I think of Texas as the laboratory for bad government.
Molly Ivins
All anyone needs to enjoy the state legislature is a strong stomach and a complete insensitivity to the needs of the people. As long as you don't think about what that peculiar body should be doing and what it actually is doing to the quality of life in Texas, then it's all marvelous fun.
Molly Ivins
Old-fashioned anti-immigrant prejudice always brings out some old-fashioned racists.
Molly Ivins
As I occasionally survey the pack of sycophantic shih tzus in the Washington press corps, wriggling on their bellies to kiss the feet of those in power, I feel plumb discouraged about the future of journalism.
Molly Ivins
Racists seem obsessed by the idea that illegal workers - the hardest-working, poorest people in America - are somehow getting away with something, sneaking goodies that should be for Americans. You can always avoid this problem by having no social services. This is the refreshing Texas model, and it works a treat.
Molly Ivins
“In Texas, we do not hold high expectations for the [governor's] office; it's mostly been occupied by crooks, dorks and the comatose.” - Molly Ivins
I would love to hear from Lowdown readers how you think we went so wrong? All this corruption has to stem from somewhere: unintended consequences? Loss of reverence for goodness and neighborliness? The end of teaching civics in public schools that leaves growing numbers of Americans in ignorance as to what "governance" means and how institutions work? The ever-crafty love of money and power? What? What? What?
All of the above!!! Thanks for putting it out there. As many are saying : who is putting a stop to this immoral lying and stealing!
Will all young people grow into old lying and stealing greedy crud’s because we the grown ups refused to set the greedy cons straight. America will not be for sale if we decide to grow up and be accountable for our inaction or our action. You choose Americans! The world watches every day.
I think that the grid and transportation systems are what has ever so drastically changed the social structure development of the world and our government needs to reflect that changes are extreme and rapid pace nowadays. The National Electoral System and offices of government power have caved in to bigger numbers of dollars speak being the reason for enacting a law or appointing a government official. I am filing for an extension on my income taxes.
I guess I'm biased, as both my parents were schoolteachers. Even in the seventies, I witnessed plenty of students in high school who sneered at education, and I think it just kept growing as a generational thing.
As a retired clinical psychologist with lifelong interests in human character, history and social/cultural forces I find myself continuously astonished by the degree of psychopathy in what should be our fellow Americans as they gleefully cheat, rob and create ways to kill their fellow citizens and never be held responsible, say by polluting the air and water. I should know all this by now, but the lack of empathy, remorse and humane principle is so endless and huge that it feels almost like the alien invaders are already here and way too powerful. What Louis Brandeis said around 1916 about democracy and great wealth in the hands of a few being incompatible is clearly true, as we now have billionaires and bought and corrupted politicians destroying our democracy at high speed. We need to solve a problem that has never, in my awareness of history, been solved - how to put effective limits on how much personal wealth can be accumulated, so that political power can never be bought by excess wealth again.
Time to print up an ample new supply of those wonderful bumper stickers that have an outline of the state with the red, white, and blue sections plus the lone star and proclaiming:
*I'LL BELIEVE CORPORATIONS ARE PERSONS WHEN TEXAS PUTS ONE TO DEATH*
I'm sure clever populist Texans can determine the 10 most deserving of corporate death row.
The Secretary of Ag under Nixon and Ford, Earl Butz, showed R empathy for generations of small farmers by saying "get big or get out." Same implied in the Ds for bailing out the Wall St. big thieves of '08 while doing nothing for the millions of nobodies who lost jobs, pensions, homes.
Speaking of stupid laws Florida is trying to roll back child labor laws to make up for the lack of immigrant labor. Happy April fools to all of the fools who thought rump would lower the price of anything. Is America greater than it was 4 months ago???
It's exhausting living in Texas' state capital. Going to the capital to register my disdain has gone from an occasional trip to a weekly errand. Stop it, you yahoos! Just stop with the idiocy.
Well, I did live in Austin for over twenty years, so I certainly agree with you Jim. Now I live in Missouri and I find the state government here just as greedy and corrupt.
If anyone wants a good look at how we got here, I suggest reading the current Nation magazine article " how were the airlines allowed to own the sky" A real good look at the situation & how it grew from the late 70's to now
Yeah, and it makes Texas a miserable place to have a low to middle level job. Our son started his work life there, and when he found a specialty he enjoyed, moved to work for a for-profit corporation. He soon discovered the down side: tricks to keep employees from signing up every year for health insurance, tricks to keep employees cowed and their income low, and no help anywhere. Eventually, we had to help him get out of Texas, though he hated to leave his friends there. Lots of good people, but a lousy government & business culture!
Europe's ruling elite consisted of Emperors, Kings, Barons, Earl, etc. The ruling elite in the USA consists of Billionaires, Robber Barons, Captains of Industry, and a Congress of Invertebrates.
I think of Texas as the laboratory for bad government.
Molly Ivins
All anyone needs to enjoy the state legislature is a strong stomach and a complete insensitivity to the needs of the people. As long as you don't think about what that peculiar body should be doing and what it actually is doing to the quality of life in Texas, then it's all marvelous fun.
Molly Ivins
Old-fashioned anti-immigrant prejudice always brings out some old-fashioned racists.
Molly Ivins
As I occasionally survey the pack of sycophantic shih tzus in the Washington press corps, wriggling on their bellies to kiss the feet of those in power, I feel plumb discouraged about the future of journalism.
Molly Ivins
Racists seem obsessed by the idea that illegal workers - the hardest-working, poorest people in America - are somehow getting away with something, sneaking goodies that should be for Americans. You can always avoid this problem by having no social services. This is the refreshing Texas model, and it works a treat.
Molly Ivins
“In Texas, we do not hold high expectations for the [governor's] office; it's mostly been occupied by crooks, dorks and the comatose.” - Molly Ivins
Perfect...the three 'E' equation...entitlement, embezzlement, and ennui----all wrapped up in a glistening fascist ball.
Short & sweet reply So, so, so right!
Ahhh, Texas…isn’t that the state with the huge electric grid blackout during a bitter snow event in 2021? Thanks but no thanks.
Sounds like Texas needs a massive influx of smart immigrants to outvote the dimwits who vote for Republicans like Dustin Burrows.
Watching 'Mrs. Brown' with Judi Dench
I would love to hear from Lowdown readers how you think we went so wrong? All this corruption has to stem from somewhere: unintended consequences? Loss of reverence for goodness and neighborliness? The end of teaching civics in public schools that leaves growing numbers of Americans in ignorance as to what "governance" means and how institutions work? The ever-crafty love of money and power? What? What? What?
Finding how the Democrats lost the working class and why they are so cozy with the wealthy won't explain everything, but it's a good place to start.
Deanna,
All of the above!!! Thanks for putting it out there. As many are saying : who is putting a stop to this immoral lying and stealing!
Will all young people grow into old lying and stealing greedy crud’s because we the grown ups refused to set the greedy cons straight. America will not be for sale if we decide to grow up and be accountable for our inaction or our action. You choose Americans! The world watches every day.
Personal opinion: Allowing money into politics.
I think that the grid and transportation systems are what has ever so drastically changed the social structure development of the world and our government needs to reflect that changes are extreme and rapid pace nowadays. The National Electoral System and offices of government power have caved in to bigger numbers of dollars speak being the reason for enacting a law or appointing a government official. I am filing for an extension on my income taxes.
I guess I'm biased, as both my parents were schoolteachers. Even in the seventies, I witnessed plenty of students in high school who sneered at education, and I think it just kept growing as a generational thing.
The rich get richer and the poor get children.
As a retired clinical psychologist with lifelong interests in human character, history and social/cultural forces I find myself continuously astonished by the degree of psychopathy in what should be our fellow Americans as they gleefully cheat, rob and create ways to kill their fellow citizens and never be held responsible, say by polluting the air and water. I should know all this by now, but the lack of empathy, remorse and humane principle is so endless and huge that it feels almost like the alien invaders are already here and way too powerful. What Louis Brandeis said around 1916 about democracy and great wealth in the hands of a few being incompatible is clearly true, as we now have billionaires and bought and corrupted politicians destroying our democracy at high speed. We need to solve a problem that has never, in my awareness of history, been solved - how to put effective limits on how much personal wealth can be accumulated, so that political power can never be bought by excess wealth again.
Time to print up an ample new supply of those wonderful bumper stickers that have an outline of the state with the red, white, and blue sections plus the lone star and proclaiming:
*I'LL BELIEVE CORPORATIONS ARE PERSONS WHEN TEXAS PUTS ONE TO DEATH*
I'm sure clever populist Texans can determine the 10 most deserving of corporate death row.
It's a symptom of the elitist disdain for other human beings. Steal big or go home?
The Secretary of Ag under Nixon and Ford, Earl Butz, showed R empathy for generations of small farmers by saying "get big or get out." Same implied in the Ds for bailing out the Wall St. big thieves of '08 while doing nothing for the millions of nobodies who lost jobs, pensions, homes.
Thanks for the additional info, Rafi. I will remember this quote!
Speaking of stupid laws Florida is trying to roll back child labor laws to make up for the lack of immigrant labor. Happy April fools to all of the fools who thought rump would lower the price of anything. Is America greater than it was 4 months ago???
It's exhausting living in Texas' state capital. Going to the capital to register my disdain has gone from an occasional trip to a weekly errand. Stop it, you yahoos! Just stop with the idiocy.
Well, I did live in Austin for over twenty years, so I certainly agree with you Jim. Now I live in Missouri and I find the state government here just as greedy and corrupt.
If anyone wants a good look at how we got here, I suggest reading the current Nation magazine article " how were the airlines allowed to own the sky" A real good look at the situation & how it grew from the late 70's to now
Thanks for keeping me informed.
Yeah, and it makes Texas a miserable place to have a low to middle level job. Our son started his work life there, and when he found a specialty he enjoyed, moved to work for a for-profit corporation. He soon discovered the down side: tricks to keep employees from signing up every year for health insurance, tricks to keep employees cowed and their income low, and no help anywhere. Eventually, we had to help him get out of Texas, though he hated to leave his friends there. Lots of good people, but a lousy government & business culture!
Europe's ruling elite consisted of Emperors, Kings, Barons, Earl, etc. The ruling elite in the USA consists of Billionaires, Robber Barons, Captains of Industry, and a Congress of Invertebrates.