Another Rick Green Show on June 3

STACK SPECIAL: Rick Green Show for Tuesday, June 3, 2009, 4 – 6 pm CDT

Guests:

• Bob Waliszewski, Director, www.PluggedInOnline.com , 4:05pm
• Gary DeMar, www.americanvision.org, 4:30 pm
• Talmadge Heflin, www.texaspolicy.org, 5:15 pm
• Pastor Trey Kent, www.NorthwestFellowship.org, 5:45 pm

Topics:

• CPS Bill follow-up (SB-1440 Amendment) – Veto on Parental Rights?
• Baghdad Pink Zone? Is America A Christian Nation?
• The Left's Legacy of Terror
• Tax Payers Fared Well in 81st Texas Legislature
• First Steps Discipleship Seminar
• Might Church Foreclosures Be a Good Thing?
• Has Chicago Thugocracy Migrated to DC?
• On-Line Poll: Changes in Home Schooling
  

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Gary DeMar Interview at 4:30 pm, www.americanvision.org

The Terror Legacy of the Left
Source: www.americanvision.org, Gary DeMar, 6/3/09
In the July 11, 1968, issue of The Village Voice, Marvin Garson, the pamphleteer of the Free Speech Movement, recounted with pride the bombings which had been the calling card of campus radicals from Berkeley and its environs:

Religious Confusion on the Death Penalty
Source: www.rodparsley.com Friday, May 29, 2009
Now and then we find a ‘religious’ argument for a public policy position that betrays an embarrassing ignorance of Scripture. We found one not long ago concerning the death penalty. What dismayed us was not the familiar arguments we’ve heard before but the source of them: a site we review often called Religion Dispatches.

Patrick Henry on Jesus words (Personal vs. Government)

Pro-Lifers Say Abortionist’s Murder Undermines the Right-to-Life Movement
Source: www.CNSNews.com, Susan Jones, Monday, June 01, 2009
Pro-life groups say murder is incompatible with their beliefs, and they are condemning the shooting death of Kansas abortionist George Tiller. Tiller, one of the nation's few providers of late-term abortions, was killed Sunday at the Wichita church where he was serving as an usher.

Q – Should Tiller’s Killer get the death penalty?

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For One Night, Baghdad Gets a Pink Zone
Source: www.washingtonpost.com, Al Kamen, Friday, May 22, 2009
Change has certainly come to Baghdad. And it appears that includes the U.S. Embassy, where they are holding what the invitation says is the first-ever U.S. Embassy Gay Pride Theme Party next Friday at Baghdaddy's, which is the embassy employee association's pub.

The Christian America Debate Continues
Source: www.americanvision.org, Gary DeMar, 6/01/09
Every society is founded on some ultimate principle. It might be the absolutism of a single ruler, the majority-rule concept of a pure democracy where the “voice of the people is considered to be the voice of God” (vox populi, vox dei), or an oligarchy where a self-appointed group of experts claim sovereignty and control. A system of values (laws) flows from this fundamental operating principle even among regimes as diverse as Nazism, Communism, Fascism, and Socialism. Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez make the claim that their socialistic system of rule is the best form government. Adolf Hitler made the same argument for his brand of National Socialism as did Lenin and Stalin for Communism. No government ever argues that its system is evil and bad for the people.

Q – Is America a Christian Nation?

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Zoners Gone Wild

Has the Conventicle Returned?
Source: www.freedomsphoenix.com, Greg Dixon, 5/25/09
In Moslem lands under Sharia law, they are called the “Moral Police,” but in San Diego we now have the “Prayer Police”. According to the May 22nd World Net Daily, a man and his wife found out what its like to be harassed by government goons when they came to their home on “Good Friday” and demanded the following answers: "Do you have a regular weekly meeting in your home? Do you sing? Do you say 'amen'?" "Do you say, 'Praise the Lord'?" The lady of the house boldly said “Yes” to all of the above.

San Diego County won't force permit on Bible study leaders

Q - Should zoning planners (“zoners”) restrict “Religious Assemblies” from meeting in neighborhoods?


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Why Church Foreclosures May Be a Good Thing
Source: www.ministrytodaymag.com, 5/26/09
Although many church leaders blame the economic downturn for a decrease in giving among churchgoers, an Orange County, Calif., pastor says the church's general cash-flow shift has been years in the making-and actually is a good thing.

Q – Is the suburban church more focused on the building than being the body?

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Talmadge Heflin, www.texaspolicy.com, 5:15 pm

Foundation: Taxpayers fared well in 2009 legislative session
Key wins are adoption of conservative budget and defeat of higher taxes
Source: www.texaspolicy.com , Justin Keener, June 02, 2009
Taxpayers fared well this legislative session, according to the post-session assessment of the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
“The Legislature adopted a relatively conservative budget, needed eminent domain reform, and improved public school accountability, while cutting taxes for small businesses,” said Justin Keener, the Foundation’s vice president of policy and communications. “To taxpayers’ relief, they defeated the expansion of government-run health insurance and several tax increases. Texas remains poised for a bounce back from the global recession thanks to lawmakers’ actions to maintain our state’s competitive edge of low taxes and a reasonable regulatory environment.”

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Pastor Trey Kent, www.northwestfellowship.com , 5:45 pm

Discipling Another at Northwest Fellowship
Source: www.hismoralbanner.com, 5/28/09
Northwest Fellowship in Austin is hosting the First Steps Discipleship Seminar and the Discipling Your Child kick-off event on Saturday, June 13th. An optional Practical Discipleship Workshop follows on Sunday, June 14th.

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Thugocracy, Chicago-Style
Politics Behind Chrysler Dealer Closings?
Source: www.moparmusclemagazine.com, Scott Ross, 5/28/09
When Chrysler announced earlier this month that they were axing nearly 800 of its franchised dealers, the corporation said that it would use dealers’ sales volumes, customer-service scores and local market shares as criteria for deciding which dealers stayed open, and which would be closed.

Obama Offers Prime Posts to Top Campaign Contributors (Update1)
Source: www.bloomberg.com, Jonathan D. Salant & Julianna Goldman, May 29
Louis Susman has one thing in common with many of his predecessors nominated to be the U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom: money.

Q – Has Chicago style politics migrated to D.C.?

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Obama Superciliousness (Video Link)
Source: www.politico.com, 5/28/09

Q – Is President Obama Supercilious / Haughty / Arrogant?

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Profound shift in kind of families who are home schooling their children
Source: www.usatoday.com, Greg Toppo, 5/28/09
Parents who home-school children increasingly are white, wealthy and well-educated — and their numbers have nearly doubled in a decade, a new federal government report says. What else has nearly doubled? The percentage of girls who are home-schooled.
Link to U.S. Dept. of Education Report (223KB PDF file)>>

Poll Q – Do you home school your children? Should Big Gov’ment regulate home school teachers & curriculum? – politicalhope.blogspot.com - poll

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Parental Guidance Center Calling for Veto of SB-1440
www.parentguidancecenter.org

SB-1440 Amendment Text:

Section 261.303, Family Code, (b) If admission to the home, school, or any
place where the child may be cannot be obtained, or if consent to transport a
child for purposes relating to an interview or investigation cannot be obtained,
then, on presentation of an application supported by an affidavit described by
Subsection (c-2) that is executed by an investigator or authorized
representative of the department, [for good cause shown] the court having family
law jurisdiction, including any associate judge designated by the court, may, on
finding that the affidavit is sufficient and without prior notice or a hearing,
[shall] order the parent, the person responsible for the care of the children,
or the person in charge of any place where the child may be to allow entrance,
transport of the child, or both entrance and transport for the interview,
examination, and investigation.

Opposition:
Martinez, Diana (TexProtects, The Texas Assoc. For the Protection of Children)
McCown, Scott (Center for Public Policy Priorities) Exec. Dir. & former Judge

Tax Troubles for Transient Texans

Imagine for a moment that you own commercial lease space. You know the current economic conditions are pressuring your tenants. How will you maintain cash flow to keep from going under yourself? You have three basic choices: 1) maintain the status-quo and pray for the best, 2) raise the lease rate on expiring contracts to help offset potential tenant losses, or 3) re-negotiate the current leases at a lower rate and lock the tenants in through the downturn?

Smart property owners in Austin, Texas are choosing option three; Not so with the 81st Texas Legislature. The 81st is pursuing the failed policies of big gov'ment liberals; they like option number two. Milk transient Texans for all you can as they die off one-by-one.

Let me explain. I'm not talking about destitute Texans; it's those that use gasoline that are in danger. State Legislators are considering bills that would immediately raise the gasoline tax by fifty percent!! The gas tax could easily go from twenty cents to thirty cents, and over time it could reach forty-five cents or one-hundred twenty five percent of the current amount.

There are a number of transportation related bills that you need to pay attention to. A coalition of Texas conservatives says,

"The transportation tax package (HB 9, HJR 9, and SB 855) passed by the House
Transportation Committee contains the wrong ideas at the worst possible time." - http://www.texaspolicy.com/

This transportation package has traction in the 81st Texas Legislature. You better get out of the car and go see your elected officials on this issue or buckle up your wallet! Stay on top of these bills and contact your representative at www.politicalhope.com/resources

God Save Texas

Show Announcement - Special Edition

The skeptics were right. The election of Joe Straus as Speak of the Texas House has gone as predicted. His more kind and gentle hand has tilted Texas to the left. His approach has led to mo' big gov'ment in the Great State of Texas.

Michael Quinn Sullivan is the President of Empower Texans. Listen to Michael as guest host this Sunday at 4 pm when he reviews the 81st Texas Legislature. The 81st has sent over eighty-one bills to the governor thus far, and fiscal conservativism is more difficult to find in Straus' House.

Michael will also talk to Ted Cruz, candidate for Texas Attorney General. Ted is described by National Law Journal as "a key voice" whom "the [U.S. Supreme Court] Justices listen to", Ted was named by American Lawyer magazine as one of the 50 Best Litigators under 45 in America, hailed as a "rising star" in the Wall Street Journal, and named by National Law Journal as one of the 50 Most Influential Minority Lawyers in America.

Listen to Michael & Ted this Sunday at 4pm. Be sure to read THE STACK, pick up the phone, and join the discussion every Sunday at 4pm. The call in numbers are ...

(512) 637-9673 (WORD)
- or -
(888) 860-9673

Call the Political Hope Radio Show to voice your opinion every Sunday at 4 pm CDT. You can hear us on The Word 98.5 & 99.3 KLGO FM Radio in Austin, or listen to live streaming on-line ...
http://www.klgo.net/content.php?id=6&bcid=145&dow=0

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.

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

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

HCR-50 - The Sovereign State of Texas

Below is the text of Texas House Resolution (HCR) 50, filed by Representative Brandon Creighton of Montgomery County, Texas.

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States reads as follows: "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people"; and

WHEREAS, The Tenth Amendment defines the total scope of federal power as being that specifically granted by the Constitution of the United States and no more; and


WHEREAS, The scope of power defined by the Tenth Amendment means that the federal government was created by the states specifically to be an agent of the states; and

WHEREAS, Today, in 2009, the states are demonstrably treated as agents of the federal government; and

WHEREAS, Many federal laws are directly in violation of the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States; and

WHEREAS, The Tenth Amendment assures that we, the people of the United States of America and each sovereign state in the Union of States, now have, and have always had, rights the federal government may not usurp; and

WHEREAS, Section 4, Article IV, of the Constitution says, "The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government," and the Ninth Amendment states that "The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people"; and

WHEREAS, The United States Supreme Court has ruled in New York v. United States, 112 S. Ct. 2408 (1992), that congress may not simply commandeer the legislative and regulatory processes of the states; and

WHEREAS, A number of proposals from previous administrations and some now pending from the present administration and from congress may further violate the Constitution of the United States; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the 81st Legislature of the State of Texas hereby claim sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States over all powers not otherwise enumerated and granted to the federal government by the Constitution of the United States; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That this serve as notice and demand to the federal government, as our agent, to cease and desist, effective immediately, mandates that are beyond the scope of these constitutionally delegated powers; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That all compulsory federal legislation that directs states to comply under threat of civil or criminal penalties or sanctions or that requires states to pass legislation or lose federal funding be prohibited or repealed; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward official copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, to the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate of the United States Congress, and to all the members of the Texas delegation to the congress with the request that this resolution be officially entered in the Congressional Record as a memorial to the Congress of the United States of America.

Show Announcement: 2 Heart Beats

One man, one woman.

Has not the Lord made them one? ... And why one? Because he seeks godly
offspring. (Mal 2:15).

One woman, one child of the womb ...

2 Heart Beats - Texas Pro-Life Lobby Day, Tues, Feb 24th.

This Sunday at 4 pm Kyleen Wright of Texans for Life and Representative Frank Corte Jr of San Antone will be our guests. We'll be discussing the Informed Consent bill (HB-36) and Texas Pro-Life Lobby Day. This bill requires mothers to see and hear an audio equipped ultrasound prior to an abortion procedure. The bill has already been referred to the State Affairs Committee where some of the ABG Gang, freshman Diana Maldonado, and Craddick himself all sit. You can expect sparks to fly on this one.

Join us this and every Sunday at 4 PM, for politics, religion and apple pie. We'll take your calls, and tell you more about the First Steps Discipleship Seminar and other up-coming events.

We appreciate your phone calls, blog comments, and emails. Listen to Political Hope, pick up the phone and join the discussion every Sunday at 4pm. The call in numbers are ...

(512) 637-9673 (WORD)
- or -
(888) 860-9673

You can hear us on The Word 98.5 & 99.3 KLGO FM Radio in Austin, or listen to live streaming on-line ... http://www.theword993.com/

Brent Bullock
Political Hope Radio Show
http://www.politicalhope.com/

PS: Forward this to your friends, and have them sign-up for the show announcements and blog.

Show Announcment: Taking a Bite Out of D-I-V-O-R-C-E

One in four teen girls has an STD,
One in three new dads is MIA, and
One in two marriages end in D-I-V-O-R-C-E!

Let me spell it out for you. We need G-O-D in the USA. Pulpits are silent and Malachi 2 is heralded no more; some one must speak and act to halt rampant D-I-V-O-R-C-E.

Divorce Reform and Covenant Marriage are making their way around the State Legislatures. In Texas, Representative Warren Chisum has filed a bill (HB-480) to make no-fault divorces a bit harder to obtain. The bill would require counseling before divorce on the grounds of in-supportability.

No-fault divorces are only a portion of all divorces. Does HB-480 have enough teeth to take a bite out of D-I-V-O-R-C-E? Join me this Sunday at 4 pm CST for the Political Hope Radio Show, as we talk over the state of marriage and divorce in Texas. Representative Chisum will be on hand to talk about Divorce Reform and take your calls.

Bob Schoolfield of Let's Choose Schools will also join the show to tell us about an upcoming School Choice Raffle and Rally on Wed. February 25th. You could win a school choice scholarship prize.

God Save the U.S.A.

Don't Kick Texas' Bucket

Wrangling over the Texas budget will be a major past-time for the 81st Texas Legislature. Let's just make sure they don't kick the bucket during all of the horse-play; The Rainy Day Bucket that is.

Texas has a considerable Rainy Day Fund. With income down, catastrophe expenses still in mind, gaps in current programs, plus new spending proposals, that bucket could wind-up discarded on the side of the freeway. Some would love to spend the whole amount, while Conservatives know that it must be used selectively, and it must be replenished. A bucket is an important implement to a farmer. City folks some times don't get that.

Here are some articles to consider. Be sure to keep the pressure on your elected officials. Visit www.politicalhope.com/resources to find yours.

• Joe Straus' Brains Trust (Dallas Morning News)
• Lisa Kaufman, named Straus' Director of Budget and Policy (Texas House web-site)
• Raining in Texas? (Empower Texans Rainy Day Fund Video)
• Blueprint for An Effective Budget (Michael Quinn Sulivan - Empower Texans)
• Groups call for spending restraint in tough budget climate (Austin-American Article)

God Save Texas

Show Announcement: The Greatest State

Texas is a great place to live for many reasons. As California puts a hold on tax-refund checks, the great state of Texas is doing great, creating more jobs than the combined effort of other states. We can thank conservative leaders like Gov. Rick Perry, and State Representative Dan Gattis, among many others, for their hard work to maintain Texas' economy.

"As we celebrate our relative strength and welcome these new jobs to Texas, we cannot lose sight of the global financial situation and what it may mean for us in the months to come. As we wrestle with lowered revenue estimates, we must stay committed to the proven policies that have brought us so far, and resist any calls to panic. There are those who say we should crack open the Rainy Day Fund and pour it out on every need that presents itself. Others say we should just hunker down, save every penny we have, and stay curled up in the fetal position ‘til this one blows over. Now, I’m a big believer in conservative fiscal approaches… but that doesn’t mean it’s time to play defense. Texas is strong because we aggressively play offense. In tough times, others see threats; Texans see opportunity."

- Texas Governor Rick Perry, State of the State speech, January 22, 2009

You can thank Representative Gattis personally this Sunday on the Political Hope Radio Show. Texas District 20 State Representative Dan Gattis will join us to help wade through the choice of priorities facing the 81st Texas Legislature. We are a great state and we also have great issues facing us. While we are doing well, we must persevere.

Texas challenges include maintaining our conservative principles, education funding, border security, road funding, railroad relocation, tax appraisal reform and energy initiatives. Read THE STACK for insight to the challenges. There is much to talk about, and your voice is needed.

Call the show this Sunday, and help us consider priorities for the Greatest State.

Show Announcement: Don't Drink the Kool-Aid

The Texas GOP drank the Democrat’s Kool-Aid. The heavy hand of Craddick is out, and the even hand of Joe Straus is in (barring in unforeseen circumstances). The gravel will swing a little bit lighter next week as the 81st Texas Legislature convenes. Read more>>

In a separate story, Dr. Gary Cass of the Christian Anti-Defamation League will join us to discuss the 2008 Top Ten most outrageous Christian Bashing incidents in America. Apparently many in our nation drank Kool-Aid spiked with another poison. ESPN anchor Dana Jacobson's dropped the f-bomb against Christ at an ESPN corporate event, while Colorado moved to ban the publication of the Bible . These and many other stories point to the spiked Kool-Aid that Americans are drinking.

In the good news section, Republicans in the Federal City announced a bill aimed at ear-mark reform. Hopefully, the 111th U.S. Congress, which began this past week, will bite a few porkers in the ear, and put an end to some of the wasteful spending in the Federal City. Republicans also announced a bill to ban the Fairness Doctrine. Read more stories in THE STACK, and join us this Sunday at 4 PM, for politics, religion and apple pie.

Call the Political Hope Radio Show to voice your opinion every Sunday at 4 pm CDT. You can hear us on The Word 98.5 & 99.3 KLGO FM Radio in Austin, or listen to live streaming on-line ...
www.theword993.com

We need your calls. You can still watch the game; just turn down the play-by-play and listen to Political Hope! Pick up the phone and join the discussion every Sunday at 4pm. The call in numbers are ...

(512) 637-9673 (WORD)
- or -
(888) 860-9673

Show Follow-up: Texas GOP Drinks The Kool-Aid

It has been said, that "as goes Texas, so goes the nation". Friends, those days are numbered. Few states have been successful doing what Texas has done, and now Texas is following the nation, including some in the Texas GOP. Today, Texas is a bright shining star of Conservatism amidst the United States. That may be a different story in six months.

The fight over the Texas Speaker of the House post is reportedly over. The heavy-hand of Craddick has been swept away from the gavel, and the even-handed Joe Straus will swing it a bit softer when the 81st Texas Legislature convenes next Tuesday (barring any unforeseen circumstances). Country Club Republican, Joe Straus, has wooed the masses with his bi-partisan approach. The problem is the absence of principles in getting him there. The problem is knowing which way he will steer the ship, not to mention the lack of GOP leadership in dealing with the Craddick problem.

Yes, I know, most of you like Straus. And I'm sure he can lead. That much is clear. The question is where will he lead to, and why Straus instead of another conservative leader? Why is the Texas GOP rewarding a Junior Representative that strays well from the party line? The ABC gang maybe able to spell "Anybody But Craddick", but what about the principles of the conservative agenda? While most say this is all about leadership style. I keep wondering why Straus over Smithee or Gattis. The Friday night scene reported by the Statesman makes it all sound too jovial for me. Why did Straus' majority support emerge from the Democrats, rather than the Republicans? Why does Straus' family come up, every time I ask how he emerged to the top of the list. This is politics. It is about the agenda, and we all have one.

Sure, Craddick had to go, and I know you'll all enjoy the new leadership style. Straus is younger with a softer touch, sure to make the Dems feel better about them selves. We've seen this type of transition in every board room from the local ISD, to the church-house, and the neighborhood HOAs. Now, the newspaper reporters are rejoicing over Texas' first modern Speaker of the House. At the time Texas' conservative principles are needed most in a nation drifting left, the Texas GOP places a soft hand on the helm. At at time when right turns are needed over left turns, the firm leadership style of the 40s and 50s is swept away by the feel good group from my generation. At a time when the Federal government is set to run over States Rights with a mighty bull-dozer, we need strong Conservative Leaders.

The ABC gang of Republicans are defending Straus, down-playing the importance of the speaker role, saying we need to move onto more important matters, and repeating Straus' defenses on social conservative issues. You can repeat the pledges all you want; voting records speak louder than words. He's been good on the economic development, guns, and clearly knows how to cross the aisle. We'll see if conservative leadership shows up in this critical session. I'm expecting a few left turns. The Dems have their first win, and we haven't even started yet. Some in the Texas GOP drank the kool-aid.

God Save Texas!

Show Announcement - Life & Death Agenda Battle

Welcome to 2009 and it's Life or Death for Tom Craddick's House Speaker position and the Pro-Life, Pro-Family agenda in the 81st Texas Legislature. Eleven Republicans have joined forces with the Democratic minority, which could led to the demise of the Conservative agenda in the upcoming Texas Legislative session. Read more in the THE STACK >>.

Jonathan Saenz of Free Market Foundation will join me this Sunday, January 4th, to discuss the upcoming session, the speaker's controversy and the expected agenda items.

Call the Political Hope Radio Show to voice your opinion every Sunday at 4 pm CDT. You can hear us on The Word 98.5 & 99.3 KLGO FM Radio in Austin, or listen to live streaming on-line ...
http://www.theword993.com/

We need your calls. You can still watch the game; just turn down the play-by-play and listen to Political Hope! Pick up the phone and join the discussion every Sunday at 4pm. The call in numbers are ...

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