NYT looking at TX's Lies

[johnsmith]

Yeah, you are right about that much.

It isn't all *that* astonishing, I shouldn't be too surprised, given the state's utter dependence on cars, and vanishingly small public transportation.

I will say though, I for one would love a rail system. This driving from New Braunfels to Austin everyday has to go.


I'd sell the house I live in, but all the heads in my neighborhood are currently short selling their homes and I'm ed because I chose to pay my bills on time.

That will teach me.


And boutons, you're a .

[johnsmith]

"Oh. Then sir, can you tell me what the difference is?"

"One's an additional fee and one's a tax".



Point is that you'd still be talking to a politician, and when have they ever answered questions? At least honestly that is?

[johnsmith]

Or not danced around a question?

[RandomGuy]

Or not danced around a question?

of course he will dance around it.

But he will have to do it in front of a crowd of people who know he is full of .

It is one thing to talk to a reporter and lie to a single person in a sound bite, than to look a room full of your voters in the face, piss on their boots and then tell them its raining.

[johnsmith]

of course he will dance around it.

But he will have to do it in front of a crowd of people who know he is full of .

It is one thing to talk to a reporter and lie to a single person in a sound bite, than to look a room full of your voters in the face, piss on their boots and then tell them its raining.

Afterwards, he'll walk out of that room, receive $1,000,000 campaign contribution from some bull company, smile brightly, and be re-elected. That is American politics. He/she could blatantly lie, tell you your wrong, not answer a question, have you arrested, raise your taxes, send your kids to war, give themselves raises, cheat, steal, kill, and anything else they want to do and in the meantime, good luck to you, hope everything works out.

I'm a touch disenchanted and jaded with American politics at this point......can you tell?

[RandomGuy]

Afterwards, he'll walk out of that room, receive $1,000,000 campaign contribution from some bull company, smile brightly, and be re-elected. That is American politics. He/she could blatantly lie, tell you your wrong, not answer a question, have you arrested, raise your taxes, send your kids to war, give themselves raises, cheat, steal, kill, and anything else they want to do and in the meantime, good luck to you, hope everything works out.

I'm a touch disenchanted and jaded with American politics at this point......can you tell?

Million bucks? This is a local Texas state representative. They are waaaaay cheaper.

His problem is that Democrats outnumber Republicans in his district, if memory serves. Only the total apathy on the part of the Democratic party in our county let him defeat the in bent Democrat. I was honestly surprised at the results.

I might get a bit more active in local politics again. It was fascinating and a bit fun to get into it during the 2008 election.

[coyotes_geek]

I must say that I agree with this. No 'taxes' will be raised however we will be fee'd to death.. all the while the GOP will be patting themselves on the back and taking full credit for closing the gap without tax increases..of course they won't publicly acknowledge the fee increases..

Pretty much. It will be political theater at it's finest.

Heard an interview on the radio this morning where some top republican already ruled out gas tax increases. Don't remember exactly who it was.

Nickel and dime it is. The most regressive form of taxation possible.

It's hard to get a read on that one. You've already noted the abscence of a vocal cons uency for infrastructure spending. There are groups like chambers of commerce, engineering & construction industry and business interests that want to see the gas tax increased, but since they don't go around shouting at people it's hard to guage how much influence they hold compared to the anti-tax groups who do go around shouting at people.

I find it astonishing they haven't raised gasoline taxes in what? over a decade?

20 years. Current gas tax rate has been in place since 1991. Some adjustment, even if only for inflation, is long overdue IMO.

[TeyshaBlue]

20 years. Current gas tax rate has been in place since 1991. Some adjustment, even if only for inflation, is long overdue IMO.

Wow..I knew it was overdue for a look see, but 2 decades?

[boutons_deux]

Think TX will legalize marijuana possession in small amounts to reduce policing and jailing costs?

nah, PIC would (continue to) lobby against that, plus all the Bible-thumping holy rollers love legislating other peoples' morals.

[Winehole23]

(btw, boutons, Texas's prison population went down last year, and parole reform is on the agenda for he upcoming session)

[RandomGuy]

(btw, boutons, Texas's prison population went down last year, and parole reform is on the agenda for he upcoming session)

http://www.texastribune.org/library/data/texas-prisons/

Interesting do-hickey gives some data on Texas prisons.

One of the most prominent is that the State is incarcerating several people over 85 YO.

At first glance, I was like WTF why are we bothering with feeding/clothing/etc? until you see what they were mostly in jail for, generally pedos. Icky. I have no problem housing them in jail until they croak, I just wish they would hurry up and do it already.

[101A]

I for one relish the chance to ask this question of my Republican representative at some town-hall meeting:

You say you didn't raise taxes, but here is the laundy list of fees you voted for:

X
Y
Z

... doesn't that amount to raising taxes?

(eagerly rubs hands together) BUWAHAHAHAHAHA....

Oh, the chance to make a Republican squirm, oh frabjous day!

It never works; they don't squirm

They have the mike, remember; politicians are VERY good at deflecting, confusing, not answering the question, etc. Also, MOST of the people at such events are inevitably supporters of the politician, who are more than happy to tribe up with him/her.

Ever been to a town-all meeting?

I have.

Had Arlen Specter dead to rights (sorry to sensitive eyes for the violent metaphor).

He won.