Kinky Friedman for Governor of Texas 2006

[Astronuc]

This item was briefly mentioned by E6S in
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=90771&highlight=Kinky

But here is an update.

http://www.kinkyfriedman.com/

http://www.kinkyfriedman.com/issues/

Issues:

Why vote for Kinky?

Why the he! not?
Texas politics stinks.

The parties sell themselves to big donors, lobbyists control the legislature's agenda, and the top fundraising groups in the state are being indicted for money laundering. Corruption and big money have such a chokehold that the two major parties blew $100 million in the last governor's race to elect a candidate to a job that pays $100,000 a year. And for all that money spent, less than 30% of us bothered to show up at the polls.

Why? Because it's hard to stand in line at the ballot box when neither candidate promises anything more than politics as usual. Texans are the most independent people in America, and if we're going to be inspired, the inspiration will come from someone unafraid to deal in new ideas and honest answers, an independent leader who let's the people call the plays instead of dancing to the tune of the money men.

That kind of leader is never going to look or sound like a politician. He won't steer by image polls, speak in hollow phrases approved by focus groups, or show up in hand-tailored suits.

You'll know him when you see him—true Texas leaders are unmistakable. After all, the last independent governor of Texas was Sam Houston. The next will be Kinky Friedman.

Can he pull it off - as an Independent??

 

[Astronuc]

Related to Kinky's ideas for Renewable Energy is Willie Nelson's Biodiesel Program!

No, we are not kidding! This is for real! :1thumbup

Kinky Friedman is promoting Renewable Energy in Texas, and he mentioned Willie Nelson's Biodiesel Program. They want to get at least 10% of Texans on biodiesel. School bus fleets could be converted to biodiesel. Trucks (a lot of those in Texas) could be operate on biodiesel.

This will reduce imports of oil from overseas.

http://www.wnbiodiesel.com/

http://www.wnbiodiesel.com/technology.html

http://www.wnbiodiesel.com/products.html

http://www.wnbiodiesel.com/company.html



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Willie Nelson's new gig: Biodiesel
Singer starts business that aims to get truckers on board
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6826994/

Willie Nelson Bets on Biodiesel
http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,66288,00.html

DALLAS -- "On the Road Again" means something new for Willie Nelson these days -- a chance for truckers to fill their tanks with clean-burning biodiesel fuel.

Nelson and three business partners recently formed a company called Willie Nelson's Biodiesel that is marketing the fuel to truck stops. The fuel is made from vegetable oils, mainly soybeans, and can be burned without modification to diesel engines.

It may be difficult to picture the 71-year-old hair-braided Texas rebel as an energy company executive, but the singer's new gig is in many ways about social responsibility -- and that is classic Nelson.

 

[Pengwuino]

With a name like that, i don't think so

 

[scott1]

With a name like that, i don't think so

It's Texas he might be able too.

 

[Ronnin]

It's Texas he might be able too.

Contrary to what some believe, this state isn't populated by 20 million yahoos, although we have our fair share just like everyone else. Kinky ranks right up there with Ross Perot and Clayton Williams. It takes more to get into the governors mansion than just collecting the designated number of signatures to get on a ballot. Unfortunately, between Perry, Bell, Rylander, and Kinky the choice is more “lesser of evils”.

 

[Astronuc]

But what about the issues and Kinky's position on the issues?

Education

Texas has the second-largest population of any state in the country and three of the ten largest cities. That's an awfully big cart to pull with the horsepower we're currently giving our kids in Texas schools. An educated workforce and top-notch schools are essential to keeping our state attractive to new business, but we're failing the test.

Healthcare

Texas ranks rock-bottom in providing for the basic needs of its youngest and poorest residents. More than one fifth of Texas children have no health insurance at all.

Renewable Energy

It's time for Texas to reclaim bragging rights as an energy icon. As governor, Kinky will accomplish that by encouraging investment and innovation in new methods of electricity generation and new fuels like biodiesel.

Think these are fringe technologies? Think again. Wind power plants, solar power arrays, and landfill gas capture systems are already in operation across Texas in cities from Fort Stockton to Fort Worth. Texas has been called "the Saudi Arabia of renewable energy," and firms from TXU to Kyocera are already clamoring for a piece of the action.

Political Reform Agenda
http://www.kinkyfriedman.com/issues/political_reform.html

 

[Ronnin]

There two key issues in this state that would help solve many of the others. Illegal immigration and the property tax system. If any of the candidates would make a REAL effort in solving these two issues they would have an open door to the mansion. unfortunately, I see no realistic resolution coming out of legislature.

 

[wasteofo2]

At the very least, Kinky will get a healthy second place finish. Perry's totally going to get below 40%.

Really, there's a chance Kinky can win. The most recent poll I saw was:
Perry - 40
Kinky - 21
Strayhorn - 20
Bell - 17

And that's a poll of likely voters. The kinds of people who'll vote for Kinky Friedman are not by any means likely voters. I really think that given a few more months of campaigning against the political system, he could pull off a surprise win.

Texas may not be a state of 20 million "yahoos", but if being a yahoo means voting for Kinky Friedman, then you don't need 20 million yahoos for him to be governor. In 2002, only 4.6 million people voted in the TX gubernatorial election. With 4 candidates, if Kinky could get about 1.5-2 million "yahoos" to vote for him, he'd become governor.

 

[Plastic Photon]

If Rick "How's the Hair" Perry can win an election, why not Kinky?

What he ought to do is campaign with the promise to put Willie Nelson in charge of Taxation!

 

[Echo 6 Sierra]

What he ought to do is campaign with the promise to put Willie Nelson in charge of Taxation!

Or the Agriculture Commission.

 

[Gokul43201]

Or the Agriculture Commission.

Now that will get out the hippie vote!

 

[Astronuc]

Now that will get out the hippie vote!

Which is pretty much limited to small enclaves in Austin.

 

[Echo 6 Sierra]

Now that will get out the hippie vote!

Haven't all the hippies died yet?

Which is pretty much limited to small enclaves in Austin.

Though true for the most part, there are more and more "Co-Ops" popping up in the triangle between Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio. You could probably squeeze a Libertarian vote or two out of them. As for Kinky's success, I'll venture to say that he will probably lose by an ever so slight margin. I only say this because the Hair-meister has all the big businesses wrapped up.