Rep. Carter Casteel Is The Texan of The Year

As I was reading today's posts, I came across those written by Eye On Williamson County and The Burnt Orange Report on the bloggers selection of Texan of the Year. I want to add my dos centavos on the excellent selection of Rep. Carter Casteel.

I want to first want to note the obvious, namely that because of a number of factors, that probably started with Newt Gingrich's so called Contract with America up until Tom Delay's redistricting power grab, this state moved from a model of bi-partisanship to a model of uber-partisanship. With polarized redistricting this is likely to continue.

Now with the purge of the moderates from the Republican ranks and packed Democratic districts who then is left to speak for the large middle of Texas. More simply, were are the independents who will speak for Texas when partisanship becomes the religion of the day.

These brave souls will have to reach away out of their comfort zones if we are to have successes -- as Democrats and pragmatic Republicans have done in stalemating pro-voucher advocates.

If the institutional structure only generates polarized jihadists then it is up to the rest of us to encourage and cultivate those who will speak for the vast majority of Texans. Our thanks to Pink Dome for their efforts.

Our recent choice was a good one. This blog highlighted her efforts on the floor this year. By the way, I saw our favorite Texan of the Year at the Christmas Tree lighting ceremony on Saturday. I told her congratulations for the recognition. She seemed happy about it and said thank you.

Sometime ago she told me her staff alerts her to the posts we write, so I know she sees them. Before you know it she will be blogging herself.

I just wish a number of others who will not be returning could get their due. History may not note the courage these few exhibited this past session. The Texas blogging community in small part has noted the courage of one from their midst. The schoolchildren of Texas at least have a brief respite before the dogs of privatization take another swipe at them this next session.