Texas Governor Rick Perry's Astonishing Idea: Texas Should Become Its Own Nation: Yahoo!
73The title of a recently released Yahoo! article is "Democrats: Texas gov. should disavow secession talks". The most significant sentence in this article is "Gov. Rick Perry, in comments issued following an anti-tax "tea party", never did advocate Texas breaking away from the United States, BUT SUGGESTED THAT TEXAS MIGHT AT SOME POINT GET SO FED UP (that) THEY WOULD WANT TO LEAVE THE UNION". Mr. Governor, leaving the union = leaving the United States! The Confederate States of America was abolished after the Civil War!.
This led to an avalanche of negative reactions from Texas state democrats from both the House and the Senate. According to Waco Rep. Jim Dunnam, "Talk of cessation IS AN ATTACK ON OUR COUNTRY. It can be nothing else. It is the ultimate anti-American statement". "an attack on our country" and "ultimate anti-American statement" are pretty damning criticisms.
Houston State Sen. Rodney Ellis said that Perry "is taking a step DOWN A VERY DANGEROUS AND DIVISIVE PATH, ENCOURAGED BY THE FRINGE OF TEXAS POLITICS". How times have changed. "dangerous and divisive" used to be words that Republicans used to attack Democrats and now, it's the other way around. Also, "the fringe of Texas politics" is significant, because even the massively unpopular George W. Bush wouldn't have said something like this. In fact, Bush promoted himself as the ultimate patriot in his re-election campaign in 2004 while Perry is promoting a horse of a different breed.
So, Mr. Governor, how do you respond? On Wednesday, Perry said "We've got a great union. THERE'S ABSOLUTELY NO REASON TO DISSOLVE IT. BUT IF WASHINGTON CONTINUES TO THUMB ITS NOSE AT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE you know, who knows what might come out of that. BUT TEXAS IS A VERY UNIQUE PLACE AND WE'RE A PRETTY INDEPENDENT LOT TO BOOT". Mr. Governor, Texas is a very unique and independent place/state. OK, we agree with you on that. That's why Texas has state and local (i.e. city/county) laws that can deviate slightly from the laws of other states and you have state and local elections which are completely independent from state and local elections in other states. What else could you want that would cause you to come up with a proposal as outrageous as this? In fact you said "We've got a great union. There's absolutely no reason to dissolve it" so aren't you contradicting yourself?
On Thursday, Perry tried to justify his comments on Wednesday: "I refer people back to my statement and I get a charge of it. I was kind of thinking that maybe THE SAME PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T READ THE CONSTITUTION RIGHT were reading that article and they got the wrong impression about what I said. Clearly, I stated (that) we have a great union (and that) Texas is part of a great union. And I see no reason for that to change". Perry is just making this coverup statement to appease his critics.
Now, here's the really interesting question: why is Perry being so controversial? According to Yahoo!, "Perry has been speaking out lately against the government OVER FEDERAL ECONOMIC STIMULUS SPENDING. HE'S ALSO IN A TOUGH RACE FOR RE-ELECTION AGAINST A FELLOW REPUBLICAN, US Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, WHO HE IS PORTRAY AS A WASHINGTON INSIDER". The "Washington insider" argument was used by Obama when he was a senator running for President against Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain and as it turns out, it worked quite well for Obama because during the 2008 presidential campaign, the economy was basically a mess and the situation is starting to turn around now, although it is turning around slowly. The fact that Republicans are now trying to use this argument against each other only further reinforces the fact that the GOP is REALLY out of ideas. If Perry had objections to the stimulus proposals, he should have voiced them directly instead of coming up with his own ridiculous proposals.
A spokeswoman for Gov. Perry, Allison Castle, criticized Dunnam, saying that Dunnam was "trying to distract from the fact that yesterday, thousands of Texans, including many from his own district, expressed their extreme displeasure at Washington's RAMPANT TAXATION, BIG SPENDING AND BLOATED GOVERNMENT". These are old and stale GOP arguments. Republicans will have to come up with new philosophies if they are to remain credible and a viable force in the 2010 midterm Congressional elections.
Finally, Dunnam said "We all knew he (i.e. Perry) wanted to be president. I JUST DIDN'T KNOW (that) IT WAS PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS". On the surface, this remark seems humorous, but if we think about this a little bit, perhaps it suggests that Rick Perry wants more power. The captioned photo suggests that Perry wants to fight for this proposal, but it's clear that he faces an uphill battle.
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Comments
the spending was started in the bush administration,necessary to keep the economy going you can't blame this mess on a administration that has not been in office a year yet,and you are right America is not a place,it is an idea.it's all about the dream,meaning it is up to us (the citizens) to turn this economy around,small business,and entrepreneurs.If Texas breaks away and become their on nation,they will be invaded and taken over by Mexico's drug cartel,so the governor of Texas needs to think about that before he speaks about breaking away from the union.
First of all we are not going to secede! But to think the Mexican drug cartels would take over Texas is just someone who doesn't know Texans! The spending began a Loooooooooong time ago, one corrupt administration after another has screwed the American citizen! Texas has the definite right to split into 5 states, that would send 10 senators to congress. Don't mess with Texas!
I know texas I was based at ft.hood in the 90's.split into five states it want make a lick of difference.we have all been screwed by the republicans,royally screwed,no vaseline.lies and more lies,no answers,no solutions,instead of trying to help the republicans are focusing all of there energy on the 2012 elections,started campaigning last year.here are your candidates,NEWT GINGRICH,MITT ROMNEY,SARAH PALIN,don't you think republicans should be trying to help lead this country,instead of focusing on an election three and a half years away?the republican party has been revealed as morons and hipocrits,every time you turn the news on you have a republican caught in some type of scandal,their true colors have been revealed,they have become the party of the ku klux klan,and the neo nazis,watch the news and do some research on republicans.
Hi Bill, sorry to correct you, but you make the point that when democrats can't make a valid point they stoop to name calling and emotins as opposed to facts. So let's just deal with the facts.
> it would make no difference if TX split into five states. well it would make a difference, it is a conservative area and would send 8 add'l
conservative senators to the senate to offset the blue hubs in the left and right coast. It would give us a fighting chance.
< We have not all been screwed by republicans, maybe you have been but not all of us. Under W we had not one but two
personal income tax reductions and two tax rebates.
< Republicans are not focusing all their energies on the 2012 elections, actually all of our efforts are being
focused on killing the Cap and Spend Bill, and the Govt health plan. Next we are focused on the 2010 election to turn over the House. If the House is turned over Obama's
social agenda will come to a screeching halt.
< Yes Republicans are trying to lead the country, Newt is doing his part, he is not an elected official. The minority party in the house and senate are doing their
best to stop the two bills I just mentioned. I
consider that helping America as the Cap and Spend Bill helps to out source more jobs to China and India. The Health bill forces me and millions of Americans into a plan I don't want to be part of and I don't want to pay
for. It will just be another Medicare, Mediacde, Social Security type program, which all three are currently bankrupt.
< Everytime you turn the news on a republican is in some kind of scandal? I guess you are referring to the gov of SC, hardly all republicans, and hardly everyday. The one politician in my lifetime, and I'm guessing yours, that was involved in a terrible personal scandal of moral behavior was Clinton. He abused his authority as a boss over a college intern, taking her into the Oval Office and having her get on her knees. Then lied not
only to his wife and VP about it, but lied to the
Country about it, throwing the young woman's character into doubt and question. The only reason he ended up admitting it is when workers in the White House spoke about what they had to pick up after he left the office
each time with the intern, and the fact that the blue
dress was found with his semen dna all over it.
At least the SC Gov's affair was with a concenting adult.
< Morons hypochrits, my point about being reduced to name calling when liberals have no facts to back them up.
< As for being the Nazi and KKK party, well I don't think any party is the Nazi party. But you are correct there is one party that has a ranking senior senator that was
not only a KKK member, but was a Grand Knight in the KKK.
That would be the Demoratic party and the great Senator Byrd of
W. VA.
So Bill, there is your research and facts, next time do your research and try to actually show something other than
emotions and name calling in your arguments.
Republicans have done more to advance the cause of Black Americans then the Dem's ever have. The only thing the Dems, through people like Jackson, Sharpton and Wrangle do is continue to tell Black people they are incapable of making it on their own, and therefor need welfare, and handouts to get by. Clinton was in for 8 years and the only Black I ever saw him with was Jordan Lee, and all he was doing was either carrying Clinton's breifcase or holding his umbrella for him. That was his idea of putting a Black in a high position. It took GH Bush to appoint a Black justice to the Supreme Court,Thomas, and the 1st Black to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Powell, It took G W Bush to appoint the 1st Black Nat'l Security Advisor, Powell, and the 1st Black Sec't of State C. Rice. He also appointed the 1st Hispanic to the position of Attorney General. But as usual, these intelligent Blacks are ridiculed by libearls Blacks like the banana boat singer Belafonte, referring to Powell as a House Boy. Belafonte couldn't carry Powell's jock strap.
Next time try actually doing some reading Bill.
The Shark---setting the facts straight
PS: I am a white Republican, married to a Black woman.
shark this isn't over buddy.I'll have to recoup and get back with you so be ready.Bill yon--busting nuts on the confederate flag.
Bill, I fly the American flag over my house. In fact the flag I fly periodically was 1st flown on 9/11. So I try to preserve it as best I can.
But someday Black America will wake up and see that Jackson, Sharpton and Wrangle and company are not their friends, but have rather led them down a path that has helped to keep them down.
Bill why don't you do yourself a favor and do some research and look up a fellow by the name of Harry Alford.
The Shark---defending minorities right to be a consevative
I would LOVE it if Texas becomes it own nation. You know how awesome that would be!!! No big government, no high taxes, and NO OBAMA!! WOOHOO!!!
I find it strange that you support the republican party with such vigor shark since as we all know under the Hover administration US veterans were dispersed when the army burned down their shanty town protest. And that George bush SR had the opportunity to stop Saddam but didn't leaving the kurds to twist in the winds. and Ronald reagan whose administration once supplied both Iraq and Iran with weapons during the Iran Iraq war or did you forget the Oliver North scandal. The most Corrupt Administration was The Grant Administration and he was a republican And I recall reading an article in the washington times about how Colin Powell said that the republican party should be more open and nearly all the comments were pretty much slamming him. and who funded Osama bin laden and the Taliban in the 80's Ronald Reagan a republican not to mention that Saturda. The biggest State Deficit in modern American history is in a state with a Republican Governor (California) and contrary to what many people believe California is a fairly conservative state. George bush JR didn't spend a lot of money true, but yet still had a 400 billion dificit and despite world wide protest at the time Launced a war against a state which was already under heavy economic sanction with no fly zones and a weak military. I we wanted to get rid of dictatorships so bad why didn't we go after the communist nation that in our Hemisphere? Why didn't we go after the islamic extremists in Chechenya? That would have helped our relation with Russia whom we can all agree would be a good thing. And If I recall correctly didn't Richard Nixon open relations with a communist nation and lie to the American people about a felony Also the only president Ever to suspend the constitution and declare Marshall law in the US was Abe Lincoln A republican granted he had a good reason to do so.
and Repbulicans have their fair share of Sex scandals too:
Mark Foley: Former U.S. Representative from Florida. Resigned after sexually explicit e-mails surfaced showing him harrassing underage boys, one of them a 16 year old who worked as a Capitol Hill page.
Randall Casseday: Former Human Resources director for the Washington Times. Arrested for solicting sex from a 13 year old girl on the internet.
Lou Beres: Former Chairman of the Oregon Christian Coalition. Confessed to molesting a 13 year old girl.
Larry Dale Floyd: Former County Constable, Denton County, Texas. Arested on suspicion of soliciting sex with an eight year old girl.
Mark Pazuhanich: Former District Attorney and judge elect in Monroe County, PA. Pleaded no contest to fondling a ten year old girl in public; sentenced to ten years probation.
Bobby Stumbo: Former Party Leader in Floyd County, Kentucky. Arrested for having sex with a five year old boy.
Tom Randall: Former petition drive manager. Pleaded guilty to molesting two girls under 14, including the daughter of an associate in the petition business.
Armando Tebano: Former County Chairman in Schnenectday, NY. Arrested for sexually molesting a 14 year old girl.
John Collins: Teacher and former city councilman in Asbury Park, NJ. Pleaded guilty to sexually molesting 13 and 14 year old girls.
Mark Seidensticker: Former campaign worker in Concord, Maine. Convicted child molester.
Philip Giordano: Former Mayor of Waterbury, CT. Serving a 37 year sentence in federal prison for sexually abusing eight and ten year old girls.
Tom Adams: Former mayor of Green Oaks, IL. Arrested for distributing child pornography over the internet.
John Gosek: Former mayor of Oswego, New York. Arrested on charges of soliciting sex from two 15 year old girls.
David Swartz: Former County Commissioner of Richland, Ohio. Pleaded guilty to molesting two girls under the age of 11; sentenced to eight years in prison.
Edison Aldarondo: Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Puerto Rico. Sentenced to ten years in prison for raping his daughter between the ages of 9 and 17.
John Curtain: Former State Committeeman in PA. Charged with molesting a teenage boy and unlawful sexual contact with a minor.
Nicholas Morency: Anti Abortion activist in Camden, NJ. Pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography on his computer and offering a bounty to anybody who murders an abortion doctor.
Tom Shortridge: Campaign consultant in Southern CA. Sentenced to three years probation for taking nude photos of a 15 year old girl.
Mike Hintz: Former youth pastor in Des Moines, Iowa; commended by George W Bush during the 2004 campaign trial. Surrendered to police after admitting to a sexual affair with a female juvenile.
Peter Dibble: Former First Selectman in Stonington, CT. Pleaded no contest to having a inappropriate relationship with a 13 year old girl.
Carey Crammer: GOP advertising consultant. Sentenced to six years in prison for molestin his nine year old daughter and another young girl.
Craig Spence: Capitol Hill lobbyist: Allegedly co-organized child sex parties for White House insiders during the 1980's.
Donald Lukens: Former U.S. Representative from Ohio. Found guilty of having sex with a female minor and sentenced to one month in jail.
Richard Delgaudio: Former GOP fundraiser from Virginia. Found guilty of child porn charges and paying two teenage girls to pose for sexual positions.
Mark Grethen: Former Colorado GOP activist and prospective reciepient of the "Republican of the Year" award. Convicted on six counts of sex crimes involving children.
Randal Ankeney: Former Colorado GOP activist and campaign chairman. Pleaded guilty to attempted sexual assualt on a child; arrested five years later on the same charge.
David Crane: Former US Representative from IL. Had sex with a female minor working as a Congressional page.
Beverly Russel: South Carolina activist and Christian Coalition leader. Admitted to an incestuous relationship with his stepdaughter.
Keith Westmoreland: Former Florida State Representative. Arrested on seven felony counts of lewd and lascivious exhibition to girls under the age of 16.
Ronald Kline: Superior Court Judge in CA Orange County. Placed under house arest for child molestation and possession of child pornography.
Robert Bauman: Former US Representative and anti gay activist from Maryland. Charged with having sex with a 16 year old boy he picked up at a gay bar.
Jeffrey Patti: Local Committee Chairman from Sparta, NJ. Arrested for distributing a video clip of a five year old girl being raped.
Marty Glickman: GOP activist in Florida. Charged with four counts of unlawful sexual activicty with an underage girl and one count of delivering LSD.
Howard Brooks: Legislative aide in Tehachapi, CA. Charged with molesting a 12 year old boy and possession of child pornography.
John Hathaway: Fundraiser and U.S. Senate candidate from Maine. Accused of having sex with a 12 year old baby sitter; withdrew his candidacy after allegations surfaced.
Craig White: Anti gay preacher from PA. Sentenced to jail after offering $20 to a 14 year old boy for permission to perform oral sex on him.
Jon Matthews: Former right wing talk show host in Houston, TX. Pleaded guilty to exposing his gentials to a 11 year old girl.
Earl Kimmerling: Former Anti gay activist in Indiana. Sentenced to 40 years in prison for molesting an eight year old girl after he attempted to stop a gay couple from adopting her.
Paul Ingram: Former head of Thruston County Republican Party in Washington State. Pleaded guilty to six counts of raping his daughters; served 14 years in federal prison.
James West: Former Mayor of Spokane, WA. Allegedly molested two boys in the 1970s as a Boy Scout leader. Outed as a gay in 2005.
Kevin Coan: Former GOP elections official in St Louis, Missouri. Sentenced to two years probation for soliciting sex over the internet from a 14 year old girl.
Andrew Buhr: Former GOP committeeman in St Louis. Charged with two counts of first-degree sodomy with a 13 year old boy.
John Burt: Former Anti-abortion activist in Florida. Found guilty of molesting a 15 year old girl.
Neal Horsley: Militant anti abortionist from Carrollton, Georgia. Who admitted on Fox Radio News he'd had sex with animal
The Republican/Democrat scandal is a silly argument at best. Both parties have mud on their faces in the best of times and are buried in it in the worst of times.
To support any one party no matter what their bureaucrats are selling is foolishness.
Personally I support the guy that will stay as far out of my personal life as possible. This, unfortunately, doesn't leave me with many options. Democrats with their boots on my neck when it comes to my business/financial life and Republicans with their boots on my neck when it comes to my personal life.
We have a choice between two fascist parties, the military-industrial fascists (Repubs) and the corporatists (Dems).
"Fascist ethics begin ... with the acknowledgment that it is not the individual who confers a meaning upon society, but it is, instead, the existence of a human society which determines the human character of the individual. According to Fascism, a true, a great spiritual life cannot take place unless the State has risen to a position of pre-eminence in the world of man. The curtailment of liberty thus becomes justified at once, and this need of rising the State to its rightful position." [Mario Palmieri, "The Philosophy of Fascism" 1936]
I don't believe any (or at least most) Americans want this. Maybe we should all spend a little more time taking the trash out in our own parties and a little less attacking the others.
I'll never understand why people choose to lay their freedom at the feet of their government when, in all reality, government is just made up of more people. People whose sole goal in life is power.
I am glad that states hold a certain amount of autonomy. Shark is right. America's beloved 'reverends;' Sharpton, Jackson, etc, etc. are idiots and they are lying to their next of kin.
America, for all of her Reverends wouldn't think of telling the man that won't work, he should not eat. They should read the Good Book before claiming the title of 'reverend.'
alfredm says:
6 months ago
There is NOTHING, absolutely NOTHING more American than to fight against an oppressive central government that is spending away the money of the people it represents in a way the people do not want. Washington spent 3 TRILLION dollars to "save a million jobs by June." June comes along... not only did we lose that one million jobs, we lost another million.
Like I said, look at what our country was founded upon.
Winston Churchill once said "America is not a place, it is an idea."