What’s Wrong (or Too Right) With This Picture?

We’re having a profoundly bad time as far as political leadership is concerned. Nationally, as well as in many states…most assuredly including Texas. The U.S. Supreme Court rulings were a sobering reminder of the inordinate influence of conservative extremists. The recent Texas Legislative session is winding down with more bad than good…more distracting hot-button social issues…few high-priority broader public interest issues. We should all be ashamed of ourselves…ALL meaning voters and public servants. BIPARTISAN/NONPARTISAN…Too many of us are complicit…by fault or default.

So, What’s Happening In Texas?

Too many critical issues, too few competent, compassionate leaders. We went into the recent Legislative Session with a huge budget surplus, but didn’t have the leadership to convert those funds to policy solutions for high-priority issues. We wasted lots of energy, time and rhetoric on border walls, transgender issues, and the nonsense of property tax cuts when their (our) emphasis should’ve been on such as school finance, infrastructure, gun reform, foster care, mental health, women’s and children’s health, etc. And energy and water options to honor our current and future commitments to our children and our communities. We need leadership and organization…everywhere.

Just One Blatant Example Of Our Challenge…GUNS

Texas is one of the worst states in the worst industrialized country for gun issues. We’re beholden to the gun lobby, keep our populace afraid, and refuse to honor law enforcement requests to “Get the guns off the streets…especially assault weapons.” Governor Abbott and his cronies answer the calls for gun reform with permit-less Open Carry.

When asked about appropriate responses to public gun threats, we’re told that “the best response to a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun.”Nonsense. My response to that is simply “UVALDE.”…and I’m a gun owner…

Let’s Rise To Our Occasion

If we expect better from our leaders, we must elect better, support better and work beyond this petty partisan name calling and bickering. We are eminently capable of better, but must ACT on positive impulses, not just add to the rhetoric. Upcoming elections will give us the opportunity to vote with hearts, minds and conscience. We and our children deserve no less.