AUSTIN - Gov. Rick Perry vetoed legislation on Friday that would have banned texting while driving because he views it as “a government effort to micromanage the behavior of adults.”…. State law already prohibits drivers under age 18 from texting or using a cellphone while driving…. “I believe there is a distinction between the overreach of (the texting ban bill) and the government’s legitimate role in establishing laws for teenage drivers who are more easily distracted and laws providing further protection to children in school zones,” Perry said in his veto message.
If you live in Texas, you can probably rest a wee bit easier knowing that Governor Goodhair is all about protecting your genitalia. He may have driven Texas’ economy into junk-bond status, but if he has his way, no TSA goon will be able to fondle your junk in the name of Homeland (in)Security. Except that there’s one teensy, weensy little problem. The State of Texas doesn’t control screening procedures at Texas airports. The federal government does, and the Justice Department has essentially told Rick Perry to pound sand.
Perry knows, of course, that a state statute outlawing TSA groping carries about as much significance as the Constitution toilet paper in the bathrooms of the Governor’s Mansion in Austin. Still, he knows that taking on TSA in a special session of the Texas Legislature is a wonderful piece of (completely pointless and meaningless) political theater. He knows that the GOP’s Conservative base, at least those who live in Texas and those who vote in Republican Presidential primaries love this sort of red meat. Federal government BAD, state and local government GOOD…well, at least less BAD.
Never being one to pass on an opportunity to flamoboyantly slap down the long, intrusive arm of Big Government, Governor Goodhair last week vetoed a bill that would have outlawed texting while driving. That the bill and the educational campaign that would no doubt have accompanied it would arguably save the lives of Texans, that seems less important to Perry than sticking to his narrow ideological agenda. It wouldn’t exactly be a stretch to argue that Perry cares more about his future political prospects than the lives and well-being of his constituents. And that should tell you everything you need to know about Rick Perry’s inspired and prescient leadership.
If Rick Perry deserves to be President, then I’m the Queen of England….
