big campaign bucks and special interest motivations show Perry's true allegiances

 

by Peter Stern

It is NOT the People of Texas who want Perry reelected.  Only 39% of Texans voted for Perry in the last election, which may be viewed that 61% of voters did NOT want Perry.  In addition, the millions in Gov. Rick Perry's reelection campaign "war chest" were contributed by a handful of select investors.  It is the same small elite crowd that has provided Perry consistently with support and funds for almost one decade.  The millions in hand should speak volumes to Texas voters!

Last year Gov. Perry notified publicly that he had raised 4.2 million in the last 9 days of June for his reelection bid.  However, the reports filed showed that $3.4 million of that money were from 75 contributors.

Mica McCutchen Mosbacher of Houston gave $225,000. Interesting note: Ms. Mosbacher was appointed to the University of Houston System Board of Regents in 2008 by Governor Rick Perry and will serve through August 31, 2013.  Her husband Robert Mosbacher is the former Secretary of Commerce.

The $100,000 contributors highlight a "who's who" of well-known wealthy political lobbyists and long-time Perry supporters.  To name a few, Red McCombs of San Antonio; investor Gary Petersen, homebuilder Bob Perry and the Gallagher Law firm, all of Houston; tax consultant George Ryan and businessman Harold Simmons of Dallas.  The AT&T Texas Political Action Committee was the largest corporate PAC, with a donation of $50,000.

While it was a lot of money for Perry to raise, most of it came from the usual lobbyist suspects, which leaves open the question of how much they are willing to invest to ensure Perry gets back into office.  Many of these supporters have a long history of being "heavy hitters" when it comes to contributing to the campaigns of politicians who will support their profiteering efforts.

Political Action Committees (PACs) rule the Texas political arena and the lives of Texas taxpayers.  During the past decade the interests of Texas residents have been overshadowed by those of wealthy special interest PACs who make it very clear that they are lobbying with big dollars to ensure that whichever candidates become Texas leaders, they will ensure increased profiteering and special perks and consideration for the companies promoted by the PACs.  Texas voters remain "in the bellies of the [PAC] beasts".

It is time for Texans to fully recognize that Gov. Rick Perry is NOT the candidate for mainstream citizens.  He continues to govern in the best interests of wealthy special interests.  As long as Perry remains chief executive of the state of Texas, he will continue to provide these wealthy campaign contributors with anything and everything they need to make increasing profits while ignoring the needs of the people.

Consequently, if Perry wins reelection he will continue the path of his 8-year reign, to the detriment of hardworking and hardly-working Texans:

In reality, Gov. Rick Perry is "An Enemy of the People" and the sooner Texans recognize this fact the quicker voters will elect a better candidate for governor.  Perry has had 3 terms to resolve the urgent issues.  His poor leadership and special interest pandering have ensured that the urgent issues remain and have helped create additional issues.

 

In November Perry will face former Houston Mayor Bill White at the polls.  While White may not be the perfect candidate, Perry has been governor for 9 years and Texans are NOT better off than they were before Perry replaced G.W. Bush.  At least White provides a viable alternative to the poor management of a 3-term Governor Perry who has shown that his allegiances are only to his wealthy supporters. 

In summary, during the past 9 years Texans have had a myriad of urgent issues that have not been addressed by the Governor and Legislature.  Gov. Perry is NOT a governor of the people, rather, he remains the cornerstone of special interest motivation and profiteering.  After years of Perry's reign as "King of Texas" the people need a change for the better.  Again, while a Democrat and not an ideal candidate, Texans have a chance to initiate that positive change in the November election by voting for Bill White.