The relationship between a local government and its people is typically a combined form of stability, as well as discordant moments of tension and rising-to-dramatic change. More specifically, the political climate of the local government differs depending on how those people view the three aspects of their governmental calls and needs: rights and responsibility of the people, obligations of their government, and limits on the local governmental authority.
In the youth of Texas, the Democratic Party enjoyed electoral dominance on all levels of state government and in the representation in the national government. Democratic rule was dominated by a conservative white political elite that strongly promoted economic development, but that resisted change either in race relations or social programs for the poor ("Texas Politics," 2009). Republicans were not completely absent during this period, but their electoral victories were few and limited in scope ("Texas Politics," 2009). In every election after 1980, however, the Republican strength grew into the now dominant rule that currently reigns in Texas. Since the 1990’s, the Republican Party, despite the attempts of others, has had a stronghold on the state government. With that being said, the Republican Party has dominated the overall elections.
Every citizen, as incumbent citizens within the State of Texas, has certain responsibilities and undertakings to consider. Included in such considerations are the roles we are slated with when selecting an elected official for our Congressional District. This Congressional District representative is a person elected by “the people”, such as those in a city or county, in hopes that they will have a voice to represent the decisions designed to impact their areas, respectfully. One such Congressional District representative is Lamar Seeligson Smith.
Lamar S. Smith, a Republican, represents the 21st Congressional District in the state of Texas. In summary, the 21st Congressional District includes portions of Bexar and Travis Counties and all of Comal, Real, Kerr, Bandera, Kendall and Blanco Counties. Over 650,000 people live in the 21st Congressional District and Smith has been serving as a state representative here since November, 1986.
Smith was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas and has spent a large part of his life living, and now representing, the city and surrounding areas. He graduated from T.M.I.: The Episcopal School of Texas, Yale University, a private research university in New Haven, Connecticut, and Southern Methodist University Law School, located in Dallas, Texas ("Representative Lamar S.,"). He briefly practiced law as an attorney before entering politics ("Representative Lamar S.
Sharpless tells how life in the city became more convenient due to easier access to electricity and running water. Women began moving into town not just for personal but economical and political reasons. Politics held a great responsibility in modernizing Texas. As Buenger emphasizes throughout his book “The Path to a Modern South” the importance of politics and how it changed culture is ultimately what set Texas apart from the rest of the southern states. By the 1920’s politics had changed dramatically in Texas, women were allowed to vote almost 2 years before any other state in America.
The people of Texas are diverse and carry their “big can-do attitudes and accents” (Pearson); making Texas a bigger than life state. The political culture of Texas is impacted by two different subgroups of individualistic and traditionalistic characteristics. The combination of traditionalism and individualism has had a huge impact on the state and Texas’ seven different constitutions. The shift in power between 1827 and 1876 has impacted the political diversity Texas has today. Looking at the specifics of these subcultures, the traditionalists believe government should benefit the wealthy and powerful, and that government services must be limited.
Texas is an intricate state with deep roots embedded in limited government authority. Almost all, Texans, favor the limited government between citizens and state. The two most important cultures in Texas are individualistic and traditionalistic culture. Individualistic views are summoned by limited government and that politics are the root of malicious acts, and is usually responded with negative reactions from the community. The individualistic cultures’ vision is egotistical for ones self-interest. The individualistic culture is viewed as priority in private independent business rather that those of the community as a whole. Unlike individualistic views, traditionalistic culture is motioned by conservatism. This cultures vision is supported by the common wealth of society’s privileged. Its beliefs are usually of distrust in its bureaucracy. Traditionalistic culture maintains an obligation to its family hierarchy. The traditionalistic subculture has a lower voting turn out rate compared to the opposition. These distinctive cultures were bestowed upon Texans in the 1800’s, when Texas was changing into a diverse and demographically society. Individualistic and traditionalistic cultures are the outline of ideology and certainty to the way Texas government is administrated. This has a huge impact on the way the Texas structures its government and why people support such a structure. And Texas is viewed as both subcultures.
In the United States, for the last four decades, from Richard Nixon to Ronald Reagan through the two Bush Presidency, the Republican Party won the White House by amassing large margins among white voters (Lizza). The state of Texas has been reliably Republican since the 1970s and there are various elements to Texas political culture that can be narrowed down to three essential ideological trends: economic liberalism, or faith in the free market economy, social conservatism, or favoring traditional values and moralism, and populism, or promoting the rights and worthiness of ordinary people (Texas Political Culture). As a result, the dominant political mood in Texas favors low taxes, minimal government services, and policies that are pro-business. This phenomenon is not static, however, since changing demographics in the state are causing changes in the profile of Texas in reference to electoral politics, among other major issues. This paper will explore different perspectives on the changing demographics of Texas, and where they might lead the state politically, and will present a variety of viewpoints regarding this complex subject.
The Texas Constitution provides for the division of power and integration of Bill of Rights to the constituents of the State of Texas. The Texas Constitution is made up of a preamble, seventeen articles, and an appendix. The current Constitution was written on November 26, 1875, and adopted February 15, 1876, it is also the eighth constitution to be adopted by the State of Texas. Similar to the United States Constitution the Texas Constitution contains a preamble as follows, “Humbly invoking the blessing of Almighty God, the people of the State of Texas do ordain and establish this Constitution” (Tex. Const., pmbl).
Texas politics is an interesting ecosystem of power, rules and regulations. Of course, in typical Texas fashion, most of the politics we engage in we do our own way. From governors who stay in office for a decade to our extremely diverse demographics, Texas is extremely unique. This uniqueness of course comes with its critics, benefits, and downsides. This is particularly true with the Texas Court system compared to both the federal courts and many other states.
Typically, when making Texas laws, government officials discount the political beliefs of its constituents; partly due to time constraints. Stretches in committee debates will allow the voice of Texans, that are currently being overlooked, the adequate attention that is necessary to introduce bills. Therefore, I support an increase in Texas Legislature’s regular sessions; it gives leaders more time to fully represent their constituents.
...he public is the dichotomy, which means that decisions are made without the political environment. As always, the disagreement for certain decisions made in the government will be present, but believe that the officials are working in a unison team to try to provide the best for all.
Texas politics can be interpreted as a very difficult and complicated institution. Its political democracy can be construed to fall under the mixture of two very distinct theoretical approaches. These models include elitism and pluralism. Elitism is the belief that individuals who derive power from leadership positions from large organizations and have great financial wealth can monopolize and influence important policy decisions. Pluralism is the theory that democracy can be achieved through competition among multiple interest groups. While many can argue that these two theories do not coincide with another, it can be noted otherwise. In this essay, elitism and pluralism will be discussed on how they are both visible in Texas democracy.
From my own reading, I was drawn into the history of events that have taken place in the Texas capital and was given an inside-view into the eyes of a political figure and the configuration of state politics and controversies. Reading about events such as the Bo Pilgrim bill is a catalyst for questions concerning what type of people have been and are currently in the Texas State government. Politicians, in the past, have needed to rely on funds from supports like Bo Pilgrim in order to run their campaigns; by raising the call on ethical issues in the state government, such as bribery, politicians like Ratliff prove that their interests concern the people, not their politics. Sterken’s segments on the history of Ratliff’s time as the Texas Lieutenant Governor is a fascinating part of, not only Ratliff’s story, but of the events that transpired during that time. From personal experience, an individual who states that they stand for bipartisan political interests is vastly untrue, as those people will always display favor for one ideology over the other. At times, Ratliff has shown his favor for more democratic values despite his republican billing; however, from Sterken account, Ratliff’s tenure as Lieutenant Governor shows his grit to stand against both parties under duress by controversial issues. “Bill Ratliff: A Profile of Courage and Leadership in American Politics” is an excellent publication that not only serves to educate, but to
The city of Houston is quite large and holds with it certain qualities that most cites cannot even begin to understand, but is this just the Houstonian pride talking? Generally, there’s an established set of protocols and practices held by people that form their political behavior or better yet their political culture. It is these practices, moral decisions, political myths, beliefs, and ideas that creates a good society.
Texas gives the power to its people by simply giving them the right to elect or choose officials. The people can elect city officials as well as state officials. Being able to elect or choose an official for your state is what a democracy is. Though some officials would like to do away with democracy, it is one of the most important powers that the people of Texas have. However, many feel that the people they elected often find themselves questioning their decisions. For example, someone would run making promises that fit to the voter, but once elected in office they do the exact opposite of what they promised. That has become a major problem that people face and often leads people to wonder if this is truly a
Those who were poor or a minority were disenfranchised.1 All states have features of all three political cultures. Due to the large and diverse nature of the state itself, it is hard to generalize the political culture of Texas. However, individualists and traditionalists have, in history, controlled the direction of the state of Texas’ political system.1 A vast amount of Texans descend from migrants of the traditionalistic states of the Old South where conservatism, upper-class superiority, and one-party politics reigned. Even today, this traditionalistic influence still remains. Texas’ individualism stems from the government structure that is still in place today. Compared to other densely populated states, Texas government is limited with restricted
Most Democrats believed that Tony Sanchez was a great candidate and representative for the minorities and would bring out a historical demographic voter turnout. Sanchez spent a total of $64 million, $59 million of which was estimated to be his own money, to become the first Hispanic governor of Texas (Last man Standing…). But, he lacked a great amount of experience and was even called boring by the media. And, to add insult to injury, his opponent released an ad calling Sanchez a “drug money launderer” which discredited his trustworthiness and almost any chance he had to sway any of the republican
current governor for Texas is Rick Perry. Rick Perry has served the State of Texas