THE CIRCUS IN TOWN?

I was recently reminded by an Inside Milam County follower that it has been a some time since I have written on my blog. Truth is it has been a while, but it’s not because there has been nothing to blog about. It has been more of a problem with what to blog on.

I have been waiting to see something significant on the issues facing Milam County in the County Judge’s weekly news column, but his “I” reports do not share with the taxpayers the reality of what is going on and how it will affect Milam County residents in the future. He does a good job of sharing his thoughts, but seems like they are not always related to the realities that surround us.

Another issue for me has been how to get across the real issues that face Milam County and Texas at this point in time. I mean we have handled the Perry “emergency” issues and yet still do not have the issues not deemed emergencies resolved. Simple unimportant things like immigration, border protection, public education and other matters that do and will affect Milam County and the state.

In my search to keep current on the issues and try to find a way to share with my readers the reality and the real irony I came across an article that pretty well sums up what has happened and where we are at this point in time. Can’t take credit for any of the writing, but can say my thoughts are along the same lines. The column by Martin Rick Duiker appeared in the June 6^th Austin American Statesman.

Under the big top, they’re juggling with our futures

‘Quick, send in the clowns. Don't bother — they're here.'

— Stephen Sondheim

Clowns? You bet. Comic relief can help all of us muddle through this crisis-in-the-making cobbled up in the Texas Capitol.

Check out the light side. We've got Daffy, Goofy and the rest of the gang in the Texas Legislature doing their best imitation of "Animal House," leaving the rest of us to either laugh or cry at the political circus playing out.

Here's a thought: Relax, enjoy the show, but understand, of course, that while the political slapstick continues, an economic tsunami of disastrous proportions is roaring down on Texas.

There are hints the legislative antics might be a sideshow, a clever con artist trick to keep voters' eyes off of the hidden agenda: the tea party's push to choke off funding for essential governmental functions.

Consider how legislators played Trivial Pursuit on the taxpayers' dime, burning time with noncritical issues: spanking (yeah, spanking), packing weapons on college campuses and statutes to allow lawmakers to tote six-shooters.

They played doctor, too, requiring sonograms for pregnant women considering abortion. They wrestled with enormously vital issues such as breeding puppies, bare-handed fishing (seriously) and even cockfighting.

Did the goofiness end there? Nope. They clowned around with horned toads and snake welfare, 85 mph speed limits, sanctuary cities legislation and gerrymandering.

You might wonder whether solutions for issues of immediate concern for most Texans — education financing, for instance — spun out of this funfest. Well, no.

Public education faces a $4 billion shortfall, a disastrous slash guaranteed to degrade a program already near the bottom nationally.

In-our-face immigration concerns haven't been solved.

Texas is on the ropes, and issues that will have an enormous effect on the lives and welfare of its residents are on the table.

But wait, they're back in session. Good luck, Texas.

Duiker, a documentary videographer and producer, lives in Austin.

Well said and to the point. I just wonder how many more tax dollars will be spent on special sessions this year for the circus.