Sibyl West: Yesterday I received Kirk Watson’s latest missive in my inbox, a masterpiece of wit entitled “If it feels good, do it”. Ahem…
Senator Watson is supposed to be the representative of TX-14 which includes greater Austin. But considering the urban decay caused by profligate spending that has ravaged other places run by liberal Democrats – such as New York state, Michigan, California – I question whether this attitude is really the best thing for the Texas Capitol, the state and the rest of the nation. In his folksy, inimitable fashion Watson writes:
You know, I don’t want to brag. It’s not my nature. Really. I’m not bragging.
See, the problem with bragging is that no matter how smart you really might be – or pretty, or fast, or rich or whatever – there’s always someone smarter, prettier, faster or richer.
But since I’m running for re-election and all, I sort-of have to brag a little. It’s a rule. So I’ve been out there telling people that while lots of folks can pass a bill, it takes a special legislator to pass bills that do good AND make people feel good.
Yeah, that’s right. So-called “feel-good legislation.” I’ve been proudly taking credit for my share. Because, after all, who’s for feel-bad legislation?
An infallible line of logic if ever there was one. He goes on:
So, yeah, I’m pretty proud of the feel-good legislation I’ve carried over the years. But, like I say, there’s always something better.
At the immigration panel I told you about last week, one of the speakers mentioned that Russia has been struggling for years with a declining population (the point being that in some places, the immigration “problem” is that there aren’t enough people to create and work in the jobs that are needed).
The Russian government has tried a number of things to deal with this very real problem. Among other things, one Russian governor apparently created a “Day of Conception” – which is, basically … yeah, that. It’s just what you think it is.
I said it that night at the panel, and I’ll say it again: Talk about your feel-good legislation! It’s sort of the ultimate.
Read more… if you can stand it.
But surely Watson also represents a number of inhabitants of that tract of land (sometimes referred to as “Goofy-town”) who are not as weird as the bumper stickers would have us believe; productive citizens and entrepreneurs who pay more than their share of taxes and whose concerns deserve representation.
Perhaps Watson is unaware of the tsunami of anti-incumbent rage that is about to hit him at the polls in November from taxpayers who have at last fully realized the extent of their abandonment by an insatiable government that uses the common good as a pretense for fleecing them, who BP today called “the small people”.
A five-month-old article from the Austin Chronicle called GOP Speed Dating, mentions the largest slate of Republicans to run in living memory with
“16 candidates on the county primary ballot, eight more that cross county lines, 22 statewide and seven federal…
County chair Rosemary Edwards said, “This is one of the most liberal last strongholds that [Democrats] have, and they will not give up without a fight.”
One of the more surprising candidacies may be that of Mary Lou Serafine, who has taken on the big task of challenging incumbent Democrat Sen. Kirk Watson in the general election. She explained, “My bottom line is that Kirk has not served Travis County very well, and stuff he has proposed has been what I call feelgood legislation. It looks good on paper, like tax rebates and tax incentives, like for sound stages. I recognise the music community is important, but that’s not real economic development.” Her solution? “Lower taxes and less government interference in free enterprise.”
[...]Austin attorney Mary Lou Serafine has filed to challenge state senator Kirk Watson in District 14. Ms. Serafine is a licensed attorney and a former UT San Antonio and UT Austin faculty member.
Serafine: Going after Watson's "feel good" policies. Photo by Richard Whittaker
“I’m running,” Mary Lou said, “because there’s been too much tinkering with two-bit legislation. My issues are job-creation, health insurance overhaul, tort reform, and homeowner property rights. My aim is to stop Texas from becoming California.”
If that kind of common sense responsible restraint sounds better to you than pandering to the lowest common denominator ,
Elect Mary Lou Serafine.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
GO MARY LOU GO,I know you will make one fine state Senator THANKS
Mary Lou, please rescue us from the madness…signed: Travis County.
I’ve been following Watson’s bizarre rants for about a month now. I am puzzled as to how anyone considers this man as serious or competent.
Keep it up Ramparts…shine the light!
I’m fairly convinced that Kirk Watson is keen on getting his own comedy show, ala Bill Maher.
I WILL be supporting and voting for Ms. Serafine next November. Sen. Watson lost my respect 2 sessions ago when, following public testimony on a bad family law bill (another “family lawyers full employment act”), another state senator brought him back into the room so he could have a quorem and vote the bill out to the full Senate without ever hearing a word of the testimony. Shameful behavior on the part of both Senators.