Politics are not fair, especially in Texas. The very nature of politics is for organized groups to influence policies and laws. Many times decisions are made to keep the agencies and policies in place that a particular party put into place. Each party competes regarding which policies are acted on and which policies are dismantled. The parties purposely complicated agencies and policies in order to insure their continued existence. The continuation of the policies is often the prime directive of politicians. Whether or not the policy is legal or the will of the people is often ignored for the sake of maintaining the policy. 

The best example of this at high levels of politics is John Nance Garner. As Vice President John Nance Garner often disapproved of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's policies, and thought that they were foolish. Since he was a former Speaker of the House, he knew how important politics were. He was known to hold his nose and give legislation a thumbs down when he presented it for a vote in the Legislature. 

"It doesn't matter what kind of a fool you think he is; he's your fool just as long as he's President and the leader of your party."-Vice President John Nance Garner of Texas. 

Texas has a long history of colorful politics. The many historic anecdotes illustrate the dynamics of politics and how they operate. They also illustrate the subtle and not-so-subtle techniques used by politicians. Following are anecdotes and eleven political lessons from Texas politics.

In the Republic of Texas, the first elected President, Sam Houston, established many precedents for Texas regarding policies and how things were done. He went out of his way to establish friendly relations with the Indian tribes, dismantle the Texas Navy and seek annexation into the United States.

When Maribeau Lamar was elected President, Houston attended the inauguration dressed as George Washington. He delivered such a long-winded speech, that Lamar decided to forgo his acceptance speech for the sake of the audience. Houston’s antic totally undermined President Lamar’s inauguration. Houston knew how people revered Washington and he played on that sentiment.

1. Politicians often use images and symbols to shape opinions.

Lamar turned around and took firm steps against hostile Indian tribes, built up the Texas Navy, and moved the Capital to Austin in order to distance it from the influence of the United States. He established other policies as well, yet these illustrate how he took positions almost the direct opposite of his predecessor. Such types of changes in policy are common in politics.

2. Politicians often change or reverse policies of their predecessors whether or not it is in the best interest of the people.

President Houston often used shock tactics in his dealings. He once flashed his bare chest to the head of the French claiming that his battle scars were his medals. Houston also denigrated his opponents, citing how they were not loyal, or making them sound diminutive (little Jeffy for Jefferson Davis) or derogatory (referring to Senator Louis Wigfall as “Senator Wiggletail”). Such tactics are common in the realm of politics. The emotional impact of the terms used often molded and shaped the minds of the public in their perception of the targeted person. Houston's behavior of personal attack politics also brought with it fallout. He was challenged to numerous duels over his comments and was once attacked by the head of the Republic of Texas military with an axe. 

3. Politicians often use shock tactics and name calling when they can not change policy by the force of their arguments.

While many Texans were away from their home fighting, Governor Pendleton Murrah often found himself at odd with the local military authorities. He was opposed to the forced conscription of Texans against their will. He believed that they were needed in Texas more than in other locations. When the men who opposed the draft were brought to trial, Murrah instructed the courts to go lenient on them. This policy angered General Kirby Smith, the military commander of the region including Texas.Kirby Smith and Generla John Magruder also attempted using slave labor without compensation. Governor Murrah would not let them use any laborers without compensation, even when it was for military purposes. 

4. Politicians can often come up with creative solutions to difficult situations.

5. A watchful eye must be kept on the military by politicians, especially during wartime, for an army can be as dangerous as it is useful.

When Texas was being socially re-engineered after the War of Northern Aggression, many policies were forced on the public. The Governor in power (Edmund J. Davis) used many forms of force to stay in power. He replaced legitimate law enforcement personnel with an appointed a private State Police. His State Police and appointees often used military force and bully techniques to enforce his unpopular policies. Davis's State police were disbanded in 1871. Davis changed election laws and positioned his political appointees in judge positions in order to insure that he won important elections. His appointees invalidated an election that he lost in the popular vote. The invalidation allowed him to remain in power in total disregard of the people.Eventually, he left office after the State legislature climbed into the State House through ladders to the second floor and swore in Richard Coke as Governor in disregard of Davis and his threats. 

6. Politicians do not give up power easily.

7. Politicians often use force when their policies are not popular.

8. When politicians can not win an election at the ballot box, they often use the courts to win elections.

After a particularly heated election campaign, Governor Miriam Ferguson was defeated. In her final days in office, she went on a pardoning spree. Among those pardoned was convicted Ku Klux Klan leader which her opponent, Dan Moody had worked feverously to convict when he served as attorney general for the state. Her tenure prior to leaving had been a contentious one. On taking office, she fired many of the Texas Rangers due to their support of the previous Governor Ross Sterling in his re-election bid. She replaced the fired Rangers with political appointees who used their office to cover illicit activities. It was during this time that Bonnie and Clyde conducted their lawless campaigns in Texas.

9. Politicians use any tool available to them, including pardons to get back at their opponents.

10. Politicians often place thier policies ahead of public safety.

Lyndon Baines Johnson was a consummate politician. His political career provides a long term study in how politics work. Many of his actions are legendary political metaphors.

In one election, Johnson ran against William Lee "Pappy" O’Daniel. Johnson thought he had the election until some late ballots came in and changed the outcome of the election. The defeat was a bitter sting for Johnson, who told his staff, “This will never happen again”. In the next highly contested election, it was Johnson who won based on some last minute votes that were ‘found’ in Jim Wells County. His peers referred to him as “Landslide Lyndon” after he won the election to the US Senate with such a slim margin.

11. Although Joseph Stalin once said, "it is not the people’s votes that count, it is the people who count the votes that matter", the quote fits the career of Lyndon Baines Johnson as well.

Another colorful political figure out of Texas in the 20^th century was Governor Ann Richards. When her administration was faced with the aftermath of the shootings at the Luby’s restaurant in Killeen, Texas, there were many decisions that had to be considered. Rather than ban guns, many Texans saw the best solution as to allow more law abiding citizens to carry guns. Although a majority of the people and politicians wanted passage of a concealed carry law she opposed it and even vetoed it. Despite her resistance, the measure passed.

12. Politicians often have more concern about preserving their policies than the will of the people.