Is another Texas governor going to seek the presidency in 2012? Reports were trickling out last week that Governor Perry may seek the Republican nomination for president. In a race that thus far, promises to be populated largely by governors, Perry would constitute another moderate southerner (which means relatively conservative in today’s political climate), with a solid chance winning the party’s nod.
The electorate typically tends to favor governors being promoted to the Whitehouse. Of the last eight presidents, five have been former governors. It seems that, for the most part, voters are most comfortable with strong executives holding the highest post in the land, rather than legislators, whose stock in trade tends to be compromise and deal making. If the Texas governor did enter the race he would be one of a crowded field of State executives running, or who have considered running. They include the following names: Tim Pawlenty(MN) running, Mitt Romney (MA), running, Sarah Palin (AK), considering run, Mitch Daniels (IN) just decided not to run, and Mike Huckabee, (AR) who also decided not to run. In addition to these potential candidates, are popular favs, who, were they to enter the race, would probably inspire a ground swell of popular conservative support. They also happen to be governors and include names like: Bobby Jindal, (LA) and Chris Christy (NJ).
Reports of whether or not Mr. Perry will throw his name into the race are still sketchy, but in recent years Texas voters seem interested in a change. Even republicans are dubious of their governor’s conservative credentials, despite his attempt to shore them up around election time. Perry’s victory over Bill White last year was more of a vote against the contender than it was a wholesale endorsement of the incumbent. A move on the nomination would potentially do a couple of things for the Texas Governor. First, it may reunite his base at home with the prospect of another Texan running for President. Secondly, it would be an opportunity for upward mobility in an election year when the nation is again going to be largely concerned with voting against an unpopular incumbent. And lastly it would provide a capstone to a political career that will otherwise, likely end with this term in office.
Would I vote for the governor’s promotion? Not sure. He certainly has accomplishments to his credit, but there are certainly other candidates I’d like to see whose conservatism I find more authentic, and who are more willing to fight in a sure to be contentious campaign. As a Texan, I’m generally prone to support our candidates when they go national, but I have to be a purest on this one. I will support Governor Perry if he wins the nomination, but until then, I’ll have to hold out a while and see how the field shapes up. At the end of the day I’ll be surprised if Mr. Perry takes the plunge. The public mood seems to want something new and different. Personally, I think the governor looks too much like an establishment candidate. But that’s just me…
Protests, signs, angry screams, chants and threats of violence; are continuing today. And no I’m not talking about the mid- east, I’m referring to that workers paradise that is Madison, Wisconsin. I hate protests. I don’t even like protesting for things I support. One never goes home from a demonstration with a sense of accomplishment. I vote so I don’t have to demonstrate. The protesters in Madison are proving the old adage that no good deed goes unpunished. The states and feds have been caving to unions like the National Educators Association (NEA) for so long, that their members now have way overblown senses of entitlement. In the face of a dire financial crises, the Wisconsin voters chose a governor on the basis that he would takes steps to cut the state budget. Various unions (particularly the teachers union) are now objecting to the state’s re-budgeting on the basis that it cuts too deeply into their benefits, even though private sector benefits and pensions are experiencing even greater hits.
While trolling the news for article topics I came on one, the subject of which is the stuff of nightmares. Philadelphia abortionist Kermit Gosnell has been arrested after a grand jury investigation into his practice. The details of what was uncovered are horrifying! This “Doctor” performed abortions and surgeries in extremely unsanitary conditions all the while ridiculing his patient’s discomfort. One story I read talked about pets and liter boxes being present in the O.R. at the time surgeries were taking place. Unlicensed, under-aged, assistants also participated in operations.
Texas to Ban Texting and Driving
May 27th, 2011On the surface it seems like a slam dunk. We all have stories we could tell of people becoming involved in accidents because they were trying to text while driving. I certainly don’t deny that it’s extremely unwise. But the question for me is; where does the legislation end? Should we pass a law that says you can’t tune the radio and drive? Or how about eat and drive? Maybe drink and drive, (and no I don’t mean alcohol, I mean anything). Cherry lime-aids are particularly dangerous if one goes rooting around the bottom of the cup looking for cherries when the drink is gone. This seems like more nanny- state legislation to me. And for some reason, we in Texas are really susceptible to peer- pressure. If a big fancy state like New York has it, we should too! It’s the same thinking that brought that ludicrous smoking ban to Tyler.
No one can possibly argue that texting and driving are, two things that go great together; nor is smoking good for you, nor is eating too much red meat! Hey! And you know what? Sitting too close to the TV is hard on the eyes! Oh and it’s a bad idea to swim after eating! Maybe pools should be held liable if I cramp up while swimming. Government, local, state, or national, does not exist to protect us from every risk. But we have lost the ability to distinguish what is unwise, from what is unlawful, and given a few years, we’re all going to be so mired down in petty rules and regulations we’re not going to be able to turn around without some do-gooder or other handing us a ticket.
“So what would you do? HUH?!” Well I don’t know… For starters, I’ve no opposition to raising the driving age a bit. I’d wager that a large portion of the offenders are young people anyway. Surely not all, but most I expect. But maybe we as citizens just need to be more responsible. I understand the good intentions here. Honestly I’d probably be hard pressed to find anyone who defends the right to text and drive. But at some point we’ve got to stop trying to legislate common sense.
Tags: Accidents, Aids, Alcohol, Bad Idea, Cherries, Cherry Lime, Cramp, Democrat, Hard On The Eyes, Judith Zaffirini, Laredo, Nanny State, Pools, Reading Texts, Red Meat, Slam, Smoking Ban, State Legislation, Texas Senate, Texas texting and driving, Tyler Texas, Verbiage
Posted in Socio-Political Commentary | No Comments »