By: Rita Cook
Texas Metro News
https://texasmetronews.com
Last week I shared with readers the fact there was possibly going to be some redistricting done mid-decade during the Texas Special Session, which began July 21.
This redistricting is what is being referred to as the Republicans “stealing seats to add to the red alignment.”
Quite frankly, does it even matter because the red Speaker of the House, Dustin Burrows is going all in with the Democrats anyway according to some Republican representatives.
However, that is not really the point.
Either way, it is not okay to randomly decide to redistrict, no matter the side of the aisle.
It is another way to continue to breed division.
It also is a big alert that the big egos are winning OVER the will of the people who put those “big egos” in office.
Is anyone doing the job of representing what is best for Texas?
I mentioned this redistricting to one of my Republican friends and said, “This is wrong since redistricting is done every decade in conjunction with the census, not at a whim.”
My red friend said, “The Republicans have a right to do it because the Democrats do it all the time.”
Exactly what does “all the time” mean?
And, as an aside, I want to mention I am not trying to throw shade on the blue or red party. Any party that tries to get more seats in their district due to questionable means is inappropriate in my opinion.
Just for confirmation, I decided to check out the fact of when was the last time mid-decade redistricting took place.
My red friend was wrong.
I assume she, like so many others from either party, listened to a friend who did not know what they were talking about or listened to a news media report that is about narrative over truth.
So now, the Dems (as in the Democratic Caucus) have left the house (the special session).
According to Chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus Rep. Gene Wu “Since Governor Abbott is acting like a child, we are going to find adults to go talk to.”
So, they have taken a little sojourn to Illinois to meet with Gov. Pritzker.
In other words, they have picked up their toys and deserted their constituents like children because they are not getting their way.
And to be clear, the red team decided to play this game too, and no one apparently cares about Texans overall.
“We’re headed out to states already dealing with the fallout from the billions of dollars that Trump’s allies have crammed down our throat,” Wu said. “We need a real plan from the Governor to protect Texas families from the damage Trump and his allies have caused and continue to cause. It doesn’t matter if you are a Republican, a Democrat, or an Independent — we know this extremist agenda is not what you voted for.”
Which extremist agenda is he talking about on the left or the right?
Going to Illinois for answers is not going to help Texas State Representatives find a plan because from what I can see they are not in Austin having big boy and girl conversations, which is where a compromise will be found from both sides.
Let me remind, meanwhile, Texans are getting nothing.
What is a meeting with leaders in other states going to do, particularly when it is Illinois and California? This is only serving to create more division and waste more money.
If these people playing politics cannot get along, we need to remove either side red or blue at the next election and put people in who can get along, like adults.
Yes, there are other topics to be discussed during this special session.
Like Rep. Rafael Anchía, who is leading the delegation to meet with Gov. Newsom in California mentioned “There are dozens of dead kids and people are still missing from the Central Texas floods. But Donald Trump is focused on manipulating elections to help himself.”
So, taking a delegation to California is the answer?
No!
And trying to appeal to the emotions of the people is not the answer. The answer is being big boys and girls, standing up for what you believe against Gov. Greg Abbott and getting your point across in a way where compromise can be found and the reactive games can become proactive solutions.
Why does every blue and red issue have to be at odds?
Because it keeps division and fear circulating so Texans do not have the chance to take a breath.
Anyone can spin a story to their narrative, but can they create a narrative and action that benefits the people they are representing in real time?
And by the way, the last time a mid-decade redistricting took place in Texas was in 2003 (from what I can find in my research). It was the GOP who did it and it resulted in the red gaining five additional seats in the U.S. House.
Rita Cook is a world traveler and writer/editor who specializes in writing on travel, auto, crime and politics. A correspondent for Texas Metro News, she has published 11 books and has also produced low-budget films.
