Racism

All this talk of Ron Paul and racism has caused me to reflect.

Racism exists.  Today.  Right here in America.  I can say that with confidence because I am a white mother of a black son.  If you don’t know my family dynamics, reread that sentence.  Let it soak in.  It will make sense after you read it a couple times.  And just in case you’re confused about racism, it goes both ways.  I’m not blaming whites or blacks or Muslims or Christians.  It’s everywhere and we’re all capable of it.  My personal experiences… While shopping at a Walmart Pharmacy, I was denied the medicine I needed for my son by a black pharmacy tech.  A social worker later explained that many black women in our local area are offended by white women marrying black men.  White woman, black son must equal black husband.  We had some white friends that said that our (white) daughter was welcome to come over, but our (black) son was not.  Then there was the person who was encouraging my white child to be a doctor or an inventor and told my black child he could be a rapper.  That person was sincere.  I’ve been asked if his penis is bigger.  Yep, you read that right.   Do moms compare penis sizes at playgroup or something?  I must’ve missed that one.  And for some reason, people seem to think it’s more ok to tell me racist jokes.

Why did I tell the inhabitants of the internet all this?  Because I don’t want some silly, “You’re white, you don’t understand” response.  Do I understand every aspect of racism?  No.  Who really does?  I do know that my son is more likely to be pulled over by the police, more likely to be evaluated for special education, etc.  While most people aren’t openly racist, there are stereotypes that guide everyday life.

So, what about these racist Ron Paul newsletters?  I can’t tell you if he wrote them or not.  But I’ll give my two cents on it.  Adjust it for inflation, and it probably won’t amount to much.  However, it’s my blog, so I can say what I want.

1. The ghostwriter explanation makes sense.  If you’ve had any affiliation with a candidate, campaign, or organization, you’ll know that they use them all the time.  Most mail pieces, emails, etc. are written by staff or consultants.  They’re also edited by staff.  They are written in first person as though the candidate or leader of the organization wrote it.  And that person rarely sees what was written in his or her name.  I’ve even ghostwritten a few email pieces.
2. Ron Paul doesn’t name his ghostwriter.  Often more than one person works on one piece.  And most organizations probably don’t keep record of who wrote which piece.  In fact, it’s fairly common for a candidate to not know the writers.  Why hire a staff if you still try to run everything on your own?
3. The bulk of Ron Paul’s speeches are clearly not racist.  He protests the War on Drugs which disproportionately incarcerates black males.  His stance on civil rights is far beyond that of modern Republicans.
4. Maybe he is racist at some level.  Granted I probably won’t get the Ron Paul Supporter of the Year Award for that statement.   I do have to question the relevance of a handful of statements made decades ago that MAY have come from him.  Here’s the thing.  Most Americans are racist.  My personal experiences in racism are irritating, and sometimes downright painful, but I must take them in stride.  If I disqualified people from my life because of the stupid things they say and do regarding race, I’d be isolated.  Do I tell my daughter that she can’t be friends with certain people because their families are racist?  Do I not shop somewhere because one employee refused service?  Do I ostracize family, friends, and church members because they made a statement that seemed harmless to them?

In the end, I still wonder about the newsletters.   Is it a negative in my book?  Yes.  However, when I compare the pros and cons of the Republican candidates, one still stands out above the rest.  Ron Paul is still more consistent than those other guys and gal.  And thankfully Ron Paul refrains from the typical (and evidently acceptable) Republican hate speech against Muslims, Islamists, Iranians, etc.  If you want to call Ron Paul a racist, that’s fine.  But let’s call all of them out for it.  The rest of the candidates want to bomb all over the Middle East because of a stereotypical fear of Middle Easterners.  And they want to “help” Israel do the same even when Israel’s Prime Minister doesn’t want the help.

I doubt any of us have found a candidate with whom we agree with 100%.  As the light shines on each of them, we’ll find a little more dirt than we’d like to see.  In the end, hopefully, each of us will support the man or woman who is the most consistent on the issues, has the greatest character, and will lead our nation as defined within the Constitution.  For me, that person is still Ron Paul.

I detest the title of this, but it’s a good video.  Take a look.

No Spot for Kay Bailey Hutchison

There’s a sentence I hear sometimes that makes my head spin and smoke rise from ears.  “A vote for Medina is a vote for Hutchison.”   The people chanting this mantra must know something about our electronic voting machines.  They should go public with this scandalous information.  A switch-a-roo like that should be exposed and people should go to jail.   Seriously.

The reality is that Kay Bailey Hutchison is a sinking ship and Medina is a rising star.  The only thing a vote for Medina will do is sink Hutchison even more, and bring Texas back to where it should be – leading our nation by example.

Texans don’t trust Hutchison.  She hasn’t left the Senate as promised.  The continual postponements make voters wonder if she’ll really keep her word.  Steve Odgen promised he wouldn’t run again, yet he is.  Politicians lie all the time, and Texans expect Hutchison will lie too.  Texas Republicans are a devout bunch.  Abortion is at the forefront for many voters, yet Kay isn’t always on the side of life.  Or states’ rights for that matter.  Instead of being forthright about her views, she gives muddy answers like Bill Clinton responding to the Monica Lewinsky sex allegations.  These encounters only increase her negative  image as an entrenched politician.  And then there’s her record.  Bailout votes, ignoring constituents, 94% on the side of life (to quote her from the Belo Debate).  People aren’t all that impressed.  We’re left wondering why she’s leaving her cushy Senate job.  Is there something we don’t know yet?

Of course, Perry is no better.  He can’t decide if stimulus money is good or bad.  One day he’s against federal dollars.  The next day he’s digging into the federal money pile along side General Motors and California.   Rick Perry claims the Trans Texas Corridor is dead; however, it’s alive under other names.  TxDOT still has the authority to build roads at taxpayer’s expense and then sell them to private companies who will charge you tolls to use the roads you paid for.  That’s called a double tax.  Slick, eh?  The state’s debt has tripled under Perry’s reign, but he likes to tell everyone Texas is doing well.  Those of us in the real world know that when our credit card debt triples, we’re in big trouble.  We usually consider selling the house, not adding on to it.

Debra Medina is angelic next to Rick and Kay.  Debra Medina works for a living.  How long has it been since Hutchison or Perry has held a real job…besides trying to run your life?  Medina recognizes that family comes first and the government needs to get out of the way.  She educated her children herself, so she knows what Texas needs to educate it’s children.  Medina knows that the criminals won’t register their guns or follow unconstitutional gun restrictions.  An armed citizenry is a safe citizenry.  And let’s be honest.  Our founding fathers knew the worst thugs would be in government.  When government seeks to disarm it’s citizens, even under the guise of safety, BEWARE!  Medina understands this, and will fight to ensure that your right to bear arms shall not be infridged.  Medina’s border plan is what the grassroots has begged for.  Texas Guard Troops at the border, eliminate social services for illegal immigrants, and withdraw from unconstitutional treaties that harm the Texas economy.  Trade isn’t “free” if there are strings attached.

Based on recent polls of Republican Primary Voters, Medina is statistically tied with Hutchison.  These polling companies interview people who have voted in recent Republican Primaries.  These are the committed Republicans.  You know, the people who actually know what a Primary is and how it differs from a General Election or a Run-Off.  Unfortunately these polls do not capture even a small snapshot of the current political landscape, the revolution that is brewing.  We only need to look to Scott Brown winning the Massachusetts Senate seat or the NY23 fiasco to realize that there is a powerful force moving through our nation.  That force is the angry voter.  They are Republicans, Libertarians, Independents, and occasionally Democrats.  They haven’t voted in primaries in years, if ever, so they aren’t appearing on the political radar until it is too late.  These angry voters are tired of entrenched politicians and their ilk.  And when it comes to the Texas Gubernatorial Race, there is only one candidate who is not an entrenched, establishment politician owned by corporate lobbies and special interests.  From Indepent Texans to 9/12 groups to Tea Parties, these cabals of angry voters are flocking to Debra Medina.  And no one is polling them.

I will not be surprised if Medina wins outright on March 2.  If these new Primary voters show up in force as they are expected to, the Republican establish will be shaken.  At a bare minimum, I expect we’ll see Debra Medina in the runoff and not Kay Bailey Hutchison.

The Party of No? It should be the Party of No Freakin Way!

The political games the Republican Party plays make me queasy.  The ship sways to the right, “We are conservative!” they shout.  The ship sways to the left as the candidates and elected officials vote.  Back and forth.  Back and forth.  All the while, the grassroots are vomiting over the side. 

Didn’t we dump tea in the water and dress up in costumes very recently?  Did we not carry signs, sign petitions, and call your offices incessantly?  Have you forgotten us already?  Perhaps we should vomit on your shoes instead of politely overboard.  You might notice us then. 

So what has me sick today that I am publishing this rant?  William Flores.  He plopped down his filing fee to run for Congressman in my District, CD17… As a Republican.  Big deal.  Add him to the list, right?  Just another Republican.  Sure, except that he voted in the Democratic Primary in 2008 (according to claims made by Timothy Delasandro).  Not 20 years ago when he was young and naive.  No, last year.  The 2008 primary, when we still had several choices.  Months before we were saddled with John McCain. 

So here’s where I get really nauseated.  Most Republican groups won’t get involved in the primaries (besides secretly excluding candidates that are actually conservative or, God-forbid, libertarian-leaning).  They won’t say a word when someone who voted for Barak or Hilary claims to be your Republican savior.  Oh, but wait, The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) picked Flores.  So they don’t mind inserting themselves into our primary, even though they aren’t from CD17.  Where are our County Chairs?  They have access to Voter Vault.  Why don’t they speak up?  I hope this is on the agenda of the next meeting of each Republican group across CD17.  I know I’ll be bringing it up at Brazos County Young Republicans next meeting.  I hope our County Chairs speak up.  Republican Women.  College Republicans.  Republican Club.  SREC.   Pachyderms.  Raging Elephants.  Republican Liberty Caucus.  Young Republicans.  We need to discuss this, at  a bare minimum.  Political Parties are known for ignoring the obvious until they are forced to deal with it.  Let’s deal with this now.  It’s time that it means something to be a Republican. 

I realize the idea is to let all the Republican candidates duke it out in attack ads and debates.  For the most part, that makes perfect sense.  The Primary is when Republicans have choices, hopefully.  The leadership shouldn’t try to force its will on the people.  However, when it comes to obvious things like voting in the Democratic Primary in the last election, it’s time for our leadership to stand up.  People have different ideas of what it means to be a Republican.  I think most of us can agree that voting in the last Democratic Primary doesn’t fall into the Republican category.  If Flores wants to run against Chet, he should do so in the Democratic Primary, where he voted most recently. 

The idea of the Big Tent doesn’t mean that our candidates do not adhere to some sort of political philosophy.  It means that we welcome anyone who subscribes to the idea of limited government.  Perhaps Flores is seeing the light, and moving towards limited government principles; however, 2008 was a little too recent for this gal.

Hopefully I’m wrong about Mr. Flores.  I really hope I am.