Friday, August 29, 2008

Sarah who?

Sarah who?

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin may be a newcomer to the national political scene, but Americans were asking "who's Obama?" not too long ago.

While voters may today be asking "Sarah who?" they will soon get to know this woman as Mrs. All-American.

She's a tremendously creative selection. While many of politicos have followed her and admired her as a pro-life reformer who has worked to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse in government. She is a crusader for families and for Americans.

Will she attract women voters? Will she attract Clinton supporters? Only time will tell. But pro-lifers will be climbing aboard the McCain bandwagon in mass.

But most important, she presents a stark contrast to the Democratic ticket. She is a departure from the political norm.

She represents change.

Folks won't be asking "Sarah who?" for long!

Thursday, August 28, 2008

There they go again, filing lawsuits that will end up costing you more

There they go again, as Ronald Reagan would say. Environmental extremists are suing Dynegy Energy trying to stop their planned Waco-area plant.

Ever wonder why energy prices are so high? Thank the Sierra Club and Public Citizen – two groups who claim to want to protect the environment, but seem their ploy is to delay – and derail – new electricity generation in Texas UNLESS it is solar or wind..

We can’t fill Texas’ growing demand for electricity with solar and wind.

Part of the cost of delivering energy is the cost of litigation and the shortages we have due to delays in building new generating facilities.

So say “thanks” to the Sierra Club and Public Citizen when you sign the ever-increasing check to your electricity provider. Thanks for nothing!

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Austin ISD set to fleece taxpayers

When my husband and I bought our house, we very purposefully chose one that did not sit in Austin ISD. Granted, property-tax-wise, very few choices are really awesome these days, but we figured Round Rock and Pflugerville were infinitely better options in Travis County than AISD. Seeing the Statesman this morning, I am confident we chose wisely.

Austin ISD is planning to raise the property tax rate, pending voter approval, by 3.9 cents. In other words, the budget is growing, and they believe they can justify asking taxpayers for more money.

Wait, didn't AISD actually see one of its schools close this last year due to poor performance? Why exactly should voters give them more money, when it's clear that money isn't the problem?

Of course, the district is claiming that the majority of the new money in the budget is for teacher pay raises. Which makes sense, I suppose - in such a district, you'd need to pay your teachers more just to keep them from fleeing for higher ground, right? Round Rock ISD is asking for $294 million in new bond money this fall, for new facilities. The board of trustees is claiming that they need this because of the growth in RRISD.

One has to think that if Austin ISD continues to raise property taxes on citizens there, Round Rock ISD will begin taking even more overflow as Austin residents are priced out of their homes. And then RRISD taxpayers will be priced out of their homes, and so on. Until we're all living in Bell County and commuting to Austin.

(crossposted at Blue Dot Blues)

AARP isn't sponsoring a Senatorial Debate in TX this election

MSM is reporting that Cong. John Cornyn and his challenger have agreed to two debates, and yet the challenger is whining that Cornyn didn't agree to an AARP-sponsored debate in San Antonio. Cornyn's campaign said that he said he would not agree to a debate sponsored by a special interest group. Cornyn is right.

Let's face it -- AARP is a special interest group forcused on growing the role of government in our lives.

And taxpayers are providing funding for this group. Public funding should be cut off.

AARP wants government-run health care and is a voice for big-government advocates. Members often join for the insurance (which isn't any kind of a deal) and they essentially prey off the most vulnerable in our society.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Hat’s off to Seabrook - TML's already got enough of your money

The City of Seabrook voted not to spend a proposed $1,000 for booth space at the upcoming Texas Municipal League conference in San Antonio

Registration per person is $225 – paid for by our city tax dollars. Topics for the conference include revenue caps, eminent domain, revenue and taxation issues, utility and transportation issues – all being taught by the TML Staff. “Many significant decisions affecting Texas cities are made by the Texas Legislature, not by municipal officials. Receive a briefing on utility and transportation issues the Texas Legislature will likely address during the 2009 legislative session, and learn how the League, through its policy development process, is preparing for the session.” (i.e. - these sessions will focus on how to blame the legislature while maximizing the revenue and minimizing the flack city officials get from citizens.)

But they will also have sessions including:
• It’s All About the Message
• Managing Emotional Audiences

Taxpayers: here are your tax dollars at work.

Seabrook likely made a good decision – your taxpayers don’t need to foot the bill for booth space at the Conference. After all, TML is a well-funded political machine – in 2006, they were a $5 million organization and paid about $1.9 million in salaries and wages for TML staffers.

You're already paying too miuch for their anti-taxpayer activities.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Fred Baron's been busy

It was likely in early 2000 and I was slated to go on the Dennis McQuistion TV show in Dallas. The topic was tort reform and the flurry of mold cases in Texas. Fred Baron was slated to debate me on the topic. He was THE king of litigation having made his fortune on asbestos litigation. I had flown in from Houston where I had another speaking engagement, and was more than a bit excited about the prospect of going toe-to-toe with the mega trial lawyer. When I got to the studio and was in “makeup”, I overheard two men speaking – one was saying “I just can’t go on…I am not prepared…I can’t do it.” I stepped next door to find that Baron was backing out of the interview. So I almost debated Baron – and though I was prepared, I also realized that I could have gotten trounced. Even with right on my side, it would have been a challenging debate. The host ended up finding an attorney from the audience and we went on with the show.

Fast forward…I’m on vacation in Pensacola and learn of Fred Baron’s latest caper.

Baron is now in the news for admitting to paying (off?) Rielle Hunter and the former John Edwards campaign staffer Andrew Young. Ostensibly, he paid their relocation expenses when they moved from North Carolina anti a multi-million dollar home in California two years ago. The payments are as much as $15,000 a month, some news outlets have reported. Petty change to Baron.

Today, Dallas Democrats are coming to Baron’s defense, as Baron said he made the decision alone without consulting Edwards. http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/080909dnmetbaron.29aa166d.html It’s not the first time he would have “gone it alone” as he has practically self-funded the Democratic Party of Texas, which could explain why Democrats are lining up to defend Baron. He has a long history in liberal politics.

Texas Lawyer had named him “Impact Player of the Year” in 2006.

Baron was behind the massive defeat of the Democrats in Dallas County by working to get out the vote. In 2006, two of the six new House Democrats are trial lawyers — and one of them, now Rep. Allen Vaught, is a former Baron & Budd associate.

His stated goal: to stop conservatives from reshaping the civil justice system --http://www.law.com/jsp/tx/PubArticleTX.jsp?id=900005470103.

Ralph Nader is his mentor -- While a student at the University of Texas School of Law, Baron says he was "proselytized" by a speech given by Ralph Nader about using "the law as an instrument of social change to regulate corporate conduct.

Edwards’ affair wasn’t Baron’s first cheating scandal. http://www.dallasobserver.com/2001-03-29/news/homefryin-with-fred-baron/

In 1997, Baron’s firm was accused of telling plaintiffs to lie in depositions. The allegations were backed up by a 20-page internal document titled "Preparing for Your Deposition," which had been inadvertently turned over to an asbestos defense attorney by one of Baron’s associates. Imagine what the defense attorney felt when he read it.

Among its instructions, the memo suggested many answers that clients should provide opposing counsel. "You will be asked if you ever saw any WARNING labels on containers of the asbestos products that said WARNING or DANGER," the memo said. "It is important to maintain that you NEVER saw any labels on asbestos products that said WARNING or DANGER."

A Dallas County district judge referred the issue to a State Bar of Texas grievance committee as well as to a Dallas County grand jury, which could explain why Baron was eager to sweep the judicial seats from Republicans and put his cronies in place, though no one took action against his firm.

Baron’s Edwards support was early and deep – after all, they were both trial lawyers who had earned a King’s fortune off lawsuits. When Edwards didn’t get the nomination last time around, Baron joined the Kerry team and helped get Edwards on that ticket.

Baron created the Texas Democratic Trust, a state PAC and funded it almost single-handedly. He was able to get Democrats to agree to pool their finances and push a straight-ticket vote. It worked in Dallas County.

According to Texas Shark Watch, “Fred Baron, an asbestos personal injury trial lawyer, has given millions in soft money to the national and state Democratic Parties. Baron has also donated hundreds of thousands to dozens of liberal Democrats like Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, Tom Daschle, Barbara Boxer, Chet Edwards, Tony Sanchez, Kirk Watson, and Eliot Shapleigh. However, Baron has also donated $20,000 to the gubernatorial campaign of revolting Republican Carole Keeton Strayhorn, $4,000to Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst, and $1,000 to Republican Senator Arlen Specter. In the 2006 GOP primary, Baron gave $2,500 to Wade Gent, a plaintiff lawyer who unsuccessfully challenged conservative Republican incumbent Betty Brown.”

Baron is quoted in the 2006 Texas Lawyer article by Mark Donald (linked earlier in this post) as saying that with a few million dollars he’s made progress – but according to Baron. "The real marker is 2010 when we redistrict again. In order to have a say in redistricting, we need to win the state House or the Senate or statewide office. And I think that is doable."

Baron has contributed to James R. Jordan’s campaign. Jordan is running against Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson.

Baron has also contributed to Annie's List, a pro-abortion PAC. Here is what the Williamson County GOP issued this week:

John Edwards Scandal has Williamson County Link.
Diana Maldonado urged to reject “toxic money”.

Round Rock, TX – The scandal involving former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards and his former National Finance Chairman Frederick Baron has links to the race for House District 52 and the campaign of democrat Diana Maldonado. Baron has been at the center of controversy for paying what has been characterized as “hush money” to Edwards’ mistress and he has admitted to moving her into hiding.

In April of this year Edwards’ ‘hush money man’ Baron contributed $25,000 to Annie’s List, the pro-abortion PAC. In the same reporting period Maldonado received a $25,000 contribution from this PAC.

“Baron is a liberal trial lawyer known for job killing lawsuits involving toxic chemical cases. This toxic money that was laundered and paid to Maldonado is a dirty down payment on corrupt and immoral behavior.” said Bill Fairbrother, Williamson County Republican Party Chairman. “Imagine the message this 'hush money' sends to our children. It says that if you make a mistake you do not have take responsibility for your actions.”

“It is time for Maldonado to take responsibility and reject this contribution. If she fails to reject this contribution she is aiding and abetting this corrupt behavior.” Fairbrother continued, “Williamson County families expect a high standard from their candidates and officeholders. Clearly actions such as this are out of touch with Williamson County values.” said Fairbrother.

To right this wrong, Chairman Fairbrother sent Maldonado a letter (attached) with a pre-stamped envelope so that she can contribute the $25,000 to the Williamson County Children’s Advocacy Center.

Southwest Dallas County's Liberal Legislators

Just how liberal are the state representatives and state senators that represent the Best Southwest area of Dallas County in Austin?

Pretty liberal, according to the Americans For Prosperity-Texas' legislative report card:

Representatives
District 109 | Helen Giddings | Democrat | AFP-TX: 38% -- D
District 111 | Yvonne Davis | Democrat | AFP-TX: 25% -- D
District 106 | Kirk England | Democrat* | AFP-TX: 61.9% -- B

*England was elected as a Republican but switched parties last year

View all 150 state representative districts


Senators
District 23 | Royce West | Democrat | AFP-TX: 21% -- F
District 2 | Bob Deuell | Republican | AFP-TX: 31% -- D

View all 31 state senate districts


AFP-TX Director Peggy Venable will be in Duncanville on Saturday visiting the GOP field office. The timing couldn't have been better: on Oct. 7, voters in Duncanville ISD and Cedar Hill ISD will be asked to hike school taxes 13 cents.

Monday, August 4, 2008

Three Ways You Can Help the GOP Revolt in Congress

This is from the Facebook group "Let's Rock the House! I Support the Guerilla Congress" - join this group to receive these updates about the movement to spread the message of the GOP revolt in Congress

Today over 20 members of the House GOP returned to the floor of the House to demand that Congress returns to work and passes the American Energy Act, which is an ‘all of the above’ energy solution. Users of Rock the House and #dontgo were on the scene, and the number of people participating in the ‘Twitter Revolution’ has been astounding. The House GOP will continue the phantom sessions all week, and may continue them throughout August.

Conservative Republican House members are taking this moment to lead when others refuse, and they deserve our support and gratitude. I’d also like to draw attention to the efforts of Robert Bluey, Eric Odom, Danny Glover, Jason Carini, Elisabeth ‘Media Lizzy’ Blackney, Jenn Sierra, Matthew Nehrling, and the countless others doing their part to make this happen.

The conservative netroots are forming a truly broad based movement, and each one of you can do your part to achieve comprehensive energy reform, bring the people back into the House, and embarrass the Democratic leadership.

Here are three things you can do today to help continue the push for comprehensive energy reform, greater House openness, and true Republican leadership.

1. Call Speaker Pelosi at (202) 225-0100 as well as your US Representative and ask that they return to work and approve the American Energy Act. The American Energy Act is an ‘all of the above’ solution that not only includes solar, wind and efficiency provisions, but domestic drilling and expanded use of safe and emissions-free nuclear power. You can learn more about the American Energy Act at http://www.gop.gov/energy/americanenergyact

2. Sign up for Twitter and start communicating on #dontgo. You can sign up for Twitter at http://www.twitter.com, and any update you post with ‘#dontgo’ included will be listed on the feed visible at http://www.dontgo.us. There is a thread on the Facebook group for people who wish to answer or ask questions about using Twitter and feeds.

3. Get involved with the effort to attract citizens into the House chamber for the phantom sessions. Americans are upset about Congressional inaction and high gas prices, and we need to make sure they get to the House chamber to interact with members during the sessions. If there is a huge crowd gathering outside the House every day to take part in the phantom session, it will be a news story in itself. Join the conversation on the ‘Open House’ thread on the Facebook group.

There are also some new developments which all of you should be aware of:

The folks behind http://dontgo.us have created http://www.dontgomovement.com as a new website for all of us to use- visit it and check it out as it grows.

Danny Glover has offered to publicize any video or audio from the sessions uploaded to Eyeblast.tv.

Jason Carini has created a new Youtube channel for the movement at http://www.youtube.com/dontgovids

Mike Bolitho is organizing people to provide food to the members participating in appreciation for the Guerilla Congress. He has a thread open on the Facebook group.

Get Involved and Lead
Invite Your Friends
Keep the Momentum Going

RightOnline Blog Ranked No. 1 in 'Conservative Influence'

Now for some bragging:

The Ellis County Observer
, published by the news editor for the conservative-independent Ellis County Press, was ranked as the No. 1 blog in Texas for "conservative influence," according to an index compiled by BlogNetNews.com.

The ECO, first launched in October of 2005 to report up to date election news and results, was also ranked this week at No. 18 in blogs statewide as being the "most politically influential."


The ECO is also a member blog of RightOnline.com, the new media force launched by Americans For Prosperity.

When the lights went out in Congress

Pelosi has betrayed the American public. She took her leadership role promising openness and bipartisanship.

But when Congress was ready to debate making the US more energy independent, she turned the lights out and walked away. Literally.

Thanks to Texas Cong. John Culberson and other pro-American leaders, they took to the floor and continued to fight for more energy independence. They took a stand and drew a line in the sand.

Since when do we as voters allow leaders to turn the lights off, turn off the mikes, and walk away from a policy debate we desperately need to have? Evidentally, since Pelosi too control.

Here is one blogger's interesting take on the "cut and run" Democrats' ploys:

http://www.webpronews.com/topnews/2008/08/01/culbersons-last-stand

Breaking: Sneaking around the Old Media & Old Congresss to drill for the Americans!

They say you never know what revolutionaries will surface to bring reform until the hemorrhaging is great. (Well, "they" don't really say that. I made that up.) But this is true:

According to Congressman John Culberson, we are at a turning point. The popular mandate to "Drill Here, Drill Now" may prove to be the issue that changes the way the will of the people is heard by decisionmakers. The D.C. "Old Media" won't touch the real story coming out of Pelosi's pranksters' latest assault on America. Culberson just reported the following to his band of faithful followers on Twitter.com: (all times are Central)

11:10 p.m. Sunday "I will be back on the House floor tomorrow at 10am with others asking the Speaker to call the house back for a vote to drill here drill now!"

11:11 p.m. Sunday "We would ask the Pres to call Congress into special session but the Senate used a sneaky trick to prevent this - they are still in session."

11:13 p.m. Sunday "Senate is in 'pro forma session' for 5 minutes every day all summer to stop the Pres from calling a special session to drill here drill now."

11:16 p.m. Sunday "Utterly and blindly biased old media DC press corps will not tell you these things. I will happily help new media absorb and eliminate old media."

The hemorrhaging has not yet started for Americans on this issue. Right now, outrageous energy prices are inconvenient and some folks are feeling real pain. But not most folks. Not yet. It will get worse before it gets better, but we must have a plan in place to get it better when we hit that proverbial wall.

In the meantime, what can an average person like you do about it?
SQUAWK.
Online. In person. With your friends. With your enemies.

We can bring reform to a nation that has lost its way by uniting (online and offline) on this issue and demanding, through new media, that we drill for oil domestically using our reserves. For you new media junkies out there: our task at hand is tweet.

**Note: Cong. Culberson will forever hold the record for first Twitter post from the U.S. House floor. He's a technology pioneer compared to the old guard in Congress! He's a real friend of We the People.

Friday, August 1, 2008

Taxpayer Protest


Texas taxpayers protested high property taxes today at the Travis County Central Appraisal Offices. Some taxpayers said they are tired of renting their homes from the government. Others claim they cannot afford their property taxes and are being taxed out of their American dream. Nina from Americans for Prosperity said that she was working to make sure that when she graduates from college, she can enjoy the American dream of home ownership. Her family immigrated from Russia when she was two years old to gain citizenship and live the American dream.