Blog

Wanted: County Chair

Brandon Kraft

Friends,

After much discernment, I have submitted my resignation as Travis County Chair to Jack Ternan, the state party chair. Our country is at an inflection point, and the need for a strong, viable third party is more significant than ever.

The American Solidarity Party is well-positioned as a reasonable and ethical meeting place between our country’s traditional two-sided political realm. I regret not being effective in this role to grow the Party within the greater Austin area.

Williamson County, originally part of the greater Austin area served by the Travis County Chair, will have its own chair soon. The incoming Travis County Chair will have a great partner and strong party leadership in San Antonio, Dallas, and elsewhere.

If you’re interested in serving this way, please contact State Leadership.

In Solidarity,
Brandon Kraft
Travis County Chair, 2022-2024

There Are Options

Brandon Kraft

Over 60 million people watched the debate between Former President Trump and Vice President Harris.

Many Republicans have also endorsed the Harris campaign.

If the Republican Party had a candidate who met the values, needs, and desires of those on the Right, if they had a candidate who was not invested in only himself and the power he was able to wield if they had a candidate who could even stay close to the topic without spreading blatant and easy-to-verify lies, would the Republican Party be splintering?

While the Democratic Party has been slightly more “big tent” in its approach this election cycle, there are still many who may actually agree with a fair amount of its platform yet are unable to support it due to particular positions. Personally, I know many Republicans who would likely be happy as Democrats if it wasn’t for one or two specific positions—namely, the sanctity of life from conception to natural death.

I know many Democrats who are pro-life yet would never support the Republican Party’s efforts in that realm due to the absolute hostility we have seen following Dobbs.

There are options. If you can’t, in good conscience, vote for Trump or Harris, check out Peter Sonski. His platform isn’t perfect, but there is a conscience behind it.

The Impeachment of Ken Paxton

Brandon Kraft

Today, the Texas Senate begins the impeachment trial of Ken Paxton, the Attorney General. The articles of impeachment sent by the House tell a story of a man who has disqualified himself from serving in state office and it is now up to the Senate to determine if he is guilty of what he has been accused.

I have my personal bias on what I think the outcome of the trial should be, but it is proper for our Senate to give the final word.

I applaud the members of the Texas House for breaking party loyalty to fulfill their solemn duty to the State and offer my prayers and encouragement that the Senate, no matter how they rule in the end, will treat this event with the same priority for the State, not Party.

Personally, I often disagree with Rick Perry, the former governor, but I agree with his recent op-ed in the Austin American-Statesman as he calls the Senate to fulfill their constitutional oath to Texans in handling this matter with all seriousness and without the sway of Ken Paxton and his friends donating heavily to senators in the recent weeks.

Expanding the political party system to third parties is a step in the right direction to ensuring that our fellow citizens are the first priority in governing officials, not their party. Another step in the right direction is for the Republican Party to hold their own to account.

Dignity to the Unborn, even when it is inconvenient

Brandon Kraft

Our State officials, who claim to be pro-life, should be ashamed of this situation where not only do supervisors ignore the medical concerns of an employee, not only ignore the medical concerns of a pregnant woman leading to the loss of her child, but then defend and argue that the child never had rights at all. At seven months of pregnancy.

We call on the Attorney General’s office to drop this line of “defense”. Our leaders, if they are to claim to be pro-life, should obviously use this as a time to explore how something like this should never happen and not fight the victims.

Houston Chronicle: Texas argues fetus does not have a right to life

What Does The Rail Strike Bill Mean?

Brandon Kraft

Last week, Congress adopted a measure that forces a deal between warring national freight railroads and their unions, averting a potential December 9th strike that could have crippled U.S. travel and commerce ahead of the busy holiday shopping season.

The overwhelmingly bipartisan 80-15 vote in the Senate and 290-137 vote in the House sent the measure to President Biden’s desk, which he signed. The lawmakers would not provide rail workers with any additional paid sick leave benefits that union leaders vigorously sought in recent months.

Can they still strike?

Legally, no. The Railway Labor Act, a 96-year-old law prevents railroad workers from striking in the interest of national defense. Any strikes from railway workers or their unions would be illegal or “wildcat” strikes.

Congress and the administration are forcing rail workers to accept a contract they didn’t negotiate, that they don’t want, and that still doesn’t guarantee paid sick days, and other safety concerns.

Why should I care?

  1. Solidarity: “Efforts by private entities to use public power to prevent union activities or to retaliate against workers who organize for their rights ought to be resisted at every level.” – American Solidarity Party Platform
  2. It affects you: the struggles of our rail workers affect our national supply chains. When rail workers are tired and sick, accidents happen, causing injuries and supply chain issues. Also, if this can happen to them it can happen to YOU! An injury to one is an injury to all.

What can we do?

As the bill has been signed into law, we can support rail workers if they decide to strike. Labor organizing and strikes, when necessary, are collective actions by workers.

Support policies and a society of worker ownership. That way decisions are made by workers. Not fat cat executives or congressional cronies. (Texas should create policies and laws to make worker-owned and cooperative businesses easier to establish and operate.- Texas Solidarity Party Platform)

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