Can one be too political right now?

Well, I have to say I found the debate frustrating. The advantage in setting the rules of the debate always lies with the incumbent who doesn't HAVE to agree to debate at all. In order to get that forum, to allow the exchange and contrast of governing philosophies, Radnofsky ended up in a so-called debate without debate, as strange as that may seem. There was no rebuttal allowed and so the incumbent was free to ignore the many well-supported arguments that KBH has been largely ineffective, or issue a denial and move on. I am pretty sure most people who watched and were seeing Radnofsky for the first time didn't have much chance to see how brilliant, thoroughly well-informed, and competent she is and observe the contrast with the incumbent. They could glimpse something of Barbara Ann's humor and charm, but Hutchison's advisors cleverly prevented much of a real airing of the issues and personality by insisting on that format. The other limitation was allowing the Libertarian candidate to participate, which ended up splitting the limited airtime three ways instead of two as it would have been if it had been limited to the two major contenders. That wouldn't have been so bad if it weren't the only debate and the only chance for voters to hear from the candidates (unless you have over eight million dollars as the incumbent, in which case you can be heard at any other time you choose). Democracy isn't well served by not allowing a real discussion of the issues.

Then I read the Statesman's endorsements, and so far every single race endorsement of the incumbent with no real examination of the issues, the voting records, and what is actually in the public interest here in Texas and for the common good. By doing that they are supporting the status quo and saying we're doing okay as we are, that there's no real problem with all the hemorrhaging of red ink this Congress has been so eager to vote on with a complete disdain for fiscal responsibility, that it's okay to have needlessly squandered so many of the lives of our best and brightest on the remarkably poorly planned and deeply flawed invasion of Iraq and that continuing to do so is just okay with them. Their endorsement of incumbents says it's just fine with them that college tuition has become enormously more expensive on their watch and financial aid much less available, making college an out-of-reach dream for many bright and talented children. The Statesman's endorsement says it's okay that the state Legislature doesn't record their votes and so our representatives can't be held accountable. What a complete abdication of their responsibility and what a callous disregard for the well-being of their fellow citizens who totally rely on the third estate to stand up for all of us and speak truth to power and speak up for the voiceless.

I haven't scratched the surface of the myriad (and important) ways incumbents have been undoing our social contract and operating in short-sighted and remarkably greedy and selfish ways. In lots of instances there's just one political party in America, the Incumbent party. And now they've repealed protections for whistleblowers, refused to hold investigations and uphold any ethical standards or anyone accountable. Perry and I have gone from worry, to alarm, to outrage over what has happened in our country in just a few short years. Ethics committees don't meet at all (as in the case of Tom DeLay) or set such low standards that they okay candidates' listing a donation they've received as a check but not have to say if it's a gift of $10.00 or $100,000.00. It's deeply frustrating to have most Americans lulled to our danger, soothed by "reality shows", celebrity scandals, etcetara.

We really need an earthquake at the ballot box to say, "No more business as usual" when that has promoted a decline of our democracy to a state where it now is government of, by, and for the major corporations. But the media is complaisant and apparently unable and unwilling to do anything that could threaten their bottom line.

The other thing that really bothered me was a friend who dropped in briefly earlier this evening, catching Perry and I talking about how devastating the Statesman's endorsements were to us and to outstanding candidates we've been working so hard for. She wondered why we were so serious. When we answered, she made the flip remark was that we were just way too political. Perry gently challenged her with the question of "Can one be too political given what is happening in our country?" (She didn't respond.) We found that so discouraging, though I am ultimately not surprised given how little true information most of us receive from our news media.

Courage versus Smith

Until boundaries of several Congressional Districts in Texas were changed by a federal court recently, Hays County residents were represented by Lamar Smith. I’ve written him often about issues up for a vote, with disappointing results. I hoped someone who would represent what was important to me would run for that seat and was delighted John Courage announced. While volunteering for the Courage campaign, I’ve gotten to know and admire him . When the district was reconfigured and Hays County got moved out of the 21st District, I was frustrated I no longer could vote for him. I’m still an enthusiastic volunteer.

Unlike Smith, Courage has military experience, enlisting in the Air Force during the Vietnam War. As a vet and son of a vet who died after never fully recovering from war wounds, veterans’ issues are priorities for Courage. Smith’s lack of support for concerns of disabled and retired veterans outraged him. (Disabled American Veterans rated Smith at zero in the three most recent years, according to Project Vote-Smart.) My dad served in W.W.II, so providing benefits veterans earned and were promised is a sacred trust to me as well.

After military service, Courage became a special education teacher (my own field) in San Antonio, but encountered chronic shortages of educational materials from inadequate funding of federally-mandated programs. He began actively lobbying Rep. Smith on the importance of adequate funding to educate our students. But Smith has a history of rubber-stamping efforts to cut funding for public schools (as well as financial aid for higher education), while supporting charter schools. Smith’s lack of vision or support for educating all students particularly motivated Courage’s challenge of Smith.

Smith also donated $10,000 to DeLay’s defense fund, defending DeLay’s “right” to be Majority leader even after he was indicted. Smith has made no secret of his hopes to be appointed chairman of the House Judiciary Committee in the next session.

I hope area voters recognize our tremendous need for change from a Congressman who has become out-of-touch and elect John Courage. Texans need Courage!

Anna for District Judge

The 428th is a new court, formed a year ago. The governor appointed Bill Henry as its first judge. But Henry had no judicial and limited legal experience, just a short stint in the Hays DA’s office right out of law school dealing with misdemeanor lawsuits and bond forfeitures, and several years in legal practice.

Perhaps lack of experience in areas of law pertinent to the District Court is one reason the San Marcos Police Officers Association withdrew their endorsement of Bill Henry and the Fraternal Order of Police Hill Country Lodge #23 endorsed Anna Martinez-Boling, who is challenging Henry. It’s significant that two different law enforcement organizations demonstrate no confidence in the man who has held the office for a year. They’re in a position to observe the appointee’s rulings more closely than most.

By contrast, Boling has broad experience, as a prosecutor, a defense attorney, in family and civil law, and as a mediator. A former prosecutor in the El Paso Defense Attorney’s office, Boling served on the DA’s Drug Task Force. She’d graduated from SWT and returning to San Marcos, she opened a private practice in defense, family, and civil law. Later she decided to train as a mediator and specialize in family and civil law, focussing on resolving or minimizing conflicts through mediation rather than litigation.

The 428th District Court was designed to hear cases in criminal, civil, and family law. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, Judge Henry chooses to hear just criminal and civil cases, leaving family cases to another judge. Mrs. Boling has a far broader background for the job than Bill Henry does. With her prosecutorial experience and her personal philosophy of defusing conflict through mediation wherever possible in civil and family law cases, she’ll be an outstanding judge for our county.

Boling is deeply respected by those who know her gifts and talents, hard work and family values, commitment to serving her community, and her personal integrity. Boling will be a big improvement over Bill Henry. Hays County needs her leadership and vision on the court.