The Justice Charter and the (D)evolution of the Political Spectrum

Last year, Elon Musk shared a meme depicting the recent evolution of the political spectrum.  One “liberal” stick figure sprinted far left, morphed into a “progressive,” and accused his formerly “fellow” liberal stick figure of being a “bigot!”

The “conservative” stood by chuckling. 

That scene is playing out right now as the so-called “Justice Charter” (JC) makes its way onto the ballot in May’s election in San Antonio.

This proposition would at once prevent San Antonio enforcement of state marijuana and abortion laws, ban chokeholds and no-knock warrants by police, codify the cite & release program for low-level crimes, and create a Justice Director position to manage it all.

Nearly every section has stirred some controversy, as well as the fact that they’re all bundled together.  Since that appears to violate Texas procedural law, the Texas Alliance for Life “filed an emergency petition asking the Texas Supreme Court to require separate votes for each of its provisions.”

Enter the press.

A couple of members from our board spoke at the city council proceedings certifying for the ballot the petition drive that made the JC a reality.  The San Antonio Express-News labeled us as “conservative-leaning.”

We are a non-partisan 501(c)3 with board members of varied political affiliation.  We are all about freedom, which needs no partisan defense.  We reach out and engage with anyone or group who has concerns about our community, and who respects others’ core human rights and freedoms. 

Groups like Act4SA however, take an all-or-nothing approach. 

Grouping the six charter amendments together as one, rather than doing them separately, drives a single wedge between citizens.  Rather than finding multiple, various areas of common ground, we’re forced into two camps. 

That makes it easier to control the narrative.  Partisan labels become easier to apply.  The media stokes the flames.  Real progress becomes a casualty.    

It didn’t have to be this way.

Our board and fellow Infusiasts are a diverse bunch, much like our community.  There are some portions of the JC where we all agree.  Others have created spirited discussions.  On the rest, we’ll part ways in the voting booth.

As one proposition on the ballot though, we are unified in opposition.  The bad outweigh the good.     

Groups like Act4SA and their fellow travelers may claim to want to make progress.  Their actions however, lead one to believe that their priority is to force you to accept their definition of “progress.”