Congressman Michael McCaul Reads the bill!
November 3, 2009 by OpinionHead
Filed under Videos
I have to admit, I feel lucky living where I do in Texas, I feel sorry for anyone who doesn’t live in Texas! From what I have read, and this video, I feel ok about my congressman, Michael McCaul, I hope this doesn’t ever change. I have not heard anything about the Republican bill, but I would be willing to bet it is better than the mess from the Democrats, thats not saying much, my cat could come up with something better than Pelosi and her bunch, I just can’t figure out who would ever vote for someone like that crew! Anyway, check out the video, its nothing earth shattering, but he is at least on tape as opposing Pelosi!
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Ignorance is bliss!
October 30, 2009 by OpinionHead
Filed under Opinions and Attitudes
Just a day or two ago, I saw on Hannity, (Fox News), he had a panel of Democrats from New Jersey, the show was very interesting, and as usual, allowed the views from the “left” to be shared. I have to admit, I spend almost all of my day, and night, watching the news, and a limited few other programs, and reading books, but my world, my life, is basically here, on the Internet, so, I am able to keep up with what is actually going on in the world, and do not base my opinions on second or third hand information. This said, I am not judging anyone, I am just letting you know where I am coming from.
During this show, Hannity asked one guy if he liked paying taxes, and broke it down as to the facts about his state and local taxes making it that he paid more to live in a state that is in debt and has high unemployment. This guy, said he has to pay more in taxes to pay for states that don’t have state tax! Obviously, this poor uninformed man did not have a clue! State taxes go to that state, it is the federal taxes that go into the government fund and are supposed to be used to take care of the things that the Federal government is supposed to take care of, like our military, but, not the things the state is supposed to take care of like roads in that state.
You could summarize the definition of the word, “ignorance”, as, “not knowing”, thus, this man was ignorant to the facts. The type of government you have, the wasteful spending, the entitlements, the unions, and so on are what determine how much money a state needs and where they get this money. I live in the great state of Texas, we have no local or state taxes, and also have a balanced budget, unemployement is still lower than most states, and, the low taxes is at least part of the reason! Texas is a big place, has tons of roads, and no, they are not all perfect, I doubt any state is, but, we are doing pretty good. So, why do these “liberal” states have so many taxes? Ignorance! Yes, the people there, obviously, “don’t know”, that they too can have lower taxes, if, the adopt more conservative ways and move away from the fanatical fantasy of the “nanny state” that takes care of everything!
I met a guy from “up north” who was looking for a job, and couldn’t understand why here in Texas he got laughed at when looking for a job. The guy went on to explain that he just wanted to get paid about what he did “back home”, which was about $25 an hour, for a “helper” position. I couldn’t help but laugh when he said that he had been told, “we could hire three guys for that amount”, because I knew it was true. What this guy was so ignorant of, were the facts, that $25 an hour, put him in a higher tax bracket, with the added local and state taxes, and the “Union Dues” he brought home less than the guy that got $8 an hour here! This means that three people have a job, spend money and keep the economy going. The cost of living is less here too because the business you buy your food or whatever from doesn’t have to pay those extra taxes to the city, state or union! You do the math, are you ignorant?
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What has really happened to America, are we dumb or just numb?
October 16, 2009 by OpinionHead
Filed under Opinions and Attitudes
After watching Glenn Beck today, I had a realization hit me like a freight train, (maybe I dozed off and it was a nightmare) and honestly, it scared me half to death! Is Obama trying to bring about a simple Revolution, or is it worse? As if a revolution isn’t bad enough? I am sure, that if you read anything I write, you more than likely watch Glenn Beck as well, so, it is to you that I am speaking.
As Glenn is pointing out all of the Creeps, Communists, Marxists, and Mao lovers like Anita Dunn ( did anybody else find the wierd tongue thing of hers a bit creepy, like a snake or something?) , and if you follow the link to see why some love who they believe Chairman Mao to be, Wikipedia has him almost as a hero, below is a quote from Wikipedia .
He is officially held in high regard in China where he is known as a great revolutionary, political strategist, military mastermind, and savior of the nation. Many Chinese also believe that through his policies, he laid the economic, technological and cultural foundations of modern China, transforming the country from a backward agrarian society into a major world power.
After reading this, it is easy to understand how Obama’s Crew plans on deceiving us, if they can convince us that Mao was a good guy, then we won’t see the revolution that is coming as being a bad thing, until it is too late! (Notice the word I made Bold and underlined, does this sound familiar?)
Now to my point, this deception or “transformation”, began a long time ago, it started out as “tolerance”, we were re-educated, our kids have been indoctrinated, and we have been nudged into accepting things that before were unacceptable. Now everything is about some “minority” group’s “rights”. It seems that everybody has “rights” except us Redneck , Veteran, Right Wing Extremists.
What I am about to say, in our Politically Correct World, is going to piss somebody off, but I don’t care, these are my opinions, and I am sure that I am NOT ALONE!
Depending on how old you are, you may remember more or maybe less, but, think about this very carefully.
If you heard Obama’s speach, talking about Transforming America, in this clip,
and judging him by who he is getting his advice from, and then you see who he is putting in charge of everything, the people they look up to, and the cozy way he is acting with Chavez in the picture below.
This affirms his revolutionary connections and his desire to bring the Hispanic community to his side, but, which side is that. is it America’s side or Obama’s? Read this article from Michelle Malkin,
Then watch the video below.
Now, doesn’t the Black Panther dude, look a little bit radical to you? If they would have been at the courthouse where I voted, in Texas, the Sherriff’s Department would have arrested them, if some nervous redneck thinking it was terrorists, didn’t shoot them first! Now, hear what Obama says about the US Constitution and “African-Americans.
Hopefully you caught the part about “when the Constitution was written there were no African-Americans”. I have never seen the country or continent called, Africa America, on the map, at least, not yet. have you? North America, Central America, and South America, yes, they are all there, but no Africa-America. Anyway, Glenn Beck can’t say it, no one in any type of public position can (PC Police will get them), but if you add up all of these things, with the video below,you will see where I am headed.
If you look at all of the liberal changes that have already happened, lets start with the end of slavery, yep, I went there, and yes, I feel that ALL men are created equal and that slavery was bad, but that was the first step in the “transformation of America”. Then came, letting women vote, JFK, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the civil rights movement, Martin Luther King and all of that, yes, I feel that women are people too and should have the right to vote and so on, stay with me here, I am just making a point. Don’t you remember when the big issue was “what is the correct term. nigger or negro?” Seriously, I do, adults had it rough, and kids like me heard it, then finally it became black or African-American, but most used the former, not the latter, remember, I am in Texas.
(When I was in school there were but a few black kids, they were really nice kids, and they were Americans, just like me, we lived in the same neighborhood, many of us walked or rode our bikes to school, we all said the pledge of allegiance, had a morning prayer, and we got along just fine. Today, my old high school has a 10 foot fence, with barbed-wire, around the top and maybe three white kids, and nobody gets along, gangs run the place!)
Think about these things, back when they happened, they were major issues, I am talking about serious Change, remember that word? Things were ok and mellowed out for a long time, Disco happened and then, the gays came out of the closet, and we all had to be “tolerant”, now, its ok to be gay and we are giving our kids classes on gay stuff and so on. Now, after all of these Changes, We Americans are now numb, we can’t say anything about anybody, or we are the bad guy! It has become “unacceptable’ to be white and proud of it! Have you ever heard of “White History or Heterosexual Pride Month? Ask a kid about it, they will call you a racist and or a sexist! Remember the TV show, Black Viewpoint, when can we expect a channel like BET, call it WET , no, not a porn channel, that would be ok, I mean White Entertainment Television. Have you looked at all of the cable channels for everybody, but us rednecks? Ok, we do have a fishing show or two and I can remember when MTV was about Rock Music Videos, now it is all Rap.
Today, we are in the new politically correct world where kids are indoctrinated into a liberal coma, where competition is bad, pass or fail is now a star or a smiley face, everybody gets graded on a curve that is determined by race, affirmative action weeds out those that can pass the tests, and replaces them with those that can’t, just based on quotas, and the PC police will get you if you say or do anything about it. We fear offending someone, or we get sued and if a white guy kills a black guy, or if a straight guy kills a gay guy, the penalty is even worse than if you switch the situations, what is up with that? Murder is murder, isn’t it? One plus one is two, two plus two is four. What is right is right, what is wrong is wrong, but now, everyone is afraid to say so! We used to live by basic rules, now, everything is complicated, everything is ok, except, to say it’s not ok! What happened to “equal” rights? Do you see my point here? America is numb, not dumb, we are paralyzed with fear and paranoia!
With everybody now afraid of everybody, something is happening that most people are oblivious to, Obama is using his own Liberal base against them, and everyone else! With America so divided, the PC police, food cops and so many previously “unacceptable” groups having more power over the ones that used to say that those groups actions were “unacceptable”, Americans just really want it to be over! We all just want American’s to get along and be proud to ba an American. Some of us have woken up and see what is happening, and we don’t like it. Hopefully, we are getting in Obama’s way, or at least slowing down his efforts, until more people see what is happening and can vote him and the rest of the Marxist out of office. starting in 2010. Otherwise, Obama will start his revolution where those that have, won’t and those that don’t have will, at least that is what those that don’t have think, because they have been indoctrinated and re-educated for so long! Have you noticed that the town hall and tea party folks are mostly the over 35 group? We can remember what America used to be like, before the progressives took over. Global warming? Come on, stop already, the gig is up, Al Gore was wrong!
Think about this, now they are wanting to divide us even further, putting new taxes on everything, this puts smokers against non-smokers, thin people against fat people, and so on, but why? It is all about control, once the people of America have so many restrictions, it will be just like all of the other things that used to be unacceptable. In other words, if you complain about control, you will be singled out, but, by then it will be too late! We are already seeing the beginning, anyone who disagrees with this “Transformation” or revolution is called a redneck extremist!
Lets sum it all up, we have Obama’s friends, Reverend Wright and his Black Liberation Theology, Bill Ayres and The Weather Underground, and the rest of them that nobody paid any attention to, “before” the election, then, during the election, The Black Panthers and ACORN (before, during, and after), SEIU, Chavez and Obama’s “Apology Tour” immediately after the election, then, Obama appoints a bunch of Czars with extreme views, and no oversight, add this to the bailouts the takeover of General Motors, giving over half of the company to his Union buddies, Cap and Trade, all of the proposed spending on Health Care, Green Jobs, then the new taxes like the VAT (Value Added Tax) etc, and even a Nobel Peace Prize, after 12 days in office, so, whats next?
Look what happened to Rush Limbaugh, because of “racist” comments, fake or otherwise? Here is a fake one that he supposedly said, “slavery had its merits” , whether he said it or not, is that so bad? After all, what happened to free speech, doesn’t Rush deserve an opinion? I mean, as un PC as it is, I would have to almost agree to a certain extent, after all, at least slaves couldn’t complain about unemployment and we didn’t need welfare. Has anyone gotten in trouble for the Rap lyrics basically talking about killing white people cops, or whatever? Why can rappers call each other “nigga” , but I should refer to that word as the “N” word? Did you hear about the big party, Fiesta Latina and Obama’s speech in New Orleans? Yes, he was there apologizing for the old “white” government that failed them, have you figured out who the people are that will be rounded up and slaughtered, like Chairman Mao did? What happened to whats left of the America we love, without hyphens, where we are all just called Americans?
I hope I am wrong, but, if not……………………………..
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Finally, the playoffs begin!
April 18, 2009 by OpinionHead
Filed under Sports Discussions
This year, the Houston Rockets are playing the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round, all I can say is thank God it is not the Utah Jazz! I am not knocking the Blazers, they are a great team, what I am saying is, I am tired of the Jazz! It seems like Utah and Houston are always battling in the first round, and, unfortunately, Houston usually loses!
Anyone that watches much basketball, knows that there are just some teams that beat certain teams, even if that team is better. Look at the Houston Oilers vs the Dallas Cowboys, even when Dallas was kicking but and taking names way back when, the Oilers, who may have only won 2 or 3 games the whole season, always seemed to beat Dallas in the Texas Bowl or whatever it is called, I don’t remember, but you get my point.
This year, that Utah curse (excuse) or whatever you want to call it, will not be the reason Houston doesn’t get out of the first round! I have to say, I like Houston’s chances against Portland, I mean, how long has it benn since Portland was even in the playoffs?
This year is going to be a battle in Texas, with the Sant Antonio Spurs and the Dallas Mavericks meeting up in the first round, this is going to be awesome! I have to say, I believe tha the Rockets took a dive against Dallas in the 4th quarter of that last game, just to have a better chance against Portland in the first round, what do you think?
What about Tracy McGrady? Won’t it be a bit awkward if Houston wins the finals? With T-Mac, they coudn’t even get out of the first round, with him sitting at home, they are doing great. I would be willing to bet that if Houston wins, they will trade T-Mac for someone that is not such a crybaby, seems like he always has some sort of booboo that keeps him complaining and making excuses for a poor performance, but hey, that is just my opinion.
I have to admit, when they traded off Steve Francis, I almost disowned the Rockets! He was an important part of the “Team”, no, he may not have been the best point guard, but, he was a team player and gave it everything he had, each and every game! My personal view on “Teams” is that you don’t just get rid of someone like you were trading off bubble gum cards! A Team is just that, the more cohesiveness you have, the more confidence you have, and the players aren’t afraid to play hard and make a mistake, it is that that has kept San Antonio ruling the NBA for years, after all, look what happened to the Lakers when they got rid of Shaq!
Anybody disagree? Post a comment and tell me about it!
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Email from Senator John Cornyn 4-16-09
April 16, 2009 by OpinionHead
Filed under News
Update from U.S. Senator John Cornyn
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
With so many complex issues facing our nation, I was grateful for the opportunity to return to Texas to meet with people across the state and listen to their concerns about what is happening in Washington, how these issues affect them and what common-sense ideas they have for how best to address them.
Just before recess, the Senate passed President Obama’s budget without any bipartisan support. Along with all of my Republican colleagues, I voted against the budget that spends too much, taxes too much and borrows too much. The budget represents a missed opportunity for Congress to put policies in place that will encourage economic recovery, foster opportunities for Texans and all Americans, and prevent future generations from inheriting insurmountable debt.
One of the most disturbing aspects of the President’s budget is his proposal to limit the deduction for charitable contributions, which could cost charities and non-profit organizations nationwide anywhere from $4 billion to $9 billion annually. Last week I hosted a roundtable in Austin, where I met with representatives from local non-profit organizations at Meals on Wheels and More to hear their concerns about the President’s proposal. While I worked with both Senate Democrats and Republicans to reject the President’s proposal during the budget debate earlier this month, this does not mean Congress will not consider the President’s proposal in the future. Given today’s economic climate and with so many Americans hurting and in need of assistance, we should instead encourage charitable giving.
The economic downturn has led to greater demand for charitable services and placed a strain of many of these organizations already operating on limited resources. Homeless shelters across the state have seen a marked increase in the number of people seeking help. This week in Fort Worth, I am meeting with Mayor Mike Moncrief and other local officials who have been successful in reducing homelessness in their community. I hope to learn the keys to their success and share that with other cities and communities throughout Texas.
While Americans participate in the annual practice of filling out their federal taxes, I’m looking forward to meeting with the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission Chair and Vice-Chair at the State Capitol in Austin to discuss our shared goal of stamping out government waste. I will be announcing introduction of my legislation to help save more of taxpayers’ hard-earned money. In Congress, I’ve been working to create a Federal Sunset Commission, based on the successful Texas model, that would improve government accountability and help ensure our tax dollars are spent efficiently. Congress moved a step closer to establishing this important body when the Senate recently passed an amendment I sponsored that lays the groundwork for a Federal Sunset Commission to eliminate government waste and increase oversight of ineffective programs.
On Friday I am joining Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at Fort Sam Houston to visit our nation’s wounded warriors receiving medical care at the Warrior and Family Support Center. These brave soldiers and their families have sacrificed so much for our nation, and I look forward to thanking them for their exemplary service. The Warrior and Family Support Center plays a vital role in treating both the visible and invisible injuries that our soldiers face as a result of their service, and we must continue to ensure the needs of our servicemen and women are adequately met as they recover from their injuries and return home. I recently reintroduced legislation that would authorize construction of a VA hospital for veterans in the Rio Grande Valley, who currently have to drive hours out of their way to receive medical treatment. Service members and veterans in Texas and across our nation have earned access to the high-quality medical treatment through their enormous sacrifices for our nation.
For more information on these and other topics, go directly to my Web site. To view floor speeches, interviews and other video messages from me, please visit my YouTube Channel. To receive additional updates, please select the issues that interest you listed on the right. It’s an honor to serve you in the United States Senate.
Sincerely,
U.S. Senator John Cornyn
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Tea Parties Are Everywhere!
April 7, 2009 by OpinionHead
Filed under Tea Parties
If you have been looking for a tea party in your area, odd are that there is one! The map below is a link, click it and you will go to the Google Search page. I am absolutely impressed! I have to say it, it sure looks like “We The People” are standing up to be heard!
I had wanted to go to San Antonio, to the Alamo Tea Party, but now that one is in my area, I am planning on going to that one, and if everything goes right, with several friends. I am placing the contact info below, so if you are in the Bryan/College Station Texas area, please RSVP to the email address listed. I hope to see you all there!
Tanglewood Park
3900 Carter Creek Parkway, Bryan, Texas
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An email from Michael McCaul 4/3
April 4, 2009 by OpinionHead
Filed under News
April 3, 2009
Dear Friends,
This week I continued to stand up for the taxpayers in my district by voting against President Obama’s and Speaker Pelosi’s $3 trillion a year budget. Unfortunately, it passed. Over the next five years it will double the national debt. Over ten years it will triple our debt and raise taxes by $1.4 trillion. I encourage you to visit my new website, where you can see how quickly our debt is adding up, and view my speech on the House floor before yesterday’s vote.
I voted for an alternative to this massive spending bill called The Path to American Prosperity. It’s a blueprint for economic recovery that keeps spending and debt under control, keeps taxes low, and still addresses the country’s core needs. The Republican plan:
- Spends $4.8 trillion less than the Democrats’ budget over 10 years
- Brings spending back down to 20.7% of GDP, in line with the historical average, instead of climbing to 24.5% of GDP as proposed in the Obama budget
- Freezes non-defense/non-veterans spending, instead of increasing non-defense spending by more than 9% as proposed in the Obama budget
- Borrows $3.6 trillion less than the Obama budget over 10 years
- Increases the Defense budget by $5 billion over the cuts in the Obama budget
- Increases Veterans funding by $540 million over the President’s budget
- Institutes pro-growth tax cuts instead of $1.5 trillion in tax increases on small businesses and families as proposed in the Obama budget
- Creates 2.1 million more Jobs than the Democrats’ Budget
- Suspends capital gains taxes through 2010 instead of increasing taxes on investment
- Institutes needed entitlement reforms to ensure the long-term solvency of Social Security and Medicare
Today I am heading back home for the April District Work Period. Over the next two weeks I hope to see many of you as I travel the 10th District to discuss our economic situation, and continue to offer solutions.
Free Taxpayer Seminars!
Congressman McCaul will be hosting Taxpayer Seminars on Tuesday, April 7, 2009. Representatives from the IRS will be available to answer your tax questions in Tomball and Pflugerville. There will be presentations on the IRS resources available to you and an opportunity for you to get your general tax questions answered. Please contact our Austin district office at (512) 473-2357 for more information.
Tomball 6:30-7:30pm
Community Library at Lone Star College, Building 9
30555 Tomball Parkway
Click here for a campus map.
Pflugerville 7:30-8:30pm
Pflugerville Public Library
102 S 10th St
VISIT OUR NEW WEBSITE!
The address is the same: www.house.gov/mccaul.
We are proud of our new communication tool The objective is to give you more ways to be in contact with me, and more ways for me to hear what’s important to you. Government is all about serving the people, and this new technological tool we have will help us do a better job. Our new features include:
- News stories featuring my work on big issues are more accessible
- Floor speeches and hearing video are readily available
- A Survey and Blog will give you a new opportunity to voice your opinion and generate discussions
- National Debt Clock
I wish you and your family a great weekend, and a Happy Easter and Passover.
With best regards,
Michael T. McCaul
Member of Congress
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Email from Senator John Cornyn 4/2
April 2, 2009 by OpinionHead
Filed under News
Why I’m Voting Against The Budget
The following op-ed ran in today’s edition of the Austin American-Statesman, which can be accessed here.
This week, I will vote against the massive $3.6 trillion budget proposed by President Barrack Obama and Democrats in Congress, and Texans deserve to understand why. I believe this budget taxes too much, spends too much and borrows too much. This budget will delay economic recovery in Texas and across the nation, and it will reduce opportunities for all of us.
This budget will reduce opportunities for people looking for jobs. Nearly three-quarters of all new private sector jobs are created by small businesses. In Texas, we understand that small businesses are the employment engines of our economy, and so we have put in place policies that encourage entrepreneurs to invest in our state and create more opportunities. As ABC News reported last week, only three of the top 39 job markets in the nation gained jobs last year. All three are in Texas, and one of them is Austin.
I have worked to bring successful Texas policies to Washington, especially our policy of keeping taxes low. Once again this year I offered an amendment to make it harder for Congress to increase taxes in future budgets. Had this amendment been adopted last year, 60 votes in the Senate would be required today to increase taxes on America’s families and small businesses.
Congress chose not to make it harder to raise taxes, and so this year Obama proposed raising net taxes by $1.4 trillion over the next decade. Much of this burden will fall on our state’s most successful small businesses. He has proposed raising the top two tax brackets to a nominal rate of 36 and 39.6 percent, and by limiting deductions for state and local taxes and other expenses, the effective marginal tax rates on thousands of our small businesses will be over 40 percent.
Small businesses make a big contribution to our economy, and charitable organizations do the same for our society as a whole. More than 150 years ago, Alexis de Tocqueville marveled at the spirit of volunteerism in our country, and how quick we were to form “public associations” for the common good. Today, faith-based and community-based organizations heal the sick, feed the hungry and serve the most vulnerable among us.
Charitable organizations depend on the generosity of donors to serve our communities, and for decades we have encouraged this generosity by making charitable donations deductible. But Obama wants to limit this deduction for charitable contributions, which could cost charities nationwide anywhere from $4 billion to $9 billion.
You can see the potential impact right here in Austin. The Austin Pregnancy Resource Center is a 501c(3) organization that provides counseling and services to women who are pregnant or who may think they are pregnant. Some of their clients are students. Some are homeless. Some are victims of domestic violence and other abuse.
The center provides these confidential services at no cost to women in need. It relies completely on donations from individuals and businesses to fund its programs. Thanks to the generosity of the Austin community, the center now has two full-time employees, one part-time employee and about 60 volunteers.
The recession has made it harder for the center to raise money — even as the demand for its services increases. In just one day this month, the center received nearly 20 calls from women who could not afford to buy diapers. In the words of Executive Director Lori DeVillez, “There are many times where a bag of diapers or a can of formula truly means the difference between ‘Do I eat today, or provide for my baby?’ ”
The center works to ensure that its clients don’t have to face such a terrible choice. DeVillez estimates that up to 10 of the center’s largest donors would see their taxes go up under the president’s plan. She would like to see policies that would expand her pool of potential donors — rather than dry it up.
I believe that charitable organizations like the Austin Pregnancy Resource Center, as well as thousands of successful small businesses across our state, help make Texas a better place. They deserve our support. They do not deserve to suffer the impact of higher taxes. I will continue to bring the experience of successful Texas policies to our nation’s capital, and help more people contribute to the common good.
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An Email from Senator John Cornyn 3/30
March 30, 2009 by OpinionHead
Filed under News
Update from U.S. Senator John Cornyn
Monday, March 30, 2009
In Washington, Congress continues to focus on President Obama’s proposed budget. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office released an alarming report indicating that the President’s budget will create deficits averaging nearly $1 trillion a year for the next decade, and it would double the national debt in five years and nearly triple it in 10 years.
Not only does this budget spend too much and tax our nation’s hard-working families and small businesses, it borrows far too much from future generations of Texans. I spoke on the Senate floor about the implications of this budget for students. Under the President’s budget, students who start college this year will see their share of the national debt grow from $19,000 per student to more than $36,000 per student after graduation from a four-year program. That is a tremendous burden to place on college graduates as they enter the workforce and begin their careers.
Despite my concerns with the Democrats’ budget and its reckless spending and misguided priorities, I was encouraged that my amendment to bring a little Texas sunshine to Washington unanimously passed the Budget Committee. My measure, based on the successful Texas model, which has led to the elimination of more than 50 agencies and saved Texans more than $700 million, lays the groundwork for the establishment of a Federal Sunset Commission to review federal programs. It will determine their efficiency, and make recommendations on whether they need reform or should be eliminated all together. This bipartisan commission is critical because it will shed light on unnecessary government spending and eliminate ineffective and unnecessary programs.
I was happy to get out of Washington and head back home to Texas this last weekend. Many of the best ideas and solutions I hear stem from the local level – from Texas men and women who are on the front lines dealing with our nation’s challenges every day. I am always encouraged after meeting with Texans, and renewed by what I’ve learned from them as I return to Washington.
Lastly, I wanted to remind you that this month is Red Cross Month. We Texans know firsthand the vital role the Red Cross plays in rebuilding lives and communities disrupted by natural disasters. Whether it’s donating blood or volunteering your time, I encourage everyone to give something back to this crucial organization. More information on what you can do to help is available on the Red Cross website.
For more information on these and other topics, go directly to my Web site. To view floor speeches, interviews and other video messages from me, please visit my YouTube Channel. To receive additional updates, please select the issues that interest you listed on the right. It’s an honor to serve you in the United States Senate.
Sincerely,
U.S. Senator John Cornyn
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Medical Marijuana:Good or Bad?
March 30, 2009 by OpinionHead
Filed under Opinions and Attitudes
Medical Marijuana, this is one of those touchy subjects that can get you into trouble if you end up on the wrong side of the law! However, it is a big issue in this country, but why?
Well, have you ever been in pain? No, I don’t meant one of those little things like a toothache, I mean chronic pain, pain that just will not go away, pain that makes it impossible to even eat, sleep or function in any way, I have, and it is not fun.
This is one of those areas that moves me far away from the standard “conservative” viewpoint, because I have been there! We have all seen those horror movies they used to show kids, and I can tell you those propaganda films are wrong, wrong in their presentation, because all they do is make kids want to try it! However, that is not the point of this article.
The point I want to make is not about “legalizing” Pot, it is about Freedom! I guess this is a “Libertarian” thing, what else could I call it? We all have a right to our Opinions, and this is mine, “If smoking pot helps you, either deal with pain, or whatever, it is your choice, you can go get a ‘legal’ prescription, for some very potent narcotics or antidepressants that are also expensive, and addictive, or, you can smoke a joint”, but, if you get caught with weed, you get in trouble! Personally, I find this a bit strange, after all, marijuana is just a plant, and God made plants!
Opinions very wildly on this one, but, if you look at it from an open minded point of view, and think about what I am saying, maybe you will be able to understand why medical marijuana is such a big issue in this country.
We all keep hearing about the drug war, ok, why? We hear about the narco-gangs and cartels, and how evil they are, ok, true. The question is, why do they exist? Simple, it is just business, supply and demand, what the war is trying to accomplish, is to eliminate the supply, and we all know, that will never work as long as there is a demand, all it does is make the price go up! I have never heard of a stoner, robbing anyone to get weed, just crackheads and heroine addicts and the like, but not a pothead! I guess it is like oil, when we stop buying gasoline, the price goes down, the the oil companies cut down the supply and the gas prices go up!
I believe that anyone that is a “stoner” will agree with this, pot is not the problem, hard drugs are! So what is the difference? Simple, God made Pot, it is just a plant! Cocaine and heroin also come from plants, BUT, they are processed and altered, haven’t you ever had a burger with poppy seeds on the bun? Hmm, that is the plant heroin comes from, could you imagine a burger with pot seeds on it? The poor hemp plant gets a bad deal on this, it is used to make all kinds of things, just don’t smoke it! Makes you wonder who found out that smoking hemp would get you high?
I find it a bit strange, tobacco is legal, pot isn’t, tobacco causes cancer, pot doesn’t, alcohol is legal, alcohol gives you a hangover, pot doesn’t, funny huh? Remember prohibition, didn’t work did it, but, there were many a cartel that got rich from it, funny, they became famous, folklore and movies were made, moonshiners and the revenuers, hey, what was that last word? Revenuers! Why was operating a still illegal? Because the government couldn’t get their tax money! Why is it illegal to grow your own? I think, because they can’t tax it!
Think about this, food is not taxed, at least not here in Texas, but beer and booze are. We can make our own beer and wine, and yes, I have brewed a lot of beer. If it were legal to “grow your own”, what could be wrong with that? Growing your own food is not taxed, because you plant a seed and it grows and you eat it, I fail to see the difference. See where I am headed with this?
Imagine, if growing your own, would allow you to avoid buying the expensive prescription narcotics, who would that hurt? The pharmaceutical companies? No, they make plenty of different products, and those narcotics are needed for many things, so, who would it hurt? The tax man, the revenuers, thats who!
Regardless of your view on marijuana and the comparison to tobacco, beer and booze as to its effects, you are free to buy tobacco, beer and booze, but not weed, this is an issue of freedom! Hey, abortion is legal, because they say, it is about choice, but a baby must die to exercise this “choice”, if one “chooses” to smoke weed, you don’t kill anything but a brain cell or two, just like tobacco, beer and booze, so, why don’t we have that choice? I have a feeling that there will be a few “stoners” at the upcoming tea parties, why not, it is all about the same thing, telling government that we are here, and to get out of our lives, and our pocketbooks!
To sum it up, I am a firm believer in Freedom, and if burning a doobie can help you cope with pain, or another medical problem, and it hurts no one, what is the problem? Below you will find several videos, not in any particular order, but all are interesting and related to this article, so, take a look.
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