Glenn Smith, a former aide to Democratic Lt. Gov. Bill Hobby, said he believes that Mr. Perry will be remembered for really one thing: “His hair.”
I’ve often wondered what it is that’s gotten Governor Goodhair re-elected. If you walked through downtown Anywhere, TX and randomly asked people what Rick Perry has accomplished in his 34 years in the Governor’s Mansion (OK, it just feels as if it’s been that long), you’d get a lot of blank stares and pregnant pauses. I’m a reasonably attentive student of Texas politics, and I sure as Hell can’t tell you.
The people who can tell you what Governor Goodhair has done are wealthy White businessmen, who are making money hand over fist because Texas is by and large run by the Golden Rule- he who has the gold makes the rules. Texas is the perfect textbook example of an oligarchy in motion. Money provides access, and access provides the means for the wealthy to ensure that the legislative environment in Texas is conducive to making yet more money.
While the rich get richer in Texas, the people suffering are those lacking money- and therefore access to the political process. Children, the mentally ill, the elderly…none of these groups are effectively represented in Texas state government, and it shows. While there always seems to be plenty of money to build another factory or highway, just try to get mental health care if you’re indigent.
Yeah, Governor Goodhair has been good for Texas…as long as you’re part of the Texas with the fat wallets. If you’re not one of the fortunate, wealthy few, the Rick Perry years will seem pretty pointless…because they have been.