In a year when so much has happened in Texas, singling out one person to honor as Texan of the Year is no easy task. A gaggle of Texas bloggers, myself included, has collaborated to come up with just such a person, one worthy of recognition for going above and beyond in so many different ways. What’s even more amazing is that the consensus is…GULP…a Republican. Yep, we have collective chosen Rep. Carter Casteel as this year’s inaugural Texan of the Year. And who would be more qualified to speak to Casteel’s bona fides than Charlie at Pink Dome:
A Republican who knows the difference between governing and politics. Standing up for her constituents and for public education make her a standout this session. You folks up there in the pink dome ought to be carrying Carter around on your shoulders.
A Republican that stands up for (not particularly well-heeled) constituents AND public edumication? In Texas? Clearly, Casteel must have escaped early from Tom Craddick’s political re-education camp deep in the west Texas mountains. It’s good to know that there are Republicans out there who are independent thinkers and care deeply about the job they were elected to do. Casteel would make a hell of a Democrat, but as long as she continues to keep in mind that she is a public servant and conducts herself with that in mind, being a Republican is but a minor consideration.
Would that more Republicans in the Texas Legislature could take care of business in the efficient, professional, and committed manner like Carter Casteel. Unfortunate, most of the Republicans are mere tools, too busy marching in lockstep with Tom DeLay and Tom Craddock to actually do the jobs they were elected to do.
