxton hates them), several school districts forelectioneering (but has he looked at private schools who push petitions forvouchers on their parents). Today it was announced he is suing severalentertainment and/or food venues for not allowing police officers on theirpremises if they carry guns. Ah yes, Texas is the state where guns are moreimportant than human life. His targets include the State Fair of Texas of allthings. Also the popular Meow Wolf in Grapevine, a restaurant in Deep Ellum, atheatre in Grand Prairie, and a bar/restaurant in San Antonio. Must keep thepoor guy busy finding his targets. But it costs money to mount these lawsuits,taxpayer money, and we never hear about the outcome. Except today I did hearthat a judge quashed the suit against the El Paso immigration charity.

But if you look at it, Abbottand Paxton are spending Texas taxpayer money without our consent for extravagant,cruel and illegal means at the border (a judge gave Biden a big victory on thattoday) and to sue business which are adding to the Texas economy and quality oflife. For this, Abbott and Paxton get big bucks from those oil men who thinkthey can run Texas, and what do we, the taxpayers get? An inferior educationsystem that consistently ranks in the middle to lower grouping nationally. Goodgoing guys.

On the national scene, it is redundantto say that President Joe Biden hit it out of the ballpark last night with anenergetic, challenging, comprehensive State of the Union message that exposedall of the Republican lies and sent the orange former guy to tweeting out noless than seventy-five angry posts. I had thought with the primaries behind us,the volume of emails and texts would diminish but no such luck. My email was amess this morning with politicians from all states wanting to ride Biden’s coattails.Many of them are candidates I would support were I a wealthy woman, but I’mnot. All this deluge of messages does is a) make me feel guilty, and b) make mewant to explain my support but straightened circumstances. I am tempted to sayI’ll vote for the candidate—oops, specify progressive candidate (I’m not rulingout a Republican, though I don’t think I’ll find a progressive one) who sendsme the fewest emails. But then again, who’s counting.

Here we go again into afrenetic cycle of fund-raising. I’d love to turn off my computer, but I won’tbecause I think we each have a civic duty to be well informed and because,politics aside, I enjoy my online life. November seems a long time away. Alsoit really bothers me, and has for years, that money determines electionoutcomes. I realize it’s true, but I resent it. I want us to elect politiciansbecause they will run the country with knowledge and wisdom, they will try toprotect America, keep it strong, protect democracy, and improve life for theaverage American, not because they have the biggest war chest (Abbott wins thatone in Texas and looks what it gets us—a fiefdom). 

Just call me Pollyanna, theidealist.