“Constant vigilance!”

Obamacare. Although still a controversial topic, more than three years after its passage and adoption, government-mandated healthcare doesn’t draw as much attention as it once did. Most of us have gotten used to the fact that we’ll have to deal with it.

But every now and then, I’m flabbergasted that such a law was passed, let alone found constitutional. How can this have happened?

And then I’m even more horrified that in between those waves of shock, I had gotten used to the idea that purchasing a product can be mandatory for every single American. And I know it’s not just me. As our attention spans reach their limit and eventually snap, even leaders who should continue fighting government growth cave in to political pressure and misleading offers of “free” federal funding. Since Obamacare’s going into effect is inevitable, we may as well tag along for the ride, right?

Wrong.

That’s one of the many dangers of public policy: becoming complacent. Just because a law has been around for a while doesn’t mean it’s a good or even mediocre one. When an offense to liberty or our nation’s values occurs, we can’t let it fade into the background when more interesting or sensational topics hit the news.

Obamacare will only make struggling programs like Medicaid worse, grow government and burden families. As Attorney General Greg Abbott put it last week, Obamacare is “ultimately going to implode.” It will only worsen the unsustainable path the federal government is on: spending, spending, and more spending. It may have swung a Supreme Court thumbs-up, but that doesn’t mean we can’t or shouldn’t keep fighting in Congress to repeal and replace.

The conservative movement must maintain constant vigilance. (Did I just quote Harry Potter in a post on healthcare reform? Yes, yes I did.) We can’t give up on – or, rather, we can’t forget about – such pivotal issues as this. Obamacare may be the law of the land, but that doesn’t mean we can’t keep pushing to change it.

What Barack Obama’s reelection means for Texas

Last night, most conservatives were devastated to learn Barack Obama had been reelected as President of the United States.

As for me? Meh.

Frankly, in Texas, it really doesn’t matter who is president.

Our economy is strong. The Lone Star State emerged early from a nationwide recession with by far the best jobs numbers. Its thriving economy, low cost of living and low unemployment continue to attract disgruntled folks from other states.

Our leaders are strong. With conservative officeholders at the state level who are anything but shy and Republican majorities in both houses, we can be sure Texas won’t soon cave to political pressure. As David Guenthner of the Texas Public Policy Foundation noted on an election recap conference call today, our state election results were heartening: “Texas is continuing to chart a different path than the rest of the nation.”

Our continued emphasis on states’ rights is strong. President Obama will no doubt continue leading this country down the path of government growth, reckless spending, and increased regulation. But Texans are feisty. We will continue standing up to federal overreach – for the sake of our own state and all the others.

In a political sense, Obama’s win does matter for Texas. After all, a Democratic victory this time opens the door for a Republican one next time, and it could clear Texas’ candidate logjam.

I’m disappointed about last night. But I’m already looking forward to two exciting potential races: Abbott 2014, Perry 2016.

Highlights: Texas Tribune Festival Saturday Panels

Day two of the Texas Tribune is over – and what a great event it is! It’s been a fantastic opportunity to hear from people on all sides of important issues facing our state like education funding, healthcare, and voting rights.

Below is another Storify summary of what went on at the panels I attended. Keep an eye out for more in-depth thoughts to be posted soon!

 


Texas GOP convention wrap-up, part 1

It was bittersweet watching Governor Perry’s speech at the Republican Party of Texas convention this morning in Fort Worth. He was as fired up and inspiring as ever, and his message was clear: We are blessed to live in the great state of Texas and in America, but “we need a president who believes in us again.” It was almost as if he was still running. But a few self-deprecating one-liners (“2008 was America’s national ‘oops moment’”) were a sad reminder that America had made a big mistake in dismissing his candidacy for president of the United States.

Watch a little of this clip that introduced Perry, and you’ll understand what I mean:

If there’s anything this nation needs, it’s a president with a plan to promote American ingenuity by allowing its businesses to flourish and its people to be free. A president with a clear commitment to defending the Constitution, states’ rights, and traditional values. A president with a record of strong leadership and integrity. Though I’m happy to stand behind our presumptive nominee Mitt Romney, the president America will get in 2013 will be second-rate in these categories.

But who are we Texans to complain? We get to keep the longest-serving governor here at least a little longer. Perry showed his true nature as an optimistic Texas firebrand, driven by faith and our desire for liberty. What the future holds for Perry is unclear so far. He said, “I’m not riding into the sunset. I’m mounting up for the next operation.”

Attorney General Greg Abbott followed with a similarly rousing speech defending conservative policies from voter ID and repealing Obamacare to the traditional definition of marriage. He joked with the crowd, “My job is pretty simple. I go into the office, I sue the federal government, and then I go home.”

Overall, convention was buzzing with excitement. It’s been a tough primary season, with constantly shifting dates due to the legal battle over redistricting and a few particularly nasty – and extremely close – campaigns still ongoing. Other than an outburst from supporters of a certain Senate candidate who shall remain nameless here, we seemed to be abiding by RPT chairman Steve Munisteri’s words of wisdom: “Debate is good, as long as you’re civil and kind to each other. We must come out of this convention unified.” That’s what this first day was all about, at least at the non-parliamentary portions.

Texas is a beacon of hope for the nation. And, thanks to a robust Republican Party, it will stay that way… even once the lesser other states start catching on to the way we run things here. :)

Stay tuned for more on the convention in a guest post here by Lubbock native and my dear friend Kristen Vander-Plas.

Servant leadership: Attorney General Greg Abbott

I have a guest post up on my friend Hannah Bell’s blog, Liberty’s Generation. I was very pleased to meet one of my absolute favorite political leaders, Greg Abbott, at a Travis County Republican Party event last month, and decided to write a post about why he exemplifies three foundational characteristics of servant leadership: courage, persistence, and humility.

Read the full post here.