In 1979, twelve Texas state senators fled from a vote they considered to be unfair and undemocratic. They became known as the “Killer Bees” for their tactic of killing a bill by breaking quorum. I’m so grateful that the Dems are breaking quorum to prevent the Gerrymandered redistricting map proposed by the Republicans.
Republicans are correct in saying that Texas Democrats drew unfair maps when they were in power. Dirty politics is nothing new in Texas. Republicans are correct in pointing out the hypocrisy of Democratic indignation, but historical crimes are no justification for crimes today. There is something particularly evil about watering down the votes of Black voters and the vote of other People of Color so Texas Republicans can deliver extra congressional seats to Donald Trump.
As I said in church Sunday, I consider myself to be nonpartisan. My two issues are universal human rights and environmental sustainability. To claim that these are partisan issues is pure demagoguery.
I am just as concerned about human rights for conservatives as for progressives, but no one is attacking the voting rights of white Texans the way Republicans are trying to Gerrymander away the vote of People of Color. No one is attacking heterosexual Texans’ right to marry the way the Republican Party is constantly attacking the LGBTQIA community. No other faith is forcing their religion upon Texas school children in the same way Republicans are forcing the 10 commandments into public classrooms. And no one is trying to control the sex lives of Texas men the way Republicans are trying to police the reproductive lives of women.
To be nonpartisan does not mean to remain silent when partisans attack the rights of others. Being nonpartisan means living by principles that extend fairness to everyone across the economic, social and political divides.