Citizens in Charge

As Chairman of Texans for Initiative & Referendum Rights and Citizens in Charge Foundation Texas Citizen State Coordinator, I got to kick off the “Texans Taking Charge” speaking tour in an address to the Kingwood Tea Party Society on Why Texans Need Initiative & Referendum Rights.  One of the society’s leaders, Robin Lennon, welcomed me, and the entire presentation was videotaped and it can be found on the Kingwood Tea Party Society website. The presentation was well received, with a couple of great questions that arose from the presentation:

Q: Weren’t Initiative & Referendum (I&R) rights on the Republican Party of Texas platform at one time?

A: It was on the platform from 1979 until 1996. Two separate advisory referendums on the party’s primary ballots showed the rank-and-file favored I&R by margins of 7 to 1 and by 5 to 1. In the mid 90’s however, as the Republican Party came into control of  all branches of the Texas state government, the pro-I&R plank was replaced with one opposing I&R, mainly through pressures on the Platform committee by a special interest group. Texans for I&R Rights is working to get the pro-I&R plank back on the platform. A pro-I&R resolution has been passed through numerous precinct conventions and our goal is to have it debated at the next state level platform committee.

Q: If we put an initiative on the ballot, how can we prevent a group like special interests with vast resources from hijacking the issue?

A: Citizens must realize that some special interest groups will be in opposition to your proposal and will through money, staff, and time at attempting to convince the public that it is a bad idea.  On the other hand, however, there are also going to be special interest groups who will support your issue and align with you in getting the message out.  In the end, the best argument usually wins. As Thomas Jefferson said, “The will of the majority, the natural law of every society, is the only sure guardian of the rights of man.” Perhaps even this may sometimes err; but its errors are honest, solitary and short-lived.”  We have seen time and time again in other states where those spending the most money did not win.  The voters aren’t stupid.

The next leg of the tour will be in Longview, TX on April 5, where we speak to “We The People of Longview” at the New Heights Church, 1500 W. Hawkins Pkwy.  On April 6 we go to Center, TX where we will speak to the Shelby Count Republican Party at the Attoyac River Gallery, 111 Shelbyville St. Center, TX. The Longview event starts at 7pm and the Center event starts at 6pm.

If you are in Texas and would like Texans for Initiative & Referendum Rights to speak to your group, you can contact Art at (936) 288-0781.  You can support the cause by joining our group on Grasshopr.com.

Art Bedford is Chairman of Texans for Initiative & Referendum Rights, and Citizens in Charge Foundation’s Texas Citizen State Coordinator.