"Whose Country Is This?" Americans, It Is Not Your Country: Commentary By Joe Solis

The article link below appeared last week in the San Antonio Express-News. The piece is by Jaime Castillo, who has followed our activities over the years. He is a very cordial and savvy chap at the Express-News. I am using his article as one example of a media trend I am about to describe.
 
Jaime Castillo: Whose Country Is This? All You Have To Do Is Read The Signs

Web Posted: 04/05/2006 12:00 AM CDT
San Antonio Express-News

Jaime Castillo Article

Friends, get ready because the mainstream media is starting to push a new political agenda to counter conservatives who actually believe in the sovereignty of our borders. It is a stealth strategy that revolves around a few principles:

Americans do not really “own” America because we are nation of immigrants. We are “owned” by the world. America is a vague notion because we are a melting pot. Get it? 

This naturally means that even illegal immigrants are “owners” of America. Why? At one point in history, this land belonged to Spain and Mexico. They were the original owners. Look at the names: San Antonio, San Diego, Santa Monica, and Los Angeles. Flying a Mexican flag on this soil is their right.

Borders do not exist because it means that we are excluding people who want a better life. Why can’t we understand the needs of our brothers and sisters in need? Non-existent borders means Americans cannot claim ownership.

Message from the mainstream media:

1.) Americans, you do not “own” this land. It is not your country. 

2.) Americans, why are you such racists against people who do not look like you?

3.) Americans, you are naïve to think you “own” anything. Are you against sharing?

4.) Americans, what are you doing on MY LAND?  We were here first. Why don’t you go back from where you came from? 

5.) The reality is that many people are starting to believe this. The media wants us to buy this line.

America belongs to us: Citizens of the United States of America. It is our precious jewel. Any questions?

Joe Solis, Founder and Director/ South Texas Republicans
 

We are proud to announce that Dr. John Merrified of the University of Texas at San Antonio, a premier thinker and writer on free market ideas in South Texas, has agreed to be our inaugural Honorary Director. Dr. Merrifield said the following about our new think tank, “I'm honored and humbled by this opportunity to help launch The Entrepreneurial Conservatism Institute; an enterprise that will elevate the political debate and provide conservative intellectual support to the entrepreneurial leaders of this area."

The Institute will be a virtual division of South Texas Republicans. We are also proud to announce that we have acquired the EntrepreneurialConservatism.com domain name and will launch our web page in late 2006. The Entrepreneurial Conservatism Institute will be publishing scholarly papers on our web page. We also will feature leaders who are exhibiting the characteristics of the political philosophy we espouse.

Please contact Joe Solis, founder of the Institute, if you are interested in providing resources or research to support the launch of this new think tank in South Texas. 

We would like to thank our special donors for helping us underwrite the launch of the Entrepreneurial Conservatism Institute.
 

Dear Republican Friends in Houston, Dallas, Lubbock, Galveston, and all over South Texas (including my hometown of San Antonio),

It has also been deep in my heart to bring the truth to Conservatives EARLY, so they can help God-fearing candidates of their choice to get elected throughout Texas and the United States. Thanks to David Barton, besides being invited to the "Pastor's Briefing" on the local (San Antonio) and state (Austin) levels, I am truly honored to be invited again on the national level in late April (Washington, D.C.) to help Texas and the United States draw us back to our Spiritual Heritage. 

The purpose of our meeting is to work on strategies to restore our nation by bringing together Ministry Leaders, Pastors and Members of Congress to work toward bringing us back under the values our Forefathers stood firm on.

Event Information: http://www.wallbuilders.com/events/PastorsBriefing/briefing.htm

I would like to go, but I need your financial support toward meeting the $800 needed to allow me to make Divine connections (networking), learn from Speakers, and share our strategies. I have a God -given plan for surveys for Any City, USA, to inform Conservative Voters EARLY so they can chose candidates whom they want to help and to preclude them from no longer voting ignorantly or not voting at all and /or not helping Godly Candidates.

So won't you help me out and be a part of turning this nation around?

Sincerely yours,

Nancy Goettman

Nancy Goettman is the President and Founder of Awake America Ministries in San Antonio, Texas

$10, $20, $50 and $100 DONATIONS may be sent to South Texas Republicans, PAC

at 10004 Wurzbach, Suite 269, San Antonio, Texas 78230. 

(Please include your name. address, occupation, employer and e-mail address.)

We are helping make possible Nancy’s trip to Washington, D.C.  Please help.
 

We encourage you to read the article. It confirms our belief that there is quiet movement that will eventually lead Senator John Cornyn to the White House within 2 years. 

For More information: http://www.sceneinsamonthly.blogspot.com/
 

The George Antuna Campaign is moving into the final hours of this Republican Primary Runoff. Tomorrow is Election Day and George needs everyone’s help to make sure he is successful. During the Primary, George nearly missed an outright victory by only a handful of votes.  Every vote counts, so please go out and vote for George Antuna.
 
George Antuna is a true conservative who can win the District 118 seat in November. As a long time resident of the district, George knows its concerns and is truly dedicated to making sure those issues are addressed in Austin. Growing-up on the Southside of San Antonio, he has served as Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison’s former Regional Director for South Texas and as a policy analyst for then Lt. Governor Rick Perry.

George is endorsed by Texas Right to Life and the Texas Home School Coalition. He has also earned endorsements from the San Antonio Express-News, the Texas Medical Association, the San Antonio Board of Realtors, and Texas Club for Growth. He has received an “A” rating from both the NRA and the TSRA.

If you have already voted or do not live in the district, but would like to know how to help out on Election Day please contact Rick at rick@georgeantuna.com or by phone at 210-573-3973.

After the Polls close on Tuesday night, join George at Buffalo Wild Wings, 7903 Pat Booker Rd. in Live Oak, to watch the results come in.

For more information contact: Campaign to Elect George Antuna

Rick Vela

210.573.3973
 

You are invited to a Town Hall meeting featuring: 

Candidate For State Representative District 117, Ted Kenyon (www.TexansforTed.org)

We will also feature two candidates for judicial positions.

Location: Grady’s Bar-B-Que, 6919 South Zarzamora, San Antonio

Date: April 29th  (Saturday)

Time: Networking Reception and Lunch (on your own): 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
Program: 12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m. (Time Certain)

Cost: FREE

Please R.S.V.P. to Schuylar Crist at skyskyrider@hotmail.com today.
 

April Meeting:  Thursday, April 13, 2006

Time: 11:30 a.m.

Location: Ocean Star Seafood Grill Restaurant at 1039 NE Loop 410

Guest Speaker:  Joe Straus, Representative, Texas House of Representatives

Contact: Dee Brame at 210-493-5512 or deeb@satx.rr.com
 

Contact Alicia Rodriguez at 682-3569, or Jane Briggs at 691-9695 for more information.
 

Professor of Economics

Director, Entrepreneurial Conservatism Institute

April 3, 2006

Political accountability at its best is nothing to get excited about. That’s why we use constitutions to limit the jurisdiction of the political process. It’s also why assorted public officials around the country refer to legislatures as ‘the sausage factory.’  Like sausage, you do not want to see laws being made.

Given its enormous inherent weaknesses, the political process needs to work as well as possible, which means well-informed, broad-based public participation. We’ve made that impossible by voting on too many things. In Bexar County, each voter has a chance to vote for nearly 40 representatives; everything from President to US Senator, County Clerk, Land Commissioner, School Board, Edwards Underground Water District, and Sheriff. Since many races are contested in a primary, and then a general election, that’s more than 100 office seekers to pick from. There are also judges (over 30) to pick, and state and local ballot issues to decide. The impossibility of that task is why voter turnouts are low in the vast majority of races, microscopic in many, and the reason why for voting for someone is often trivial, based on scant information, or misinformation.

The media is also over-extended. Many races are invisible to the vast majority. There are so many things to vote on that only an unemployed political junkie could make an informed choice in each race. The implications are unacceptable and unsustainable. The few not totally alienated by the hopelessness of keeping up focus on the few political forums of special interest to them; law firms on judges races, teacher unions on school board races, etc. Too much politics puts special interests in control. It minimizes political accountability to the general public.

One way to reduce the number of elected officials is to expect less of an over-extended government. That would be my strong preference. Private initiative, markets, and charities will handle many issues better than the political process.

The only other ways to reduce the number of elected officeholders and the number of elections (and thereby spur more broad-based, more informed participation in the political process) are greater trust of political parties, or by making outcomes more important to voters. That would mean concentrating power locally in fewer elected officeholders, and lengthening terms of office. Shifting power from federal to state, and state to regional and local governments, and concentrating power in fewer elected offices would strengthen the incentive to be informed and to vote, and it would increase competition among local jurisdictions. That means consolidating some overlapping jurisdictions (cities and counties, various special districts), and converting some elected positions to appointed positions.

The concentration of power can bring serious abuses. I propose two safeguards: 1.) Streamlined recall procedures for all elected office-holders; and 2.) An accessible petition and referendum process for overturning decisions. 

I can only comfortably offer the suggestions above as a starting point for debate and research. The substantial lack of either on this critical subject is very troubling. The details of any reform proposals are critical, and the implications of inaction are bleak. Microscopic voter turnouts, and rising voter alienation and cynicism about politicians and government, cannot comprise a true republic, much less be true to our founding fathers’ vision of government (eloquently stated by Lincoln) of the people, by the people, and for the people. Fewer, more important campaigns are a critical leadership issue.
 

- William Lyon Phelps
 

If you’d like a speaker for your club, business meeting, or to brief your employees, please contact Sue Kolitz at The Chamber, 229-2128; email skolitz@sachamber.org, to schedule a presentation from Joe Krier, Bill Thornton, and others.
 

I appreciated Mr. Turney's comments last week, however, he seems to misunderstand a few things.

[Comments by Mr. Glen Turney can be found at the end of this link:]

http://www.southtexasrepublicans.com/newsletters/newsletter_template_04_03.htm

1) TxDOT delayed 281 improvements-

Concerned citizens are NOT responsible for the delays on 281. TxDOT is. TxDOT has an ORIGINAL non-toll improvement plan to tackle the congestion on 281 (See original funded plan: http://satollparty.com/post/?p=144). It's been funded ($48 million) since 2004 and should be completed already, just ask the residents who have attended the public hearings on this project for 6 years who are OUTRAGED at TxDOT's bait & switch! TxDOT purposely delayed those improvements in order to demolish our existing freeway and rebuild it as a toll way at nearly twice the cost ($84 million) and double the construction time. Even the toll way is paid for with gas taxes, so why should we pay a toll to use it? Read about it here: http://satollparty.com/post/?p=185. Also, TxDOT did not comply with the LAW and the Federal Highway Administration withdrew its environmental clearance for the project until TxDOT conducted the proper studies.

2) Federal Highway Administration and FEDERAL LAW requires the new environmental study!

Yes, following the law does mean spending the necessary funds to complete the necessary studies. I've read the environmental assessment they submitted. It's not even a dozen pages when full Environmental Impact Statements are hundreds of pages of in-depth studies and have been done for lesser projects that are not over an environmentally sensitive area like the sole source of water for 1.2 million people, the Edwards Aquifer. The Federal Highway Administration's environmental documents just released for the Trans Texas Corridor (TTC-35) project say this about the Edwards Aquifer (http://www.keeptexasmoving.com/pdfs/deis_05/appendix_c-22_major_and_minor_aquifers.pdf):

“The aquifer underlies and has helped create one of the most environmentally sensitive areas of Texas, as both its recharge features and springs contain endangered species.”

I'm no environmentalist, but it sure seems necessary to know how a 16-lane toll corridor (only 6 lanes exist today) will impact our sole source of water! The National Environmental Policy Act also requires TxDOT to look at alternatives and the economic and human impacts of this toll corridor. The most obvious and best alternative to tolling 281 is to install the less expensive, less invasive, quicker ORIGINAL plan (http://satollparty.com/post/?p=144). We agree that the unbridled growth and development in the 281corridor (and on the north side in general) should also be addressed.

3) Toll roads cost more to build, maintain, and operate than free roads.

TxDOT's toll first mandate (Transportation Commission Meeting Minute Order on 12/18/03) is what's costing taxpayers more money. Take your pick, whether it's the 281 project, Wurzbach Pkwy., highways in Austin and elsewhere, the toll plans are 40-100% more than the original plans for those roads. The Victoria Transit Institute states toll roads have 25-35% in administration costs; then add on the profit the private companies will make (12-19% profit, see article here: http://smh.com.au/news/national/open-secrets/2005/10/30/1130607152241.html) and close to half the toll money goes away and never goes to roads.

(Also, a University of California Transportation Center, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 1989 study also finds toll roads costs are higher: 5-10% more for construction, 7% more for operation, and 5-25% more to borrow the money to build them, Elizabeth Deakin, “Toll Roads: A New Direction for U.S. Highways?")

Also, we're being overcharged by TxDOT. The Government Accounting Office (2003 Comparison of States’ Highway Construction Costs) found that the median cost per lane mile of highway in the U.S. is $1.6 million. For Highway 183 in Austin, TxDOT is charging us $7.6 million. On 281, $10 million per lane mile! If we want to get serious about waste and delays, look no further than the agency Texas Public Policy Foundation called a monopolistic bureaucracy. The TPPF also found tens of millions in waste inside that agency and it's only going to get worse.

The Senate’s Executive Summary for Fund 006 had this to say about TxDOT’s financial management:

“The sheer size of the budget of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), coupled with the significant new financial authority granted to the agency during the78th Legislative Session, calls for improvements to the agency's financial reporting methods.”  Full report at: http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/Senate/commit/c540/downloads/GG.pdf

4) Our case is clear and compelling and based on facts.

TxDOT, the RMA, and the toll-pushing highway lobby are the ones who fail to make a case to justify erecting more expensive, excessively large, more invasive toll ways and then charge us a DOUBLE TAX to drive on them. There is NO JUSTIFICATION to make us pay a toll for an existing highway and on improvements that are already paid for!

Gas taxes are pennies a day; tolls are dollars a day. Read a recent article (http://satollparty.com/post/?p=167) that details the same cost comparison concerned citizens did: gas tax is 1 cent per mile on average, and minimum toll start rates are 18 cents a mile. No matter how you slice it, tolls cost more! Toll roads don't solve congestion; they manipulate it for profit! There are a whole lot of cars wasting fuels in bumper to bumper traffic next to these toll lanes (http://satollparty.com/post/?p=15).

OUR SOLUTIONS:

1) Use our gas tax dollars to build public roads. DON'T use our gas tax dollars to build toll roads! Tolling roads we've already paid for with gas tax dollars is DOUBLE TAXATION. Privatizing and tolling our public highways is not an option. It automatically translates into the highest cost to taxpayers!

2) Build less highway miles and more arterial road miles. Phoenix, Ariz., produces more arterial lane miles that cost 90% less than highway lane miles. People are also driving less, after gas prices have tripled over the past few years.

3) Texas has more sprawl than any other state in the country. Zone for denser development (especially in urban areas), so people don't have to drive as far for needs. (San Antonians have to drive more http://www.rebuz.com/research02/0302/cities_that%20_drive_the_most.htm)

4) Clean up TxDOT - get rid of the good old boy system that makes our roads cost unacceptable amounts of money per lane mile compared to most states.

Also, the current shift to tolling Texas is NOTHING remotely like Houston or Dallas toll ways. Here's how they differ:

1)       The citizens voted on those projects.

2)       They were new roads.

3)       The money stayed local (not going overseas to Cintra or other foreign companies).

4)       Houston's still known for its congestion.

Though Mr. Turney's circle of friends does not support our efforts, tens of thousands of ordinary Texans do support us. Don't shoot the messengers! We are shining the light on this tax grab, bringing accountability to the taxpayers, and working toward sensible, non-toll solutions that keep our freeways FREE! Toll roads are for New Jersey, not Texas!

If Mr. Turney doesn't like our grassroots efforts, he can choose to not read about it each week. Seems he'd be the one to suffer if he removed himself from the South Texas Republicans Newsletter. This newsletter is such a vital, valuable resource for us conservatives. They're simply trying to air many sides of a complex issue that affects all of us.
 

Tomorrow is the final day for early voting for the run-off election. Does anybody have a clue as to who will reign supreme and rally one more time to continue on to November?

Will Barbara Radnofsky obliterate the perennial Gene Kelly, and move one step closer to contesting Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison? Will Maria Luisa Alvarado take out Benjamin Grant as well to face Republican Lt. Governor David Dewhurst?

Will Republican George Antuna triumph and make it a Hispanic-only contest for the District 118th State House race against Democrat Joe Farias? Only time will tell on all of them.

Strong viable women candidates from both parties are finally contesting for leadership roles around the state. Last week I posed the question, “is the glass ceiling starting to crack for women candidates, or is it just wishful thinking on my part? It is a legitimate question that is worthy of discussion, ladies.

It is also interesting that Bexar County has two female Jewish-Americans vying for office along with the independent statewide candidate for Governor, Kinky Friedman. Those of you old enough to remember may recall Kinky’s rock & roll band, “Kinky Friedman and the Texas Jew Boys!”

Barbara Scharf-Zeldes, Democratic candidate for Probate Judge and Marialyn Barnard, Republican candidate for Judge of the 225th District Court are definitely in the mix. Scharf-Zeldes faces incumbent Republican Tom Rickoff and Barnard faces the Democratic candidate and Japanese-American Juvenile Judge, Peter Sakai.

Look at the list of female incumbent elected officials who are on the ballot this November and you will discover the likes of Democratic State Rep.120, Ruth Jones McClendon, (unopposed) Fourth Court of Appeals Judges Catherine Stone, (unopposed Democrat) Rebecca Simmons, (R) Karen Angelini (R) and Phylis Speedlin (R).

Don’t forget DA Susan Reed, (R) District Clerk Margaret Montemayor, (D) Democratic Judge of the 45th District Court Barbara Nellermoe who is facing a challenge from Republican Diana Rivera, 150th District Court Judge Janet Littlejohn, (R) 186th Democratic District Court Judge Tess Herr, (unopposed) 288th District Court Democratic Judge Carmen Kelsey, (unopposed) and Democratic Probate Judge #2 Polly Jackson Spenser. (Unopposed)

The list continues with Republican County Court-At-Law #4 Sarah Garrahan, (unopposed) Democratic Judge of the Court-At-Law #7 Judge Monica Guerrero who is being challenged by Republican Genie Wright and Democratic County Court-At-Law #8 incumbent Karen Crouch who is unopposed.

County Court-At-Law #10 incumbent Irene Rios, and Court-At-Law #11 JoAnn DeHoyos, are both unopposed in November and both are Democrats.

You now have Democratic newcomer for the County Court-At-Law #6 slot, attorney Laura Salinas who is now unopposed in November, attorney Linda Penn who will be the next Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace without opposition in November and Carla Vela the new Bexar County Democratic Party Chairwoman.

Another female challenger to a Republican male incumbent Judge sitting on the County Court-At-Law #5 bench is Democrat Ina Castillo who hopes to upend veteran Judge Tim Johnson.

And finally, there is Democrat Gloria Saldana who is challenging Republican incumbent Judge Rene Diaz for the 224th District Court. Rumor is that she has been sited at least once at a Democratic function recently. All in all, it looks like a bumper crop year for the women!

On a more somber note, last week’s South Texas Republican Newsletter Editor Joe Solis apologized to his Republican readers for my stance on being mean-spirited to Governor Perry and others. (Many Democrats think I was too easy and kind.) 

I would point out that numerous Democrats are on the mailing list and read the South Texas Republican Newsletter for the very reason Mr. Solis states when he says, “Our goal was to show how radical our opponents are. That was our aim.”

Democrats by and large think Republicans are extremely “right-wing” and Republicans think the Democrats are extremely “liberal.”  Both are right and wrong. As a Democratic insider, I personally think both parties need a lesson in moderation.

Like Mr. Solis says, “Knowledge is power.” It works both ways. I applaud him for his willingness to allow diverse commentary in his newsletter and I thank him for the opportunity to offer a different view than expressed by your average Republican or average Democrat for that matter. That is why this column is called the Republicrat.

That’s the moderate viewpoint. I AM the Republicrat.