Who Are Texas Leaders Really Representing? Power, Money, and Foreign Priorities

I live in Texas, and I watch our communities struggle in real time. Our power grids fail. Our schools are underfunded. Our cities can’t guarantee clean water or basic sanitation. And yet, somehow, there’s always money available when it comes to international interests. That contradiction isn’t accidental—it’s political. Budgets don’t lie. They expose exactly who matters and who doesn’t.I need to be clear about something: this isn’t theory for me, and it’s not detached analysis. This is about how power actually moves—and who it moves for.When I hear elected officials like Ted Cruz openly say that defending the interests of Israel is a top priority of their work in Congress, I don’t hear “strong leadership.” I hear a warning bell. Because representation is supposed to flow from the people who elected you—not from lobbyists with blank checks and foreign policy wish lists.For me, all of this connects. Foreign allegiance, misused tax dollars, and curriculum erasure aren’t separate problems—they’re symptoms of the same system. A system that tells Texans to tighten their belts while asking them to stay silent. I refuse that silence.Research Over Mesearch is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Three Things Every Texan Needs to Sit With Right NowI want to lay out three takeaways that I believe every Texas professional—and every engaged citizen—should be paying attention to. These aren’t abstract talking points. They directly affect how we’re represented, how our money is spent, and what our children are taught.1. Elected officials and foreign allegianceOne of the most uncomfortable realities I keep pointing to is how some of our elected officials openly frame their priorities. When U.S. Senators like Ted Cruz publicly declare that defending the interests of Israel is among their top responsibilities in Congress, it raises serious questions for me about representation and accountability.I’m not talking about casual support or diplomacy—I’m talking about a stated hierarchy of concern. When millions of dollars in lobbyist funding are involved, Texans have to ask: Who is really being represented? And whose needs get pushed to the side when foreign policy becomes more urgent than local survival?2. Texas tax dollars and misplaced prioritiesI also can’t ignore where our money is going. Texas has enormous unmet needs—education, infrastructure, public health, disaster preparedness. We’ve all lived through grid failures, water crises, and cities struggling to maintain basic sanitation.Yet, time and time again, billions of dollars are redirected toward international causes while essential services here at home remain underfunded. As someone rooted in Texas, I find it deeply troubling that reliable energy, safe schools, and functioning cities are treated like optional expenses instead of non-negotiables.Budgets are moral documents. They tell us exactly what leadership values—and who they’re willing to leave behind.3. Education and curriculum shiftsFinally, there’s what we’re teaching our children. Texas students are increasingly being asked to learn about international conflicts, including Palestine, even as critical parts of local and state history are quietly removed from the curriculum.I’m not opposed to global awareness. But I am concerned when students know more about far-away conflicts than about the histories, struggles, and movements that shaped the very communities they live in. What we choose to teach reflects our leadership’s priorities—and what they choose to erase says just as much.Why this mattersNone of these issues exist in isolation. They intersect in real ways that shape everyday life for Texans—how safe our neighborhoods are, how educated our kids become, and whether our voices actually matter in the halls of power.If you care about where public funds go, who elected officials are truly accountable to, and what values are being passed down to the next generation, then this conversation isn’t optional. It’s necessary.And it’s worth listening closely—before these decisions become even harder to undo. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theconsciouslee.substack.com/subscribe