Kicking the money changers out

Kinky started off his Texas Independence Day speech by comparing the situation in the capitol to one of the major scenes in the Bible.

"The money changers are in the temple, folks," he said. "The lobbyists and moneymen corrupt politicians are in charge, and it's time to get them out." The Kinkster spoke about Sugar Land Congressman (and political corruption poster-child) Tom Delay, citing him as only the most prominent example of a broken two-party system.

"People like Tom Delay aren't born that way," Kinky told the Mother Egan's crowd of about a hundred, they're created by a system that rewards corruption and laziness and unending partisan bickering. "The only time the Democrats and Republicans get off their asses these days is to attack each other," he said. "That's why I call them 'the Crips and the Bloods'...Tom Delay just forgot that he's not there to fight, he's there to work for the people of Texas."

It being Texas Independence Day, talk of revolution was in the air. Taking government back for the people through citizen participation was the theme of the evening, as Kinky and members of his staff got up one after the other to talk about the petition drive and the opportunity it presents for everyone in Texas to help, in Kinky's words "make this state beautiful again."

"The magic number is 45,540," Kinky said. "That's what we need to give every Texan a real voice." Volunteers distributed yellow handbills advertising the petition drive kick off all over the bar. Before Kinky turned off the mic to answer questions one-on-one, a woman in the back asked a question.

"When you're governor, are you going to pass a law making Texas Independence Day a state holiday?" Kinky barely paused before tipping his hat.

"Sounds like a good idea," he replied.