Tag Archives: Fate

Open Letter to Jodie Laubenberg – Save the Rainy Day Fund

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Honorable Jodie Laubenberg
Texas House District 89 Representative
Rockwall County Office
507 East Boydstun
Rockwall, TX  75087-2721

Subject: Use of “Rainy Day” fund for recurring (budgeted) expenses

Jodie,

I know that you and all state representatives and state senators have been mercilessly pressured to maintain state school spending levels. School administrations have recruited teachers, students and parents to write, call and “walk the halls” in order to minimize budget cuts. Our own Rockwall ISD sent out an appeal along with “talking points”.

You and I know very well the purpose of holding money for contingencies. Our Texas “Rainy Day” fund was established to cover emergencies like hurricanes, floods, epidemics and wild fires – events for which it is impossible to budget.

Isn’t it the purpose of the budget to cover recurring state expenses? Is it wise to tap our emergency fund to placate school administrators? Even as I write and as you read this letter, over 1,000,000 acres of Texas is ablaze. Just this morning I heard reports of additional firefighters being dispatched from the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Where will the money come from? What happens when hurricanes lash our shores?

Long-range weather forecast predicts 17 names storms, nine hurricanes – five major hurricanes – during 2011. Presently, our northern hemisphere is in a period of unstable weather. No doubt, you are aware of the extraordinary number of tornadoes wreaking havoc across the southern tier of states. It is this weather pattern that exacerbates west Texas grass fires.

I urge you to preserve our emergency funds and make the hard choice to cut state spending. As I have said before to you, the problem with school funding lies not with students or teachers. The chief problems are district indebtedness and bloated bureaucracies. Our opportunity is to preserve teachers’ jobs and represent the interests of students as we reduce administrative overhead. For the record: Rockwall ISD has a non-teaching staff to teaching staff ratio of 1:1.

Sincerely,

John White

Rockwall, Texas 75087

California Dreamin’ – Texas Nightmare

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California Regional Map


California Statistics

1. 40% of all workers in L. A. County (L. A. County has 10.2 million people) are working for cash and not paying taxes. This is because they are predominantly illegal immigrants working without a green card.
2. 95% of warrants for murder in Los Angeles are for illegal aliens.
3. 75% of people on the most wanted list in Los Angeles are illegal aliens.
4. Over 2/3 of all births in Los Angeles County are to illegal alien Mexicans on Medi-Cal, whose births were paid for by taxpayers.
5. Nearly 35% of all inmates in California detention centers are Mexican nationals here illegally.
6. Over 300,000 illegal aliens in Los Angeles County are living in garages.
7. The FBI reports half of all gang members in Los Angeles are most likely illegal aliens from south of the border.
8. Nearly 60% of all occupants of HUD properties are illegal.
9. 21 radio stations in L. A. are Spanish speaking.
10. In L. A. County 5.1 million people speak English, 3.9 million speak Spanish. (There are 10.2 million people in L. A. County)

(All 10 of the above facts were published in the Los Angeles Times)

More …

Fewer than 2% of illegal aliens are picking our crops, but 29% are on welfare. Over 70% of the United States ‘ annual population growth (and over 90% of California, Florida, and New York) results from immigration. 29% of inmates in federal prisons are illegal aliens.

 However, if we allow politicians to continue as they are doing now, creating a social divide between Hispanics who are citizens and the rest of us, crime will continue to escalate, violence will continue to escalate and welfare costs will continue to drain state budgets.

There is no “immigration problem”, per se

Our immigration process, including the laws and staffing, is adequate to process all aliens who lawfully enter this country. If we are to resolve problems in the underbelly of our society, we must choose to divide issues and deal with them logically, separately and quickly.

 Border Control is an issue all unto itself. We must control all borders. Illegal aliens who enter this land almost daily are not only Mexicans, they are Islamic Terrorists and drug-selling criminals.

 Employment of undocumented aliens (illegal aliens) is an issue all unto itself.

 Endless unemployment benefits represent a more serious danger to the American economy than all illegal aliens and the tandem undesirable consesquences of their presence. Who pays into the unemployment funds? Employers and employees. How is that payment scale determined? By the disbursements of unemployment benefits. Can you do the math? Yes. The time is coming when employers will have to reduce payroll to be able to pay the taxes (unemployment fund contributions). This is not good, people.

Squeaky Wheel Training: Power to the People!

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If you don’t read the newspaper, you are uninformed; if you do read the newspaper, you are misinformed. Mark Twain

Frustrated?

Are you frustrated over current events, as elected representatives apparently misrepresent your values and your wishes? Do you feel powerless to stop the madness destroying America? YOU can make a difference.

“Squeaky Wheel” Training 

Rockwall County Republican Women’s Club has a solution for you – knowledge. 

In only a few hours you will acquire vital skills with which you can “turn the world upside down”.

Presenter

 Rebecca Williamson

State Republican Executive Committeewoman

SD 24 and TFRW 1st Vice President

“Empowering the People” Training Content

  • Working with FREE media
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Opinion Pieces
    • Press Releases
  • Texas Legislative Process
    • How to follow Texas Legislation
    • How a bill becomes law
  • Federal Legislative Process
    • How to follow Federal Legislation
    • How a bill becomes law
  • Tips for successful  communication with your elected representatives
  • Building your network
  • Engaging your party, local clubs and networks

Location

 Rockwall County Library Meeting Room

1215 E. Yellowjacket, Rockwall , Texas 75087  

Date

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Time

10:30 AM to 11:00 AM – Coffee

 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM – Conference Program

Cost

No charge for the training.

Questions?

Contact Lea Carlson, RCRW VP for Programs

(214) 507-4482

 See you there! Bring your friends!

 There is no charge for the training.

 Debra W. Harper

RCRW PRESIDENT 2009

www.RCRW.org

Ethics: Discipline for Moral Leadership

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Ethic Defined by Moral Principles

People build everything on some foundation: houses, tall buildings, businesses, local churches and so on.

Here in the North Texas area we learn the importance of our homes’ foundations. Over time clay soil around here shrinks and expands as moisture content changes, moving concrete slabs, subsequently cracking walls, ceilings and floors. Uncorrected, the black land clay will eventually destroy a house.

If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? Psalm 11:3

A convergence of life-preserving principles, first things, came to American soil in the hearts of persons persecuted for their Christian faith. To be sure, other reasons motivated Europeans to colonize America. We know from history books various peoples came for three essential purposes: religious freedom, economic prosperity and escape from tyrannical government. By the unseen hand of God, they three eventually became inextricably intertwined. However imperfect our genesis, however flawed our progress, the fame of American colonists became known around the world as a refuge from religious persecution and a safe haven from tyranny.

America in Decline

Some hold “the media” culpable for moral decline. Is that reasonable? What is the root cause of moral decline in our beloved country? These questions moved me to clarify my principles, to articulate them.

My four conservative principles:

  1. An uncompromising belief in the Right to Life
  2. Acceptance of personal responsibility
  3. Unwavering respect for the Constitution
  4. Insistence on small government

I do not hesitate to identify myself as a Christian who believes in the deity of Christ, the only begotten Son of God. Our founding fathers, ordinary men with an extraordinary God-given mission, believed as I do. Individually imperfect and incapable of constituting this nation; collectively anointed to fulfill the mission.

Rockwall Conservative Forum

Rockwall Conservative Forum exists solely to reinforce and restore societal foundations through education and enlightenment.

And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free. John 8:32

What is Truth? Well, I think the simplest answer I ever heard is this: “Truth is the way things really are”. Merriam Webster says, “conformity to reality or actuality”.

Our Journey to Truth

Discussion facilitators will educate us and engage us in conversation across a broad range of topics: the family institution, history, the Constitution, how the insurance industry works, how to insert ‘planks’ into the ‘platform’ of your political party, comparative religions, racial and societal reconciliation.

Along the way, we will discover the role of the four conservative principles in marriage, family, community and government.

Our first forum is a discussion about the state of the American family, divorce and how to strengthen families. Todd and Deven Smith serve full-time in the FamilyLife ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ. My wife and I invest into this ministry because we believe strong, healthy families are one of the foundations of American society.

HEALTH CARE REFORM: HALL SUPPORTS ALTERNATIVE REPUBLICAN PLAN

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 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                   CONTACT:  Janet Poppleton

November 5, 2009     

RalphHall                                   

 HOUSE NEARS VOTE ON HEALTH CARE REFORM;

HALL SUPPORTS ALTERNATIVE REPUBLICAN PLAN

WASHINGTON, DC . . .  As the House of Representatives moves closer to a vote on health care reform, Rep. Ralph Hall (R-TX) voiced strong opposition to the Democrats’ plan that includes a government-run option, costs more than $1 trillion, cuts Medicare by $500 billion, increases taxes by more than $700 billion, does not exclude federal funding of abortions, and could lead to the loss of 5 million more jobs. 

“The Democrats’ bill seeks to achieve universal health care coverage through a government-run plan, government subsidies, higher costs for families, small businesses, and senior citizens, and through a massive expansion of the federal deficit,” Hall said.  “This partisan bill was crafted behind closed doors and ignores constituents’ concerns voiced at numerous town hall meetings held over the past months.”

On October 29, 2009, the House Democratic Leadership introduced H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act. The 1,990-page bill will cost a minimum of $1.055 trillion over the next 10 years and will likely increase after the first decade, according to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office.  

H.R. 3962 will increase premium costs for families and employers, cut Medicare benefits and will increase the federal deficit.  The plan includes an employer mandate of acceptable coverage or imposes up to an 8 percent payroll tax, and it also imposes a new $153 billion surtax on small businesses.  The bill would not explicitly deny the use of taxpayer dollars to fund abortions, and it lacks language that would ensure illegal immigrants would be excluded from receiving government-run health care benefits.

“The Republican alternative takes a commonsense approach to health care reform,” Hall said.  “It seeks to rein in health care costs and reduce health care premiums for families and small businesses to make health care more affordable for more Americans – without cutting Medicare, without increasing taxes, without causing job losses and without adding to the federal deficit.  It also explicitly prohibits all federal funds from being used to pay for abortions.”

 The Congressional Budget Office stated that the House Republican bill would reduce the deficit by $68 billion over 10 years and would reduce health insurance premiums for small businesses, individuals and employer coverage.  The main provisions of the Republican bill include Association Health Plans and allowing states to establish interstate compacts, a State Innovations grant program to provide incentives to reduce premiums or reduced the uninsured, increased federal funding for high-risk pools and reinsurance programs, and improvements to Health Savings Accounts.  The bill achieves savings from medical liability reform, administrative simplification, a pathway for follow-on biologics and fraud prevention.

“Our goal is to reach as many Americans as possible who want and need health care coverage by making this affordable – by attracting competition between insurers, not by government mandates,” Hall said.  “The Republican bill is a step in the right direction.  As the Speaker and the House Democrats push for a government overhaul of the health care system, I will continue to listen to my constituents and support reform that protects their best interests.” 

# # #

Rockwall Conservative Forum: Defense of Marriage

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An Invitation

Rockwall Conservative Forum exists solely to build and restore foundations, first things, principles essential to the survival and prosperity of our beloved nation. Join us the first Saturday of every month at TR Cafe & Grill from 9 am to 10 am, 101 N. Goliad (Hwy. 205), Rockwall, Texas, across from the Historic Rockwall County Courthouse. Parking on the west side of the cafe – intersection of Alamo and Rusk. Enjoy excellent food, coffee and edifying conversation.

Find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=168538131440

Family Life Ministry – November 7, 2009

Todd-and-Deven-SmithOur discussion facilitators will be Todd and Deven Smith full-time ministers with the FAMILYLIFE ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ, providing “Help for today. Hope for tomorrow”. Todd and Deven’s mission: “Effectively developing Godly marriages and families that change the world one home at a time”. Do you know someone who may be thinking about divorce? Invite them to join you for our discussion next Saturday.

Do You Know?

Population Trends

In 1950 16 workers supported 1 retiree. By 2005 the ratio plummeted to 3 workers per retiree.

The 1950 birth rate per 1,000 population was 24.1, dropping in 1960 to 23.7. In 1970 it fell further to 18.4 and by 2005, the U.S. birth rate had declined to 14.0/1,000 population.

The American Family: Marriage & Divorce Trends

Divorce affected 6.3 children per 1,000 in 1950. In 1960 it was 7.2 per 1,000 children and 1970 saw an increase to 12.5 per 1,000 children. By 2005 only 63% of all American children grew up living with both biological parents.

Divorce rate for seniors over 65 has doubled since 1980. One New York lawyer labels his waiting room a “geriatrics unit”.

“We should not sacrifice the vitality of Western society on the altar of a radical left-wing social agenda.” Ken Connor

Foundations

From earliest recorded history, the family has been the foundation of human societies. In 1947, the year of my birth, noted Sociologist and Historian Dr. Carle Zimmerman published “Family and Civilization”, a scholarly treatise of history, sociology and science. He identified eight indicators that marked the demise of every culture:

  1. Marriage loses sacredness – frequent divorce
  2. Traditional meaning of the marriage ceremony lost – Alternate forms and definitions of marriage arise, traditional marriage vows replaced by individual marriage contracts.
  3. Feminist movements appear, and women lose interest in child bearing and mothering, preferring to pursue power and influence
  4. Public disrespect for parents and authority in general increase
  5. Juvenile delinquency, promiscuity, and rebellion accelerate
  6. People with traditional marriages refuse to accept family responsibilities
  7. Desire for and acceptance of adultery grows
  8. Increase in tolerance for sexual perversions of all kinds, particularly homosexuality, with a resultant increase in sex-related crimes

Can you relate to Dr. Zimmerman’s research of 62 years ago?

“If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” Psalm 11:3

“Green” Movement: Transformation from Innocent Genesis to Radical Environmentalism

The movement began innocently when John Muir persuaded Teddy Roosevelt to preserve Yosemite Valley and other spectacular landscapes as national parks for the enjoyment of future generations.

Author Rachel Carson published Silent Spring in 1962, a vitriolic denunciation of the use of pesticides. Her book has been characterized as a “tirade against humankind’s attempt to use technology to dominate nature”. It helped transform the conservation movement into a “sweeping social movement”. The Environmental Protection Agency, the EPA, attributes its genesis in 1970 to Rachel Carson’s book.

Fast-forward to 2009, John Holdren, President Obama’s ‘science czar’, comes to the forefront of environmental policy. Holdren, an advocate of forced abortions and compulsory sterilizations, co-authored “Ecoscience: Population, Resources, Environment” in 1977. The authors of this text book summarized their work: “To provide a high quality of life for all, there must be fewer people.” Article: Holdren says Constitution backs compulsory abortion

What’s the point?

The rise of the “green” movement parallels, and contributes to, indeed compels, the decline of the institutions of marriage and family. Our national official perspective changed from seeing the earth as a means to support life to seeing mankind as a threat to the earth.

God Has a Plan A, B, C …

God’s ‘Plan A’ was, and is, for a man and a woman to “be one flesh”. But, he knew his created ones, you and me, would stray from this plan. For this reason he bestows mercy on us. For example: the Bible story of a Samaritan woman who had gone through five husbands and was then cohabitating with a sixth man (John 4:6-30). Mercy is his plan B, C, D, …

Without respect to your personal divorce, the divorce of one of your children, or the divorce of someone close to you, God has a “stimulus plan” for you that really works.

Cong. Ralph Hall: Blair Holt Firearms Act D.O.A.

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Due to the viral nature of internet email that has been warning of impending loss of Second Amendment rights by passage of H.R. 45, the Blair-Holt Firearm Act, I asked Congressman Ralph Hall for clarification. His response below will put your mind at ease.

I take opportunity to thank Congressman Hall for taking time to explain the status of the Blair-Holt Firearm Act.

 RalphHall

October 30, 2009

Dear Mr. & Mrs. White:

            Thank you for writing regarding H.R. 45, the Blair Holt’s Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009. I always appreciate hearing from my constituents in the Fourth Congressional District of Texas.

            There has been much misinformation regarding this bill, so please allow me to set the record straight. H.R. 45 was introduced in January, referred to the House Judiciary Committee, and has had no action since then. Furthermore, this bill has no support in either the House or the Senate, and as a result will not likely ever make it out of committee. As a staunch supporter of the 2nd Amendment and individual gun rights, let me assure you that I am opposed to H.R. 45, and in the highly unlikely event that it does survive through the committee process, I will do everything I can to make sure it does not succeed on a House Floor vote.

            You will be pleased to know that I have cosponsored several pieces of legislation that will protect our citizens’ rights to bear arms. One of these important bills is H.R. 17, the Citizens’ Self-Defense Act, which protects the right to obtain firearms for security purposes and use them in defense of one’s self and family. Two others are H.R. 197, the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2009, and H.R. 1620, the Secure Access to Firearms Enhancement (SAFE) Act of 2009, which both allow any person with a valid, state-issued concealed firearm permit or license to carry a concealed firearm in any other state.

            Again, thank you for sharing your views and concerns with me. If I can be of any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact me. With kind regards, I am,

                                                                        Sincerely,  

                                                                        Ralph M. Hall

                                                                        Member of Congress

 Contact the congressman

email – click on this link: http://www.house.gov/ralphhall/IMA/zipauth.htm

(972) 771-9118     Rockwall

(202) 225-6673   Washington, D.C.

THE GETTYSBURG ADDRESS

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AbrahamLincolnFour score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate — we can not consecrate — we can not hallow — this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poorLincolnDilveringGettysburgAddress power to add or detract.

The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

President Abraham Lincoln – November 19, 1863

Del Pueblo, Por El Pueblo, Para El Pueblo

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PALABRAS PRONUNCIADAS AL DEDICAR EL CEMENTERIO DE GETTYSBURG

AbrahamLincolnOchenta y siete años ha, nuestros padres crearon en este continente una nueva nación, concebida bajo el signo de la libertad y consagrada al principio de que todos los hombres nacen iguales.

 Estamos ahora envueltos en una vasta guerra civil que pone a prueba la idea de que esa nación, o cualquier otra así concebida y consagrada, pueda por largo tiempo subsistir. No hemos reunido en la escena de una de las grandes batallas de esa guerra. Hemos acudido para dedicar parte del campo de batalla a que sirva de última morada de quienes dieron sus vidas para que la nación viviese. Es enteramente justo y propio que obremos de este modo.

 Con todo, a decir verdad, mal podríamos dedicar, ni consagrar, ni glorificar este campo. Los valientes, vivos aun o muertos ya, que aquí combatieron, lo han consagrado muy por encima de nuestros escasos poderes. El mundo apenas si advertirá o recordará lo que aquí se diga, mas no podrá olvidar jamás lo que aquí hicieron aquellos. A los vivos nos corresponde, ante todo, dedicarnos a completar la obra que tan noblemente adelantaron los que aquí combatieron. Mas bien, nos corresponde a nosotros dedicamos a la ingente tarea que nos aguarda: que esos muertos venerados inspiren en nosotrosLincolnDilveringGettysburgAddress una mayor devoción a la causa por la cual dieron ellos la postrera suma de su fe; que aquí solemnemente proclamemos que estos muertos no habrán muerto en vano; que esta nación, bajo la guía de Dios, vea renacer la libertad, y que el gobierno del pueblo, por el pueblo y para el pueblo no desaparezca de la faz de la tierra.

 Presidente Abraham Lincoln – 19 de noviembre de 1863