Texas At The Edge Of The Empire

Keep breathing and keep building.

If you missed the “event” at Quantico this morning, it was as unhinged as one could expect. Pete Hegseth said, “No more fat generals in the Pentagon,” and talked about getting women and people of color out of the military. Following that, the orange one told the room full of generals that they were going to war in American cities.

• According to the V-Dem Institute, democracy in America has been on the decline since Trump’s first election.

The beginning of the end? Maybe, but I want to tell you why I’m staying Texas-first, why AIPAC is a Texas issue, why decentralizing TDP is about winning, and what we’re doing between now and 2026

I’ve been yelled at a lot this last week. Which, whatever, just a few fewer Christmas cards I won’t get. But with an authoritarian takeover rolling, Mango Mussolini declaring a “war” on our streets, prices climbing, jobs vanishing, and the mess at Quantico today, I owe you clarity about what I’m doing in the looming fall of Rome. I want to address a few points. Then I’m moving on.

I’ve always meant for this space (Lone Star Left) to stay Texas-centric. You don’t need me to echo DC takes when there are a million people already doing that. Sure, I’ll talk about Texas reps in Congress now and then, but unless I can bring something new to the table, I’m not wasting your time repeating the same old Capitol Hill chatter.

That doesn’t mean I’m tuned out. I’m chronically online too much not to be. However, I’ve always felt that what’s missing are Democrats who live and breathe Texas politics. That’s where I see value, in the elections, policy, and ongoing in the state.

If we lose elections altogether and America collapses, maybe I’ll write underground zines. Or perhaps I’ll be in jail for using my First Amendment right. Or maybe if America collapses, we won’t even have internet anymore, like North Korea. Until then, I’m sticking with what matters most. Flipping this state in 2026, talking policy that can win voters, like pushing Democrats to run on property tax reform, and building the case for getting out from under Texas’s fascist government.

Maybe America’s collapse doesn’t mean our demise. Perhaps we can rebuild a better America from the ashes.

Who knows what the fuck is going to happen at this point? An economic collapse for sure. But a complete societal collapse? A government collapse? A Civil War? WWIII? Don the Con is a loose cannon, but we all know that. And what happens with the rise of AI and the eventual emergence of AGI?

In 1967, a group of right-wing colonels overthrew the government in Greece and enacted a dictatorship, the Greek junta. Seven years later, it collapsed under a Turkish invasion, and the colonels gave the government back to the people. This is just one case in history where an authoritarian government was taken back without a Civil or Revolutionary War. There are other cases. I think it’s essential to be reminded of these historical times, as some on the left argue that revolution is the only way. But who knows what will happen at this point?

And because those gauges aren’t red yet, we organize.

As long as we have elections to look forward to in 2026, that’s my focus, including data and policy. Plus, I like talking about policy, even if President Poopy Pants is reversing every forward-looking one we’ve had in the last 100 years.

Another reason I was criticized this week was for discussing Talarico’s pledge not to accept AIPAC money. I was told Texas voters don’t care about AIPAC money, and I need to “stick to Texas issues.”

Is this true?

Here’s why Texans should care:

• Texas passed a law in 2017 to punish boycotts of Israel. Then it was narrowed in 2019 to be defended by Paxton. The Comptroller keeps a blacklist for contracting/investments. Representative Jon Rosenthal, the only Jewish House member, has attempted to repeal this law every year, always citing the First Amendment. P.S. Rosenthal just announced candidacy for Railroad Commissioner.

• Abbott threatened funding from San Marcos over a ceasefire resolution.

• Only 12% of Democrats approved of Israel’s Gaza campaign in a July 2025 Gallup poll.

• The majority of Democrats favored a permanent ceasefire and the conditionality of US aid.

When a Texas Democrat rejects AIPAC money or stakes out Gaza policy, that’s squarely a Texas story. It touches state law, party platforms, gubernatorial pressure on cities, and real voter coalitions here.

I oppose antisemitism in every form. I also oppose giving any lobby, AIPAC included, a free pass from scrutiny. Texans deserve to know who’s funding whom and why.

Then there’s the Texas Democratic Party drama. I took a call from someone who lit into me for supporting decentralization under Chair Kendall Scudder. I was called stupid, anti-worker, and a fake progressive. Then, I spoke with nearly a dozen SDEC and DNC members who support the move and, frankly, wish this reset had happened on Day One. The point is that winning elections in Texas matters more than whether a handful of Austin insiders keep their clout. Full stop.

Decentralization is not anti-worker, nor is it anti-union. Unions exist to secure fair pay, benefits, safety, and due process. I support severance guarantees, relocation assistance, bridge contracts, and genuine bargaining in good faith. I also support placing organizers, data staff, and communications personnel where Texans actually live. Changing a headquarters or splitting functions across Dallas, Austin, and Houston is a strategic call, not a union-busting scheme. It’s only “anti-worker” if you think the only workers who count are a few political staff in one city instead of the millions of Texans whose wages, health care, schools, and safety hinge on whether Democrats can finally win.

Some folks warned me I’d get “outed” as a fake progressive for saying that. Add me to the list with the Texas Progressive Caucus, which also backs decentralization. I don’t care. I care that a fascist government runs Texas, and people are dying because of it. Women are dying. Kids are hungry. Rural hospitals are closing. Public schools are under attack. That’s the emergency. If your first instinct in a five-alarm fire is to protect your Austin influence, I’m not the one who forgot what solidarity means.

So, here’s my intention as a creator and writer, while America cracks.

I’m going to tell the truth, take the heat, and keep pushing for a party that shows up everywhere, all year, with receipts. If that ruffles a few feathers, so be it. The rest of us have a state to save.

Texas is still holding elections, so I’m still holding the line on policy, organizing, and telling you the truth, even when it burns my mentions. We decentralize to reach voters. We scrutinize money because it shapes our races. We campaign on kitchen-table fixes and civil liberties because people are hurting now. You don’t have to agree with every tactic. But if you’re ready to turn receipts into wins, stick with me. We have a state to save.

• November 4: Constitutional/TX18/SD09 Election

• Who Will Be On The 2026 State Ballot?

• Who Will Be On The 2026 Federal Ballot?

• Click here to find out what Legislative districts you’re in.

LoneStarLeft is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Follow me on Facebook, TikTok, Threads, YouTube, and Instagram.