Active Dem. Clubs & Volunteers Need Not Be In Sync With Our Elected Officials-Houston Democracy Project Notes, 10/13

Here are Houston Democracy Project Blog Notes & Observations for October 13th. Election Day is in 23 days on November 5th & Early Voting begins in 8 days on October 21st. 

I post often about frustrations with elected Democrats in Harris County not doing all they could to help in the 2024 campaign.     

Here are some reasons elected Democrats are often not connected to the concerns and hopes of party rank & file--

1. They want to raise a lot of money and hoard that money. Often this is about scaring off a primary challenge. Sometimes it feels like it is just about haording money.  
2. Raise campaign funds to pay for whatever it is permissive campaign finance laws allow. Some office holders do well off campaign money.    
3. Tamp down voter turnout and political enthusiasm to avoid an active political climate that generates primary challenges.
4. Cater to donors in ways that poorly serve voters.  
5. Do as little as possible and still be an elected official.  
6. Use the power they have to satisfy private whims, agendas or vendettas.
7. Not anger Republicans who in a legislative chamber might control committee assignments or the success of proposed bills. (There might be the value in this. But it's not clear how much longer Democrats will retain a meaningful voice in the organization of the Texas House).  
8. Look for a safe place to land in an entirely possible authoritarian future.  

Active Democrats & Democratic Clubs and Organizations do not need to be in sync or deferential to elected officials. They are elected employees here to make our lives better. Hold them to that standard. Not to standards that serve them rather than us at this dark time.    

Here are some Harris County Democratic state legislators who are showing up for the Harris County Democratic ticket.  
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* The Associated Press has a story today about Trump's intent to use the military at the border and against domestic protest and dissent. This is a matter that impacts Houston/Harris County. I don't think people on our side of the fight fully  grasp even at this point what is on the way if the Trump/Vance/Musk ticket prevails. Why would you want to?  

From the story:      

He has pledged to recall thousands of American troops from overseas and station them at the U.S. border with Mexico....He has explored using troops for domestic policy priorities such as deportations and confronting civil unrest. He has talked of weeding out military officers who are ideologically opposed to him...In an interview aired Sunday on Fox News Channel, Trump was asked about the potential of “outside agitators” disrupting Election Day and he then pivoted to what he called “the enemy from within.”...“I think the bigger problem is the enemy from within,” Trump said. He added: “We have some very bad people. We have some sick people, radical left lunatics. And I think they’re the big — and it should be very easily handled by, if necessary, by National Guard, or if really necessary, by the military, because they can’t let that happen.”

* My friend and colleague Egberto Willies hosted two strong public education advocates on his Politics Done Right show. Sarah Terrell and Jessica Catrett have long been involved in HISD issues. They spoke to Egberto about why Houstonians should oppose the HISD  bond. In addition to policy issues connected to how F. Mike Miles is trashing HISD, it's a democracy issue with the State of Texas removal of the elected HISD Board. The segment runs 20 minutes and will help you talk to voters about the Bond. You can also go the Community Voices for Public Education website to learn more & to join efforts against the bond.     

The Houston Democracy Project is on Politics Done Right each Thursday from 6 AM to 7 AM. You can hear the show on the radio, stream it on KPFT or watch later on Egberto's YouTube channel.​​

* The Houston League of Women's Voters Houston Voters Guide is online and in print.  I've got a print copy I picked up somewhere. There is an outdated feeling to the effort. The League envisions a bipartisanship that looks past the threat to democracy poised by Republicans. Many candidates-especially Republicans-did not reply. The Democrats who don't reply are disappointing. They can  take a bit of time to sustain the civic spirit represented by the League's Guide.

And it is true that if you spend some time with the Voter's Guide you will get some insights. The hard work of well-intended folks should not be blown off. I wish their view of politics was one I could adhere to.        
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