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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums'It's chilling what is happening': a rightwing backlash to Biden takes root in Republican states
Biden may be president but Republican-controlled states are busy introducing reams of legislation that is anything but progressivehttps://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jul/19/joe-biden-republicans-polarization-us-politics-texas
In his inaugural address in January, Joe Biden promised to use his presidency to restore the soul of America. He would unite the nation, defuse anger, resentment and hatred, and lead Americans back to a world where they treated each other with dignity and respect. Six months later, Biden is still preaching the unity gospel, and regularly assures his fellow Americans that theres not a single thing we arent able to do when we do it together. Drive 1,400 miles west from the White House, to Dallas in Texas where Brianna Brown lives, and theres little evidence of politicians working together that she can see. As an African American fourth-generation Texan, Brown has been assailed since Biden came into office by a whirlwind of regressive laws emanating from the Republican-controlled state legislature.
The explosion of extreme right-wing legislation rammed through by Texas Republicans this session culminating on Monday with the dramatic flight of Democratic lawmakers from the state in an attempt to prevent the passage of the latest voter suppression law has left Brown feeling apprehensive and insecure. She thinks about her own familys long struggle for voting rights now threatened once again, is fearful about being accosted in the street by armed men legally bearing arms without a permit, bothered about what might happen to her when she next joins a peaceful protest, and worried about the fallout of a renewed push to build a wall along the Mexican border.
Top of her list of concerns is the Republican bill to make it even more difficult to vote in a state that already makes it harder to vote than any other in the nation. Brown recalls how she once heard her grandmother having to remind herself that her vote was no longer conditional on the poll tax a ruse once commonly used in the south to disenfranchise Black people. That was my grandmother! Brown said. To say that people fought and died for our right to vote thats personal for me. Brown is spooked about another new law set to come into effect in September that effectively tries to turn ordinary citizens into anti-abortion bounty hunters. It offers a $10,000 reward to anyone who successfully sues a fellow Texan for helping a woman seek an abortion beyond six weeks of pregnancy. It is chilling that this is happening, she said.
As co-executive director of the Texas Organizing Project that seeks to empower Black and Latino neighbourhoods, she is concerned too for the transgender men, women and children who are bearing the brunt of Republican intolerance in a state in which more anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been promoted by Republicans this session than in any other. This is an assault on people who are on the margins, she said. And theres more. Much more. Theres the order by the Republican governor, Greg Abbott, to all state agencies to block Bidens efforts to combat climate change; the new law that punishes any Texas city that has the audacity to cut police budgets; the $1,000 fines that will be imposed on anyone requiring Covid masks to be worn in public schools; the gun law that allows Texans to carry handguns with no training and without a permit.
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DemocraticPatriot
(4,449 posts)except this time they are going to bear the greater portion of the casualties-- by refusing vaccination in order to 'thwart Joe Biden'
It is sad, and we are begging them not to do this to themselves.... but it is doubtful that enough will listen before it is too late.
If they 'stay the course', then I am only sad for the innocent victims whom they take along with them.
Vinca
(50,322 posts)Lovie777
(12,384 posts)Texas is a big state, pushback is a on going crusade and this is how republicans will lose their majority.
Majority of Texans no matter right or left or center do not want to live in fear. Also the Delta variant is attacking with rapid speed, which is also happening in majority red state's stronghold.
As to the vaccinations, majority of the republican leaders/politician/journalist have been fully vaccinated.
As to voting suppression and gerrymandering, this is the only way to keep power, which also includes the courts to the highest court.
The fight never ends.
Murphyb849
(572 posts)Normal decent people R D or I will be lined up to vote. He is trying to kill them with a f#*ked up power grid, armed unbalanced low life Trumpers, and covid. And trying to use the schools to indoctrinate more Nazi Trumpers to whitewash history. God will not be mocked and the people he is hurting and killing won't forget.
Champp
(2,114 posts)They'll do any evil thing to support their willing Republican cronies as they make war on decency, democracy, and America.
gab13by13
(21,472 posts)and Janis sang it, "freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose." Red staters will have one freedom left, the right to buy guns and they will be happy that they aren't Communist, Socialist Whatever.
Demovictory9
(32,488 posts)underpants
(182,970 posts)They did quite well other than Trump. He lost the election himself. As an incumbent thats almost hard to do. The pandemic itself didnt seem to be the difference either but his complete lack of appeal on a personal level. Scaring the hell out of white people (riot coverage - law and order - but not that suburbs stuff) worked for them. Access to voting floated even their numbers. I guess they feel like those numbers will stay in place and they can openly try to restrict black and Latino votes.
Lovie777
(12,384 posts)yet statistics is showing that "White" America is no longer the majority, and instead of working with that honestly they believe the only way to keep their insane power is to dilute the POC's voting any means necessary.
Instead of trying to win POC over with positive policies, which at this point in time they have none, republicans rather suppress and deny them. And republicans only tool is fear.
gab13by13
(21,472 posts)because of gerrymandering. At least that's the way it is in my state, Pa. Every election Democrats get more votes and Republicans win more seats. A Democrat will never ever win the district that I vote in, but I vote for them regardless.
If S1 is not passed this year I predict it will be a long time before Democrats win the House, that's not bad mouthing Democrats, that's bad mouthing the GQP. Democrats have a much better chance of keeping control of the presidency and the Senate because gerrymandering doesn't come into play.
uponit7771
(90,370 posts)... assholes would never give up control once they get it.
They'd no doubt use violence to keep it and I am still wanting to know why it to the NG 4 hours to respond to a terrorist attack when the Pentagon is freakin 6 min drive from the Capital Complex.
I wish we could at least think we'd get the ultra conservative Japan if the GQP took over for generations but the GQP is extremely stupid and they can't govern shit.
All my voting life the GQP ideals have left the middle class decimated at the end of GQP prez terms
2naSalit
(86,880 posts)appalachiablue
(41,184 posts)appalachiablue
(41,184 posts)Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin
(108,361 posts)KentuckyWoman
(6,697 posts)The "backlash" isn't because of Biden, or even Democrats in general. We have nothing to do with it.
This is entirely about the fact Republicans are eaten up with selfish greed. A complete and total unwillingness to share. My way or the highway. All the cake is for me.
How DARE a black person be able to afford a nicer house than me.
How DARE gay people be permitted to be in a happy healthy relationship with I'm stuck in this shithole excuse of a marriage.
And what is it with people who are devoted to a faith that does not include sweet baby Jesus? How DARE they want a say in their government.
They were looking for a reason and any is good enough when you are looking for one.
Elessar Zappa
(14,108 posts)Too many adults in this country are ignorant, selfish, children.