Will Texas Follow Arizona's Lead ?

Arizona legislators have passed a new law that will force their police to engage in racial profiling and force their own citizens to carry identity papers or go to jail. This has earned them criticism from both the left and the right, subjected businesses in the state to a growing boycott, and made the state state a joke in the eyes of the world. That seems to have made some legislators on the lunatic right-wing fringe here in Texas somewhat jealous.

I think they're upset that someone has outdone them in racism, ridiculousness and the championing of unconstitutional ideas, and they're determined to set the record straight. They want the world to know that no one is loonier than the GOP legislators in Texas.

The first of these right-wing Republicans is Rep. Debbie Riddle of Tomball. She is making it known that when the Texas legislature meets again early next year (it only has biennial sessions), she will introduce a measure copying the Arizona law. She wants Texas police to be forced into racial profiling. She also thinks it's a good idea for Texans to be forced to carry identity papers (like the East European nations under Soviet rule).

The second Republican nut is Rep. Leo Berman of Tyler. Berman (pictured), who is known for his racist and anti-immigrant antics, has made it known that he will also introduce legislation similar to the new Arizona law. At this time, it is not known whether the two will co-sponsor legislation or will each submit their own version of the unconstitutional law.

This is no surprise coming from these two legislators (and I use that term loosely). The legislative accomplishments of these two Republicans amounts to -- absolutely nothing, except a lot of ultra-right-wing rhetoric. Although both have submitted bills for consideration in the past, those bills were so scary and obviously unconstitutional that even their Republican cohorts would not support them.

I seriously doubt the bills will be able to pass the Texas legislature for a couple of reasons. First, the Texas House is almost evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats (and the Democrats would take control by winning only a couple more seats). Even if the Democrats fail to take control of the House, there are probably enough moderate Republicans to kill the bill.

Second is the political situation in Texas. It should come as no surprise that Texas has a large number of Hispanic citizens (and this number is growing every year). The only thing that has allowed Republicans to survive and retain state leadership is the fact that Texas Hispanics do not vote as a monolithic bloc (like the state's African-Americans do). But passing a bill like the Arizona bill could easily change that, and that would spell doom for statewide Republican candidates.

Jim Harrington of the Texas Civil Rights Project said that kind of bill "would cause an enormous political transformation of the state a lot quicker than it's happening at this point. It would galvanize the Hispanic community astronomically." He's right. Texas is moving closer to Democratic rule with each election, and a racist bill like this would greatly accelerate that movement.

If you'll notice, right-wing governor and teabagger enthusiast Rick Perry has had little to say about the unconstitutional Arizona law. He's in the midst of a re-election campaign that's proving to be closer than expected. He needs to get at least a small percentage of the Hispanic vote to survive.

I have no doubt that Riddle and Berman will introduce their silly bills when the legislature meets, but I would be very surprised if either of their efforts even makes it out of committee.