Just when you thought Texas Red politics (read: power struggle) had become predictable---it did.
Texas Red’s Governor took a page out of his mentor’s playbook of typical “w” and Rove dirty tricks.
Reportedly Mike Toomey, goper friend of Rick Perry as well as former chief of staff, has been going all out to make certain Green Party candidates get on the November ballot. This would almost surely siphon off votes that would otherwise go to Democrat Bill White.
Don’t know about you but certainly I can see why it is the founders had such disdain for “political parties.”
Judge blocks Green Party candidates from Texas ballot
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/politics/state/stories/DN-greenparty_25tex.ART.State.Edition1.296ca89.html
The power dynamic of our republic is undergoing an enormous transformation---and for the common folk as is the norm there is little, if any, good in it. The power has always been with a tiny fraction of the top one (1%) percent of the collective, the oligarchs. Realize that the top one (1%) is worth more than the bottom ninety-five (95%) percent of our collective. (Only three (3%) of Americans earn $300,000.00 or more annually) after that the drop is very steep.
Once there was a time when it was pretty much known or at least speculated that all power was concentrated in the hands of but a very few. The oligarchs are now out in the open. That’s “audacity.”
David Halberstam, The Best and the Brightest, articulated that real power doesn’t reside with those whose names are household items but in those whose names we’ve never spoken. Those individuals don’t want to be known. The real power is not in pontificating on camera. That makes those people vulnerable. No, the real power is in owning and manipulating one or more of those types.
This republic has always had at least the illusion of freedom for its folk---today, not so much.
That’s likely the result of almost a decade of totalitarian-like concentration of power with the gopers. Recall that for almost the entire “ought” decade gopers controlled all three branches of our government. Even the elaborate process of checks and balances the founders put in place could not ultimately withstand the influence of wealth. It really never had a chance.
That was followed by a meltdown that insured for years---make that decades to come---that the oligarchs remain firmly in control.
The supremes gave them a sweet deal with this year’s ruling in favor of corporations in politics. (See: Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, which allows corporations to spend unlimited amounts supporting or attacking political candidates).
The founders had a very healthy distrust of government. Who could blame them? Anyone with even a layman’s knowledge of history or political science is aware of the abuses of those who “govern.” And by the way, understand there is no perfect government.
When I see efforts such as this week’s congressional effort to address the condition the supremes put in place with the decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission I realize that the oligarchs are not a monolithic entity.
House Approves the DISCLOSE Act - A Critical First Step in Addressing Unlimited Corporate Money in Politics
http://www.citizen.org/pressroom/pressroomredirect.cfm?ID=3156
Meanwhile in Bexar County someone has finally spoken up about immigration. That it is the shallow and self-interested mayor should tell you something.
Hasta Siempre,
More:
SA City Council passes resolution condemning AZ immigration law
http://www.woai.com/news/local/story/SA-City-Council-passes-resolution-condemning-AZ/fAV41fZh_U2GcSfrEtzZvg.cspx
Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizens_United_v._Federal_Election_Commission
David Halberstam on the Economic Fears of Americans
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GFRDD7zY2c
David Halberstam
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Halberstam
The Best and the Brightest
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Best_and_the_Brightest
Tulane 2003 Commencement Address - David Halberstam
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqRgtaRMGtw
Julian Bond: Freedom, Equality, and Privacy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0H8MDhrsKQ
Howard Zinn on Obama: "If you want to end terrorism, you have to stop being terrorists"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbzkhu1CiVU&feature=related
Tony Soprano : Politics In America
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuKhRYwrZZw
Texas Red
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