Texas Tea

"There's a lot of different scenarios," Perry said. "We've got a great union. There's absolutely no reason to dissolve it. But if Washington continues to thumb their nose at the American people, you know, who knows what might come out of that. But Texas is a very unique place, and we're a pretty independent lot to boot." - Governor Rick Perry

I don't really want to talk about Governor Perry's secession remarks at Austin's City Hall. I want to turn off the TV and let the dog ruin the remote control.

I was in this great zen-like state, working on some projects that showed how local folks are dealing with the political climate. But, damnit Rick, look what you made me go and do.

I'm with you Rick. Call the boys up in DC, tell them to pack the Chevy and get on down here, let's do our own thing.

Next Rick, call the good folks at the twenty-five military installations here in the Republic and tell them to scoot. Ask them nicely though, I don't want to hurt your pride, but they might out gun you.

Those federal highways were always a bother too.

Oh, and about the border crisis, call up ICE, the DEA, the FBI and the BATF and tell them to take the day off, the Texas Rangers got this one.

Listen folks, I love Texas.

Screw you, I LOVE Texas more than you. Look it up. But allowing Texans to think that we can cut and run, even in jest, is irresponsible.You don't point a gun unless you want to pull the trigger, and you, the governor of Texas, do not bring up the "S" word unless you mean it.

The proposition for secession was premised on the idea that the federal government was abusing the tax payer by using treasury funds to bail out the banks. Purist free market capitalists favor letting the banks fail because they have the faith that a "market correction" will somehow right the ship. The problem is that the American banking system is so big and so intertwined with the global banking market that allowing a collapse would devastate the global economy. In this case, inaction by the federal government would be catastrophic.

For an informative explanation of the scenario, watch this video.

The federal government and more specifically Mr. Obama should certainly be held accountable for the decisions that come out of Washington, but I think the rage you see at some grass-roots functions is misguided. I'm sorry folks, but ideology and rhetoric alone won't right the ship. That's aimed at Mr. Perry and Mr. Obama, equally.

I drove by the AIG building on Allen Parkway a few days ago and saw one protester voicing her opinion regarding the bonuses AIG wanted to give their executives. I have yet to see a protest or rally focused on holding the TARP backed banks accountable for their decisions even though banks like Citi and Bank of America have dramatically raised their interest rates on consumer revolving credit accounts.

Personally, the Republican party breaks my heart with desperate and ill-conceived ways to seek a prodigal return of their base. It isn't working. The GOP is rapidly becoming the Democrats of the past eight years- relentlessly complaining and villainizing those in power without publicizing plausible solutions. The solution isn't more sensationalism, it is showing the American public that Republican ideals of self-reliance and hard work are the true path.

However, even those most American of ideals alone, are insufficient. There is simply no way around government intervention and regulation, those days are far gone... for the moment.

Just because we haven't found all the right solutions is not a cause for panic. I know times are hard, I've had to tighten my belt too.

But Governor Perry, sir, and you my brothers and sisters should heed this advice: splintering into a million factions and allowing ourselves to be drawn and quartered by the extreme right OR left will only impede our return to greatness.

Now is the time to become informed, to invest in our personal and collective growth, to draw from all ideas and to build- starting in our local communities until we reach DC. Buy local goods, expand or sharpen your skill set. I know it is a hard time to go back to school but Americans have forgotten that the libraries are still free, and many times they offer seminars on job hunting or have free classes of all kinds.

Here's how we get out of this mess, from the bottom up:

1. Stop talking and do something

2. Do more.

3. Keep going

I appreciate the Tea Party participants for their willingness to voice their opinions, but we have to build from the bottom up, and not tear from the top down all-the-while remembering that we are first and foremost Americans in citizenship, even if we are principally Texans, heart and soul.