The Texas Ballot
Oct. 29th, 2010 12:42 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
I finished this two days ago: it's partially for my Texan friends, but mainly myself to have a central place to look over everything. Don't you hate it when Election Day arrives, and you see the ballot thinking you're so informed only to find out that you don't know who half of the people are, let alone what the races were about? You even may not have known everyone who was campaigning for a particular office. Well, I'm not waiting until a few hours before voting this year to find out!
There won't be any Districts - House or State Representatives - included here, or any Judicial positions, but the other major statewide positions are included below. (Most of the local ones have no opposition, anyway...) I have linked to their websites and included some brief commentary...
That said, I have been keeping track of a couple of Texas H.R. races Here -including the hottest one (TX-17)- and some of the other members of that comm have included other states, as well. Your race or a race you're curious about may be there or in the post preceding it, and I'm open to any requests to pick up a race for research. (I'm on staycation! I don't mind not having to play video games all day to entertain myself...)
Races Included: Governor | Lieutenant Governor | Attorney General | Comptroller | Commissioner of the General Land Office | Commissioner of Agriculture | Railroad Commissioner
Governor
Rick Perry - REP | Bill White - DEM | Kathie Glass - LIB | Deb Shafto - GRN
I haven't decided who I'm voting for here... I really don't want to vote for Rick Perry. Three main reasons:
1) Trans-Texas Corridor
2) In-State Tuition for ILLEGAL Immigrants (while a CITIZEN from say Oklahoma has to pay the out of state rates)
3) Cancer Vaccine Fiasco
Bill White is far enough behind that I don't think I "need" to vote for the "lesser evil." I like Kathie Glass a lot, - her five central issues are in exact line with what I think is most important - but I'm a little hesitant to vote for a libertarian. She says nothing about her stance on social issues, and that's something libertarians are weak on. -As in no governmental moralityexcept when it suits them.- Still, what are the odds that a governor would have anything to do with... I dunno... abortion or stem cell research? Then again, while I am far removed from a one-issue voter, I don't know that I could stomach such a vote that may be against those very central issues to myself. - And no. I don't know whether she's pro-life or pro-abortion: I don't know anything about her social stances, and that's the problem.
Lieutenant Governor
David Dewhurst - REP | Linda Chavez-Thompson - DEM | Scott Jameson - LIB | Herb Gonzales, Jr. - GRN
I seem to remember 2 or 3 times that Dewhurst did something that wasn't spectacular?? In any case, he's a solid conservative; I realize that no representative will ever be perfect. A long time incumbent, but the right man for the job, imo. Actually, I wish he was running for governor... >.> - I mean, if we can't have fresh meat. ;D
Attorney General
Greg Abbott - REP | Barbara Ann Radnofsky - DEM | Jon Roland - LIB
Greg Abbott, hands down, imo. I didn't even look at the others, to be honest. He's another incumbent, but I've "met" him before: I has pictures! lol At that time, I listened to him speak in person and answer questions off the cuff: my own and others'. I've even sent a couple of letters to him and received responses. He's a good guy, and he has represented Texas very well. Never, when Abbott's name has been mentioned in a story, have I felt embarrassed or exasperated. No need to replace him.
Comptroller of Public Accounts
Susan Combs - REP | Mary J. Ruwart - LIB | Edward Lindsay - GRN
If I remember correctly, Combs & Perry have squared about a few things, as have Combs and the legislature. I can't remember the details, but they were interesting at the time. I know that I wasn't always on Combs' side, but I do know that I like that she's butted heads with them. When there's debate and discussion, it's healthy.
Still, I looked into Ruwart, because the Comptroller's job is to essentially be Texas' CFO... and our finances haven't been stellar lately. So, I checked out the libertarian candidate. Uhm... She's not quite a libertarian. O_O;;
"In the next couple of years, I quickly went from an objectivist to anarchist. ... I was easily won over to anarchy." Mary Ruwart, 2002 from How I Became a Libertarian
*cough* Uh... Lady, libertarianism and anarchy are NOT synonymous!
Commissioner of the General Land Office
Jerry Patterson - REP | Hector Uribe - DEM | James L. Holdar - LIB <-- No Site Available
Patterson is my pick. Pretty mainstream conservative. Especially as this job encompasses a lot regarding energy production, that's pretty important. He's done a good job this far, anyway.
Uribe has reduction of greenhouse gases as a central issue: this means Texas' production of oil and natural gas. His solution: Wind. Not exactly a reliable form of energy production, nor cheap... Even if Tornado Alley cuts right through our state.
Holdar apparently didn't think it was important to tell anyone what he believes, and is instead relying on the LIB next to his name. I found literally nothing about him...
Commissioner of Agriculture
Todd Staples - REP | Hank Gilbert - DEM | Rick Donaldson - LIB
GEEZ! They're ALL THREE great candidates! I don't know who to pick!!
The incumbent Staples' website is fascinating if you check out his Issues page: these aren't little issues or even new ones, and they're as contentious as ever. He's done a lot regarding marketing of Texas-grown produce and organic produce, promoting healthy eating, and various other hard-hitting issues, which he hopes to continue.
But I also like democrat challenger Gilbert. Check out his issues page: unlike others in these statewide races, he actually has a detailed plan we can see, even if it is a book. Here's the clincher, though: he brings up Eminent Domain as a central focus. Now, part of his solution is to create a new branch of government underneath the CoA, but it may not be a bad thing. ED has become pretty hot since the Trans Texas Corridor and the Kelo decision. This guy I'm going to have to seriously consider.
Donaldson starts out on his Issues page talking about the USDA is essentially infringing on Texas' rights and responsibilities, as the 10th largest economy in the world, towards food safety. While he does have a point, I think it's a strange thing to lead off with... Then again, he is a libertarian. lol He's against ethanol being in gas and questions why Texas has submitted to it. He has other ideas I like, but the one I really don't is his requirement that all Texan children have 2 years required "Gardening and Animal Husbandry." For this reason, I won't go with him, even though I understand his point since Agriculture is so central to our state. I would have failed the Animal Husbandry course on account of being severely allergic to all the animals. LOL Truthfully though, there's a different course I believe is far more important that should be added which I've spoken about here: Real World Economics.
Railroad Commissioner
David Porter - REP | Jeff Weems - DEM | Roger Gary - LIB <-- No Site Available | Art Browning - GRN
I'm kinda sad to see Michael Williams go... That guy is awesome. (I know. Why do I know about the Railroad Commissioner? Have I no life? lol It's actually a position that's about energy. He spoke at some events I attended.) At the same time, I'm glad to get someone new in.
David Porter looks promising, I guess, vague as he is. He's endorsed by Williams with solid goals, despite the lack of a "This is how I'll do it" piece to his claims.
Weems worries me. For instance, he speaks to the truth that utility bills are way too high, but his implied solution seems to be government. Yes, the government is already involved in energy prices, but still... With how dems handle government power and the thinking that it seemingly can do no wrong (unless it's controlled by republicans), there's a pattern of governmental expansion to consider. Also, his website takes forever to load.
Gary apparently didn't take the race seriously enough to even tell people what he believes - I only found one quote from him in a couple news stories that amounted to "Vote against the other parties by voting for me!" so he won't take the job seriously. Browning's very brief and vague rundown of the issues is more of an explanation of what the RC does rather than campaign promises.
The most irritating thing about these state elections is that candidates commonly state what they promise to do, but never explain how they'll do it. Believe me, I looked; I wanted details, and there are next to none. To that extent, it makes these elections, I think far more than the national elections, about the Party System more than what the candidates themselves believe or say.
Interesting about the Libertarian candidates, by the way. Aren't they always the ones harping on those of us who usually vote republican or democrat that we just rely on the "R's" and "D's" next to names? Yet TWO of them in these races didn't even supply a solitary shred of information about themselves for voters to read about their stances. Seems like relying on "LIB's" next to names to me... Even the Green Party candidates had a central website up!
There won't be any Districts - House or State Representatives - included here, or any Judicial positions, but the other major statewide positions are included below. (Most of the local ones have no opposition, anyway...) I have linked to their websites and included some brief commentary...
That said, I have been keeping track of a couple of Texas H.R. races Here -including the hottest one (TX-17)- and some of the other members of that comm have included other states, as well. Your race or a race you're curious about may be there or in the post preceding it, and I'm open to any requests to pick up a race for research. (I'm on staycation! I don't mind not having to play video games all day to entertain myself...)
Rick Perry - REP | Bill White - DEM | Kathie Glass - LIB | Deb Shafto - GRN
I haven't decided who I'm voting for here... I really don't want to vote for Rick Perry. Three main reasons:
1) Trans-Texas Corridor
2) In-State Tuition for ILLEGAL Immigrants (while a CITIZEN from say Oklahoma has to pay the out of state rates)
3) Cancer Vaccine Fiasco
Bill White is far enough behind that I don't think I "need" to vote for the "lesser evil." I like Kathie Glass a lot, - her five central issues are in exact line with what I think is most important - but I'm a little hesitant to vote for a libertarian. She says nothing about her stance on social issues, and that's something libertarians are weak on. -As in no governmental morality
David Dewhurst - REP | Linda Chavez-Thompson - DEM | Scott Jameson - LIB | Herb Gonzales, Jr. - GRN
I seem to remember 2 or 3 times that Dewhurst did something that wasn't spectacular?? In any case, he's a solid conservative; I realize that no representative will ever be perfect. A long time incumbent, but the right man for the job, imo. Actually, I wish he was running for governor... >.> - I mean, if we can't have fresh meat. ;D
Greg Abbott - REP | Barbara Ann Radnofsky - DEM | Jon Roland - LIB
Greg Abbott, hands down, imo. I didn't even look at the others, to be honest. He's another incumbent, but I've "met" him before: I has pictures! lol At that time, I listened to him speak in person and answer questions off the cuff: my own and others'. I've even sent a couple of letters to him and received responses. He's a good guy, and he has represented Texas very well. Never, when Abbott's name has been mentioned in a story, have I felt embarrassed or exasperated. No need to replace him.
Susan Combs - REP | Mary J. Ruwart - LIB | Edward Lindsay - GRN
If I remember correctly, Combs & Perry have squared about a few things, as have Combs and the legislature. I can't remember the details, but they were interesting at the time. I know that I wasn't always on Combs' side, but I do know that I like that she's butted heads with them. When there's debate and discussion, it's healthy.
Still, I looked into Ruwart, because the Comptroller's job is to essentially be Texas' CFO... and our finances haven't been stellar lately. So, I checked out the libertarian candidate. Uhm... She's not quite a libertarian. O_O;;
"In the next couple of years, I quickly went from an objectivist to anarchist. ... I was easily won over to anarchy." Mary Ruwart, 2002 from How I Became a Libertarian
*cough* Uh... Lady, libertarianism and anarchy are NOT synonymous!
Jerry Patterson - REP | Hector Uribe - DEM | James L. Holdar - LIB <-- No Site Available
Patterson is my pick. Pretty mainstream conservative. Especially as this job encompasses a lot regarding energy production, that's pretty important. He's done a good job this far, anyway.
Uribe has reduction of greenhouse gases as a central issue: this means Texas' production of oil and natural gas. His solution: Wind. Not exactly a reliable form of energy production, nor cheap... Even if Tornado Alley cuts right through our state.
Holdar apparently didn't think it was important to tell anyone what he believes, and is instead relying on the LIB next to his name. I found literally nothing about him...
Todd Staples - REP | Hank Gilbert - DEM | Rick Donaldson - LIB
GEEZ! They're ALL THREE great candidates! I don't know who to pick!!
The incumbent Staples' website is fascinating if you check out his Issues page: these aren't little issues or even new ones, and they're as contentious as ever. He's done a lot regarding marketing of Texas-grown produce and organic produce, promoting healthy eating, and various other hard-hitting issues, which he hopes to continue.
But I also like democrat challenger Gilbert. Check out his issues page: unlike others in these statewide races, he actually has a detailed plan we can see, even if it is a book. Here's the clincher, though: he brings up Eminent Domain as a central focus. Now, part of his solution is to create a new branch of government underneath the CoA, but it may not be a bad thing. ED has become pretty hot since the Trans Texas Corridor and the Kelo decision. This guy I'm going to have to seriously consider.
Donaldson starts out on his Issues page talking about the USDA is essentially infringing on Texas' rights and responsibilities, as the 10th largest economy in the world, towards food safety. While he does have a point, I think it's a strange thing to lead off with... Then again, he is a libertarian. lol He's against ethanol being in gas and questions why Texas has submitted to it. He has other ideas I like, but the one I really don't is his requirement that all Texan children have 2 years required "Gardening and Animal Husbandry." For this reason, I won't go with him, even though I understand his point since Agriculture is so central to our state. I would have failed the Animal Husbandry course on account of being severely allergic to all the animals. LOL Truthfully though, there's a different course I believe is far more important that should be added which I've spoken about here: Real World Economics.
David Porter - REP | Jeff Weems - DEM | Roger Gary - LIB <-- No Site Available | Art Browning - GRN
I'm kinda sad to see Michael Williams go... That guy is awesome. (I know. Why do I know about the Railroad Commissioner? Have I no life? lol It's actually a position that's about energy. He spoke at some events I attended.) At the same time, I'm glad to get someone new in.
David Porter looks promising, I guess, vague as he is. He's endorsed by Williams with solid goals, despite the lack of a "This is how I'll do it" piece to his claims.
Weems worries me. For instance, he speaks to the truth that utility bills are way too high, but his implied solution seems to be government. Yes, the government is already involved in energy prices, but still... With how dems handle government power and the thinking that it seemingly can do no wrong (unless it's controlled by republicans), there's a pattern of governmental expansion to consider. Also, his website takes forever to load.
Gary apparently didn't take the race seriously enough to even tell people what he believes - I only found one quote from him in a couple news stories that amounted to "Vote against the other parties by voting for me!" so he won't take the job seriously. Browning's very brief and vague rundown of the issues is more of an explanation of what the RC does rather than campaign promises.
The most irritating thing about these state elections is that candidates commonly state what they promise to do, but never explain how they'll do it. Believe me, I looked; I wanted details, and there are next to none. To that extent, it makes these elections, I think far more than the national elections, about the Party System more than what the candidates themselves believe or say.
Interesting about the Libertarian candidates, by the way. Aren't they always the ones harping on those of us who usually vote republican or democrat that we just rely on the "R's" and "D's" next to names? Yet TWO of them in these races didn't even supply a solitary shred of information about themselves for voters to read about their stances. Seems like relying on "LIB's" next to names to me... Even the Green Party candidates had a central website up!
no subject
Date: 2010-10-29 05:55 pm (UTC)Uh... Lady, libertarianism and anarchy are NOT synonymous!
Did you ever see "Stranger Than Fiction"? Maggie Gyllenhal has this line about how she's fine with paying taxes for roads and playgrounds, but not for foreign wars she disagrees with, so she only paid the road and playground taxes. Will Ferrell says something like, "What you're describing is anarchy." Mr. Tater and I always fill in, "No, what she's describing is Libertarianism!"
*sigh* I am so uninformed about this election, it's not even funny. I need to get my rear in gear and research. Or skip voting. Which I hate to do, but not as much as I hate being an uninformed voter.
My thing with Perry is, I don't really like him, and he's kind of a sleaze, but Texas is doing so well economically. How much of that is just because Texas is awesome, and how much of it is because Perry made good decisions? Such a conundrum.
But on a totally shallow level, Bill White is freaky looking.
Might just vote Libertarian on principle.
no subject
Date: 2010-11-02 07:43 am (UTC)I did get to see it, but it was a long time ago and I really only got to see bits and pieces. I remember really liking it... But that's funny. I was discussing the ballot with my dad as we were walking into work together and I mentioned Kathie Glass as an alternative to Perry. His response, when I told him her gaping piece of missing information, was that libertarians really need to just call themselves anarchists. LOL I barely got to refute him before we had to go our separate ways.
I am so over informed compared to the average voter; I've been following races that have nothing to do with me. Yet, I still consider myself uninformed compared to political junkies. It's all relative, I suppose.
I agree 100% on Perry. I think much of Texas' success can actually be attributed to our legislature and Texas' general awesomeness. True, he's been on his best behavior since 2009, but just wait until 2012 or 2013 when we're removed from election mentality. I almost hope he'll run for President just so he continues to be a good little governor.