With early voting underway in Texas, who can a liberal or progressive support in 2014? 

And given how low our expectations are here in Texas, who can we vote for who isn't a far right wing extremist?    

I'll also be focusing on a small number of races in Harris County, Texas. I live in Houston.

Early voting in Texas ends on Friday, October 31. General Election Day is Tuesday, November 4.  

Here is my ballot----

Governor of Texas: Wendy Davis 

I wish Ms. Davis had run a campaign more focused on economic issues and the refusal of the State of Texas to accept the expansion of health care from the Affordable Care Act.  We need to expand turnout in Texas. But Ms.Davis is who we have for the top spot on the ballot. She could be worse. 

Lt. Governor of Texas: Leticia Van De Putte 

Ms. Van De Putte has run a hopeful and energetic campaign against far right-wing extremist Dan Patrick.
Given the power of the Lt. Governor over the Texas State Senate, I'd ask that people consider looking at Dan Patrick's record and discussing this race with fellow Texans.  

United States Senator from Texas: Emily Sanchez

With Democratic U.S. Senate nominee David Almaeel headed nowhere, Texas Green Party nominee Emily Sanchez is the best pick. Ms. Sanchez is the U.S. Senate candidate talking about climate change and fair wages for all.  

Texas Attorney General: Sam Houston

Mr. Houston is a strong competent candidate running against a Republican nominee--Ken Paxton--who may soon face criminal charges.    

Texas Agriculture Commissioner: Kenneth Kendrick

This is another race where the Democrat is not running a credible campaign. Green Party nominee Kendrick is well-informed about Texas agriculture and has a history of taking on big corporate interests.  

Harris County District Attorney: Kim Ogg

This is likely the most important race on the Harris County ballot. Ms. Ogg offers a hopeful and more humane course of justice in Harris County after years of Republican control in this position.

Harris County Judge Executive: David Collins

There is no Democrat in this race. Why not cast a ballot for thoughtful and progressive Green for the highest office in Harris County? 

Harris County Board of Education: Melissa Noriega  

I know Melissa and she is all right. 

Make sure you vote all the way down the ballot on Election Day. The judgeships are important. 

Here is my post from a few days ago of things I intend to do to be of at least some impact in this election.

Taking part in traditional politics does not mean that we should ignore things like the ongoing pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong or the recent climate change march in New York City.  

The work of freedom is up to each of us. We've got to make use of every opportunity and avenue we can to make progress in our nation and the world.  

Here is a list of ideas for everyday resistance to our often greedy and violent society.    

Please read all of NeilAquino.com 

Early voting begins in Texas on Monday, October 20, 2014 and runs through Friday October 31, 2014. General Election Day is Tuesday, November 4, 2014.

Because of our wrongful Texas voter ID which is intended to keep poor people and people of color from voting, here are the various forms of ID that will be accepted at the polls so you'll be allowed to vote. 

Here are things I'm doing to help candidates and ideas I support in this upcoming election and beyond---

1. I'm voting.

2. I'm asking people I know if they are voting. 

3. In the next day or two, I'm going to make a series of small donations to candidates I support and also to the Texas Green Party. The Green Party offers Texas voters a needed option for fair wages, a sustainable way of living and more democracy.

4. I'm using resources I have such as this blog and my Facebook page to advocate for my beliefs. 

5. I'm making this list and asking others to do something similar if they think it might be of value.  It helps to have a plan as time growing short in this election season. 

6. I'm making the point that Texas Republican Lt. Governor Dan Patrick nominee is a far right extremist who should give both independents and Republicans second thought at the ballot box.

7. I'm going to keep on saying that the Democratic Party needs to focus on economic stagnation and frozen wages in Texas and the United States, with the same energy it has applied to some social issues. 

8. I'm asking you to offer your own ideas with a comment here on the blog.

The work of freedom is up to each of us.  

Please read all of NeilAquino.com

About the Wendy Davis/Greg Abbott debate this evening in the 2014 Texas Governor's race--- 

I don't think many undecided people watch political debates on TV. 

A good thing you could do to elect Wendy Davis is to make a list of 5 people you know who might vote for Davis if they vote at all, and make a point to contact those people.

I've also made small donation to Davis if you want to help in that way as well. 

Please read all of NeilAquino.com

Most of my friends are not political. Most are on the left to some degree and have a general awareness of the news, but are not involved in political life beyond voting. 

I'm sometimes reluctant to ask people to take part in conventional politics. The culture of conventional politics is odious and you are not well-represented. 

Your input is not wanted by political consultants who get paid no matter if they lose and by networked insiders who put each other on most influential lists. 

The Democratic insiders won't address basic economic questions & our real prospects for the future. 

Yet regardless of these facts, I have to say that Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick are bad guys and we must to make an effort to stop them. 

These will cut education funding even more to the bone, pass more laws like the state-mandated rape of the forced sonogram law, harass and threaten people of color for trying to vote, fight the EPA despite climate change, keep people off health insurance and on and on. 

If you can make a donation to Wendy Davis for Governor and Leticia Van de Putte for Lt. Governor, get a bumper sticker, talk to friends & family who don't always vote or whatever you choose to do---You'd be doing something of value for Texas. 

I believe these races can be won. 

You don't have to trust the Democratic ticket. You can walk away from them after the election. 

But the bottom line is that as bad as it has been in Texas in recent years, the 2014 Republican ticket is even further to the right than is Rick Perry. 

Out of self-presevation and general decency, we can't sit on the sidelines.

Please read all of NeilAquino.com

Wendy Davis has released her first TV ad in her campaign for Governor of Texas.

Here is a link to the ad.  

The ad details how as a Texas Supreme Court Justice, Greg Abbott said a vacuum cleaner sales company that had employed a convicted sex offender had no obligation at all when that salesman raped a woman in her home in Seguin. 

The vacuum company did not conduct a background check for the salesman. 

The Texas Supreme Court verdict was 6-3 in favor of the woman and against the firm. Both Democrats and Republicans were part of the majority. 

It is no surprise that Mr. Abbott has long maintained a callous stance towards sexual violence. 

Texas Republicans have in recent years enacted the state-mandated rape of the forced sonogram law and made it far more difficult for women to get basic health care. 

Republican Lt. Governor nominee Dan Patrick was a prime architect of the intrusive forced sonogram law.

Mr. Abbott is quite simply an extremist regarding women's freedoms and regarding the rights of citizens against corporations. 

The latest poll from the Republican-leaning polling firm Rasmussen has Ms. Davis down 48%-40% to Mr. Abbott. With four month to go before the election, this race is competitive.  

Please read all of NeilAquino.com