A Tribute To Texas Heroes
After every Census, the Friendship State undertakes the challenging task of redistricting -- just like the other forty-nine states. In 2001, the state legislature couldn't agree on a redistricting plan, so a federal court ultimately approved of one, whereby two new seats were added and two republicans benefited as a result. The plan was also given an approving nod by the U.S. Supremes. Okay, end of story. If only.
From top to bottom, Republicans are large and in charge in Texas, courtesy of the 2002 elections. I'm talking clean sweep. Redistricting left the congressional delegation composed of seventeen Democrats and fifteen Republicans. Well, with such a resounding election victory, there are some who feel that things should be reconfigured to give the majority party, a majority in Congress. The leader of this school of thought is Texas son, Tom "Napoleon" DeLay. Yeah, that one.
"Nappy" has led a movement to redistrict so that his dreams will come true. He has contact with the Governor (Mr. Perry), and the Speaker of the House (Mr. Criddick), in order to coordinate bringing his plan to the floor of the Texas Legislature. Now, some might wonder about Nappy's obligations to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he is the majority leader. But those people fail to see how adept the man is at juggling many political balls. And it is his duty to try and keep Republicans large and in charge from Texas and from sea to shining sea. He's working hard at it.
Is it just to embark on such a coup de grace? Does might make right? Fifty-plus Democrats, self-styled "Killer D's", held definite beliefs: this action was nothing more than a greed-driven power grab. So, rather than let the majority have their way, by bringing the issue to the floor during the last regular session -- where it was sure to pass -- the Killer D's fled to Ardmore, Oklahoma (I don't know why there, but it could have been anywhere beyond the Texas borders), a move that deprived Nappy's Soldiers of the necessary quorum to keep the issue alive.
It was a well-conceived plan that proved to be unexpectedly successful. And boy did those Killer D's set off a firestorm of debate. Who's right? Who's wrong? There were plenty of comments such as, 'these legislators are being derelict in their duty, which is to take care of the state's business.' Note: If only you could see how the majority party is taking care of the state's business. Let's just suffice it to say that it is very rarely a good thing to have one party in charge of all branches of government.
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