Kinky Friedman? The Texas Jewboy?
He's running for governor, and I think he's got a shot. Seeing as Texas is home to 2 of the 10 largest US cities, and is #1 in high school drop outs, #49 in teachers pay, and 1/5 of our kids here have no health coverage, it's time for a big, BIG change. Rick Perry, Dubya and their top contributors while in their big offices in Austin (Halliburton, Enron and of course, Texas Oil) royally screwed this state up. Many people don't know Kinky's platform, since he's running as an Independent (which means if you're supporting him, DON'T VOTE IN THE PRIMARY!!!).
Here's his stance on some pressing issues:
Q: Why is Kinky running as an independent?
A: Every Texan is an Independent at heart. Kinky is running with the people and for the people. You can't do that with the two current political parties, which are built and ruled by special interests.
Kinky will be beholden to no one and no party. All the people Kinky appoints will be appointed because they are the right people for the job, not because they are affiliated with a major party.
Q: Why should I vote for Kinky? What issues matter to Kinky the most?
A: Kinky believes there are several key issues facing Texas, including:
* The state of our public education system,
* The lack of affordable healthcare for Texas children,
* Our border relations with Mexico, and
* Our reliance on foreign fuels, which would be lessened by the introduction of renewable energy sources such as biodiesel and ethanol.
Q: Are our border problems important to Kinky?
A: Extremely. Kinky believes the border issue is one of the biggest problems facing Texas today, and it can no longer be ignored. Texas policy under Governor Rick Perry has been "give us your tired, your weak, your poor, your criminals, your drug dealers and your terrorists—welcome to Texas".
Kinky supports the legislation passed in March 2006 by the Senate Judiciary Committee, which includes the legalization of the country's 11 million illegal immigrants who hold jobs, pass background checks, and pay fines and taxes.
Kinky also supports a guest worker program which would allow approximately 400,000 new guest workers per year. In fact, Kinky has been calling for a Bracero-sized work program since he first announced his candidacy for governor in February 2005. He is the only candidate to have done so.
If elected, Kinky would meet with Governors Bill Richardson (New Mexico) and Janet Napolitano (Arizona) to develop a coordinated border state plan to supplement federal efforts at stemming the tide of illegal immigration. To date, Governor Perry, a Republican, has not met with Democrats Richardson or Napolitano.
Q: How would Kinky improve the education system?
A: Kinky proposes several options that, if implemented, would bring new money into the education budget and improve the state of education in Texas:
* Legalizing casino gambling ("Slots for Tots") to bring in billions per year,
* Closing corporate loopholes so that the 10,000 Texas businesses that are not currently paying taxes will be charged,
* Increasing teacher salaries � currently $6,000 below the national average,
* Establishing a Trust for Texas Heroes, program to increase the salaries of teachers, cops, and firefighters through a 1 percent tax on oil and gas produced in Texas
* Outsourcing sports funding to sports companies/retailers, and
* Stopping the practice of "teaching to the test." The TAKS shouldn't be the sole focus of education in Texas.
Q: What's Kinky's feeling on gun control?
A: The second amendment is every bit as important as the others. Texans have the right to keep and bear arms, as well as to hunt.
Q: How does Kinky feel about Trans-Texas Corridor (and toll roads in general)?
A: Kinky is opposed the Trans-Texas Corridor since it relies on toll road construction. He feels that the TTC is a land grab of the ugliest kind, with land being taken from hard-working ranchers and farmers in little towns and villages all over Texas. The people who will ultimately own that land are the same people who own the governor.
Q: What's Kinky's position on capital punishment?
A: Kinky is not anti-death-penalty, but he IS "anti-the-wrong-guy-getting-executed." Texas needs to take a serious look at the way it implements capital punishment--no one in this state wants the blood of innocent people on their hands.
Q: How does Kinky feel about abortion?
A: Kinky believes in a woman's right to choose.
Q: What is Kinky's position on gay marriage?
A: Kinky supports gay marriage and equal rights for homosexuals. He believes that the constitution protects everyone. As he says, "I believe love is bigger than government. And besides, they have a right to be as miserable as the rest of us."
Q: What is Kinky's position on school prayer?
A: Kinky favors optional, non-denominational prayer in school. He believes there's nothing wrong with children believing in something even if it's a rock or a tree.
While I'm not 100% down for some of his ideas, I think it's a great start. The fact that he can acknowledge that Texas keeps executing the wrong people is a good first step. Let's be #1 in something good for once. Here's his site for more info: Kinky for Governor - Why the Hell Not?
And, here is something scary that I recently realized. I really love this state. I love living here in Dallas, I love that I can own a home here. I love that my neighbor on one side is an organic gardener who helps me get rid of fire ants without ruining my lawn. I love that my neighbor on the other side is a hot queen who owns the best salon is Dallas and yells things when he gets into his car on a Saturday like "Another queer wedding today! Woo hoo!" and my other neighbor yells back "What's with all you fags, always getting married and shit." I love it. I love the huge trees surrounding my house, and the 134 squirrels that live to torture my dog. I love that I can fly anywhere for cheap, being in a huge hub. I love that the cost of living here is good enough that I can AFFORD to travel.
My name is Layla Bush, and I'm a Texan.
Wow.
