Rick Perry’s Tent Revival Coming to Houston

When Rick Perry prayed for rain earlier this summer, I didn’t know what to think, other than:  Is this a joke? The photo the Texas Tribune used of him looking up to the sky was quite the side-show. Of course, we all know that it was Obama’s visit which made it rain.

It is hard to believe Rick Perry’s sincerity as a Christian given that he cares little for the future of Texas: he supports cutting public education by $4 billion, cutting university/college funding by another $1 billion, putting at risk thousands of immigrant families with hateful legislation, and gutting health care programs that help the economically disadvantaged, among other unChristian actions.

So, I’d like to know for what exactly he is praying? Certainly not to increase the number of high school graduates. He doesn’t seem to care about “closing the gaps” by defunding our colleges and universities. And we all know how he feels about Latinos and immigrants. And he is a champion for that Republican health care plan of “don’t get sick.” So, what’s the deal?

Is he praying for his messed up view of morality where Gays don’t exist, or are simply in hiding? Is he praying for a return to the good ol’ days before the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act were established? Is he praying for women to be subservient? That’s what I get from this statement:

“Given the trials that beset our nation and world, from the global economic downturn to natural disasters, the lingering danger of terrorism and continued debasement of our culture, I believe it is time to convene the leaders from each of our United States in a day of prayer and fasting, like that described in the book of Joel,” Perry said.

Some will say that this tent revival is all about Iowa.

Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, called the rally “an obvious appeal to fundamentalist Christians, who comprise 60 percent of the turnout in the Iowa caucuses.”

That makes sense.

Still, for whatever the reason, this side-show detracts from the real problems Texas is facing and that Rick Perry has avoided and/or caused  since he was Lt. Governor. The people of Texas can either be made fools or point out the fools amongst them and elect people who will fight for the children of Texas.

But that takes voting. And come 2011, 2012, and 2014, and beyond, we must vote like our lives depended on it.