Republicans, Democrats and Independent Texans can now rally around proposed legislation in Austin to stop the abuse and inflow of illegal aliens in Texas. Here is a basic description of the 1=10 H Law. Any employer who is found guilty in a court of law of intentionally hiring an illegal alien will be sentenced to 10 years in Huntsville. I am formally proposing this potential legislation to our lawmakers in Austin for the 2007 session.

Let’s put Texans to WORK!!! 

It is time to stop employers from abusing illegal aliens by paying them slave labor wages and forcing them to live in the underground economy. 

I say it is time to put TEXANS first.  Our hospitals and social services in South Texas can longer operate in technical bankruptcy.  We must change before it is too late.

Let us all SUPPORT LEGAL immigration that puts Texas first!!!

The 1=10 H law will initially apply to corporations and limited liability corporations. All corporate charters issued in Texas will be granted after the president of the entity signs a document agreeing to the conditions of the new state law. This same individual will also agree to serve the prison term if convicted. 

Those who refuse to sign will be provided a free one-way airline ticket to California. The law will also state the corporate assets of the business, including pension funds, can be seized by the Attorney General if income from illegal employment led to the acquisition of those assets. The proceeds will be used for new border security measures and prison expansion in Huntsville. The law will apply to small business owners after year 5. 

TEXANS, let us not mince words, our President is great at fighting global terrorism but he has abdicated his responsibility to border security since 9/11. His cute photo-ops along the border will not solve this ongoing problem. It is our fight now. Let us no longer depend on Washington D.C. 

The new 1=10 H law is the key. I call upon Senator Jeff Wentworth and State Representative Frank Corte from South Texas to introduce this legislation in 2007. Let’s show the nation that Texans can solve the immigration problem without our nannies in Washington D.C.

Tell us what you think. Let us ALL rally together for Texas.

Republicans, Democrats and Independents – we can make this happen. 

2007 is the year for action.
 

Dr. Vickers, a veterinarian from Falfurrias, Texas, will discuss the issue of illegal immigration on his South Texas ranch, as well as from his position as the Texas State Director of the Minutemen Civil Defense Corps.

Contact: Beverly B. Nuckols, MD Vice President Public Relations hocndoc@flash.net 830-237-1114

To RSVP, contact Gayna Wommack at jwommack@satx.rr.com
 

My Prediction: Representative Straus is preparing his treasury for a statewide run within the next 4 to 10 years. I predict he will have $1,000,000 in his bank account by 2008 based on his current fundraising pace. Potential positions include State Comptroller, Land Commissioner, or Lt. Governor. 

Representative Straus is the savvy, suave and slick prince of the old guard Republican establishment in San Antonio. Speaker Tom Craddick gave him a really nice appointment last year – not bad for a freshman with no experience in Austin. His well-known “moderate” status has earned him friends from the other side of the aisle. The strategy is very smart one as demographics continue to change in this state.

He will not challenge any sitting Republican because he is a man who does not like to rock the boat. Three years ago, my sources tell me that he was livid with me for openly challenging a former county chairman who I thought was ineffective. An aggressive Joe Straus with a million dollars in the bank will be unstoppable in a few years.

Keep your eye on Joe Straus. This bulldozer is moving. Just you watch.

Financial report source:

http://www.ethics.state.tx.us/php/summary.php?rn=316599&form=SPAC
 

Where:  The Omni Hotel, 9821 Colonnade Blvd., San Antonio, Texas 78230 (210-699-0073)

Time:  6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. (Remarks: 6:45 p.m.)

Cost:  FREE

Please join us for this special “Meet and Greet” style reception. Bring your friends, business associates and family members so they can have an opportunity to meet one of our most respected jurists in Bexar County. For further information, call Joe Solis at 725-0479.

We encourage you to send this invitation to your personal network via e-mail. You have our permission to post this online invitation on local electronic bulletin boards. Help us get the word out about this FREE networking opportunity.
 

Time: 6:00p.m.-7:30p.m. (Remarks at 6:45p.m.)

Cost: FREE

Hosted by Alamo City Republican Women, South Texas Republicans, & Quico Canseco.

This event will feature national speakers like Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family; Brent Bozell of the Media Research Center; Reverend Don Wildmon of the American Family Association; Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council; Paul Weyrich of the Free Congress Foundation and many more! As part of the entertainment, “Mr. President” Steve Bridges will be on hand doing his impersonation of President George W. Bush.

The costs to attend the ‘Washington Briefing’ in D.C. will be about $1,800. The package to attend all 3 conference days and gain admittance to the exhibit halls/book signings will cost $550. The hotel room on location (Omni Shoreham in D.C.) will cost $550 for 3 nights (needed by August 15th!!). Roundtrip airfare is expected to run about $400-600 (plus tax).

Ideally, to get whatever price breaks I can for travel, and the conference, I need the funds available by September 5th, 2006. This would allow for plenty of time planning arrival and transportation while in our nation’s capitol.

Checks/Money Orders can be made out to me, and mailed to:

Schuylar Crist

9570 Autumn Shade

San Antonio, Texas

78254

You may also reach me by phone at (210) 663-6093 or via e-mail at skyskyrider@hotmail.com

You can also check out conference information at www.frcaction.org

Thank you in advance for your prayerful and thoughtful consideration.
 

When: Friday, September 22, 2006

Where: Aggie Park Banquet Hall 6205 West Avenue, San Antonio, Texas 78213

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Tickets: $32.50 per person

(Hors d’oeuvres, libations/beverages and $1000 play money included)

Contact: Mary Fox 210-341-8262, mafox2@aol.com OR Carolyn McCollister 210-493-6210

Limited 200 guests - reserve your tickets early - dressy casual.

DEADLINE FOR RESERVATIONS IS SEPTEMBER 19, 2006

Ace’s Table:  10 Tickets - $750

King’s Table:  8 Tickets – $500

Queen’s Table:  5 Tickets -$250

Jack’s Table:  2 Tickets - $100

(The Ace’s Table, King’s Table, Queen’s Table and Jack’s Table will be listed as sponsors.)

All proceeds go to our local candidates.

Political ad paid for by Sharon Kemp, ACRW/PAC Treasurer
 

August 14, 2006

Decades of experience demonstrates that changing the K-12 system’s central commands or the people that implement them doesn’t yield much improvement. In fact, additional rules generally make things even worse. Political control of schooling policies yields disappointing results because of: 1.) Unintended Consequences (May 22 Newsletter); 2.) The Lawmaking Process (July 3); 3.) Resistance to Change (July 24); 4.) Debilitating Uniformity; and 5.) Information and Incentive Deficiencies, which are the subject of this installment.

The political process is a woefully inadequate source of user-friendly information, and proper, strong incentives. Clear communication between citizens and public officials is scant and strained, especially below the level of the well-publicized, over-riding issues. For issues that do not rise to the level of major vote flippers, legislators and administrators can ignore public opinion, even in the rare instances that it is well defined. Government control stifles the competition and market price signals of cost, benefit, success, and failure. The price control inherent in pre-paid universal free public schooling has a 4000-year history of sometimes devastating failure. It is impossible to underestimate the importance of market-determined prices, something all prosperous and growing economies have had in common, no exceptions.

Furthermore, the current system lacks the prioritization that results from market-determined prices, and lacks incentives to fully utilize the findings that are published. The K-12 system curbs virtually every way to reward genuine extraordinary performance, or penalize lackluster performance. Consequently, education research is not only generally of low quality, of limited relevance to classroom practice, and the useful findings are widely ignored.

One of the best examples of political impotence is the struggle to create some appropriate incentives through merit pay schemes. Merit is difficult to measure without competition and market prices. Private sector merit generates the additional revenue to reward it. Public sector merit does not increase tax revenues. Therefore, public sector merit pay is a zero sum game, which creates some perverse incentives like reluctance to help teacher colleagues. Since public sector funding is not a function of merit, agencies frequently argue that merit is a function of funding; poor performance warrants increased funding. That is an inherent defect of political control; difficulty measuring and weak plus perverse incentives. Again, this is a problem we can only eliminate if we introduce market accountability so that merit is necessary to be choice worthy and yield funding. Resources should flee poor performance, but in the public sector they often do the opposite.
 

Reception Sponsor: Quico Canseco

Cost:  FREE  (Campaign donations are welcome.)

Time: 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. (Remarks at 6:45 p.m.)

Location: Luciano’s By The Strand, 11255 Huebner Rd, #200 (210-561-9700)

We encourage you to attend this important networking event on August 31st. Come and meet Diane Rivera, Candidate for Judge of the 45th District Court, and Ted Terrazas, CEO of the “Fastest Growing Company” in the United States, according to Hispanic Business Magazine. 

From Hispanic Business Magazine: TerraHealth No.1 on Fastest-Growing Companies List

July 31, 2006, Scott Williams

2006 Fastest-Growing 100® Companies

”Mr. Terrazas, CEO of TerraHealth, Inc., the No. 1 ranked company on the 2006 Hispanic Business 100 Fastest-Growing Companies directory…”

”Much of TerraHealth's 8,338 percent five-year growth rate is due to the specialized knowledge Mr. Terrazas gained working as a Medical Service Corps officer while on active duty with the U.S. Air Force. His knowledge of the Department of Defense procurement systems and military healthcare missions drove TerraHealth’s gross sales figures from $180,000 in 2001 to $15.19 million in 2005.”

http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/news/newsbyid.asp?id=42727

This event is being organized and sponsored by Alamo City Republican Women and South Texas Republicans. 

Sponsorships are available:  Please contact Joe Solis for more information at SolisJoe@sbcglobal.net

Bio of Diane Rivera
 

The following appeared at this web page: http://peytonwolcott.com/index.html

If it wasn't my camera, could it have been the public records requests - asking to see the supe's contract, how much did they spend on their logo, like that?

Whatever the cause – which district officials still have not yet shared three days later – the result was that Thursday afternoon while visiting San Antonio's Edgewood ISD to view some public records, and hopefully to meet, however briefly, with district superintendent Richard Bocanegra and also EISD PR guy Mario Rios, I was detained by three armed EISD police officers.

Why would anyone ask to view Edgewood ISD public records?

A little background is in order. Until 1983, Edgewood ISD was a poor district with few resources, and then-EISD superintendent James R. Vasquez wanted more money – what supe doesn't? His reasoning was that more money would solve Edgewood's academic problems.  Problem for him was, Edgewood's property values were low and therefore the school district's revenues were also low because back then local schools were paid for out of local property taxes.  That's how capitalism works. Adopting the mo' money  mantra, in 1984 Edgewood's board filed the first of five lawsuits which brought socialism to Texas school public school financing.  Thanks to Mr. Vasquez and his trustees -- one of whom was First Southwest Company's executive VP Raul Villasenor – the liberal-leaning courts agreed, and thus was born Texas' so-called "Robin Hood" system of school finance in which "rich" districts send their "extra" money to "poor" districts.  More here

Original Source: http://peytonwolcott.com/index.html
 

A Message and Invitation from Joe Solis:

Marialyn Barnard is an experienced attorney with “stellar credentials,” as noted in the San Antonio Express-News!

Marialyn is an experienced civil litigator. She was an attorney to state and federal judges at both the trial and appellate levels before she became an Assistant United States Attorney in civil litigation.  She has been a corporate attorney, as well as having worked on family law cases and probate matters. She has the broad base of legal experience needed for the 225th District Court. 

Marialyn is truly dedicated to public service in all areas of her life. She was a high school teacher and social worker before becoming an attorney. She has volunteered extensively through many charitable organizations, including San Antonio Metropolitan Ministries (SAMM), Habitat for Humanity, the Children’s Shelter, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Community Justice Program, and much more, all for disadvantaged individuals and families. 

I am hosting this special dinner for individuals who have never met Marialyn. This is not a fundraiser or campaign rally. It is classic “meet and greet” that includes a fabulous dinner by Chef Paul Arrendondo. There are only 40 seats available. Please contact me today if you would like to attend this special event.

When:  August 29, 2006, at 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Where: Chef's Farmers Market, 7034 San Pedro (210) 320-3442, (210) 683-1082

Menu:
We will be serving our wonderful Pasta Station. This menu consists of three different types of pastas and sauces such as: penne, linguine, and rotini pasta; you have a choice of pesto, marinara, and our creamy alfredo sauce (which are all made from scratch). You also have a choice of enjoyable mix-ins, such as: spinach, green peppers, onions, mushrooms, chicken, meatballs, Italian sausage, and succulent tomatoes. This is also served with Parmesan and buttered garlic bread served on the side for your liking. In order to wash down all this fabulous food we are serving Iced Tea. For whoever may have room for dessert, we are serving an amazing Tres Leches cake and coffee.

Chef's Farmers Market:
Mr. Paul Arredondo, Executive Chef, will cook all of this amazing food. He has worked at various places and maybe you have had the chance to taste his exquisite cooking at any of these places: La Mansion – he was the Banquet Chef, The Hilton Airport – he was the Executive Sous Chef, The Embassy Suites and Double Tree Hotel – he was the Executive Chef. Now he is working for himself and has opened Chef's Farmers Market, which has been open for a year since May 15, 2005. He has his family, including wife, daughters, nieces and nephews that have come together to make his dream become a reality. We also have our non-family workers who are considered family because of everything that they have done to help for the sake of this fantastic restaurant.

We hope that you all enjoy this sensational food. It is also a pleasure to have you all at Chef's Farmers Market.

RSVP to Joe Solis (210) 582-5857 E-mail: SolisJoe@sbcglobal.net
 

Many facts have been presented that show toll roads are part of the responsible transportation solution. It allows for choice. If you don’t wish to travel on the toll roads, you do not have to pay. 

Early meetings (not “secret” meetings as implied by the anti-toll group) were attended by those who have been given authority to develop a plan for the traffic problems in Texas (that would be officials elected by the voters of Texas -or appointments made by Governor, as well as engineering/ construction / toll operations/ planning/ financial experts – heavily experienced and licensed professionals with all the credentials). They were the appropriate persons to be involved in information gathering & negotiations, no offence to the anti toll group or anyone else.   

In addition, input has been received from many sources including the anti-toll group. We all like to have our opinions heard; however, at the end of the day when we make our decisions, we need to choose facts from persons with track records, credentials, and those considered experts in their field. Recently, the question was asked who I was. Has anyone thought to ask who represents the leadership of the San Antonio Toll Party and who are they? What planning credentials, graduate degrees, construction experiences allow them to present as fact inflammatory statements taken out of context and blown massively out of proportion? Where are their detailed plans for alternative solutions?

The “foreign” company referred to has a partnership with Zachry based in San Antonio, that employs Texas workers for their projects. Regardless, people who choose to understand business know that we are a global economy and to be resourceful we must seek out the best partners for our needs. It’s not “selling out.” Saying “Texas is for sale” is an irresponsible remark and emotionally based, not fact based. If we want other countries to trade with us, we need to have open competition and allow them access to opportunity here. That is part of our economic development efforts here in San Antonio and Texas to create more opportunity for all. Exchange and inclusiveness is rewarded by a thriving economy. That keeps our taxes low and employment high. The statement that only frontage roads will be available for non-toll paying drivers is BOGUS! Where do they come up with all this stuff?!!! What’s the REAL AGENDA HERE???? To broadcast one large trucker toll fee implies that’s what it’s going to be for all. The average toll across the country is from $.50 to $2.00. Look for yourself!

I’m of the belief that there is a silent majority, whose work and daily responsibilities don’t allow time to attend the community forums; however, they do want to have toll roads and will vote YES when the time comes. I’ve talked to many in that boat. They want more roadways now for speed, safety concerns, as well as for unexpected situations involving mass evacuation.

Community leaders…Bill Thornton, Joe Krier, Terrell McCombs and our Governor Perry should be congratulated for their pro-activity for finding positive real solutions. They have all shown years of civic responsibility, knowledge, dedication and a track record of success in the business world.  They have given much time because they care and they live here, too. They are leaders and do what’s right. They are people who have earned our trust over the years.
 

Over 900 showed up, only 600 got in; second hearing called.

Hundreds of Texans were unable to attend and participate in the TTC-35 DEIS Public Hearing held in a San Antonio high school on August 8, 2006. When the East Central High School Cafeteria reached its 600-person capacity the doors were closed. Many of those left standing outside had driven great distances, some from as far away as Houston.

Apparently, TxDOT didn’t realize that San Antonio is the 2nd most populated city in Texas. In fact, the Alamo city is. And TxDOT might take note that it is also the 7th most populated city in the entire United States. Really something we would have expected them to have already known.

How did this happen? Was TxDOT unaware that metropolitan Bexar County’s population had grown to near 2 million? Did they really expect that a meeting room with a 600 person capacity would be adequate, especially given the vigorous debate over the TTC and toll projects in Bexar County?

This stands in stark contrast to Temple, population less than 55,000. When a stunning 1,600 people showed up for the TTC-35 DEIS Public Hearing in Temple, TxDOT needed only to add an additional 100 chairs to accommodate the crowd. And that wasn’t the only big turn out by Texans who want to let TxDOT know what they think about the TTC. Waco attracted more than 1,000 and 800 in Floresville, just a stone’s throw from San Antonio.

What were they thinking? Were they thinking? Some suspicious types might even suspect an evil plot designed to repel the throngs of unhappy citizens who are taking advantage of their right to express their unhappiness. Certainly people will give a second thought before driving to San Antonio if there’s a chance they’ll end up standing outside instead of listening and speaking inside.

CorridorWatch.org, however, is more inclined to suspect it was just horribly poor planning. The kind of planning we fear will be commonplace with the massive Trans Texas Corridor project that’s currently being designed in secret without coordination with regional transportation planners or meaningful citizen review and comment.

Only three speakers in San Antonio were heard publicly addressing TxDOT in support of TTC-35. That was a surprise since a couple Pro-Toll Pro-Corridor organizations made a plea for their members and the public to testify for TTC-35. Their call for support even got some press coverage but didn’t seem to produce any results.

In fact, the pro-corridor speakers were booed off the stage. They just grinned and took their seats. Yep, grinned…they think they sit high atop their untouchable, special interest ivory tower. Well, it’s about to get knocked down November 7! 

Perry’s toll plans illustrate the total disconnect between the government and the grassroots who pay the bills. We NEED political reform. Carole Keeton Strayhorn has made the best case through which the people of Texas can stop Rick Perry and this massive boondoggle, and that’s to institute the long-term solution of statewide Initiative & Referendum by giving Texans a vote to overturn this horrific toll road legislation.

San Antonio is ground zero for the special interest highway lobby, including Zachry, which along with its majority partner, Spanish company Cintra, have paid over $7 billion for exclusive development rights for the corridor and are also one of two bidders to take over the 281/1604 toll projects. This isn’t like opposition to the interstate system, as they’d have us believe; the interstate system is already built (we don’t need two). It wasn’t a toll road, and it wasn’t 1/4 mile wide for the sole benefit of private interests…Eisenhower wanted it built for national security! This corridor threatens our security making our utilities and infrastructure a target especially when containers from China and Mexico won’t even be inspected until they reach the ports in San Antonio or Kansas City (read about it here)!

The planned route of the Corridor is slated to takeover parts of EXISTING I-35 and other existing roads, thus DOUBLE TAXING Texans for something we’ve already built and paid for.

It’s eminent domain abuse of the worst kind taking our land and handing it over to private interests for commercial gain. It’s the Supreme Court Kelo case wrapped up in a different colored bow.

The Governor’s Transportation Commission Chair Ric Williamson said this just two days ago when asked if all the universal opposition to the Trans Texas Corridor will stop the project, he answered, “The transportation needs of the state trump such opposition” (see it here). So whatever Perry and Williamson define as “transportation needs” is what rules the day. Apparently, we’re officially living under a Perry/Williamson dictatorship. We need a regime change and to stop special interest, elitist “we know best” politics.

Truth is, they haven’t justified the “need” for this corridor. It’s based on population growth not traffic projections, it doesn’t even factor in the rising price of gas and that people are actually driving less and congestion is going down. No one uses commuter rail outside populated areas, and truckers can scarcely fill their gas tanks much less afford toll roads. The real story is, they want this corridor to benefit foreign interests, mainly China, not Texas.

Recent news articles tell us the Port Authority of San Antonio has been working actively with the Communist Chinese to open and develop NAFTA shipping ports in Mexico that will enter the U.S. through the Trans Texas Corridor (or NAFTA superhighway) for the purpose of increasing its annual handling capacity from 100,000 containers to 700,000 containers initially, with possible expansion to two million containers by the end of the decade. That’s the congestion problem they’re seeking to solve, the source is not Texas truckers and commuters but the massive new influx of Chinese goods into the U.S. via Mexican ports, trucks, and rail (read more here).

It’s no accident that they planned the corridor to go through the path of least resistance, in rural areas, out of major media markets, with little political clout. But what they didn’t count on was the same opposition to their urban toll roads and they didn’t count on all of us banding together to unseat every last toller who thumbs their noses at the taxpayers starting with Rick Perry!
 

This is a series by an anonymous political insider in Bexar County. The views of this author do not represent the views of South Texas Republicans. 

And the beat goes on in the Southside. Fresh from his defeat at the hands of Henry Cuellar, twice, Ciro Rodriguez is posed to lose still another congressional race to yet another Henry.

While stalwart and loyal Rodriguez backers will support him yet again, those numbers are diminishing quickly.

Ciro is well liked by many on the Southside, but that doesn’t translate into votes. If he uses many of the same campaign staff people he did in last election, you can kiss him goodbye. Political mismanagement is a problem.

Ciro has contributed a great deal to the Southside as a Harlandale District trustee, state rep. and as congressman. He will carry the area, but the voters are weary. Losing two in a row and jumping into a third so quickly paints a picture of desperation. Those close to him are quietly praying he will not run, including his wife.

With two million dollars in his coffers, Henry “the Horrible” Bonilla will face off with Ciro and Rick Bolanos for the 23^rd Congressional seat as we go to press. As far as Rick Bolanos is concerned, he just doesn’t get it.

He will be embarrassed in this election if he stays. Touting himself as one of the Band of Brothers who served in Viet Nam, his campaign slogan should read, “Band of Blunders.” Like fellow Viet Nam veteran and Southside State Rep. District 118 candidate, Joe Farias, it ain’t gonna happen. 

By the time this hits the streets we might see yet another Democratic wannabe or two, on the ballot to challenge the Democrats worst nightmare and poster child for the arrogant. And just when you thought the spirit of Tom Delay was vanquished, here comes Delay junior in the guise of Henry Bonilla.

Suddenly Bonilla has an honorary doctorate, a science wing is named after him at the University of Incarnate Word, and he remembers his roots growing up in the Southside.

Can you believe his family still lives in the Southside and can now vote for him? Isn’t that nice? Question is – does he even remember what his family looks like since he moved on to the North side of town and into the halls of Congress?

Rumors abound of university professor Dr. Richard Gambitta jumping into the race as well. At least in theory he is politically astute. But then again political science professors don’t always make the best candidates. If he is so astute, why would he jump in a race he has no chance of winning? Is his tenure at UTSA in jeopardy? Does he have a political death wish?

Gee, what sound logic. I can see the headline now. “Incumbent Henry Bonilla faces a two-time loser, an El Paso no-name and a political hack.”

Thank God, Julian Castro and Art Hall had enough sense to stay out of the race. The race is already showing signs of a political circus. All we need now is a ringmaster!

In this past week’s Republicrat, Editor Joe Solis once again tacked on an invitation to an event he was hosting for Republican Marilyn Bernard who will square off with Democrat Peter Sakai for Judge of the 225^th District Court.

And once again, I would remind readers that the two articles are unrelated. Lest we forget, I am a Democrat. (And a cute one at that!)

In the past few weeks I have alluded to the two local parties crossing the political line and endorsing candidates from the other side of the spectrum. With the national Democrats and Republicans recently purging their ranks of anyone who dare support, talk to, or in any way affiliate with the “enemy,” San Antonio politics seem to be an aberration. It could be worse. We could be Connecticut or Michigan.

We had better be careful, or we will all be out on our backsides wondering what happened to bi-partisan politics.

And finally, some recent polls are now emerging that claim Democrat Chris Bell is catching up to Governor Rick Perry and passing Kinky Friedman and the Grandma. It appears that Chris Bell is buying into his own “Think Big” commercials that have been airing recently.

Have you seen them? Chris is superimposed behind the Alamo, city streets and Big Ben National Park like King Kong and Godzilla, telling the audience to “Think Big.”

Here is my question. Do you know anybody who has been asked to participate in one of these polls? They can’t be talking to Democrats because most Democrats can’t even tell you the name of our nominee.

They are not talking to Republicans because the Republicans don’t know his name either and could care less. That doesn’t leave too many people left to quiz. Just a thought.  

That is the moderate viewpoint. I AM the "Republicrat"!