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By Jim Powers
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May 22, 2023 - Statement From the Texas Legislative Black Caucus

"This afternoon, the Texas House of Representatives voted 83-62 to pass Senate Bill 17 on third reading. SB 17 (Creighton) would ban diversity, equity, and inclusion offices at public colleges and universities. Texas currently leads as one of the most diverse states in the nation that has touted our many top-tier research institutions within our public higher education systems. The impending consequences of the state disinvestments in SB 17 are clear: students will seek education elsewhere, faculty will be forced out of the classroom, and billions of dollars will be lost from research funding."

 

Latest numbers by the Pew Research Center indicate that people who identify as black make up 14.2 percent of the U.S. population, an increase of 30 percent since the year 2000. While the absolute numbers are relatively small, that 30 percent increase appears to have gotten the attention of the governments of several Southern states, most recently Florida, and most aggressively by its Governor and presumed Presidential candidate Ron DeSantis.

DeSantis signed a bill into law recently which bans public colleges and universities from spending money on diversity, equity and inclusion programs. The law includes a ban on courses that teach “identity politics,” AKA Critical Race Theory (CRT).

Texas is working on a similar bill.

Just to be clear, CRT is not a course, but a framework to study the existence and impact of systemic racisim. The hat trick that DeSantis and many others on the Right use to justify these laws is to insist that systemic racism no longer exists in American society, if it ever did, so such studies are designed to give a distorted view of the history of the U.S. It is an attempt to make the continuing struggle of 14 percent of our population disappear by erasing it from history.

The struggle against systemic racism reaches back to the civil rights movement of the 1960’s, and to no less a luminary than Martin Luther King, Jr. who devoted his life to fighting for racial equality and justice. Throughout his career, King consistently spoke out against the deeply rooted issue of racism in American society. His words and actions reflected a profound belief that systemic racism was endemic and needed urgent attention and reform.

King's speeches and writings vividly illustrate his unwavering conviction that racism was deeply entrenched in American society. From the Montgomery Bus Boycott to the March on Washington, he championed the cause of racial justice, emphasizing that discrimination was not merely isolated incidents but rather a pervasive and systemic problem.

King wrote numerous articles and letters that shed light on his views about the endemic nature of racism. In his "Letter from Birmingham Jail," written in 1963, he addressed fellow clergymen who criticized his approach to the civil rights movement. In the letter, he described the injustices and prejudices faced by African Americans, emphasizing that they were not isolated incidents but symptoms of a larger problem. He argued that racial discrimination was a deeply rooted issue that required urgent action and societal change.

Despite the advances in racial equality that we have made over the subsequent decades, there are numerous metrics that indicate systemic racism persists in our society.

First, there is a significant wealth and income gap between racial and ethnic groups in the United States. On average, Black and Hispanic households have lower wealth and income compared to White households. This gap is indicative of systemic barriers and discrimination in areas such as employment, housing, and access to quality education.

Secondly, racial disparities in educational outcomes persist, with lower graduation rates and limited access to quality education in predominantly minority communities. Disparities in school funding, resources, and discipline practices contribute to unequal opportunities for success.

Studies have also consistently shown racial disparities in hiring, promotion, and compensation. Discrimination in the job market limits economic opportunities for racial minorities and perpetuates systemic inequalities.

One of the most obvious disparities is in the criminal justice system which disproportionately affects racial and ethnic minorities at various stages, including arrests, sentencing, and incarceration rates. Studies have shown that Black and Hispanic individuals are more likely to be arrested and receive harsher sentences compared to White individuals for similar offenses.

Racial and ethnic minorities have long experienced significant health disparities, including higher rates of chronic illnesses, lower life expectancies, and limited access to quality healthcare. These disparities reflect systemic barriers in healthcare access, socio-economic factors, and historical injustices.

Residential segregation remains prevalent, with minority communities often facing limited housing options and higher levels of poverty. Discriminatory practices such as redlining, racial steering, and exclusionary zoning have contributed to the persistence of housing disparities.

Finally, voter suppression efforts have increased rapidly over the last decade and disproportionately affect minority communities, targeting them through measures such as strict voter ID laws, purging of voter rolls, and reduced access to polling locations. These practices undermine the democratic participation and representation of marginalized groups.

The factors I’ve mentioned don’t capture the entirety of systemic racism in America but should be sufficient to establish the fact that it continues to exist, despite the efforts of Governor DeSantis and the Florida legislature to make it disappear. And one of the most effective ways to do that is to make the facts unavailable in our education system. This political hat trick will only hide the real infection while it continues to eat away at equality for all in the U.S.

If we want our democracy to survive, we must resist efforts hide the existence of systemic weaknesses in our society.

Jim Powers writes opinion columns. His views do not necessarily reflect the views of this publication.

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By Jim Powers
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Here we go again. The United States finds itself once again embroiled in a contentious debate over the debt ceiling, a limit on the amount of money the government can borrow to finance its operations. This artificially imposed restriction has historically led to unnecessary political gridlock, economic uncertainty, and potential harm to the nation's creditworthiness.

We are a Sovereign Country, obligated to pay our debts, and able to expand our money supply at will. I join many others in urging President Biden to take the constitutional option outlined in the 14th Amendment, which can eliminate the debt ceiling and provide a more pragmatic approach to managing the country's finances.

The debt ceiling, as it stands, is a self-imposed restriction that often creates unnecessary and avoidable crises. It allows lawmakers to hold the nation's economy hostage to political brinkmanship, where partisan disputes hinder responsible governance. In the past, the debt ceiling debate has disrupted financial markets, affected consumer confidence, and increased borrowing costs for both the government and American citizens.

The 14th Amendment, adopted in the aftermath of the Civil War, contains a provision that holds the potential to address this perennial issue. Section 4 of the amendment states that "the validity of the public debt of the United States shall not be questioned." By interpreting this provision in a broad and forward-thinking manner, the President can argue that the debt ceiling is an infringement upon the constitutional duty to honor the nation's financial obligations.

Using the 14th Amendment to eliminate the debt ceiling would provide a legal and constitutional mechanism to ensure that the government's fiscal commitments are fulfilled without unnecessary disruptions. By taking this step, the President would signal a commitment to economic stability, sending a positive message to financial markets, investors, and the American public.

Through the simple step of eliminating the debt ceiling, we remove the threat of default so the government can focus on maintaining a stable economy and maintain long-term growth. We must have this stability for businesses, investors, and consumers who rely on a stable economic environment.

The elimination of the debt ceiling lets the government respond effectively to national emergencies, economic downturns, and unforeseen circumstances without being hindered by arbitrary borrowing limits. This flexibility is vital in times like these when disasters, both state and national are weekly or monthly occurrences.

We have seen in past debt ceiling battles that the government’s recklessness has affected the country’s credit worthiness and cost citizen’s real money. Removing this artificial constraint would strengthen America's standing in global markets, leading to lower borrowing costs and enhanced confidence from international investors.

Without the recurring threat of reaching the debt ceiling, lawmakers can focus on long-term budget planning, debt management, and strategic investments that benefit the nation's future. This shift in focus would hopefully lead to responsible fiscal policies aimed at sustainable economic growth.

The debt ceiling has become a recurring source of political gamesmanship, jeopardizing the stability of the U.S. economy and the well-being of its citizens. By utilizing the powers in the 14th Amendment, the President can eliminate this artificial constraint and provide a more pragmatic and constitutional approach to managing the nation's finances.

Taking this step, though controversial, would enhance economic stability, improve the nation's creditworthiness, and allow for long-term planning. It is time for the United States to get rid of the burdensome debt ceiling and embrace a more rational approach that ensures the fulfillment of its financial obligations while safeguarding the interests of the American people.

“Not raising the debt limit doesn't cut government spending. All you're doing is sort of holding the economy hostage and saying, if I don't get my way, whatever that is, then you know, I'm going to let the U.S. government default on its obligations.”  (Louise Sheiner, Economist)

 

Jim Powers writes opinion columns. His views are his own and do not necessarily reflect the views of this publication.

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It’s official. Fort Hood, named for a high-ranking Confederate officer in the Civil War, has been renamed Fort Cavazos, in honor of native Texan Richard E. Cavazos, the country’s first Hispanic four-star general.

Fort Cavazos is the Army’s largest armored, active-duty military installation, according to a report in the Austin American-Statesman. It is one of nine that are being renamed around the country, based on recommendations from a naming committee commissioned by Congress to remove the names, symbols and displays that honor the Confederacy.

Cavazos was widely decorated for his service during the Korean and Vietnam wars, receiving two Distinguished Service Cross medals during his military career. He died in 2017 at 88.

State rep expelled from Texas House

The Texas House voted 147-0 to expel state Rep. Bryan Slaton after an investigating committee determined he engaged in inappropriate behavior with a 19-year-old legislative aide. Slaton, R-Royce City, was found to have had sexual intercourse with the aide, who works in his office, and to have supplied alcohol to an underaged person on at least three occasions, the Statesman reported.

Slaton resigned the day before the vote to expel him but would have remained an officeholder and been paid until a successor was elected through a special election.

“Expulsion of a member of this body is rare,” House Speaker Dade Phelan said. “Mr. Slaton’s predatory behavior merits such a consequence. I am proud of my colleagues for holding each of us accountable.”

Slaton is the first House member to be expelled since 1927, according to the Statesman.

Texans enjoy a cooler-than-average April

The state enjoyed somewhat cooler temperatures in April than in years past, according to Dr. Mark Wentzel, a hydrologist with the Texas Water Development Board. The eastern half of the state experienced above-average rainfall, though drought conditions persisted in the central part of the state, from Laredo to the Panhandle.

“Precipitation varied considerably, with half the state, East and coastal Texas, experiencing well-above-average rainfall, while the other half, West Texas and the Panhandle, received well-below-normal precipitation,” Wentzel wrote.

Drought conditions dropped 12 percentage points compared to the end of March, with 55 percent of the state now under drought. The arrival of the El Niño weather system by fall is forecast to bring above-average rainfall to the state and lead to widespread drought relief by the end of 2023.

Eight more counties added to disaster declaration

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has added eight more Texas counties to a disaster declaration after an early February ice storm caused considerable damage across wide swaths of the state, Gov. Greg Abbott announced last week.

“This update will help support ongoing recovery efforts in Texas communities impacted by Winter Storm Mara in February,” Abbott said.

The eight added to the 13 already approved by FEMA are Falls, Hopkins, Red River, Anderson, Gillespie, Kerr, Kimble and Limestone counties. The counties are now eligible for federal funding for debris removal and repairs to infrastructure.

House considers modified version of Senate voucher bill

An 80-page version of the Senate’s school voucher proposal is now before the House education committee, the Texas Tribune reported. This version would cut the number of students eligible for the program, modify the state’s standardized testing program, and eliminate the Senate bill’s restriction on teaching about gender and sexual orientation.

A move to get the bill quickly out of committee failed after state Rep. Ernest Bailes, R-Shepherd, questioned why the committee wanted to move forward without holding a public hearing.

“You’re trying to bring an 80-page substitution to this body and force a vote without thoughtful deliberation,” Bailes said. House committees have until May 20 to vote on Senate bills to advance them to the full floor.

The Senate version of the bill would give parents who opt out of the public school system up to $8,000 in taxpayer money to pay for a child’s private schooling and related educational expenses, such as textbooks or tutoring.

Casino bill dies; sports betting advances

The bid to bring casino gambling to Texas is again officially dead, the Texas Tribune reported.

“Members, I do know when it’s time to fold ’em,” state Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth, said Friday as he postponed consideration of House Joint Resolution 155 until Jan. 12, 2027. A related bill sponsored by state Rep. John Kuempel, R-Seguin, was also postponed until after the session.

A separate bill to legalize online sports betting barely made it out of the House. Both measures required a two-thirds majority to be put on the ballot as proposed constitutional amendments. The Tribune reported that bill faces long odds in the Senate, where Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, the presiding officer, has said his chamber does not have enough votes to pass it.

Gary Borders is a veteran award-winning Texas journalist. He published a number of community newspapers in Texas during a 30-year span, including in Longview, Fort Stockton, Nacogdoches and Cedar Park. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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By Jim Powers
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“The churches greatest mistakes occur when the people of God honor what a leader says without examining that instruction in the light of scripture. (American Theologian Bryan Chapell)

Matthew 24:24 “ For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. ” (KJV)

In recent years, the rise of Christian nationalism has been a major cause for concern, not just for religious scholars, but for anyone who values the principles of inclusivity, tolerance, and respect. While the United States has a long history of religious diversity and freedom, its growing influence threatens to undermine these core values. Christian Nationalists are engaged in transforming a faith based on love and compassion into a tool for political and social exclusion. It is essential that we recognize the danger posed by this malevolent perversion of Christianity.

The most concerning aspect of Christian nationalism is its distortion and misrepresentation of Christian values. At its core, Christianity teaches love, compassion, justice, and forgiveness. It advocates for the well-being of all individuals, regardless of their religious beliefs or backgrounds. Christian nationalism selectively applies biblical teachings to justify discrimination, xenophobia, and other forms of intolerance, betraying the very essence of Christianity.

Simply put it is a distorted ideology that conflates American identity with a particular brand of Christianity. It intertwines religious beliefs with political power and fosters a sense of entitlement and exclusivity among its adherents. This ideology manipulates Christian teachings and selectively applies biblical principles to advance a narrow agenda, often disregarding the fundamental teachings of compassion, love, and humility found in Christianity.

It has gained momentum by aligning itself with conservative political movements, which exploit religious sentiments to consolidate power. Politicians who embrace this ideology often use Christianity as a tool to advance their policy objectives, implying that their political agenda is divinely inspired. This dangerous combination of faith and politics not only undermines the separation of church and state but also distorts the true essence of Christianity.

Christian nationalism promotes a divisive "us versus them" mentality, which we have seen in recent history defining American identity in exclusively Christian terms and alienating those who do not adhere to its narrow interpretation. By elevating one faith above all others, it erodes the history of religious diversity that has marked American society for much of our history. It fosters an environment of exclusion and intolerance, which is fundamentally incompatible with the values of equality and religious freedom that our nation holds dear.

Its growing influence poses a threat to the principles upon which our democracy is built. It attempts to fuse religious beliefs with the machinery of governance, undermining the secular foundation upon which our nation was established. This erosion of the separation of church and state undermines long held principles of fairness and equality that are essential for a healthy democratic society.

It also perpetuates social divisions by propagating a narrative that the country should be preserved as a Christian nation. This exclusionary vision fuels fear and animosity towards those who do not fit into its narrow definition of American identity. These divisions weaken the social fabric and stand in the way of progress toward a more inclusive and equitable society.

If we are going to combat the growing influence of Christian nationalism, it is essential that we reaffirm the principles of religious freedom and inclusivity that have long been embraced in in this country. Religious leaders, scholars, and citizens must engage in open dialogue. We must challenge the distorted narrative spread by Christian nationalists. We must help reclaim the core teachings of love, compassion, and understanding that is the true spirit of Christianity and counteract the divisive elements of this ideology.

Political leaders must resist the temptation to use their power to exploit religious beliefs for personal gain. They must themselves uphold the separation of church and state, must ensure that policies are crafted based on reason, evidence, and the best interests of all citizens, irrespective of their religious beliefs.

Christian nationalism represents a malevolent distortion of actual Christian belief as outlined in the New Testament and illustrated by Jesus’ love for all mankind. If it gains control, it will result in slavery, not freedom.

Jim Powers writes opinion columns. His views are his own and do not necessarily reflect the views of this publication.