I embarked on this journey because I feel called to public service. I am grateful for the liberties we have and I am willing to put in effort to keep them strong.
I feel that the standards required for existing politicians are very simple. Just declare a party and the effort is over. However, life isn’t two sided. I believe framing complex issues as only having two sides creates deadlock. This energetic deadlock serves as a powerful distraction from citizens focusing on improving our communities.
So, with a desire to break the deadlock of the major parties and a strong interest in participation I decided to try and run as an independent for the Texas Legislature. This email and blog post provides further clarity on my positions.
First, let’s discuss the office that I am running for and what a Texas Legislator is in charge of. There are 150 legislators in the state of Texas that meet for ½ a year every other year. That is from January to June in odd years. They are paid $7,000 plus a per diem. Their job is to make sure that we follow the instructions written in the Texas Constitution. Primary among those instructions are ensuring equality under the law, separation of church and state, protections from being compelled to any specific religion, and limitations of the powers of the government to bother the people. It is a simple job. However, the lack of respect that Texas leaders have shown for our Constitution is contemptable. Nearly every protection we are meant to have they have eroded through dilution of the document or by standing idly by as others ignore its protections and impact citizens.
These Republicans leaders got carried away. All they are supposed to do is protect our rights and fund the schools. They have been derelict in their duties of ensuring rights are protected, and wherever possible they are corrupting public institutions for profit.
We do not need to wonder what institutions are meant to be public and what are meant to be private, the Texas Constitution of 1876 tells us.
Schools
It is very clear from reading the constitution of Texas that the primary purpose of the Legislature is to collect taxes to pay for schools. This comes from the acknowledgement that the dream of liberty requires the labor of learning. The only way for us to continue to strive for liberty and justice for all is to have a strong and resilient education system.
https://tlc.texas.gov/docs/
From the Texas Constitution:
ARTICLE VII EDUCATION THE PUBLIC FREE SCHOOLS
Sec. 1. SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE OF SYSTEM OF PUBLIC FREE SCHOOLS. A general diffusion of knowledge being essential to the preservation of the liberties and rights of the people, it shall be the duty of the Legislature of the State to establish and make suitable provision for the support and maintenance of an efficient system of public free schools. (Feb. 15, 1876.)
The voucher program is directly in conflict with this statement in the Texas Constitution. Texas leaders are not doing their job. They must go. It is their job to make the Texas Public Schools efficient, public, and free. Vouchers do not do this. Charter schools are questionable.
Schools are meant to be public, and the Universities are meant to be first class. The current Texas leadership have abandoned their duty to Texas by eroding academic freedom in the University System.
From the Texas Constitution:
UNIVERSITY
Sec. 10. ESTABLISHMENT OF UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS; AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL DEPARTMENT. The Legislature shall as soon as practicable establish, organize and provide for the maintenance, support and direction of a University of the first class, to be located by a vote of the people of this State, and Art. VII Sec. 11 122 styled, “The University of Texas”, for the promotion of literature, and the arts and sciences, including an Agricultural, and Mechanical department. (Feb. 15, 1876.)
Privatization:
Government and Business are not the same. Those that suggest public and private institutions should be managed similarly are in error. The private sector serves owners. The public sector serves all. A private sector business must be efficient. A public sector institution must be humane. A private sector business can pick and choose customers and employees. A public sector institution must aim to lift all.
We must realize and embrace that half of the people are below average. We need to work together to build a society where that is ok, and there is a way for everyone to live with dignity. Government institutions can and should be built for people, not profits.
The danger of the erroneous idea that the government should function in a similar way to a private enterprise is that when you pursue that idea, public services become privatized. When they are privatized, the services (schools and public safety) of the government are no longer aligned with the goals of the people. A goal of the people is domestic tranquility. A goal of the company is profits.
Domestic tranquility comes from high wages, humane justice, critical thinking and well-trained police, lawyers, wardens, guards, judges, teachers, administrators, bus drivers, librarians, cooks, mechanics, groundskeepers, coaches and everyone else. Enhancing profits is not the goal of the government.
Moving services to private enterprises decreases oversight and accountability. The procurement chain of command is opaque and diffuse, whereas an elected school board or elected law enforcement must directly answer questions regarding schools and jails.
Prisons
In prison facilities we the people, take custody of people, and as we deny them liberty, we must ensure their dignity. As Texans, we should demand that incarceration institutions remain public and are run with the general welfare in mind. People in care of the state should not be subjected to the range of hot and cold temperatures that they experience in their cells. It is inhumane. Jailkeepers should not be forced to oversee this cruelty. The jail thermostat is but one example of how our Texas leaders are failing in their obligations.
From the Texas Constitution:
Sec. 13. EXCESSIVE BAIL OR FINES; CRUEL OR UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT; OPEN COURTS; REMEDY BY DUE COURSE OF LAW. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel or unusual punishment inflicted. All courts shall be open, and every person for an injury done him, in his lands, goods, person or reputation, shall have remedy by due course of law. (Feb. 15, 1876.)
The question then arises, if we are going to take decent care of the prisoners, shouldn’t people that are not incarcerated also be able to live with dignity? I say yes. Food and shelter are necessary steps along the way to ensure the blessings of liberty to all.
So, we also must strive to elevate all of our conditions. For this reason I support a minimum wage of $30/hour in Texas. I know that this number seems beyond possible, but I also think that it is a minimum. Work full-time. Take home $3,500 or so a month after taxes, rent an apartment for $1500, get a car for $500, and a few hundred dollars a week for food and healthcare and work clothes and everything else. Seems like a livable minimum to me. If we harken back to 1980, the United States money supply was 1.6 trillion dollars. Now it is 22.4 trillion dollars. The US government has increased the amount of money by a factor of 14. Minimum wage in 1980 in Texas was $3.10/hour. If you increase that by 14 times, to match the growth of the money supply, minimum wage should be $43.40/hour. So, $30/hour is conservative.
Additionally, I suggest that we make a universal basic income available as a floor that would be the equivalent of working full time at $15/hour. But for people that can’t or don’t want to work, can live with dignity.
Single payer health care is the only way. We must move toward that solution.
And how will get the money to give everyone a basic income, and pay all state employees this new minimum wage, Lisa? Well, we are going to have an income tax, and if you are lucky enough to have an income you can be happy to pay. Given the current property and sales tax income structure in Texas, we should let those taxes be. Given that we will be striving to ensure a base income for all, the establishment of a state income tax structure will facilitate bookkeeping. Most will pay taxes, but some will receive payment.
Now that we have established the priorities of the state, education, and the goal of the people, justice for all, and how to pay for it, income taxes, what other questions do you have?
Probably Abortion.
Abortion
Many people prioritize their politics on this issue. Abortion was not really a concern addressed in the Constitution of Texas. Probably because it is a personal issue that people should mind their own business about. To me, the solution is simple. If you don’t want an abortion, don’t get one. If you are worried about children, volunteer at an orphanage. The real question is, who is asking you to care about this issue? Do they want to attract your political power by using a heart wrenching topic? Do they follow through with their commitment to women and families across their policy agenda? In Texas the Republicans attract many voters by outlawing abortion in the name of protecting babies. Yet, these same politicians have women prisoners give birth alone on a concrete cell floor after being denied medical care. These same politicians let Texas languish at the bottom of maternal health metrics. I believe abortion is an issue that is being used to manipulate good-hearted people and I encourage all to imagine how their politics might change if they could deprioritize this issue.
Immigration.
Again, dignity for all. I think we would all be much less concerned if the employees of the government were following the law. Example:
From the Texas Constitution:
Sec. 12. HABEAS CORPUS. The writ of Habeas Corpus is a writ of right, and shall never be suspended. The Legislature shall enact laws to render the remedy speedy and effectual. (Feb. 15, 1876.)
The concept of “produce the body” which comes from the Magna Carta in England in 1215 and in many other basic systems of justice as well, must be respected. The government cannot hold people for no reason. Every person that is taken must be produced to a court to confirm identity and understand if they should be held. This is the most basic criteria to have a state where there is rule of law. This is currently threatened by actions occurring today, primarily from federal forces, but with support of Texas law enforcement. The idea of Habeas Corpus is so important that specific instructions to write the laws that ensure that compliance is possible were included in the original Texas Constitution. See highlighted passage. Now, because our representatives are not ensuring our basic rules are followed, the enforcement of immigration laws becomes inhumane. There are operations happening with Federal forces that are following questionable tactics that are impacting citizens. Texas legislators should be investigating, documenting, and challenging these actions. They are not, and it makes it more dangerous for Texas citizens.
Ultimately, I support the end of birthright citizenship in the United States. It was a tool of population growth. It’s time of usefulness has come to an end. This will change the immigration dynamic.
In the meantime, an audit of the E Verify system is necessary. This system clearly does not work properly and seems to enable corporations to participate in the exploitation of workers, and ultimately keeps wages low and workers unsafe. I don’t know how E Verify works, or doesn’t work, but we need to understand.
We must strive to uphold and ultimately improve standards of justice. These are age old problems of folks doing wrong, both citizens and law enforcement, that is why we have rules for both. With a default to dignity.
Abortion, Immigration, what else?
I think those are the hot button issues. I have told you what I think. Now, if elected – what will I do?
My election is the equivalent to a gentle break check. The Texas Republicans are a runaway train of constitutional abuse. If TX District 126 is no longer contributing to their momentum, their progress will be slowed. I know that sometimes slowing down just a little bit can make things much safer.
Ultimately the temptations of power, cruelty and profits, will not be eliminated, as these motives are human. But those are not the aspirations of the Texas Constitution:
From the Texas Constitution:
PREAMBLE Humbly invoking the blessings of Almighty God, the people of the State of Texas, do ordain and establish this
Constitution.
ARTICLE I BILL OF RIGHTS That the general, great and essential principles of liberty and free government may be recognized and established, we declare:
If you send me to Austin to represent our district I will align my votes with the Texas Constitution. I will support legislation that forwards the items described above.
But most impactful to our district, I will spend my time and effort working to coordinate efforts to improve walkability and green spaces. I think that is what we need here, now. This will improve our health, increase our property values, and enhance our school districts. These things together will move us altogether in our journey to liberty and free government.
From the Texas Constitution:
Sec. 2. INHERENT POLITICAL POWER; REPUBLICAN FORM OF GOVERNMENT. All political power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority, and instituted for their benefit. The faith of the people of Texas stands pledged to the preservation of a republican form of government, and, subject to this limitation only, they have at all times the inalienable right to alter, reform or abolish their government in such manner as they may think expedient. (Feb. 15, 1876.)
Sec. 3. EQUAL RIGHTS. All freemen* , when they form a social compact, have equal rights, and no man, or set of men, is entitled to exclusive separate public emoluments, or privileges, but in consideration of public services. (Feb. 15, 1876.)
Sec. 3a. EQUALITY UNDER THE LAW. Equality under the law shall not be denied or abridged because of sex, race, color, creed, or national origin. This amendment is self‑operative. (Added Nov. 7, 1972.) Sec.
It is our participation in the Texas experiment that protects the freedoms that our Constitution grants us. I like the Texas Constitution, lets work to keep it.
