On the subject of right-wing extremism in Texas

Purchase of Texas GOP Nearly Complete Dennis Bonnen played with fire and got burned by off-the-edge ideologues who now control Texas Republican leadership.

Whether Dennis Bonnen fell into a trap or helped plan the conspiracy, his demise as Texas State House Speaker sends a clear message from Empower Texans' mouthpiece Michael Quinn Sullivan and his billionaire benefactors to the entire Texas GOP:  If you aren’t with us, we will take you out.

Deep-pocketed ideologues' investment in the Texas GOP is paying off The big money behind the takeover of Texas Republicans belongs tofundamentalist oil baron Tim Dunn and a cadre of mega-wealthy extremists.  Their return on investment is almost complete.  For years, Dunn and the other deep-pocketed ideologues have spent millions of dollars through various dark money front groups – chiefly Empower Texans – to move Texas policy and politics so far to the right it would make Mussolini blush.  Dunn, Sullivan and the others have been on a mission to replace politicians they don’t like with ones who are willing to do their bidding.  Their brand of elected official includes those who believe that “rape is non-existent in marriage,” and others who really seem to enjoy filing legislation that endangers women.      Dunn bankrolled the rise of the Texas Tea Party.  He controls extremistLieutenant Governor Dan Patrick.  He and his cabal of right-wing donors have also given hundreds of thousands to manipulate Greg Abbott’s agenda. The ridiculous “bathroom bill” that could have caused the state economic disaster?   The draconian anti-choice measures designed to limit women’s access to health care?  The idiotic removal of local control from cities and counties to manage their own communities? All occurred thanks to Empower Texans funded by Dunn and wealthy extremists.