George P Bush in Cedar Park

George P. Bush, GOP candidate for Texas Land Commissioner, will be making a special campaign stop in Cedar Park next Tuesday, September 30.

George "P," is considered a rising star in Texas politics and has lead efforts for Hispanic "inclusion" within the GOP.  He has a very diverse background, but near and dear to my heart, he is a former history teacher and has been a proponent of education reform. 

He is favored to beat his Democrat opponent this November, (former El Paso mayor John Cook,) but smart candidates never take anything for granted.  If you can't make this event, be sure to support George P. Bush for Texas Land Commissioner.

Just FYI:  The Hansen Family has relocated to Harris County.  I will only be posting limited items on the Williamson County Conservative blogsite from now on.  Not sure what the Good Lord has in mind for the future, but I'm contemplating a new, less local blog.  Will keep ya' posted. 

Rally For Life in Austin Tonight

In response to the pro-abortion lobby's attempt to thwart the will of Texas voters, my friends have organized a rally for life in Austin tonight.  The notice is below; hope you can make it! 

 

Come to Austin to Stand for Life 

SPEAK UP FOR LIFE RALLY 

With Gov. Mike Huckabee

Monday, July 8 – 7 p.m. - Capitol Grounds – Austin 

Let’s make this the biggest rally ever!

Bring your friends and family 

Speakers: 

Governor Mike Huckabee 

Peggy Nance - Concerned Women for America

Marilyn Musgrave - Susan B. Anthony List and former congresswoman

Dr. Robert Jeffress - Pastor First Baptist Church, Dallas

Others invited, including Gov. Perry and Lt. Gov. Dewhurst 

Rally Sponsors (at this time): 

Concerned Women for America

Texans Coalition for Life

Texas Eagle Forum

Texas Right to Life

Texas Values

The Heidi Group

Wear blue. Bring water and snacks.

Truth & Lies About the Birds and the Bees

Pardon the interruption to "Scandalpalooza 2013" and a highly contentious state legislative session, but this is an issue that every parent in America needs to understand.  In light of the push to revamp sexual education in the state, I began to conduct some research and was utterly horrified by what I learned.  I summed up some of my findings in a column for local news media last week (re-published below,) but 650 words is not nearly enough to explain this issue.  I hope to write more about this in the coming months. 

Original column:

Are you ready for the sexual rights of the child?   According to a recent United Nations “Right to Education” report, children must be taught about their right to “pleasurable sexual experiences,” from the outset of their schooling.  Under the guise of promoting health, UN activists at UNICEF and the World Health Organization are working to provide a “comprehensive sexual education” (CSE) to the children of the world.  The problem is that while this education is certainly expansive, it is dangerously far from comprehensive.

According to these “CSE” advocates, we must provide children with ample information so that they can engage in ‘safer sex.’  CSE programs include information on every imaginable way humans could engage in sexual activity, and students are referred to websites that provide images and detailed descriptions.  Through such efforts children learn about every possible thing they could do to themselves or others sexually.  This, according to CSE advocates, is a healthy human right for children.

Of course all of the exposure to sexual deviancy is presented to the public as an effort to provide safe sex.  Supporters claim that CSE programs are based on science, implying that abstinence lessons are non-scientific.  However, according to pediatrician and psychiatrist Dr. Miriam Grossman, CSE materials are based on outdated information from the 1970’s, and ignore the latest research on human sexuality.
 
Dr. Grossman points out that while CSE advocates are teaching children that they can have ‘safe sex’ by using condoms, sound science shows that condoms do not prevent transmission of a whole slew of diseases, some of which are deadly.  Shockingly, the previously mentioned UN Report decries the “erroneous association between sexuality and disease,” since the goal is to “abolish guilt feelings about eroticism.”  While teaching kids that ‘alternate’ sexual activity won’t result in pregnancy, CSE programs fail to emphasize that serious diseases are still transmitted through such behavior.  (And that some 'non-traditional' activities are far, far more dangerous.)
 
In addition to dismissing the seriousness of sexually transmitted diseases, CSE programs completely ignore decades of advance in our understanding of neurobiology.  Contrary to the 1970’s meme that men and women are essentially the same except for a few body parts, neuroscience has demonstrated that male and female brains differentiate eight weeks after conception.  The hormones released by seemingly benign actions like hugging trigger notable changes in the human brain and turn off certain decision-making faculties.  More intense activities cause girls in particular to bond to a sexual partner- even one who is abusive and exploitative.  Furthermore, both neuroscience and psychiatry have demonstrated that early sexual activity has long-term emotional and psychological impact.

But these aspects of human sexuality are not mentioned in so-called “comprehensive” sex education lessons.  Instead, much of the new-old approach to sex education is based on the discredited Kinsey Report of 1948.  Although entomologist Alfred Kinsey was a horrific sexual deviant whose published ‘research’ was largely based on studies of prison inmates, organizations like Planned Parenthood still celebrate his work and perpetuate his assertion that human life is primarily about sexual pleasure- from birth to death.  As Dr. Grossman asserts, in CSE, real science is ignored in favor of an agenda.

While Texas has largely embraced abstinence-based instruction, there is now a well-concerted effort underway to change sex education.  The Texas Freedom Network, founded by Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards, is training volunteers in every school district in the state.  These volunteers seek appointment to School Health Advisory Councils and claim that local teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases are due to ‘inadequate’ sexual education. The door is then opened for a new ‘comprehensive’ curriculum.
   
According to the UN “Right to Education” report, there is one significant obstacle to the sex education agenda: parents.  While leftists like MSNBC’s Melissa Harris-Perry might believe children belong to the “Collective,” we still have strong parental rights in this country.  Parents need to be aware of the agenda and pseudo-science that is endangering children under the guise of sexual health.  Stay informed and know that, at least for now, you have the right to opt out.

Suggested reading:  You’re Teaching My Child What? and World Youth Alliance’s “New York City Sexuality Education Report,” both by Miriam Grossman, M.D. (www.miriamgrossmanmd.com).

No Labor Unions In Texas? Think Again...

Below is a column I wrote for the Georgetown Advocate, Hill Country News, and Jarrell Star Ledger  newspapers recently.  I am pleased to see that Attorney General Greg Abbott is paying attention to the problem of union growth in Texas and has proposed some new worker protections.  (H/T Push Junction.)  I sure hope more of our Texas legislators get on board.

****

Since Texas is classified as a “Right to Work” state, many people mistakenly believe that there are no labor unions in the state.  The truth is that state law only prohibits compulsory membership; unions in Texas may engage in collective bargaining and, in many cases, have the right to strike.  And while the U.S. Bureau of Labor reports that union membership declined across the nation last year, membership in Texas increased by 65,000.

Much of the Texas union growth actually occurred in the private sector, which is startling considering that private sector unions have been on the decline for several decades.  While private businesses cannot long survive under unsustainable union contracts, government entities are not necessarily responsive to economic realities; consequently most union growth has been in the public/government sector.

One possible explanation for the Texas uptick in private sector union membership stems from the increasing number of job-seekers fleeing other states.  While these Nouveau Texans come for better employment opportunities, they haven’t yet made the connection between union power and the economic decline of their home states, and they are importing union membership to Texas. 

But another reason for the uptick is that unions are targeting Texas for growth as part of a larger Democratic strategy.  Former Obama national field director and labor union activist Jeremy Bird is heading up “Battleground Texas,” which promises to incorporate local labor unions in their efforts to turn Texas ‘blue.’

At the local level, union bosses are especially targeting police, firefighters, and teachers, since these workers have a highly positive, ‘hero’ status with the general public.  It is psychologically difficult to differentiate between the local teacher and the ‘teachers’ union,’ and many voters mistakenly believe that unions are speaking for all teachers.  Another clever strategy in Texas is to completely avoid the word ‘union,’ with its negative connotations.  Most public sector unions in Texas refer to themselves as ‘associations,’ or other such benign terms.  For example, few Texans realize that “Education Round Rock” is actually a local chapter of the American Federation of Teachers union, an organization that enjoys a cozy relationship with President Obama, and has played an active role in opposing reforms in other states.

These local associations can wreak havoc with small municipalities.  In the small community of Leander, Texas, the local Professional Firefighters ‘Association’ (LPFA) is pressing for “civil service status.”  Because of loose state laws governing union power, the LPFA only needs 125 signatures to place the matter on the ballot this May.  Conversely, if voters wanted to end civil service, more than 50% of registered voters would need to approve.   Considering that local election turnout rarely tops 10%, the union’s status will be a permanent fixture. 

 

Civil Service status is highly problematic for a small community like Leander.   For starters, the city would have to pay increased benefits, create a new civil service commission, and hire a director and civil service attorney.  Even worse, the measure would effectively ban the 27 volunteer firefighters Leander now uses.  If the city hires only 1 new firefighter to replace every 3 volunteers, the annual cost to taxpayers would be $1,000,000 per year.  Leander already has the highest tax rate of any municipality in the region, and will be forced to pay even higher tax rates.  Unfortunately, as a local chapter of state and national labor unions, the LPFA will have ample manpower and financial resources for promoting the civil service measure and impacting future elections in the community.

While unions do not have to disclose all spending, the Labor Department reports unions spent at least $3.3 billion of union dues on political activity over a six-year period, and plenty of those dollars are spent to influence Texas elections.  Pro-big-labor elected officials close to President Obama are eager to dismantle Right to Work laws, and implement mandatory union membership and other unfair union policies. 

 

While we have enjoyed the benefits of our Right to Work status, we must not be complacent about union growth in Texas.  We must strengthen Right to Work protections by requiring the exact same standards for establishing or revoking civil service status for all public sector unions.  Furthermore, we need a ‘Paycheck Protection’ bill that would stop state and local governments from acting as union agents by collecting union dues from employees.  Instead of automatic deductions, union members should pay their dues directly to the union, and should be made aware of how those dues are spent. 

 

Texas is in relatively good shape, for now.  But unrestrained union power is not good news, and we need to act before it’s too late. 

Wilco Early Voting Results

The Williamson County Elections Department has posted Early Voting totals.  Keep in mind that totals can shift significantly once all the votes are counted, but often EV totals are pretty good indicators.

Here's a few snapshots:

House District 136:

Tony Dale:  55.40%
Matt Stillwell:  39.86%
Matt Whittington:  4.74%

Round Rock ISD will include votes from both Travis and Williamson County, so don't get too worked up here.

Round Rock ISD, Place 2:

Williamson County:  Tere McCann:  45.13%
                                  Chad Chadwell:  54.87%
Travis County:          McCann: 43.9%
                                  Chadwell: 56.10%

Round Rock ISD, Place 7:

Williamson County:  Pauline Law:  65.56%
                                  Eric Pav:  34.44%

Travis County:          Pauline Law: 62.69%
                                  Eric Pav: 37.31%

Other Early Vote leaders in Williamson County include Tom Maynard, Jana Duty, and Daniel Caldwell (ACC). 

America Is Number One

(I am writing a regular column for the Hill Country News and the Jarrell Star Ledger.  This is my most recent...)

America is number one again, but hold your applause. Since Japan slashed its corporate tax rate by 5% last week, the United States now holds the title for “highest corporate tax rate” in the world. In this case, our 'number one' status does not bode well for the future of our country.

Although the official U.S. corporate tax rate stands at 35%, combined with state taxes the effective rate is a punitive 39.2%. The world average is 25% and European welfare states are even lower. Having significantly higher tax rate than the rest of the world dramatically reduces the ability of American businesses to compete in what is now a global economy.

Contrary to what the political Left would have us believe, higher taxes do impact behavior and productivity. Part of the justification for so-called 'sin' taxes on items like cigarettes and alcohol is that the higher taxes will reduce use of those items. However, when it comes to taxes on both corporations and individuals, proponents always assume those targeted will maintain the same levels of profitability. But that's just not the way it works in the real world.

Historically, higher rates of taxation actually reduce revenues. High tax proponents claim that revenues do not change much as a percentage of the Gross Domestic Product, however, such claims often ignore the changes in total GDP due to increased economic activity. While the percent of GDP may remain unchanged or even fall, increases in GDP mean bigger revenue slice from a bigger pie. After Ireland slashed corporate taxes from 50% to 12.5%, its economic growth doubled that of the United States and tax revenues soared until the global recession. (Unfortunately, Irish politicians went on an unrestrained spending spree and now the country is struggling under massive debt; sound familiar?)

But our highest rate status is not the only problem with the U.S. corporate tax law. Not all companies pay the top rate since our government is very much in the business of choosing winners and losers. Companies in the 'right' industries pay little or nothing, while demonized businesses, such as ExxonMobil pay a whopping 45%.

Supposedly President Obama has proposed cutting the corporate rate from 35 to 28%, but, as seems to be the case with any of this administration's proposals, there's a catch. Obama's plan will further increase penalties on new investment and increase taxes on companies competing in the global market. His 'reform' will effectively impose $250 billion in additional taxes on corporations. And while the President's plan closes some loopholes, it creates a whole new set of loopholes for a new set of 'favored' industries.

While we wish the President would look to the policies of successful job-creation states like Texas (which created more than half of all jobs in the US over the past two years,) Obama clearly prefers what he calls 'government investment' over private investment. Never mind that according to various CBO figures, the average cost for a job 'created' by recent so-called government 'stimulus' programs is $407,241.*

Although there are relatively successful areas like Texas, current federal tax rates are already inhibiting growth and preventing repatriation of overseas profits. If the President gets his way and the federal government increases the penalties for economic activity, the bottom line is that there will be even fewer jobs for Americans.

Just another reason to hope for change in November 2012.

*There are numerous estimates for the average cost of creating a job via the government:  Some are as low as $228,000, some say $586,428, and I've seen a few claiming nearly $1 million.  Since our federal government is not exactly transparent, and no-one has a clear answer as to how many jobs the government 'created,' it's really hard to pin down...

Deconstructing the Planned Parenthood Myth

At a recent Houston gala, numerous well-known Texans gathered to pay tribute to Peter J. Durkin, retiring CEO of Planned Parenthood-Gulf Coast. The City of Houston declared a “Peter J. Durkin Day,” and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee called Durkin a “true American Hero.” What was not mentioned is that Durkin's Planned Parenthood is in very deep trouble.

For starters, PPGC and Peter Durkin himself are under investigation for massive Medicaid fraud. Former employee Karen Reynolds has filed a complaint with the Texas Attorney General and the U.S. Department of Justice alleging that the organization systematically falsified medical charts for abortion clients to make it appear as if these clients came in for other services. Included in the complaint are memos instructing employees on how to falsify records in order to obtain Medicaid reimbursements.

But this allegation is only the latest in a series of revelations that are shattering the mythology surrounding Planned Parenthood. In addition to Medicaid fraud, the organization is also under investigation for enabling sex trafficking of girls as young as 14. Although Americans have seen the organization as a “friend to women,” they are slowly discovering the ugly truth.

Originally founded as a birth control clinic, Planned Parenthood has been portrayed as an advocate for women's health. The organization proudly touts founder Margaret Sanger's work to legalize birth control, but carefully sidesteps Sanger's documented speaking engagements with the Ku Klux Klan and her many articles promoting eugenics. Her writings indicate that Sanger was an angry and resentful woman who loathed large families and the “human weeds” of the “lesser races.” Sanger would be pleased to know that about half of all African American pregnancies now end in abortion.

Marketing the organization as a 'healthcare' provider has been highly successful; corporations and charities have funneled billions of dollars into Planned Parenthood coffers. In addition to massive taxpayer-funded subsidies from all levels of government, groups such as the Susan G. Komen Foundation, United Way, and the March of Dimes have donated millions to Planned Parenthood for 'healthcare,' often under the guise of fighting breast cancer. Never mind that this 'non-profit' reports anywhere from $62 million to $114 million in annual profits.

While Planned Parenthood claims most services are non-abortion health care, former PPGC Employee of the Year Abby Johnson, has described how the organization manipulates reporting data to mislead donors. If a client receives a prescription for birth control pills, PP reports 12 'healthcare' services, one for each month of the year. Abortion services, even those requiring multiple visits, are counted as only one 'service.' Planned Parenthood's health care statistics are largely the result of accounting gimmicks.

Furthermore, despite receiving millions for breast cancer prevention, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services, not a single Planned Parenthood clinic in Texas even has equipment or licensing for mammograms. And as for the highly touted doctor-patient relationship, the only occasion in which doctors have any contact with patients at PP clinics is during an abortion procedure. If a client needs a medical doctor for anything else, she is then referred to a real women's health care clinic.

None of this, not even the alleged complicity in sexually exploiting minor girls, should come as any surprise. For both individuals and organizations, foundations matter. Furthermore, one cannot compartmentalize just one 'unethical act' without corrupting the whole. Despite the 'compassionate' arguments for abortion, the bottom line is that a human being is killed in the process, and all the pseudo-ethical and intellectual contortions in the world cannot make it otherwise. The myth is shattered; these are not our 'friends.' Planned Parenthood is and always has been a wolf in sheep's clothing, and it is time to bring Margaret Sanger's twisted legacy to an end.

Note:  This is a column I wrote for the Hill Country News.  One reader has suggested that I've never been inside a Planned Parenthood Clinic and so I don't have any credibility.  Well, I have been inside a Planned Parenthood clinic- as a patient.  It was a soul-less place I won't forget. 

Another aspect I did not mention in my previous column is that Planned Parenthood is not concerned with whether or not patients are being coerced or forced into an abortion. 

From Dr. Allen Unruh:  "

Unruh, who studied abortion for a state task force in 2005, said that Planned Parenthood maintains willful ignorance about the majority of women who have abortions against their will.
The threats often come from a boyfriend, husband, parent or other party.
“The task force revealed it was 65%,” Unruh told CNA in a May 31 interview. “Planned Parenthood admitted under oath that they don’t have anybody who has any training, of any kind, in counseling to determine when a woman’s being coerced.”

Read more: http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/planned-parenthood-sues-south-dakota/#ixzz1dOpy0NUl

Early Voting Turnout: Dismal

The Williamson County Elections office has posted the Early Voting totals through Thursday, November 3.  5,275 people have voted in Wilco, 2.2% of registered voters. 

While I would rather the un-informed just stayed home, I find it disturbing that so few of my neighbors care enough to spend about 15 minutes looking over the various ballot initiatives and take the time to vote.  It is this lack of civic knowledge and duty that has burdened taxpayers with excessive government spending and debt patterns, not just at the Federal level, but at the local level too.  Texans now owe $174.55 billion in local government debt.   

Voting is easy, and there are lots of educational resources.  You can vote today until 7pm at any open location in the county.  Your last chance will be next Tuesday, November 8.  Keep in mind that on Tuesday you will only be able to vote at your assigned precinct location.  You can look up your location online at the Williamson County Elections Office website. 

Education Spending: Texas vs. California

We Texans love to compare ourselves with California; we have created more private sector jobs, have a lower tax burden and lower unemployment rate, and folks are leaving the formerly 'Golden' State in droves to seek Lone Star prosperity. Without a doubt, there is much to cheer. There is one area, however, where indeed Texas is bigger, but it is nothing to celebrate.

Both states love to tout their per pupil spending, and on the surface Texas looks pretty good at $6,746 to California's $7,511. As I've pointed out previously, these per pupil statistics do not include the cost of pensions, debt service, or building/construction costs, and are seriously deceptive. When all expenditures are included Texas per pupil spending rises to $11,024, and California's to $11,800.

Not too bad, right?

Unfortunately, a comparison of certain other aspects of education spending in the two states paints a whole new picture. As it turns out Texas has more public school employees than any state in the nation. California has 1.6 million more students than Texas, but has 1,225 fewer schools, and a jaw-dropping 52,090 fewer total education personnel. While we would hope that most of our public school employees would consist of those folks who actually teach, only 51% of Texas public education employees are teachers.

In the face of potential budget cuts, Texas education bureaucrats are demanding more spending rather than cuts. However, as Governor Perry pointed out in his State of the State address last week, State spending on education has increased 82% over the last decade. Even more astounding is the fact that total Texas public school expenditures have increased 335% since 1987. While we would hope that such vast increases in spending would improve student performance, an examination of the NAEP (National Assessment for Educational Progress) results reveal that Texas student test scores have remained stagnant or have actually decreased during this period.

Many Texas school districts are claiming they will have to close schools due to budget cuts, and yes, some probably will. However, many of these districts, and the state education industry as a whole, have not applied their respective budgets appropriately. Cutting amounts of state spending on education will force closer examination of how those 'education' dollars are spent. In so doing, we need to remember that our public education system does not exist to provide jobs and pensions for all comers, but was established to provide educational opportunities to all children. Texas has done a great job of applying small but smart government standards to other areas, and this has led to our economic strength. Now it's time to get serious about education spending too.

SBOE Fashionista Judy Jennings: Hatred is in Style!

Apparently Democrat candidate for State Board of Education Judy Jennings has already planned her wardrobe for her first day on the job if elected.  During an exchange with a supporter, Jennings enthusiastically agreed to wear an offensive, T-shirt to her "first meeting" after viewing this picture.  (WARNING:  OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE). 

Apparently, this is a part of the liberal campaign to convince voters that Conservatives don't want to teach "science."  However, it is the left-wing ideologues who want to teach certain elements of scientific theory as a sacred religion.  They insist that only one earth-origin theory be presented to students, and that it should be presented as gospel truth without any critique whatsoever. 

More reasonable thinkers argue that science teachers should not only teach various life-origin scientific theories, but also the processes of the Scientific Method alongside Formal Logic, (the latter has been too long ignored,) and equip young minds to draw their own conclusions. Sadly, rather than encouraging students to engage in further research by presenting the diversity of opinion from the scientific community as well as the questions scientists are still unable to answer, Jennings et. al. want certain theories presented as indisputable fact.  No questions, no critique. 

I have trouble understanding why Jennings and her ilk are so afraid of statements like "Scientists believe X," "Scientists do not understand how Y works," and "Scientists do not agree about Z."  Is this so dangerous?  Shouldn't we be honest with students about how our body of knowledge is limited and how highly educated, intelligent people disagree?  Might that not spur young minds to investigate further?

Unfortunately, as evidenced by the fashion Judy Jennings has agreed to wear "to the first meeting," there is no room for dialogue or diversity.  Just hatred for those who question.

Diana Maldonado and the Problem of Voter Fraud

Last week, the Liberal-Democrat insistence that "there is no evidence of voter fraud in Texas" took a serious blow when the King Street Patriots announced the discovery of thousands of possibly fraudulent voter registrations in Harris County.  About 5,000 registrations submitted by Houston Votes (allegedly a re-named ACORN group)either were incomplete, listed vacant lots as resident addresses, or named non-existent persons or previously registered voters. 

The problem for Texas Lib-Dems, is that they have been using the 'no evidence of fraud' argument as justification for opposing voter photo ID legislation. Never mind that Texas is somewhat historically infamous for voter fraud, due to the 1948 'Box 13' scandal.  Under current Texas law, voters may present various forms of non-photo identification, including a voter card, utility bill, or bank statement.  Even most rank and file Democrats recognize that requiring an ID at the polls is just common sense, and 82% of all Texans support voter photo ID laws.

However, the most liberal wing of the Democrat party is so afraid of voter ID requirements, that in the 2009 legislative session, they were willing to kill hundreds of bills beneficial to their own districts and constituencies in order to stop passage of the law. Representative Diana Maldonado (D-Round Rock) was among those who participated in the 'chubbing,' or filibuster, of Voter Photo ID.  Observers such as Will Lutz expressed surprise at Maldonado's actions:

There are significant divisions within the Democratic caucus about whether this was a good idea. Only a handful of Democrats in mostly safe districts partook in the filibuster. Rural Democrats and most of the suburban ones from swing districts (with the notable exception of Rep. Diana Maldonado [D-Round Rock] who chubbed) stayed away from the back microphone during this exercise.

Unfortunately for Round Rock and the rest of House District 52, Maldonado placed her desire to stop election workers from checking ID above the legislative needs of the district.  Among the legislation thwarted by chubbing was an especially important TXDOT Sunset bill.  I will be taking a closer look at some of the 'killed bills' in the coming weeks. 

While Democrats try to downplay the issue, preferring to call it 'voter impersonation,' evidence indicates that voter fraud continues to be a problem in Texas. Voter photo ID requirements cannot completely stop those determined to commit election fraud, but a well-crafted law will be a deterrent to the most egregious offenders.  Voters would do well to remember Representative Maldonado's actions in the 2009 Session, and limit her to a one-term-wonder.

Government Elites: "These Are Not the Droids You Are Looking For"

"Big Government is audacious and conceited."
     -Dick Armey and Matt Kibbe, "A Tea Party Manifesto," Wall Street Journal, August 17, 2010.

One of the catalysts of the Tea Party movement is growing citizen frustration with the arrogant and elitist attitudes exhibited by many elected officials.  Some government types sincerely believe they are much, much smarter than the rank and file voters, and that voters really cannot possibly understand that government knows what is best for Americans and their money.   Unfortunately, this belief is not confined to the purlieu of Washington, but permeates state and local politics as well.

Last week Democrat State Representative Lon Burnham outraged Texans by saying that the people are "just too stupid to realize how beneficial a state income would be."  Perhaps Burnham ought to educate us by holding up examples of how a state income tax has helped other states like California and New York.

Oh, right.  Probably not a good idea.

Locally, in the course of debate over tax rates for Williamson County, proponents of the tax rate increases allege that taxpayers have been subject to "misinformation" and just don't understand.  You see, they explain, it isn't raising taxes, it is "adopting the effective rate," and it just means that the county will adjust rates so that tax revenue will be the same this year as it was last year.  See?  See?  Oh, and by the way, you'll only be paying a little, teensy bit more. But when you see the increase on your tax bill just remember, these are not the droids you are looking for it is not an actual tax increase.

Dick Armey and Matt Kibbe summed the problem up nicely yesterday in the Wall Street Journal:

By definition, government is the means by which citizens are forced to do that which they would not do voluntarily. Like pay high taxes. Or redistribute tax dollars to bail out the broken, bloated pension systems of state government employees. Or purchase, by federal mandate, a government-defined health-insurance plan that is unaffordable, unnecessary or unwanted.

The problem is not that citizens don't understand.  Americans are waking up and are not fooled by benign sounding terms and convoluted formulas.  They are sick and tired of elitist politicians who think them too stupid to understand what political liberalism is doing to this country.  Happily, the 2010 elections are right around the corner, and we are watching and preparing for 2012.

Marsha Farney Event in Williamson County

Dr. Marsha Farney, Republican candidate for the Texas State Board of Education, District 10, will be holding a fundraiser today at 4:30pm. The 'Skeet Shoot and Fish Fry,' (don't you just love a woman who holds a skeet shoot?) will feature special guest Jerry Patterson, Texas Land Commissioner. Even if you can't shoot well enough to hit the side of a barn, you should go just to hear Commissioner Patterson; he tells some hilarious stories about Texas history and politics, and some of my friends call him the "Ben Stein of Texas."

If you can't make it, consider supporting Dr. Farney in some way. As I described in The Hundred Years Curriculum War, there is much at stake, and we must ensure a victory for Dr. Farney over the leftist idealogues who want 100% control over public education. Learn more about Marsha Farney at www.marshafarney.com.

Environmental Extremism Taking Over Texas Power Sources

STOP THE SILENT SEIGE OF THE PEC - Vote Rigsbee/Summy

-By Eric Stratton, 2008 PEC Board Candidate

The Pedernales Electric Co-op is under a SILENT SEIGE by the environmental extremists and special special interest groups and has been now for 2 years. They are determined to make PEC an example and to force "green power" down our throats for the sake of climate change at all costs. As David Foster, the Executive Director of Clean Water Action even stated recently in an email to a PEC member, "The PEC is as you know the largest electric cooperative in the nation, and what is [sic] does can set a healthy precedent for others co-ops. Energy policy is directly related to water quality and quantity, since conventional methods of producing electricity (coal, natural gas, nuclear) require vast amounts of water...And the burning of fossil fuels is a leading driver of climate change...." This group alone controls a block of 7,000 votes which has helped ensure liberal victories up and down the ballot in the PEC Board elections the past 2 years--and that's not counting "Smitty" Smith's Public Citizen and PEC4U!

The only way to stop the bloodletting, ensure a conservative victory, and prevent the left from holding 6 OF 7 SEATS ON THE BOARD is to come together and vote as a block ourselves! As an activist for the past 10 years in the electric cooperative community, and a former candidate for the PEC Board myself, I truly believe that the BEST candidates for the job and to do this are KEN RIGSBEE (DISTRICT 4) and JOE SUMMY (DISTRICT 5). They are no nonsense CONSERVATIVES who have been ACTIVE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE PEC for years. They are running on a platform of "Getting back to the Business of the Business," focusing on the affairs of running the cooperative as a business and back to basics co-op principles, putting the members first, while moving away from these special interest groups and their single-issue agendas.

So let's STOP THE SILENT SEIGE of the PEC and VOTE RIGSBEE AND SUMMY for PEC BOARD. If you lost or tossed out your ballot, please contact the administrator of our elections:

Election Services Company (ESC)
Mon.-Fri. 9am-4pm CDT
1-866-720-4357
pechelp@electionservices.com

The future of your co-op and your electric power bills depends on YOUR VOTE!

Gordon Thinks the Texas Ethics Commission is a Joke

The Williamson County Sun newspaper doesn't post an on-line edition, so many of you probably missed this, but a few weeks ago The Sun reported that John Gordon, candidate for the Texas House of Representatives, District 52, intentionally violated the laws for campaign reporting and has refused to pay the associated fines handed down by the Texas Ethics Commission.

According to the news report, Gordon stated he deliberately did not file his first campaign finance reports on time, saying, “the Texas Ethics Commission is a joke.”

Gordon joins the ever-colorful, biennial candidate Jim Dillon in proudly refusing to pay the legal fines required for ethics violations under Texas Law. (For those who do not know Jim Dillon, he has run for some 4 different offices, was Democrat candidate for Texas House of Representatives in 2008, and was defeated in the GOP Primary race for County Commissioner Pct. 2 in 2010.)

Although Gordon's refusal to comply with campaign reporting requirements will not result in removal from the ballot, it may lead to increased fines. The initial fine is $500, but could increase to as much as $10,000. Gordon would also be reported to the Texas Comptroller's office for a warrant hold.

Gordon's response? “I'll subpoena them. There is so much wrong with the filing system, so I'll take them to court so I can bring to their attention what is wrong.”

Ah, another Gordon lawsuit. I guess since he dropped the suits against Alyssa Eacono, one of his opponents in the Primary, against the Williamson County Republican Party, and against Wilco GOP Chairman Bill Fairbrother, his lawyer needs something new to do.

Here's a scan of the article: