Opinion

An oft repeated adage is that when the leaders lack vision, the people perish. Nothing could be truer as demonstrated by Texas today. Our governor and fellow Republicans apparently believe that the way for Texas to prosper is to keep taxes low, wages low and any benefits or consideration for the average worker almost non-existent. While Texas has provided great opportunities for the wealthy, who are drawn here because of the low taxes and low wages, Texas has not done right by the poor — nor the middle class.

A four-month battle over public records that should have been released involving the arrest of NBA star Kendrick Perkins is still being fought in Judge Layne Walker’s court, but the truth is the fight is more about the cover-up at the highest levels of city government than it is about Perkins’ behavior and statements on the videos from that night.

After writing about Texas, the Lone Star State, for two weeks now, I have received some delightful pieces of information about the state I call home. Ted and I also took a few days off and toured the beautiful Hill Country of Texas. All of the locals we spoke to in Burnet, Marble Falls, around lakes LBJ, Inks and Buchanan, in Llano, Leander, Mason County, and at Enchanted Rock assured us that the bluebonnets were the prettiest they had been in over a decade.

After writing my original article about the state I call home and dearly love, I received a good many comments from those who love her in like manner. Some shared clippings, other writings, lists of things, and their own words about the great state of Texas. I enjoyed reading every one of them and share a kindred spirit with so many who wrote. I’ve also had the opportunity of meeting some real “Texas characters,” and believe me, when I say we have our share of those, too.