Comal County GOP.org

Meet the Candidates at 6:30 PM Thursday December 15

2011-12-14T22:38:00.000-06:00

The Republican Party of Comal County will go hold with their Meet and Greet the Candidates at 6:30 PM Thursday, December 15 at the Civic Center in spite of the extended filing deadline.

Republican Club of Comal County Meeting Tuesday

2010-08-29T03:42:00.003-05:00

The meeting will begin at 7 PM on August 31st at GVTC. The speaker is

TOM PAUKEN

STATE OF TEXAS WORKFORCE COMMISSION CHAIRMAN

He is the author of two books the Thirty Years War: the Politics of the Sixties Generation and his latest book is Bringing America Home

(Thanks, Sonja Harris, for the email alert, which I've copied and pasted.) (No, I'm still not using "Cut" the way it was meant to be used.)

Headquarters Open

2010-08-29T03:40:00.000-05:00

The Republican Party Headquarters is open at 968 W. San Antonio St. Stop by for Perry Campaign signs and to meet local Republicans

Sign on Purgatory Road

2010-08-22T18:06:00.000-05:00

A Picture of Obama and the caption, "LIAR LIAR PANTS ON FIRE."

Startzville/Canyon Lake/Sattler Parade 11 AM July 3

2010-07-01T09:47:00.000-05:00

The Canyon Lake Republican Women will be marching in the Startzville Parade (look for the line up around 10:30 near the Dairy Queen) or as soon as you can get there from the New Braunfels Parade (line up behind the Catholic Church downtown, beginning between 8 and 8:30 AM).

Republican Club Comal County June 29, 2010 7 PM

2010-06-29T09:31:00.000-05:00

Tonight, the RCCC will meet tonight at the GVTC auditorium. Pat Carlson from the Texas Eagle Forum will speak on "Copenhagen - Global Warming Legislative Update."

What's been happening?

2010-06-29T09:24:00.000-05:00

Comal County Republicans attended the 2010 Republican Party of Texas Convention. Thanks to our loyal delegates and alternate delegates, we were able to seat our full voting complement at each vote, both in the Senate District 25 Caucus and in the General Sessions.

Thank you!

July 4th on July 3rd Parades

2010-06-29T09:21:00.000-05:00

City of New Braunfels Downtown 9:00 AM

New Braunfels Republican Women and the Hill Country Tea Party Patriots will each march in the New Braunfels Fourth of July Parade. Pick a crowd and join on in! Line up at 8:30 AM

I'm looking for information on Canyon Lake, Sattler, and Bulverde Parades. The Canyon Lake/Sattler parade is usually around 11 AM. The Bulverde Parade is usually in the early after noon. Let me know or post below if you have more information.

Republican Party of Texas Convention - On my way!

2010-06-07T12:06:00.000-05:00

I'm planning on making the temporary committee meetings. I'm always interested in the doings of the Platform Committee, so I'll probably focus on that one.

I have a new phone with video capability, so I hope to post at least one video of the Comal County delegation at the Convention.

For those of you who still don't have and need room mates, I'm volunteering to connect you. Email me through this blog or reply here to let me know whether you have a room or need a room, etc.

If you're going, yesterday was the deadline for online Pre-Registration. I believe that you can still register on site.

Keep up with the "Official" convention news at the Facebook page (come on, you can break down and join facebook for the Cause, right?) Click here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Official-2010-Republican-Party-of-Texas-State-Convention/116144388409461

Busy Comal County Republicans

2010-04-18T06:54:00.000-05:00

Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst will speak at the regular meeting of the New Braunfels Republican Women, Monday April 19th at 11:30 AM, at Seekatz Opera House, 265 W. San Antonio Street, New Braunfels. We expect a big crowd, so (If you want to eat chicken fajitas for $10 from Caterall) RSVP ASAP at the NBRW website here.

Monday night at 6 PM, the Bulverde Area Republican Women - BAR-W - will hold their annual membership meeting at the GVTC auditorium. Senator Dan Patrick will be the speaker and dinner is free if you RSVP through the BAR-W website, here.

The Canyon Lake Republican Women will also hold their annual membership meeting at the GVTC auditorium on Wednesday, April 19th at 11 AM. Todd Staples will be their speaker. Learn about the cost and RSVP through their website, here.

Rick Green will be the featured speaker at the Republican Club of Comal County on Tuesday, April 27. Families and young people are encouraged at these meetings and both men and women may join! The meeting will be at the GVTC Auditorium and begins at 7pm. Make a note or check in with other members at the RCCC Facebook page.

Facebook page

2010-02-13T11:45:00.001-06:00

Become a friend to the CCGOP Click here to go to the Comal County GOP Facebook page.

Texas GOP on Obama Sunday

2009-09-20T10:37:00.002-05:00

News, reviews and links here on the day that the President blitzed Sunday Talk TV.

Who's playing doctor with the White House?

2009-09-18T10:16:00.002-05:00

An Excerpt from today's very long post at LifeEthics.org blog:

Who’s playing doctor with the White House: Another example of the lack of openness in the dealings of the Obama Administration

(Informed consent blurb: Organizing for America, etc., along with all the White House websites, are collecting data including email and other information from everyone who visits or contacts their sites. I got a couple of those emails from David Axelrod last month.

Don't worry - they already have my data. I used to email President Bill Clinton at least once a month and ask him to resign for the sake of our daughters – they are about the same age - because he'd set the women's movement back 50 years. He never answered. However, it occurs to me now that maybe that's why I was named to the Bush Administration's National Advisory Committee on Violence Against Women.)

On Thursday, September 17, 2009, I was web-surfing and searching Google news hits on the September 12th March on Washington and health care reform when I found information about a conference call between "Doctors for America," the White House "Office of Public Engagement" and doctors like me who somehow found out about the conference call.

I called in, but wasn't called on to ask my questions, so I re-wrote them as an essay (see below) and emailed it to info@drsforamerica.org I'm also sending the essay to the White House OPE.

When I started writing up my notes from the call, it finally occurred to me that – even though there was no attempt at disclosure - there might be a connection between "Drs for America," "Organizing for America" (whose website address is "http://www.barackobama.com/" the same url once used by - and the remains of - “Obama for America,” the Barack Obama campaign machine.

I was slow to catch on, but I was right: The leadership at Doctors for America is made up of nearly the same roster of men and women who, in 2008, were the leadership of “Doctors for Obama” in 2008. Common names are Vivek Murthy, MD MBA, Mandy Krauthamer, MD MPH, Nikhil Wagle, MD, Alex Blum, MD, and Jay Bhatt, DO MPH

More, here.

Comments on President Obama's 9-9-9 speech

2009-09-10T08:34:00.003-05:00

You can read the speech, here.

As of 8:30 AM on September 10, there's not much comment from the AMA or other powerful, interested observers. I wonder if, like me, they're waiting to see the actions that result from the speech?

Here are my own(Beverly Nuckols) thoughts after the speech:

Quality, timely, or cheap medicine: Pick two. If you think you can have all three, please, tell Walmart how to do it.

The President is still talking about mandating that everyone buy insurance. He still ties it to employers and there is no mention of tax breaks for individuals who buy their own insurance. (Will companies still be forced to ensure dependents, and will "children" include adults to the age of 26?)

Instead, we hear about fines and new taxes, and more negative comments about profit-seeking companies and "the wealthiest Americans."

First, show me the wording in the actual proposed Bill, give me time to read and understand it and reassure me that you’ve read it. Will that wording be clear on the various promises?

Second, let’s get this straight: tax cuts don’t cost the government, taxes cost the taxpayers. If the government wants more money, give incentives to those who earn money that you tax. Don’t punish them by taxing them at higher rates! If the government has less, the government should do what the rest of us do: cut what you spend!

It seems illogical to me to tax insurance companies for offering "the most expensive plans." These are plans that people decide to buy for themselves. The only result of such a tax would be to kill the "expensive plans."

If the government mandates well care for everyone, there will not be enough manpower or other resources for sick care. If you mandate the addition of both numbers of people and services to the health care that is paid for not only by private funds but public funds, you will increase costs and demand.

Show me the “patient safety trials” that will decrease defensive medicine. As to the tort reform and "trials" to allow doctors to practice with less concern about lawsuits, I suggest that the President simply look at Texas since our own tort reform passed in 2005.

President Obama promised that abortion will not be funded by federal funds and that the current conscience laws will remain in place. Does this mean that no mandates for private insurance to cover abortion will be allowed? Does this mean that he will enforce the conscience laws that exist?

We must remember that the President signed an Executive Order in his first week to fund organizations that pay for abortions and referral for abortion overseas and who overturned the last Administration’s ruling to affirm the enforcement of conscience laws. What will he do in the face of the House’s passage of a Bill that will fund abortions in Washington, DC?

Cross posted to the blog at LifeEthics.org.

Texas Medical Association meeting on health care reform

2009-08-26T06:08:00.002-05:00

I went to the meeting sponsored by the Texas Medical Association and the Bexar County Medical Association in San Antonio on Tuesday, August 25th, and was impressed with the statements of Dr. Bohn Allen (a past-President of TMA and surgeon in Dallas) and the Bexar County leadership. They stressed the importance and intimate nature of the physician-patient relationship and noted that no one really knows what the final bill will look like. The TMA doesn't support or oppose any bill, but is "concerned" about any new government financing of health care, along with the regulations and public, unfunded debt that will result. The TMA opposes mandates and does advocate for tax benefits for patient purchase of insurance that is equal to the business tax incentives and encourages portability and patient-ownership of insurance, coverage for pre-existing conditions and increased training for doctors. Dr. Allen noted that insurance alone does not equal access to physicians and health care.

Most in the audience were not physicians. The physicians and others for the most part opposed to increased government involvement in health care practice and health care finance. There were a few people who were in favor of the currently published versions of House Resolution 3200 and even single payer, "Medicare for all."

There were about 6 med students present and 3 spoke to the group. I was impressed with their knowledge and the mere fact that they made the time to come to the meeting!

The video of the meeting is available at the TMA "Me and My Doctor Know Best" website and http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/2048189

Larry Nuckols, the Comal County Republican Chairman, is planning to put an ad in the Herald-Zeitung on Labor Day weekend, similar to the one published by doctors in Kerrville in July. It will look something like this:

We, the doctors of Comal County, declare our firm opposition to the increased institutionalization of nationalized health care for its violation of your Constitutional right to privacy and medical choice and the government control it represents:

• Elimination of the doctor-patient privilege
• Health care decisions and private medical records handed over to Federal bureaucrats
• Medical professionals regulated by the Federal government instead of working for our patients
• Long waiting periods for basic medical care
• Health care rationing and higher taxes

Let us know your opinion by commenting here.

Legislative Update New Braunfels Republican Women

2009-08-17T15:29:00.002-05:00

Flag this! New Braunfels Republican Women Legislative Alert August 2009
(Before I forget: the next time you hear about anthropogenic global warming or global climate change, demand to see the data. It no longer exists. The United Nations organization that oversees climate change or global warming, the Climatic Research Unit, has reported that it has lost all the old data that was used to prove global warming after years of releasing only modified numbers and refusing to turn over the raw data,.)

Federal Government just grows and grows and grows . . . More than Stimulus, Health Care Reform, and Federal take over of banking and the auto industry.

1. Snitches. The Obama White House has a blog at the White House.gov website, which urged readers to forward “fishy” accounts about health care reform, whether in “casual conversation” or otherwise, to flag@whitehouse.gov They promise they’re not collecting or using the names and personal information and certainly aren’t building an “enemies list.”

2. Spam. The White House also has admitted to sending out unsolicited emails from David Axelrod on the health care reform bill. The WH promises they’re not collecting email addresses and if they used some addresses forwarded by others, they won’t do it again.

3. Grassroots for hire. Craig’s list and others have been advertising jobs earning $11 to $15 an hour, with benefits, to promote health care reform.

4. President’s Executive Branch: The Blob
a. The President has consistently broken his campaign promise to post all Bills on the Internet and allow a 5 day comment period before signing. The first Bill, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, was not posted at all and was signed in 2 days.
b. The office of the Census Bureau was moved from Commerce Department directly into the White House, with oversight by Rahm Emanuel.
c. Executive Orders by the President simply suspended the Bush policies until they could be reviewed, then overturned policies reassuring doctors, nurses and other health care workers that the laws protecting us from discrimination for following our conscience and began giving aide to foreign nations and overseas organizations that promote and execute abortions overseas
d. Czars – 44 so far and more on the way . . . see this list at "American Daughter." Just as Obama made up an “Office of the President-Elect,” he is making up new Administration positions. The “Special Advisers” or “czars” are forming a shadow government within the Executive Branch that is not accountable to the “advice and consent” of the Senate.
1. One of these “czars,” Obama’s new Green Jobs Czar or the “White House Special Advisor on Green Jobs,” Communist Van Jones, came up with “Cash for Clunkers.” Jones co-founded ColorofChange.org which is attempting to get businesses to pull their ads from the Glenn Beck TV show because Glenn called the President a racist.
2. Not so coincidentally, Glenn Beck blew the whistle on the federal government’s notice to users of the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) application website that informed users that:
“When logged on to the CARS system, your computer is considered a Federal computer system and is the property of the U.S. Government. Any or all uses of this system and all files on this system may be intercepted, monitored, recorded, copied, audited, inspected and disclosed to authorized CARS, [Department of Transportation] and law enforcement personnel, as well as authorized officials of other agencies, both domestic and foreign.”

5. Forget Bipartisanship: Both the Senate and the House Majority leaders have said – and proven - that they don’t need Republican votes, but they (like the President) don’t want Republicans to even talk.
a. Beginning in May, 2007, House Democrats under Nancy Pelosi began overturning long-standing rules designed to allow the minority a voice in the legislative process. In January, 2009, the Majority went even further and overturned the “Fairness Rules” implemented under Newt Gingrich and the Contract with America: suspending term limits for Committee Chairmen and restricting the Minority’s ability to propose amendments or force debate or votes.
b. In the case of all of the major contentious Bills (such as the Stimulus, the SCHIP, Cap and Trade), while the House has suspended its rule to post all Bills for 5 days and denied Republicans have been access to the Bills until very early on the morning of the vote. (In fact, no one had a copy of the final Cap and Trade Bill during the debate on the floor.)
c. On several occasions, the House has voted to close down the Chamber – turning off lights, air conditioning and CSPAN coverage - rather than allow the traditional after hours speeches by the Minority.
d. House mailings to constituents have been censored, prohibiting the use of terms like “government take over” of health care and specific charts designed by House Republicans.

6. Federalize Student Loans – On July 20, the House Education and Labor Committee approved “The Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009” which phases out guaranteed student loan insurance to other lenders, and moves all the Federal education loan money to the Direct Loan program, increases the amount of Pell Grants by $40 Billion and adds $8 Billion for Pre-kindergarten public education funds and “other uses.”

7. Tax funded abortions. Overturning policy that dates to 1976, the House voted to fund abortions in the District of Columbia and an amendment added to the Commerce and Energy Committee version of the Health Reform Bill would mandate abortion funding.

8. The “Clean Water Restoration Act,” Senate Bill 787, would expand Federal water (and land) management from “navigable waters” to “all waters of the United States.” The Bill is in reaction to Supreme Court rulings from 2001 and 2006. If the Bill becomes law, all land (including ““mudflats, sandflats, wetlands, sloughs, prairie potholes, wet meadows, playa lakes, natural ponds….” Or any land that ever has water on it that a protected bird might land on and in some cases, dry land) would become controlled by the Federal Government.

So, what can we do about any of these problems with a Democrat Congress and President?

1. Be aware and informed. The fact that you’re here today means I’m preaching to the choir, but it still needs to be said. You can’t know everything about everything, so don’t feel bad if you pick one subject to follow. You might not become an expert, but you can learn enough to know the difference between the good and bad laws (most of the time, anyway).

2. Use technology. The old way of spreading information by print and once a month meetings is slow, expensive and can’t be proactive. Let the officers know how we can get you information: email, a website, a “blog,” etc.?

3. Don’t be silent. We are the good guys and we sometimes don’t speak out in public about serious moral and political matters because of some misguided sense of good manners. You are not just talking to the person in front of you, someone else might hear you and not only learn, but also take courage from your example.

4. Be active and become as much of an activist as you can. Find out who in the New Braunfels Republican Women or some other organization is doing something about your issue. Get involved in their meetings and activities. Write letters to the editors and post on blogs.

5. Tell the politicians and other “Powers That Be” what you want. Call, email or send a paper letter at least once a month – or more often, if you can. It is appropriate to contact Committee members and leaders of both parties – they work for all of us, not just the voters in their districts.

6. Work to make our Party the best it can be. Recruit new voters and keep an eye out for new leaders. Tell the RINO’s that they’re RINO’s and why you call them that. Tell the good guys when they goof up. Tell both when they do right.

Global warming: Data lost or destroyed

2009-08-16T04:18:00.003-05:00

The next time you hear about anthropogenic global warming or global climate change, demand to see the data. It no longer exists.
The United Nations organization that oversees climate change or global warming, the CRU, has reported that it has lost all the old data that was used to prove global warming. This is after years of refusing to turn over the raw data, releasing only modified numbers.

From the UK's Register, "Global Warming Ate My Data":

The world's source for global temperature record admits it's lost or destroyed all the original data that would allow a third party to construct a global temperature record. The destruction (or loss) of the data comes at a convenient time for the Climatic Research Unit (CRU) in East Anglia - permitting it to snub FoIA requests to see the data.

The CRU has refused to release the raw weather station data and its processing methods for inspection - except to hand-picked academics - for several years. Instead, it releases a processed version, in gridded form. NASA maintains its own (GISSTEMP), but the CRU Global Climate Dataset, is the most cited surface temperature record by the UN IPCC. So any errors in CRU cascade around the world, and become part of "the science".

Professor Phil Jones, the activist-scientist who maintains the data set, has cited various reasons for refusing to release the raw data.

More information at LifeEthics.org blog

Be prepared, have more people, organize (cheat if you can?)

2009-08-07T10:15:00.004-05:00

"Red Sonja" sends the link to the Health Care for America Now (HCAN) handbook for answering those of us who oppose the destruction of our medical system.

Be sure and note the comments on signs, handing out tickets and excluding non-supporters. Can you imagine holding a meeting for a Republican Congressman or Senator, refusing to allow signs, and/or closing the door in anyone's face?

How about what would have happened if President Bush had told the Democrats to get out of the way?

Evidently, all of the above is legitimate in Florida:

Here's a video from the Tampa Florida meeting with Representative Castor. Evidently the Congresswoman didn't come in until after they started to close the doors and she left early.

Here's some video before the program. Note the seats are nearly filled, although most people were reportedly lining up outside, and told no one could come in 'till 6 PM. See the Organizing for America and HealthCare for America Now signs are being handed out - some support specifically. There are "SEIU" and "Union" T-shirts.

In this video, you can hear the speaker (a State Rep.)in the room at the beginning. There was no shouting until some rather large men began to close the door, manhandling those in the doorway.

Here's another view from inside the room, showing that the room is fairly quiet until the doors are shut. (Some cussin,')

White House trains Dem Senators, threaten liberal groups

2009-08-07T08:24:00.006-05:00

The Washington Post relates that the White House sent PR man David Axelrod over to train the Democrat Senators on how to sell nationalized health ~~care~~ insurance, and Politico reports that Rahm Emanuel is threatening "liberal" groups.

Then, there's what CBS calls the "lack of transparency" that's even angering Senate Dems: Baucus is holding secret, closed door meetings with 3 Dems and 3 Republicans. Dems don't like that any more than Republicans do.

As reported earlier, the AFL-CIO president called out his union members to attend local town halls because health reform will subsidize union "pre-Medicare" retirement insurance benefits. (And, incidently, he reminds them that their support for the Dems will help pass the Newspeak-named "Freedom of Choice Act" which would get rid of those pesky secret ballots in Union meetings.)

In the meantime, Rahm Emanuel has been threatening liberal organizations for anti-Dem ads and David Axelrod is "rebranding" the health ~~care~~ insurance message for the Dem Senators afraid of their conservative constituents.

And the Kos-sars are complaining that no one knows who is really writing the Bill and they're starting to wonder if they know what they're fighting for.

People who don't have the foresight to arrange space for large crowds - they actually seem to believe that closing the door on constituents is a good idea! - or the sense to avoid the very sound bites for which they're being criticized most likely can't handle the deconstruction of the US health system, much less its rebuilding.

Internal Revenue Code amended by HR 3200

2009-08-07T05:41:00.003-05:00

If you're trying to get to know the "health care/insurance" legislation, HR 3200 (the link as of today at Thomas.gov is active), it's important to review Title IV, the Amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

Everyone would be required to file a tax return outlining their income and insurance coverage.

Health Reform to Support AFL-CIO Union Pre-Medicare Retirees

2009-08-07T00:09:00.003-05:00

The Boston Globe has printed a letter from AFL-CIO President John Sweeney calling out union members to attend town halls and union-organized meetings. He points out that House Bill 3200 would provide ". . . relief for company/union funds providing pre-Medicare retiree coverage, and no taxation of health benefits!"

Addendum: I've been looking at this. Under section 164, page 65 - Reinssurance for Retirees. For people over 55 years old, employers and unions may decide to purchase "reinsurance" (new coverage?). The government will assist in purchasing this new insurance using grants from a new Trust Fund to be set up in the Health and Human Services.

". . . to provide reimbursement to assist participating employment-based plans with the cost of providing health benefits to retirees and to eligible spouses, surviving spouses and dependents of such retirees."

(Okay, *I'm a doctor, but this guy's not)

2009-08-06T12:26:00.001-05:00

Jarri Odom sent the link to this video.

(By the way - sorry, friendly lawyers - You know the difference between pre-med and pre-law? Biochemistry)

Why didn't this end up as an "Obama-ism," similar to the gaffs called "Bushisms" that were repeated on the talk shows and in comedians' monologues?

Believe me, some of my colleagues are greedy. However, this scenario is at least 40 years out of date. The President should have known that the Pediatrician or Family Physician that treats the kid for sore throats and allergies is not likely to take out tonsils. Other other hand, how many episodes of allergic tonsillitis and secondary sleep apnea and/or bacterial infections should a kid have?

Fred Thompson on end of life counseling

2009-08-06T09:52:00.002-05:00

I've posted Senator Fred Thompson's editorial on the end of life counseling in HB 3200, along with my own opinion, at the LifeEthics.org blog.

Click here to read it.

John Cornyn objects to Obama's call to snitch on your neighbors

2009-08-06T00:10:00.004-05:00

Senator John Cornyn is questioning the President on his staffers' call for Americans to report their fellow citizens' speech against or about the health care reform. He states that there is no precedent for asking for such reports and demands to know what the President intends to do with the information.

The letter is posted at the blog, The Hill.

The letter is available in pdf, here.

More on the letter from ABC, here, and from Michelle Malkin, here.

White House wants snitches

2009-08-05T02:15:00.002-05:00

Okay, I'm trying to decide which of my many emails to the "Organizing for America" group or my many blog posts to send to the White House.

From the White House Blog:

""There is a lot of disinformation about health insurance reform out there, spanning from control of personal finances to end of life care. These rumors often travel just below the surface via chain emails or through casual conversation. Since we can’t keep track of all of them here at the White House, we’re asking for your help. If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to flag@whitehouse.gov.""

Texas Federation of Repubican Women Health Care Resolution

2009-08-05T01:55:00.001-05:00

Resolution on Healthcare Reform
Passed by the Texas Federation of Republican Women
On July 31, 2009

Whereas, the healthcare bill put forth by President Obama and the Democrat members of Congress will create a complicated bureaucracy of government offices and programs that come between patients and healthcare providers; and,

Whereas, the bill creates cumbersome and expensive mandates that interfere with the patient-doctor relationship; and,

Whereas, the Congressional Budget Office has determined that the bill will cost the taxpayers trillions of dollars resulting in substantial tax increases; and,

Whereas, the bill ultimately would result in government run healthcare and government control of insurance options; and

Whereas, the bill would lead to a government-controlled healthcare system similar to the ones found in England and Canada, where patients must wait months for care that currently is routine in the United States; and

Whereas, most citizens agree that the U.S. healthcare system is the best in the world, and that U.S. healthcare costs need reform and overall provision needs improvement, the Republican congressional leadership has unveiled plans to provide greater choices of doctors, hospitals and health plans, greater tax fairness and simplification, the ability to buy insurance across state lines, greater health care price disclosure, more competition between facilities, and utilizing free market system and preserving freedom of choice;

Therefore, be it resolved that the Texas Federation of Republican Women asks our congressional representatives to oppose any legislation that imposes any government control over our health care, increased government mandates or price controls, new government programs or the expansion of existing programs; and

Further, be it resolved that the Texas Federation of Republican Women urges passage of healthcare reform which results in more affordable healthcare through a competitive, open, and transparent health care system including TORT reform where America's families choose their own doctor and health care plans.

And the rest of the Story (House Health Care Bill)

2009-08-04T05:49:00.001-05:00

Someone forwarded the rest of the outline to me. Here's the second half:

PG 502 Section 1181 Center for Comparative Effectiveness Research Established. - Hello Big Brother - Literally.

PG 502 Line 5-18 Government builds the “Center” to conduct, support, & synthesize research to define our HealthCare Services.

PG 503 Line 13-19 Government will build registries and data networks from YOUR electronic medical records.

PG 503 Line 21-25 Government may secure data directly from any department or agency of the US including your data.

PG 504 Line 6-10 The “Center” will collect data both published & unpublished (that means public & your private info)

PG 506 Line 19-21 The Center will recommend policies that would allow for public access of data

PG 518 Line 21-25 The Commission will have input from HealthCare consumer reps - Can you say unions & ACORN?

PG 524 18-22 Comparative Effectiveness Research Trust Fund set up. More taxes for ALL.

PG 525-620 deals with the Government basically taking over nursing homes, ... Read More here

PG 620 Line 1-9 The Government will define, prioritize, and nationalize your Health Care Services.

PG 621 Lines 20-25 Government will define what Quality means in HealthCare. Since when does Government know about quality?

PG 622 Lines 2-9 To pay for the quality Standards Government will transfer $$ from to other Government Trust Funds. More Taxes.

PG 624 “Quality” measures shall be designed to assess outcomes & functional status of patients.

PG 628 Section 1443 Government will give “Multi-Stake Holders” Pre-Rule Making input into Selection of “Quality” Measures.

PG 630 9-24/631 1-9 Those Multi-stake holder groups including Unions & groups like ACORN deciding HealthCare quality.

PG 632 Lines 14-25 The Government may implement any “Quality measure” of HealthCare Services as they see fit.

PG 633 14-25/ 634 1-9 The Secretary may issue non-endorsed “Quality Measures” for Physician Services & Dialysis Services.

PG 635 - 653 Physicians Payments Sunshine Provision - Government wants to shine sunlight on Docs but not Government.

PG 654-659 Public Reporting on Health Care-Associated Infections - Looks okay.

PG 660-671 Doctors in Residency - Government will tell you where your residency will be, thus where you’ll live.

PG 676-686 Government will regulate hospitals in EVERY aspect of residency programs, including teaching hospitals.

PG 686-700 Increased Funding to Fight Waste, Fraud, and Abuse. LMAO!! You mean the Government with an $18 mil website?

PGs 701-704 Section 1619 If your part of HealthCare plan that isn’t in Government HealthCare Exchange but you qualify for Federal aid, no payment.

PG 705-709 SEC. 1128 If Secretary gets complaints (ACORN) on HealthCare provider or supplier, Government can do background check.

PG 711 Lines 8-14 The Secretary has broad powers to deny HealthCare providers/suppliers admittance into HealthCare Exchange.

Pg 719-720 Section 1637 ANY Doctor who orders durable medical equipment or home medical services MUST be enrolled in Medicare.

PG 722 Section 1639 Government MANDATES Doctors must have face-to-face with patient to certify patient for Home Health Services.

PG 724 Lines 16-22 Government reserves right to apply face-to-face certification for patient to ANY other HealthCare service.

PG 724 23-25 PG 725 1-5 The same Government certifications will apply to medicaid & CHIP (your kids)

Pg 735 lines 16-25 For law enforcement purposes, the Secretary of Health & Human Services will give Attorney General access to ALL data.

PG 740-757 Government sets guidelines for subsidizing the uninsured (That’s your tax dollars peeps)

Pg 757-762 Fed Government will shift burden of payments to Disproportionate Share Hospitals (DSH) to States. (Taxes)

Page 763 1-8 No DS/EA hospitals will be paid unless they provide services without regard to national origin

Pg 765 Section 1711 Government will require Preventative Services including vaccines. (Choice?)

Pg 768 Section 1713 Government - Nurse Home Visitation Services (Hello union paybacks)

Pg 769 3-5 Nurse Home Visit Services - “increasing birth intervals between pregnancies.” Government Abortions anyone?

Pg 769 11-14 Nurse Home Visit Services include-economic self-sufficiency, employment advancement, school-readiness.

Pg 769 3-5 Nurse Home Visit Services - “increasing birth intervals between pregnancies.” Government ABORTIONS anyone?

Pg 770 SEC 1714 Federal Government mandates eligibility for State Family Planning Services. Say abortion & State Sovereign.

Pg 789-797 Government will set & mandate drug prices, controlling which drugs will brought to market. Bye innovation

Pgs 797-800 SEC. 1744 PAYMENTS for grad medical education. The government will now control Drs education.

PG 801 Sec 1751 The Government will decide which Health care conditions will be paid. Say RATION!

Pg 810 SEC. 1759. Billing Agents, clearinghouses, etc. required to register. Government takes over private payment system.

Page 820-824 Sec 1801 Government will identify individuals ineligible for subsidies. Will access all personal finances.

Pg 824-829 SEC. 1802. Government Sets up Comparative Effectiveness Research Trust Fund. Another tax black hole.

PG 829-833 Government will impose a fee on ALL private health insurance plans including self insured to pay for Trust Fund!

PG 835 11-13 fees imposed by Government for Trust Fund shall be treated as if they were taxes.

Pg 838-840 Government will design & implement Home Visitation Program for families with young kids & families expecting kids.

PG 844-845 ! This Home Visitation Program includes Government coming into your house & telling you how to parent!!!

Pg 859 Government will establish a Public Health Fund at a cost of $88,800,000,000. Yes thats Billion.

Pg 865 The Government will MANDATE the establishment of a National Health Service Corps.

PG 865 to 876 The NHS Corps is a program where Drs. perform mandatory HealthCare for 2 years for part loan repayment.

PG 876-892 The Government takes over the education of our Medical students and Drs.

PG 898 The Government will establish a Public Health Workforce Corps. to ensure supply of public health professionals.

PG 898 The Public health workforce corps shall consist of officers of Regular & Reserve Corps of Service.

PG 898 The Public health workforce corps shall consist of civilian employees of the U.S. as Secretary deems.

PG 900 The Public Health Workforce Corps includes veterinarians.

PG 901 The Public Health Workforce Corps WILL include commissioned Regular & Reserve Officers. HealthCare Draft?

PG 910 The Government will develop, build & run Public Health Training Centers.

PG 913-914 Government starts a HealthCare affirmative action program thru guise of diversity scholarships.

PG 915 SEC. 2251. Government MANDATES Cultural & linguistic competency training for HealthCare professionals.

Pg 932 The Government will establish Preventative & Wellness Trust fund - intial cost of $30,800,000,000-Billion.

PG 935 21-22 Government will identify specific goals & objectives for prevention & wellness activities. Control You!!

PG 936 Government will develop “Healthy People & National Public Health Performance Standards” Tell me what to eat?

PG 942 Lines 22-25 More Government? Offices of Surgeon General -Public Health Services, Minority Health, Women’s Health

PG 950- 980 BIG Government core public health infrastructure includes workforce capacity, lab systems; health information systems, etc

PG 993 Government will establish school based health clinics. Your kids wont have a chance.

PG 994 School Based Health Clinic will be integrated into the school environment. Say Government Brainwash!

PG 1001 The Government will establish a National Medical Device Registry. Will you be tracked?

PG 1003 9-11 National Medical Dev Reg ‘‘(iii) other postmarket device surveillance activities” you WILL be tracked.

PG 1018 States give up some of their State Sovereignty

Problems with the House Health Care Bill

2009-08-04T05:32:00.002-05:00

(Please note that I'm trying to change the background color so that this is easy to read. In the meantime, you might be able to see it better if you "highlight" the text." LifeEthics)

The following is an email from Skipper Wallace who serves as the Legislative Chairman for the Texas Republican County Chairman’s Association. He does an excellent job of outlining problems contained in the proposed Health Care bill. I asked Beverly Nuckols M.D. to use her medical expertise to research these points for accuracy and interpretation. She has verified them and agrees with the stated conclusions reached by Skipper Wallace.

Please forward this out to all our club members and any other concerned citizens, so they may write to all U.S. Congressman and Senators expressing our opposition to these proposals. We must make our viewpoint heard.

Thank you for assistance,

Larry Nuckols
Comal County Chairman
210-355-7600

County Chairs

Read thru some of the provisions in the Health Care Bill an see if you would want to send this to your Congressman.

SKIPPER WALLACE
TRCCA Legislative Chairman

(Sample letter:)

To aid Congressman ___________, I have included a few pages he might want to focus on. I am sure once he is done studying this proposed bill he will vote against it. People of my age really feel that their lives will be counted for little if this bill passes. I hope Congressman ________ realizes that one day he too shall be elderly and he and his wife and children will be subject to the provisions of this bill in a very adverse way!

Here are just a few very good reasons of why I do not like the present health care bill:

• Page 22: Mandates audits of all employers that self-insure!

• Page 29: Admission: your health care will be rationed!

• Page 30: A government committee will decide what treatments and benefits you get (and, unlike an insurer, there will be no appeals process)

• Page 42: The “Health Choices Commissioner” will decide health benefits for you. You will have no choice. None.

• Page 50: All non-US citizens, illegal or not, will be provided with free healthcare services.

• Page 58: Every person will be issued a National ID Healthcard (this is strange since our Texas House Representative from Waco, Jim Dunam, was able to defeat a Voter ID card because elderly folks couldn't get out and get a card! If they can't get a voter's ID surely it would be a kiss of death if they can't get a proper National ID Healthcard!)

• Page 59: The federal government will have direct, real-time access to all individual bank accounts for electronic funds transfer.

• Page 65: Taxpayers will subsidize all union retiree and community organizer health plans (read: SEIU, UAW and ACORN)

• Page 72: All private healthcare plans must conform to government rules to participate in a Healthcare Exchange.

• Page 84: All private healthcare plans must participate in the Healthcare Exchange (i.e., total government control of private plans)

• Page 91: Government mandates linguistic infrastructure for services; translation: illegal aliens

• Page 95: The Government will pay ACORN and Americorps to sign up individuals for Government-run Health Care plan.

• Page 102: Those eligible for Medicaid will be automatically enrolled: you have no choice in the matter.

• Page 124: No company can sue the government for price-fixing. No “judicial review” is permitted against the governmentmonopoly. Put simply, private insurers will be crushed.

• Page 127: The AMA sold doctors out: the government will set wages.

• Page 145: An employer MUST auto-enroll employees into the government-run public plan. No alternatives.

• Page 126: Employers MUST pay healthcare bills for part-time employees AND their families.

• Page 149: Any employer with a payroll of $400K or more, who does not offer the public option, pays an 8% tax on payroll

• Page 150: Any employer with a payroll of $250K-400K or more, who does not offer the public option, pays a 2 to 6% tax on payroll

• Page 167: Any individual who doesnt’ have acceptable healthcare (according to the government) will be taxed 2.5% of income.

• Page 170: Any NON-RESIDENT alien is exempt from individual taxes (Americans will pay for them).

• Page 195: Officers and employees of Government Healthcare Bureaucracy will have access to ALL American financial and personal records.

• Page 203: “The tax imposed under this section shall not be treated as tax.” Yes, it really says that.

• Page 239: Bill will reduce physician services for Medicaid. Seniors and the poor most affected.

• Page 241: Doctors: no matter what speciality you have, you’ll all be paid the same (thanks, AMA!)

• Page 253: Government sets value of doctors’ time, their professional judgment, etc.

• Page 265: Government mandates and controls productivity for private healthcareindustries.

• Page 268: Government regulates rental and purchase of power-driven wheelchairs.

• Page 272: Cancer patients: welcome to the wonderful world of rationing!

• Page 280: Hospitals will be penalized for what the government deems preventable re-admissions.

• Page 298: Doctors: if you treat a patient during an initial admission that results in a readmission, you will be penalized by the government.

• Page 317: Doctors: you are now prohibited for owning and investing in healthcare companies!

• Page 318: Prohibition on hospital expansion. Hospitals cannot expand without government approval.

• Page 321: Hospital expansion hinges on “community” input: in other words, yet another payoff for ACORN.

• Page 335: Government mandates establishment of outcome-based measures: i.e., rationing.

• Page 341: Government has authority to disqualify Medicare Advantage Plans, HMOs, etc.

• Page 354: Government will restrict enrollment of SPECIAL NEEDS individuals.

• Page 379: More bureaucracy: Telehealth Advisory Committee (healthcare by phone).

• Page 425: More bureaucracy: Advance Care Planning Consult: Senior Citizens, assisted suicide, euthanasia?

• Page 425: Government will instruct and consult regarding living wills, durable powers of attorney, etc. Mandatory. Appears to lock in estate taxes ahead of time.

• Page 425: Goverment provides approved list of end-of-life resources, guiding you in death.

• Page 427: Government mandates program that orders end-of-life treatment; government dictates how your life ends.

• Page 429: Advance Care Planning Consult will be used to dictate treatment as patient’s health deteriorates. This can include an ORDER for end-of-life plans. An ORDER from the GOVERNMENT.

• Page 430: Government will decide what level of treatments you may have at end-of-life.

• Page 469: Community-based Home Medical Services: more payoffs for ACORN.

• Page 472: Payments to Community-based organizations: more payoffs for ACORN.

• Page 489: Government will cover marriage and family therapy. Government intervenes in your marriage.

• Page 494: Government will cover mental health services: defining, creating and rationing those services.

Beverly Nuckols, M.D. ("LifeEthics" and Larry's wife) added:

The bill also outlines "Community Based Clinics," "School-based Clinics," and something called "Accountable Care Organizations" (page 450) which are sort of practices without walls that will be paid for on a per patient basis - a government HMO. The Patient Centered Medical Home pilot program (p. 462 and p. 464) will cost up to $1.25 Trillion over 5 years and is another experimental medical practice (not really a home).

All of these ways of organizing medical practices will require layers and layers of regulations and reports using complex "codes" and "qualifiers" to let the computers at the Department of Health and Human Services (and the IRS) compare "providers," practices and what is being done, why and to whom. There will be no doctor-patient privacy, even with private insurance.

And that's less than half of the bill, without any of the amendments that have already been added!

*On page 755, States are forbidden to do any "asset test" -- to determine how much money or property people own, in addition to how much they earn -- for Medicaid or SCHIP eligibility, at risk of losing all Federal funds. (I guess the IRS will know, won't they? And be able to charge fees and fines?)

On page 787, all States are forced to change eligibility periods for SCHIP to 12 months instead of requiring people to reapply and prove they are eligible each 6 months. (Again, the IRS will know.)

Amendments have already been added in the different Committees that mandate "reproductive choice" in the insurance plans to be offered and force States to allow nurses to be independent "providers," without a doctor being involved, at all.

Texas is one of the few States that managed to balance our budget this year, but we wouldn't have been able under this law. We will have to come up with an additional $1 in matching funds for every $2 or $3 that the Federal government (so kindly) sends back to us for these programs. Texas will have an unfunded mandate for State Tax dollars for Medicaid, SCHIP, Family Planning and our large illegal alien population.

ABC's Senior White House Correspondent apologizes for the Obama Administration?

2009-07-29T05:31:00.002-05:00

ABC News Senior White House Correspondent Jake Tapper has written an article, "When Academic Words Become Political Ammunition," that gives an anonymous "White House official's" rebuttal to the many concerns expressed about President Obama's choices for advisers and "czars" who will affect the shape of health care policies. He attempts to debunk criticisms of the philosophies of Ezekial Emanuel, MD (a bioethicist who is heading the push for control of health care finance and delivery in order to provide universal insurance) and John Holdren, director of the White House's Office of Science and Technology Policy.

What strikes me as odd is the apparent attempt by ABC to mediate for this Administration.

I can't remember any such explanatory article when Attorney General Ashcroft was under attack for his religious views.

More at my bioethics blog, LifeEthics.org.

Why read the bill without 2 lawyers?

2009-07-27T09:17:00.002-05:00

Priceless video, here, of Congressman Conyers from Michigan. Conyers is the author of HB 646, which would switch us all straight to single payer, or "Medicare for everyone."

From the report at CNSN news:

During his speech at a National Press Club luncheon, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Democratic Congressman John Conyers (D-Mich.), questioned the point of lawmakers reading the health care bill.

“I love these members, they get up and say, ‘Read the bill,’” said Conyers.

“What good is reading the bill if it’s a thousand pages and you don’t have two days and two lawyers to find out what it means after you read the bill?”

Guadalupe County confronts Henry Cuellar

2009-07-25T12:52:00.003-05:00

Went to this morning’s McQueeney, Texas meeting where Henry Cuellar was met with an overwhelming group of small-government constituents. I saw all the people out by the highway and a couple of our group up close to the Representative.

Wore my Texas Academy of Family Physicians shirt and carried my white coat. (It was just too hot to put on the coat.)

Wonderful people made way and encouraged me to move to the front to ask my questions.

The people of Guadalupe County - maybe 100 to 150? - turned out to protest the health bill and tax and cap. There were some tough questions about gas prices and about whether private insurance will survive.

People laughed when Cuellar said the health bill is “revenue neutral.”

Believe it or not, the clueless man was adamant that he has and that he wants his private insurance! Why not put all the government employees on Medicare or the VA (depending on their background)? Why do we give and give so that our employees can have better benefits than we can afford?

He came with his prepared stance and did not seem to listen to the people who had come out on a Saturday morning to meet with him.

Instead, he constantly talked about the organizations and corporations that supported the bills, ignoring that the constituents in front of him do not. He handed out paper after paper (how green is that?) with the names of those organizations and corporations supporting the health bill and tax and cap.

I guess we know where *his* support goes - to those big groups, not to the voters.

(By the way: the Congressman tried to justify his vote in favor of the Cap and Tax Bill by asking which of us voted for John McCain. Several people shouted that they voted for Sarah Palin!)

He also said that he voted in favor of Planned Parenthood funding yesterday because they give care to “mothers.” (I suggested that we go to any PP office today and that I bet no mothers come out of the building.)

He talked against the Blue Dogs, but did say that he wouldn’t allow Pelosi to bring the bill to a vote by bypassing the Committees.

Of Rationing, Redefining and Reducing the Level of Health Care

2009-07-20T14:53:00.004-05:00

Peter Singer, in his op-ed for the New York Times this weekend, seems to be unaware of the difference that our mobility in the United States - both in geography and society - can make. We have choices, can call on friends and family and/or gain sympathy of the wider community (as demonstrated by the pink ribbons on so many cars and products) to obtain what we need and sometimes what we want. (Hear those Rolling Stones in the background? )

I don't expect perfect this year, but I'd sure like to have more options than Pelosi, Rangel, Waxman and Kennedy seem to allow. And, like many other Americans, I'd be more reassured if the Speaker and the House Ways and Means Committee would agree to sign up for the "public option." and Ted Kennedy would accept the same rationing he's proposing for the rest of us. (No Chappaquiddick health care jokes or comments about holes in his head, please - but don't you think the anecdotes he tells are ironic?)

Or, if the President could get his budget report out on time.

However, the AMA has endorsed the House Bill (no number, yet) as unveiled last week, in spite of the fact that the definition of "primary care provider" includes nurse practitioners. The White House immediately began pushing for cuts in physician payments to ensure that there's no deficit. Orszag hinted on TV yesterday that the 20% cut due next year would work just fine.

My letter to the Board of Trustees of the AMA resulted in a reply from Dr. Rohack:
"As noted, there are elements in the bill that will help you as a family physician in Texas. And as fellow Texan {sic}, you know as well as I that leading the nation in the number of uninsured patients is not a proud statistic and having some federal help will be needed for our patients since our Texas legislature continues to pass on opportunities to help them."

(And Texas' economy is relatively stable as our State government is solvent, too, Dr. Rohack.)

I'm not sure how many of you remember the retroactive tax increases passed by Congress and even instituted by IRS rules. But I'm sure that you remember this Congress' threat this year to retroactively tax the bonuses given to AIG employees.

The House "Reform" Bill allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services not only to set what we are paid, but to set the Nation's mandated insurance coverage, premium rates and then the taxes and penalties that are supposed to pay for half the cost of the Bill, all coordinated with the IRS.

The other half will come from proposed savings. That 20% cut in Physician payments from Medicare is going to look awfully attractive to the bureaucrats.

Everyone's income is no safer than the payment your Family Nurse, uh, Doctor may receive under this Bill.

Health Care: Tax and Spend

2009-07-18T06:25:00.005-05:00

How about a simple solution to the rising government expenditures for health care: don't "force Congress" (See President Obama's press statement video, here. At 6 minutes 40 seconds, he says "force Congress.") to spend more money!

Or, we could try Biden's plan to spend more so we won't go bankrupt as we bankrupt the insurance companies and increase the numbers of people on government-paid health care and increasing mandates that health care funding cover more and more "benefits."

The AMA started a blog-type website that can only be accessed by licensed physicians in the US. 94% of the 2949 docs who have responded to the poll on that site, Sermo, oppose the AMA's endorsement of the current House plan. 96% say that the AMA does not speak for them. The top concerns that the doctors have include interference in the doctor-patient relationship (34%) and malpractice/tort reform (32%).

I've already sent my request to the AMA Board of Trustees to rescind their endorsement. CBS news reports that

"Separately, the White House urged Speaker Nancy Pelosi to toughen the emerging bill so it will hold down the future increases in Medicare payments to doctors, hospitals and other providers. The request, in a letter from Budget Director Peter Orszag, came one day after Congress' top budget official warned that as drafted, the legislation fails to slow the growth in health care costs nationally."

The House Bill still doesn't have a bill number. It's gone from 300 pages to 600 pages, to the current 1018 pages. It's here http://edlabor.house.gov/documents/111/pdf/publications/AAHCA-BillText-071409.pdf

All of the Democrat-controlled committees in the House and the Senate have blocked amendment after amendment that would have limited or blocked taxpayer funding of abortion. This is at the same time that the House Finance Services legislation passed, which will allow tax money to pay for abortions in the District of Columbia!

The House's plan will make it impossible to have private insurance if you don't have it at the time the plan passes and those plans will be restricted from changing, except for adding costly benefits that the House mandates. They won't be able to charge anyone any copays for "preventive services" - well child care, physicals and colonoscopies, etc. These requirements will bankrupt the insurance companies.

Everyone who does not have a plan at the time the House "reform" goes into effect will be forced onto the public plan on day one. If they don't sign up, they pay a fine of 2% of their income - this is in addition to the new employer tax and the new "surcharge" tax on the rich - or as Speaker Pelosi says, "a very few people will help with the revenue stream."

Glenn Beck: The Silent Majority is Awake

2009-06-18T02:22:00.003-05:00

Glenn Beck read this very long letter from a listener/viewer on his radio and TV shows. These issues don't fit in short letters.

June 17, 2009 - 10:36 ET
Sign the petition: An open letter to our nation's leadership
The petition site is currently having issues with the large amounts of traffic this issue has generated. If you encounter a problem attempting to access the petition please try again later.

(Note: I couldn't access the petition when I tried. But I'll try again. BBN)

GLENN: I got a letter from a woman in Arizona. She writes an open letter to our nation's leadership:

I'm a home grown American citizen, 53, registered Democrat all my life. Before the last presidential election I registered as a Republican because I no longer felt the Democratic Party represents my views or works to pursue issues important to me. Now I no longer feel the Republican Party represents my views or works to pursue issues important to me. The fact is I no longer feel any political party or representative in Washington represents my views or works to pursue the issues important to me. There must be someone. Please tell me who you are. Please stand up and tell me that you are there and that you're willing to fight for our Constitution as it was written. Please stand up now. You might ask yourself what my views and issues are that I would horribly feel so disenfranchised by both major political parties. What kind of nut job am I? Will you please tell me?

Well, these are briefly my views and issues for which I seek representation:

One, illegal immigration. I want you to stop coddling illegal immigrants and secure our borders. Close the underground tunnels. Stop the violence and the trafficking in drugs and people. No amnesty, not again. Been there, done that, no resolution. P.S., I'm not a racist. This isn't to be confused with legal immigration.

Two, the TARP bill, I want it repealed and I want no further funding supplied to it. We told you no, but you did it anyway. I want the remaining unfunded 95% repealed. Freeze, repeal.

Three: Czars, I want the circumvention of our checks and balances stopped immediately. Fire the czars. No more czars. Government officials answer to the process, not to the president. Stop trampling on our Constitution and honor it.

Four, cap and trade. The debate on global warming is not over. There is more to say.

Five, universal healthcare. I will not be rushed into another expensive decision. Don't you dare try to pass this in the middle of the night and then go on break. Slow down!

Six, growing government control. I want states rights and sovereignty fully restored. I want less government in my life, not more. Shrink it down. Mind your own business. You have enough to take care of with your real obligations. Why don't you start there.

Seven, ACORN. I do not want ACORN and its affiliates in charge of our 2010 census. I want them investigated. I also do not want mandatory escrow fees contributed to them every time on every real estate deal that closes. Stop the funding to ACORN and its affiliates pending impartial audits and investigations. I do not trust them with taking the census over with our taxpayer money. I don't trust them with our taxpayer money. Face up to the allegations against them and get it resolved before taxpayers get any more involved with them. If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, hello. Stop protecting your political buddies. You work for us, the people. Investigate.

Eight, redistribution of wealth. No, no, no. I work for my money. It is mine. I have always worked for people with more money than I have because they gave me jobs. That is the only redistribution of wealth that I will support. I never got a job from a poor person. Why do you want me to hate my employers? Why ‑‑ what do you have against shareholders making a profit?

Nine, charitable contributions. Although I never got a job from a poor person, I have helped many in need. Charity belongs in our local communities, where we know our needs best and can use our local talent and our local resources. Butt out, please. We want to do it ourselves.

Ten, corporate bailouts. Knock it off. Sink or swim like the rest of us. If there are hard times ahead, we'll be better off just getting into it and letting the strong survive. Quick and painful. Have you ever ripped off a Band‑Aid? We will pull together. Great things happen in America under great hardship. Give us the chance to innovate. We cannot disappoint you more than you have disappointed us.

Eleven, transparency and accountability. How about it? No, really, how about it? Let's have it. Let's say we give the buzzwords a rest and have some straight honest talk. Please try ‑‑ please stop manipulating and trying to appease me with clever wording. I am not the idiot you obviously take me for. Stop sneaking around and meeting in back rooms making deals with your friends. It will only be a prelude to your criminal investigation. Stop hiding things from me.

Twelve, unprecedented quick spending. Stop it now.

Take a breath. Listen to the people. Let's just slow down and get some input from some nonpoliticians on the subject. Stop making everything an emergency. Stop speed reading our bills into law. I am not an activist. I am not a community organizer. Nor am I a terrorist, a militant or a violent person. I am a parent and a grandparent. I work. I'm busy. I'm busy. I am busy, and I am tired. I thought we elected competent people to take care of the business of government so that we could work, raise our families, pay our bills, have a little recreation, complain about taxes, endure our hardships, pursue our personal goals, cut our lawn, wash our cars on the weekends and be responsible contributing members of society and teach our children to be the same all while living in the home of the free and land of the brave.

I entrusted you with upholding the Constitution. I believed in the checks and balances to keep from getting far off course. What happened? You are very far off course. Do you really think I find humor in the hiring of a speed reader to unintelligently ramble all through a bill that you signed into law without knowing what it contained? I do not. It is a mockery of the responsibility I have entrusted to you. It is a slap in the face. I am not laughing at your arrogance. Why is it that I feel as if you would not trust me to make a single decision about my own life and how I would live it but you should expect that I should trust you with the debt that you have laid on all of us and our children. We did not want the TARP bill. We said no. We would repeal it if we could. I am sure that we still cannot. There is such urgency and recklessness in all of the recent spending.

From my perspective, it seems that all of you have gone insane. I also know that I am far from alone in these feelings. Do you honestly feel that your current pursuits have merit to patriotic Americans? We want it to stop. We want to put the brakes on everything that is being rushed by us and forced upon us. We want our voice back. You have forced us to put our lives on hold to straighten out the mess that you are making. We will have to give up our vacations, our time spent with our children, any relaxation time we may have had and money we cannot afford to spend on you to bring our concerns to Washington. Our president often knows all the right buzzword is unsustainable. Well, no kidding. How many tens of thousands of dollars did the focus group cost to come up with that word? We don't want your overpriced words. Stop treating us like we're morons.

We want all of you to stop focusing on your reelection and do the job we want done, not the job you want done or the job your party wants done. You work for us and at this rate I guarantee you not for long because we are coming. We will be heard and we will be represented. You think we're so busy with our lives that we will never come for you? We are the formerly silent majority, all of us who quietly work , pay taxes, obey the law, vote, save money, keep our noses to the grindstone and we are now looking up at you. You have awakened us, the patriotic spirit so strong and so powerful that it had been sleeping too long. You have pushed us too far. Our numbers are great. They may surprise you. For every one of us who will be there, there will be hundreds more that could not come. Unlike you, we have their trust. We will represent them honestly, rest assured. They will be at the polls on voting day to usher you out of office. We have cancelled vacations. We will use our last few dollars saved. We will find the representation among us and a grassroots campaign will flourish. We didn't ask for this fight. But the gloves are coming off. We do not come in violence, but we are angry. You will represent us or you will be replaced with someone who will. There are candidates among us when hewill rise like a Phoenix from the ashes that you have made of our constitution.

Democrat, Republican, independent, libertarian. Understand this. We don't care. Political parties are meaningless to us. Patriotic Americans are willing to do right by us and our Constitution and that is all that matters to us now. We are going to fire all of you who abuse power and seek more. It is not your power. It is ours and we want it back. We entrusted you with it and you abused it. You are dishonorable. You are dishonest. As Americans we are ashamed of you. You have brought shame to us. If you are not representing the wants and needs of your constituency loudly and consistently, in spite of the objections of your party, you will be fired. Did you hear? We no longer care about your political parties. You need to be loyal to us, not to them. Because we will get you fired and they will not save you. If you do or can represent me, my issues, my views, please stand up. Make your identity known. You need to make some noise about it. Speak up. I need to know who you are. If you do not speak up, you will be herded out with the rest of the sheep and we will replace the whole damn congress if need be one by one. We are coming. Are we coming for you? Who do you represent? What do you represent? Listen. Because we are coming. We the people are coming.

June 13 th meeting, continued

2009-06-15T17:12:00.004-05:00

At the bottom is the report from Dona Evans about the second meeting at the New Braunfels Library.

I would like to dispute her description of the conversation between the two men. I perceived no threats. It may have been a cultural clash: Texans are fiercely independent, believe that our families are our responsibility, and believe in the protections of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the sovereignty of our State.

What I heard was a 38 year old man tell us that he had been paying for the mistakes of the previous generation. There followed a spirited exchange of words about which generation had done the most for the other, protecting freedom, the right to property and to bear arms, and the risk of some people taking property and liberty from one for the other against his will. (Forgetting his public education the "young man" must have had, he's had 20 years majority, during which his vote counted as much as the older man. And he told us last week about the benefits he enjoys from having a minority partner and taking government contracts in his work.)

Saturday was much less focused than last week and presented us with absolutely no new information about either Obama's "plan" or what to expect from Congress. One presenter reviewed some of Conyers' HB 676 http://www.johnconyers.com/hr676faq but there was no discussion about Pelosi's insistence on a public plan or about the Kennedy-Dodd Bill due to be debated in the Senate.

I'm astounded at the stories of people whose families do not help in times of crisis, those who resent paying for their own medical bills, and those who find expectations of personal responsibility less than compassionate. I'm not surprised to hear anecdotal and teary stories that attempt to divide neighbor from neighbor with piles of straw men.

I'm still hearing/reading that the problems with our current heath care system - whether Medicare or private insurance system - are the result of government interference, including the donut hole, the tax exempt status of employer insurance, certain injections or medications that are not covered, etc.

The attendees all appeared to have done some research on their own at least. I would not have assumed a lack of understanding.

We did hear confirmation that Medicare patients require more billing personnel and attention to regulations than other patients: "20% of the patients take 80% of the time (for billing and documentation)." And yet, these figures do not show up in tallies of Medicare's administration costs. But they are very real costs that come out of the practice overhead in the form of extra employees and the doctor's time.

We also know that it's impossible for anyone to keep up with the shear volume of regulations imposed by the bureaucrats and administrators for Medicare.

What the "fear" comes down to is that we can fight and sue private insurers and they can hold our payment for services rendered. But Medicare can get you fined, jailed and excluded from all those private insurers who deal with Medicare - and Health and Human Services bureaucrats can write their own subpoenas! Remember when the "Balanced Budget Act of 1997" led Reno and Shalala to threaten to prosecute Medicare-eligible patients who engaged in private contracting outside of Medicare? Google "Shalala, Medicare, private contracting" for more. Or this report from that time period: http://clinicalfreedom.org/BUDG4507.HTM

Many of us do remember the day when the entire doctor visit cost less than our co-pay does now and when our insurance - "major medical" - kicked in only for big hospital bills. We know that insurance that only pays for extraordinary costs with deductibles works for our cars and houses and we try to plan ahead or make do, accordingly.

We understand the need to help our families and our neighbors. We do not agree that we must support their bad habits or that the Federal government's attempts at one size fits all, from first dollar paid is the solution to our health care concerns. (And that is what we see in Massachusetts and Hawaii.)

Dona Evans wrote:
>

> DEEP IN THE RUBY RED HEART OF TEXAS
>
> NOTES: Health Care Reform Meeting, Saturday, June 13th, New Braunfels, Texas
>
> Organizing for America, a project of the National Democratic Committee hosted a “town hall type meeting” at which Democrats, Republicans, and Independents consulted frankly about the issues and concerns surrounding Health Care Reform in America.
>
> Last Saturday’s meeting was the second in a series, the first – kick off – meeting was held a week ago. Many of the 26 original attendees who were at the first meeting, showed up at the second meeting. However, there were about six new faces in attendance at the meeting this report summarizes. Most of those six did not provide their full name or contact information.
>
> This week’s meeting focused on presenting workable, sustainable alternative to the current broken health care system. On the agenda were three Power Point presentations, two reports, Q&A, and open discussion.
>
> For the most part, everyone agreed that the current health care system doesn’t work for everyone, therefore, it doesn’t work. Most attendees found no fault with the three principals guiding health care reform as stated in President Obama’s plan: 1) reduce costs, 2) increase access, and 3) make quality, affordable health care available to all Americans.
>
> Where people started to divide was on the particulars of how those three goals could best be achieved in a highly partisan environment, where everyone seems to have differing opinions.
>
> The big question seemed to be how would a new health care system look? How would it be structured, implemented, and regulated, and how would the regulations be enforced and by whom? Who would make the rules? Would they be fair socially, economically, and politically? How would we avoid fraud, abuse, and waste, which have been seen in government-run programs of the past?
>
> Again, people’s fear of “Big Government” played a large part in the discussion. Many of the attendees expressed their concern that the plan was being “rushed too soon”, without enough public input and Congressional insight. It is feared by many that Congress will create a poorly structured bill, such as what happened with the recent bailouts. Everyone agreed the issue is too important to just rush through a bad bill. Some fear rationing of health care services in a government run health care system.
>
> Members of the group that support President Obama’s reform initiative sought examples of other types of health care systems that work and compared them to the current U.S. system at this meeting. The researchers’ first conclusion was that the U.S. health care system isn’t the only system that is flawed; man-made systems are inherently flawed and most could use improvement. They looked at examples of nationalized health care in Great Britain and Spain. They researched Massachusetts, Hawaii, Germany, Sweden, France, and found they were most attracted to the systems used in Taiwan, Germany, Canada, Australia, and Japan, because they seem to have the greatest user satisfaction ratings.
>
> The systems tried in Hawaii and Massachusetts was rejected as potential models for U.S. health care reform due to the many problems experienced by those two states. However, it was widely agreed that Germany and Taiwan seemed to have viable systems operating with high rates of user satisfaction.
>
> There was widespread agreement that a national health care system would not be the best solution. Although, there were various observations and opinions on what the group doesn’t want, the only actual solution proposed was the single-payer national health insurance system.
>
> “Single-payer health care is a term used in the United States to describe the payment of doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers from a single fund. It differs from typical private health insurance where, through pricing and other measures taken by the insurer, the level of risks carried by multiple insurance pools as well as the coverage can vary and the pricing has to be varied according to the contribution of risk added to the pool. It is often mentioned as one way to deliver universal health care. The administrator of the fund could be the government but it could equally be a publicly owned agency regulated by law.” (Wikipedia.)
>
> Research showed that there is growing support for a public system managed at the state level by elected and appointed agencies that represent the public, NOT socialized medicine (which is feared by many, but a national single-payer health insurance that would make quality, affordable health care available to all Americans, without burdening any one group.
>
> Like the blind men feeling the different parts of an elephant, and each one’s description of the subject is different, many of the attendees had statistics that agreed with their position, but which, disagreed with other published statistics. Everyone had an opinion. It is our hope that we can lead the community to frankly consult, cooperate, and reach as consensus that would benefit every American.
>
> One attendee hotly debated the value of reaching consensus – as his mind was made up. I’ll call him “Mr. X”, because he didn’t sign in with his name. This man is violently opposed to any kind of health care reform. At one point, he formed his hand in the shape of a gun and pulled the trigger at one of the younger members of the group, because disagreed with the man’s opinion. This irate man repeated his threats that a revolution was coming. Finally, he left the meeting muttering, “I’ll pull a gun on you!!!” while pointing his “hand-made gun” at the speaker.
>
> Thankfully, the majority of the attendees were not violent or threatening; they were content to disagree and exchange ideas earnestly seeking a real solution to the current problem – acknowledging they come from different perspectives.
>
> Most agreed the problems with the current U.S. health care system are the result of greed: corporate insurance companies and pharmaceutical interests with powerful, rich lobbyists have bought and paid for the current health care system through Congress. The decisions that currently dictate the U.S. health care are based on their profit margin and stock value. Few could disagree with that statement.
>
> It was brought up that private administration of the current system costs an added $350 billion or 31% of the total health care dollar spent. This compares to the 2-3% it takes to run U.S. Medicare and an estimated 1% in Canada.
>
> Appalling, only 4% of Americans can afford to pay for health care out of pocket; and only 52% have adequate health care. It was hotly debated whether the estimated 40-48 million uninsured are temporarily without health care because they are between jobs, or if they are chronically uninsured.
>
> Many put forth the idea that people should be rewarded for health lifestyle choices. They more less implied that those who drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, take recreational drugs, become obese and become ill due to these lifestyle choices should be penalized via their insurance premiums. Others suggested a “sin-tax” on those who engage in risky behaviors, such as riding a motorcycle. Or a “fat-tax”?

> There was mention of a program implemented by Safeway Corporation where incentives were built in to encourage health choices. We will look into that.
>
> However, this tone and sentiment made me think about my own situation. Now, at the risk of embarrassing myself, I am going to share my own story.
>
> I don’t drink alcohol. I don’t use tobacco products. I don’t use recreational drugs. I don’t engage in risky behaviors. However, after working forty years, helping to rear four children, and working to put two husbands through college, seven years ago, I became too sick to get out of bed. For several years, I had lived with mis-undiagnosed/untreated ulcerative colitis, as well as clinical depression, hypothyroidism, and degenerative disc disease. My conditions steadily worsened over years, partly because I did not have health insurance and could not afford health care and therefore didn’t have access to medicine. I didn’t get sick over night, it came on gradually, I got sicker and sicker every day. As a result, my ability to work and function became less and less each day. And then one day, I couldn’t go on. During this process, because I felt so bad, I was unable to get and keep a good job – so I didn’t have access to health care insurance.
>
> During this time, I didn’t feel well enough to shop and prepare nutritious foods (I didn’t have money to buy fresh fruits and vegetables anyhow). I couldn’t walk far or stand for any length of time, because of my back pain, fatigue, and general malaise. I certainly didn’t feel like exercising. As a result of my debilitating disorders and lack of health care, I got sicker and sicker – developing diabetes and cholesterol problems. Now, even though, I only eat fat-free, sugar-free foods – I still gain weight, because of my metabolism has slowed down, and I can’t digest fats and carbohydrates well.
>
> Thank God, eventually, I got the financial help, health care, and medications I needed through Social Security and Medicare. I was able to go to the doctor, and started taking vitamins and eating a healthier diet; and, slowly, I started feeling better and better.
>
> However, because of the degenerative disc disease and an old knee injury I am still prevented from walking, standing, and exercising as it causes a great deal of pain. Should I be penalized? I don’t know. I know some think I should. I’ll defer to the majority opinion on that question.
>
> Some people feel that sickness and poverty are character disorders and those afflicted should be penalized. However, my experience makes me think it is more complicated than that – most anyone can become poor or disabled. Most Americans are just a few paychecks away from being homeless. And millions can’t afford health care that would prevent their conditions from worsening.
>
> So, I’m one of those bleeding-heart liberals who think parts of the U.S. Medicare system work.
>
> However, where U.S. Medicare falls short is in non-coverage and denial of benefits and low fees paid to physicians, and things like the “doughnut hole”. My Medicare insurance helped pay for my prescription drugs up to $2,700 this year until May. But, because I require a lot of prescription drugs, I get zero help from Medicare Part D – until the cost of my drugs reaches $4,350. Some of the medicines I need are very expensive, and I can’t afford to buy them. The available patient assistance programs don’t supply them, because they aren’t generic. So, I run the risk of getting not being able to afford medication that I need very much. It is possible that without prescribed medication, I may get sick again.

“The term "donut hole" (or "doughnut hole") refers to a coverage gap within the defined standard benefit under the Medicare Part D prescription drug program. Under the defined standard benefit package, there is a gap in coverage between the initial coverage limit and the catastrophic coverage threshold. Within this gap, the beneficiary pays 100% of the cost of prescription drugs before catastrophic coverage kicks in. The term "coverage gap" is preferred by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and prescription drug plans, but "donut hole" has been more widely adopted in the popular media.” Wikipedia

> So, that’s my story, and why I support universal health care.
>
> Everyone has a story to tell. We’d like to give everyone a platform to share his/her story, and maybe we will have greater awareness and understanding of each other’s position.
>
> CONCLUSIONS:
>
> Because some people have never personally experienced adversity, they think, “It won’t happen to me”. They seem to think they are somehow better than people who are poor and disenfranchised or those who experience a financial catastrophe. Little do they realize, only about 4% of the population enjoys immunity to financial chaos brought on by a catastrophic illness. They do not realize that belief in their own invincibility sometimes causes them to seem arrogant and cold hearted, lacking compassion.
>
> Personally, I find that many opponents of a universal health care system to lack two very important qualities:
>
> · Compassion; and
>
> · Understanding.
>
> I find proponents of a national insurance system to more likely have an abiding respect and appreciation for human rights, and consider health care a basic human right; similar to clean water and pure air.
>
> I believe medical care for medically necessary treatments is a basic human right, as outlined in Article 25, of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights. I believe that God has given this planet and its people resources enough to provide health care; only we squander our resources on other priorities.
>
> I believe at this point in time, the most viable system that has been presented is the single-payer nationalized health insurance plan.
>
> We will send this report to OFA for its consideration by President Obama.
>
> It is up to each of us to let our legislators know what we would like to see happen in Congress.
>
> If you have a story to tell, please contact me at: 830-708-9802. May God Bless You and Keep You.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Dona Evans, MCRP
>
> Volunteer Host/Facilitator for Organizing for America, a project of the National Democratic Committee.

June 13th Health Reform Meeting

2009-06-11T21:01:00.002-05:00

The same woman, Dona Evans, is holding another meeting at our library. We're going to get to use "Indian talking sticks"!

Here's the notice Ms. Evans sent by email to people at the last meeting and to our New Braunfels City Council (Capitals and all):

PLEASE ADD TO YOUR EVENTS CALENDAR AND PLAN TO ATTEND
SATURDAY, JUNE 13TH, 1:00 PM - 4:45 PM
NEW BRAUNFELS PUBLIC LIBRARY MEETING ROOM
EVERYONE IS INVITED
FREE TO THE PUBLIC

* POWERPOINT PRESENTATION SUMMARIZING CURRENT PROPOSAL
* REPORTS FROM RESEARCH ON SUCCESSFUL HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS

THIS SESSION WE WILL WATCH A POWER POINT PRESENTATION OVERVIEW OF OBAMA'S HEALTH CARE PLAN, THE PRESENTATION IS SHORT AND EASY TO UNDERSTAND, WITHOUT PARTISAN BIAS.
WE WILL ALSO LISTEN TO REPORTS ABOUT SUCCESSFUL SINGLE-PAYER AND NATIONAL PLANS THAT WORK, AND DISCUSS HOW THEY MIGHT SERVE AS MODELS FOR THE U.S.
THERE WILL BE A Q&A PORTION AND TIME FOR DISCUSSION. WE WILL USE THE ANCIENT NATIVE AMERICAN TRADITION OF PASSING THE TALKING STICK TO DETERMINE WHO HAS THE FLOOR TO SPEAK TO ENSURE THAT EVERYONE GETS A FAIR CHANCE TO SPEAK, AND THAT WE ELIMINATE CROSS-TALKING.

OUR GOAL IS TO ENSURE THAT AFFORDBLE HEALTH CARE IS AVAILABLE TO ALL AMERICANS. WE WILL IDENTIFY SYSTEMS THAT WORK, PUT FORTH A PLAN THAT WOULD WORK FOR AMERICANS, AND ORGANIZE SUPPORT AT THE GRASSROOTS LEVEL FOR A WORKABLE, SUSTAINABLE PROGRAM, SO WE CAN MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO CONGRESS. WE AGREE THAT THE PRESENT HEALTH CARE SYSTEM DOESN'T WORK FOR EVERYONE. WE ARE HOPEFUL A MORE COMPASSIONATE SYSTEM CAN BE CREATED AND IMPLEMENTED TO HELP ACHIEVE OUR GOAL.

THIS EVENT IS BEING SPONSORED BY ORGANIZING FOR AMERICA A PROJECT O F THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY

P.S. - DON'T FORGET OUR UPCOMING BLOOD DRIVE AND FOOD DRIVE SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 27TH, THE NATIONAL DAY OF COMMUNITY SERVICE.
--
Dona Evans
PHONE/FAX: 830-214-6131
CELL: 830-708-9802

Health Care Reform a la Obama/Kennedy

2009-06-06T22:53:00.004-05:00

(As you read this, remember that this is the same group who gave us No Child Left Behind and "accidentally" released a nearly-300 page report on the "site, location, facility, and activity" of all the civilian nuclear sites that the Obama Administration plans to report to the International oversite agency, with pretty little tables. That's the picture above.

And note that no one seemed to blink an eye at the claim that Germany has had government single payer health insurance "since the '20's. The President toured one of the medical facilities from the 30's just before D-day.)

Today, across the US, the Democratic National Committee sponsored small group meetings on Health Care Reform, called "Organizing for America." See this news report and this one, that shows the Daily Kos group is not happy.

Here in New Braunfels (at the public library, as announced in the News), our host and an "advocate planner" - see this definition here and this usage here - Dona Evans, told us that the purpose of the meeting was to support President Obama's "plan" - she passed out copies of this outline and showed us video from this press conference - or maybe it was the three principles of health care reform.

The meeting was very tightly planned. The paperwork and agenda were available to the hosts before the meeting, on line.

It also appears that our little meeting in New Braunfels, Comal County, Texas was worthy of one man who told us he met with Obama planners on the health care reform last November and December, and another man who said he was trained by Saul Alinski himself in Chicago in the '60's. I believe I identified a core of about 7 people who were DNC/OfA plants and who remained behind for over 30 minutes after the meeting broke up.

BTW, as I said at the beginning of the meeting, I'm not an opponent of "reform." As I said, I believe that every problem we mentioned today is a result of government interference. The President said that we've talked about the problem but haven't had reform for 60 years. I say that we had government interference that increased costs and hurt our chances of meeting the President's goals. Medicare in the 60's, HMO's in the '70's, HIPPA, DRG's, and now, the cover-from-first-penny drug benefit that caused many retirees to lose good private subsidies and leaves them responsible for the whole bill for much of the year.

Although no one at the meeting today seemed aware, Senator Edward Kennedy's staff released a "draft of a draft" of his Bill, a 177 page piece to be called "America Health Choices Act." The pdf is here.

Below, find the report that Ms. Evans sent out to all of us who attended the meeting, along with a few more - among them are the names of local docs who I assume is her daughter and son-in-law. (All of our email addresses were visible - I sometimes forget the "blind copy to" function, also, so I won't copy all the email addresses, here.)

Addendum (June 7, at 1:20 PM) - Actually, our agreement was that we do not believe that this is an emergency, that we do not want Congress to pass any bill before they go home for recess at the end of July, and we do not want to send our Health Care money to Washington or have our Health Care decisions made in Washington, at all. While some mentioned the fear of government (one young man quoted Jefferson), most spoke of experience and the history of Government interference.

26 people at our event plus an unknown number of protestors outside marching with signs.
0# of calls made at your event
3 service projects planned for Saturday, June 27th, again at 2:00 p.m. in the library: individual volunteers, blood drive and food drive

We had excellent support and publicity from the local newspaper.
An account of our event follows:

WOW! Democracy in action!

First let me express my appreciation to everyone who attended the Organizing for America kickoff meeting Saturday, June 6th, at the New Braunfels library. Also, thank you for the lively discussion and sometimes heated debate. We even appreciate those who showed up to march in protest of our meeting – that’s what free speech is all about.

When I volunteered to host the meeting, it is because I support what President Obama is attempting to do for our country, and because of my background and experience, I know firsthand that the current health care system is broken and needs to be fixed. I am not a Republican or a Democrat, I am an American who is a concerned citizen, mother of four, grandmother of two.

When I signed up to host the kickoff to organize support for President Obama’s plan, I naively thought everyone would want to improve the current system. What’s not to like about “improvement”?

Surprise! Surprise! Some folks are downright passionate about not supporting President Obama’s proposed health care reform. It’s a good thing that I truly believe, “The shining spark of truth cometh forth only after the clash of differing opinions.”

It is my job to talk to patients everyday about their medical bills, because I am a medical billing and coding clerk in a busy doctor’s office who services both newborns and seniors, and all those ages in between. And I know, many people who live in the Comal Area cannot afford health care insurance, doctor’s visits, hospital care, and prescription drugs; and those who do have insurance are being impacted by increased premiums, co-pays, coinsurance, and deductibles and reduced coverage and benefits. I know that what President Obama says about the current system is true – it needs to be fixed.

We had twenty-six concerned citizens show up to talk about health care reform at the meeting. I don’t how many protesters were outside the library. But, I am told that as we consulted, they marched carrying signs of protest.

About the only thing everyone at the meeting agreed on is that we – those who were present -- don’t want an inefficient government health care system that lacks prudent oversight and necessary regulations and ends up costing taxpayers more than it should and delivering substandard services. More than once, the TARP bailout and lack of oversight, lax regulations, and abuse were mentioned.

Despite the fact that not everyone agreed on what should be done, or how it should be done, everyone had constructive and thoughtful comments and most shared their story about how the present health care system has impacted their lives.

The big question is how can we structure change around the three basic principles put forth by President Obama and his Vice President Joe Biden: 1) reduce costs, 2) guarantee choice, and 3) make sure quality health care is affordable and available to all Americans.

But how? That is the big question. I am an optimist; I truly believe that there is a solution for every problem. And I firmly believe that the American people, if informed, can make good decisions. I know that when informed passionate Americans unite around a cause they can make miracles happen.

Interestingly, I discovered, that most of the attendees who oppose President’s Obama’s health care proposal, have never read it. Their opposition seems to be based on one of two things: 1) what they heard on talk radio or network tv; and 2) their general fear of a nationalized health system. (Because everyone has heard that Canada’s system doesn’t work right either.)

Most of those who attended and voiced their opposition were unwilling to actually sit through a reading of the proposed plan – which we offered to do. Based on their reactions, I would say, their mind is made up; don’t confuse them with the facts. It was my hope that they would at least listen/read to what the plan actually contains, rather than what a radical radio talk show host claims it contains. I have listened to some of the radio talk shows and realized that they are more motivated by ratings than telling the truth.

What I got from those who were the most negative about health care reform is their fear. Many attendees agreed they fear governmental bureaucracy. Many are afraid that big government programs would waste money on inefficient administration and would end up providing substandard services. One lady said, “I love my country, but I fear my government.” Another man said he feared a dictatorship. Others just expressed concern that centralized services tend to be inefficient and wasteful.

Some attendees expressed fear of electronic medical records, where ones medical history would be accessible over the internet. Everyone agreed, that safeguards should be built into any national EMR system to ensure privacy. Some noted that an efficient, properly operating EMR system could save the government and private companies millions by eliminating the need for duplicate services, such as MRI’s, X-rays, and labs, being performed each time someone moves to a new locality and sees a new doctor or changes doctors.

Many of those who attended praised the U.S. Military health care service. One lady who was born in Germany touted the many benefits of its program (including dental care), which has successfully operated since the 1920’s, and where co-pays were recently raised to $10. I mentioned my own positive experience with the universal health care system operated in Hawaii. There was a consensus that it would be good to look at the countries and states that successfully insure all their residents and use those as an example on which the U.S. could model a new health care system for Americans.

One gentleman, who is a private contractor with a minority-owned company that bids on government contracts, suggested that insurance contracts be awarded to those companies that can provide the best services for the least amount of money on a regional basis – similar to construction contracts.

Several people shared stories of how their lives and the lives of their family had been negatively impacted as the result of a catastrophic illness or major surgery. They came to the meeting to genuinely see how they can support President Obama so that health care wouldn’t bankrupt families and cause them to have to choose between paying exorbitant doctors and hospitals bills or pay for food and rent.

However, most of the attendees had either had good experiences with U. S Medicare or the U.S. Military or reported they had received excellent services from both.

Almost everyone agreed, that instituting a regional system based on contracts, similar to the present contracted administration of Medicare Jurisdiction 4 system by Trailblazer Health, of which Texas is part of along with Oklahoma, Colorado, New Mexico, Arkansas and Indian Health, might be a way to avoid an inefficient centralized system.

Many attendees expressed concern over what the future might hold for their children and grandchildren. From a personal standpoint, I am now concerned because my youngest daughter who is the mother of a five year old is going to enter the military, not only because she loves her country and feels passionately about its defense, but also because she will get health care for her daughter as one of the benefits. Despite working for twenty years, she is unable to afford health care insurance through her employer.

Many attendees advocated a “single payer system”. I have to admit, I didn’t know what a single payer system is, so I looked it up. “Single-payer health care is a term used in the United States to describe the payment of doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers from a single fund. It is often mentioned as one way to deliver universal health care. The administrator of the fund is usually the government, but may be privately subcontracted similar to Medicare, the existing US system that is nearly a single-payer. Australia's Medicare, Canada's Medicare, and healthcare in Taiwan are examples of single-payer universal health care systems.”

Given the overwhelming positive comments about U.S. Medicare and the Military, that might be something to explore further.

One concern that came up more than once was the Medicare donut hole, which I recently experienced first hand. Here’s what Wikipedia says about that subject, The term "donut hole" (or "doughnut hole") refers to a coverage gap within the defined standard benefit under the Medicare Part D prescription drug program. Under the defined standard benefit package, there is a gap in coverage between the initial coverage limit and the catastrophic coverage threshold. Within this gap, the beneficiary pays 100% of the cost of prescription drugs before catastrophic coverage kicks in. The term "coverage gap" is preferred by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and prescription drug plans, but "donut hole" has been more widely adopted in the popular media.[citation needed]

On a more personal note, one of medications costs over $500 a month. So, when combined with my other medications, I had reached the coverage gap – the donut hole -- by May of this year. What that means very simply is, that those who are the most needy medically receive the least amount of help with their medicine.

On another topic, volunteerism, it was suggested and agreed that among other things, American volunteers are what make our nation great.

Organizing for America, a project of the Democratic National Committee, urged today’s attenders to return for a National Day of Community Service. Everyone was asked to take part in at least one of the following activities: 1) volunteer at some kind of health-related center, such as a clinic, hospital, or nursing home; 2) organize a blood drive; and/or 3) take part in a food drive, in support of the health care reform initiative.

It was agreed that we will meet again: Saturday, June 27th, at the New Braunfels public library to report in individual acts of volunteering in health-related centers. One opponent of healthcare reform suggested, involvement in Options for Women, the Pregnancy Assistance Center, or participation in the Texas Alliance for Life Walk in Seguin, June 20th.

Organizing for America will hold both a blood drive and food drive to be held at the New Braunfels library on June 27th, the National Day of Community Service, at 2:00 pm. Folks are urged to donate blood at that time, and to bring nutritious foods such as canned fruits and vegetables, juices, rice, beans, powdered milk, baby food, and diapers as a way of showing the group’s interest in and concern for the health of the local community.

During the coming weeks, everyone who supports President Obama’s health care reform plan is urged to share their personal story with their friends, neighbors, and coworkers as a way of increasing awareness and garnering support for change. That is what got President Obama elected, the promise of change. The status quo is not acceptable. The group unanimously recommends careful well thought out

If you haven’t read the plan put forth by President Obama and Vice President Biden, then please go to: http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/issues/HealthCareFullPlan.pdf download the entire nine page document, read it, and then decide for yourself. What do agree with? What do you disagree with? Would you like to hold an event that is expressly for debating the issues? We have well-informed advocates that are willing to do just that – advocate for President Obama’s proposed plan by going over the plan point by point to see where/if we can come to an agreement.

I have to confess, I am an Advocate Planner. I believe that the clash of differing opinions is not only healthy, it is imperative to generate the spark of truth. If you would like to attend the next meeting, or perhaps meet with members of OFA to discuss the merits of President Obama’s proposed plan for health care reform and support this initiative, please let me know: (email and phone at the link, above. BBN).

10th Amendment shot down by Texas Dems

2009-05-20T04:49:00.003-05:00

Senfronia Johnson, an extremely partisan Democrat from the Houston area, has killed a Resolution that would have affirmed the 10th Amendment of the Constitution of the United States.

There are actually "for hire" men and women who look at bills for typos and some other sort of "procedural" problem in order to try to kill proposed legislation. And a resolution affirming the 10th Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, HCR 50.

From the Houston Chronicle coverage, it appears that Representative Johnson is fully aware that much of what is done in Washington is unConstitutional (see the last paragraph):

The resolution would have informed Congress that Texas claimed sovereignty and states' rights under the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Rep. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, presented the resolution shortly before the technical point was raised by Houston Democratic Rep. Senfronia Thompson.

Supporters of the legislation and Perry have said the resolution was a reaction to expansion of the federal government, particularly programs and funds related to the federal stimulus act.

Creighton said he was disappointed that the proposal was taken down before he could explain the reasoning behind the resolution.

"It had nothing to do with seceding from the union and everything to do with succeeding in the union," he said.

The resolution has become part of a media storm around the governor and talk of secession.

During an anti-tax rally last month, some shouted "Secede!" as Perry was giving a speech. Afterward Perry said there was a great union and no reason to consider seceding, but "if Washington continues to thumb their nose at the American people, you know, who knows what might come out of that."

In an editorial in the Austin American-Statesman on Sunday, Perry said he never advocated secession and that his support was for states' rights under the 10th Amendment.

"None of us want to see unconstrained government of the magnitude that the amendment's authors were so careful to legislate against," Perry said.

Thompson said she raised her technical point because she was concerned the resolution could be used for political reasons. She said politicians could use legislative support for states' rights under the 10th Amendment to push back against federal programs such as the Children's Health Insurance Program and Unemployment Insurance.

End of Session: Texas Legislature Bills to Watch

2009-05-20T04:43:00.003-05:00

End of 81st Legislative Session – Bills of interest.
Look up Bills and watch live sessions at http://www.capitol.state.tx.us

For fun, go watch the House during one of their sessions.

HB 300 by Representative Isett. “Relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas Department of Transportation, including the transfer of certain functions to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.”
(This is a Bill that might end up carrying legislation that will allow the State to sell the “Choose Life” license plates. Unbelievably, the message to "Choose Life" is proving very controversial in Austin.)
Companions: SB 1019 Hegar (Identical)

HB 2511 by Representative Todd Smith. “Relating to political contributions to and political expenditures made by or on behalf of candidates, officeholder, and political committees.”
(This Bill would severely restrict free speech and political activity by individuals and non-profit organizations. )

Bill History: 05-15-09 H Passed (Vote: Y: 71/N: 63)

HB 2525 by Representative Todd Smith. “Relating to political expenditures made by a corporation or labor organization to finance the establishment and administration of a political committee.”
(Less controversial bill that lays out conditions for corporations and unions that finance political activity.)
Bill History: 05-15-09 H Passed on local calendar (Vote: Y:144/N: 0)

HB 2585 by Representative Hartnett. “Relating to advance directives.”
(Sets requirements for electronic signatures and notarization of advance directives to physicians for end of life care, instead of requiring a hand signature in front of a number of impartial witnesses.)
Bill History: 05-14-09 S Received in the Senate - Referred to Senate Health and Human Services

HB 3097 by Representative McClendon. sponsored in the Senate by Carona. “Relating to the creation, organization, duties, and functions of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles; providing a penalty.”
(One of the Bills that may be amended to allow the “Choose Life” license plate – as part of the overall State budget.)
Bill History: 05-18-09 S Placed on the Senate Intent Calendar for SB 1 (Senate Finance Committee Chairman Senator Ogden and House Appropriations Committee Chair Representative Pitts as part of the General Appropriations Bill for the 2010-2011 biennium.)
Bill History: 05-18-09 H Conference committee set for 8:00 a.m., E1.036

SB 73 by Senator Nelson. “Relating to the establishment of an adult stem cell research program.”
This Bill would focus State tax funds on the coordination and support of non-destructive adult stem cell research, including induced pluripotent stem cells, cord blood stem cells, stem cells from bone marrow and other organs from patients and unrelated donors, and stem cell banking.
Bill History: 05-13-09 S Reported from committee as substituted Senate Health and Human Services

SB 182 by Senator Dan Patrick. “Relating to informed consent to an abortion.
Companions: HB 36 by Representative Frank Corte (Identical)
(This is the “Ultrasound Bill,” that has been amended to require an abortionist to offer a woman the chance to see her Ultrasound before the abortion. Testimony in committees has documented that the medical standard of care is to do an ultrasound before abortions to check on where the embryo or fetus is and to determine the age of the child.)

Bill History: 05-11-09 H Referred to House Committee on House State Affairs

SB 1507 By Senator Carona “Relating to motor vehicles.”
Companions: HB 4677 by Representative Phillips (Identical)
(These are Bills that could potentially create the “Choose Life” license plate.)
Bill History: 05-14-09 H Reported from committee as substituted House Transportation

SB 1600 By Senator Watson. “Relating to the creation of a database to track specialized technology research projects conducted by public universities, public university research facilities, and other state institutions.”
Companions: HB 4329 by Representative Strama (Identical)
(The research in question is stem cell research of all kinds – to keep track of what is being done in Texas.)
Bill History: 05-14-09 H Voted favorably from House Technology/Economic Dev/Workforce committee as substituted.

SB 1636 By Senator Carona “Relating to registration and license plate fees for motor vehicles.”
Companions: HB 4676 by Representative Phillips (Identical)
(Another Bill that may be used to create the “Choose Life” license plate.)
Bill History: 05-12-09 H Meeting set for 8:00 a.m., E2.014 House Transportation

SB 1663 By Senator Wentworth. “Relating to the disregard or violation of a resident's advance directive by a nursing institution.”
The original Bill would have forced nursing homes to exclude from their staff any doctor who did not strictly follow patient’s Advance Directive. For instance, if a patient breaks his hip, we ignore the “no intubation” Advance Directive in order to go to surgery. The Bill was amended to allow a conscience clause that is already in Federal Medicaid and Medicare regulations.
Bill History: 05-15-09 H Referred to House Committee on House Human Services

SB 2571 By Senator Shapiro. “Relating to informed and voluntary consent for an abortion and the collection and reporting of information related to the performance of an abortion.”
There is currently no reporting on the social circumstances and reasons for abortions in the State. This Bill would help us understand the reasons and stresses that cause women and girls in Texas to have abortions, in order to help those we can and to decrease the numbers of abortions in Texas. The duty would only be placed on the abortion doctor, not on the woman.
Companions: HB 3796 By Representative Morrison. (Identical)
5-11-09 H Reported from committee as substituted House State Affairs
Bill History: 05-15-09 S Placed on the Senate Intent Calendar

SB 2573 By Senator Ogden “Relating to annual reports by certain agencies conducting, funding, or supporting biomedical research.”
A bill to track funding of stem cell research by State Agencies.
Bill History: 05-15-09 H Referred to House Committee on House State Affairs

Republican Platforms on Life, Liberty and the Declaration of Independence

2009-05-20T04:35:00.002-05:00

We sometimes forget that the right to life trumps the right to liberty and how basic that right is to our Nation's history and our Party's identity. In support of this fact, here's the information that I included in the May Legislative update for the New Braunfels Republican Women:

THE UNANIMOUS DECLARATION OF THE THIRTEEN UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776.

WHEN, in the Course of human Events, it becomes necessary for one People to dissolve the Political Bands which have connected them with another, and to assume, among the Powers of the Earth, the separate and equal Station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's GOD entitle them, a decent Respect to the Opinions of Mankind requires that they should declare the Causes which impel them to the Separation.
We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their CREATOR, with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its Foundation on such Principles, and organizing its Powers in such Form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate, that Governments long established, should not be changed for light and transient Causes; and accordingly all Experience hath shewn, that Mankind are more disposed to suffer, while Evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the Forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long Train of Abuses and Usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a Design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their Right, it is their Duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future Security.

Republican Party National Platform, 2008
http://www.gop.com/2008Platform/Values.htm
Maintaining The Sanctity and Dignity of Human Life
Faithful to the first guarantee of the Declaration of Independence, we assert the inherent dignity and sanctity of all human life and affirm that the unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed. We support a human life amendment to the Constitution, and we endorse legislation to make clear that the Fourteenth Amendment’s protections apply to unborn children. We oppose using public revenues to promote or perform abortion and will not fund organizations which advocate it. We support the appointment of judges who respect traditional family values and the sanctity and dignity of innocent human life.
We have made progress. The Supreme Court has upheld prohibitions against the barbaric practice of partial-birth abortion. States are now permitted to extend health-care coverage to children before birth. And the Born Alive Infants Protection Act has become law; this law ensures that infants who are born alive during an abortion receive all treatment and care that is provided to all newborn infants and are not neglected and left to die. We must protect girls from exploitation and statutory rape through a parental notification requirement. We all have a moral obligation to assist, not to penalize, women struggling with the challenges of an unplanned pregnancy. At its core, abortion is a fundamental assault on the sanctity of innocent human life. Women deserve better than abortion. Every effort should be made to work with women considering abortion to enable and empower them to choose life. We salute those who provide them alternatives, including pregnancy care centers, and we take pride in the tremendous increase in adoptions that has followed Republican legislative initiatives.
Respect for life requires efforts to include persons with disabilities in education, employment, the justice system, and civic participation. In keeping with that commitment, we oppose the non-consensual withholding of care or treatment from people with disabilities, as well as the elderly and infirm, just as we oppose euthanasia and assisted suicide, which endanger especially those on the margins of society. Because government should set a positive standard in hiring and contracting for the services of persons with disabilities, we need to update the statutory authority for the AbilityOne program, the main avenue by which those productive members of our society can offer high quality services at the best possible value.

Republican Party of Texas Platform, 2008
http://www.texasgop.org/site/PageServer?pagename=library_home p. 12-13

PROTECTING INNOCENT HUMAN LIFE
Party Candidates and the Platform on Protecting Innocent Human Life - We implore our Party to support, financially or with in-kind contributions, only those candidates who support protecting innocent human life. Further, we strongly encourage the State Republican Executive Committee to hear and recognize the longstanding and overwhelmingly consistent voice of the grass roots and revise its by-laws to make this action binding on our Party.

Partial Birth Abortion – We oppose partial birth abortion. We recommend that Congress eliminate from all federal court jurisdictions all cases involving challenges to banning Partial Birth Abortion.

Right To Life – All innocent human life must be respected and safeguarded from fertilization to natural death; therefore, the unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed. We affirm our support for a Human Life Amendment to the Constitution and to make clear that the Fourteenth Amendment’s protection applies to unborn children. We support the Life at Conception Act. We oppose the use of public revenues and/or facilities for abortion or abortion–related services. We support the elimination of public funding for organizations that advocate or support abortion. We are resolute regarding the reversal of Roe v. Wade. We affirm our support for the appointment and election of judges at all levels of the judiciary who respect traditional family values and the sanctity of innocent human life. We insist that the U.S. Department of Justice needs to prosecute hospitals or abortion clinics for committing induced labor (live birth) abortion. We are opposed to genocide, euthanasia, and assisted suicide. We oppose legislation allowing the withholding of nutrition and hydration to the terminally ill or handicapped.

Until our final goal of total Constitutional rights for the unborn child is achieved, we beseech the Texas Legislature in consideration of our state’s rights, to enact laws that restrict and regulate abortion including:
1. parental and informed consent;
2. prohibition of abortion for gender selection;
3. prohibition of abortion due to the results of genetic diagnosis
4. licensing, liability, and malpractice insurance for abortionists and abortion facilities;
5. prohibition of financial kickbacks for abortion referrals;
6. prohibition of partial birth and late term abortions; and
7. enactment of any other laws which will advance the right to life for unborn children.

Governor Appoints Patti Johnson to State Commission on Judicial Conduct

2009-05-07T12:09:00.000-05:00

Gov. Perry Appoints Johnson to State Commission on Judicial Conduct

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry has appointed Patti H. Johnson of Canyon Lake to the State Commission on Judicial Conduct for a term to expire Nov. 19, 2011. The commission investigates allegations of judicial misconduct or judicial disability and disciplines judges.

Johnson is owner of Patti Kaykes Enterprises. She is a member of the 100 Club of Comal County Board of Directors and State Board for Educator Certification. She is also a member of the Comal County Citizen Sheriff’s Alumni Academy and co-chair of their Law Enforcement Week Committee, and chair of the Annual Canyon Lake 9/11 Freedom Walk. Johnson received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin. She replaces Connie de la Garza of Harlingen.

This appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.

The answer is "All of the Above"

2009-05-04T08:05:00.002-05:00

The Answer is “All of the Above,” A Political Puzzling Choice Quiz

This was my "Legislative Update" to the New Braunfels Republican Women at our April 20, 2009 meeting. I encouraged the members to keep up to date and let our Legislators know how they feel about the issues.

Here are online sources for finding more information and ways to contact your Legislators:

www.Thomas.gov (for information on Federal legislation and ways to contact Senators and Congressmen in Washington, DC)
and
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us (To look at legislation and contact information on the State level.)

Research has shown that performing Internet searches is a great brain exercise, at least as good as cross word puzzles and math puzzles! Go exercise!

Here's the quiz:

1. Ronald Reagan said,

a. The problem is not that people are taxed too little, the problem is that government spends too much.
b. Government always finds a need for whatever money it gets.
c. Government does not solve problems; it subsidizes them.
d. The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help.
e. No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth!

2. New Braunfels Republican Women living in the city limits

a. Vote in Comal County and are represented by State Representative Doug Miller, District 73 and State Senator Jeff Wentworth, Senate District 25
b. Vote in Guadalupe County and are represented by State Representative Edmund Kuempel, House District 44, and State Senator Judith Zaffirini, Senate District 21
c. Are members of the Texas Federation of Republican Women and the National Federation of Republican Women.
d. Meet on the third Monday of every month, except for June and July.
e. Should be members of the Republican Party of Texas

3. The Texas Legislature

a. Meets every other year or whenever the Governor calls a special session.
b. Meets for 140 days in Regular Session.
c. Consists of the 31 member Senate and the 150 member House of Representatives.
d. Is threatening to punish the Governor for refusing “Stimulus funds” by passing laws to remove all of his funding for his office staff, supplies, and the Enterprise Fund for encouraging Texas business.
e. Is considering Senate Bill 1098/House Bill 109 creating the Texas “Choose Life” license plate, SB 182/HB 36 supporting a woman’s right to see her ultrasound before an abortion (trust me, the abortionists do one for their convenience), HCR 50 affirming the 10th Amendment of the Constitution and State Sovereignty, HB 2511 wrongly restricting campaign contributions and advocacy, SB 2275 stripping the power of the elected State Board of Education (giving it a Commissioner of Education), and SB 315 from Senator Wentworth that would create a “fair and balanced” commission to oversee redistricting (consisting of 2 Democrats from the House, 2 from the Senate, 2 Republicans and 2 Democrats from each body and a 9th member elected by the first 8).
4. Obama administration nominees who have had problems paying their taxes are
a. Secretary of the Treasury, Timothy Geitner (“the smartest man” the President could find to head the Department of the Treasury in these trying times).
b. Former nominee to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, former Senator Tom Daschle.
c. Former nominee to the Secretary of Commerce, Governor Bill Richardson.
d. It would be easier to name the ones that haven’t had tax problems.

6. Recent actions of the Obama administration include
a. The Environmental Protection Agency’s 133 page report declaring Carbon Dioxide a pollutant and a health hazard. (You produce and exhale Carbon Dioxide. Ignore the fact that there’s been a cooling trend the last few years. Ignore the decreased loss of ice at the North and South Poles. Ignore the increased ice at the poles – because it’s new ice. Let’s tax breathing.)
b. Obama aides ignored or denied knowledge of the Tea Parties on April 15. Now, David Axelrod, has declared them “unhealthy.” (See “a.”)
c. Notified Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn that in spite of the Constitutional role of the Senate to “Advise and Consent” to judicial nominees at the Federal level, they will no longer be allowed to nominate judges from Texas. The Democratic legislators from the House of Representatives will now nominate and vet judicial candidates from Texas.
d. By executive order of the President, suspended the enforcement of Department of Health and Human Services “Conscience” regulations that would protect doctors, nurses, and pharmacists from being forced to carry out actions that violated the health care workers’ moral or religious beliefs.
e. Released an unclassified report from the Department of Homeland Security, “Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment,” stating that “Right wing extremists” might be recruiting veterans, gun owners, anti-abortion activists, anti-same-sex-marriage, advocates, anti-tax activists and those who don’t like illegal immigration, “as well as law-abiding Americans.”
This product is one of a series of intelligence assessments published by the Extremism and Radicalization Branch to facilitate a greater understanding of the phenomenon of violent radicalization in the United States. The information is provided to federal, state, local, and tribal counterterrorism and law enforcement officials so they may effectively deter, prevent, preempt, or respond to terrorist attacks against the United States. Federal efforts to influence domestic public opinion must be conducted in an overt and transparent manner, clearly identifying United States Government sponsorship.
The report opens with the statement that there is no evidence for and there have been no incidents to back up their fears, but they’re certain that all of us are upset about the “historic” outcome of the election of an African American President.

Vanity: Friday news story speculation

2009-04-17T12:56:00.003-05:00

Are all the hyped stories about "harsh" interrogations there just to distract from the Tea Parties and Napolitano's naming us all as potential terrorists or are they hiding a bigger story that's just under the radar?

Thomas More Law Center files lawsuit against Napolitano over "Right Wing Extremists" policy

2009-04-17T10:32:00.004-05:00

The Department of Homeland Security ignored their advisors in civil liberties and published a document that points to prolife, profamily, pro-Second amendment and veteran activists as potential "terrorists."

For a pdf version of the DHS report, 'Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment,' click here.

The Thomas More Law Center has filed a lawsuit because the DHS' "recently publicized Intelligence Assessment, 'Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment,' violates the civil liberties of combat veterans as well as American citizens by targeting them for disfavored treatment on account of their political beliefs."

Michelle Malkin verified that the report is actually from the Department of Homeland Security. The Washington Times discussion on the policy is here. For a left-wing look at the report, see the Huffington Post.

New Braunfels Tea Party (Thanks Ruth)

2009-04-15T15:36:00.002-05:00

KSAT 12 estimated "over 300" attended. See their video, here, as long as it lasts. Bucky Smith says 800. What do y'all think?

Ruth Pharis deserves our praise and gratitude. Larry Nuckols helped when he could, along with many others who gave money, time and talent.

I am so proud of the Conservative Grassroots New Braunsfelers!!!!

Bus to San Antonio Tea Party from New Braunfels

2009-04-11T00:47:00.002-05:00

Ruth Pharis let me know that she's working on the *second* bus for the trip on Wednesday, April 15! The people on the first bus have already given her the money.

Ted Nugent will sing the National Anthem in front of the Alamo, and Glen Beck will say a few words.

You can RSVP to Ruth at rpharis@satx.rr.com

Remember, Ruth is just one person, the Party is in 4 days, if you want a seat on that second bus, let her know and be prepared to get her the money as soon as possible.

Bus Trip to Alamo Tea Party - Get your red ready!

2009-04-04T06:55:00.002-05:00

From Ruth Pharis:

I’ve contacted a bus line to see about taking a group to the San Antonio tea party where Glenn Beck will speak. Their party is from 5 to 7 so we could leave here around 3:00. The cost would be $10.00 per person. This in no way affects our party. It will go on as planned. We would just add to the SA group to make a really big show.
Ruth
Let Ruth know - you can rsvp in the comments section, here. I'll ask Ruth how she wants to be contacted and then let you know!

(Some of us will not be able to make it because of the Bulverde Area Women Republican's meeting that night or because we're going up to Austin a bit early for the Texas Federation of Republican Women's Legislative Day.)

Obama refuses Texas Senators' Judicial "Advise and Consent"

2009-04-01T18:17:00.002-05:00

President Obama has let it be known that he will use Representatives rather than Senators for vetting Federal judicial nominees in Texas.

This bypasses the traditional and Constitutional role of Senators to "Advise and Consent" for judicial nominees.

Are we at the point of "high handedness" or abuse of office, yet?

From the Dallas Morning News (free registration required):

WASHINGTON – A day after the White House said it will consider only those Texas judicial nominees who get the nod from Texas Democrats in Congress, Sen. John Cornyn refused to be bypassed.

"The day that we elect a Democrat to the United States Senate in Texas, they are entitled to function as they would with a Democratic president," he said Thursday. "I'm not going to delegate my responsibility to anybody else."

But the White House stood by the policy announced Wednesday: Only candidates screened and approved by Texas Democrats will be considered for judge, U.S. attorney or federal marshal.

Cornyn and fellow Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison each met Thursday morning with White House counsel Greg Craig to clarify their role and remind him that senators can block home-state nominees in committee through the "blue slip" procedure.

"Nobody needed to rattle any sabers, and that certainly that wasn't my goal," Cornyn told reporters a few hours later. "There's a little bit of a misunderstanding. ... I think you'll see a written clarification from the White House."

Not so, said White House spokesman Ben LaBolt.

"There will be no further written clarification," he said. "We don't think there's any confusion."

Hutchison declined to comment, and Cornyn could not be reached to respond to the White House's reaction.

Tea Party Update - April 15, 2009 11 AM to 1 PM

2009-03-31T10:45:00.001-05:00

Our New Braunfels Tea Party will be at the Plaza in downtown New Braunfels from 11 AM to 1 PM.

We've shortened the official time due to the constraints of obtaining a permit from the City.

We hope you will come early and bring signs and your US flags. Please park away from the main Plaza, Seguin and San Antonio streets if you're able to walk, so that there will be more room for those who are less able, for traffic and so that the city will be happy.

Please watch this site for updates as our leader, Ruth Pharis, finalizes the plans.

Urgent Action Items

2009-03-30T05:49:00.002-05:00

Doctor with a conscience? The New England Journal of Medicine says, "Do not practice women's health."

Also, the Texas Senate moves to limit Embryonic stem cells.

Urgent news for the Comal County covered in my Bioethics (the new name for what used to be medical ethics) blog, LifeEthics.org.

Remember when medicine was to "First do no harm," and to help people?

That's old news, according to this "commentary," published online March 25, 2009. It will be in the April 9 printed issue of the New England Journal of Medicine:

Medicine needs to embrace a brand of professionalism that demands less self-interest, not more. Conscientious objection makes sense with conscription, but it is worrisome when professionals who freely chose their field parse care and withhold information that patients need. As the gatekeepers to medicine, physicians and other health care providers have an obligation to choose specialties that are not moral minefields for them. Qualms about abortion, sterilization, and birth control? Do not practice women's health. Believe that the human body should be buried intact? Do not become a transplant surgeon. Morally opposed to pain medication because your religious beliefs demand suffering at the end of life? Do not train to be an intensivist. Conscience is a burden that belongs to the individual professional; patients should not have to shoulder it. (Emphasis is mine.)

This woman not only invents a religion that requires suffering at the end of life, but she equates the technology, planning and carrying out of the intentional and elective instrumental or medical ending of a nascent human life with giving a pain medication to a suffering patient.

April 9th is the last day to send comments to the Department of Health and Human Services on the Obama Administration's efforts to overturn conscience protection in the US. Please take the time to register your views. Easy access to several ways to let yourself be heard are available at the Freedom2Care website set up by the Christian Medical Association, the Family Research Council, and many, many more pro-life, pro-family organizations. http://www.freedom2care.org/

Also, see the story from earlier today. We need to let our State Rep and, especially, our State Senator know that we support Senator Ogden's budget rider that would not allow State research funds to be spent to destroy human embryos. This is urgent, because Senators Wentworth, Van de Putte and Zaffirini could very well vote in favor of such research and against any limits if we don't call, today! The Senate will vote this week - possibly Monday or Tuesday!!!!

Thanks for spreading the news!

2009-03-25T22:34:00.000-05:00

A CALL TO ACTION
Photo ID (SB 362) has passed the Senate and will be heard in the House Elections Committee on April 6th (invited testimony) and April 7th (public testimony). If you want the Voter ID Legislation to pass this year this is what I need you to do. Contact all your supporters and have them begin calling their State Representatives Offices and register their support for Voter ID legislation specifically SB 362 which is to be heard in the House Elections Committee on April 6th and 7th . If you have a Democrat State Rep. they especially need to be called just don’t mention that you are a Republican, just that you are a voter in their District and that you want them to support Voter ID. You might mention that recent polling data shows that the majority of the VOTERS in their District support showing a PHOTO ID to vote.

THIS IS OF THE HIGHEST IMPORTANCE SO PLEASE FOLLOW THRU AND GET YOUR WORKERS BUSY.

Thanks for your efforts ,it will not get done if YOU don’t help.

SKIPPER WALLACE
TRCCA LEGISLATIVE CHAIRMAN
Lampasas County Chair
SREC Member SD24

(T.axed E.nough A.lready) New Braunfels Tea Party

2009-03-25T21:50:00.002-05:00

Taxed Enough Already!
Tax Day Tea Party on April 15, 2009 from 10:00am - 2:00pm
Where: gather around our local plaza and down the main street into town.

Let's line Sequin street all the way to the Post Office, where some people will be going to mail off their taxes.

Republican Club meeting March 30

2009-03-25T06:43:00.001-05:00

PROMOTING FAITH, FAMILY AND FREEDOM

SPEAKER

KEN MERCER

TEXAS EDUCATION BOARD MEMBER

MONDAY,

MARCH 30, 2009

GVTC Auditorium

7PM

Did you remember to RENEW your Membership?

DEADLINE MARCH 31

Now more than ever we must stay informed and united in an effort to defeat the Liberals now in office.

Public Hearing without the Public

2009-03-23T15:13:00.006-05:00

Someone needs to warn the people of El Paso. I sure wish they'd warned me!

On Saturday, March 21, I wasted a day at a hearing of the Select Committee on Federal Economic Stabilization Funding, chaired by Representative Jim Dunnam (D-Waco). The published intent was “to accept public testimony related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act” (the “Stimulus Bill”). In fact, there wasn’t much “public” in the agenda at all.

The Committee isn’t scheduled to come to Comal County, so I drove to San Antonio City Hall. I ransacked my car to find coins for 2 hours on the parking meter and even changed a dollar for another group who were on their way to the hearing, too.

The meeting began a little after 10:00, with the introduction of local City Council members and a few Democratic State Representatives who each gave a speech. There were no Republican members present, as far as I could tell. Next, Chairman Dunnam gave his own speech criticizing Governor Perry and introduced a video that explained how desperately Texas needs “Stimulus.”

It soon became obvious that the speakers called to the front were employees of the City, the State, and of non-government organizations like the AFL-CIO and VIA. Most begged for a share of the stimulus money by reading their prepared testimony. The Representatives and City Council members each responded with a speech praising the speakers and each other, describing their constituents as victims, and criticizing the Republican Governor and Legislators for not handing the victims all the money in the State.
I sent a note to Dunnam at 11:00 to tell him that some of us were paying by the hour to park and that he should call us before the public employees who probably didn’t have to pay to park. There was no response or change. Around 11:30, I moved my car into a $10 all day lot.

Ironically, Representative Dunnam later griped at a local Texas Department of Transportation employee. Dunnam said that TxDOT is “unresponsive” to the public!

Several speakers reported that the agency charged with handling the Stimulus funds set aside for “weatherization” was overwhelmed with managing the huge amount of money they have already received, neglecting other duties. Many wished they could have some of that money and resources, now, while waiting for their Stimulus funds.
Dunnam started calling members of the actual Public after 3 PM. After calling 3 or 4 volunteer of the 10 or so who had managed to stick it out for 5 hours, the Chair announced that the earlier “public testimony” had actually consisted of “invited testimony” chosen by the local State Representatives. Then, as though his work was finished, he turned the meeting over to someone else and left to attend his daughter’s debutante ball in Waco.

This falsely named “public hearing” and the ones in Dallas, Houston, and El Paso cost a lot of taxpayer money, far beyond our time and parking fees. When – if ever - will the tax-paying Public, tired of this kind of waste and abuse of power, actually be heard?

Executive Committee Meeting

2009-03-20T12:31:00.001-05:00

REPUBLICAN PARTY OF COMAL COUNTY

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

681 South Highway 46, Suite F

New Braunfels, Texas 78130

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Time: 6:30 P.M.

Post questions or concerns in our comments section.

Texas Federation of Republican Women -New Braunfels Republican Women Announcement

2009-03-16T04:12:00.002-05:00

This is the meet up information for the New Braunfels Republican Women:

WEAR RED DAY

TFRW Legislative Day Thursday April 16, 2009

The Day includes:

Breakfast

Visit to the Capitol

Silent Auction

Luncheon

Meet the potential candidates for U. S. Senate

Workshops

Go to: www.TFRW.org and click on TFRW Legislative Day for information, registration forms and to order your red pashmina for just $25.00. NBRW will pay one half of your registration cost. We will meet on the 16th at the Market Place Mall at 7 am and car pool to Austin.

Doctors without consciences

2009-03-16T01:48:00.003-05:00

President Obama has overturned many of the pro-life, pro-family regulations and rulings of the Bush Administration. One of these is the rule that synthesized existing law to protect doctors, nurses, pharmacists from being discriminated against for refusing to violate their consciences by performing or referring for abortion or sterilization.

The "Rescission of the Regulation Entitled 'Ensuring That Department of Health and Human Services Funds Do Not Support Coercive or Discriminatory Policies or Practices in Violation of Federal Law'” was posted on the Federal Register on March 10th, with the announcement of a 30 day period in which to comment. The full announcement can be read here. (PDF Acrobat document)

Please consider taking a look at the website Freedom2Care and my Blog, LifeEthics.org, to learn more about the problem of restricting conscience and for the opportunity to let the Administration and Health and Human Services Secretary Sebelius know how you feel.

To send a comment directly to the HHS, go to the website, http://www.Regulations.gov and fill in the form there or send an email to proposedrescission@hhs.gov.

Voter ID Rally at the Capitol

2009-03-07T23:29:00.002-06:00

There will be a rally in Austin next Tuesday (March 10th) in support of Senate Bill 362 which would require that each voter show photo identification before being able to cast a vote. Supporters of the bill will be gathering early on the south side of the Capital to go to the Senate Chamber gallery. But (if you are not an early riser) testimony will be taken throughout the day.

Details are in the following bulletin, which was sent out by the state Republican Party.

Share this with friends and family who might want to know about this.

And you can contact our state senator, Jeff Wentworth, and let him know that you support this bill. Contact information is located at this site.

Just like Colonel Travis drew his line in the sand at the Alamo...the battle lines have been drawn in the Texas Legislature.

Despite huge bipartisan support for Voter ID legislation, Texas Democrats are determined to keep it bottled up once again this session. These liberal legislators are on the wrong side of election integrity -- fighting against 70% of Texas citizens and even their very own Jimmy Carter!

Will you stand up to their tired tactics of denial, delay, and disinformation?

Will you join your fellow Republicans in Austin on Tuesday, March 10th?

If you're not familiar with the urgency of election integrity, please check out our brief online video. Maybe you can even share this with friends and family who might want to know more.

Perhaps you would even go one step further with a special emergency contribution to The Republican Party of Texas. Your gift right now will replenish our funds for grassroots lobbying efforts to pass the Voter ID bill once and for all.

This is one of the best chances we will have to let our voices be heard concerning the issue of voter identification. What can you do?

1 - Show up on the south side of the Capitol at 7:45am on Tuesday. Wear RED!! We have to show up early in order to go through security for the gallery in the Senate chamber.

Parking information is available at: http://www.tspb.state.tx.us/SPB/Plan/Parking.htm

If you cannot be there at 7:45am, that is fine. Testimony will be taken throughout the day. Proceed to the 2nd Floor, East Wing, and sign up at the table in front of the Senate Chamber to testify.

If you don't wish to speak, but want to register your support, this is needed as well. On the card you complete at the table, indicate SB 362, just check "Support," and "Does not wish to provide oral testimony."

2 - If you are willing to testify in front of the committee, contact Eric Opiela at idwitness@texasgop.org. You can also sign in at the committee hearing as "in favor" of SB 362 without having to actually testify.

3 - If you cannot attend on Tuesday, you can submit written testimony that will be handed in to the committee. Please forward it to Eric Opiela at idwitness@texasgop.org.

4 - Call your state senator and urge him or her to support SB 362. Contact information can be found here: http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/Senate/Members.htm.

This is an issue that many citizens, regardless of ideology, very strongly support. Even if you have never testified before a legislative committee, we urge you to come out and support voter ID by joining us at the Capitol on Tuesday, March 10 at 7:45am.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SPREAD THE WORD. We need to get the word out to as many people as possible, especially in the central Texas area!!

More Pictures from NB Tea Party

2009-03-07T22:50:00.001-06:00

Pictures of the NB Tea Party

2009-03-07T22:45:00.001-06:00

Thanks Ruth and everyone!

Spending vs. SPENDING that kills

2009-03-07T07:05:00.005-06:00

Anonymous 1 asked us how the Obama spending differs from that scape goat of so many, President Bush.

I ask Anon: Even if the two types of spending (defending our Nation in Iraq vs. pork and redistribution of the wealth within our country) were equivalent, do two wrongs make a right?

However, the big problem with this month's spending is

1.) The sheer size.

a)$1 trillion plus for bailout. Another Trillion "Stimulus."

b) A $3.6 Trillion budget proposal for 2010 --- for one year!

c) The Omnibus budget bill will only cover until Oct -- it's still half a trillion.

The Bush Administration spent too much. But, the deficit has doubled in just 6 weeks of the Obama administration.

2.) The choices:

a) $20 Million to pay for Immigration and support on US soil for Gaza Refugees who will now have better benefits and larger monthly payments than some of our citizens who worked all their lives in the US and are now totally dependent on Social Security and Medicare.

b)$900 Million more for relief and rebuilding in Gaza -- you know, the home of the Palestinian National Army that lobs bombs in to Israeli cities during truces.

c) Secretary of State Clinton told us that we shouldn't worry about the human rights abuses in China (Tibet, forced abortion and infanticide, sex selection of babies) because we need them to keep on loaning us money. (And don't think about how much of our land that China owns -- or how many of our ports China controls since Clinton's hubby was President. Look up the Clinton-Chinese dealings on Long Beach California.)

Tea Party in the Herald Zeitung

2009-03-06T10:00:00.002-06:00

We got a black and white picture and article on page 9A in the HZ, today. The picture is of Ruth Pharris, holding her poster, "This is all the Change I have left!" You can see some of the rest of us behind her.

You can read the article on line here.

National Federation of Republican Women on More Dem Spending

2009-03-05T20:10:00.002-06:00

The National Federation of Republican Women sends out a "Talking Point Bulletin" each day. If you're a member of one of the Republican Women's clubs, it's worth subscribing to, here. (You have to send an email, asking for the password, then enter the site to sign up. It's easier than it sounds.)

As we dig into the President's budget, more emerges:

1) Remember the President stating his budget "identified $2 trillion in savings over the next decade?" It actually increases spending by $1 trillion. But he classifies as "savings" $1.4 trillion in tax increases (apparently savings for the government, not for you) and $1.5 trillion "saved" in Iraq relative to a fantasy baseline that otherwise assumes current spending levels forever. The Iraq gimmick is the equivalent of a family deciding to "save" $10,000 by first assuming an expensive vacation and then not taking it.

2) Real federal spending per household - $24,000 before the recession - would reach $33,000 per household by 2019. Between 2008 and 2013, the $5.7 trillion in new debt will come to $48,000 per household.

3) It is easy to "cut the deficit in half" after you've quadrupled it. Furthermore, three upcoming developments - the end of the recession, troop pullout in Iraq, and phase-out of the supposedly-temporary "stimulus" spending - would, by themselves, cut the 2013 budget deficit in half. President Bush was slammed for averaging $300 billion budget deficits while funding a war. President Obama will be praised for running $500 billion deficits in 2013 at a time of (assumed) peace and prosperity.

4) The President's budget proposes a new PAYGO law - and then violates it by $3.4 trillion.

5) The tax increases are staggering. The President would raise taxes by $1 trillion on the top 2.5 million tax filers. That comes to $400,000 per tax filer over ten years. And despite these harsh tax hikes (and a $646 billion cap-and-trade tax hike), the President's rosy budget assumes a much faster economic recovery than CBO or the Blue Chip Consensus.

Source- Brian Riedl is Grover M. Hermann Fellow in Federal Budgetary Affairs in the Thomas A. Roe Institute for Economic Policy Studies at the Heritage Foundation.

ACT NOW!

At least two Democratic senators said they will vote against the $410 billion omnibus spending package, raising the possibility that other senators could join them. Sen. Russ Feingold and Sen. Evan Bayh both came out against the bill.

Other Democratic senators have expressed concern about the omnibus spending package. These are Sen. Mary Landrieu, Sen. Ben Nelson, Sen. Claire McCaskill, Sen. Mark Warner, Sen. Bill Nelson, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Sen. Mark Pryor, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, Sen. Robert Casey Jr., Sen. Blanche Lincoln, Sen. Joseph Lieberman, and Sen. Jon Tester.

Click here to obtain a phone list of all the Democratic senators and ask them to vote against the omnibus spending package.

Great turn out for the Tea Party

2009-03-05T14:13:00.004-06:00

We had at least 30 to 40 at any given time, sometimes more as people came and went. KSAT 12 was there, as was a newspaper reporter. One family had 4 generations present!

God Bless America, God bless our New Braunfels Conservatives!

Thank you, Ruth and all the loyal Republicans. Thank you to all the people who honked and gave us a thumbs up as they passed.

Very few people were negative. Much less than 1 in 100, is my guess.

Send me pictures! I (as usual) forgot to take pictures.
(Now, I'm going to take a nap)

Larry Nuckols answers Democrats in Herald-Zeitung

2009-03-04T08:20:00.003-06:00

Today's paper has a front page article about the Democrats' meeting last night. (I hope this spurs on a few of you to attend our Tea Party tomorrow.)

Larry got a call about 10 PM last night from the journalist. Their 15 minute talk was condensed to a sound bite. But it's a good sound bite!

By the way, the article ends on page 8A. Just across, on 9A, is an article outlining the 3.6 Trillion 2010 Fiscal Budget proposed by Obama.

For more fuel, see my blog LifeEthics.org today, that tells the story of the future of American Medicine that should remind us what we're fighting for.

More pictures from the San Antonio Tea Party

2009-03-03T23:05:00.004-06:00

Even more pictures can be seen here.

New Braunfels Tea Party Rally Cry

2009-03-03T22:04:00.004-06:00

Conservatives are meeting on the New Braunfels Downtown Plaza, with flags and posters - and our red shirts to show how mad we are about the economy that is also in the red.

Are you fed up

1. with the fact that your retirement savings shrink a little more every the President or the Secretary of the Treasury make a speech,
2. with the Stimulus that is full of Pork (that the President claims is not Pork)
3. with the Omnibus budget that has thousands more pork projects to be paid out over the next 6 months,
4. with the Obama Administration's proposed 10 year budget with the cuts in deductibles for charity and home ownership for the same people who will see an increased income tax rate,
5. with the blatant attack on Medicare and Tricare that includes payment for one and only one hospital stay per 30 days, a promised decrease in payments to physicians, not to mention the obvious push toward a National Health Insurance through a new public health plan in addition to Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare and CHIPS,
6. with the $900 Million dollars going to refugees from Gaza due to an Executive Order from the President,
7. and/or with the "cap and trade" tax that will raise the costs of fuel and energy for everyone?

Join our New Braunfels Tea Party on the Plaza for what ever portion of your lunch hour that you can spare to protest, pray, and share ideas for surviving the largest burst of Federal spend and tax in the history of the United States.

Come tell the President, "Thanks a trillion!"

New Braunfels Tea Party Thursday

2009-03-03T17:04:00.003-06:00

Time 11 AM to 1 PM Thursday, March 5, 2009
City Plaza, Downtown New Braunfels

Ruth Pharris started the ball rolling. We're trying to get official authorization. But if we can't, we'll stand on the sidewalks with our signs and American flags.

If any law enforcement officers can volunteer their time, we'd appreciate the help.

Answer here, on the comments. Pass the information on to all your contacts!

Call to action on Voter ID, March 10

2009-03-03T13:38:00.005-06:00

Comal County voters have the potential to be a loud voice in Austin. We live close enough to go to the Capitol for a day (- and far enough away to avoid most of the corruption).

Here's your chance to go to Austin and either sign a card in favor of the Voter ID and observing the testimony or to sign a card and also testifying to our State Senators.

The Texas Federation of Republican Women are asking for our help:

Come to Austin on March 10, 2009 for a
Rally in support of Voter Photo ID

You are needed in Austin next Tuesday, March 10

The Senate convenes at 9:00am that day, and testimony is expected to continue all day long. Please get there as soon as you can on Tuesday, March 10!!

If you can make it early meet on the South steps of the Capitol building at 7:45am.

Wear a red shirt or jacket.

You are welcome to testify, sign up in support of the legislation, submit written testimony, or simply note your presence. If you do testify, the maximum limit could be anywhere from one to three minutes so be prepared to be flexible. Remember to be brief, concise, to the point, and always be respectful and polite.

Your presence is important in order to demonstrate our support to our Senators. Our Representatives will also be watching our support.

Please plan to attend this very important event!

If you can come or have questions, please call Barbara Larson at 713-870-5834 or send an e-mail to barbaralarson@usa.net.

Blog vs. Email list?

2009-03-02T12:10:00.003-06:00

I'm going to try to keep this website more current - and may even start a new blog with the ability to archive our information.

Hit the comment button to let me know whether you are interested in a blog, an email from the Comal County Republican Party once a week or so, and whether you would participate in conversations about current events and issues on line or by email.

Beverly Nuckols

Rush Limbaugh at Conservative Political Action Committee

2009-03-02T11:58:00.005-06:00

This was the best speech I've ever heard. You can read the transcript, here. The video is available from several sources on that page.

Let me tell you who we conservatives are: We love people. When we look out over the United States of America, when we are anywhere, when we see a group of people, such as this or anywhere, we see Americans. We see human beings. We don't see groups. We don't see victims. We don't see people we want to exploit. What we see -- what we see is potential. We do not look out across the country and see the average American, the person that makes this country work. We do not see that person with contempt. We don't think that person doesn't have what it takes. We believe that person can be the best he or she wants to be if certain things are just removed from their path like onerous taxes, regulations and too much government. [Applause]

We want every American to be the best he or she chooses to be. We recognize that we are all individuals. We love and revere our founding documents, the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. [Applause] We believe that the preamble to the Constitution contains an inarguable truth that we are all endowed by our creator with certain inalienable rights, among them life. [Applause] Liberty, Freedom. [Applause] And the pursuit of happiness. [Applause] Those of you watching at home may wonder why this is being applauded. We conservatives think all three are under assault. [Applause] Thank you. Thank you.

We don't want to tell anybody how to live. That's up to you. If you want to make the best of yourself, feel free. If you want to ruin your life, we'll try to stop it, but it's a waste. We look over the country as it is today, we see so much waste, human potential that's been destroyed by 50 years of a welfare state. By a failed war on poverty. [Applause]

We love the people of this country. And we want this to be the greatest country it can be, but we do understand, as people created and endowed by our creator, we're all individuals. We resist the effort to group us. We resist the effort to make us feel that we're all the same, that we're no different than anybody else. We're all different. There are no two things or people in this world who are created in a way that they end up with equal outcomes. That's up to them. They are created equal, given the chance - -[Applause]

We don't hate anybody. We don't -- I mean, the racism in this country, if you ask me, I know many people in this audience -- let me deal with this head on. You know what the cliche is, a conservative: racist, sexist, bigot, homophobe. Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen of America, if you were paying attention, I know you were, the racism in our culture was exclusively and fully on display in the Democrat primary last year. [Applause]

****and ***

They've created class envy in so many average Americans that they love hearing that. Yeah, you get even with those bank guys. How is it going to improve here? Let me ask a question for those of you watching my first national address. Take the favorite villain you've got, maybe it's John Thain at Merrill Lynch, because he used his own money, his company's own money, his company's own money, to redecorate a bathroom in an office for $1.2 million. By the way, to do that he had to hire a contractor. They got paid. Had to hire a designer and buy furniture, that's called stimulus. And he did it.

But all of a sudden John Thain's thrown out. John Thain is thrown out. He's humiliated and embarrassed; how dare he? He did it a year before they took the TARP money. And all these Congressmen are standing up saying this is not going to happen. We are not going to watch these people capping executive pay while Obama tries to live like one. You know, he's trying to emulate the lifestyle he is attacking. That's what liberals do. Two sets of rules: One for them; one for everybody else. But it's coming. See, if you think that John Thain or the Northern Trust CEO, if you love them getting attacked, if you love them being ripped, ask yourself the next day, do you have any more money in your pocket? Is your life any better because that guy got taken out or down by some haughty senator from Massachusetts?
If you ask yourself this, you'll realize your life is no better off. That the Democrats and Obama are asking you to feel better simply on the basis that they're going to get revenge for you, but your life isn't going to improve, somebody else's is just going to be destroyed and they want you to be happy over that. That's sick. And that is not the United States of America.

I love these ideas: we love individuals, protect their life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, and we build up rather than tearing down, when we get a chance.

Citizen Lobbyist Training Thursday in Austin

2009-03-02T11:41:00.004-06:00

Thursday, March 5, the Republican Party of Texas, the Texas Federation of Republican Women, and The Texas Republican County Chairmen's Association will sponsor Citizen Lobbyist Training at the Republican Party of Texas Headquarters in Austin.

Today -- March 1 --- is the last day to RSVP.

From the TXGOP.org website Calendar:

Citizen Lobbyist Training
Texas Public Policy Foundation

Presented by Texas Federation of Republican Women, Republican Party of Texas and Texas Republican County Chairmen's Association. Learn how to be an effective lobbyist for issues that concern you as a citizen. Training will last from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and will be followed by a trip to the Capitol to visit your legislators.

Contact Details for Event Coordinator:
Name: Kathy Jones
Email: kathyjones01@hotmail.com
Phone Number: 830.598.6354

Date: Thursday, March 5, 2009
Time: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Address:
900 Congress, Suite 400
Austin, TX 78701

Alamo Tea Party February 27, 2009

2009-02-27T16:11:00.002-06:00

A bunch of us protest the stimulus bill and stealing from our kid's future, today.

San Antonio Tea Party at the Alamo

2009-02-26T23:19:00.004-06:00

San Antonio's Tea Party will be held at the Alamo on Friday, February 27th at 11 AM to 12 Noon. The sponsors are the Young Republicans of Bexar County.

Bring a tea bag, a flag and wear red. Come early -- Plan on being there from 10:30 to 12:30 -- and let the world know how mad you are about the Pork in the so-called "Stimulus Package."

More information at FreeRepublic.com
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/teaparty/index?tab=articles
and on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=702815723#/event.php?eid=66236159179

Voting Information for Comal County, Texas

2008-10-28T09:34:00.000-05:00

Don't forget that early voting continues through Friday, October 31. Save time and vote today at the County Courthouse in New Braunfels from 7 AM to 7 PM.

You can also vote early on

Tuesday October 28 at the Garden Ridge Community Center (9 AM to 6 PM)
and
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, October 27, 28, and 29(from 9 AM to 6 PM)

at the COMMUNITY RESOURCE & RECREATION CENTER OF CANYON LAKE (in Downtown Sattler, across from the Bakery)

and

at the Bulverde City Hall, 30360 Cougar Bend, Bulverde.

NOVEMBER 4, 2008 COMAL COUNTY GENERAL ELECTION

(More information is available at the Comal County website. There are maps, here. Also, for those in Guadelupe County, your voting sites and sample ballots are posted here.)

Polls are open from 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM

101 COMAL CITY SENIOR CITIZENS CTR 655 LANDA, New Braunfels

102 SEELE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 540 HOWARD, New Braunfels

103 FREEDOM FELLOWSHIP CHURCH 410 OAK RUN POINT, New Braunfels

104 COMMUNITY RESOURCE &
RECREATION CENTER OF CANYON LAKE (Downtown Sattler) in the ACTIVITY BLDG 1941 FM 2673, Sattler

105 CANYON LAKE GOLF & COUNTRY 405 WATTS LANE, Canyon Lake CLUB

106 GUADALUPE VALLEY TELEPHONE CO-OP 36101 FM 3159, Smithsons Valley

107 BILL BROWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 20410 Hwy 46W, Spring Branch

201 PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH HALL 1147 S. WALNUT, New Braunfels

202 COMAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 6720 FM 482, New Braunfels

203 MISSION VALLEY BOWLING CLUB 2311 HWY 46, New Braunfels

204 BULVERDE COMMUNITY CENTER 1747 E. AMMANN RD, Bulverde

205 JAY F. FEIBELMAN GARDEN 21340 FM 3009, Garden Ridge Community Center

206 OAK VILLAGE NORTH FIRE STATION 695 CIRCLE OAK DRIVE, Bulverde

301 LONE STAR SCHOOL GYM 2343 W. SAN ANTONIO ST, New Braunfels

302 ST. PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH 181 S. SANTA CLARA AVE, New Braunfels

303 EAGLES HALL 257 E. SOUTH, New Braunfels

304 FRAZIER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 1441 E. HWY 81, New Braunfels

401 EDEN HOME 631 LAKEVIEW, New Braunfels

402 CHURCH IN THE VALLEY 14181 FM 306 AT Canyon City

403 FISCHER COMMUNITY CENTER 12400 FM 32, Fischer

404 CROSS LUTHERAN CHURCH 2171 E. COMMON ST, New Braunfels

405 SPRING BRANCH COMMUNITY CTR 9996 FM 311, Spring Branch (Next to Fire Dept.)

406 FAITH UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 970 LOOP 337, New Braunfels

Sarah Palin, "Why, thank you!"

2008-10-28T08:44:00.001-05:00

Just to give you a giggle, Click on this:

Comal County Women Support Sarah Palin in San Antonio

2008-10-04T13:25:00.002-05:00

See the post at Republicans Comal County, with pictures and links to videos from our Comal County action on October 3, 2008, to show our support for Sarah Palin.

9-11 Freedom Walk 2008

2008-09-12T03:49:00.002-05:00

The Canyon Lake Republican Women sponsored a Freedom Walk to remember 9-11-2001. In remembrance of the men and women who lost their lives and those who displayed courage after the Nation was attacked by terrorists, we prayed, sang, and pledged allegiance to the flags of the United States and Texas. Those attending walked along the Canyon Lake Dam.

Campaign Headquarters Information

2008-09-09T11:18:00.002-05:00

The new Comal County Republican Campaign Headquarters is open at 645 Walnut Street in New Braunfels. The phone number is 830-626-6415.

Bumperstickers and yard signs are available, as well as information on the candidates and a chance to meet fellow Republicans.

Comal County Republican Convention in News

2008-04-02T10:19:00.001-05:00

The Herald Zeitung reported on our County Convention today. The Print version has a story by Mitzie Stelte and our resolutions from the Convention are published on-line, at the end of the article above.

Meet the Candidates Forum (Election '08 begins!!)

2007-12-28T11:23:00.000-06:00

REPUBLICAN PARTY OF COMAL COUNTY HOSTS “MEET THE CANDIDATES” FORUM AND DRAWING FOR POSITION ON MARCH PRIMARY BALLOT

The Republican Party of Comal County will host a forum on Wednesday, January 2, 2008 to allow County residents to "Meet the Candidates" for the March 4, 2008 Republican Primary, according to announcement from County Chairman Larry Nuckols. The 6:00 PM event will take place at the Landa Haus, 360 Aquatic Circle, in Landa Park, New Braunfels, Texas. Light refreshments will be served.

By State law, the deadline to submit paperwork and fees to the County Chair for the March Republican Party of Comal County Primary is 6:00 PM on January 2, 2008. The nominees who hope to be elected Comal County Republican Party candidate in the November General Election will be given an opportunity to introduce themselves in a brief statement and they or their representatives will also take part in a drawing to determine the order of names on the ballot for each contested race. The drawing gives each nominee the same chance to have her or his name listed first on the ballot.

The Comal County Republican Party is conservative people working to promote the Platform of the Republican Party of Texas in the interest of Faith, Family, Freedom and Smaller Government.

Cheers to Comal County Republican Women

2007-11-13T09:25:00.000-06:00

The Comal County GOP is blessed with lots of women leaders. Aren't we glad when people around the State notice them?

The Texas Federation of Republican Women elected Hazel Roman of Bulverde Vice President of Membership for 2008-2009 and Patty Johnson of Canyon Lake as one of the "Ten Outstanding Women" for 2006-2007 at its 26th Biennial Convention in El Paso, November 9-11, 2007.

“I’m proud to see Hazel and Patty recognized for the rich tradition of leadership within the Comal County Republican Party and Texas Republican women,” said Comal County Republican Chairman Larry Nuckols

The TFRW meets every 2 years to elect officers and rev up the leaders of the local clubs through education, speakers and practical information on how to get out the vote and promote Republican candidates. Representatives from Roman’s Bulverde Area Republican Women, Johnson’s Canyon Lake Republican Women, and the New Braunfels Republican Women joined nearly 400 delegates from Republican Women clubs all over the State of Texas at the Biennial Convention in El Paso November 9 - 11.

Texas officials speaking at the Convention in El Paso this year included Governor Rick Perry, Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst, both Senators John Cornyn and Kay Bailey Hutchison, Attorney General Greg Abbott, Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, Rail Road Commissioner Elizabeth Ames-Jones, Comptroller Susan Combs, our own Representative Nathan Macias, and numerous State Justices, Senators and Representatives. District 12 Senator Jane Nelson of Grapevine served double duty as a delegate and a featured speaker. Quico Conseco of San Antonio served as the announcer for the 3 days of the convention.

In addition to being honored as one of only 10 Outstanding Women among the thousands of outstanding women in the TFRW over the last two years, Patty Johnson worked all week. Along with Belinda Frisk, also of Canyon Lake, she served as Hospitality Co-Chairman, making sure the speakers, the announcers and the seating place cards were where they were supposed to be, when they were supposed to be. Hazel introduced Representative Macias to the Convention on Friday afternoon.

Great job, Republican Women!

"Value Voters" in Washington, October, 2007

2007-10-22T03:43:00.000-05:00

Larry Nuckols, Comal County Republican Chair, attended the Family Research Council "Washington Briefing" or "Value Voters" meeting in Washington, D.C. over the last weekend, October 19-20, 2007.

Larry joined about 2500 other men and women who gave their own time and money, often spending a full day each way in airports and on airplanes in order to hear candidates for President of the United States. (Larry got stuck on the tarmac after a layover in Denver, due to snow - only to arrive in San Antonio to temps in the upper '80's)

None of the Democratic Party candidates who were invited showed up, but 9 of the Republican Party candidates spoke over 2 days.

Speakers at the event included the founder of the Eagle Forum's Phyllis Schlaffly, talk show host, Laura Ingraham, and more.

For an in depth report of the speeches and a better analysis of the outcome of the votes than you'll see in the mainstream media, including a breakdown of the votes from those attending and from those who voted on the Internet, see these reports (Go to the Friday October 19th and Saturday October 20th posts) from "live bloggers" at the Briefing:

Joe Carter at "evangelical outpost"

"RedState.com" speaking from the political viewpoint

Jill Stanek, speaking from a pro-life viewpoint

Jim Geraghty of National Review Online in his blog, "The Campaign Spot."

Soren Dayton, speaking from a political consultant's viewpoint

Hopefully, the presence of these men and women will speak volumes to the Republican Party "Powers That Be" about how to save the Republican Party in order to prevent 4 to 8 years of growth of totalitarianism like we've never known in this country. More than during Roosevelt's tenure and even more than during the last Clinton regime.

If you believe that this last comment is an over-reaction, look at the limits Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has put on debate and amendments in the House. Add in the cameras that have been erected on street corners and highways and look at the grip that abortion- and gay-rights, atheism and scientism have on the media, science reporting and the Soros-funded KOS and Pink blogosphere.

(Reported by Larry's wife, Beverly AKA "hocndoc" AKA "LifeEthics," who was in Washington for the annual meeting of the American Society of Bioethics and Humanities. I taxied back and forth between the meetings - I'll take the least informed of the Value Voters over the clique that runs the "ethicists," any day.

My own try at "live blogging" begins at post 11 on this thread at on FreeRepublic.com, covering Mayor Guiliani's speech on Saturday morning.

There were so many reporters present that I wondered whether they outnumbered the registered attendees. I was interviewed - by a Japanese television reporter - in the lobby outside the auditorium.)

Comal County Fair Parade September 2007

2007-09-29T00:16:00.000-05:00

Friday, September 28, 2007, the best and biggest parade ever took place downtown in New Braunfels, Texas. The parade ran the length of San Antonio Street from Santa Clara Street to past the bridge over the Comal River. The whole parade must have lasted 2 1/2 hours.

The New Braunfels Republican Women walked behind a truck decorated by Bucky Smith. The banner in the back of the truck read "Republican Values Faith Family Freedom." NBRW handed out thousands of American flags to the children along the route.

More 4th of July Pictures

2007-07-08T15:39:00.000-05:00

Sami Devilliers, the President of New Braunfels Republican women sent me some more pictures of the 4th of July Parade.

The first picture, upper left, is Comal County Republican Chair Larry Nuckols and Representative Nathan Macias.

The second picture, upper right, is a picture of Larry in the truck, leading the NBRW. Just behind the truck are our representatives:Lamar Smith of the US 21st District, and Nathan Macias of the 73rd District here in Texas.

That third picture shows the giant flag being carried by members and supporters of the NBRW.

Fourth of July Parade Pictures

2007-07-04T21:38:00.000-05:00

Larry took part in the New Braunfels and the Canyon Lake Parades. He drove his red pickup as the lead car in New Braunfels and walked the route in Startzville.

Unfortunately, Larry's the only one in the family who can take decent pictures - so there aren't any pictures of him. We also had a problem with a ton of rain in Startzville, so we took the umbrellas and forgot the camera.

Here's what we've got, one of our grand daughter Veronica with Congressman Lamar Smith, one of the truck and another picture of some of the people who turned out to help the New Braunfels Republican Women carry the giant flag, including State Representative Nathan Macias.

The Canyon Lake Republican Women marched a longer route, at times in driving rain. They had a float with a model of the Liberty Bell. We all handed out miniature US flags, one for just about every single person watching the parade.

Senate votes "No" on Amnesty Bill

2007-06-28T10:33:00.000-05:00

53 No, 46, yes. A vote against cloture was a vote to kill the Bill in its current form.

Senator Brownback changed his vote after the "No" votes appeared to be winning.

Ladies and Gentlemen, whether you agree with the outcome or not, you've got to admit that our Senators can learn, that we made a difference (even shut down the Senate phone service), and now, we still have a chance to enforce the laws in place.

One point I heard over and over from all the Senators who were debating was the necessity of securing our borders and enforcing the laws fairly and equally.

We should continue to make our wishes known, to petition for fair and equal treatment from all law enforcement agencies, and for the protection of the sovereign Nation of the United States of America!

May the Lord Bless the United States of America!

Resource for Texas Republican News

2007-06-27T15:23:00.000-05:00

If you'd like to read opinions of Texas Republicans and keep up to date with the day to day Party news, watch this page. For more, you can subscribe to the Texas Insider newsletter or just read it on their website.

Macias named "Texas Taxpayer Hero"

2007-06-27T15:10:00.000-05:00

Texans for Fiscal Responsibility has named Comal County's own, Texas House District 73, Representative Nathan Macias as one of their "Taxpayer Heroes." You can see the whole list, here.

Immigration Debate in Senate Today

2007-06-27T12:39:00.000-05:00

If you want to follow the Senate immigration debate, here's a few resources. The Republicans of Comal County may or may not agree with what you see and read at these sites.

CSpan - click on CSpan2, the Senate site, to watch the television coverage on your computer.

The Corner Blog at National Review Online

For a free-for all, all-day-long commentary, FreeRepublic.com has a "Live thread."
(Warning, FreeRepublic.com is a very active website populated by very conservative to libertarian conservative posters, where the "Great Right Wing Conspiracy" was born. They are often critical of everyone, including our President, Republicans, and anyone else they write about. However, they don't tolerate profanity or leftist views.)

Welcome

2007-06-24T10:41:00.000-05:00

Hello to all. This is the first blog posting for the Comal County GOP.org website. It is our desire to provide a forum for happening with in the Republican Party in Comal County.