Gov. Rick Perry likes to bash Washington, D.C. It’s an old game, of course. He’s gone so far as to seriously entertain talk of secession. That’s an old game, too, though a tragic one. What Perry doesn’t say: since he became governor in 2000, Texas has relied more and more on federal assistance. In other words, Perry has made Texas more dependent on Washington, D.C. than ever before.
According to the Dallas Morning News’ Michael Landauer, federal spending in Texas has increased 108.53 percent under Perry rule. Perry’s dressed himself up in a Confederate uniform while nakedly letting the federal government bail out his administration. By the by, his transparent fiscal irresponsibility has led our state to the brink of a financial disaster. Despite the federal money, we’re looking at a projected budget deficit of some $17 billion.
That means Texas relies more on federal dollars and less on its own taxes than it did when Perry took office. Put another way: Texas is less independent than it was when the governor took office, not more.
Perry’s running against Washington for two reasons: first, his opponen in next week’s Republican primary is a U.S. Senator, Kay Bailey Hutchison. Second, though Sam Houston quite the governor’s mansion in defiance of secessionists, Texas joined the old Confederacy. And that spirit lives on. And Barack Obama is president.
Perry’s New Clothes will damage Texas more than it embarrasses Perry, though. You can tell by his fancy hair and wardrobe. Even his rustic raiments, the faux hunting attire he wears to Tea Parties, are fresh off the fashion runway. He’s a bit of an exhibitionist, and unlikely to feel embarrassment.
But the deceit here is profound and damaging to the future of our state. He’s not just stirring up hate. He’s putting our economic future at risk with his dodge.
Put some clothes on, governor. Trust me, your popularity might rise.
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About Glenn W. Smith
Glenn W. Smith has spent the past 30 years in journalism and politics, where he’s made a name for himself as a writer, campaign manager, activist, think tank analyst and, as Daily Kos founder Markos Moulitsas says, a “legendary political consultant and all-around good guy.” “There’s no one like him,” says author George Lakoff. CNN commentator Paul Begala says, “He has unmatched experience, a graceful pen (or pixel nowadays) and deep insight into the best and worst of us.” Novelist Sarah Bird speaks of his “lucid and lyrical” prose. And, she says, he’s fun. Huffington Post founder Arianna Huffington says Glenn writes with “grace and abundant humor” and “uses his colorful experiences in Texas to enlighten us all.”
Smith led Ann Richards’ successful 1990 campaign for Governor of Texas. He worked for former Texas Lt. Gov. Bill Hobby and U.S. Senator Lloyd Bentsen. Earlier, Smith was a political reporter for the Houston Chronicle and the Houston Post. He’s coordinated national campaigns for groups such as MoveOn.org. In 2004, he authored the highly acclaimed book, The Politics of Deceit: Saving Freedom and Democracy from Extinction. He also wrote Unfit Commander, a book that detailed George W. Bush’s mysterious disappearance from military service.
In 2004, Smith was featured in the film, Bush’s Brain, a documentary about Karl Rove. Smith provided commentary on Rove’s role as then-President Bush’s senior advisor. He has made numerous media appearances with Chris Mathews on Hardball, Joe Scarborough, Brit Hume, and many others. He writes a regularly for top national web sites, including FireDogLake and Huffington Post.
As a senior fellow at George Lakoff’s prestigious Rockridge Institute in Berkeley he studied, wrote and taught on the power of metaphor and narrative in political communications. He also lectured on religion and politics at the Starr King School for Ministry in Berkeley. As a sponsor and organizer, he has pulled together numerous national events with progressive religious leaders. He also organized a celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King at Riverside Church in New York City as well as “Freedom and Faith” bus tours, which was a nationwide campaign for social justice and progressive values.
Smith’s play, Double Play, which explored American Western myths and legends, was held over to sold-out audiences. He’s even written and performed songs in the Americana tradition, such as his best-known song, “Helping Marty Robbins,” a tribute to his hometown, Houston.
Most recently, Smith is the creator of DogCanyon, a political and cultural web site covering state, national and global issues from a Texas perspective. DogCanyon is an exhilarating and unique site that gets the connections between politics and culture and explores both the personal side of politics and the ups, down, craziness and beauty of “life its ownself,” as humorist Dan Jenkins would say. DogCanyon offers heartfelt personal essays, hard-hitting political analysis, and, most importantly, laughs.
As Paul Begala said, Smith writes in “the finest, firmest, fearless tradition of Texas essayists like Molly Ivins.”
maybe rick could help out texas’ economy by moving out of the tax payer’s temporary governor’s mansion and moving into a doublewide. i’m sure it would feel more like home.
I keep waiting for Perry to respond to that story by observing that, until he took over, Texas had not gotten its fair share of federal dollars. It will go something like … “I saw opportunities for Texas in the wasteful Obama stimulus plan and turned that particular Washington lemon into Longhorn lemonade.”
Glenn, I feel like the governor is just an actor, much like his friend, half term guv Sarah Palin. The “posing” and arrogance just never stops.
It was a long time ago when I studied Texas history, but I recently enjoyed a historial novel about Texas, “Not Between Brothers,” by David Marion Wilkinson. He did a lot of research about Texas and includes the action of Sam Houston you mentioned. While reading the book I couldn’t help but compare the actions of people who wanted to secede then to those of today’s Tea Party activists.
Glenn: Astute as usual, but just reverse bashing. Very tired of it from both parties, but that’s modern politics. MDP
Why do Republicans understand Orwell’s Big Lie so much better than Democrats? Obama now has had his “bipartisan” meeting with the Republicans, let’s see if he will stuff the health care bill up that area of their collective body “where the sun don’t shine.” Got the cojones for it Barack?