I am so mad at Rick Perry. I just saw a commercial touting his dedication to public education. He also praised himself for giving a merit pay raise and a $2000.00 raise to all TX teachers.

But did you know...

They raised the retirement age for teachers, because they want to keep qualified teachers in the profession longer. They decreased retirement payments by taking our highest 5 years and dividing that to find out our retirement payments. (They did take the highest 3.)

They gave teachers a $1000.00 pay raise a few years ago... then took away half... then took the other half away. So that pay raise he is bragging about just replaced the $1000.00 they took away and gave us another $1000.00. (Remember 8 years ago when they promised a $6000.00 pay raise to be paid in two years? They gave the first $3000.00, but the next year they decided not to give the other half.) The public hears about the raises, but does not know about the times they take things back...

Then the merit pay raise only goes towards teachers in core subjects and only IF the administration deems it necessary. They are not required to do it... so it is worthless to non-core teachers, and pretty much everyone.

This makes me want to quit teaching. With the Social Security offset, the government giving and taking our money away, increasing retirement age, less retirement benefits, and low wages to begin with... why would anyone want to come into this profession OR stay???????????? (Oh yeah... the kids.) But with discipline problems on the rise, how long with that be a benefit???

GOVERNOR PERRY HAS DONE NOTHING FOR ME or TEXAS STUDENTS.

Oh yeah... don't even get me started on that damn TAKS test. Worthless.

I don't understand why everyone is so against the idea of a Democratic Governor in Texas. Anyone want to clue me in?

I am absolutely not against a Democratic governor. I am voting against Rick Perry - whatever that takes. I will vote for whoever leads the polls and isn't Rick Perry - simple as that.

My greatest fear is that Strayhorn and Friedman will split the Democratic vote and allow Perry to get re-elected. And that will be a shame...all those votes wasted.

Carlene: That's what is troubling to me. All the talk here is about Carol Strayhorn and Kinky. They defnitely can split the vote (Repbulican or Democrat) and mess up a good solid win for Bell. Why aren't a lot of people realizing that instead of voting for people who normally can't win an election like this? Are they just voting to express their feelings and not really concerned about who will actually win? If they want to get rid of Rick Perry because he's the rat they say he is, why aren't they rising up behind a candidate that can really win? Are they just disgruntled Republicans who can't stand the idea of a Demo in Austin?

Carlene: That's what is troubling to me. All the talk here is about Carol Strayhorn and Kinky. They defnitely can split the vote (Repbulican or Democrat) and mess up a good solid win for Bell. Why aren't a lot of people realizing that instead of voting for people who normally can't win an election like this? Are they just voting to express their feelings and not really concerned about who will actually win? If they want to get rid of Rick Perry because he's the rat they say he is, why aren't they rising up behind a candidate that can really win? Are they just disgruntled Republicans who can't stand the idea of a Demo in Austin?

I don't think Carole and Kinky's supporters have yet come to terms with the fact that neither is likely to win. Everyone loves an underdog.

Texas is a two party state. That's a fact, no matter how much anyone might love to see Grandma or Goofy in the governor's mansion.

I think that most of Kinky's voters will be people who usually don't vote. Carol Strayhorn will suck a lot of votes from Chris Bell. We should have a runnoff if someone does not get 50% or we are going to have a lot of independents running as straw dogs.

I think that most of Kinky's voters will be people who usually don't vote. Carol Strayhorn will suck a lot of votes from Chris Bell. We should have a runnoff if someone does not get 50% or we are going to have a lot of independents running as straw dogs.

I have nothing against Strayhorn but I think you're right. I don't think she is electable and I fear that she will split the Democratic vote.

I noticed that Bell got some important coverage on one of the local channels the other night. The commentator remarked about how no one knows him. Unfortunately I didn't get to sit down and watch. But as far as I'm concerned, Bell is the only candidate that I can vote for in this election.

Article:

According to McLaughlin & Associates, the governor's race has tightened dramatically, with Independent Carole Strayhorn within five points of incumbent Republican Governor Rick Perry.

The Strayhorn Campaign shared its most recent poll with QR this morning. The poll tested 600 likely voters on October 25th and 26th.

According to these numbers, the unusually large number of undecideds that other polls were registering early last week has begun to shrink dramatically. The McLaughlin poll says 8.2% are now undecided and a good number have migrated to Strayhorn. A solid 57% of undecideds are women.

The four way matchup numbers are:

Perry - 31.8%

Strayhorn - 26.7%

Bell - 21.7%

Friedman - 11.7%

Comment from Poodles:

What we need is more people to come from Friedman to Strayhorn and we will make up those five points. My biggest fear are those people that just vote party lines without thinking first. Although I do believe Bell will be the lesser of the two evils.

Comment from Poodles:

What we need is more people to come from Friedman to Strayhorn and we will make up those five points. My biggest fear are those people that just vote party lines without thinking first. Although I do believe Bell will be the lesser of the two evils.

Won't happen. Pete's right. Most of Kinky's supporters are people who usually would not vote.

If the comments in this thread are representative of the general population, I predict Perry's re-election.

True. Perry will get it, because we are split on the other side. Just wish someone would bow out and say: Hey vote for this person. But honestly, I don't like Bell or Perry.

Poodles: What do you have against Bell? I would honestly like to know.

thought this was a lapband site not a political one for everyone to bash politicians

bdclark: This is a thread about Gov. Perry. It was started because someone thinks he's a liar.

It is cool to get to read what other bandsters think about various topics. When you log on and go to different topics, you'll see that it isn't all just about the Lap Band. And we as individuals aren't all JUST about the Lap Band. So it isn't surprising that we like to discuss or even vent about current events.

If you don't find these threads that are unrelated to the L.B. procedure interesting, you might consider just investigating the ones that you find relevant to the Lap Band.

I have to admit Perry hasnt come through on his promises........But he is the best candidate for this election. To actually vote any of the other candidates into office would be ludicrous, I mean hello its Kinky Friedman, Paula Dean, and Ben Stein running against him (basically). Seriously, Geez what are politics coming to?

Also to those of you worried about the split vote, although it is better that everyone votes, not all votes count. Its hard to go into detail on here I would have to explain it in person. I am a political science major, this is my FAVORITE time of year. I absolutely live for politics and government, I know Im strange but it intrigues me. Also, it isnt always about the party, its about who represents that party, and I do not believe (from watching the gubernatorial debates) that anyone is more prepared than Perry. I like Perry, Ive met him personally and that made an impact on me, therefore I am voting for him, I understand others' points of view also, but really the debates (although Perry was a little ridiculous about rescheduling them, that pissed me off a little) show who the clear winner should be. Perry rescheduled and was prepared, while the others could have used this to their advantage they did not, and were incredibly unprepared.

OH and btw if your from Distict 3 VOTE DAN DODD! If he wins I get a free 100 in my political science class because thats who I am backing in that election. And trust me I need the grade, plus I believe he is best for the job