The lies of Texas are upon us
So Abbott is a political hack, and the Dems are gutless.
Two things can be true at the same time: Texas Democratic legislators who fled the state to avoid voting on a bill they don’t like are a disgrace to the memory of Texans, and others, who stood tall at the Alamo, and died with their boots on. Today’s Dem Texans run like chickens.
The bill, supported by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in a special session, seeks to redraw congressional lines, something usually done once a decade after the census. Abbott’s purpose is to give Republicans five more seats through gerrymandering, the long-established but repulsive practice of drawing district boundaries to favor a political party. It’s the Texas Hold ‘em.
So Abbott is a political hack, and the Dems are gutless.
House Texans tried the same stunt a few years ago, and the Dems fled to D.C. This time mostly they moseyed to New York, Illinois, Chicago, and Boston. Prime sightseeing time.
Last time, after they finished playing hookey, they returned to work and lost the vote.
This time, when they return, it will be the same outcome.
So this is just a stunt.
House Republicans have ordered the arrest of any of the Texans playing hide and seek. Abbott said he will sic the Texas Rangers on them. (The Rangers have no jurisdiction outside Texas.)
It’s a farce.
Republicans may find this to be a Pyrrhic victory, meaning a win in name only.
At least three states, big Democratic ones — California, New York and Illinois — threaten to join Texas in rolling in the mud, and may order redistricting themselves.
It’s a dirty tactic, but justified by Texas going first.
Republicans will argue that Democrats have been doing the same forever, and they have, but following the census. They were coloring within the lines.
The Lone Star State has erased them.
