Bipartisanship: Regression, not Progress

The editorial, Let’s find cure for GOP ill will, discusses the reaction by Texas Governor Rick Perry and Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott concerning the recent passing of the Health Care Reform in the United States Congress. According to the editorial, Perry and Abbott, both members of the Republican Party, have announced an opposition to the newly passed Health Care bill and future plans to sue the United States government so as not to make law in Texas what the bill declares. The author gives evidence of the overwhelming problem of lack of health care insurance in Texas (number 1 in the United States in number of people without health care), as well as the proposed benefits of the new bill for Texas citizens.



The message of the editorial seems to be that it is time for political parties in Texas, as well as in the United States, to come to compromises and make progress with the problems facing Texans today as opposed to “political pandering,” or objecting issues instead of making any sort of progress. This bipartisanship seems to be a huge crisis in both Texas and the United States and has stood in the way of many attempts by both parties to make any sort of positive progress whatsoever. The opposition of the Health Care bill by both Perry and Abbott is just one of the many examples of this debilitating behavior going on in Texas politics.



The editorial appears to be intended for the entire Texas population, in effect saying, “Let’s get our act together!” Although the author appears to be a Democrat in political ideology, the message seems to be that regardless of political affiliation, it is time for us as Texas residents to make compromises and work together to face and make progress on the many issues we face today.



Coming from a Democratic perspective, the editorial lacks a little in overall presentation. The author’s Democratic affiliation shows up in the apparent applause of the passing of the Health Care bill and the frustrated thoughts of the Republican run Texas government, possibly losing the interest of a Republican-minded reader rather quickly. Although if the reader continues to read the entire article, it is clear that the intention of the author is to make clear the negative effects of the bipartisanship in politics, which both Democrats and Republicans can agree on. If the author focused more on the crippling effects of bipartisanship in politics, as opposed to whether the Health Care bill is “right” or “wrong,” I think that the message would be clearer and get through to the reader regardless of his or her political affiliation.



Personally, I applaud the attempt by the author to confront the issue of bipartisanship in politics in both the United States and Texas. Regardless of political ideology, we as a state face several vitally important issues that must be addressed and worked on, and when we continually run into each side’s opinions and disagreements we get absolutely nowhere. Even if a particular party passes a bill, it is not but a day later that the other party is opposing it instead of working with what is given and making it work best for the people. It will take courageous leadership from a Texas politician to confront this issue of bipartisanship, and it is up to us as the citizens of Texas and voters to express our concern and disapproval of this and make clear that it is time for someone to step up and make a change.

Upsets in State Board of Education Elections

As discussed in the article "Upsets will create a new look" in Wednesday’s Houston Chronicle, an upset in The State Board of Education occurred removing incumbent Don McLeroy. McLeroy, who favors elimination of the teaching of evolution in Texas public schools, was blocked from his confirmation last year by Senate Democrats because “his strong religious beliefs interfered with his leadership.” Considered an upset, lobbyist Thomas Ratliff won by a mere 860 votes (less than 1% of the total votes). Another big upset was the win of George Clayton over long-time board member Geraldine “Tincy” Miller. Clayton won by a large margin with 1/30th of the budget of Miller’s campaign, leaving officials curious of the mental change of the voters. With both Miller and McLeroy pushing for “conservative Christian” ideals in public school systems, and with both elections considered upsets, it appears that the Texas citizens have made a stand on what they feel is appropriate in public school curriculum. As apparent in the United States as a whole and in this article, the tolerance for people with non-Christian belief, as well as different cultures in general, appears to be increasing.

I personally applaud the upset in The State Board of Education based on my personal beliefs of what should and should not be taught in schools. Including “Christian based” material in school curriculum is inappropriate in that it gives young children the impression that the Christian faith is of greater importance to their lives and their educations than other faiths and cultures. I absolutely support personal faith, but not "pushing" others into it. If a parent feels their children should have this kind of extra education, there are other places to do so. The problem with this, is that some may argue that including evolution in school books is also leaning toward some “religious ideal” or “anti-religious ideal,” based on the conflict that has arisen between the Christian faith in general and those supporting the idea of evolution (I’m not saying all Christians deny evolution). My resolution to this would be to only include facts in public school curriculum and books, and not opinions or beliefs. Where is the line to be drawn between fact and opinion? Let’s leave that up to the professionals in each respective field of study.