Happy Talk Like a Pirate Day

From Lone Star Times comes this jewel of erudition: today is International Talk Like a Pirate Day. And in honor of International Talk Like a Pirate Day, I will now re-post my immediately preceding post in Pirate.

Me dear matey, Playwriter Girl, asked me this question in a comment t' me latest post on th' Property Tax Appraisal Cap issue. Wonderful, an' very appropriate, question. Here's me answer:

1. Vote in th' Primary Election - If yer State Representative or State Senator be nay doin' his job well, this be th' time t' vote fer a better candidate from yer party. An', fer many districts in Texas an' on accoun' o' Texas be such a red state, th' primary election determines who will win th' general election. Votin' can be a form o' complaint, after all.
   
2. Vote in th' General Election - I know, 't goes without sayin', but I gotta say 't.
   
3. Communicate wi' yer State Representative - Become yer State Representative's best matey...or worst nightmare. Write th' lad's letters. Call th' lad's. Let th' lad's know what yer position be. Ask th' lad's what his position be. If 't differs from yours, ask th' lad's t' explain hisself. If he has nay credible explanation, ask th' lad's who he be supposed t' represent. If he has a credible explanation, ask th' lad's t' consider yer reasonin', an' again ask th' lad's who he be supposed t' represent. Look up his votin' record, or t' really get under his skin, ask th' lad's t' send ye a copy o' his votin' record. Be persistent. Ye be fundin' his (incredibly meager) salary wi' yer tax pieces o' eight. By th' way, I be absolutely 100% serious about this. If ye dasn't know who yer State Representative be, go here. This goes without sayin' also, but...be passionate about yer position, be prepared wi' articulate an' well-sourced facts t' support yer argument, an' always be respectful.
   
4. Communicate wi' yer State Senator - Yep, same song, second verse. If ye dasn't know who yer State Senator be go here.
   
5. Join squadrons o' similarly minded swabbies - Thar be power in numbers, after all. Attend a function sponsored by yer political party, or jus' go t' the'r web site an' sign up fer notifications. Make sure ye're comfortable wi' the'r message, an' add yer voice t' theirs. One squadron in particular that be focused on th' Appraisal Cap issue be CLOUT.
   
6. Complain in a public forum - Oh, they really hate this. Ye be seein', each committee in th' House (dasn't know about th' Senate) be required t' hold hearings about upcomin' legislation. An' th' public be welcome t' join th' chorus. If ye can stand 't, watch this video fer a prime example o' th' public wantin' t' speak (an' gettin' th' cold shoulder). Again, when ye complain, be passionate, be prepared (nothin' looks more lily livered than knee-jerk reactions on display), an' be respectful. This last one can be tough sometimes since so many o' these swabbies be havin' earned our unyieldin' scorn rather than our respect. Yet, fer whateretheir reasons may be (selfish or selfless), they be havin' put they's self up fer criticism in a public forum, an' fer that reason alone they deserve our respect.

Concernin' this last item, th' Task Force on Appraisal Reform be holdin' public hearings across th' state. Th' hearin' in Houston be scheduled fer November 16 (location TBD). Got 't on yer calendar?