Editor’s Note: The following question was submitted to Daniel Miller for our recent Live Stream of “Late Night Coffee Talk with Daniel Miller.” We’re sharing it in full along with Daniel’s response for those who may have missed the broadcast.
While I understand and fully agree with the strategy of not pushing for filing of the T.I.R.A. bill this session, will we have the necessary muscle in the Texas Legislature to at least get a hearing on the bill when it is filed in a future session?
I ask this because despite multiple independence oriented bills being filed and getting hearings this session, despite multiple TNM News articles providing excellent talking points on the bills, and the availability of a convenient online form to make a supportive comment for House bills for those unable to get to Austin, a perusal of the witness list and the published online comments seem to be sadly lacking many names I can easily associate with the TNM.
The 89th session of the Texas legislature may have the appearance at times of a clown car driving through a kabuki theater performance, but these are still real bills which may become real laws with a real effect on the life and liberty of real Texans. Although our dream bill isn’t on the line this session, this session could serve as a practice field for TNM activists for when the real kickoff happens. I guess my question is, “How do we get them off the bench?”
Well, that got a lot longer a lot quicker than I intended. If this is too long for LNCT and/or you feel the question is one which is better addressed internally rather than on the public stage, that’s fine by me.
A short (I promise) aside… Tom Glass and I were the only witnesses testifying today in support of HB 3592 – restricting out-of-state campaign contributions for state, district, and local level offices in Texas. I shared with him the “Stockdale Paradox,” a belief and behavioral axiom I find more and more helpful as the 89th session drags on.
“You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end — which you can never afford to lose — with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they may be.” VADM James Stockdale, USN
Texas Forever! LGW! John Bolgiano
Daniel Miller’s Response:
John, you’ve hit on something that’s been on my mind a lot lately, and I appreciate you bringing it up. The Stockdale Paradox is exactly what we’re dealing with in the Texit movement. We have absolute faith that Texas will one day be independent, but we must confront the brutal facts of our current political reality.
The question about “legislative muscle” is spot on. Will we have what it takes when the time comes? The honest answer is: not yet. But we’re building it.
The Federal Government didn’t grow to its current monstrous size overnight. The erosion of our liberties and the centralization of power happened incrementally over decades. So too must our resistance and reassertion of Texas sovereignty grow incrementally. Every session, we make progress. Every cycle, we gain more supporters in the Legislature.
What concerns me is exactly what you’ve observed – the lack of TNM members showing up at committee hearings, submitting comments, and being visible during this session. This kabuki theater, as you aptly called it, is the perfect training ground for when we need to mobilize for TIRA.
How do we get people off the bench? Three ways:
First, we need to make the connection clear between these “smaller” sovereignty bills and the ultimate goal of independence. When a member understands that testifying for a bill restricting federal overreach is part of the same fight as TIRA, they’re more likely to show up.
Second, we need better organizational machinery. Getting people to Austin, coordinating testimony, and creating a visible presence requires systems and people dedicated to running those systems. We’re building that now, but we need more volunteers willing to take ownership of these tasks.
Third, we need to create a culture of action within our membership. Posting on social media about Texit isn’t enough. Real political change requires showing up – physically, repeatedly, and prepared.
The brutal fact is that political victories come to those who show up. When the TIRA bill is filed in a future session, we will need hundreds of TNM members packing committee rooms, thousands submitting comments, and relentless pressure on legislators. If we can’t mobilize for the “practice” bills now, we won’t be ready for the big game when it comes.
As for HB 3592 – restricting out-of-state campaign contributions – that bill is exactly the kind of legislation that supports our long-term goals. The ability for Texas politicians to make decisions for Texas without outside influence aligns perfectly with our mission. Thank you for being there to testify.
Texas Forever! Daniel Miller
Want to join the fight for Texas independence? Become a member of the Texas Nationalist Movement today at tnm.me/join and help us build the legislative muscle we need to make Texas a free and independent nation.
