Texas #1 in ...

From the April 15th Tea Party at Austin City Hall, here are the heralds of the Greatest State...

Texas is #1 – Largest Electricity Market
Americans for Prosperity Texas State Director, Peggy Venable

Texas is #1 – Lawsuit Reform
Austin Young Republican President, Scott Specht

Texas is #1 – Transparency
Young Conservatives of Texas UT Chairman, Dustin Matocha

Texas is #1 – Balanced Budget
Texas College Republicans State Chairman, Lance Kennedy

Texas is #1 – No State Income Tax
Libertarian Party of Texas Executive Director, Robert Butler

Texas is #1 – Top Exporting State
Republican Party of Texas Chairman, Tina Benkiser

Texas is #1 – Top State for Business
Torch of Freedom Foundation, Rick Green

Texas is #1 – w/ Most Fortune 500 Companies
Republican Liberty Caucus Travis County President, Mike Barre

Texas is #1 – Job Creation
Texans for Fiscal Responsibility President, Michael Quinn Sullivan

Texas is #1 – Fastest Growing State in the Country
Texas Republican Assembly National Committeewoman, Michele Samuelson

Tainted Texas Tea

Limited Government? Are you kidding me? The size and role of the federal and state governments continues to balloon. While Texas is #1 in many ways, and remains one the most conservative states fiscally and socially, will we stay the course? Is Texas Tea Tainted just like the federal government?

We all heard about and may have even attended a Tea Party on April 15th. A large number of folks turned out to voice their opinion about continued expansion of federal government, but how different is Texas?

Representative Charlie Howard of Fort Bend County (District 26) will join the show to talk about the budget, and you'll also hear common man interviews from the Austin Tea Parties.

This is your day to sound off on the 81st Texas Legislature. They are beginning pass bills for the Governor to sign. We'll follow-up on several bills that we've been following and need to hear from you. Listen to the Political Hope Radio Show this Sunday at 4 pm, read the STACK and call us with your concerns about Texas!

God Save Texas.

Truth Therapy

It's called logotherapy. Aaron Baggett, a Career Counselor at Baylor, is one of its many ardents. This approach to therapy stands in stark contrast to most secular philosophies. The root word you may have recognized: logos, which means truth. It was introduced by Viktor Frankl, a survivor of the Holocaust and Socialist indoctrination.

As we discuss the Biblical role of parenting with Pastor Michael Wright (4/19/09), Aaron will help us examine the developmental stages of children and gain greater insight to giving them true meaning and purpose in life.

Check out the following links for greater insights...

• Araon Baggett - Baylor Career Counselor
• Washington Post Article on Purity Pledge Survey
• Hard-Wired to Connect - Executive Summary
• UT Pre-Teen Sex Survey
• Logotherapy Institute - Life and Works of Viktor Krankl

Listen to the Political Hope Radio Show, Sunday at 4 pm CDT.

God Save our Familes

State Affairs Defines Morality Tuesday

The Texas House State Affairs Committee is scheduled to hear many bills dealing with moral issues this coming Tuesday, April 21st. Your voice is needed! Take a look at the line-up...

• Anti-Cloning Bills (HB-543, HB-1190)
• Enforcement of licensing and existing laws with illegal immigrants (HB-48, HB-404, HB-139, HB-1061, HB-3949, HB-4675)
• Informed Consent and Ultra-sound prior to Abortion (HB-36, HB-3796,
• State Sovereignty (HCR-50)

Visit the following link for more details:
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/schedules/html/C4502009042114001.htm

It should be a big day (and evening). Contact your representative and the State Affairs Committee office to voice your opinion!

God Save Texas

Tainted Texas Tea

Let's see. How many tax and spend bills can we find in the 81st Texas Legislature? While we "Right Wind Extremist" gathered to hear the most conservative speakers to be found in Austin Texas; While many decry the policies of the federal government; while we acknowledge that Texas is #1 among the states in many aspects ... there is that looming question:

"Are we not headed down the same primrose path?"

I spoke to many regular folks yesterday, as they gathered to toss tea into Lady Bird Lake. Every last one of them answered the same. While we gather to voice our opposition to big government and further taxation, Texas is doing the same thing. Maybe we lag. Maybe we're not "as bad", but we are falling into the same trap. Texas is drifting left.

The actual video interviews will be posted as soon as we can process them. Please respond with the Texas tax and spend bills that you oppose.

Show Announcement: Godly Children - The Lord's Desire

Godly Children. What more important task have you been assigned? Parents are often clueless about the lives of their teens, and are not intentional about raising godly children. Pastor Michael Wright knows all too well the fatal consequences of neglecting this divine calling.

Michael is the Senior Pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church in Liberty Hill, Texas. Pastor Wright preached an attention getting message on March 29th, "The Secret Life of a Teenager". You need to hear this message, and we all can learn from the message God has given him.

Listen to the Political Hope Radio Show this Sunday at 4 pm. We'll also review a new UT report on pre-teen sexual activity and discuss the Tea Parties, as we talk with Pastor Wright about raising godly children. Oh ... and yes, godly children and parenting does connect with politics, just in case you had any doubt.

God Save the U.S.A.

Show Announcement: Small Town - Big Production

The Lord is risen! He is risen indeed! Blessings to you during the most significant celebration of the year. God is Sovereign over our mortal bodies. He has shown that He has power over even death, and promises to destroy the enemy of every man (1 Cor 15:26)

This Sunday on the Political Hope Radio Show, we'll talk about some significant events in the course of history, as well as the subtle changes that eventually produce major shifts. The cycle of humanity changes back and forth over time. Mankind waxes and wanes in relationship to God, and the tide of blessing ebbs and flows accordingly.

We'll be talking with Bob Hudgins of the Governor's Texas Film Commission. Bob is excited about the impact that film jobs have on Texas. We'll also visit with Adena Lewis of the Smithville Chamber of Commerce. Adena has first hand knowledge on the small town impact of big productions. Two movies have already been filmed in Smithville, and a third is on the way, if the Texas Legislature remains green on HB-873.

HB-873 expands an existing film incentive program in the Governor's Office. Does this bill typify the subtle compromises we often see from Republicans? Some have labeled it nothing more than bi-partisan pork. Democrat Donna Dukes is carry the bill for the Governor.

Wake up Patriots. Change is under your nose...

God Save Texas

High Schoolers Elect the Bible Now!

Led by Representative Warren Chisum and the Free Market Foundation, the 80th Texas Legislature (2007) passed a bill that affirmed the right of public schools to offer an Elective Bible Class. House Bill 1287 also requires public High Schools to offer an Elective Bible Class beginning in the 2009-2010 school year, when 15 or more students sign-up. This is not a Theology class; it is historical, cultural and literary in nature.

Now is the time! Schools are planning for next year now. Electives are selected this time of year. If you use the Public School system, now is the time to affirm the work of the 80th Texas Legislature. For more information, visit ...

http://www.hismoralbanner.com/Org/TxBible.htm

God Save Texas

Government Empowerment?

Some say the title of this blog is oxymoronic. How about "government empowerment"?

In John Maxwell's Twenty-One Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, The Law of Empowerment is a key measure of great leadership. As a leader we must hand over trust, resources, and opportunity to those we lead in order to grow an organization or business. This begs the question, "Has government ever empowered anyone?"

As Texas law making passes before our eyes, I ask, "Where is empowerment?" "Who is being empowered?"

The witness list for a bill is a tell-tale sign. For instance, take SB-855 debated in a Texas Senate Committee yesterday. The For list was largely city, county and Regional Mobility Authority type folks. They seek to raise taxes to fund transportation projects. The taxpayer organizations were on the Nay side of the argument. Need I say more?

Yes, roads must be funded. What about empowering people to run their businesses to generate more revenue for roads? What about cutting wasteful state programs? Where's the budget cut list? Where are the reductions in spending on extraneous programs? Where's the budget priority on essential government services?

Let our laws empowerment the people. Government tends towards regulation and taxation; not empowerment. The 81st Texas Legislature is beginning to show its true colors. In the House it's 76 red, 74 blue. In the Senate there are 20 red, and 12 blue, and now more than ever, the Texas Legislature has plenty of purple in the middle. Wait 'till you hear about the other topics they've debated this week...

God Save Texas

Coward Knight Racist in Marshall

Under the cover of night, the United White Knights still distribute their racist literature in Marshall, Texas. It is amazing that racism still rules the hearts of some, even here in the Great State of Texas and in the United State of America, today, the Year of Our Lord 2009. It is equally amazing that these "Knights" are afraid of the light. A white knight should shine with the light, rather than hide in the darkness. In our culture, even the pornographers spew their filth openly in the daylight and on prime-time television. Maybe racism is even more shameful than adultery and fornication, if that is possible...

May the Spirit of God convict us of sin, righteousness, and the judgment to come.

Klan literature thrown in two areas in Marshall
Source: By Charkes Iyoho, April 8, 2009
www.MarshallNewsMessenger.com
The presence of Ku Klux Klan pamphlets in driveways and yards surprised members of a number of households in the Marshall area this past week. But Hale Joseph, who remembers vividly the racial abuse she and her family lived through, says she's not at all shocked by the incident.

God Save the U.S.A.

Seventeen Silences State Sovereignty

Prompted by State Legislators that failed to meet their obligation, it was done in the name of democracy. They had lost sight of the significance associated with their part in the balance of power. Now we witness the raging madness of an oligarchy. Now we see why the balance of power, the separation, and our Republican form of government are so essential, and the times are not unique to Obama's reign.

I'm speaking of the Seventeenth Amendment. The Seventeenth Amendment silenced the voices that defended State Constitutions. The Seventeenth Amendment sliced State Sovereignty right out of the Upper Chamber. Today, the Upper and Lower Chambers are beset by near identical lobbying and campaign forces. Aside from the length of term and civil service tenor, what distinguishes the two chambers? What exists to prevent the two chamber of the U.S. Congress from trampling State Rights or State Constitutions? Who in D.C. is accountable to State Law Makers?

The founders understood something that we have forgotten. The corruption of man has no end. Therefore, we must separate powers to the fullest extent possible. The separation of the Executive from the Judicial from the Legislative is not enough. Can you not see this? The power of the masses has to be separate from the power of the States!! General lobbying influences of special interests, unions, corporation, cities, etc.. have destroyed the system. The voices of State Legislators and the State Constitutions are no longer represented and defended in the Federal City!!

It's time to get loud. It's time to tell Washington that the State Legislators have their voice in the U.S. Senate. The power and accountability of State Representation in the Senate must be returned!! It is time to Repeal 17!!

Texas House members Creighton, Hughes, Berman, Gattis and Guillen have filed HCR-50 declaring the Sovereignty of the State of Texas in light of the Tenth Amendment. Their effort is worthy of your support. Tea Parties are flaring up all across the land. These symbolic acts are also worthy of your support. But what has teeth? What will take a bite out of the corruption in the Federal City? What can really bring change to D.C.? What will restore the balance of power in the land?

Repeal 17!! Repeal 17!!

God Save the U.S.A.

Hiding from Robin Hood

There are those who like Robin Hood, and those that don't. Some see theft from the rich as a path to equality. We're seeing more and more "economic justice" in our nation. I'm still looking for the "just" part of it. Texas is notorious for its Robin Hood school funding system. Property rich school districts have to pay the state, so the state can re-distribute the wealth to the property poor districts. Most don't like it, but there is no longer much fuss to shut it down. There are plenty of attempts to reform it. A milder more pleasant Robin Hood seams to be the ideal; more "fair" you see.


There are also those who like to hide from Robin Hood. Bryson ISD Superintendent, Jack Coody, among many others, understands that if Robin Hood doesn't know that you are rich, then he won't come after you. The problem is that Representative Lois Kolkhorst is on to their game. Rep. Kolkhorst has filed House Bills 1273 & 1274, which would require full disclosure and proper accounting for benefits to school districts received under the Texas Economic Development Act (Chapter 313).


"BISD entered into a contract with Gamesa in December 2007, exchanging a lower property valuation on its Barton Chapel Wind Farm project for a promise of an $4.5 million windfall to the school district over the life of the 10-year agreement." - Jack County Herald


Rep. Kolkhorst is in a tough position. She's getting hit from both sides. For the sake of transparency and full disclosure, her bills should be passed. For them to fail, is to continue giving Robin Hood a misdirection play. That's something way too many "business minded" folks resonate with. Either way, Robin Hood is still stealing from the "rich" and giving to the "poor", and good luck defining rich and poor.

Both of Rep. Kolkhorst's bills are currently in committee. HB-1274 received a hearing and is pending further action from a newly named Ways & Means sub-committee. HB-1273 is awaiting action from the Public Education Committee. In the mean time, money withheld from the school funding system by a few dozen districts pushes more of the property tax burden onto the rest of us.

God Save Texas