Burnt Orange Report

I am strongly against redistricting, but let's not fret if they want to get rid of Hall. To quote an intelligent political leader, "Bring them on." Let them get rid of Hall! It is still a mystery to me why he calls himself a Democrat as he is the most conservative Democrat in Congress. I have had the displeasure of having him as my Representative since I have been interested in the political scene (nearly 2 years). I contacted him about the Iraq war (oppose it Ralph!); he sent me a form letter that simply regurgitated the GOP bile that deceived our nation. I asked him to oppose the PATRIOT act II (no response). I called him recently, passionately asking him to oppose repealing the estate tax. Yesterday I got a very interesting letter from him:
"Dear Chris:
Thank you for contacting me in support of permanent repeal of the estate tax...You will be pleased to know that I am an original cosponsor of H.R. 8, a bill that will permanently repeal the estate tax..."
Did I miss something here? This GOPesque method of persuasion (you said this--Remember??) does not work on the literate. If I sound bitter, it is because I am. I asked him to oppose the, at the time, $750 billion tax cuts. He sent me a response about his latest agricultural legislation.
I am a rank-and-file Democrat who would vote against Hall in the next election. Some would look as his seat in the House as a seat that does not belong to a Republican. I, as his constituent, see his seat as one that does not belong to a worthy politician--regardless of Party. I have no GOP sympathies, but given the choice between a Hutchinson like Republican and Hall, I would vote for the Republican simply to keep Hall out of the House.
This redistricting is wrong, simply put; however, I don't think one should waste any time or energy worrying about how to save Ralph's ass.

I really wouldn't mind seeing Hall go myself. It wouldn't be much of a loss. I would vote against him in a Democratic primary, but I'd probably vote for him in the general against a Republican, but I might just not vote in the race. I can tolerate conservative Democrats, like Charlie Stenholm.. I disagree with him a lot, but at least he votes with the Dem leadership on leadership votes. Hall doesn't. I don't know why he calls himself a Democrat anymore. So, good riddance. It would be unfortunate, however, to lose good congressmen in Max Sandlin, Jim Turner, Nick Lampson, Chet Edwards and Charlie Stenholm.

I know that most Democrats don't like Ralph. I don't like his politics either. But I am impressed in the way he represents his constituents through his office.

I am a former state Senate employee whose district overlaped with Ralph Hall's. I know his district and no other Democrat could win it. You go to towns like Bonham, and Tyler, and Canton, and Terrell, and I can show you people who received their VA benefits or social security benefits because of his office. If you go to his Rockwall office he will meet with you personally every friday if need be. It isn't all about politics, especially in small towns. I doubt whichever Republican takes his place will take so much pride in constituent service as he has. He has always supported state and local Democrats like former state Senators David Cain D-Dallas and Ted Lyon D-Mesquite and former state Rep. Keith Oakley D-Terrell. He has always contributed time and money to the local county Democratic party offices in his district. He just flatly disagrees with the direction of the national Democratic party. Yeah I wish he was more like Charles Stenholm or Max Sandlin. Ralph did vote against this year's budget. I understand ya'lls frustration with him, but he's a lot better than future Congressman Bob Deuell, or whoever replaces Ralph.