Posted on 09/06/2006 10:23:25 PM PDT by Alter Kaker
HOUSTON - Kinky Friedman, the proudly politically incorrect entertainer running for governor, said Wednesday he wouldn't put just 1,500 National Guard troops on the Texas-Mexico border, he'd send 10,000. ADVERTISEMENT
"We've waited 153 years for the feds to help us," Friedman said. "They haven't yet. We have our own army. I want 10,000 Texas National Guard troops on the border and I want them now."
It was one of four broad policy issues Friedman outlined Wednesday along with crime in Houston, state spending and taxes.
On Houston's crime problem, Friedman said Hurricane Katrina evacuees who relocated to the city and break the law or refuse to find jobs should be sent back to Louisiana.
"I'm just kind of stunned other politicians are not talking about this stuff and are not doing anything," Friedman said.
With campaign slogans like "He's Not Kinky, He's My Governor" and "Kinky for Governor — Why the Hell Not?" Friedman is running a rebel campaign as an independent against Republican Gov. Rick Perry. Also in the race are Democrat Chris Bell, Libertarian James Werner and another independent, Carole Strayhorn, the state comptroller who won that office as a Republican.
On the issue of crime, Friedman said he would give $100 million in state money to Houston to address a spike in violence since Hurricane Katrina.
Friedman also said he would cap state spending at current levels, with any increases adjusted for inflation, population increases and unforeseen disasters.
He said he would abolish the state business tax, which taxes gross business income and was a key element of the school finance reform passed by the legislature in a special session earlier this year. The existing state budget surplus of at least $11 billion could make up any shortfall, he said.
As for the border, Texas has about 1,500 National Guard troops there already. President Bush earlier this year said he wanted 6,000 along the entire U.S.-Mexico border to assist with administrative and construction tasks that could free up Border Patrol officers.
Perry campaign spokesman Robert Black dismissed Friedman's proposals. He said it wasn't clear whether the 10,000 troops Friedman wanted even were available for deployment and that using surplus money "would be fine for about a year, then what do you do?"
A Bell spokeswoman, Heather Guntert, said, "I'd be very interested in someone figuring out the implications of freezing all the spending. It's not a serious response to a serious problem."
Strayhorn spokesman Mark Sanders described Friedman as "a lot of fun" but said the comptroller's campaign is focused on Perry. He said, "It's a two-person race."
Kinky gets it,, too bad others don't
I've spent some time along that border, better make that 30,000, Kinky. He's forgetting that this will cut off his pot supply, BTW.
Kinky gets it. That is why I really like him. He is someone that the state of Texas should elect. The resoson is that he is not a career politician, that is what we need today. Career politicians have ruined this country.
It's a two person race with four people in it. And the sitting governor has about HALF of the votes with the other 3 within a few points of each other.
She's dreaming if she thinks she'll come in #1.
Kinky has an outsider's chance. The wildcard being first time/frustrated voters who aren't being polled. Perry's likely to win.
Good
We have our own army. I want 10,000 Texas National Guard troops on the border and I want them now."
I guess they are "free". Taxpayers don't have to pay for that, no sir....
Friedman also said he would cap state spending at current levels, with any increases adjusted for inflation, population increases and unforeseen disasters.
He said he would abolish the state business tax...
So, how is he going to pay for everything?
The only thing cheap, is talk. On the issue of crime, Friedman said he would give $100 million in state money to Houston to address a spike in violence since Hurricane Katrina.
I guess he's paying for that out of his own pocket as well....
He's not a lawyer either. Keeps sounding better!
Use Mexicans to build the wall.. if they do well they can apply for a quick legal visa toward possible citizenbship..
He is not (nor could he be) a career politician, I'll agree with you on that.
He's the LAST thing Texas needs. Texas needs someone with vison, and not the kind of vison that comes from green tobacco.
The last thing politicians need is vision. Government that governs best governs least -- politicians with vision tend to govern most. We need cautious, modest, conservative people in government. Not radicals or visionaries -- leave them to the private sector.
I envy you Texans -- he may be a bit nutso, but he's nutso in a GOOD way.
He's for gay marrage and abortion on demand, too... in a good way!
Go Kinky! /sarcasm
It also takes clear laws that make instant deportation possible, rather than having hordes of lawyers along with human rights groups demanding that those that claim refugee status get free room and board, and welfare for a year while they wait for a hearing.
There are a multitude of issues that must be adressed to curb the illegal immigrant problem
You might want to change that 'morality' thing on your homepage.
so what,, he lives in Texas where he will have zero power to push that crap
I'll trade 10K border guards for a few faggots playing hide the salami.
What are they going to do, shoot at little Mexican families?
Back to the drawing board.
Two things you can take to the bank:
1. Kinky is fun.
2. Kinky will lose big (hugh).
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