2 Weeks till Elections

Ok we are 2 weeks from the mid-term elections and I have been keeping quite about a lot of issues but I am going to let it all hang out here today. First we are going to wade in up to our necks in the governor's race in Texas. Here we sit in a state with an incumbent Republican Governor who is currently sitting at between 35 and 40% in most polls state wide. He is being challenged by an open liberal Democrat, the State comptroller who has changed her names as many times as she has changed her position on things, and a author-comedian who is sick and tired of the "good-ole-boys network" that is prevalent in Austin. So who should conservatives and republicans vote for in this race? I'll lay things out for you as best as I can and let you make up your own minds. I'll provide you with each candidate's views on some of the following: Trans Texas corridor, School funding, government size/spending, environment, abortion, or at least what I can find during a quick search.

I'll start with Chris Bell - Democrat:

TTC : The Trans Texas Corridor is a case study in corruption and cronyism, and one of my first acts as governor would be slamming the brakes on the whole plan and dragging it back into the public light.

Education:

• Ending tuition deregulation to keep college affordable for middle class families.
• Giving our public universities the state funding they need to remain world-class.
• Giving students a break at the bookstore by making textbooks tax-free.
• Vigorously defending the TEXAS Grant program and other initiatives to make a college degree accessible to all Texans willing to put in the hard work.
• Recognize the role community colleges fill in our state's economic development.

http://www.chrisbell.com/issues

Next is Carole Keetion Strayhorn - Independent
TTC :Texas property belongs to Texans, not foreign companies,” Carole Keeton Strayhorn declared outlining her Texas First transportation plan. “To meet our transportation needs we need freeways not toll ways, and we must use existing rights of way and increase efficiency of existing roadways and ports. We must not destroy our precious farm and ranch land.”

Education:

• Make Higher Education More Affordable and Accessible
• Provide Long-term Reliable Funding for Schools
• Recruit and Retain Quality Teachers.
• Improve our Public Schools and Make Sure Children Are Really Learning
• Improving Efficiency through Performance Reviews

http://www.carolestrayhorn.com/Issues/

Next is Kinky Friedman - Independent

TTC: - Kinky has said he would evaluate the TTC after he got into office and determine if it was a worthy plan or not.

Education:

• Texas has the 8th largest economy in the world, but we're 1st in drop-out rates and 32nd in education spending in the country.
• Teachers' salaries in Texas are over $6,000 below the national average. This lack of respect for the people who do our state's most important job must stop. As governor, Kinky will work to make sure that teachers are paid what they're worth. Period.
• The TAKS test and its predecessor, TAAS, were invented essentially to make legislators look good on education. But studies show that rigid enforcement of standardized test scores doesn't help kids learn or make teachers more effective. Teach to the test and kids will learn the test—but not much else.

http://www.kinkyfriedman.com/issues/

Finally Rick Perry - Republican
TTC: He is pushing for this and supporting it. The main benefactor of these contracts are some Foreign Construction companies who are also some of his biggest supporters.

Education: Perry is proud of his record on education as well as the changes that have been made under his watch to the TAKS test.

http://www.rickperry.org/issues/

I am not endorsing any one candidate or another all I am saying is every person who votes in this election needs to sit down and study any candidate that they are considering and see where they sand on the issues that appeal to them the most, and then get out and vote.
Here are some other links to issues and advertisements with regards to this race.

http://corridorwatch.org/ttc/index.htm
http://www.collectionagencyfilms.com/Kinkytoons2.htm
http://www.collectionagencyfilms.com/Kinkytoons3.html