History Repeats Itself (Texas Observer Editorial)

[sonias]

Texas Observer 4/18/08
History Repeats Itself

In 2002, a clique of radical Republicans backed by specific moneyed interests stormed the halls of power in Texas, winning every lever of state government. They now face their biggest challenge in six years. The current election cycle, and the one coming in 2010, will determine who controls legislative and congressional redistricting to be crafted and ratified by the 82nd Texas Legislature in 2011. As the demographics of the state rapidly shift away from traditional Republican constituencies, the only way this clique can extend its death grip on state government is by locking in gains through redistricting.

They obtained victory the first time—with the goal of controlling congressional redistricting—through the use of massive amounts of corporate cash and a smear campaign of questionable "issue ads" sent to voters and aired on television. Corporate money for electioneering has been illegal in the state for more than a century. The 2002 campaign, coordinated by the two Toms—DeLay and Craddick—became the focus of civil and criminal prosecutions that resulted in indictments and hefty fines. Subsequent bipartisan efforts to strengthen campaign finance laws in the Legislature floundered at Speaker Craddick’s door. Nonetheless, existing laws and the threat of further prosecutions seemed to offer some measure of protection from the dirty campaigning of six years ago. Now, just when you thought it was safe to go back to your mailbox, those protections are being stripped away.

(snip)
While the debate over issue ads raged in court, many groups have viewed the issue ad strategy as too risky, because the law was unclear. But if the courts continue to side with the TAB—and the Legislature doesn’t clarify campaign finance law—then issue ads could come back with a vengeance. Recent court decisions have carved a path for corporate money in Texas elections that reform-minded Texans have tried to keep closed for more than a century. It’s time for a strong, clear, enforceable campaign finance law that stems the flow once and for all.

This is why this year's election this fall is the most important Texas election ever - redistricting in 2010. If we don't control the Texas House and have a better speaker than Craddick, they're going to run over us all over again. So for all of those people that keep saying things like if their candidate doesn't win they aren't going to vote - this will be your legacy. You need to go to the polls and vote, and vote in all the down ballot races!

Sonia

[hobbit709]

1. My attitude is that if you don't vote

then you forfeit your right to say one word about what's going on. Most of time, the people I voted for lost-that doesn't stop me. Many times I've held my nose and voted because the opposition was even worse. But I've NEVER refused to vote just because i didn't like the candidate.

[sonias]

2. Good man!

And you've got the right attitude. Me too. On more than one occasion - held my nose and voted for the D I didn't like. But I knew they were a hell of a lot better than the R opponent. The judicial races are crucial folks - if you're not going to bother reading up on these races, please don't pass them over. The Ds running against the Rs in the fall need your vote too.

:kick:

Sonia