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

September 4, 2006

The just-released “Code Red” report alleges a health care crisis in Texas because 25.1 percent of us are without health insurance. The path to tyranny and poverty is paved with good intentions and misleading statistics.

“Code Red” assumes that a 25.1% ‘uninsured rate’ means 25.1% cannot purchase health care, which is unacceptable, and that government intervention is the solution, not the problem. Credible leadership is needed to address each of those questionable assumptions and avert a renewed government assault on our prosperity, liberty, and the well being of the sick and injured. 

The uninsured are a constantly changing set of people. The much more informative, rarely published number is the long-term uninsured. Many counted as part of the 25.1% are briefly between jobs, and others have simply made an economic decision to not spend their limited funds on expensive health insurance and pay out of pocket, if necessary. Based on a quick Internet search, I estimate that only about 10 percent of Texans lack non-emergency room access to health care for an extended period; a much less scary number than 25.1%. We need to demand that our leaders - the people with their hands in our pockets – deliberate on the basis of relevant numbers, not sensationalist, misleading numbers.

With a clearer picture to work from, we can discuss the underlying assumptions. Many people equate ‘no insurance’ with ‘no access’ because health care and health insurance has gotten very expensive. Because of past government interventions, prices have shot up because hardly anyone directly pays for their own health care. Do it doc, someone else is picking up the tab. Now that our policies have driven up the prices to those outside the ‘someone else will pay’ club, many people demand additional government intervention to address the impact of that.  

Many assume that the earnings of the successful should be taxed to pay for care for those who do not earn enough to buy it for themselves; that those who earn little should not have to rely on charity. As we expand ‘rights’ to the earnings of others, we move towards socialism; certainly with good intentions, but the effects are the same. Liberty and prosperity retreat across the board. Even our poor are better off than the average citizen in the socialist paradises of North Korea and Cuba.

Do we want the same political process that created ‘Nation at Risk’ quality public schooling to have a larger role in the delivery of our health care? In so-called single-payer, Government-controlled health care systems around the world, patients have lost freedom of choice, and the sick are literally dying while on wait lists for critical care.

It’s going to take exceptional leadership to separate sympathy and politics. Increasingly, as medical technology advances, it is impossible to promise universal access to everything that we know how to do. Attempting to do so, or just failing to face this economic reality, will reduce the efficiency of the entire system. That means longer wait times, higher prices, and lower quality care.

Original Source: www.CodeRedTexas.org

[The following two paragraphs are from the Code Red web page.]

Texas faces an impending crisis regarding the health of its population, which will profoundly influence the state’s competitive position nationally and globally. The health of Texas, economically, educationally, culturally and socially depends on the physical and mental health of its population. Quality of life for individual Texans and the communities in which they live depends critically upon health status. In the state, 25.1 percent of the population is without health insurance, the highest in the nation and growing. The increasing discrepancy between growing health needs and access to affordable health insurance coverage creates the conditions for a “perfect storm.”

In view of these serious challenges, 10 academic health institutions created the Task Force for Access to Health Care in Texas to address these issues. Task Force members also included small and large business employees, health care providers, insurers and consumers. All represented their own personal perspective and did not represent groups or organizations with which they are associated. Financial support for the project came solely from the academic health institutions. Below you will find their summary, the full report – Code Red: The Critical Condition of Health in Texas – and appendices.

Code Red Report: Report and Commentary by Joe Solis/South Texas Republicans

[Disclosure: I’m a small business owner in the health insurance industry.]

I attended the August 17th Code Red presentation led by Dr. Kenneth I. Shine, Executive Chancellor for Health Affairs at the U.T. System.  Dr. Shine began his grand performance by informing the overflowing audience of medical professionals and business leaders that our current health industry is the result of the Kaiser Corporation providing private health insurance to their employees during World War II.  He then declared:  “We all know the current system is a mess” (as a result of this action in the private sector).

The Chancellor’s message was very clear: ‘I do not like our privatized health care system. Why in the world don’t we have socialized medicine like those lucky Canadians? His tone was very political and so are his solutions.

It is true that we must continue to find innovative ways to insure our citizens in need. They recommend broad government solutions that include a new 3%“Quality Assurance fee” (tax) on all hospitals. This will be a brand new $1.1 billion tax on the citizens of Texas since we end up covering these “fees”. Are you seeing a trend here? We need more government money to solve our problems. 

I believe we must work hard to find market driven solutions for these challenges. Our current leaders in Austin are never going to be receptive to more government taxation as a method of solving our problems. This report is fundamentally out of touch because there is a left leaning political bias inherent in the 189-page study. 

I was astounded by the hostility exhibited towards the health insurance industry by Chancellor Shine. He thinks we are the problem when we could be part of the solution. Why not engage the industry that already insures the majority of working Texans and their children? There is still hope for Code Red that I believe will be D.O.A. in Austin in its current format.

There is a strong likelihood that the health insurance industry and medical professionals will be up against the U.T. Health System and the powerful Board of Regents in Austin during the 2007 session. Here is the key question: Where will the taxation stop? If they start with a 3% tax on hospitals, what will be next?  Doctors? Clinics? Health Insurance policies? You get the picture. 

My message to the Chancellor: Engage the health insurance industry and the market system. We could be allies and not your enemies, as you perceive us to be. If you plan to take us on in 2007, I suggest you get ready for the fight of your life. We are not going to play dead on this one.
 

Location: Eisenhower Park Pavilion (19399 NW Military Drive)

Date: September 10th, Sunday

Time: 3-5pm

Please RSVP to Frank's Cell Phone: (210) 325-6898 so we may can accordingly.
 

We are proud to announce that South Texas Republicans will be hosting a small business breakfast summit featuring Marialyn Barnard in the next few weeks. This event will be FREE and open to small business owners and citizens interested in small business issues in Bexar County. 

The 225th District Court is NOT a “Children’s Court.” This community cannot afford to elect a judge who has no experience in the business world. Please inform all of your friends and family members about this important fact. Marialyn Barnard is the ONLY candidate for this open seat who has experience and knowledge of family and business law. 

This is not “Child’s Play.” This is serious stuff. 

Let’s elect the right candidate, Marialyn Barnard, on November 7th.

Event details will be provided in our upcoming newsletter.

Hosted by Alamo City Republican Women, Joe Solis/ South Texas Republicans, & Quico Canseco
 

Did you know that there are only 2 Republicans and 10 Democrats in the Bexar County Courts of Law system? 

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

Chairman of the Republican National Committee Ken Mehlman will be in town on Thursday, September 7th For A Lunch Fundraising Reception For The Texans for Nelson Balido Campaign!

The event will run from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. at the Majestic Restaurant and Club Majestic Tower located at 222 E. Houston Street in downtown San Antonio.

$125 Individual

$200 Couple

Space for this event is extremely limited, so please RSVP early! For more information or to RSVP, please contact Katy at 520-5555 or Katy@nelsonbalido.com. We look forward to seeing you there!
 

Our own Schuylar Crist, is a HAM Radio Operator (callsign KE5VIP), and he will join Hill Country REACT Team #4804 in sponsoring a WTC911 Commemorative Special Event Station on the anniversary of 9/11, in support of Bob Hejl, W2IK. He will be in attendance with this set up you see here on the left, a handi-talkie connected to a 2m/70cm antenna that also fits in a telescoping unit that allows the antenna to go as high as 14 feet in height.

“W2IK/WTC911″ will be in operation to commemorate the World Trade Center Disaster, for the second year in a row.

The City of San Antonio City Council and Bexar County have both issued a proclamation declaring Monday, September 11, 2006 to be "National Family Emergency Preparedness Day" in San Antonio in honor of the 5th anniversary of the World Trade Center Disaster on 9/11/2001. This FREE event will be open to the public from Noon until 8pm that day.

Contact: Schuylar Crist
Telephone: 210-663-6093
E-mail: skyskyrider@hotmail.com

The W2IK callsign was the first signal to emanate from "Ground Zero" on September, 11, 2001, it is only fitting that this callsign be used for this commemorative station.

"W21K/WTC911" will begin 8AM and operate until 10PM and can be found on the upper sections of HF Bands 15, 20 and 40 meters, all SSB.
 

A Venezuelan Exchange Student at UTSA logs contact information while Bob Hejl, W2IK makes worldwide contacts in 2005.

A special color QSL certificate will be mailed to each station making a contact that sends a LARGE SASE with their QSL card to the QRZ (http://www.qrz.com) address of W2IK. If you hear us, please work us and post this operation so others may work our station.

In addition, from 12pm-8pm we will have a numerous Emergency Preparedness oriented activities such as:
Fingerprinting Station               
HAM Radio
Balloon Animals                      
SA Fire Dept.
K-9 Search and Rescue           
Face Painting

Location: Joske Pavilion @ Brackenridge Park in San Antonio, where the river crosses Brackenridge Drive, south of E. Hildebrand Ave, and North of Tuleta Drive.

Participating agencies include:

Alamo Regional Citizen Corps, City of San Antonio Police, City of San Antonio Fire, City of San Antonio EMS, American Red Cross, SA VOAD, San Antonio Food Bank, Catholic Charities RSVP, Bexar Co Emergency Services Rehab, Texas Medical Rangers, and Other Agencies

Special Thanks to:

San Antonio Parks & Recreation

San Antonio City Council, District 6 Councilwoman Delicia Herrera's Office

About the Sponsors:

Hill Country REACT is a non-profit 501(c)3 all volunteer radio communications team that provides public service and emergency communications support in the San Antonio Metro area and four area counties (Comal, Kendall, Bexar and Guadalupe), working with area emergency management agencies and other authorities. For more information about Hill Country REACT, visit http://www.HillCountryREACT.org or call 210-771-7075.

The Alamo Regional Citizen Corps Council is made upof a twelve county area and its members represent all sectors of the community, including elected officials, emergency management and first responders groups, volunteers in community service, faith and community-based organizations, academic institutions, medical facilities, and others.

This program is administered through the Bexar County Office of Emergency Management/Fire Marshal’s Office, located in San Antonio, Texas. For more information call 210-335-0399.

For a map to the location and more information about this event, visit http://www.SanAntonioHams.org or call 210-771-7075.
 

Featuring Steve Hilbig, Candidate For The 4th Court of Appeals

When: September 11th (Monday)

Where:  Grady's Bar-B-Q, 6510 San Pedro Ave, San Antonio, TX 78216

Phone: (210) 805-8036

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

Cost: FREE 

Buffet Dinner Courtesy of Alamo City Republican Women and Joe Solis/South Texas Republicans

Note from Joe Solis: Friends, it is time to rally around Steve Hilbig for the 4th Court of Appeals. He needs our support in this very important race. We are hosting this dinner for his campaign. Please bring your friends, family members, business associates and neighbors to this dinner. 

Donations to the Steve Hilbig campaign will be accepted:  $10, $20, $50 and $100 donations can make a difference at this point. We encourage you to donate.

http://www.stevehilbig.com/

The Fourth Court of Appeals is one of 14 intermediate appellate courts in Texas court system. As an “intermediate appellate court,” each court receives appeals from the trial courts located within the court’s geographical jurisdiction. The decision of the Court of Appeals may be further appealed to a higher court although most decisions are not accepted for review by the higher courts.
 
The Courts of Appeals review both civil and criminal cases. If one side wants the decision from the Court of Appeals reviewed by a higher court, that review is conducted by a court that specializes in either civil or criminal law. For cases involving civil law, the appeal is made to the Texas Supreme Court. If the case concerns a criminal question, the case is appealed to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.
 

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

Cost: FREE Buffet Dinner

SPECIAL GUEST: Dawn Lothringer, State Republican Executive Committeewoman, Senate District 21 Ms. Lothringer lives in Pleasanton, Texas (Wilson County)

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

Honored Guest Speaker:  U.S. Senator John Cornyn

Saturday, September 16, 2006 –

Location:  San Antonio Country Club

Time: 10:30 a.m.  (11:30 a.m. Luncheon) 

Silent Auction (benefiting the Center for the Intrepid)   

RSVP to:  Betty Hill at 210-681-9468

Cornyn For Vice-President! Tell Your Friends. We Can Make This A Reality!!!
 

to a book signing and luncheon, featuring remarks by

Matthew J. Dowd

Applebee's America: How Successful Political, Business, and Religious Leaders Connect with the New American Community

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

11:30 a.m. Registration

12:00 Noon Luncheon & Program

Hyatt Regency Hotel

123 Lasoya

Rio Grande Ballroom

$35 per person - Members /$50 - Prospective Members

$350 per Corporate Table of 8-Members / $475 - Prospective Members

ABOUT THE BOOK: Matthew J. Dowd will be signing his new book, Applebee's America: How Successful Political, Business, and Religious Leaders Connect with the New American Community, that examines the tactics used by two politicians and a groundbreaking company to thrive in an era of immense change.  Written with Doug Sosnik, senior advisor to President Clinton, and award-winning Associated Press political reporter Ron Fournier, and in stores on September 12, Applebee’s America is aimed at business executives, government leaders and the people they seek to influence, and will serve as a survivor's guide to life in an era of transition. Applebee's America, published by Simon & Schuster, has already been named to the Harvard Business Review's 2006 Reading List.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Matthew J. Dowd is the founding partner of ViaNovo, an international corporate brand and positioning firm with offices in Austin, Washington, D.C., Monterrey, Mexico, and Dallas, and www.HOTSOUP.com: an online community developed to unite grassroots Opinion Drivers and give them access to the "halls of power." Matthew was Chief Campaign Strategist  for Bush-Cheney 2004. He advises California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Michigan gubernatorial candidate Dick DeVos.

Fax Reply to 229-1600 - Attn: Special Events Department, or call 229-2119

Please make the following reservation for The Chamber’s Matthew Dowd Luncheon and Book Signing on Tuesday, September 19, 2006.

_____ (#) Individuals at $35 per person-Members/ $50 - Prospective Members
_____ Corporate Table of 8 at $350 -Members/ $475 - Prospective Members

Please return with your check made payable to The Chamber, P. O. Box 1628, San Antonio, TX 78296. You may register online at www.sachamber.org by clicking on the event ticker. For information, call 229‑2119. Reservation deadline is Thursday, Sept. 14th. Payment for event registration is required in advance. The Chamber requires a 48-hour advance notice of cancellation for events. Refunds will not be made after this date. No shows will be billed.          
 

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
 

At last week’s Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Transportation Policy Board Meeting, they voted to award a contract to PBS&J, one of the nation’s largest engineering firms, who also happens to be guilty of FRAUD and overbilling TxDOT, the Florida DOT, and other clients to the tune of $36 million! The lawsuit against PBS&J was recently settled and the company removed from TxDOT’s blacklist. However, concerned citizens believe the MPO should rescind their vote to approve a contract with a company that pleaded guilty to FRAUD against Texas taxpayers.

Surely, there are reputable firms out there that are not in the business of ripping off taxpayers. The MPO must show integrity and ethics in light of this information, and rescind their previous vote to award PBS&J a contract using public funds.

Most MPO board members were not aware of PBS&J’s admission of fraud and over billing Texas taxpayers. I was at the meeting and knew about PBS&J’s crimes, but was unable to communicate this to board members from the audience.

We believe it is crucial that the MPO not only rectify this contract, but also place the names of subcontractors under consideration on future agendas so that the public AND board members can be made aware of such criminal actions, and potential contractors can be properly vetted prior to the Board voting on such contracts.

For more information, refer to the SA Toll Party.com blog here.

TOLL PARTY VICTORY: MPO TABLES VOTE ON 2030 PLAN

Instead, votes to re-work the long-range plan to address Adkisson, Guajardo, and Castro-Killen’s concerns

The San Antonio Toll Party, comprised of a band of concerned citizens against the current toll plans, successfully chalked up a victory at last week’s Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Board Meeting. The Toll Party had asked the Board to challenge TxDOT’s outlandish figures (that would be like $10,000 in NEW taxes for EVERY PERSON in San Antonio, read more here, scroll down to section entitled, TOLL ROADS COST MORE, CALLS TXDOT’S NEEDS LIST INTO QUESTION) they claim to “need” to stave off congestion in their 2030 plan. Members of the Board agreed. Citizens believe these inflated figures are being used as scare tactics to create a “congestion crisis” that doesn’t exist (except in very isolated areas) in order to push toll roads. Even Governor Perry admitted these figures are wish lists if money were no object in an August 20 Austin American Statesman article.

In a 9-2 vote, the MPO Board voted to delay a vote to adopt the 2030 plan as is and instead voted to table it in order to re-work the report to incorporate the board members’ concerns, specifically Commissioner Tommy Adkisson, Councilwoman Elena Guajardo, and Via Board Member Melissa Castro Killen. They expressed concerns about not addressing the public opposition to toll roads, and especially the Trans Texas Corridor in the plan. Adkisson even brought a motion to REMOVE the Trans Texas Corridor and the tolling of I-35 in his precinct from the 2030 plan. The motion received a second, but was never brought to a vote.

For more information, refer to the SA Toll Party.com blog here:

http://satollparty.com/post/?p=384

http://satollparty.com/post/?p=385

More important stories:

Average commute times actually going DOWN:

http://satollparty.com/post/?p=391

Warnings of drug-addicted Mexican truckers taking corridor routes:

http://satollparty.com/post/?p=390

 Pat Buchanan- NAFTA highway coming soon:

http://satollparty.com/post/?p=389
 

Two weeks ago, the “Republicrat” Column accused me of "crashing" the Tejano Democrats meeting. This is not only a gross misstatement of the facts, but it is also very misleading and disingenuous to your readers.

The political gossip and opinions expressed by the “Republicrat” are certainly “fair game” as long as the facts she includes in the column are accurate and not misleading.  Her opinions may even be insightful at times; however, in this case, the accusation of “crashing” a democratic meeting was not only misleading, it was completely false.  Opinions are one thing, but misleading your readers is quite another. I know that you care about accuracy, and that you would never knowingly mislead your readers about “facts.” Therefore, I think I owe it to you and to the readers of the South Texas Republican Newsletter to correct the “Republicrat” in her inaccurate and misleading description of the event. There are three important facts you and your readers should know.

First, the Republicrat’s characterization is totally inaccurate because before attending the Tejano Democrats meeting, I specifically asked for permission to attend from the sponsor and organizer of the event, my friend and colleague, Charlie Urbina Jones. As the ONLY Hispanic Republican office holder in the entire courthouse who is facing an election this year, I was understandably interested in the topic of the discussion --"How the Redistricting of District 23 Will Affect the Fall Election.” But, I was also interested in attending because the main speaker at the meeting was my friend and my supporter, Rolando Rios.  The point is – I asked! 

When I asked Charlie Jones if I could come, he specifically encouraged me to come. He insisted that it was an open forum, and that I was welcome to attend. Those are the true facts, and the only circumstances under which I would ever have attended.

 Second, the comments by the Republicrat are not only inaccurate, but also misleading because of what happened at the meeting. I was recognized and introduced to the group not only by the main speaker, Rolando Rios but also by organizer, Charlie Jones, who specifically told the group that I had asked permission before coming. Therefore, everyone who was paying attention at the meeting should have known that I had asked and not just shown up, i.e., “crashed the meeting.”

Third, the Republicrat is disingenuous because of what happened after I was introduced at the meeting. I was shocked that, after being introduced by both Charlie Jones and Rolando Rios, I was actually invited to address the meeting. Well, you do not have to ask me twice to speak to a group of voters. I jumped at the chance. I shared with the Tejano Democrats the inspiring story of my father, who came to this country from Monterrey, Mexico, without a penny and not even speaking the language, and with only his hard work, an education and his hopes and dreams, he put four kids through college, one through medical school, two through nursing school, and one through graduate school and law school. When I concluded, the Tejano Democrats actually gave me a round of applause. I am still amazed at the warm reception I received. 

In short, that is why I was offended by the inaccuracy, misleading and disingenuous nature of the Republicrat last week. I could not - in good conscience - let you or your readers be misled.

Regarding my opponent attending my last fundraiser, it is true. To this day, I do not believe she was invited, but it is possible she received an invitation in a mass mailing or in mass e-mail that was sent out.  What is surprising is -- not that she may have received an invitation -- but that she actually decided to attend. I am still surprised -- but not offended -- that she attended; I just thought it was odd and certainly out of the ordinary.

Thank you for allowing me to respond to the Republicrat; you may publish this response if you like.

Rene Diaz,

224th District Court

www.judgediaz.com
 

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. 

Now that we know for sure that we have ONLY seven candidates in Congressional District 23, we can rest easy. Wait! Make that eight again. It seems that Ciro Rodriguez dropped out of the race only to drop back in.

I hear the Republican refrain of “flip flopper,” once again. I see a swift boat on the horizon and it is Déjà vu, all over again. Just when you thought it was safe to jump back into the political waters, here we go again.

With the unexpected announcement to Union members that he was out of the race only to revive himself two days later, Ciro claimed his supporters came out of the wood work to say, “stay.” Having done that, all is forgiven.

Question is: where were they before he decided to drop out? Oh well, it wouldn’t be a race without him.

So, we are back to six Democrats, one Independent and a nasty Republican named Henry “the Horrible.”

Can you imagine seven contenders vs. Henry the “Horrible?” Reminds me of the fairy tale of Snow White and the seven dwarfs, except Henry ain’t no Snow White.

Then, of course, we can ask about a dead dancer challenging Lamar Smith. I can see it now. “Dead dancer tap dances his way to victory!” The political landscape has turned into a nightmare and nobody even lives on Elm Street! 

Let’s dissect District 23 now that Ciro is back. Did he really ever leave us?

Who is Lukin Gilliland and why is he running for the 23rd? The man doesn’t even live in District 23 and to make matters weird, he is a “Boleo” from Alamo Heights.

Anybody who lives or works in the Southside, knows an outsider, especially from Alamo Heights, can’t win a race no matter how much money he has to spend to get us Latinos to vote for him. But then on the other hand, six Democratic Hispanics and one Republican Hispanic from the Southside verbally beating each other senseless could put him in contention for a run off if he does well in other parts of the district. 

How ironic. He had better spend that $500-thousand in the Southside if he hopes for any chance to move on to a second round.

“Lap Dog”: Augie Beltran and “Big Dog” Albert Uresti are now in the hunt. That ought to be interesting to say the least. And then there is poor old Rick Bolanos from El Paso who isn’t even as well known in the Southside as Beltran and Uresti. Beltran can’t even string a coherent sentence together.

The next question arises, why is Uresti running? Trying to compete with his younger brother, the next State Senator? As the oldest Uresti brother maybe he is feeling a little left out of the mix. He has another brother, Tomas, who serves on the Harlandale School Board. We are talking Southside. But with Ciro’s meltdown with the labor people, Albert is the new heir apparent for labor’s money. That puts him at the front of the pack and makes it a new ball game.

Word is that Beltran “the Articulate Lap Dog” was in the race to hurt Ciro’s numbers. It is also rumored that former Commissioner Robert Tejeda is behind Beltran getting into the race. Now there is a complete surprise.

Maybe now that Ciro has left and come back, Beltran will get the hint and vanish.

Last week I mentioned that Dr. Richard Gambitta the UTSA political science professor was waffling. Sure enough he backed out as predicted.

Nothing has changed as far as the Southside being up for grabs and no one knows for sure who will be left standing when all is said and done. I stated last week that with too many Democrats in the mix, it is unlikely that Bonilla will lose.

Now there is a glimmer if others will fall on the sword and quit graciously like Ciro before he re-invented himself. We will see how it plays out as we near November.

Looking at the 21st Congressional District, it becomes even stranger than the 23rd. Looking at Gene Kelly’s track record, it looks as if he has ruined any chance for a Democratic victory. The chances for a run off in the 21st are slim to none. Lamar Smith just needs to keep quiet and he is elected.

Democrat John Courage’s chances were a long shot at best before everyone  jumped into the fray and now he will be lucky if he can place third behind Smith. His chances evaporated greatly when Kelly and the political neophyte Tommy Calvert jumped in the race as an Independent.

The Eastside is gone for Courage. He already lost a huge piece of Travis County in the redistricting debacle.

Running as a liberal doesn’t help in a district that is predominately conservative, even for Democrats. But then again some Democrats live in a fantasy world.

Last week I mentioned that Republican Judge Rene Diaz “crashed” a Democratic function when he attended a Tejano Democrats monthly meeting. Apparently, I was given information from one of my sources that was 50% accurate.

While some Democrats who attended thought he was not invited, more informed sources tell me now that Charlie Jones, the Tejano Chair, actually invited him.

So, for only the second time in the eight months I have written for the South Texas Republican Newsletter, I must admit I shared erroneous information.

Some may remember I referred to political consultant Christian Anderson, who worked for Republican George Antuna, as Christian Archer, the consultant to Mayor Phil Hardberger. They say all Christians look alike! Once again, I must apologize for these two inaccurate reports.

Lastly, Editor Joe Solis wondered in print why the Republicrat was silent on the “Testosterone Twins,” Richard Garcia and Lauro Bustamante. They are the 4th Court candidates who said there were too many women on the court.

The answer is simple. They won’t win. You go, girls!

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