The American Spectator

Reader Mail

(Page 3 of 19)

br> Cut & Shoot, Texas /p> p> Great article on Governor Perry. As a Texan and a conservative, I already knew there were many good things he has done for the state. Unfortunately, where he has dropped the ball has been on education. The "broad and incoherent business tax to offset the much needed and Texas Supreme Court mandated property tax reduction" is a bit of a misnomer. The Texas Supreme Court ruled that the state had to find a way to equitably fund education, not reduce property taxes. That was only after school districts such as my own had to sue the state. So-called "property wealthy" districts had to send millions back to the state so it could be redistributed to poorer districts in Texas's so-called Robin Hood plan. How's that for a conservative plan of action? The Robin Hood plan resulted in laid off teachers, unrepaired facilities and programs cut because districts were going broke and it would not have changed without the Supreme Court ruling. The deadline to fix it was this summer; the "incoherent business tax" was the result. br> -- Russell Gil br> Groves, Texas /p>

Do you live in Texas? You're giving way too much credit to Governor Perry. Recognize that in Texas, the governor has limited ability and the real power rest with the Lieutenant Governor. If Perry is so great, why did it take numerous special sessions to accomplish property tax relief? With a first ever Republican controlled House and Senate? Perry lacks charisma and leadership. Don't give Perry credit for Texas' growth in business. The lack of a state tax combined with affordable housing are what contribute to Texas's business growth. Yes, he "delivered" Prop. 12 but what Republican Governor couldn't accomplish that with both state houses also controlled by the Republicans? As for Perry's actions during the hurricanes? Go ask Texans living in East Texas if they are happy with the Governor. Yes, we reached out when Katrina hit. And now we have higher crime in Houston. Rita hit after Katrina and many Texans are still trying to recover.

p>I vote Republican but do not plan to vote for Perry. The Governor's seat is largely a figurehead seat and Perry is mediocre at best. br> -- Brian /p>

As a "foot soldier" in the Texas Republican revolution (as a college student in 1980 I organized GOP students for Reagan, worked at phone banks and canvassed neighborhoods for two decades, served as a precinct chair in Bowie County and Travis County, served on the Bowie and Travis County Executive Committees and was a delegate to two state Republican conventions), I can state first hand what is taking place in Texas is because of George W. Bush. Before W. Texas was a solidly Democrat state. Thanks to him the Democrat stranglehold on state politics and voter loyalty was broken. Anyone who questions this simple fact knows nothing about Texas politics.

p>Sadly, this most conservative (his record is more conservative than Reagan's) of presidents is being frustrated in doing this on a national level by self-described conservatives who couldn't get elected dog catcher in a "Red Dog Republican" bastion. The good news is that George W. Bush and Rick Perry are not easily addled by the whiny left or right, but stay true to their Texas principles. That's why we're kicking terrorists' butts, taxes aren't being raised, the national economy is booming, the deficit is dropping faster than John Murtha's courage, and freedom is on the march after an eight-year hiatus during the 1990s. br> --

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