Off the Kuff: Perry says "Look at me!"

April 16, 2009

Perry says "Look at me!"

In advance of yesterday's teabag-a-rama, Governor Rick Perry made a successful ploy for a little national attention.

WAKE UP CALL: TEXAS GOV. BACK RESOLUTION AFFIRMING SOVEREIGNTY
Tue Apr 14 2009 08:44:54 ET

AUSTIN - Gov. Rick Perry joined state Rep. Brandon Creighton and sponsors of House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) 50 in support of states' rights under the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

"I believe that our federal government has become oppressive in its size, its intrusion into the lives of our citizens, and its interference with the affairs of our state," Gov. Perry said. "That is why I am here today to express my unwavering support for efforts all across our country to reaffirm the states' rights affirmed by the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. I believe that returning to the letter and spirit of the U.S. Constitution and its essential 10th Amendment will free our state from undue regulations, and ultimately strengthen our Union."

Perry continued: "Millions of Texans are tired of Washington, DC trying to come down here to tell us how to run Texas."

Except for all that stimulus money that Perry cordially accepted to "promote economic growth and create jobs" (PDF) that we're now mostly using to protect the Rainy Day Fund and to pay for our property tax cuts this biennium. We like that stuff. Oh, and we've only just noticed things like the expansion of the federal government and the deficit and stuff like that - we didn't pay any attention to it before.

Actually, let me just quote The Texas Blue here:

"Unfortunately, the protections it guarantees have melted away over the course of the years..."

Governor Rick Perry, five days ago: Governor Perry Calls FEMA To Assist With Wildfires

Governor Rick Perry, last month: Governor Perry Calls For 1,000 Troops To Be Sent To Border

Governor Rick Perry, five months ago: Governor Perry Requests 18 Month Extension Of Federal Aid For Ike Debris Removal

It looks to me like the only thing that has melted away over the course of the years is any sense of decency or shame that Republicans like Governor Perry may have had at some point in their lives.

Makes you wonder who he'll call on for help when we secede. In any event, HCR50, which is one step up legislatively from things like birthday greetings, isn't actual legislation but a bunch of "Whereas"es followed by a couple of "Be it resolved"s - you know, like a petition - that usually gets filed and forgotten. You'd think there'd be more pressing business to attend to at this point of the session, but then you're not Rick Perry. All I can say is that if his goal was to distract the national media from Betty Brown, or (God help us all) to draw attention to himself as a potential Republican nominee for President in 2012, he succeeded.

Posted by Charles Kuffner on April 16, 2009 to Show Business for Ugly People

Comments

Look on the bright side - he doesn't like the Bushes so most likely he will exile them and their two favorite lapdogs, Kay Bailout Hutchison and John Cornyn.

As for the legislative session, they've passed one bill so far. Hopefully when he becomes king, Perry will send them all to the tower and call for elections. Or maybe just send them all to the tower. And leave it at that.

We really need annual sessions. As it is, in the even years, they are all lining their pockets as the lobbyists of the people lining their pockets are writing the bills for the odd years.

Which are odd years indeed in Texas.

Posted by: Baby Snooks on April 16, 2009 10:10 AM

There is an interesting aspect to this which is the treaty under which Texas was declared a state but which also allows Texas to secede.

Of course Rick Perry would proceed to sell Texas to Spain which might not be so bad. At least their banks are solvent.

If Spain offered enough and we had casinos, well, who knows. We could end up being another Monaco. Which is not a bad place to live.

Posted by: Baby Snooks on April 16, 2009 4:37 PM