The Republican Dream Team swept Texas. White, rich, predominantly male, one would say beholden to special interests except they are one and the same as special interests. I am both bewildered and impressed that this pro-business, pro-rich, anti-reform, anti-social-service slate somehow cast themselves as populists, the people’s candidates, promising to cut taxes, decrease the cost of health care, and build more roads. Why they don’t leave politics and set about the business of turning lead into gold is way beyond me.
Nationally, this election is bad for social services, bad for health care, bad for women’s rights, bad for the poor, bad for the working poor, bad for the middle class, bad for the environment, and voted on by most of those affected above. Democracy is a beautiful thing, but as with all art, at times it is difficult to understand.
If, on Sept. 10, 2001, you had gone to Rick Perry and asked for money for schools, for health care, for mental health care, for increased infrastructure for border communities, he would have given you that idiot grin he has so perfected (or naturally inherited) and shined you on. A few weeks later, he found around a billion dollars for homeland security. This money is not coming from big corporations, or from outer space for that matter. Expect the services you depend on to be diminished, despite any Republican campaign promises for which you might have voted.
Sure, the Republicans deliriously ran on their platform of tax cuts for the rich, presented as tax reform for everyone. It sure looks good. Just like Potemkin villages. In order for tax cuts to make economic sense, they need to be accompanied by extraordinary economic growth and/or substantial cuts in spending. More than anybody, Republicans, the party of business, should know this. A reasonable businessman would not substantially cut prices in the face of declining sales and decreased revenue (except maybe to promote a fire sale, but that has economically positive consequences only in the very short term). The Bush administration, executing the war on terror as well as the war on vulnerable Third World countries with bad images, has inflated the budget beyond comprehension. At the same time, they’ve dramatically cut taxes. Quick quiz: Where is the budget going to be cut in a halfhearted attempt to achieve balance? (Hint: Don’t start with the Pentagon, corporate tax breaks, business support, nor mega-agribusinesses. Second hint: Look at social services, environmental protection, IRS enforcement, education, health services, and other areas in the same vein — I would have added mental health support, but are there any government dollars left in that category?) Do you have any idea as to how many generations into the future we will be paying for this year’s election foolishness?
Sour grapes? You bet! Deep-gut sickness over the probable direction of the American government for at least the next two years (including the appointment of how many Supreme Court justices?). No better way to describe it. Despair over Texas, never the most progressive state, but now taking an express train back to the past. What else?
There is genuine good news, but it sure is limited. Patrick Rose defeated sleazy Rick Green, Gonzalo Barrientos overcame Ben Bentzin’s morally corrupt campaign ads.
The only thing we’re happy about here is that there sure will be a lot to cover over the next few years. This might be bad for Texas and its people, but it should make the political/news staff’s job easier (not that they would want it that way). Spit in almost any direction and you’ll hit a story worth covering. County Commissioner Gerald Daugherty alone should provide a mental vacation for overworked journalists. As he entered the Crockett Center, his supporters chanted “No more traffic,” which would be good news if it really had something to do with a progressive vision of urban transportation and not just building more and more roads. Welcome to the new world, same as the old world (and by that I’m afraid we’re referring more to yesteryear than yesterday).
The Chronicle takes to the airwaves. Now you can hear us as well as read us. Call us up and tell us what jerks we are, as well as writing to us. Fridays, 6-7pm, on Talk Radio 1370AM, The Chronicle Hour will broadcast for the next 13 weeks. Some of the staff have ideological hesitations about being on a largely right-wing radio station. I couldn’t be happier. We get to talk to you every week. It’s time to reach out to less sympathetic ears.
This issue’s extraordinary cover feature on Texas singles will be the focus of the first show. In the midst of post-election, dark-gray emotional dankness, writer Greg Beets’ and editor Raoul Hernandez’s Herculean effort in compiling singles, polling critics, and annotating great records at least provides some enjoyment.
Read the feature, listen to the music (most of you should have at least some of these songs), and tune in on Friday to hear us talk about them. We’ll probably also mention politics, but out of respect for common decency, this week at least, we’ll keep it brief.
This article appears in November 8 • 2002.