I got an e-mail fundraising pitch today from my State Representative Ann Johnson. I know Ann, she is effective and I'm glad to have her as my State Rep. (I'm fine to ask more of Democrats when needed.)
Rep. Johnson reported in her e-mail that she had received the endorsement of the Houston Chronicle. The Chronicle cited her willingness to work with Republicans in the endorsement. Here is a small portion of what the e-mail said: "It's true: I am willing to negotiate and compromise to get things done for my district. But I have my limits. I will not negotiate when it comes to private school vouchers." Rep. Johnson says she has limits and school vouchers pass those limits. That's good to know. Vouchers are a scam to gut public schools and make Texas a theocracy. Are there other points where elected Democrats should set limits in dealing with authoritarian Texas Republicans? Democratic State Rep. John Bryant of Dallas has said House Democrats should be more aggressive with Republicans. A reason often given for why Texas House Democrats need to go along to get along is that they are looking for good committee assignments from majority Republicans. It is not clear though how much longer good committee appointments and committee chairs will be offered to the minority by Republicans. Texas House Democrats made a quorum break Washington in 2021 to oppose a voter suppression bill. That was a setting of limits. At least until it faltered. What would be a limit exceeded or boundary crossed that would cause Texas House Democrats to take up aggressive opposition-or even consistent protest-as a main approach to House Republicans? Mass deportations across Texas? Prohibiting women from traveling out of state for needed reproductive health care? Overturning Harris County elections results? Active support of a Donald Trump effort to win the election through violence or in our rigged Supreme Court after having lost at the ballot box? Support of repressive or violent actions by a President Trump enabled by the immunity he's been granted by the Supreme Court? Moves towards approved state violence towards trans people? Representative Johnson brought up the concept of limits that can't be crossed. It's an idea worth developing and asking Texas legislators about. What are your limits? When do you break with a business as usual that has brought us to the brink of authoritarianism? What risks will you take for the people you represent? Why would you imagine that you are safer than anybody else? Here is my fundraising pitch for Houston Democracy Project. I'm doing the work and showing up in many different ways. Please help the effort. Please sign the Houston Democracy Project petition to make the pledge to show up for freedom in 2024 no matter what. The Houston Democracy Project works daily to inspire, organize and strengthen pro-democracy coalitions in Houston and Harris County.
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October 2024
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