Tag Archives: rick perry

The Myth That Is a Kinder, Gentler Rick Perry

Posted on July 6, 2015 | Comments Off on The Myth That Is a Kinder, Gentler Rick Perry

ef6ca-shrp2Much is being made by the media  about Rick Perry’s supposed move to be the kinder, gentler Republican in the race for the GOP  nomination for President. Perry’s announcement that he was “offended” by Donald Trump’s anti-Mexican remarks need to be met with a certain reality:  Perry’s policies prove he is worse than Trump. Perry’s record speaks for itself:

  • The DPS Border Surge in response to children escaping violence and poverty from Central America. (Failures all around)
  • Cutting $4 billion from K-12 and $1 billion from higher education.
  • Anti-Woman policies to close women’s health facilities.
  • Attempts to keep Texans uninsured–would not support Medicaid expansion.
  • And a whole lot more. We know what Rick Perry is all about–destroying Texas.

That’s the problem with the whole Donald Trump BS that has overtaken political news. While Trump will open his big mouth, there are candidates for the GOP nomination with a right-wing record who will now try to play nice offering worthless platitudes. What’s next? Public eating of Mexican food?

Anyway, at this point, it would seem that Rick Perry has as much of a chance for the nomination as Donald Trump (despite Trump’s rise in the polls). What we are seeing because of Trump are the true colors of some in the GOP, and the lengths to which some will go to gain political points; even by attempting to play nice despite the policies they promote. Ultimately, it’s policies that matter and we need to pay attention to the policies (and pronouncements) of every candidate.

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Posted in Elections, U.S. Capitol

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Democratic Responses to the Militarization of South Texas

Posted on July 21, 2014 | 1 comment

Well, you all know how I feel about the militarization and politicization of South Texas 100+ days away from election day. Well, the press releases have finally made their way to my inbox and I’ve found these to be the strongest, thus far, especially Senator Rodriguez’s which points to past problems with the use of the National Guard the military at the border:

Leticia Van de Putte for Governor:  But to strictly militarize the border won’t help us meet this unique humanitarian challenge.  The people of the Rio Grande Valley have made that clear.

State Senator Sylvia Garcia:  Putting military troops on the ground is the exact opposite of what we should be doing.  We should be asking the President and Congress to put politics aside to help our border patrol agents deal with this unprecedented refugee situation and to put resources on the ground for the people who are actually tasked with securing the border and those who are sheltering the unaccompanied minors.

By militarizing the situation, we are going to encourage these children and families to avoid the authorities and cause more deaths and confusion.”

Emmanuel Garcia, Texas Democratic Party:  Governor Perry is continuing his routine of photo-op politics to further his Presidential aspirations….Perry’s use of our guard to score political points is wrong. This is a time for humanitarian support.

State Senator Jose Rodriguez:  Let us not forget less than 20 years ago, in 1997, National Guard troops were sent to the border and that action resulted in the tragic death of 18 year-old Ezekiel Hernandez, Jr. National Guard troops have no knowledge or training about the people who live in this region and will serve no real purpose in a border area where migrant children are willingly turning themselves into Border Patrol.

Militarizing the border isn’t going to solve the problems highlighted by the Governor. Neither will blindly spending millions of dollars without discernible accountability or metrics for success.

State Rep. Ana E. Hernandez:  Activating the Texas National Guard and militarizing the Rio Grande border does not address the problem given that these immigrants are voluntarily turning themselves in and according to local law enforcement there has been no increase in crime.

State Rep. Armando Walle:  Sending troops in to scare children is only the latest chapter in Gov. Perry’s pandering to resurrect his failed presidential run. Gov. Perry’s inappropriate, simpleton, and heavy-handed rhetoric and decision-making in this crisis showcase an ability and willingness to to appeal to fringe elements of his party while also serving as an alarming showcase of bad policymaking.

Wendy Davis, candidate for governor, reiterated her call for a special session to fund more deputies. I would respond, but people need to read it from people who don’t look like me, and PDiddie is on it.

Texpatriate has a take, too.

And Kuff has more, too.

 

 

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Posted in Elections, Sensible Immigration Reform, Texas Lege

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Rick Perry Sets Up More Border Photo Ops

Posted on July 20, 2014 | Comments Off on Rick Perry Sets Up More Border Photo Ops

This time, it’ll be with the Texas National Guard–1000 of ’em–to be deployed by Rick Perry. Apparently, DPS troopers in military garb and automatic weapons just isn’t enough of a sideshow; now, Perry wants to militarize South Texas.

The National Guard troops will join the Texas Department of Public Safety in its recent surge to combat human smuggling and drug trafficking amid the influx of mostly Central Americans illegally crossing the Rio Grande.

This will send costs skyrocketing to about $5 million per week with no particular source in mind for this cash. (Update:  Rick Perry’s people say that the cash will come from “non-critical” budget items like transportation and health care.)

And this is why Democrats running on the statewide ballot should never support anything Rick Perry does, especially if it’s DPS troopers or armed soldiers running around South Texas.

Hopefully, I’ll receive something slamming Rick Perry from Wendy Davis and Leticia Van de Putte.  For now, this is the best tweet.

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The Rick Perry Record

Posted on July 8, 2013 | Comments Off on The Rick Perry Record

Thanks to our friends at One Texas PAC, we have a 2-minute vid that sums up the Rick Perry record in Texas. And if the mantle of leadership is passed on to Greg Abbott, well, it will be more of the same, if not worse.

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Posted in 2013 Categories, 3rd Centavo, Republinuttiness, Texas Lege

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Video: A New Medicaid Plan for Texas

Posted on April 1, 2013 | 1 comment

Thanks to our friends at OneTexas for sending this over. If Republicans don’t want to listen to common sense Democrats, perhaps they’ll listen to some of their own who support Medicaid expansion.

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Posted in 2013 Categories, Health Care, Texas Lege

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Foolin’ Folks…Sorta

Posted on April 1, 2013 | Comments Off on Foolin’ Folks…Sorta

There haven’t been many good April Fool jokes today. One of our Texas House Dem leaders, State Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, sent out a good one.

“Perry Embraces Medicaid Expansion–Funds for Education.”

After all the work that has been put in trying to convince the Gov and other Republicans that it is imperative that it be done, well, the joke of a Governor has continued with his opposition to Medicaid Expansion.

Of course, that didn’t stop the good folks at TOP and Progress Texas from making a fool out of the naysayers. As reported by our friends at Progress Texas.

This morning, volunteers with Progress Texas and the Texas Organizing Project rallied outside Governor Perry’s office demanding he expand Medicaid in Texas to cover hard working Texans. Perry hosted a 10 minute long “roundtable” discussion – where no members of the public were invited – and a joint press conference on Medicaid expansion with Senators John Cornyn & Ted Cruz, along with other Texas Tea Party members. Texans came from across the state to make it known that we need health care, and we need it now.

[…]

The protest only finished a couple hours ago and we’ve already been mentioned by Politico, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the Dallas Morning News, and the Houston Chronicle. We were so loud, members of the press inside could barely hear what the Governor and Senators Cruz & Cornyn were saying!

Good job!

Our friends at Burnt Orange Report, specifically Katherine, had a really good one that, when I shared it on Facebook, had many of my friends asking, “Is this really a joke or is it true?”

“State Rep Debbie Riddle Introduces Statewide Ban On Breakfast Tacos”

Considering her Facebook diatribes against the federal free lunch program, well, it wouldn’t surprise me if she labeled “terror tacos” an immediate threat.

So, BOR gets the award for the best one because it kept people guessing.

RIDDLE RESPONDS:  Guano Loco Taco Act

The bill would mandate culinary background checks for would-be taco vendors who attempt to pass off low quality tacos as gourmet, boutique, Tex-Mex cuisine of a higher order, effectively, closing the current food trailer/truck loophole. These charlatans must be stopped. They have hoodwinked the public for far too long and now face the wrath of the Texas Legislature.

We must secure the quality of the Texas breakfast taco. Then, and only then, can we hope to preserve the integrity of this Texas morning ritual.

In that case, I intend to endorse her in 2014.

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Posted in 2013 Categories, Republinuttiness, Texas Lege

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Farrar Responds to Judge Emmett’s Support of Medicaid Expansion

Posted on February 26, 2013 | Comments Off on Farrar Responds to Judge Emmett’s Support of Medicaid Expansion
farrarmedicaid

click to enlarge

 

 

 

 

 

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Posted in 2013 Categories, Health Care, Texas Lege

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SOTS: The Power of Words (or Lack of Them)

Posted on January 29, 2013 | 1 comment

by Fidencio Leija-Chavez, Jr.

I am not a certified English teacher, and I must confess that English is my second language. However, after several years in the U.S. Navy, my community college experience and now pursuing a master’s degree, I recognize the power of words.

Today (Jan. 29) we had the opportunity to hear our Texas Governor present his State of the State address to all Texans. Following his 3,720-word discourse, the power of words resulted in a lack of words and marginal effort.

Governor Perry opened with recognizing his family, past legislators (i.e. Houston’s Sen. Gallegos) and growth of private-sector jobs. He continued by praising CEO’s, companies and state-of-the-art packing plants. While jobs, business, and the economy of Texas occupied the majority of his speech, the Latino community awaited for Governor Perry to unveil his concern and plan for issues that affect Hispanic children, college students and families throughout the state.

We’ll give him partial credit for utilizing the word education ten times, but he never once covered the hot button issues of vouchers and standardized tests. These two will more than likely push the Governor to keep legislators past their 140 days in Austin.

Before we get to social issues that concern the Latino community (and in my opinion – all Texans), he also failed to mention women and veterans. Even more, what about women that are veterans? His speech just dropped another letter grade.

Women are filling our classrooms, leading in small business, and continuously graduating in higher numbers in college. How could they have been left out? Now, our military men and women should be alarmed that our Texas Governor overlooked them when our soldiers are returning with some of the highest rates of PTSD ever witnessed. There are no excuses for forgetting those who have served this country.

Our community inspired four new congressional seats and holds the largest percentage of children in K-12 in the State and our Governor only mentions the word Hispanic twice. Both of those instances were related to the participation of Hispanic students taking the SAT and ACT.

Which leads our community to wonder – why did he not mention comprehensive immigration reform, sanctuary cities, Dreamers, or social issues that affect everyday Hispanic communities?

Governor Perry gave us a one sided State of the State address. He applauded his supporters and defended conservative ideology while failing to recognize issues that matter to the state’s largest constituency & voting base – women, veterans, Latinos and new American citizens. These groups are engaged, united and voting in greater numbers each year, so do not be alarmed as you see them closing the gap and shifting our state to purple as our Governor and Legislative officials fail to recognize them when it matters. Words do matter!

There were 3,720 words used in the State of the State speech by Governor Rick Perry. Below is a breakdown of keywords that were used in present, past and future tense. In addition, the words could have been used in singular, plural, and in conjunction with other words.

Veterans = 0
Women = 0
Community Colleges = 1
Minority = 1
Hispanic = 2
Economic = 5
Private = 5
Business = 6
Education = 10
Fund = 13
Jobs = 16
 

Joining DosCentavos.net as a bloguero is Fidencio “Orale” Leija-Chavez, Jr. Fidencio is a Co-Founder of Latinos. Engaged. United. Voting., a US Navy Vet, a Texas State University Bobcat studying Geographic Information Systems, a graduate of Houston’s National Hispanic Professional Organization Leadership Institute, and a local political pro.

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Posted in 3rd Centavo, Health Care Now1, Houston Politica, Immigration, LEUV, Texas Lege

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A Piss Test to Piss Us Off From Rick Perry

Posted on November 14, 2012 | 1 comment

Two of the Republican Party’s recent losers want to blame women and children for their losses, apparently. Rick Perry and his boy Dewhurst have hit rock bottom and now want to require drug testing for beneficiaries of need-based benefits (welfare, TANF).

Senate Bill 11 would require applicants to the Texas Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program to undergo a drug test. If applicants fail the test, they would not be eligible to apply again for a full year, unless they attended a substance abuse treatment program. The bill was written by state Sen.Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, and several other Republican lawmakers.

I guess they missed the whole loaves and fishes part of the Bible.

“Adding insult to injury,” Jim Harrington, director of the Texas Civil Rights Project, said in a press release, “is that Perry would pay for the drug testing out of the very TANF funds that should go to provide assistance to people. In other words, he’s taking about $350,000 worth food and assistance from all families from the general TANF grant just to try to find a few violators.  This is simply callous and perverse.”

Dewhurst says businesses test their employees, as part of his defense. As much as I disagree with businesses who do that, people in need are not employees and the State of Texas would be a failed and boarded up business by now. Defend all you want, this is just wrong and lacks any humanity the Republicans may have had left.

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Posted in Republinutiness, Texas Lege

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