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

Рет қаралды 14,322

Ай бұрын

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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Credits:
Hosted and Narrated by Marc Steiner
Directed by Maximillian Alvarez, Alexander Koffler, and Kayla Rivara
Written by Maximillian Alvarez and Marc Steiner
Filmed by Alexander Koffler
Post-Produced and Edited by Alexander Koffler
Audio Mastering by David Hebden
Special thanks to Jocelyn Dombroski, David Griscom, and Dharna Noor for providing additional production support.

Пікірлер: 286

@epacm50 Ай бұрын

Abbott needs to be recalled or impeached.

@ronaldcoleman9370 Ай бұрын

"TREASON" CHARGES AND "LIFE SENTENCES"!!!

@s.m6963 Ай бұрын

It's called racism, they know a majority of them are undocumented.

@kidplayinginthemud9284 Ай бұрын

Let’s deal with Joey Biden first. He is the real traitor.

@drganknstein 29 күн бұрын

Why? For the razor wire and trying to defend Texas from the invasion?

@jacklanham7311 Ай бұрын

Why do Texans keep voting these people in?

@michaelmiller7789 Ай бұрын

Because these people rig the system so they can win. I was notified in 2020 that my mail-in-vote was not counted because of some rule I didn’t follow. I bet many other Texans had this same issue.

@Cursed_Fruit Ай бұрын

All I can guess from living here is that most people don’t vote, and those few that do just care about forcing Christianity on people 🫠

@mikeneeley1284 Ай бұрын

@LoveyK Ай бұрын

Historically Texas Democrats didn’t vote. Fortunately Beto O’Roark is changing that. Currently he’s leading a “Stacy Abrams” style voters registration drive.

@DavidHamm-tg1te Ай бұрын

So Gross🤠😡🤠

@InfinateRadiant Ай бұрын

We live in a plutocratic duopoly. We never had democracy. What little sliver of democracy we had, we lost decades ago. You have to be utterly blind to not see that both parties are one and the same. Support the rich and corporations and war, screw the working man. It’s a pro wrestling match. One side plays the heel then the other. Class matters, not party lines. Wake up people.

@ryri51 Ай бұрын

This analysis is just nihilistic nonsense that ultimately helps the far right

@patden9197 Ай бұрын

@@ryri51And that's why there NO progress!! BOTH SIDES TOO TRIBAL!!!

@ryri51 Ай бұрын

@@patden9197 lmao no. One side is a bunch of backwards nationalists that want me and my friends dead and the other side wants to give everyone healthcare. The only tribalists are on the right. You are buying right wing propaganda when you say it is both sides.

@Placid_Cat Ай бұрын

@@ryri51 do you understand elections are won by those with the most funding and the funding received by politicians comes from rich donors with strings attached? these donors have the ability to fund both parties and get their policies pushed through no matter which side wins. unless you have two major donors with competing interests funding different parties it literally does not matter who wins. what each side says is simply marketing to their voter base. what they will do is determined by the alphabet institutions and the donors they entice on wall street.

@ct-hv1uz Ай бұрын

With the caveat that one side actually wants to take away your right to political speech, which will crush all hope of an alternative forever. Maybe keep voting liberal capitalism (Democrats) in so that we experience a soft crash that we can exploit to introduce political change instead of set the stage for an early crackdown when our pants are still down.

@PoliticalFacts-NoMAGA Ай бұрын

Corporate America needs us to survive. I think it's time we start to push back. Any ideas??

@Juonmydog Ай бұрын

Mass movement for ranked choice voting?

@Loku242 Ай бұрын

Just one, it shouldn't survive. We're passed the point of no return, either corporate america collapses so we aren't ruled by big money, or the world will give out and become incompatible for life. Something has to give.

@edwardanderson1053 Ай бұрын

Revoke corporate charters, easily done in any state legislature,thats why corporations seek centralized control.

@randellcornell4579 Ай бұрын

Yeah, QUIT!!!

@grmpEqweer Ай бұрын

Not sure. Unionization would help, but... Those who buy our government reps are all about getting more money. So we have to make their bad behavior cost them A LOT of money. Not just a 10 million dollar fine for, say, unaliving a few people. 10 million isn't much if a corporation pulls in more than that in a week.

@susanmcelwee5685 Ай бұрын

Caught all those rapists in Texas yet Abbott😅

@lwells3937 Ай бұрын

He made sure their victims will have to carry and deliver their babies

@3rdreichball525 29 күн бұрын

Same reason why California keeps putting people like Newsome in. Everyone is crazy

@drganknstein 29 күн бұрын

Just the illegal immigrant ones so far that Joe wanted here to vote dem

@kendawg1416 28 күн бұрын

@@drganknstein You guys still running with that shit? Jesus Christ!!! Oh, that's right, Alternative Facts! I'd forgotten

@kendawg1416 28 күн бұрын

How wheels was just bluffing

@duckthepolicemctx Ай бұрын

And texas prisons don't have air conditioning

@christophermatkins Ай бұрын

This is more important… than people who can walk away from a job

@duckthepolicemctx Ай бұрын

More important than what?

@Kimberly_Chappell Ай бұрын

Horrifying.

@archaicsage4803 Ай бұрын

Prison isn't supposed to be a cake-walk, it's supposed to be punishment that people do not want to relive.

@Kimberly_Chappell Ай бұрын

@@archaicsage4803 That is not true. Prisons are supposed to exist for the purpose of containment. The punishment is the time and the reason they don’t have air conditioning in prisons is the same reason they don’t want to provide people ON THE JOB with water breaks. Because they don’t want to PAY.💰

@PietroCozziTinin Ай бұрын

Texas should outlaw wheelchairs.

@MrTwenty20video Ай бұрын

😂

@eddiebrock7024 Ай бұрын

😂😂😂 lmao

@satsuma77009 Ай бұрын

Outlaw and deport Governor Hot Wheels.

@re4477 Ай бұрын

😂😂😂! Savage!

@David-qc1zp Ай бұрын

Gay Abby got to Go! 🤠

@mmberkob Ай бұрын

And just as a heat dome is set to descend on the US!

@martiwaterman1437 Ай бұрын

Greg Abbot wants you to stop heat stroking and get back to work.

@duckthepolicemctx Ай бұрын

At least the workers can quit and stay alive....prisoners don't have that ability

@adrian-gr8hg Ай бұрын

We need government involvement in labor hands down.... America needs more unions.

@hime273 Ай бұрын

🤡

@Loku242 Ай бұрын

Government IS involving itself in labor, corporations whip the backs of workers, and the government rode in on a white horse and proclaimed "Enough, you selfish greedy oppressors and parasites" and proceeds to beat down the worker to save the corporation while saying "how dare they demand basic needs like food, water, and a home. How dare they speak out against the poor helpless corporation, how dare they believe they have the gall to unite and resist their betters." Government then cuts out the tongues of the workers so they could not speak, then mounts his white horse and rides off into the sunset, satisfied that his job is done

@MrTwenty20video Ай бұрын

Very good presentation. I appreciate the work of all involved. 💪

@freemanofTx3rdRangersLTW Ай бұрын

where is Texas workforce that backs the peoples rights. That’s right in the pocket of the politicians

@jarvissheeler6624 Ай бұрын

Florida did the same. Our governor claims it's woke? Whatever that means?

@MargaretCampbell583 Ай бұрын

De santis?

@kosmokritikos9299 Ай бұрын

Woke means kind, considerate, compassionate, empathetic, rational and knowledgeable. All things that they despise.

@SixOneNiner23 Ай бұрын

Criminals won

@idontknowanymore8968 Ай бұрын

Thanks for this. I'm in central Texas, born and raised. I voted for BETO. Hope he runs again. This is so scary.

@kendawg1416 28 күн бұрын

Beto's already damaged. I am not saying you are not right or that he's bad, but perception for some is reality

@KushiteComplex Ай бұрын

Republicans and Naz!s look very much alike.

@swhaht6807 Ай бұрын

They are textbook fascists.

@epacm50 Ай бұрын

Death star actually eliminates pedestrian protections on intersection crosswalks.

@grmpEqweer Ай бұрын

Well, dang! Those pedestrians just need to open carry their firearms! I'm joking. But not actually entirely joking. A vehicle is a de ad ly weapon.

@junanougues Ай бұрын

Texas is in Death Star play. It's also very early in the summer for these hot temperatures. And wait for Florida's ocean temperatures to top in at hot tub levels. When will people wake up?

@tixuas1 Ай бұрын

Decline of the American Empire…Chickens coming home to roost… Our choice is Trump or Biden…Democracy at its highest… God bless America…🎉

@junanougues Ай бұрын

@tixuas1 Er, no, Felon One is a toxic choice that will blow up American Democracy into smithereens. So there is really only one choice - if you prefer the rule of law over rule of gangster.

@junanougues Ай бұрын

Er, no, Felon One is a toxic choice that will blow up American Democracy into smithereens. So there is really only one choice - if you prefer the rule of law over rule of gangster.

@junanougues 29 күн бұрын

@@tixuas1 Felon One is not the same as Joe. Two different human categories, nature friendly and toxic.

@jayleeper1512 Ай бұрын

Record heat wave over most of the country while my garden in the North West got wiped out by frost less than a week from the solstice. Never seen that before. Crazy weather.

@LoveyK Ай бұрын

San Antonio, Texas has had mandatory water restrictions and conservation policies for decades. Not all of Texas is insanely Republican.

@grmpEqweer Ай бұрын

Ken Paxton really, REALLY hates voters in Harris County.

@deborahmagana5039 Ай бұрын

Good report

@MrTwenty20video Ай бұрын

I agree 👍

@mzlopeze Ай бұрын

Good luck Texans!

@sugaronmychurro Ай бұрын

Vote blue across the board.

@mlmallory2780 Ай бұрын

@@sugaronmychurro No, vote out the globalists in both parties!

@onionboy7461 Ай бұрын

Both the reporting and the commentary / outlook in this piece are exceptional! Bravo!

@fosterfamilyfaith Ай бұрын

Fight right wing lies. Oh man so funny. Reject ALL the lies.

@Loku242 Ай бұрын

America is three corporations in a trenchcoat posing as a country, a total farce. The rich can get the government to even legalize fullblown murder and mass death by corporate hands just by throwing money at it. Death by outlawing water breaks in a heatwave is a corporate death mandate.

@jdrissel Ай бұрын

It is insane that local rules are banned in Texas. There are EIGHT distinct climate zones in Texas, so local work rules make more sense here than most other states. Lord knows we already have more heat deaths than anywhere else.

@edwardanderson1053 Ай бұрын

Ok living in Texas , except for the desert way south and west we have had above average rainfall and cooler temperatures than most summers so far, otherwise yes Texas is a post colonial Fascist state.

@Gibsonseven Ай бұрын

Isn’t the fact that Texas is 50th for the ease of being able to vote partly responsible for the drop in voting ?

@grmpEqweer Ай бұрын

Short answer: yes. Long answer: YESSSSS.

@stonergene 18 күн бұрын

They have the longest period of early voting out of all the states, which recently was made an even longer period of time. It doesnt really have anything to do with ease of voting. People just dont vote.

@ThomasSchwartz-km2nf Ай бұрын

Abbott needs a job workin out in the sunny fealds for min. Wage 12hour day payed once every 2weeks.

@KaiCo-oi3fh Ай бұрын

Great story, people must fight back against the uniparty of oligarchs!

@user-im8oc4us9p Ай бұрын

Gov desantis did the same in florida! Go Republicans good idea profits before people!! We are expendable....

@user-rc1ty7fn5e Ай бұрын

They're doing it in Florida, too.

@StateOfPurgatory Ай бұрын

Well said thank you

@robynlinquist7239 Ай бұрын

The devil likes it warm.

@BlackPyramid111 Ай бұрын

I worked doing construction labor in central Florida. Usually it was outside. Gotta have water for sure. We could all get water SOME workers would bring beer. We managed ...😎🌴 I liked the Sun Country wine coolers 🤪

@krysti2 Ай бұрын

Wow... that's the Best, most informative and interesting video I've seen in a long time...and I watch all day, every day.❤ 🎉🎉🎉❤😊

@epacm50 Ай бұрын

Texas did outlaw wheelchairs.

@ronsoderstrom7967 Ай бұрын

It's comforting to see ALL sides of the political spectrum doing what they've always done... Divide and conquer for the sake of the system.

@Getouttovote Ай бұрын

Your vote have power… use it

@JarheadMcLovin 28 күн бұрын

Honestly, Abbott should set the example, wear a suit and tie, including the jacket. Turn off the AC in all the state buildings, turn off the elevators, use the stairs.... and yes I know he's in a wheelchair but that's no excuse.

@stonergene 18 күн бұрын

Most of the people in this country over 45 years old grew up in households and went to schools with no AC. I think theyll be fine.

@JarheadMcLovin 18 күн бұрын

@@stonergene Most people can take a water break especially on a 115° day but not in Texas or Florida. Even in the Army and Marines when the temps hit a certain level, water breaks are mandatory but I guess Abbott and DeSantis know more than the military.

@stonergene 18 күн бұрын

@@JarheadMcLovinYou may want to read the bill. It doesnt say anywhere that workers arent allowed to carry their own water with them, allowing workers to drink whenever/wherever theyd like. In fact, it doesnt say anything about water at all. You might think preemption shouldnt exist in this circumstance, but the ordinances happen to be in addition to state law regarding breaks in general, which happen to coincide with the length of time in which workers are already allowed breaks. All it does is eliminate redundancy as well as reinforce preemption of laws already in place. Employers have their own policies in place regarding the issue of safety, and the state signed off on that agreement when the contracts were signed. Safety is also regulated by OSHA, which TX cannot skirt. Im not sure why theres a need for a 4th or 5th party involved when it comes to regulating something thats already available to workers. Youve been fed falsehoods and you ate it up. Do better.

@richardgonzalez6075 Ай бұрын

These actions of Greg Abbott or lack of goes to show how little he thinks of the common hard working person! He and others of the GOP have got to be voted out asap! They just don’t care except for what’s good for them! Vote blue!

@Daylight-nu3rt Ай бұрын

The dems are no better.

@eddiebrock7024 Ай бұрын

& Dems do jack shit about anything but complain. 2 sides, same coin

@mlmallory2780 Ай бұрын

Don't vote for globalists in either party!

@sharonevans8765 Ай бұрын

Wonderful!!!

@DrDonnyTheBookofYou Ай бұрын

JUST REMEMBER, THIS CHANNEL CANCELLED CHRIS HEDGES TO ONLY FOCUS ON THE REPUBLICANS!!!!!!

@kendawg1416 28 күн бұрын

When??????

@Owl350 18 күн бұрын

With a duopoly to vote for that is both BRIBED by the same CONFLICTS-OF-INTEREST . I'm sure it's not just the GOP that's causing the problem !

@stonergene 18 күн бұрын

Most GOPs campaign donations come from in state donors. Democrats campaign donations come from all over the country and world. This is a known fact based on info that is available to the public.

@wytrose4602 Ай бұрын

Unbelievable totally unbelievable i have no one to vote for.

@timhjersted Ай бұрын

Fantastic film.

@tonjamarshall4842 29 күн бұрын

Can't we just kick Texas out of the Union?

@50tbug Ай бұрын

Governments LOVE to mandate this and ban that. Subsidize this thing and Sanction that thing - all for '"The Greater Good". I'm no fan of Gregg Abbott but maybe what he did was ban the mandate for water breaks. He didn't forbid workers from taking water breaks or carrying water with them on the job. Employees need to defend their right to hydrate themselves as needed and fight employers that deny that right.

@epacm50 Ай бұрын

Thats what parliament looks like.

@johnnysanchez4456 29 күн бұрын

Governor, Ghoul Abbott?

@jeanetteberwick2434 Ай бұрын

Gop Dominance at state level,authorisation, we challenge a truthfull Debates 🕊🌹🕊🕊💯💪

@nobeoddy1664 Ай бұрын

LOL texas - you got it coming

@MakerBoyOldBoy Ай бұрын

My friend an important Mexican professor explained to me that Mexicans are still mad that Texas became part of the U.S. I replied that Americans don't like Texas at all and would gladly give it back. He chuckled and said that the way it is now Mexico wouldn't want it either!

@stonergene 18 күн бұрын

Yet they still line up to come here.

@noodles2459 Ай бұрын

Oh yeah we are fucked.

@Mark-gg6uj Ай бұрын

Well deserved record breaking heat for ungodly hypocrisy!

@CarlosIowa Ай бұрын

I still think Im right. If the South leaves the Union ...BYE! 😅

@dharmachile999 Ай бұрын

When you mix capitalists, christians and conservatives, nothing good can come of it.

@stonergene 18 күн бұрын

Here you are, typing away on a device distributed by capitalistic means and living under laws based on Judeo/Christian values/laws. When are you leaving?

@dharmachile999 18 күн бұрын

@@stonergene No time soon. I’m here to spread the Word on how a Worker can get a job, backed by a Union, and overcome the excesses of the Evil Triumvirate across Our Land. I may not be able to unite Citizens around the World, but I’ll do my best, here, in the Land of Diminishing Freedom, to bring its Workers together. The CCC doesn’t get me down!

@dariovictor6409 Ай бұрын

Damn immigrants 🙄. What global warming 🙄? Water breaks? Are you kidding me? I guess immigrants do come in handy after all 🤨. Abbott is half the man I am 🙂.

@PierretteMarie-celineTur-mo5nx Ай бұрын

AMMERICAINS HAPPY PATRIOTS FROM ALL COMMUNTYS ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ Please publish this video 😇😇😇😇😇😇😇 0:44

@pauldusa Ай бұрын

Texas never joined the union

@mtman2 Ай бұрын

Yes they tho still remain a Republic...!

@michaelmiller7789 Ай бұрын

Umm…..Texas entered the Union December 29, 1845. Stop banning books and read one please.

@sugaronmychurro Ай бұрын

As california proclaims it's republic via democratic dominant.

@erickillingsworth6307 Ай бұрын

Don't feed the beast ...

@whytchywooo Ай бұрын

What happened to proof reading? "Texas just yecorded..." Then to use it in a video... what is our world coming to?

@Yourmission9 Ай бұрын

Vote blue people! If not this maybe the last election cycle you get to vote

@newtkar4067 Ай бұрын

They evidentally like what they have in Abbot. They had a chance to change things last year but like most republican states they would vote to harm themselves bc they are straight up republicans. They vote republican before they vote for themselves and their state. Make it make since!

@Comannach.Ceilteach Ай бұрын

Who’s “They?” The population is not a hive mind. This shit is deeper than these bullshit elections you think matter

@mindoftheoldone1743 Ай бұрын

Same tactics 1000+ year's

@MargaretCampbell583 Ай бұрын

Who would live in a country that does this. Come to Australia where conditions are humane and we don’t run everything by money 😊

@grmpEqweer Ай бұрын

I looked emigration requirements up for Oz. Y'all ain't taking me unless I have $45,000 US dollars in the bank.

@justinfantastic4882 28 күн бұрын

We live in a republic not a democracy..fjb

@stonergene 18 күн бұрын

Our politicians live in the realm of democracy because our votes depend on whether or not they have a job. So when you hear politicians use the phrase "a threat to our democracy" what theyre really telling you is "a threat to our position of power".

@marktwain09 Ай бұрын

Im voting for the guy the entire government is afraid of

@rachael_grey Ай бұрын

Bernie Sanders, then?

@rcpilot179 Ай бұрын

As an American veteran, I will never vote for a convicted felon. That's f cking stupid.

@marktwain09 Ай бұрын

@@rcpilot179 labels are meaningless... If the govt tells you not to do something, u must be asking 100 questions

@gonesville6873 Ай бұрын

@@rcpilot179 🏳️‍🌈🤖

@Kevin_TN 29 күн бұрын

Loved by rich people though.

@politika8087 22 күн бұрын

Textbook totalitarianism

@DuderofDudeness Ай бұрын

😂 RNN becoming more and more like CNN, Clinton and Reagan admins threw our democracy overseas.

@i-35vagabond56 Ай бұрын

I'll lay ya 5 he'll be Trump's running mate.

@grmpEqweer Ай бұрын

Ken Paxton is in the running for VP.

@melodymcminn4107 Ай бұрын

KENNEDY 2024 1000%

@hehheh382 Ай бұрын

WOW so original. much sovereign thought.

@antiquemechanic1 Ай бұрын

Vote Blue.💙💙💙💙💙

@augurcybernaut4785 Ай бұрын

This report is 🗑️ You can’t both for and against Qualified Immunity.

@mtman2 Ай бұрын

This's not real people about real issues just digging

@user-qk6di6wg9l Ай бұрын

GOD BLESS TEXAS and FJB

@radman1136 Ай бұрын

Got rid of Chris Hedges. I'm gone too! UNSUBSCRIBED.

@melodymcminn4107 Ай бұрын

Texas is no worse off than New Mexico or Louisiana.. Texas is HOT!! But it is not worse than other states. Try living in Kingman Arizona for starters. :P

@mittenstatemedia Ай бұрын

So we should just have the government regulate companies out of business and drive up the cost on goods? Look at the new regulations being put on the auto industry that is going to raise the cost of vehicles. By putting all sorts of regulations is one reason why so many jobs leave certain areas. Remember the phrase "we're from the government and here to help".

@jean-francoismorin9337 Ай бұрын

Regulation is there to protect the people and the environment! Jobs leave because of limitless greed of shareholders!

@jamesslagowski1109 Ай бұрын

BS, I lived in NM on the Texas border from 2004 to 2015. We had several years of 100+ temperatures for over 100 days and I worked for a Utility. We had no issues of heat stress as the company provided areas for rest and lunch that were not in the heat.

@sugaronmychurro Ай бұрын

Try working on a fracing job where the daily is 104° tops. But when you got 40+ pump trucks running full throttle and other accessories outside of that perimeter. Temperatures hit up to 150° on that pad as you walk around looking for the devil.

@ken2tou Ай бұрын

This is propaganda. BS!

@christophermatkins Ай бұрын

Far right lies and far left lies too . The worker should know when they need a break. If it’s too many times that up the employer . But at the same time if the employer is too strict they will loose lots of good help. Let the free market decide . We don’t need more regulation!!!!

@cantonlowlifemedia Ай бұрын

I'm glad I live in an area that will still be liveable despite climate change. We're definitely seeing extreme changes, but nothing that's gonna be half as bad as the South or coastal States.

@wesleylemont6424 Ай бұрын

😂 Are you absolutely insane?