The Inanity of Sanity: WHY THE WAR ON WOMEN WILL FAIL

This is a very tough moment in the struggle that's been full-on since Wendy Davis made her courageous filibuster standing up to the bullies.

Let's put the disappointment over the 5th Circuit's ruling in context. The self-seeking political power play by the Far Right is on the wrong side of history. The Republican's War on Women will fail. The legislators that wage it will be removed.

But that is in the long run. Now, there's the harm women will suffer - bad outcomes from the Texas GOP's failure to follow the medical profession's URGENT recommendations.

And for what? To gratify the state's aging Far Right radicals.

Again, it may be small solace to know that time and tide will set this right.

So, for what it's worth, here's the demographics that cannot be denied. This was my testimony AGAINST HB2 on July 2.

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Chairman Cook, Vice Chair Giddings and the other members of the State Affairs Committee.

Thank you for the opportunity to testify AGAINST this bill.

Who does it directly affect?

Your constituents under 40 years of age, 58% of Texans.

This is a group that is consistently underrepresented in the legislature.

Who are the under 40?

Most belong to what is known as the Millennial Generation - those born approximately between 1983 and 2003. Millennials are 100+ million

strong. That's more than the Baby Boomers.

What can we say about them? First, they like to vote. With each passing election cycle, millions more of them can and do go to the polls. According to the Center for American Progress, Millennials counted for 20% of the ballots cast in 2008, some 25 million nationwide. In 2016, that should grow to 33%, 46 million ballots.

Millennials are ethnically diverse and politically progressive. That means there is fundamental change in the makeup of the people you represent. In 1988, Conservatives outnumbered Progressives here by 14% among 18- to- 29-year-olds. In 2008, that shifted drastically with Progressives leading by 9% - a 23-point swing.

They also have a very different overall outlook.

64% of Millennials agree that:

“Religious faith should focus more on promoting tolerance, social justice, and peace in society, and less on opposing abortion or gay rights.”

Just 19% disagree.

54% of Millennials agree that:

“Our country has gone too far in mixing politics and religion and forcing religious values on people.”

Only 29% disagree.

I bring this to your attention because of what is, perhaps, the most germane point in your consideration of this bill:

How can you best represent you constituents when voting on it?

It boils down to this:

Will you vote for this bill on behalf of the aging members of your district not directly affected by it? Or will you represent the Millenials who will have to live with it?

And, to put this in the broadest terms -

Will you represent the future of Texas - or the past?

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