The Margin Tax: Another Open Letter To Speaker Tom Craddick By Joe Solis/South Texas Republicans

The grassroots of the party is confused. We are astonished how Republicans (you and your associates) pushed through a new business tax (HB3) that columnist Rick Casey in Houston is now calling “the largest tax hike in state history”. We thought you were going to fight for us on this one. We were so wrong.  

There was never a battle on this new tax on small business owners, the backbone of the Texas economy. When we saw the business groups and the lobbyists provide endless endorsements behind this new tax, it became clear that the war was over before it started. Who would have thought Democrat and Lobbyist John Sharp would have been the mastermind of this new business tax?

Grassroots Republicans and conservatives including Cathie Adams, The Young Conservatives of Texas, the Texas Public Policy Foundation, National Committeewoman Denise McNamara and Activist Gina Parker were in Austin trying to get this new tax defeated. We expressed our concerns about the Margin tax on March 13, 2006, one week before the plan was announced. We never had a chance. The deck was stacked against the little guy before the first fire was shot. 

Conservatives are disappointed in you and the rest of the leadership in Austin. I don’t recall working hard at the grassroots level so we could have brand new business tax on ordinary Texan business owners. Isn’t that why we defeat Democrats at the polls? I could go on and on. Why waste more time complaining?

Mr. Speaker, I was praying that you would have stopped this new margin tax. I was wrong to have faith in you. 
 

Best regards,

Joe Solis/South Texas Republicans

Note to Fellow Small Business Owners: Austin has sent a message to us. Do not grow your businesses over $300,000 in gross revenues unless you want to get slammed with the margin tax. Think SMALL. Get your accountants to figure out ways to get around the Margin tax.  Are you grossing $600,000 every year? Think about splitting your company in half.  Ask your business association to hire the best lobbyists so your group can get all kinds of breaks. Don’t forget to send a thank you note to our “conservative” Republican leaders in Austin.  (Most of you don’t have a clue how bad this new tax is going to be for you and your business in the years to come.)
 

Baseless Confidence by Peggy Noonan The Wall Street Journal  [Essay Segment]
”It may take a defeat in November for the GOP to unlearn the lessons of power. “

“Party leaders are showing a belief in process as opposed to a belief in, say, belief. But belief drives politics. It certainly drives each party's base. “

“One gets the impression party leaders, deep in their hearts, believe the base is . . . base. Unsophisticated. Primitive. Obsessed with its little issues. They're trying to educate the base. But if history is a guide, the base is about to teach them a lesson instead. “

Thursday, May 11, 2006 12:01 a.m. EDT
 

“Let the poor, unarmed immigrants cross our border…” by Anita Branch

White House: On May 19th!  I, and all the rest of the Americans, am descended from immigrants.  I am a conservative Republican so this edition of your newspaper does not speak for me.   I say, let the working immigrants in, grant them citizenship and they will be glad to pay taxes.  To the brave, armed Minutemen:  Pick up your rifles and defend the United States in Iraq where it is needed and let the poor, unarmed immigrants cross our border.  They are looking for work.  They are not terrorists.

Anita Branch

“As a result of this little newsletter. “ by Maria Martinez

   Joe-

What a TREMENDOUS job you did this week!  I've got to tell you there is a tremendous Godly anointing on your newsletter. I believe it is going to be just like in the Old Testament - remember the children of Israel who surrounded the Walls of Jericho and sounded the trumpets after they marched around it for 7 days?

The walls came down!! That is what is going to happen as a result of this little newsletter. Thank you for sounding the trumpet.

-Maria
 

We should be coming together to find solutions rather than finding more gasoline to pour onto an already scorching hot issue. You forgot to mention the exploitation of cheap labor...And the fact that Business owners that turn the other way and hire the undocumented are part of the problem too. Business owners sure don't mind the revenue that is generated from the undocumented population. Take the time to read the position that both the national U.S. and Hispanic Chambers of Commerce have taken regarding this issue. The position recognizes that the "ONLY ENFORCEMENT" provisions of HB 4437 ignore the positive contributions from the undocumented population.

Joe...this really isn't a democrat or republican issue. It's a humanitarian issue that the neither the Republicans or Democrats even get. It's election year and the politicians are capitalizing on the emotional issue to attract votes. Whether its Lamar Smith or Henry Cuellar, all they are concerned about is getting re-elected. Instead of dividing by party lines, why not build bridges for the benefit of families, the innocent children, or the small business man...forget the politicians that are not working for the people, both democrat and republican.  

Open dialogue is fine, but once you start connecting this issue to the political parties the issue becomes lost and the finger pointing will remain endless. Growing up the son of a civil rights and labor activist, I have a unique perspective on this issue. Although I am a professional in corporate America and conservative on many issues, I will never allow myself to disconnect from the reality that running through my veins is the blood of my "illegal" great grandfather and grandmother who crossed the river so that my family could possibly fulfill the dream of better opportunity. Has that dream come true...Damn right it did, and for that I am grateful and a proud American. So you see Joe...when I turn on the television and see the faces of fathers, mothers, and children marching in the street demonstrating...I am reminded of my own family and their sacrifices. I pray that their families are not torn apart, and they too become an American Citizen through a fair and equitable process that is inclusive.

Joe...take care and have a blessed day. By the way, I attended the breakfast this morning...great job! 
 

More than 3,100 readers of FreeRepublic.com read our newsletter online last week. 

Approximately 153 posted commentary on the blog.  Click here to view the comments…

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This is our favorite post:

05/08/2006 9:42:11 PM PDT by La Enchiladita (God Bless Our Troops...including U.S. Border Patrol, America's First Line of Defense)

"Don't mess with South Texas Republicans!!!"


 

Joe,

Here are some thoughts and comments regarding the illegal immigrants in our country. I wrote them after reading some comments and letters by well meaning proponents of amnesty.

There are many different perspectives on the illegal immigration issue. None is unique. Many are myopic. They fail to see the big picture. They seek to answer their political, economic or cultural desires, with little regard for the greater needs of the Nation. Many perspectives on illegal immigration are borne from the notion that the U.S. is responsible for the ills of the world and those of its neighbors or that the prosperity that our nation enjoys has been gained at the cost of our neighbors’ and that of other less prosperous nations. (I don’t want to use this missive to discuss education; yet, such perspectives decry our failure in educating our American population in the realities of history, economic sciences and the sciences.) As an American, the sole perspective is that we live in a sovereign nation that has traditions, customs and values that have rendered it prosperous and need to be preserved. Within this perspective, we see a vast southern border, difficult to police and secure, and though throughout the years, it has been pierced and violated, in the last decade it has been abused by our “Good Neighbor” who is too corrupt and depraved to see to the humanitarian needs of its own people; and seeing the font of income from an ever abusive migrant population, that has time and again successfully pierced its neighbor’s sovereign border, has no pressure or impetus to reform but sees only an opportunity to abuse more.

There are many immigrants who came to this our country following the rules and the laws of entry. They came here for among other things to embrace the American way of life; its values, language history and traditions. There are many aspiring immigrants still waiting and still following the rules of entry. They too want to embrace the American dream and the American culture.

I have heard time and again that the immigration system is broken and in need of reform.

Illegal entry cannot be justified with a claim that our immigration system is broken. The system is not broken! It may require some adjustments in the body of the law as it regards certain visas, but it is not “Broken.” The law needs manpower and enforcement. Not reform. That there are employers violating the law in our own country does not justify the illegal entry nor does it legitimize it. The employer should be prosecuted for it has made itself part of the problem.

Some would say that their presence (though illegal) is justified since they contribute to our economy; that they pay taxes; and that they have a positive economic impact on our economy. Well, underground economies have never influenced our nation’s economy. It would follow then that if you get rid of the illegal drug traffic altogether it would affect the overall economy of the nation. Hardly not! Most, if not all of the money earned by the illicit migrants is sent back to the country of origin. What taxes do they pay? Certainly not more than the illicit drug trade does. Or does it?

Fairness, then becomes the issue; to the citizens and legal immigrants of the US; to the economy of our nation and to those that work within its laws and rules; and, to the values, traditions, mores, customs and traditions of our American Nation that are now being challenged in the streets by people without a right to be here; by people who seem more like invaders than like immigrants wanting to assimilate.

Some claim that illegal immigrants in this country, poses a humanitarian issue; that there are children being separated from their parents, and families rent asunder. This is an issue created by those that violate our sovereignty and those who encourage it. Because there are “humans” involved does not make it a humanitarian issue. At least not for the U.S. Certainly for the country that sent them here; the country that has failed them and that is deceptive in inveigling its population that the responsibility for the problem, as well as its solution, lies with the American Nation and not with the country of origin.

With nothing further for the time being, I remain yours truly
 

Will the White House fence protect the occupants from the activists? 

How will the fence be secured? 

Will members of the Department of Homeland Security be called out to protect the sanctity of the fence?

Will the White House bring down the fence and welcome the activists so they can listen to their demands in the oval office?

How effective is a fence to protect the residents of the White House?
 

We will find out on March 19 how effective and useful fences really are.
 

I read and enjoy your newsletter every week and thought I’d write to let you know that Doug Kirk, M.S., has it all wrong on the Comal County tax rollback (SouthTexasRepublicans.com, May 8, 2006 newsletter).  The rollback is simply bad business.

Mr. Kirk criticizes the opponents of the rollback for our active involvement in local politics. Now, I’ll admit to being a member of a large group of hard-working local Republicans who make sure that our elections are fair, that local officials are qualified (and Republican), and that voters are informed.

In contrast, Mr. Kirk, who didn't attend the public and well publicized hearings the Commissioners held before the budget was passed, has called in non-resident activists to invade our County to enhance their own fundraising efforts.

Government should be small, local and responsible to the voters.  I am confident that Comal Commissioners have limited expenses and are in control of the budget because my husband and I have looked at the numbers, asked questions and received responses that we found to be true after even more research.

Our Comal County Commissioners have been good stewards of our tax money, using good management and the sales tax receipts to avoid raising our tax rate. The last rate increase was in 2002. The result is that Comal County has one of the lowest tax rates in the State. The County tax bill on a $100,000 family home in Comal County is $281.45. In Bexar County, the bill would be $331.95. In Kendall County, it would be $370.00. Rollback refunds will be less than $10 per household.

The impact will be a loss of well over $600,000 that could pay Sheriff’s deputies, build and maintain roads and bridges, and satisfy State and Federal government unfunded mandates. Our County bond rate will be damaged, and future County improvements will cost us more.

I hope that a majority of Comal County voters agree with me and vote AGAINST the tax rollback on May 13th.

Beverly B. Nuckols, MD

New Braunfels, Texas

Biography – Dr. Nuckols is a wife, mother and grandmother, and a Family Physician who is finishing a Master’s in Bioethics. Check out her bioethics commentary on line at www.LifeEthics.com and her political opinions (as “hocndoc”) on FreeRepublic.com. She is a member of the New Braunfels Republican Women and Texas Alliance for Life and served two terms on the President’s National Advisory Committee on Violence Against Women.
 

The November 7, 2006, elections are a mere six months away, and I ask you for your support now, through Election Day, and after the election.

The 225th District Court is a civil trial court that represents all who live in Bexar County! The 225th, like the other 12 civil district courts in Bexar County, handles cases involving families, small businesses, homeowners, employees and employers, nursing homes, health care, automobile accidents, business damages, taxes, contracts, municipal issues, oil and gas, complex business litigation, and much more.

As a former schoolteacher, social worker, Assistant United States Attorney in civil litigation, personal briefing attorney to judges at the state, federal, trial and appellate levels, corporate counsel, and a private attorney, I have handled a wide variety of cases. I have the broad base of experience that is needed to be Judge of the 225th District Court.

In addition, I am married to my husband of 33 years, Gary Barnard, PhD., a child psychologist. We are blessed with two wonderful and grown children: Daughter Brandi Cone (married to our also wonderful son-in-law Brandon Cone), and son Joshua Caleb Barnard.

Senator John Cornyn will be my special guest on Thursday, June 1, 2006, at my fundraiser at the San Antonio Country Club from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Senator Cornyn is a former civil District Judge in Bexar County and now sits on the United States Senate Judiciary Committee for the selection of judges. I ask you to join Senator Cornyn in supporting me. The cost is $100 per person. Please call Janelle McArthur at (210) 699-1925 for further information and to RSVP.

Thank you for your support.

Marialyn Barnard
 

Date:  Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 pm

Location:  Water Street Oyster Bar, 7500 Broadway Street

Luncheon Cost:  $20 for members, $25 for nonmembers

Membership Dues: $25 for 2006

Please RSVP to James Henderson at jamesbexargop@sbcglobal.net or 210-473-8145.
 

Buck Werner, dedicated his life to Christ over 50 years ago, he has served in his church in numerous capacities (i.e., Men’s Prayer Breakfast, Choir and Usher) and now has been blessed to serve in another capacity as the Texas Chapter Executive Director, for the Christian Coalition of America.   Buck, has more than 20 years experience as a Comptroller, Small Business Owner, School Teacher, and served in the military sector and retired as an Army officer.  His unique combination of the private, political and military sectors provides an opportunity for him to reach out and form non-partisan coalitions to promote our mission to the masses.  He received the following degrees or credit hours; University of Hawaii –Psychology –Awarded with Distinction B.A.  (1972), Kansas State University – Education – M.S. (1977), Western Kentucky University – Public Administration – 15 hrs.   

The Christian Coalition was founded in 1989 as a means towards helping to give Christians a voice in their government again. We represent a growing group of over 2 million people of faith all across America.

 

Our Mission:

Represent the pro-family point of view before local councils, school boards, state legislatures and Congress

Speak out in the public arena and in the media

Train leaders for effective social and political action

Inform pro-family voters about timely issues and legislation

Protest anti-Christianity bigotry and defend the rights of people of faith

The Christian Coalition of America is the largest and most active conservative grassroots political organization in America. The Christian Coalition of America offers people of faith the vehicle to be actively involved in shaping their government - from the County Courthouse to the halls of Congress.

Our hallmark work lies in voter education. Prior to the November election the Christian Coalition of America distributed a record 70 million voter guides throughout all 50 states. These non-partisan guides gave voters a clear understanding of where various candidates stand on the issues important to them. With this knowledge, millions of voters went to polls ready to make their voices heard.  Our efforts, however, do not stop with voter guides. We actively lobby Congress and the White House on numerous issues, hold grassroots training schools around the country, host events all around the country and in Washington that draw thousands of pro-family supporters from around the nation, and organize community activists regarding issues facing their local government. If you are interested in having a positive pro-family impact on your government, the Christian Coalition of America is your organization.  In politics, every voice counts!

The Texas Chapter shall strive to have a full time staff, website and advisors throughout the State within the immediate future to carry on the mission of the National chapter on a State level; through God and prayer all things are possible.  Our first event will be a Meet, Greet and Fellowship in San Antonio, on June 2, 2006, at 2-6 p.m. at the Marriott Riverwalk Hotel, with more information forthcoming regarding our event in Fort Worth, June 9, 2006. For more information, contact Cindy Werner 972-709-5871 regarding membership and how you can become more involved with our upcoming events and outreach.
 

By John Merrifield,
Professor of Economics
Director, Entrepreneurial Conservatism Institute

May 9, 2006

Largely because of conservatives like Ronald Reagan, the lowest income Americans pay almost no federal income tax. To win tax cuts from a Democrat majority congress, Reagan promised to virtually remove the lowest income Americans from the federal income tax rolls; good politics and economic policy at the time, but with some serious long-term consequences. Now, 96% of income tax revenue comes from the top fifty percent of income earners. The top three percent pay as much as the other ninety-seven combined!! Yet there is little or no direct response to the demagoguery about ‘tax cuts’ for the rich!?

We’d better make the economic case for tax cuts to the remaining few that pay most of them. Accelerated economic growth always follows. The increased investment facilitated by lower taxes on successful, entrepreneurial people directly benefits average Americans through increased productivity and higher wages. We’d better make that case because for most of the electorate, we’ve virtually eliminated the normal basis of interest in income tax cuts. You can’t cut taxes on people that are barely taxed.

We’ve stumbled into politically dangerous territory that even the most determined, talented leadership will struggle to extract us from. Most of the electorate sees no direct cost to increased federal spending. They’re shopping for government goodies with someone else’s credit card. It’s hard enough to argue for tax cuts for the rich. But tax hikes on the poor!? Wow! But that’s the only way to restore the responsibility that comes with paying more when you want more.

The founding fathers were wise to call for uniform taxation in the Constitution. To foster responsible political behavior, every citizen needs to bear some of the burden of government spending. It will be a struggle to get back to that. For prosperity, the government, and taxes paid by everyone, need to be kept small. Many countries have lost their prosperity and freedom to government intervention and high taxes.
 

APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION VOLUNTEERS

Name: _____________________________________________

Address: ___________________________________________

City: ____________________ State: ____   Zip: ___________

Phone: (      )_______________  Fax: (     ) ________________

E-Mail: ____________________________________________

Senate District # or Senator: __________________________

Do you plan to be a delegate or alternate? _______________

How did you hear about volunteering? __________________

Do you have any special needs? ________________________
 

PLEASE MARK YOUR PREFERENCE TO VOLUNTEER:

(You may select more than one shift.)

Thursday, June 1, 2006                                    Friday, June 2, 2006    

______ Noon – 3 p.m.                           ______ 8 am – 11 a.m.             

______ 3 pm – 7 p.m.                           ______ 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.                                                                                                            ______ 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Saturday, June 3, 2006

_____ 6:45 a.m. – 10 a.m.

_____ 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Volunteer training will take place at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 1, at the San Antonio Convention Center Room 003 (Volunteer Break room).

Please return form to:

Freida Wright, Chairman of Registration Committee

By mail: 15703 Blue Creek St., San Antonio, TX 78232

By email: registrationvolunteers@earthlink.net

 By fax: (512) 480-0709

Registration Volunteer Questions only to (210) 494-6393.
 

Founder of SA Toll Party.com, Terri Hall, was shocked when she received a letter (view it here) in response to a public information request from the Department of Transportation (TxDOT) requiring her to sign a “license” agreement forbidding her from discussing or disclosing PUBLIC information to the PUBLIC!

“It’s an outrage! TxDOT has clearly violated our Open Records laws and continues to violate open and transparent government. The PEOPLE are the owners of government and we pay their paychecks. TxDOT has lost all objectivity when it comes to toll roads. They’re essentially trying to issue a gag order keeping us from taking this information public. They want to operate in secrecy like the private, foreign companies they’re brokering deals with in secret,” declares Hall.

Hall asked for feasibility studies on all the toll projects in Bexar and surrounding counties. After several months of haggling and having to involve an attorney, she obtained some initial studies last fall. However, TxDOT has ratcheted up the stonewalling a notch by requiring citizens to sign a non-disclosure agreement. Essentially, TxDOT is blocking access to and blocking public dissemination of PUBLIC information that prevents grassroots citizens from seeing, discussing, or sharing vital information about toll rates and the financial details behind toll plans.

Since the contract negotiations are done in secret (see proof here), and given the fact that TxDOT and Cintra are suing to keep even the signed contracts secret from the public (see proof here), one of the few ways citizens have of trying to discover toll rates and the cost of these projects is through feasibility studies. Now TxDOT is trying to keep these feasibility studies secret from the public, too. They’re also trying to charge Hall $109 simply to VIEW the documents.

“This ought to be a wake-up call,” shares a concerned Hall, “that TxDOT is out of control and has overstepped its authority. We’re talking about highways, not top secret classified information. This unlawful abuse of power needs to stop, NOW. These studies PROVE that the toll rates TxDOT is telling the public are not true. Frankly, it’s moves like this that make it a lot easier to prove TxDOT’s corruption. What are they trying to hide? We’re the owners of government, and we’re simply trying to get to the truth.”

TxDOT Violates the Freedom of Information Act, which states:
Link to Freedom of Information Act here.

(iii) Documents shall be furnished without any charge or at a charge reduced below the fees established under clause (ii) if disclosure of the information is in the public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations or activities of the government and is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester.

Another Violation of the Freedom Of Information Act:

(v) No agency may require advance payment of any fee unless the requester has previously failed to pay fees in a timely fashion, or the agency has determined that the fee will exceed $250.

Texas State Public Information Act:
Link to state statute here.

• TxDOT did not require me to sign such a document a few months ago when I requested feasibility studies, nor to my knowledge have they asked others, including reporters, to do the same.

Sec.A552.223. UNIFORM TREATMENT OF REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION.  AA The officer for public information or the officer’s agent shall treat all requests for information uniformly without regard to the position or occupation of the requestor, the person on whose behalf the request is made, or the status of the individual as a member of the media. Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 15, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

• TxDOT should waive the cost when it’s for the general public. Our grassroots group qualifies under this exception of charges.

Sec.A552.267. WAIVER OR REDUCTION OF CHARGE FOR PROVIDING COPY OF PUBLIC INFORMATION. AA(a) A governmental body shall provide a copy of public information without charge or at a reduced charge if the governmental body determines that waiver or reduction of the charge is in the public interest because providing the copy of the information primarily benefits the general public.
 

 I have heard others say we could build additional lanes using public bonds. Well, to do that you need a stream of revenue to secure the bonds. In this scenario, we would have neither tolls nor gas tax monies to secure them. If the bonding agencies do not have a revenue stream to secure the debt, no bonds can be issued. If there are no toll revenues, why couldn’t we use the gas tax?  Well, the last time we had an increase in the state portion of the gas tax was in 1991. It went up .05 to .20 per gallon. Today, that .20 is worth about .14, due to inflation and the time cost of money. In the meantime, the population of both Texas and Bexar County has grown in excess of 33%. So, while the value of the gas tax has gone down (due to no inflation provision in the original legislation), our needs in terms of new roadways have increased tremendously. Last year, for the first time, the gas tax could not cover the entire cost of maintaining Texas’ roadways, much less fund new ones. By the way, the cost of maintaining a roadway will be double the construction costs over its lifetime. The simple fact is that we cannot rely on the gas tax. The legislature could increase the gas tax. However, there is no political will to do that in Austin when gas is currently pushing $3.00 per gallon. The current Commissioner of TXDOT has stated that to do all that is planned and needed using only the gas tax for funding would require an increase of more than $1.25 per gallon! The only possible way to guarantee the necessary revenue stream to secure the bonds would be to substantially increase the local property tax. In reality, that is not a politically viable or realistic option. The simple fact is that if there were another fair and reasonable way to build these lanes, TXDOT would do it. There just is not and tolls are fair for all concerned in that only the users pay for them.

Another argument is that TXDOT is flush with $820 million in cash. So, with that kind of money, they must be able to afford anything they want, right? Well, that amount of money may seem large, but in truth, it is very little cash to have on hand to cover the expenses of building and maintaining Texas roadways. Remember, Texas is equal to or larger in size than more than 90% of the countries on earth. Its roadway network is larger than 95% of those in all the other nations of the world. $820 million to pay contractors, secure right of ways, pay employees, cover administration costs, and maintain its roadways is not very much money in the larger scheme of things. 

Currently, as things stand, non-tolled portions of U.S. 281 in north Bexar County will gain one additional lane for increased traffic flow, while losing the stoplight at Encino Road. Traffic in these non-tolled lanes will move faster due to the addition of this lane and the decreased non-toll flow from more traffic taking advantage of the associated toll lanes. Everyone will benefit, both toll users and non-toll users alike.  

I have heard the argument made that what were once “free” lanes will now be tolled under this plan. Nothing could be further from the truth. Only new lanes will be tolled and, if anything, non-tolled lanes will grow also, as is the case on 281. This way all motorists will have a convenient choice. They will not be “forced” to use the new toll lanes. It will be their choice. 

Toll lanes are important right now because to fund these transportation improvements using the conventional “gas tax” formula for highway construction would take at least 20 years without a substantial increase in this tax. San Antonio does not have that kind of time with our pressing transportation needs. If one is in doubt about the real need for toll lanes on this stretch of roadway, just ask any motorist grid-locked there around 8:00 a.m. on any work day. This situation will only worsen in the future without some immediate action. The people who have to deal with this daily grind would welcome a quick, reasonably priced alternative. Toll lanes are that alternative.

Traffic congestion has a powerful effect on our entire economy. Austin is a fine example. In the decade of the 90s, many Austinites fought any proposed freeway expansion plan, hoping their actions would limit growth. It did not. Today, Austin is one of the most traffic-congested cities in Texas. They are picking up the pace in terms of freeway construction, but it is too little too late. They are already behind the curve and it is going to be very difficult for them to catch up. Moreover, during this same period Dell Computer Corporation made the decision to build a new plant in Nashville instead of Austin, their home base. The main thrust of their reasoning? The city’s congested freeways would be a production hindrance to both their employees and suppliers. That business decision, primarily based on traffic congestion, cost Austin more than 10,000 jobs. I don’t think any of us want that to happen in Bexar County.

In terms of San Antonio, growth will continue throughout Bexar County. We can thank our powerful economy, attractive cost of living, warm and sunny climate, and centralized geographic location for that fact. How we manage the additional traffic associated with this growth will be something by which our children and grand children will judge us. Let’s not leave them hopelessly in debt paying for new roadways. Toll lanes will leave them with an asset which has been paid for by the users, instead of a debt liability using conventional “gas tax” financing. If we pass the buck to future generations, they will pay a much heavier price for our intransigence. Let us hope we do not let them down by lacking the courage to do what is not only expedient, but also what is right.
 

Yet another week has passed and nothing really exciting or fruitful has emerged from the ashes of the Democratic Party. Apparently, another major no-show at a Democratic event hosted by one of the local Democratic organizations occurred without fanfare. I am told that like the Northwest Democrats, they don’t do pledges or invocations either.

The recent “Dining with Democrats” extravaganza was just ok according to my sources who attended. The $50 ticket was too rich for me, a poor Southsider, especially since I couldn’t find anyone to escort me to the ball!

Apparently a high-ranking member of the Democratic National Committee was supposed to make a special appearance and be the guest speaker at the fund-raising event that was held at the Barn Door. Word is that her flight was delayed and eventually cancelled in Arkansas.

In need of a fill-in speaker, the group turned to Democratic stalwart, County Commissioner Tommy Adkisson, who it was said, saved the day with one of his barnstorming political speeches that left the audience begging for more.

Apparently, not too many elected officials attended. The only two names passed on to me were Judge Karen Pozza and Judge-elect Laura Salinas. For some reason, it appears that the elected women are more reliable than their male counterparts. That should come as no surprise to Democratic women.

Once again I was informed that there were no media present for the gala. And once again you only heard it here. How sad a situation when I am the only one who appears to cover our events (sometimes second-hand).

In last week’s edition, I opined (word stolen from Commentator Bill O”Reilly) about the Bexar County Democratic Party Swearing-in ceremony. A fellow Democrat forwarded an email to me by party curmudgeon John McConnell, a crusty old liberal dinosaur from the past, who I am told, fancies himself the final authority on Democratic politics.

They tell me he is also known to scream and yell at meetings in an apparent attempt to draw attention to himself. Apparently, he also spews his rancor on numerous Democratic yahoo groups around the County and an occasional letter to the editor in the daily paper.

In the email he points out, “The Republicrat appears to disagree with the Northwest Democrat's majority decision not to include the Pledge of Allegiance in their order of business. I applaud the Northwest Democrats for that decision. I do think it is a mistake for any Democratic organization to include religious exercises in any of their gatherings.

“Having such ceremonies at Democratic events is divisive. More often than not they are Judeo-Christian in nature.”

Doh! We have a winner.

He also said, “I was taught as a child that we are to pray in our closets or in church, not in public. That sounds like a good idea to me.”

I believe the term is “prayer closet” Mr. McConnell, not closet! Perhaps he spent too much time in the closet for undisclosed reasons as a child.

With crackpots like McConnell in our midst, we Democrats wonder why we are labeled the party of the heathen and ungodly. Hello?

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