Framing the Dialogue

My first exposure to Governor Rick Perry of the Great State of Texas was listening to an interview when he was visiting the Left State of Pennsylvania a few years ago.  Gov. Perry and the correspondent (sorry, but I can neither remember nor find references to this interview) were discussing the Texas Legislature and their activity.  This is of great interest to Pennsylvanians as we have one of the largest (and costliest) legislatures in the country.

The interviewer seemed to lament the fact that the Texas legislature only was in session for a brief period each year.  Governor Perry asked why Texans would want their legislators to meet more frequently.  When they are in session, they feel like they have to pass more laws.  I absolutely loved that comment.

Governor Perry is a True American Hero as a plain-speaking and obvious defender of our Constitution.  For some reason his staunch support of state’s rights has not garnered the same level of attacks from the main stream media as his former colleague from Alaska.  You can expect that to change as his star rises. 

Although the Tax Day Tea Parties were supposed to be non-political, Governor Perry was reported to have attended three events in Texas.   One of his most memorable quotes took a shot at Washington politicians:

““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.  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.  Millions of Texans are tired of Washington, DC trying to come down here to tell us how to run Texas.””   

The Texas legislature passed a resolution in May asserting its rights as a sovereign state as provided in OUR Constitution.  I would hazard a guess that many of us have recently read the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution.  It is brilliant in its brevity and power;

“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”

In another stand against intrusion from Washington, Gov. Perry turned down around a half billion dollars of stimulus money to extend unemployment benefits.  While highly criticized by opponents, Perry explained that there were too many strings attached including a vast expansion of benefits that Texas would have been required to fund in the future without federal dollars (i.e. our money).  Perry did accept stimulus money, but positioned himself as selective and protective of his state. 

Let us hope that this is not just election hyperbole as Gov. Perry is running for re-election, but you have to love the talk.  Gov. Perry has also weighed in on the Obamacare (my terminology not Gov. Perry’s) plan.  As you might have guessed he is not overly fond of the expected intrusion into state politics;

“I think you’ll hear states and governors standing up and saying ‘no’ to this type of encroachment on the states with their healthcare. So my hope is that we never have to have that stand-up. But I’m certainly willing and ready for the fight if this administration continues to try to force their very expansive government philosophy down our collective throats.  It really is a state issue, and if there was ever an argument for the 10th Amendment and for letting the states find a solution to their problems, this may be at the top of the class.”

Governor Rick Perry is a True American Hero for using his considerable pulpit to stand up for all of our rights, even those of us who cannot call Texas our home.  I have enjoyed his stand and hope that he continues the fight…for all of us.

Is this the Republican Ticket for the 2012 Presidential election?

Update – March 4, 2010:  Texas’ Governor Rick Perry has been one of the most outspoken national voices critical of the Washington power grabs.  So what does Texas Senator K. Baily Hutchison do?  She runs against him.  The conservative-lite Hutchison decided that Texas no longer needed a strong voice in their Governor’s mansion.

Texas Republicans disagreed.  Yeah Texas!  Governor Perry trounced Senator Hutchison on Tuesday by a 52 percent to 30 percent margin.  I used to have great respect for Ms. Hutchison, but I am tired of conservatives going after other conservatives while letting RHINOs alone.  Hopefully another real conservative will challenge Senator Hutchison when she wants another term in the U.S. Senate.

As you would expect from the Texas Governor, he accepted the nomination with an understated speech to his supporters:  

“It is clear that the Obama administration and its allies has Texas in its crosshairs.  Bring it on!”

“Texas voters said no to Washington bureaucrats … and yes to leadership that controls spending, fights for individual freedoms and the United States Constitution.  Hardworking Texans sent a simple, compelling message to Washington: Quit spending all the money!”

“Stop messing with Texas!”

“Conservatism has never been stronger than it is today. And we’re taking our country back, one vote at a time, one election at a time”

We need to carry his momentum into the rest of the primaries and through the November elections.  I look forward to more from the Great State of Texas.