Here are my endorsements for the 2010 general election.
(Above--The red is the City of Houston within Harris County, Texas. In the upper right is Harris County in Texas.)
Where possible, I am voting the straight Democratic ticket.
In the case of the office of the State Comptroller, I am voting for Green candidate Edward Lindsay. There is no Democrat in this race. If the Green gets 5% in this race, then Greens get automatic ballot access in Texas in 2012. I want the option of Green Candidates on the ballot. Texans merit a choice that will consistently advocate for social justice and fair play. Hopefully the Greens can grow into this role in cases where Democrats let voters down.
I am voting Yes on Houston Proposition 1 in favor of the job-creating Renew Houston. This issue will help address our flooding problems in Houston.
I am voting Yes on Houston Proposition 2. This issue will help manage the Houston City Council redistricting process more fairly for incumbents not sure where their new district lines are drawn.
I am voting Yes on Houston Proposition 3. A yes vote in on Issue 3 will help save lives on our already dangerous streets by keeping our red light cameras.
I'm not voting the Democratic ticket with a full measure of enthusiasm. I've lived in a city everyday of my 43 years. Democrats sometimes take advantage of the loyal support of urban voters and offer little in return. It is really little different from how Republicans take the majority of rural votes in our nation, yet at the same time offer few solutions to the many problems of rural America.
While I do believe that former Houston Mayor Bill White will be a much better Governor than the incumbent, I'm disappointed that he has not put forth a vision that includes all Texans. We live in what is many ways a poor state. Yet the poor frequently seem shunned by the modern Democratic Party.
However, it should also be noted that the Democratic nominee for Lt. Governor of Texas, Linda Chavez-Thompson, has offered a very inclusive view of who should share in the blessings of freedom and prosperity in our state.
In Harris County, Loren Jackson has done a great job modernizing and bringing new efficiencies to the office of Harris County District Clerk.
The entire Democratic slate for countywide offices is competent. And at least two of the Republicans running for countywide office are so-called Tea Party followers.
The Tea Party is not something we need in our Harris County.
In Texas Congressional District 7, located in the Houston-area, there is a write-in Democratic candidate against the Republican incumbent. Her name is Lissa Squiers. The incumbent is not running unopposed.
I am not endorsing any Republicans. It is possible a case could be made for the reelection of Harris County Judge Executive Ed Emmett. Mr. Emmett is a reasonable voice who brings some moderation to the Republican Party in a way that likely benefits the County as a whole.
Top conservative blogger Dave Jennings at Big Jolly Politics, endorsed Democrat Jeff Weems to serve on the Texas Railroad Commission. Mr. Jennings did this despite the fact he is Tea Party mouthpiece.
I cannot in this political climate endorse a Republican. It is not enough that Mr. Emmett is not a kook. Silence in the face of extremism is very much a vice. The present day Republican/Tea Party talking points of drastically scaled back government and racial and ethnic intolerance simply have nothing of relevance to say to our growing and diverse county. Mr. Emmett needs to speak up against the rising menace of Tea Party extremism.
I urge all to vote in the upcoming election. Please vote for all the offices right down to the last judicial and county race.
Here are some links to facts about the election---
Here is the Democratic Party of Texas.
Here is the Green Party of Texas. ( I note that this web page has no update newer than July 23. I really want to be supportive, but are these people serious or not?)
Here is the Harris County Democratic Party.
Blogger Charles Kuffner has interviewed scores of Democrats on the ballot. Listen to these interviews and hear the candidates for yourself.
For those of you who insist on considering the Republicans on the ballot, the League of Women Voters of the Houston area has all the facts.
Here are the endorsements of the Houston Chronicle.
If you have a candidate you think is worthy of mention here, please go ahead and leave a comment.
I voted "D" except when there was no "D" running. And I did not vote for Kesha Rogers; that woman is Flake City.
I will not spend a dime at Gallery Furniture now, after Mattress Mac showed his Tea Party colors.
And I am sick to death of Greg Abbott and David Dewhurst's lies on their campaign ads.
Must suck to be a Republican and know that the only way you can win an election is by fraud, intimidation and lies. They're good at it.
BTW, Neil, I was just over at the chron. It took me less than 5 minutes to remember with great clarity why I stay away from the chron these days. The viciousness and hatred - and utter stupidity - of some of those rightwing whackjobs is not worth my wasting any time trying to "discuss issues" with them. They know who they are. *cough CC adler gary bart cough*
yup...
Since we are discussing voting, let me get on my soapbox.....
I voted yesterday. No line, no waiting, plenty of voting machines, nice people. Overall a very pleasant voting experience, EXCEPT...
Those damn voting machines. They look like we bought them from Fisher-Price Toys. Cute little buttons and wheel that goes 'round and 'round. Lights up, puts x's in the boxes........looks like somthing my niece has sitting next to her Barbie "Dream House."
Now some of you aren't gonna remember the days when wew had REAL, HEAVY, METAL voting booths. With a curtain. You pulled this big lever and the curtain closed around you. In front of you were tens, maybe hundreds of levers. You felt like you were in the cockpit of a 747. Switches and levers and the names of the candiudates and/or propositions. It was, sometimes, almost overwhelming. But you stood there and you made your selections and you pulled that BIG lever at the top and a big "CLICK" sounded and the curtain opened and there your were. Standing there, like Johnny Carson coming out to open the "Tonight Show". And everybody applauded, well, not really, but you KNEW you had voted. And EVERYBODY there KNEW you had voted. And you knew your vote COUNTED! And you walked away from that voting booth, past all those people still waiting, standing in line, maybe for an hour, and strutted out to the parking lot to drive home. I used to always, go by Long John Silver's and get me some fish, and some clams. I love clams. And, then I would, like most democrats back then, watch the TV as ALL my candidates LOST. What a country!!!!!!!
I voted straight ticket D. Living in House District 7, I've been dismayed that there was no D challenger for John Culberson. As Bob pointed out a while ago, it's practically futile for the Dems to mount a campaign in this ridiculously gerrymandered district. At least someone from the Libertarian party was running, so I voted for him just to vote against Culberson!
Mattress Mac is an enigma. He is verrry generous with his money, to a fault. But his political views are obvious. I don't see where he has ANY room to gripe about anything. Why he has hitched his wagon to the Tea Party, I don't know. However, we must remember that their intentions were, originally, honorable. But their membership's racism is just too evident and pervasive.
I never bought from him because, aside from the "delivery tonight" thing, he has the same crap everybody else has. But this guys DOES work his ass off and gives away LOTS and LOTS of money.
Straight ticket D here except I deselected Keesha (the LaRouchnik) Rogers.
I am so tired of seeing Greg Abbott gimping about in his wheelchair. He makes a big deal out of his accident, for which he got a multi-million dollar settlement, but then tries to deny Texans from having the right to seek justice in civil court. He's crippled all right but it's more of a moral impairment.
One thing that has become apparent this election cycle is what a parasite Jim McIngvale has become. He's put a pro TEA Party ad in the Chronicle and been a featured speaker at their rallies. He advertises on the North Houston TEA Party website. I pass the sign in front of Gallery Furniture every morning and see his plea for "freedom and the right to make a fair profit." He gets no more of my business and I hope other Democrats will spread the word to avoid this man like the plague he is.
Straight ticket for me, except where Ds didn't have a candidate. And, I confess, one R I once worked with.
But the democratic leadership of the Country has contempt, yes contempt, for it's base. I didn't want to believe it, but if you watch this interview Jon Stewart did with Barack Obama carefully, you'll see it.
http://www.thedailyshow.com/full-episodes/wed-october-27-2010-barack-obama
I'd say vote Green even if they are disorganized.
I am sorry. I thought Loren Jackson was a republican. The Chronicle says otherwise. But, as I said, I like my tote bag AND the fact that last time I was summoned for jury service I got out of there by 3:30PM.
I, too, have never voted straight ticket.....but I am seriously considering it.
And who, by the way, decided that dead people were not entitled to a voice in their government??? The fact that most "absentee voters" (I mean REALLY absentee) "lean" democratic should NOT surprise anybody. People tend to become more liberal as they age......and decompose.
I went straight ticket. I've never done that but I just can't stomach the new Republican party.
Oh, I'm sorry, Loren Jackson for County Clerk. He gave me a tote bag during "Juror Appreciation Week". Although, when I think about, I'll bet I PAID for that bag.
Excellent job Neil.
I too shall reach across the aisle and vote for any qualified republicans. That being said, I feel that is a "party of one", Emmett.
I've seen some of the political commercials that slime of a lt. governor has been running. I wish aliens would abduct him. But I'm pretty sure they agree with me.
Why so damn many judges...I don't like judges, period (I think judges are full of micky)...but I selected anyway.
I did vote for one Repubtilian (in keeping the faith for diversity :O)