A Message From Michael Quinn Sullivan

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The urgency of “public policy” seems no longer quite so urgent, as one considers the tragedy visited to our brothers and sisters in Louisiana and Mississippi.

The stories were horrific: A man and his three children, newly homeless, wandering the flooded streets after losing their wife and mother. Six children, ages 18 months to six years, who had survived alone for an unknown period of time; their families likely dead.

This cannot be happening on our shores, and yet an easy day drive from my home in Austin, people are fighting for their lives in one of the worst natural disasters to strike our land.

There is no doubt one can lay much blame at a great many feet. Of course, in an article a year ago, National Geographic eerily predicted this very scenario (Read the article.)

But all the predictions and blame-casting are for naught when we consider the depth of human loss and suffering.

Amidst all the finger-pointing going on, real Texans simply stepped forward to help. Some friends decided to use their long weekend to drive to Houston and volunteer in the relief effort at the Astrodome. They were met by a long line of fellow Texans also there to help the cause.

In College Station, the university (like their counterparts in Austin and elsewhere) opened unused space for refugees. From the ranks of the Corps of Cadets – of which my pride at having once been a member has been again renewed – swelled to refurbish the arena set aside to house survivors not with field cots, but beds taken from their dorm rooms. How many cadets slept on the floor so a family could get their first comfortable rest in a week is unknown.

And at home, my daughters decided to dig out clothes to donate.

But I have never been more proud as a parent than when my oldest daughter, Rachel, wanted to give up one of her most valuable possessions: the red teddy bear named Rosy she often totes to bed. She hoped that a child who lost everything would love Rosy as much as she did.

Despite our protective, parental protest, she insisted. Rosy is headed to a relief station as this is written.

We can all help. Not with platitudes about programs or promises of political investigations. Instead, we can donate the cost of this week’s frivolous “business” lunch to the Red Cross. We can give the cash for our next movie to the Salvation Army. And we can send our clothes and toys.

In the next night or two, Rosy – not some ideological opinion or political pipedream – will bring a simple expression of love from one child to another who urgently needs it.

That may be the best public policy imaginable.

- Michael Quinn Sullivan, Vice President
msullivan@texaspolicy.com

This report highlights several existing successful restorative justice programs in Texas and offers recommendations based on effective restorative practices in other jurisdictions. Because crime is first and foremost an offense against the victim — victims should be provided with enhanced restitution, greater input in sentencing, and a mechanism for securing prosecution when local prosecutors decline to act. With the state's prisons approaching capacity with 150,000 inmates and more than half a million Texans on parole or probation, the key to reducing long-term incarceration and supervision costs is lowering the recidivism rate. This requires transforming, not simply warehousing, offenders through initiatives such as victim-offender interaction programs that emphasize accountability and penance.

Read the full Report

For the last eight months Texas has been the major battle ground in the telecom wars with the traditional phone companies and the cable industry going head-to-head over deregulation and access to millions of Texas consumers. All this means prices for video are likely to drop, and the high tech economy will expand as the competition attracts new capital, spurs product innovation and creates jobs.

Read the full Commentary

September 24, 2005
SPEECH: Foundation VP in Denton

September 27, 2005
SPEECH: Foundation President in Dallas

September 29, 2005
SPEECH: Foundation Research Director in Live Oak

October 17, 2005
SPEECH: Foundation President in Park Cities, TX.

October 27, 2005
SPEECH: Foundation's VP in Monaville, TX.

October 27, 2005
SPEECH: Foundation's President in Salado

November 09, 2005
SPEECH: Research Director in Georgetown

January 09, 2006
4th Annual Policy Orientation

January 10, 2006
4th Annual Policy Orientation

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