There has been an overload of information coming out these last couple weeks: the use of the Department of Justice for Trump's personal use; the testimony of the Capitol Police officers sharing brutal stories from the Insurrection; lack of domestic terrorism charges for people who--literally--violently attempted to influence the government; and the refusal of all but two Republicans to acknowledge the attempted coup.
In support of the Big Lie, the Brennan Center for Justice reported Republicans introduced 360+ bills with restrictive provisions in 47 states just by the end of March. As of July, more than 30 have been made law in 18 states. That includes here in Texas, which is already one of the hardest states in which to vote.
Democrats couldn't stop the anti-LGBTQ bills, permitless carry of firearms, or an abortion bill so restrictive a woman won't even know she's pregnant before her rights are stripped away and she and the doctor can get threatened with a lawsuit. BUT they drew the line at voting rights, literally removing themselves from the state to break quorum. They flew to Washington, D.C. to convince the United States Senate to pass national voting rights legislation or there wouldn't be a democracy left to save. During this sojourn for civil rights, they have been sent death threats, been separated from their families, and several were exposed to and tested positive for COVID-19.
And Republicans? Ted Cruz, who infamously vacationed in Cancun while his constituents literally froze to death during the ice storm in February, whined to reporters that he was interrupted during a basketball game to come in to vote - on a Tuesday afternoon. At the state level, Greg Bonnen, Dustin Burrows, Jeff Leach, and Lois Kolkhorst met with Gov. Greg Abbott to discuss what was really on their minds: the possibility of the University of Texas (UT) leaving the Big 12 Conference. Indeed, Leach revealed he was working on legislation requiring legislative approval for UT to leave the Big 12.
While our republic hangs on by a thread, with Democratic lawmakers threatened with arrest for standing up for fundamental rights, Texas Republicans are playing basketball during a workday and trying to write laws that control college football teams' affiliations.
There has never been such a stark contrast between the reality one party is dealing with and the smoke and mirrors of the other. The United States is hanging on a precipice, with hundreds of thousands of excess deaths over the reported COVID-19 deaths and an entire political party that bases itself on an anti-science cult of personality.
Even in the midst of darkness, however, there is hope. In the words of Mr. Rogers' mom, look for the helpers, There are those, like Texas Democrats, carrying a megaphone to rally activists. There is a bipartisan committee to dig into the insurrection and those who led, funded, and inflamed it with open and heartfelt demands for accountability. There are dozens of Democrats from under-represented communities, rising up across the nation to run against the elected officials who are more interested in conspiracy theories than governance. There are groups like Powered by the People and Fair Fight educating and mobilizing everyday people to stand up and speak truth to power.
And there are groups behind our July speaker, Joanna Cattanach, with Get Out the Vote Texas, which not only ensure people are registered to vote, but are empowered to actually do it. There are groups like Rideshare2Vote, which ensure voters have rides to the polls.
Since Republicans aren't the only ones who can incorporate football into politics, I leave you with a quote from a great running back, Walter Payton:
"We are stronger together than we are alone."
You are not alone. Look for the helpers. Call your Democrat leaders and thank them for standing up for democracy and let them know they are not alone. And join your local clubs making a difference in your community.
