THE GOP IN TEXAS IS MAKING A BIG MESS

It may not be cheating in a legal sense, but it sure is cheating. Republican legislators in my state of Texas rushed a bill that would create a new redistributing map law through committee on Saturday morning. Even after the one public hearing they held on it showed overwhelming opposition. A vote in the Texas House is scheduled for today. But there seems to be a small glitch. Democratic lawmakers from the Texas House of Representatives left the state to deny Republican lawmakers the quorum required to pass legislation. Why did they do this? Because the newly drawn district map would take five seats currently held by Democrats and give them to Republicans. GIVE them. And why are Republicans trying to get a rare mid-decade redistributing done in such a rush? Because President Trump has demanded they do so in an attempt to hold control of the House of Representatives in 2026. He is urging all Republican-dominated states to make a similar change to guarantee Republican dominance regardless of the will of voters. And why is he requesting Texas do this? Because under his leadership the GOP is plummeting in the polls on most very metric. So it’s time for some sneaky subterfuge. P.S. The GOP needs to stop saying everything they do is for we the people. Because it is a wore-out lie. Now Gov. Abbott has responded to the Texas House Democrats' quorum break by threatening to remove from office any Democrats who are not back in their seats for the vote. He threatens to replace them “swiftly” with his own appointees, thanks to his power to fill vacancies. He also suggested he would consider them felons for accepting money to pay for their food and housing, and that such a designation would enable him to cross state lines to get them back. He threatened to use “my full extradition authority to demand the return to Texas of any potential out-of-state felons.” He should do that. Prove to the country, show the country, exactly how far the GOP is willing to go to blatantly subvert the will of the people. And abuse the power given to them by the same voters they are trying to disenfranchise. He should do all of that. It would be a boon for the Texas Dems fundraising. Lastly, a few parting words from a governor I wish we had…”The wrong side of history will always tell you to be afraid. The right side of history will always expect you to be courageous.” Y’all are cowardly, dishonorable, and a disgrace to Texas. And absolutely on the wrong side of history.