The Choice - Kinky Or A Republican

The other day I got an interesting question from a friend of mine. Neil, who writes the excellent blog Texas Liberal, wanted to know "Why do you support Kinky Friedman for governor in 2010?" Let me see if I can collect my thoughts and coherently answer that question.

First, Kinky's talent and his belief in social justice are not new to me. I first heard of Kinky Friedman in 1973, when he put out an album named Sold American. You don't have to listen to very many cuts off the album to know this talented Texan is a fighter for civil rights and women's rights. And he didn't just do that in his music.

When he ran for governor in 2006 as an independent, there were some young bloggers who, in their zeal to support their own candidate, accused Kinky of being a racist. They should be ashamed of themselves for that. Kinky was on the streets in Austin protesting for civil rights before these bloggers were even a gleam in their parents' eyes. I'm talking about the sixties, when it took some courage to stand up for civil rights anywhere in Texas.

And in all those years since that time, Kinky has not really changed. He is still an independent thinker who wants to make the lives of ordinary Texans a little better. In his own words, Kinky says, "It’s time to end corporate handouts, get rid of the death penalty, get rid of the TAKS Test, and get rid of the Republican stranglehold on this state."

I believe the recent Republican dominance of Texas politics has been disastrous for ordinary Texans. They have virtually sold our state to the corporate interests. While the corporations get handouts and corporate-friendly laws, the ordinary citizens get nothing but higher taxes, dirty air and water, and urban blight. It doesn't matter whether Rick Perry is re-elected or is replaced by Kay Bailey Hutchison, the worship of corporate interests and abandonement of the citizens' interests will continue.

The only way to change things in Texas is to vote the Republicans out of power. Now, some of you may think there is a Democrat running besides Kinky -- Tom Schieffer. I would disagree. Tom Schieffer may call himself a Democrat, but he sure doesn't act like one! Just look at his record in recent years.

Schieffer comes from the corporate world, where he was a business associate of George Bush. In fact, he supported Bush when he ran for governor. Then he again publically supported Bush in both the 2000 and 2004 campaigns for president. He also served the Bush administration as an ambassador. I ask you -- does this really sound like a Democrat?

Tom Schieffer is a DINO -- a Democrat In Name Only. If elected, he would rule like a Republican. You would not be able to detect any difference between the current Republican corporatacracy and a Schieffer-led corporatacracy. It would just be more of the same, with Big Business getting the cake and everyone else scrambling for the crumbs.

Is Kinky perfect? No, but then I have never met the politician who was perfect. However, one big difference between Kinky and most politicians is his willingness to admit his mistakes and apologize for them. A few years ago, Kinky made some stupid and unkind remarks about Katrina victims in Houston. But when his supporters (and others) pointed out what a boneheaded statement it was, Kinky realized his error and apologized for his insensitivity.

Perfect or flawed, Kinky Friedman is the only choice for those who believe Texas is heading down the wrong path, and must change. All of the other candidates just offer more of the same (including Schieffer), but Kinky wants to restore the government to the benefit of ordinary Texans.

Kinky says his heroes have always been Democrats -- specifically Ann Richards and Barbara Jordan. Personally, if he wants to model his government service after these two Texas political giants, then he's off to a good start.

Why do I support Kinky? Two reasons -- I like him as a person, and I don't see any alternative for those who want to change Texas for the better. Isn't it time you climbed on board also?