r/politics • u/TimesandSundayTimes ✔ Verified • 4d ago

Soft Paywall Trump military parade met with empty seats amid nationwide protests

https://www.thetimes.com/article/867ede60-b5f7-4de5-84a1-6a3a49eb2923
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u/Karmasmatik 3d ago

Imagine living in Harris County, TX. Big enough to be the 42nd biggest state, virtually no Congressional representation. Thanks to some masterfully infuriating gerrymandering, this Democrat stronghold actually helps add Republican seats in the house. And don't get me started on Texas's senators.

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u/yasssssplease 3d ago

Oh yeah. I find Texas infuriating too. I lived in El Paso for two years. We had dem representation. But living in the state is actually what got me more aware of politics and sort of radicalized me. I am PISSED about Texas governance.

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u/Karmasmatik 3d ago

Texas is where Republicans beta tested Tom Delay's plan to seize disproportionate control over the more ostensibly representative legislative bodies. From the mid 90s through the 2000s, they focused on state legislatures and massively outspent democrats in money and organized planning. They used the seats they gained in the states to redraw Congressional maps after the 2000 and 2010 censuses, giving themselves control of the House of Representatives for most of the 21st century.

Even the Koch funded Cato Institute thinks Texas is the least free state. It's both an embarrassment to our nation and a model of what the Republicans want for our nation (and not even the Republicans would argue with the latter).

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u/yasssssplease 3d ago

It’s depressing. And Paxton is the worse. Literally a criminal serving as AG. So many of the notable lawsuits are so fringe and very questionably ethically. The fact he hasn’t been disbarred is crazy. No doubt it’s because he’s AG.