Brownsville Tea Party Association

Archive for the ‘Elections’ Category

By Chris Rowan

The fight is far from over in Wisconsin. Governor Walker and the Republicans in the Wisconsin state House may have won a crucial battle, but the war goes on. The unionistas are now planning on getting a LibProg elected to the state Supreme Court, which would tip the balance of power in favor of the unionistas.

According to the Texas Political Insider,

A memo written by liberal groups explains that the left’s strategy is to win this race and then “challenge in the courts,” nearly every budget reform that Mr. Walker and the Republican majority in the legislature tries to enact. It also appears that if the court challenge to the collective bargaining bill goes all the way to the Supreme Court, this would happen after the April 5th election.

This should come as no surprise to anyone affiliated with the tactics of the political left. Frustrated at the ballot box and the arena of public opinion, they simply shift focus to manipulation of the courts and the legal system. This is the branch of government in which the political left is the most comfortable because they can rule by decree and avoid pesky, annoying and time- consuming processes like open debate and elections.

There are many roads to socialism, communism, totalitarianism, and ruin. And the unionistas know them all very well.

Here we go again.

It must be election season because I’m reading yet again about how downtown Brownsville needs to be renovated, re-invigorated, reinvested, and so on. It’s the same old line, delivered deadpan and without much enthusiasm, every election cycle. I’ve been here 50 years and can’t remember when a local politico didn’t pay homage to “beautiful downtown Brownsville” or “historic downtown Brownsville.” It must be a requirement for Mayoral candidates.

POLL: What is your vision for downtown Brownsville?

I avoid downtown like the plague, but whenever I do wind up near the old Post Office and old Majestic Theatre I marvel at how little has changed since I was a boy. Same dilapidated buildings, same ropa usadas, maybe a few different store fronts, but the same exact buildings that have been there for as long as I can remember.

Such musings make me think of the collapse of the La Tienda Amigo building in ’88. Fourteen people died when that building collapsed after a heavy rain. That was over 20 years ago. Makes me wonder just how safe all those “historic” buildings downtown really are, especially the old El Jardin hotel.

Local politicos like to hearken back to those halcyon days when downtown was the place to be, the shopping mecca of the city (Valley? State?), a mythical wonderland of community and commerce. Funny. I don’t remember downtown EVER being a place where I wanted to shop or just hang out. My mom shopped at Fed-Mart (where the HEB on Central stands now), Gibson’s (further down Central next to the resaca) , and Gulf Mart (where the HEB on Boca Chica stands now). We almost never went downtown. No parking then, no parking now. I guess our lack of parking is “historic,” too.

I’ve always wondered why Brownsville didn’t have a thriving, modern business district. We’re right on the border with Mexico and have the only deepwater port south of Corpus Christi. Why don’t we have a bunch of skyscrapers overlooking the Rio Grande instead of a bunch of deteriorating red brick buildings that were built at the turn of the century before last?

I understand that we should make an effort to preserve our heritage, but we’re talking about BUILDINGS. There are some buildings that should be preserved (e.g., the Stillman House), but just because a building is old doesn’t make it historically or culturally relevant. No one will care about my house in 200 years, unless President Obama stops by for visit (fat chance of THAT happening).

Sometimes an old building is just that – an old building. I wonder . . . If there were no zoning (or other) restrictions, would companies relocate to Brownsville and erect new buildings downtown? Would a large multinational corporation that does a lot of business in northern Mexico build their corporate headquarter on the block where the old Majestic stands today if they could?

Such questions lead to others, like How many people would be employed in the construction of a new highrise building, and for how long? How many permanent jobs would be created as a result? There are a lot of unknowns, actually too many to make any conclusions, but the ramifications are fascinating to contemplate.

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By Chris Rowan

Last November 20, I drove to San Antonio to attend the second Texas TEA Party Summit.   Leaders of TEA Party groups from across the state were in attendance.  Colonel Deering would have gone, but he had a doctor’s appointment that Saturday and could not attend.

I’m not going to go into a great amount of detail.  I took notes and listened very attentively, but most of what was said had to do with Texas House Speaker Joe Straus and is not very high on our priority list.  Ousting Joe Straus is important – do not get me wrong – but we in south Texas had been focused on the Congressional election and , of course, the election for County Judge.  To be honest, I had not heard of Joe Straus until I read about him on Facebook.

Seems like all information roads lead to Facebook.

Overall, the Summit was eye-opening and very informative.   I had no idea how many different TEA Party groups there were in Texas.  It is a HUGE phenom in Texas, folks.  One of the TEA Party leaders I met represents 30 such groups in East Texas ALONE.  I wish that someone had thought to write down all the TEA Party groups represented at the Summit.  I should have, but it was all I could do to keep up with the flow of information.  I should also have livestreamed the event, but thought it would have been presumptuous and frowned upon.  Next time, perhaps.

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I’ve stated before that we should be careful what we wish for. Those of us who work in quasi-governmental jobs could wind up losing our jobs, benefits, and/or retirement pensions if we suddenly roll back 100 years of Progressivism in government.

Millions of Americans are addicted to the opiate of government. For some, it is a problem that spans generations. Simply removing the steady IV drip-drip-drip of subsidized health care, welfare, unemployment, retirement, and so on would be a huge shock to our system.

I’m not saying that it should not be done. We just need to be careful and realize that this is a long-term goal.

The Election’s Done; Now What?

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Very good read by American Thinker’s J.R. Dunn.

The peasants will be driven no farther. This week, they voted an entire worldview dead. Not that it will simply lie down, zombie doctrine that it has been for a century or more. It will have to be beaten down, drawn, quartered, and burned, with the ashes scattered to the winds. The process will require years. But the old, failed paradigm has been given a death blow. American eyes have opened at last, and they will not close again. Plenty of battles remain, but it is safe to believe, in the words of one of the great modern conservatives, and Democrats, in the true sense: “Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.”

Tuesday’s Election Was a Vote to Bring the 19th Century to an End.

By Duane Rasmussen

A lot of information came out about our Socialist Democrat US. Rep. Solomon P. Ortiz during the three-part series of articles in a local daily concerning his travels, allegedly on our behalf over the past few years. One of the most alarming concerns is his thinking that he can fool us about the substance and meaning of the travels. Also, he, himself, still will not explain himself. Instead, he uses the old trick of having one of his serfs do the explaining. .

He expects us to believe that he and a few other Congressmen had some effect on diverting the North Koreans from their nuclear ambitions. Come on, Solomon. Congressmen can do nothing to change another government’s actions. Diplomacy is conducted by the administrative branch through its diplomats. All the rest is window dressing. The North Koreans simply told Ortiz what he wanted to hear. And, again, where are the jobs in what industries that Ortiz gained from a number of trips to China?

In the last few days we caught up with Blake Farenthold, the Republican candidate for U.S. District 27 in Congress. We had a phone conversation in which he laid down his aspirations should he win the support of the people in the district represented poorly by Ortiz over 27 years.

Farenthold attended a Catholic high school before gaining a bachelor of science degree in radio, television and film from the University of Texas at Austin. Later, he obtained his law degree from St. Mary’s University at San Antonio. He practiced law for seven years in the agricultural area, and then grew a computer consulting firm to 15 employees before selling out. Before entering the race for Congress, he co-hosted a conservative radio talk show in Corpus.

Farenthold wants less government as he says, “Get out of our hair!” A campaign slogan he has adopted reads, “If you elect me, I’ll work hard to do less.”

While he does not think the opposition to Obamacare will be strong enough in the new Congress to repeal it, he does plan to work to deflect as much of it as is possible to cripple it.

He is opposed to government bail outs and believes that nobody is too big to fail. Government help should not be used to save businesses. The Fannie and Freddy episodes have proven, he continued, that government cannot force banks to loan money to those who cannot pay back the funds.

Concerning immigration, Farenthold said the federal government let illegals come in as an underclass. He would work for a plan that makes it easier for legal immigrants to enter after background checks and the presentation of proof that a job is waiting. He further believes the border patrol is hamstrung by laws, rules and regulations that obstruct their actions. The border patrol needs the resources and then the military to lend support. He also is in favor of the use of more of the unmanned aircraft for surveillance.

Farenthold believes in less government spending and taxes. Jobs are critical, he believes, so capital gains taxes need to be reduced along with the rules and regulations that hold back expansion here.

Concerning Ortiz’ travels, Farenthold reminds that big supporters helped pay and that some are in jail for smuggling in Chinese.

“Ortiz should do his traveling into his district,” Farenthold concluded.

Over the past months the reader has read a huge number of reasons why Ortiz is inimical to the best interests of our country and our district. You have two choices in sending him home. All things considered, to work within the system that we are burdened with, Farenthold should get the votes. Make it happen folks!

More In Two Weeks

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By Greg and Judy Holloway
Austin Tea Party Patriots 

Last year, we were not able to go to the 9/12 rally in Washington, DC, since Greg’s company held its annual retreat on the same day.  We did not want to miss this year’s 8/28 “Restoring Honor” event, so we dug some airline and hotel points out of mothballs and made a trip of it with our 18-year old son. 

Here’s a short journal of our trip for those of you who might be interested. 

We left Austin very early Friday morning and (after the usual stop in another city that Bergstrom flyers are normally subjected to) arrived in DC around 1 pm.  We met Lily and Jim from the Bastrop Tea Party at Reagan National Airport and then headed over to the Washington Hilton.  When we arrived, our cabbie noted that “This is where Reagan was shot.”  Oh great. 

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Back to Basics …
 
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE AND
THE CONSTITUTION

JULY 31, 2010, 10am – 1pm

AUSTIN, TEXAS

Are you frustrated by all of the disastrous legislation being pushed through Congress these days?

Do you wonder what it will take to bring our government back to where the Founders envisioned?

The San Antonio Tea Party, with speakers from leading tea party and 912 groups across Texas, will be re-awakening us to the Founders’ values as set forth in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. 

Remember what has long made
our country great! 

Rekindle your love for America and
get ready for an incredibly important election season! 

On July 31, 2010

Meet us on the South Steps of the Texas State Capitol

1100 Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78701
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

OPENING

GEORGE WASHINGTON, (Mark Collins), La Vernia – Unique Among Nations

LISA FRITSCH, Talk Radio Host, Austin
 
BILL PRESSGROVE, Texas State Director, Independent Caucus – Restoration Begins with Education
GEORGE RODRIGUEZ, San Antonio Tea Party – We’re All Americans

L. SCOTT SMITH, Corpus Christi – America Unraveling

MIKE MELENDEZ Temple – In God We Still Trust
 
JAMES IVES,  Fort Bend County Tea Party – American Exceptionalism
ZACH RICKS, Central Texas 9-12 Project – A State of Crisis

JANET THOMAS, Immigration Reform Coalition of Texas – The Ghost of Amnesty Past

GREG HOLLOWAY, Austin Tea Party – What Limited Government Means to Us
 
**********
Here is a map of the Capitol, which shows parking:
 http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=16920242&msgid=190419&act=NV3E&c=687984&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tspb.state.tx.us%2FCVC%2Fplan%2Fplparking.html
Map of Downtown Parking Areas:

http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=16920242&msgid=190419&act=NV3E&c=687984&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.downtownaustin.com%2Ftransportation%2Fparking%2Flots%2F

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I’ve heard it all folks. I’ve reached the top of the mountain, and there is nothing left to see.

Stan Raines publishes Nunnayerbizness, an unabashed liberal blog. Recently the local yokal unexpectedly moved to the right. He does not want his tax dollars paying for the Democratic Party or any private political party to use the county elections department to run their private primaries.

In an unfortunate rantabout tax dollars being involved in Texas primaries, Raines demonstrates his political awakening.

Okay, answer me this question: what is the legal justification for taxpayers paying to conduct primary elections? Political parties are not public entities, but private associations, aren’t they?

Yes, they are private to an extent. Generally one nominee of either political party will be elected to public office, it behooves a fair and open election in the primary to prevent violation of the people’s right to vote.

The Election Code, to my knowledge, requires political parties to pay for part of the costs associated with running their primaries. It’s not like they are getting some service completely for free. If he wants a legal justification, maybe he should contact any number of “in the name social justice” lawyers for his answer. I wonder if he has ever asked for a legal justification for government’s takeover the health care system. Raines continues.

Yet this morning I read in The Brownsville Herald that the county commissioners have voted to pay to defend election administrator Roger Ortiz in a suit filed by Ruben Peña to prevent the destruction of ballots from the recent Democratic primary runoff for County Judge. Why is Cameron County involved in this election at all?

Mr. Ortiz was running an election in his capacity as county elections director. His office running the primary run-off election was called into question. He should not have had to appear in court as the Democrat candidate who according to a more knowledgeable blogger namely Bobby WC mishandled his elections complaint. Nevertheless, Mr. Ortiz deserved our public monies to defend him.

How can Stan Raines call himself a liberal if he questions government involvement in one of the most democratic function of all – elections?

The question remains why has this Leftist not fallen on his sword or better turned to the darkside?

This Republican ad was posted on YouTube in February, 2010. 

At the monthly TTTP meeting, a spirited debate arose over whether we should endorse the GOP candidate for TX-27, Blake Farenthold or wait a couple of weeks.

Sue Goldberg, TTTP president, argued passionately in favor of waiting because the Tip of Texas Tea Party mission statement clearly states that we support ALL conservative candidates. She thinks we should hold a meeting to possibly rewrite the mission statement.

Willie Vaden, former GOP candidate for TX-27, spoke in favor of endorsing one candidate NOW rather than later. He said there is no time for this, that delay only benefits Ortiz. A third party candidate CANNOT WIN in this district, and contemplating such only splits the vote and results in getting Ortiz re-elected.

The meeting is ongoing. I’ll update. We have a speaker now. He’s talking about hyphenated Americans.

…Later

I’m at an HEB in Edinburg now, waiting on a prescription for my son. I had to leave the TTTP meeting before it ended, so I can’t report on what happened after I left. But I can relate what happened after the guest speaker finished.

Blake Farenthold (Republican candidate for TX-27) and Ed Mishou (Libertarian) each spoke for a few minutes. I captured most of what they said on video and will upload it as soon as I can. I won’t comment on what they said here.

Sue (TTTP president) went back to the lecturn and again implored us to wait a couple of weeks before committing to one candidate. Several TTTP members spoke in turn, including me. Some spoke in favor of waiting a couple of weeks before deciding whether to endorse one candidate. Others thought it was a waste of time.

Principle over Party.

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The Sentinel 11

The Tip of Texas Tea Party is at a crossroads. Our fearless workaholic President, Sue Goldberg, will be passing the torch to someone else foolish er, courageous enough to lead us in the coming weeks and months. Ideally, that person should possess the following qualities and characteristics:

1. Vision, has definite short-term and long-term objectives for the TTTP
2. Engages, energizes
3. Is trustworthy, forthright, open, honest
4. Able to inspire people to work together to achieve realistic goals
5. Can clearly articulate conservative principles
6. Is acutely self-aware and empathetic
7. Is accountable, “The buck stops here”
8. Is accessible, personable, affable, friendly
9. Is authentic, “Walks the walk”
10. Is at the leading edge, leads by example

We should all express our deep gratitude to Sue for her selfless and tireless leadership over the past year. Without Sue, there would be no Tip of Texas Tea Party. It’s no fun being out front, especially when you’re surrounded by hostile democrats and other assorted leftists. Sue’s courage and able leadership is deserving of our utmost gratitude and praise.

-Chris