'Death Star' State: The GOP's War on Democracy (TRAILER)

A battle for the future of democracy is raging in Greg Abbott's Texas. In the summer of 2023, amid a deadly, record-breaking global heatwave, Republican Governor Abbott signed a bill that eliminated mandated water breaks for outdoor workers. When TRNN's Marc Steiner traveled to Texas to investigate this shocking story, he quickly learned that eliminating water breaks was just the tip of the iceberg. What House Bill 2127, known by opponents as the "Death Star Bill," actually does, and what it will actually mean for the people of Texas, is much more sinister. And people across the state, from unions and migrant justice groups to Democratic legislators and Republican Mayors, are pissed. In this special documentary report, "‘Death Star’ State: The GOP’s War on Democracy," Steiner reports from Austin and San Antonio on the state GOP's massive, authoritarian, corporate-serving power grab, stripping the people’s right to govern themselves and consolidating power in the Statehouse, the Governor’s Office, and the Chamber of Commerce.

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[Flat]

How did this happen you ask? It’s sad to say but 9 million Texans didn’t vote in the last gubernatorial race.

[reubenhandel]

But...weren’t you demanding that these people working outside in the heat wear cloth masks all day?

[darthnatas]

Mommy, do I need to drink water when it's hot? Yes darling, here's your government issued sippy cup. Don't worry, Daddy government is watching over you, and will dictate your every move.

[JugglinJellyTake]

These employers need to be named and shamed.

[fredh]

Because they do not care about the working man. Oh, wait. Yes, they do care, they care that. Care about them making them money. We need to overthrow our government. We need a huge change now

[publicutility]

No worries the dems are sure to fix everything.

[MargaretCampbell]

This is so bad we wouldn’t have this in Australia

[BennyRuff]

Find the word democracy in the Constitution.

[bdbeats]

😂 the mental gymnastics you have to go through to make this make sense is insane. YOU DON'T NEED MORE GOVERNMENT AND BUREAUCRACY YOU NEED LESS.

[widescreen]

Lemme guess - they're not allowed time off to go vote

[curlielocks]

Modern day slavery? There must be more to this bill🤔

[adeebn.]

The United States is a representative democracy. This means that our government is elected by citizens. Here, citizens vote for their government officials. These officials represent the citizens’ ideas and concerns in government. Voting is one way to participate in our democracy. Citizens can also contact their officials when they want to support or change a law.
Voting in an election and contacting our elected officials are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy.

[ronbunch]

This sounds like a lie to stir the pot

[bricktop]

The WHOLE GOP huh? Melodramatic, hyperbolic BS is what this is.