With Paltry Turnout, Last Word Goes to the Few
It is easy to lament low voter turnout. Only 11 percent of the state’s voting age adults showed up for the May primaries.
But look at their clout: Every actual voter was making a decision on behalf of nine people. In the runoff voting that starts next week and ends on July 31, those voters will probably have even greater power.
The Republican primary, with 25 races from the United States Senate to the Statehouse, is bigger than the Democratic runoff, with 12. Both have Senate runoffs — Ted Cruz and David Dewhurst on the Republican side, and Paul Sadler ...
Comments (5)
Candyce Byrne via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Just think--if the Democrats got busy, they could actually provide a meaningful alternative to the Republicans' wretched candidates.
Rudy Gonzales
Today's vote counts more than ever. With TEA party activist burning the voting booth, Texas and Texans will lose more freedoms. If you sit at home and not vote, the fringe extreme will capture more control over money and infrastructure and Texans will lose money to those state who will gladly accept PPACA-Health Care money for their constituents while 25 percent of Texans will storm the ER's. Emergency rooms and hospitals will not get paid and that write-off will make it's way into your wallet. Insurance premiums will go up, again into you wallet.
It astounds me that Rick Perry and Bobby Jindal and others put their skewed, fringed beliefs ahead of their constituency to further their agenda. This statement says it all: Rick Perry thinks it more important that he further his extremist political agenda than agreeing to spend my money to help those whom he is constitutionally sworn to protect and serve. What is even more frightening is the TEA party fringe will stop at nothing to exact their desire to limit Obama above all else.
In some ways, the future is already here. Many portions of the PPACA have already been quietly enacted. The government has streamlined the approval process for generic drugs and expanded Medicare's prescription benefit. It has levied a 10% tax on tanning booths, and passed several rules that will make it easier for people with "pre-existing conditions" to get the lifesaving treatments they need. For insurance companies, lifetime limits on coverage, price gouging, and a host of other cost-cutting measures are now illegal.
Sadly, the rest of the country will not get involved, let the chips fall where they may and live on. When people do not get involved, they lose more every time elections come about. The TEA party realizes this and have worked diligently to take over local, state and now the federal government.
These radical extremes want to control our money and benefits for the protection of the richest Americans. There should be no discussion on taking care of uninsured or lower waged people as Governors are charged with a responsibility for every person in their states. TEA-Republican Governors should bite the bullet as the Supreme Court backed the PPACA(Health Care Act) and by failing their constituents they stand on the same ground as Texas and Rick Perry.
That is our taxpayer money, not theirs! The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act(PPACA) which has Supreme Court backing should be implemented over their objections. Do not stay on the side lines. Get involved, get registered, vote and get out the vote!
Hannah Katz
Looks like it will be Ted against Grady in the General Election unless folks turn out and vote.
Audrey Fisher via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Why just the GOP primary Texas Trib. There are quite a number of run-off elections....yes, I even downloaded a ballot this AM.
Adam Russell
It would be refreshing if people 18 and older who aren't fervent ideologues (the real minority in politics) took enough interest to educate themselves and vote according to what matters to them personally and pragmatically, instead of buying into a name, soundbite, vitriol or a catchy tag line. Disinterest means the party purists will continue to drive the car. You ever been in a car when the person at the wheel is constantly being punched in the face by a passenger trying to take the wheel? Buckle up Texas.