Dewhurst balks at Perry's push for more tax relief
Patrick's abortion bill advances despite criticism
House bill OKs religious expression on campus
Senate passes shield law after adding a few loopholes
Top 10% admissions cap proposal moves ahead in Senate
Appraisals up 7%, but tax bills should shrink
Hamas Fires Rockets at Israel After Declaring End to 5-Month Truce
Hamas Calls for New Terror Attacks on Israel
Rep. Hunter Calls on Harry Reid to Step Down as Senate Majority Leader
Supreme Court to weigh fate of Houston teens' killer
Conservative Sarkozy and Socialist Royal Face Off in French Presidential Election
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Another Event we should never forget but probably will
Monday, April 16th 2007…. A day that in any other normal year, would be the day that citizens of the United States would be sending their Income Tax Returns to Uncle Sam. However 
instead we were again shocked horrified and sadden by a brutal shooting spree at a school. This time instead of some irate parent or student at some high school in some small town USA, we are confronted with over thirty people shot to death at a university. And this was not just some small country college; no this was at one of the major state universities, Virginia Tech.
Now as I sit here and compose this article, I have come to one very unfortunate realization about the world that we live in, and that is the fact that people today are so addicted to instant access news and information that, they cannot stand to wait and allow police the time needed to do their jobs and get the answers to this crime. This is not the first time, nor will it probably be the last time that some crime or news event is broadcast and before the ink is even dry on the paper that the story is written on, there will be rampant speculation about everything about the event, and that the event will have been tried in the court of public opinion to the point that it will be considered a dead horse in less than week. This is what happened with the Duke Lacrosse Rape case, the three young men were found guilty before a single shred of evidence was collected, and in the process the District Attorney, committed the biggest mistake a public official could make. He tried to use a hot button issue from his election campaign to cloud his judgement with how to run the investigation.
But back to Blacksburg, and the horror and pain that those people have gone through as well as what they will be going through in the near future. There will be many stories about the person
who did this, his whole life will be examined with a microscope, his friends and family will be harassed and bothered till they have no private life anymore, yet at the same time the stories about the true heroes will be told and forgotten faster than a four year old forgets where his shoes are. We will also forget about the 32 people that this gunman apparently shot down in cold blood before turning the weapon on himself. The saddest thing about this latest rampage through a learning institution is the fact that, someone somewhere will take this moment, one of mourning and sadness, and try to turn it into a political talking point. That and it will probably be someone who will stand up and demand tougher gun laws, or some other insane idea. This article right here is proof that people simply do not think before they open their mouths. The saddest thing about this event is that just like the WTC bombings of 1983, 9/11, the US Embassy Bombing in Lebanon, and many other events this one will eventually be forgotten by all but those that lost a loved one in the event, simply because society as a whole, and people in general, prefer to walk around and live life like a horse with blinkers on, seeing only what they need to, ignoring the fact that we live in a violent and confusing world, that has many problems that will not go away unless we are willing to put in the time and effort to make a difference.
Until that happens things will remain the same and the VTech massacre, will eventually fade into the pages of our history, forgotten by all but those that were directly touched by it.
My prayers are with the friends and families of those killed in Blacksburg yesterday, may they rest in peace, and may their families find the healing process is quick.
instead we were again shocked horrified and sadden by a brutal shooting spree at a school. This time instead of some irate parent or student at some high school in some small town USA, we are confronted with over thirty people shot to death at a university. And this was not just some small country college; no this was at one of the major state universities, Virginia Tech. Now as I sit here and compose this article, I have come to one very unfortunate realization about the world that we live in, and that is the fact that people today are so addicted to instant access news and information that, they cannot stand to wait and allow police the time needed to do their jobs and get the answers to this crime. This is not the first time, nor will it probably be the last time that some crime or news event is broadcast and before the ink is even dry on the paper that the story is written on, there will be rampant speculation about everything about the event, and that the event will have been tried in the court of public opinion to the point that it will be considered a dead horse in less than week. This is what happened with the Duke Lacrosse Rape case, the three young men were found guilty before a single shred of evidence was collected, and in the process the District Attorney, committed the biggest mistake a public official could make. He tried to use a hot button issue from his election campaign to cloud his judgement with how to run the investigation.
But back to Blacksburg, and the horror and pain that those people have gone through as well as what they will be going through in the near future. There will be many stories about the person
who did this, his whole life will be examined with a microscope, his friends and family will be harassed and bothered till they have no private life anymore, yet at the same time the stories about the true heroes will be told and forgotten faster than a four year old forgets where his shoes are. We will also forget about the 32 people that this gunman apparently shot down in cold blood before turning the weapon on himself. The saddest thing about this latest rampage through a learning institution is the fact that, someone somewhere will take this moment, one of mourning and sadness, and try to turn it into a political talking point. That and it will probably be someone who will stand up and demand tougher gun laws, or some other insane idea. This article right here is proof that people simply do not think before they open their mouths. The saddest thing about this event is that just like the WTC bombings of 1983, 9/11, the US Embassy Bombing in Lebanon, and many other events this one will eventually be forgotten by all but those that lost a loved one in the event, simply because society as a whole, and people in general, prefer to walk around and live life like a horse with blinkers on, seeing only what they need to, ignoring the fact that we live in a violent and confusing world, that has many problems that will not go away unless we are willing to put in the time and effort to make a difference. Until that happens things will remain the same and the VTech massacre, will eventually fade into the pages of our history, forgotten by all but those that were directly touched by it.
My prayers are with the friends and families of those killed in Blacksburg yesterday, may they rest in peace, and may their families find the healing process is quick.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Jason Whitlock Hits another Home Run when discussing Race
Jason Whitlock, is 2 for 2 with 2 home runs. Now he is not a baseball player he is a writer for the Kansas City Star, as well as a contributor on ESPN, and AOL. For those that do not know him here is a little more background:
So why do I think that he has knocked the ball out of the park 2 times? Well it simply has to do with the fact that here is a black man who is not afraid to call out those of his race when he sees
them acting like fools, or doing things that he sees as detrimental to either the black community, race relations or both. However when he does this he also opens himself up for the inevitable cheap shots that come from the poverty pimps, race baiters, and appologists. That does not seem to bother Jason, and I applaud him for his courage of convictions and his willingness to call a spade a spade ( and yes I did use that word ) I do not care one single bit. Whitlock along with a few other influential Blacks have stood up and have said the same thing that most conservatives have said for the past 40 years, the black community needs to be responsible for itself, and that goes all the way down to the individual. And until this happens there will always be people like Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson willing to step up and make money off of the misfortunes of any and all minorities.
However enough of my bitching about the poverty pimps and their actions, and back to Jason and the articles. Anyone who follows sports knows about Adam "Pacman" Jones the corner back for the Tennessee Titans who was just suspended for the whole NFL season because of his 10 off the field events that have required police intervention. Now these 10 events have happened in less than 2 full years, and do not include several other run ins that he had during college. For there full details of the final straw you can read Whitlock's article entitled : Mayhem Main Event at NBA All-Star Weekend . Here are a couple of quotes.
Well when noise from that article died down Don Imus decided to open his mouth and insert his foot up to his knee, by calling the Rutgers women's basketball team a bunch of "nappy headed Ho's". Now all of a sudden the poverty pimps have a new target, Imus. Now I do not condone what Imus said, however there are at least 20 or more "singers" who have songs out that say a whole hell of a lot of things that are worse, but you do not hear anybody from the black community say anything about that because it would be wrong to hold the black community accountable for it's own poor behavior, let alone expect the "leaders" to set the proper example. That is where Whitlock's second article comes in: Don Imus is not the real story
So you see where this is all going. Jason Whitlock is calling these people to the carpet and demanding accountability in the black community. Bill Cosby has taken heat for doing the same thing, however both of these men have done something that very few people can or are willing to do, and that is stand up to those in power and tell them that they are wrong, and reach out to the general public and try to wake them up to the reality of things, and get them to stop living in the past. If or when the black community as a whole wakes up and sees what 40+ years of blindly following the democrats and the liberal agenda has done to their community, you will see a drastic shift in support to the conservative mind set, and the black communities that right now are shunned, by most will become thriving centers of hope, life and energy that has not been seen in this country in a long time. Just wait, it is going to happen, and it will happen a lot sooner than most liberals think.
Think you know it all? Not until you read Jason. Jason Whitlock has been creating water-cooler conversation in Kansas City since his arrival at The Star in 1994. His award-winning newspaper columns shock the funny bone, challenge conventional wisdom and cause readers to re-think their positions
So why do I think that he has knocked the ball out of the park 2 times? Well it simply has to do with the fact that here is a black man who is not afraid to call out those of his race when he sees
them acting like fools, or doing things that he sees as detrimental to either the black community, race relations or both. However when he does this he also opens himself up for the inevitable cheap shots that come from the poverty pimps, race baiters, and appologists. That does not seem to bother Jason, and I applaud him for his courage of convictions and his willingness to call a spade a spade ( and yes I did use that word ) I do not care one single bit. Whitlock along with a few other influential Blacks have stood up and have said the same thing that most conservatives have said for the past 40 years, the black community needs to be responsible for itself, and that goes all the way down to the individual. And until this happens there will always be people like Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson willing to step up and make money off of the misfortunes of any and all minorities.However enough of my bitching about the poverty pimps and their actions, and back to Jason and the articles. Anyone who follows sports knows about Adam "Pacman" Jones the corner back for the Tennessee Titans who was just suspended for the whole NFL season because of his 10 off the field events that have required police intervention. Now these 10 events have happened in less than 2 full years, and do not include several other run ins that he had during college. For there full details of the final straw you can read Whitlock's article entitled : Mayhem Main Event at NBA All-Star Weekend . Here are a couple of quotes.
Now that article generated a lot of heat especially from those that are trying to protect the NBA, however now that the full story about "Pacman" and his trash bag of 1's has hit the press, even the NFL players association has called for stronger guidelines for behavior off the field, all year. There is finally some accountability that is being delivered to these over paid children for their actions.NBA All-Star Weekend in Vegas was an unmitigated failure, and any thoughts of taking the extravaganza to New Orleans in 2008 are total lunacy.
An event planned to showcase what is right about professional basketball has been turned into a 72-hour display of why commissioner David Stern can't sleep at night and spends his days thinking of rules to mask what the NBA has come to represent. Good luck fixing All-Star Weekend. The game is a sloppy, boring, half-hearted mess. The dunk contest is contrived and pointless. The celebrity contest is unintended comedy. And, worst of all, All-Star Weekend revelers have transformed the league's mid-season exhibition into the new millennium Freaknik, an out-of-control street party that features gun play, violence, non-stop weed smoke and general mayhem.
Well when noise from that article died down Don Imus decided to open his mouth and insert his foot up to his knee, by calling the Rutgers women's basketball team a bunch of "nappy headed Ho's". Now all of a sudden the poverty pimps have a new target, Imus. Now I do not condone what Imus said, however there are at least 20 or more "singers" who have songs out that say a whole hell of a lot of things that are worse, but you do not hear anybody from the black community say anything about that because it would be wrong to hold the black community accountable for it's own poor behavior, let alone expect the "leaders" to set the proper example. That is where Whitlock's second article comes in: Don Imus is not the real story
Thank you, Don Imus. You’ve given us (black people) an excuse to avoid our real problem. You’ve given Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson another opportunity topretend that the old fight, which is now the safe and lucrative fight, is still the most important fight in our push for true economic and social equality.
Thank you, Don Imus. You extended Black History Month to April, and we can once again wallow in victim hood, protest like it’s 1965 and delude ourselves into believing that fixing your hatred is more necessary than eradicating our self-hatred.
The bigots win again.
While we’re fixated on a bad joke cracked by an irrelevant, bad shock jock, I’m sure at least one of the marvelous young women on the Rutgers basketball team is somewhere snapping her fingers to the beat of 50 Cent’s or Snoop Dogg’s or Young Jeezy’s latest ode glorifying nappy-headed pimps and hos.
So you see where this is all going. Jason Whitlock is calling these people to the carpet and demanding accountability in the black community. Bill Cosby has taken heat for doing the same thing, however both of these men have done something that very few people can or are willing to do, and that is stand up to those in power and tell them that they are wrong, and reach out to the general public and try to wake them up to the reality of things, and get them to stop living in the past. If or when the black community as a whole wakes up and sees what 40+ years of blindly following the democrats and the liberal agenda has done to their community, you will see a drastic shift in support to the conservative mind set, and the black communities that right now are shunned, by most will become thriving centers of hope, life and energy that has not been seen in this country in a long time. Just wait, it is going to happen, and it will happen a lot sooner than most liberals think.
Friday, April 13, 2007
I wonder who actually looks at this
Over the past few weeks I have gotten the distinct feeling that there are certain people over at other sites that I visit that have decided to a) tune me out, b) deliberately provoke me through insults, or c) a combination of both. Now if it has come to the point that a majority of people or even a significant number of people on those sites feel that I am irrelevant then that is fine with me. I have no problem moving on and looking for other discussion groups, as well as others to share my ideas and concerns with. But at the same time I do not appreciate being ignored, and talked about as if I am not present. So.....
I have in the past gotten snippy with some people and I do regret it, to a certain point. I do not regret the honest and respectful discussions that I had with these people, however I guess that their actions and comments should let me know that I am not wanted nor are my perspectives appreciated, and that is fine. I'll move on.
So to all of those that I have shared my thoughts, ideas and concerns with over the past year I wish you good health, and good fortunes.
This may well be my last post here as well, I do not know if it is even worth the effort keeping this up if my perspective is not appreciated nor respected.
I am out.
I have in the past gotten snippy with some people and I do regret it, to a certain point. I do not regret the honest and respectful discussions that I had with these people, however I guess that their actions and comments should let me know that I am not wanted nor are my perspectives appreciated, and that is fine. I'll move on.
So to all of those that I have shared my thoughts, ideas and concerns with over the past year I wish you good health, and good fortunes.
This may well be my last post here as well, I do not know if it is even worth the effort keeping this up if my perspective is not appreciated nor respected.
I am out.
Monday, April 09, 2007
Bills on local tax limits languish, and Fred Hill still does not get it
Bills on local tax limits languish , the headline says it all, the Texas Legislature is again dragging its collective feet in getting meaningful property tax legislation sent up to the floor for debate. And again for the third legislative session in a row Fred Hill (RINO) Richardson shows just how stupid and arrogant he is.
I'll start with Mr. Hill who has been the bigest RINO on the plantation with regards to property Taxes. Here is his comments on the issue in the article
He thinks it is a bargain?, he thinks it is bad public policy to force taxing entities to have a strict budget? He seems to miss the point that if things do not change then people will start losing their homes because they cannot pay their taxes. What will happen then? Well I will bet that the classic snowball effect will take place. The tax rates will go up to cover for the missing income, and then more people will lose their homes or downsize. And eventually the strong housing market that we now have will implode worse than the 1980's real estate bust. Hill's comments also prove that he is pro-governement and anti-tax cut, and does not seem to understand that 99% of the people in the state of Texas have not seen an annual salary increase of over 5% in years. Just to prove that Mr. Hill has never been in the situation that most of you that will read this have been in here is a link to Mr. Hill's DCAD property record and you can see that his property value has been capped only 1 year in the past 8. Also look at the value and history and you can see that at about the time the appraisal cap issue came to the forefront of the state legislature Mr. Hill qualified for and was granted an OVER 65 exemption which for the most part has protected him from significant tax increases.
Now from that to the other head of this snake, the TAC and Elna Christopher.
Again the TAC and Ms. Christopher are a fountain of misinformation. First of all, the reason that TAC is against this is because it would force the 90% of counties, MUD Districts, and School Districts to become more responsable stewards with OUR MONEY, heaven forbid. Also it is not harming current budgets, all it would do is reduce the size of the raise that the county would get. I have said it before here shifting where the money comes from will not make the burden any less for the people who pay the taxes.
It is time for the citizens of Texas to step up and put some pressure on those in power to get the following bills out of committee and on to the floor of the Texas House and Senate for some honest debate and a vote up or down, so that we can see who is for giving the tax payers of the state a break and who is willing to side with TAC and other political cronies.
Here are links to the bills as well as a link to the committee that they have been sent to.
SB347: Would reduce the cap on how much property appraisals can increase, from 10 percent a year to 5 percent a year. Bill Text for SB347 and SJR 14
STATUS: Awaiting a hearing in a Senate committee. Finance Committee
HB2463: Would let homeowners pay property taxes based on the five-year average of their home's appraised value. Bill Text for HB2463
STATUS: Given a hearing in a House committee, but the panel has not voted on it. House Ways and Means
HB3534: Would cap how much local governments' revenue can increase, unless they let voters cast ballots on the issue. Bill Text for HB3543
STATUS: Awaiting a hearing in a House committee. House Ways and Means
SB270: Would require the disclosure of the sales price of real estate. Bill Text for SB270
STATUS: Scheduled for a hearing Wednesday in a Senate committee. Intergovernmental Regulations
SB407: Would allow voters to approve a sales-tax increase to offset a property tax cut. Bill Text SB407
STATUS: Awaiting a hearing in a Senate committee. Finance Committee
I'll start with Mr. Hill who has been the bigest RINO on the plantation with regards to property Taxes. Here is his comments on the issue in the article
"The House still has a whole lot of bills to deal with in the remaining weeks of the session, and I don't believe that appraisal caps or revenue caps will be among those that pass," said Rep. Fred Hill, who chairs the House Local Ways and Means Committee that has jurisdiction over many of the issues.
"In the last three years, the members have learned a lot about these subjects," he said. "It's not that we are opposed to doing something to relieve the property tax situation, but these bills don't really help and won't do anything to make government more efficient."
Mr. Hill, R-Richardson, called the proposals "bad public policy," pointing to studies showing that while Texas has one of the higher property tax loads in the country, it ranks 44th among the states in per capita tax burden.
"Texas is a bargain when it comes to taxes," he said.
He thinks it is a bargain?, he thinks it is bad public policy to force taxing entities to have a strict budget? He seems to miss the point that if things do not change then people will start losing their homes because they cannot pay their taxes. What will happen then? Well I will bet that the classic snowball effect will take place. The tax rates will go up to cover for the missing income, and then more people will lose their homes or downsize. And eventually the strong housing market that we now have will implode worse than the 1980's real estate bust. Hill's comments also prove that he is pro-governement and anti-tax cut, and does not seem to understand that 99% of the people in the state of Texas have not seen an annual salary increase of over 5% in years. Just to prove that Mr. Hill has never been in the situation that most of you that will read this have been in here is a link to Mr. Hill's DCAD property record and you can see that his property value has been capped only 1 year in the past 8. Also look at the value and history and you can see that at about the time the appraisal cap issue came to the forefront of the state legislature Mr. Hill qualified for and was granted an OVER 65 exemption which for the most part has protected him from significant tax increases.
Now from that to the other head of this snake, the TAC and Elna Christopher.
Elna Christopher, a spokeswoman for the Texas Association of Counties, said the group remains "very concerned" about the revenue cap measure. It would establish a 5 percent increase limit on annual revenues for cities and counties that could be exceeded only with voter approval. Currently, voters can petition for an election to roll back the property tax rate if the effective rate increases more than 8 percent in a given year.
"The counties believe it would be disastrous," Ms. Christopher said. City and county officials across the state have warned that priorities such as adequate police protection and economic development projects could be jeopardized if local officials lose control over their property tax rates.
Again the TAC and Ms. Christopher are a fountain of misinformation. First of all, the reason that TAC is against this is because it would force the 90% of counties, MUD Districts, and School Districts to become more responsable stewards with OUR MONEY, heaven forbid. Also it is not harming current budgets, all it would do is reduce the size of the raise that the county would get. I have said it before here shifting where the money comes from will not make the burden any less for the people who pay the taxes.
It is time for the citizens of Texas to step up and put some pressure on those in power to get the following bills out of committee and on to the floor of the Texas House and Senate for some honest debate and a vote up or down, so that we can see who is for giving the tax payers of the state a break and who is willing to side with TAC and other political cronies.
Here are links to the bills as well as a link to the committee that they have been sent to.
SB347: Would reduce the cap on how much property appraisals can increase, from 10 percent a year to 5 percent a year. Bill Text for SB347 and SJR 14
STATUS: Awaiting a hearing in a Senate committee. Finance Committee
HB2463: Would let homeowners pay property taxes based on the five-year average of their home's appraised value. Bill Text for HB2463
STATUS: Given a hearing in a House committee, but the panel has not voted on it. House Ways and Means
HB3534: Would cap how much local governments' revenue can increase, unless they let voters cast ballots on the issue. Bill Text for HB3543
STATUS: Awaiting a hearing in a House committee. House Ways and Means
SB270: Would require the disclosure of the sales price of real estate. Bill Text for SB270
STATUS: Scheduled for a hearing Wednesday in a Senate committee. Intergovernmental Regulations
SB407: Would allow voters to approve a sales-tax increase to offset a property tax cut. Bill Text SB407
STATUS: Awaiting a hearing in a Senate committee. Finance Committee
Book Review #4
Well I have taken some time while waiting for several books to hit the shelves to reach back into my large collection of books and pulled out a series that I found about 2 years ago. The series is the Star Risk Series by Chris Bunch. This is one of several series by Bunch, I have one other that I will talk about in a future review. But this book and series is very interesting because it is a science fiction story that is about half future military, half The A-Team
They're outnumbered, outgunned, and out of luck. But the mercenaries of Star Risk, Ltd. will take on any mission - no matter how dangerous - provided of course, the price is right. M'chel Riss spent eight years of her life in the Alliance Marines, earning the rank of major, only to be assigned to a desolate outpost in the middle of nowhere. Then a rescue mission brought some excitement to her otherwise quiet existence - and brought her to the attention of Star Risk, Ltd. A mercenary outfit struggling for recognition, Star Risk has the required ragtag bunch of misfits, including an alien willing to invest his life savings in the company. Now if only they can succeed with their first mission: to spring a dangerous super soldier trapped in a maximum-security prison. Why would Star Risk, Ltd., take on such an insane mission with so many odds stacked against them? Money, fame, glory ...but mostly the money.
The story pace is solid, there is some good character development, as well as a well defined universe from which the group operates. That being said there are times when Bunch seems to hurry things along instead of taking the time to develop the character or situation better. That being said as far as being a source of serious intellectual debate, the four and soon to be five books in this series are far from that. They are however the type of book that will pull you in and have you wondering what sort of crazy situation will this team of misfits get into next. The sad thing is book five will probably be the last since the author died in 2005. Our only hope is that the authors who finished book five want to continue to write stories for this series. I hope they do because there is so much that they could do, if they really wanted to persue the series.
I like the books and hope you find them enjoyable also.
They're outnumbered, outgunned, and out of luck. But the mercenaries of Star Risk, Ltd. will take on any mission - no matter how dangerous - provided of course, the price is right. M'chel Riss spent eight years of her life in the Alliance Marines, earning the rank of major, only to be assigned to a desolate outpost in the middle of nowhere. Then a rescue mission brought some excitement to her otherwise quiet existence - and brought her to the attention of Star Risk, Ltd. A mercenary outfit struggling for recognition, Star Risk has the required ragtag bunch of misfits, including an alien willing to invest his life savings in the company. Now if only they can succeed with their first mission: to spring a dangerous super soldier trapped in a maximum-security prison. Why would Star Risk, Ltd., take on such an insane mission with so many odds stacked against them? Money, fame, glory ...but mostly the money.The story pace is solid, there is some good character development, as well as a well defined universe from which the group operates. That being said there are times when Bunch seems to hurry things along instead of taking the time to develop the character or situation better. That being said as far as being a source of serious intellectual debate, the four and soon to be five books in this series are far from that. They are however the type of book that will pull you in and have you wondering what sort of crazy situation will this team of misfits get into next. The sad thing is book five will probably be the last since the author died in 2005. Our only hope is that the authors who finished book five want to continue to write stories for this series. I hope they do because there is so much that they could do, if they really wanted to persue the series.
I like the books and hope you find them enjoyable also.
Political hot Potato or the Third Rail of Politics
After writing my last article I started to think about what issues do the American Public see as critical to the future of the country that most politicians would not touch with a ten foot pole. You see there are issues that can be described as hot potato or third rail issues. These are issues that if you are a senator, congressman or a member of a state legislature, and you take them up and seriously try to push through changes, you are taking your political career into your own hands. Plain and simple these are things that if you make a wrong step you will be out on your backside maybe even before the next election. So here are what I see as the issues that can and sometimes kill the career of most conservatives.
1) Social Security Reform
2) Welfare Reforme - All types
3) Income Tax Reform
4) Immigration
5) Abortion
I know there are others but for the most part when ever a true conservative tries to make significant changes to any of these programs they are always walking on thin ice. And it is for that reason that I have always said that the best way to change these programs short of complete elimination is to make very small changes, that is how 90% of these programs were built and that is how they need to be dismantled as well.
But again this is a common sense approach to things and I beleive that those in Austin and DC lose that skill after being there for to long.
1) Social Security Reform
2) Welfare Reforme - All types
3) Income Tax Reform
4) Immigration
5) Abortion
I know there are others but for the most part when ever a true conservative tries to make significant changes to any of these programs they are always walking on thin ice. And it is for that reason that I have always said that the best way to change these programs short of complete elimination is to make very small changes, that is how 90% of these programs were built and that is how they need to be dismantled as well.
But again this is a common sense approach to things and I beleive that those in Austin and DC lose that skill after being there for to long.
Questions about immigration
Ever since 9/11 there has been an increase outcry from certain sectors of society demanding tougher immigration law enforcement. Stronger security on the borders, more inspections at the sea ports, as well as tighter security in airports have also been looked at and discussed. The biggest noise maker on both sides of the fence has been illegal immigration and the southern border of our country. There have been rallies both for and against changes in border security as well as immigration enforcement as well as the obvious irrational emotional outbursts on both sides. Well I am here today to look at why it is that the target of most of the immigration complaints revolve around people who are of Hispanic, or South and Central American heritage.
We could look at simply the assumed counts of illegal immigrants and say that since the majority of this groups comes from Mexico, Central and South America that this is why they are the poster children for this issue on both sides, however I do not think that strictly looking at the numbers does it justice. If we look back on history, it is quite obvious that whenever there is a major influx of immigrants from one country or region of the world the citizens of the region that is most heavily impacted by the additional people are the ones that are screaming the loudest for change. It happened when the Irish came over , the Italians, even the Vietnamese. I remember well all the yelling and screaming about the Vietnamese Shrimpers and Fishermen and how they were taking jobs of hard working citizens.
Well why is it that we currently have had such a negative perspective of Hispanic immigrants, both legal and illegal? Well I thing I can point to several things that are happening which help feed the fire as we say.
We could look at simply the assumed counts of illegal immigrants and say that since the majority of this groups comes from Mexico, Central and South America that this is why they are the poster children for this issue on both sides, however I do not think that strictly looking at the numbers does it justice. If we look back on history, it is quite obvious that whenever there is a major influx of immigrants from one country or region of the world the citizens of the region that is most heavily impacted by the additional people are the ones that are screaming the loudest for change. It happened when the Irish came over , the Italians, even the Vietnamese. I remember well all the yelling and screaming about the Vietnamese Shrimpers and Fishermen and how they were taking jobs of hard working citizens.
Well why is it that we currently have had such a negative perspective of Hispanic immigrants, both legal and illegal? Well I thing I can point to several things that are happening which help feed the fire as we say.
- First and probably the easiest issue is the fact that there is an enormous number of Hispanics who are here in direct violation to one or more of the United State's immigration laws. This alone seems to generate the largest amount of animosity towards this group of people in general.
- Second, the numbers seem to show that a large majority of those here illegally also are taking advantage of social benefits that most people think that they should not be allowed to use. Things such as food stamps, medicare, welfare, emergency room services, indigent care services, and others.
- Third, these people who are here illegally are taking jobs from others as well as in many cases working for below the standard wage levels for citizens. This can be done because most of them work for cash, and do not report their earnings, nor do their employers pay any taxes on their salaries. I remember when my mother worked as a teller at our local bank every Friday I would see 20 or 30 people walk in to the bank cash their paycheck completely, and walk out, most of these people spoke little or no English, and a few simply made an X on their check to endorse it. It got so bad that the bank finally had institute a policy that if the person cashing the check did not have an account with the bank the only way the check would be cashed was if it was drawn from an account at that bank.
- Fourth along with the cash labor market, there are also other monetary reasons that fuel the fire. For example there is an increase in road side markets that deal only in cash, as well as the other vendors that are focused on that social group (road side and traveling taco stands for example). These are also drains on the government services because they do not contribute to the city, or county or state coffers but need water and sewer service, fire and police protection.
- Fifth there is the issue of both sanctuary and the fact that a large portion of those here illegally are also criminals in their own country, and are here committing multiple felonies which damages the reputation for even those that are here legally.
- And Finally there is the fact that the majority of these people DO NOT WANT TO BE US CITIZENS. Nor do they have any desire to integrate themselves within the culture of the US. If you look at every other major immigration group, the vast majority did two things: First they worked to be come citizens of the US, and second they worked hard at learning English, as well as learning and becoming part of the US culture. That does not mean that they abandoned their heritage, no just the opposite. They took the things that were the best of their society and merged them in with that of the city or town where they were living. That is the reason why you see in Houston such strong and vibrant communities like China Town and the Vietnamese area in West Houston along Bellaire.
So I guess the it comes down to this, if more of those immigrants from south of the border had in the past made a more concerted effort to become part of the US, both socially as well as economically we would not be having these discussions. As it is we still need to do three things: First close the southern border, second work on removing the nearly TWENTY MILLION illegal immigrants here, and at the same time make significant changes to the immigration laws and take into account that there is a need for seasonal migrant workers, and make it easier for them to get into the country legally and at the same time providing a low cost employee market for those companies that want to use it.
But then again that solution is the common sense solution and there is no way in hell that anyone in Austin let alone Washington DC will follow through with it. So we will continue to be plagued with all of these problems.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Katy Watchdogs Newsletter #2
THE KATY CITIZEN WATCHDOG NEWSLETTER
We’re Taxpayers. It’s Our Money!
Local Citizens Looking Out For The Interests Of Taxpayers and Students!
Join us at www.katycitizens.org and at www.radiofreekaty.com
Volume 27 – March 29, 2007
Dear Katy Citizen Watchdog Members, KISD Teachers/Faculty, Taxpayers and concerned Parents:
We hope you find our newsletters useful and informative. We urge you to please forward this newsletter to anyone you know that might be interested in its content. For those of you that have received this newsletter via a “forward”, please go to our web site (as noted above) to find out who we are and consider joining us. KCW welcomes your ideas, comments, suggestions, concerns and questions, so please feel free to e-mail us any time at info@katycitizens.org
Contained in this issue:
· Katy Dogs/AFP Call First Ever Texas Watchdog Summit!
· Dogs To Visit Galveston ISD Watchdog Group Next Month!
· Dogs Contacted By Pennsylvania & Michigan Watchdogs!
· KISD Polling Locations & Times Posted!
· Upcoming Events
KATY DOGS/AFP CALL FIRST EVER TEXAS WATCHDOG SUMMIT!
Because of all the positive response that the Watchdog web site has been receiving, both locally and nationally, Co-Founder, Chris Cottrell, began thinking about trying to organize a Texas Watchdog Summit where fellow Watchdogs from around the state could meet and discuss ideas on how we all can take this movement to the next level; that next level being, how we can become more powerful in Austin. Well, Chris’ idea has become a reality. After discussing the idea with Americans For Prosperity (“AFP”), AFP has decided to host the event in Austin. The meeting has been scheduled for April 27 and 28. AFP is currently setting up appointments with various legislators so that the Texas Watchdogs can meet with them to discuss what we are trying to achieve, along with our concerns about taxes and school district shenanigans.
“All Watchdogs in this state need to begin thinking about how we can become more of a resource to AFP and to each other. We need to begin figuring out how this movement can become more of a force in Austin. The Watchdogs of this state need to be a real voice for the ordinary taxpayer that is currently drowning in school and property taxes,” said Co-Founder, Chris Cottrell.
The Katy Dogs are very excited about this event. It will be open to all so if you have any interest in attending please send us an e-mail so we can sign you up. We will post the proposed agenda on the web site just as soon as it is finalized.
DOGS TO VISIT GALVESTON ISD WATCHDOG GROUP NEXT MONTH!
Yet another new Watchdog group has been following our web site and our corresponding accomplishments. We have recently been contacted by a new Watchdog group that has formed in Galveston, TX. They have asked that we come to Galveston to visit with their group to share strategies, recommendations and “war stories”. We are currently working to schedule a mutually acceptable date for all concerned. We will issue a report once the meeting has taken place. Stay tuned!
DOGS CONTACTED BY PENNSYLVANIA & MICHIGAN WATCHDOGS!
In addition to California, Missouri, Nevada, Maryland, Florida and Colorado, we can now add Pennsylvania and Michigan to the list of states that have contacted the Katy Dogs about information in order to help them with their school district fights. The Katy Watchdog$ are thrilled that others have been inspired by our efforts to defend the ordinary taxpayers. We are proud that we have become a real “pox” on local government, not just in Katy but around this state and now around this great land.
KISD POLLING LOCATIONS & TIMES POSTED!
As we do for every election in our community, the Katy Citizen Watchdog$ have added a new button to our web site; that being the “2007 Voter’s Guide”. This is where you can find all the necessary information on polling locations and times for our spring school board election. We realize that this information can be very confusing, but that is exactly the district’s plan. Having these important elections at off-times and in off-months has served this district well over the years. We therefore urge you to please contact us if you are not sure about where and when to vote in your area. Whether you agree with the Watchdog$ or not it is very important for everyone to exercise their right to vote!
THE LAST WORD!
“It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us...that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion...that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain...that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom...and that government of the people...by the people...for the people...shall not perish from this earth.”
Abraham Lincoln
UPCOMING EVENTS
1. April 25, 2007 – 6:30 p.m. Work/Study Board Meeting
2. April 30, 2007 – 6:30 p.m. General School Board Meeting
Don’t forget that as a taxpayer you have a right to speak at any General Board Meeting. Exercise that right if you are so inclined! Come join us at the next meeting.
IF YOU PREFER THAT WE NOT SEND YOU ANY MORE E-MAILS, YOU MAY OPT OUT BY SENDING US AN E-MAIL AT INFO@KATYCITIZENS.ORG
We’re Taxpayers. It’s Our Money!
Local Citizens Looking Out For The Interests Of Taxpayers and Students!
Join us at www.katycitizens.org and at www.radiofreekaty.com
Volume 27 – March 29, 2007
Dear Katy Citizen Watchdog Members, KISD Teachers/Faculty, Taxpayers and concerned Parents:
We hope you find our newsletters useful and informative. We urge you to please forward this newsletter to anyone you know that might be interested in its content. For those of you that have received this newsletter via a “forward”, please go to our web site (as noted above) to find out who we are and consider joining us. KCW welcomes your ideas, comments, suggestions, concerns and questions, so please feel free to e-mail us any time at info@katycitizens.org
Contained in this issue:
· Katy Dogs/AFP Call First Ever Texas Watchdog Summit!
· Dogs To Visit Galveston ISD Watchdog Group Next Month!
· Dogs Contacted By Pennsylvania & Michigan Watchdogs!
· KISD Polling Locations & Times Posted!
· Upcoming Events
KATY DOGS/AFP CALL FIRST EVER TEXAS WATCHDOG SUMMIT!
Because of all the positive response that the Watchdog web site has been receiving, both locally and nationally, Co-Founder, Chris Cottrell, began thinking about trying to organize a Texas Watchdog Summit where fellow Watchdogs from around the state could meet and discuss ideas on how we all can take this movement to the next level; that next level being, how we can become more powerful in Austin. Well, Chris’ idea has become a reality. After discussing the idea with Americans For Prosperity (“AFP”), AFP has decided to host the event in Austin. The meeting has been scheduled for April 27 and 28. AFP is currently setting up appointments with various legislators so that the Texas Watchdogs can meet with them to discuss what we are trying to achieve, along with our concerns about taxes and school district shenanigans.
“All Watchdogs in this state need to begin thinking about how we can become more of a resource to AFP and to each other. We need to begin figuring out how this movement can become more of a force in Austin. The Watchdogs of this state need to be a real voice for the ordinary taxpayer that is currently drowning in school and property taxes,” said Co-Founder, Chris Cottrell.
The Katy Dogs are very excited about this event. It will be open to all so if you have any interest in attending please send us an e-mail so we can sign you up. We will post the proposed agenda on the web site just as soon as it is finalized.
DOGS TO VISIT GALVESTON ISD WATCHDOG GROUP NEXT MONTH!
Yet another new Watchdog group has been following our web site and our corresponding accomplishments. We have recently been contacted by a new Watchdog group that has formed in Galveston, TX. They have asked that we come to Galveston to visit with their group to share strategies, recommendations and “war stories”. We are currently working to schedule a mutually acceptable date for all concerned. We will issue a report once the meeting has taken place. Stay tuned!
DOGS CONTACTED BY PENNSYLVANIA & MICHIGAN WATCHDOGS!
In addition to California, Missouri, Nevada, Maryland, Florida and Colorado, we can now add Pennsylvania and Michigan to the list of states that have contacted the Katy Dogs about information in order to help them with their school district fights. The Katy Watchdog$ are thrilled that others have been inspired by our efforts to defend the ordinary taxpayers. We are proud that we have become a real “pox” on local government, not just in Katy but around this state and now around this great land.
KISD POLLING LOCATIONS & TIMES POSTED!
As we do for every election in our community, the Katy Citizen Watchdog$ have added a new button to our web site; that being the “2007 Voter’s Guide”. This is where you can find all the necessary information on polling locations and times for our spring school board election. We realize that this information can be very confusing, but that is exactly the district’s plan. Having these important elections at off-times and in off-months has served this district well over the years. We therefore urge you to please contact us if you are not sure about where and when to vote in your area. Whether you agree with the Watchdog$ or not it is very important for everyone to exercise their right to vote!
THE LAST WORD!
“It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us...that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion...that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain...that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom...and that government of the people...by the people...for the people...shall not perish from this earth.”
Abraham Lincoln
UPCOMING EVENTS
1. April 25, 2007 – 6:30 p.m. Work/Study Board Meeting
2. April 30, 2007 – 6:30 p.m. General School Board Meeting
Don’t forget that as a taxpayer you have a right to speak at any General Board Meeting. Exercise that right if you are so inclined! Come join us at the next meeting.
IF YOU PREFER THAT WE NOT SEND YOU ANY MORE E-MAILS, YOU MAY OPT OUT BY SENDING US AN E-MAIL AT INFO@KATYCITIZENS.ORG
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
For once President Bush sounds like a leader
Bush: Pelosi's trip to Syria sends mixed signals
This is going to be brief, but I ran across this article and could not help but sit up and take notice. Here are several comments from President Bush.
The Democrats are trying to turn this into another Vietnam so that they can get all of their left wing liberal buddies something more to protest about. You notice how little we have heard from Cindy "I'm a grieving mother" Sheehan lately...
At least he does have an idea about what gas prices are and he is supporting our allies unlike the way some of them have treated us in the recent past.
This is going to be brief, but I ran across this article and could not help but sit up and take notice. Here are several comments from President Bush.
"There have been a lot of people who have gone to see President Assad: some Americans, but a lot of European leaders, high-ranking officials. And yet we haven't seen action," Bush told reporters at a Rose Garden news conference. "He hasn't responded."
Bush said that Assad had not reined in violent elements of militant groups Hamas andHezbollah as requested by the international community, had acted to destabilize the democratically elected government of Lebanon and was allowing "foreign fighters" to move into Iraq from Syria.
"Sending delegations hasn't worked. It's just simply been counterproductive," Bush said.
"We have made it clear to high-ranking officials, whether they be Republicans or Democrats, that going to Syria sends mixed signals, signals in the region and, of course, mixed signals to President Assad," Bush said. "Photo opportunities and/or meetings with President Assad lead the Assad government to believe they're part of the mainstream of the international community, when, in fact, they're a state sponsor of terror."
Strong words about Syria, but he is right about Pelosi and the photo-op crowd. I wonder if Sheila Jackson Lee is over there?
"They left for spring break without finishing their work," Bush said.
The president's remarks come one day after Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced he would try to eliminate money for the war if Bush rejects Congress' proposal to set a deadline to end combat.
Bush bluntly said that such a veto could not be overridden in Congress, given thin Democratic majorities. He said if Congress was, in fact, going to send him a bill that he would surely veto, they should do it quickly.
"If Democrat leaders in Congress are bent on making a political statement, then they need to send me this unacceptable bill as quickly as possible when they come back. I'll veto it and then Congress can get down to the business of funding our troops without strings and without delay," Bush said.
The Democrats are trying to turn this into another Vietnam so that they can get all of their left wing liberal buddies something more to protest about. You notice how little we have heard from Cindy "I'm a grieving mother" Sheehan lately...
— Said he agrees with British Prime Minister Tony Blair's efforts to win the release of 15 British sailors captured by Iran in waters that separate Iraq and Iran. "There should be no quid pro quo when it comes to the hostages," Bush said, again using the strong word "hostages" to describe those being held by Tehran.
— When asked if he knew the current price of a gallon of gasoline,
Bush said, "$2.60-plus." He was close. The national average right now is
$2.70.
At least he does have an idea about what gas prices are and he is supporting our allies unlike the way some of them have treated us in the recent past.
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