| Back on April 15, 2009, Texas Governor Rick Perry | | | | legislature to continue a failed policy of "war" on the |
| found himself in front of a microphone at a Tea Party | | | | drug trade. It didn't work when America tried to ban |
| at Austin City Hall, and blurted out words to suggest | | | | alcohol sales in the early 20th Century. Law |
| that Texans might at some point get so fed up they | | | | enforcement tried the same kinds of measures to dry |
| would want to secede from the union, though he said | | | | up both supply and demand for alcohol. The black |
| he sees no reason why Texas should do that. Kind of | | | | market flourished, and organized crime became |
| reminds me of the old story of the politician who, upon | | | | powerful and wealthy smuggling alcohol into America. |
| discovering a nearby parade, ran to the front of the | | | | The same ridiculous mistakes are being made today |
| parade so he would appear to be leading it. | | | | regarding recreational drugs. Today's war on drugs is |
| But in Lubbock in September, Perry said that Texas | | | | treating symptoms and ignoring the underlying disease. |
| "needs to lead, not secede." So clearly, Rick Perry is | | | | Legalization of recreational drugs is the only sensible |
| not going to be a leader for Texas independence. | | | | choice for liberty and intelligent crime prevention in |
| In light of Perry's public statements about secession, | | | | Texas. Could Rick Perry reverse himself and embrace |
| would Governor Perry become a friend of secession | | | | this concept? |
| or an enemy? To whom can Texans turn for | | | | Education: Perry recently announced that Texas will |
| leadership in the planning, formation and ratification of a | | | | invest $160 million to expand the scope of Texas |
| new Republic of Texas? Looks like Texas Nationalist | | | | Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (T-STEM) |
| Movement president Daniel Miller is the presumptive | | | | academies. Apparently Perry believes in spending lots |
| go-to guy for that leadership. | | | | of taxpayer money to promote public education. Could |
| Look at some of Perry's postings at his website about | | | | Perry be counted on to reverse course and reject |
| his "accomplishments." | | | | tax-supported public education in a New Texas? |
| Agriculture: Perry has accumulated many | | | | Higher Education: Big Government wonk Bill Bennett, |
| endorsements for re-election in 2010 from agricultural | | | | former Secretary of Education, endorsed Perry for |
| (and other) special interests. But special interests want | | | | re-election in 2010. When the old guard in Mordor loves |
| government favors, which translates into money | | | | you, what does that say about your independence and |
| flowing both ways. If a New Texas Constitution | | | | anti-state stand? |
| rejected the old political ways of cronyism, | | | | Budget Reform: Governor Perry constantly criticizes |
| over-regulation, taxation and lobbying, special interest | | | | Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson for her consistent |
| lobbyists would be unnecessary. What would Perry do | | | | efforts to "bring home the bacon" to Texas. Sure KBH |
| in such an environment? | | | | is a Washington big spender. But would he criticize her |
| Energy Policy: Washington wants to pass Cap and | | | | if she weren't running for Governor against him? |
| Trade legislation, which would hurt Texas. Perry's | | | | Rick Perry is the odds-on favorite for a third term as |
| taken a stand against it. Would Perry (a) obey that law | | | | Governor, a feat no previous Texas governor has |
| if passed, (b) nullify the law if passed, or (c) lead Texas | | | | done. In light of the way the Texas-Washington |
| into secession? | | | | relationship works, Perry looks like a great choice for |
| Government Reform: Perry and Senator Kay Bailey | | | | Governor. But the nationalist movement should not look |
| Hutchison trade barbs about the size of campaign | | | | to Mr. Perry for leadership on the subject of state |
| contributions while each is spending money from | | | | secession. Better to look to Daniel Miller and |
| Washington through legislative "earmarks." What about | | | | Congressman Ron Paul, who already share the |
| Perry's record as Governor would lead anyone to | | | | anti-statist world view. |
| believe that he would forsake politics as usual and | | | | The big questions about Rick Perry are these: How |
| beat the drum for a small, efficient government for a | | | | much tyranny from Washington is too much? Will |
| New Texas? | | | | there ever be a point at which the Texas governor |
| Border issues and the War on Drugs: Perry has | | | | says that Washington has gone too far, and that |
| spearheaded the quasi-military assault on those | | | | Texas must now go its own way? |
| crossing the Mexico-Texas border. Hundreds of | | | | Only time will tell. |
| millions of dollars have been spent by Perry and the | | | | DumpDC. Six Letters That Can Change History. |