I think I preferred being ignored over being manipulated.
Tuesday saw appearances by President Donald Trump and State Representative James Talarico. This Friday, Governor Greg Abbott is scheduled to visit Lubbock. Suddenly, the Hub City is a popular destination for politicians.
And frankly, the whole thing stinks like that occasional breeze coming off the cattle yards.
Here’s what bothers me.
Lubbock has traditionally been ignored by the political big shots. We’ve been treated like we’re too far away, too predictable, or just not important enough to warrant much attention. It was a little offensive back then, but this sudden burst of attention might be even more offensive.
Apparently, we’re important now that somebody needs something from us.
So what’s really going on?
It’s pretty simple. Lubbock is traditionally Republican territory, but Republicans are facing a much tougher fight in other parts of Texas. Their strategy is to run up the score in places where they already have an advantage.
Democrats, meanwhile, are trying to cut into those margins. They don’t necessarily have to win Lubbock. They just need to lose by less.
That’s it. That’s why we’re suddenly everybody’s favorite stop on the campaign trail.
We’re not necessarily being courted because of what Lubbock needs. We’re being courted because of what politicians need from Lubbock.
And that’s the part that really bothers me.
Where was all this attention when we needed something? Where were these politicians when we had real problems that needed real solutions? What exactly are we getting out of all these visits besides traffic headaches, political arguments, and a few campaign signs?
I would love to believe that all this attention means something positive for the Hub City. Unfortunately, I suspect we’ll be used for our votes and then hung out to dry when the election is over.
The politicians will move on to the next election, and we’ll be left with the same problems we had before they arrived.
Well, that and a little more animosity toward our friends and neighbors.
Like so many places across the country, Lubbock politics has become a game of my team versus your team. People are so busy cheering for their side that they sometimes forget to ask what either team is actually doing for them.
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Right now, the red team looks likely to run up the score in Lubbock, while the blue team hopes to pick up enough points here to help its chances across Texas.
And when the final whistle blows, both sides will tell us how important we were to their efforts.
I’d just like to know when Lubbock gets to win something.
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