Texas Speakers Race Part 2

Who will be the next Texas Speaker. Manny Conservatives claim that Texas House Speaker Joe Straus is not a true conservative. This is reminiscent of the Republican state convention in Fort Worth last summer. Where the shouts of oust Straus where very prevalent. But who is Joe Straus? Born Joseph R. Straus, III on September 1, 1959 After witnessing his fellow Republicans lose three House seats in the November 2008 elections, Straus decided to run against then Speaker Tom Craddick (born 1943) of Midland, the senior Republican in the Texas House. Dissent against Craddick had been brewing in the Texas House. The latest round of disappointing election results hurt Craddick's standing with his Republican colleagues. Shortly after New Year's Day, eleven House Republican members, including the late Edmund Kuempel of Seguin, met in the Austin home of Representative Byron Cook of Corsicana (ten in person and one via webcam). Each wanted an alternative to Craddick. After four rounds of secret balloting, with state and local media hanging around outside in the neighbors' lawns, Straus emerged as their challenger to unseat the Speaker. Over the next several days, the group, dubbed by the media as the "Gang of 11", set out to garner the required minimum of 76 votes (of the 150 members) to achieve their mission. After several days of phone calls, e-mails, pledge cards and signature gathering, Joe Straus announced on Sunday, January 4, 2009, he had enough votes to win the job. By the following evening remaining opposition to Straus conceded. After securing his position as House Speaker, Straus proceeded to appoint Democrats to 16 of the House's 34 chairmanship positions.
San Antonio Democrat Mike Villarreal said that Straus brought "the right temperament [to the Speakership]. After three sessions of Tom Craddick, the House was ready for a change."Frank Corte, Jr., a San Antonio Republican who had been committed to retaining Craddick as Speaker, said that Straus "has a different leadership style, there's no doubt about it. He has an indirect way of handling things. He doesn't weigh in heavily at first." Straus' rabbi, Barry H. Block, said "If people underestimated Joe, they'll stop now."
An aide said that Straus "doesn't like to label himself on social issues. . . . He considers himself pro-life, just not a proselytizing one. . . . He sees the big picture -- jobs, economy, education." Another Republican, Leo Berman from Tyler, had indicated an intention to run for Speaker, but has pulled out and is now endorsing Warren Chisum, a Republican from Pampa, who unsuccessfully challenged Straus for the Speaker's gavel. McKinney Republican Ken Paxton has also sought the position. Manny conservatives have found it difficult to file conservative legislation during the last session and there where two more candidates to file against Straus Bryan Hughes and David Simpson. however Hughes withdrew and through his support behind David Simpson. David is a seventh generation Texan. He was born in Lubbock and grew up in Dallas, spending summers and weekends in East Texas at the family’s home place in Avinger, where his family settled in the mid 1800s. David and his family have lived in Longview since 2000. David Simpson was elected State Representative of House District 7 in 2010, defeating a seven-term incumbent, by running on a platform of defending the Constitution, preserving our East Texas family values, and restoring government to its proper, limited role. He was re-elected in 2012 by a large margin. District 7 is comprised of Gregg County and northern Smith County and includes the cities of Longview, Kilgore, White Oak, Gladewater, Liberty City, Lindale, Hideaway and Winona. However, after redistricting, District 7 will be comprised of the entirety of both Gregg and Upshur Counties.
In only one session, Simpson earned the “Taxpayer Champion” award from Texans for Fiscal Responsibility and the “Freshman of the Year” award from Young Conservatives of Texas; he was also named “Co-MVP of the Freshman Class” by Capitol Inside for his effectiveness as a legislator. Rep. Simpson has been endorsed by many conservative leaders and is the TEA Party favorite for the Speakership. While Joe Straus is Supported by Democrats Like Lon Berman and moderate Republicans Like Jim Keffer of Eastland, or Rob Orr of Burleson.

Massacre in Newtown Connecticut-Bloggers Thoughts

NEWTOWN, Conn.—. Multiple people have been killed in a shooting at an elementary school. The number of dead is unclear, but there are at least 20 shooting victims. Todays Actions in Connecticut are deplorable kids murdered in cold blood. Kids taken before their time. But we must not rush to claim (what if we had a hand gun ban). No we must morn and celebrate that the Innocent lives that where. Not pass legislation to make us less safe. I am now convinced more now than ever. We must pass open carry then maybe the criminal element in this country that uses guns to kill will either think twice or get what they deserve before 27+ people 18 kids get murdered by home grown Terrorist. I wish to offer my condolences to the families my God be with you in your grief.

Is the United States Headed to War in Syria?

Mediterranean Sea- With the Moving of the USS Eisenhower Moving into the Eastern Med. Are we headed for war in Syria? The USS Eisenhower has a complement of 8,000 Sailors & Marines and Eight Bomber wings. With it moving into the Eastern Med it joins the USS Iowa Jima. the Iowa Jima has a complement of 2,500 Marines attached to an assault force.
Syria-President Assad continue with his efforts to load biological and chemical weapons aboard bombs, the White House has repeatedly warned the Assad Regime that continued escalations would be met with swift and devastating consequences.
So I ask Are we Headed to war in Syria?

Is the Time now to replace Speaker Boehner.

Washington DC- the latest counterproposal has not faired well with conservative GOP leadership in Washington. Many are even calling for Rep. John Boehner's' ouster as Speaker. Groups like Americans for Prosperity, American Majority And freedom works. Even strong conservative Reps like Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) said in an Interview with Fox News ( John Boehner's counter is a non starter. American Majority has even called for Boehner to be replaced as Speaker. Many House Republicans said "John Boehner doesn't have the stomach for a fight". The only polling showing the Americans Blame Republicans for going of the Fiscal cliff is the Media based polls. In many Independent polls it shows the Democrats in the Senate are to blame for not producing a budget for the last 4 years.

Fillibuster here, nuke option there. What Will Conngress do?

Washington DC- With time running out and rocks on the fiscal cliff slipping what will congress do? In talking with a couple of public policy experts they said "we have never seen what is going to happen, so it Is hard to judge." so I asked what will happen" Tax rates for every one would kick in right away no soft easing into full tax rates". the following Chart is the Tax Bracket as it is right now for 2012:

The next picture is the Rate, after we go off the fiscal cliff.

 



We are still in crisis mode as Lawmakers start to wind down for the Christmas break with nothing agreed upon as of yet. The Democrats blame the Republicans, and the Republicans blame the Democrats. While the American People blame both, they demand a compromised deal.

Texas Governor Rick Perry ans State Senator Dan Patrick Work Together For Education

Gov. Rick Perry sent a letter to Texas Education Commissioner Michael Williams asking him to defer until the 2013-14 school year the requirement that an end-of-course assessment count as 15 percent of a student's final course grade. The governor also applauded Sen. Dan Patrick for filing legislation to give school districts permanent flexibility.

"This week we received the excellent news that our state's graduation rate ties for the nation's third best. As you know, this accomplishment did not happen by accident, nor did it happen overnight. The state of Texas has set the bar for a standard of excellence and our school districts, teachers, parents and students have worked together to meet the challenges of our rigorous standards," Gov. Perry said in his letter. "While we must continue to adhere to our state's accountability system, we must also recognize the importance of local control. That is why I am asking you to defer until the 2013-14 school year the requirement that an end-of-course assessment count as 15 percent of a student's final course grade."

Additionally, the governor applauds Sen. Dan Patrick for filing legislation to permanently make the 15 percent grade provision a local option for school districts, citing the importance of giving them the discretion to enact changes at a level and pace that is right for them. Gov. Perry is committed to working with Sen. Patrick and lawmakers to making flexibility permanent.


"Yesterday, I filed legislation that will permanently make the 15 percent grade provision a local option for school districts," said Sen. Dan Patrick. "This is about local control. The school districts, and the parents, should have a voice on whether the end of course exams should count towards a student's final grade."

Texas State Rep. James White Files Amendment to Texas Constitution.

Austin, TX-Today State Rep. James White Filed an Amendment to the Texas Constitution, The Legislation if passed would face 3 more challenges the first from the Texas Senate, Second the Voters of Texas, and then the United States Supreme Court. Rep.White grew up in Houston where he attended public schools. James graduated with honors from Prairie View A&M University with a degree in Political Science and Military Science and he completed doctoral studies in Political Science at the University of Houston. The United States Congress commissioned James as an officer of Infantry in the U.S. Army, where heat we are in served his country in assignments throughout the world, most notably from 1987-90 in the Berlin Brigade. Rep.White is proud to call Tyler County home, where he maintains a small cattle ranch. He has taught American government and free enterprise economics and coached football and basketball at Woodville High School. Additionally, Rep. White has taught government at Angelina College in Lufkin. Rep. White is a proud member of the Republican Caucus, the Tea Party Caucus, the Legislative Black Caucus, the Rural Caucus, the Manufacturing Caucus, and the Texas Conservative Coalition. In a Statement to a Local  news station White stated the following. "We don't think another federal plan is going to be the solution." he went on to say "if big Federal plans or big plans out of Washington where the answer, we wouldn't be in the situation where we are now in health care". White wanted to emphasize that unlike a nullification bill, a constitutional measure is harder to challenge in court. And is less likely to be ruled unconstitutional. No one would lose the current health care coverage.

Sen. Byrd, The Rules, And Congressional Gridlock

Senate rule changes sparked controversy leading House and Senate Republicans to Respond
“Senate Democrats’ attempt to break Senate rules in order to change Senate rules is clearly designed to marginalize Senate Republicans and their constituents while greasing the skids for controversial partisan measures."  Said Speaker John Boehner. He went on to say "I question the wisdom of this maneuver, especially at a time when cooperation on Capitol Hill is critical, and fully support Leader McConnell’s efforts to protect minority rights, which are an essential part of our constitutional tradition." He even threatened, "Any bill that reaches a Republican-led House based on Senate Democrats’ heavy-handed power play would be dead on arrival.” While Senate Minority Leader, Sen. Mitch McConnell stated “Yesterday the Majority Leader and I had a spirited discussion about his intention to change Senate Rules outside of the process provided in those Rules.“When he was in the minority, my friend from Nevada objected strenuously to the very procedure he now wants to employ.  He called using a simple-majority maneuver to change senate procedure the ‘nuclear option,’ and described it as ‘breaking the rules to change the rules.’ “Now that he’s in the majority, he says the ends justify the means.  He says we have to make the Senate more efficient, and we have to violate the Senate’s rules to do so, so that he and his colleagues in the majority can implement more easily their vision for America.“According to him, ‘these minor changes won’t affect anyone that [has] the thought of making America better.’  Now, of course, in the Majority Leader’s world, it will be just he and his colleagues who determine what makes ‘America better.’  In short, according to my friend from Nevada, the means by which he wants to achieve his ends don’t matter—only his ends matter.   “That’s pretty convenient if you happen to be in the majority at the moment.  I say again, at the moment.  But convenience—or ‘efficiency,’ as my friend has described it—is not what the Senate has been about. “My friend the Majority Leader may have put it best in 2006 when he made the first of his commitments to respect the rights of the minority:
‘As Majority Leader, I intend to run the Senate with respect for the rules and for the minority rights the rules protected.  The Senate was not established to be efficient.  Sometimes the rules get in the way of efficiency.  The Senate was established to make sure that minorities are protected.  Majorities can always protect themselves, but minorities cannot.  That is what the Senate is all about.’
“My friend from Nevada then committed that he was ‘going to treat my Republican colleagues the way that I expect to be treated,’ and that he would ‘do everything [he could] to preserve the rules and traditions of this institution that I love.’
“In accurately describing the essence and wise purpose of the Senate, the Majority Leader sounded a lot like our former colleague Robert C. Byrd. “So I was quite surprised to hear our friend from Nevada assert that Senator Byrd would actually support the heavy-handed tactic he intends to employ.“Now, I’m not going to correct all the inaccuracies my friend made yesterday, like saying four times that it takes 10 days to get on a bill.  I don’t know what version of Riddick’s my friend has been reading, but if it actually took 10 days to get on a bill, I might support some Rules changes myself. “But I must disabuse my friend from Nevada of his belief about how Senator Byrd would view the heavy-handed tactic he intends to employ.  Unlike the Majority Leader, I recall when our late colleague spoke on this topic at a Rules Committee hearing the last time the Majority Leader entertained ‘breaking the rules to change the rules.’  And Senator Byrd was unequivocally against violating Senate Rules to change the Rules the way the current Majority Leader proposes.
“Senator Byrd began by noting that, “Our Founding Fathers intended the Senate to be a continuing body that allows for open and unlimited debate and the protection of minority rights.  Senators have understood that,’ he stated, ‘since the Senate first convened.’“Senator Byrd also noted that at the Constitutional Convention, James Madison recorded that the Senate was to be ‘a necessary fence’ in order ‘to protect the people against their rulers,’ and ‘to protect the people against the transient impressions into which they themselves might be led.’“How did Senator Byrd view the filibuster in the role of the Senate?  How did it relate to the Senate as ‘necessary fence?’
“He said, ‘The right to filibuster anchors this necessary fence.’
“Now, Senator Byrd acknowledged that this right should not be abused, and that ‘there are many suggestions as to what we should do’ if it is abused.  He recounted procedures that currently exist under the rules—I say again, procedures that currently exist under the Rules—to address it if it is.
“And as I suggested yesterday, Senator Byrd also indicated that simply working a full week could address some of these concerns.  Senator Byrd bemoaned the fact that ‘the Senate often works three day weeks.’  In other words, if you want the Senate to be more productive, start working more.
“But Senator Byrd was clear about what we should never do.  He said, ‘We must never, ever, tear down the only wall—the necessary fence—this nation has against the excesses of the Executive Branch and the resultant haste and tyranny of the majority.’
“Senator Byrd was a historian; he was a skillful majority leader who understood the unique importance of the Senate and the need of a majority leader to keep his commitments; but he was also a political realist who had been around enough to understood that political majorities are fleeting.  And if you break the rules to suit your political purposes of the moment, you may regret having done so when you find yourself in the minority.
“Senator Byrd specifically said, ‘I strongly caution my colleagues as some propose to alter the rules to severely limit the ability of a minority to conduct a filibuster.  I know what it is to be Majority Leader, and wake up on a Wednesday morning in November, and find yourself a Minority Leader.’
“To make sure there was no doubt as to his views on the subject, Senator Byrd concluded by unequivocally objecting to the use of the nuclear option that the Senator from Nevada is now proposing.  He said, ‘The [Rules] Committee must, however, jealously guard against efforts to change or reinterpret the Senate rules by a simple majority, circumventing Rule 22 where a two-thirds majority is required.’
“So my friend the Majority Leader is no more correct about Senator Byrd’s views on the nuclear option—on the idea of breaking the rules to change the rules—than he is about taking 10 days to get on a bill.
“I will conclude by reading what are likely the last words that Senator Byrd spoke on the subject of the nuclear option, and I encourage my colleagues to reflect on his wise counsel.  He said: ‘As I have said before, the Senate has been the last fortress of minority rights and freedom of speech in the Republic for more than two centuries.  I pray that Senators will pause and reflect before ignoring that history and tradition in favor of the political priority of the moment.’" 
Senator Reid would not comment on the record but I would have to agree with the two Gentlemen above in this Article that this is not the time nor the place for these heavy handed, nor should I say corrupt tactics as we try and avert disaster in this country.

Why do we have to recognize palistine?

 

 

Why must we recognize a state that already exsist from the time of the crusades? But if we recognize them and they came after the state of Judea, why cant Arab nations recognize Israel.

The Battle for the Texas Speakership

Austin, TX- The Battle for Texas speaker is brewing pitting those loyal to current Speaker Joe Straus of San Antonio and Rep. Bryan Hughes of Mineola. Republican Rep. Joe Straus exclaimed Friday that he had more than enough votes to be re-elected speaker of the Texas House. “I enjoy the large majority of members of both parties,” the San Antonio Republican Exclaimed on Inside Texas Politics. While those loyal to Hughes state that he has enough votes to best Speaker Straus, and that more conservative legislation is on its way. That was welcome News to those in the Liberty movement in Texas.

Today in America:Battle of The Branches

The Battle Continued as House Speaker John Boehner met with Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner and  then Blamed Democrats for not outlining specific cuts to avert the fiscal cliff that will send the economy spiraling into recession. "No substantive progress has been made between the White House and the House" in the past two weeks, the Ohio Republicans told reporters after the private meeting in his Capitol office. "I was hopeful we'd see a specific plan for cutting spending and we sought to find out today what the president really is willing to do," Boehner said. While the top Republican in the Senate Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, offered a pessimistic take following his separate meeting with Geithner. "To date, the administration has remained focused on raising taxes and attending campaign-style events, with no specific plans to protect Medicare and Social Security or reduce our national debt in a meaningful way," McConnell said in his statement. "And today, they took a step backward, moving away from consensus and significantly closer to the cliff."

And the Democrats do what they do best. They countered Saying that it's up to Republicans to offer a specific roster of spending cuts. "Republicans know where we stand," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada. "We're still waiting for a serious offer from Republicans." Reid noted that polls show strong public support for newly re-elected President Barack Obama's proposal to extend all expiring tax cuts except for those that apply to incomes over $200,000 for individuals and $250,000 for couples - legislation that Boehner and other Republicans say would harm the economy rather than help it. What Sen. Reid Cant Get through his thick skull is we want Spending Cuts First then some sort of Revenue. At the Pentagon, Comptroller Robert Hale said "the tone of discussions between Republicans and Democrats had improved and neither side wanted to see the additional cuts to military spending, which would total $52 billion in fiscal 2013 alone." The Fact that the Democrat Controlled Senate has not put forward a budget in 3 Years. Yet Every thing is the Republicans fault. According to the White House and Congressional Democrats.

I have had Request by Some German Friends to Translate into German so hear goes my Attempt at this:

Der Kampf weiter als House Speaker John Boehner erfüllt mit Finanzminister Tim Geithner und warfen Demokraten für nicht, die spezifische Kürzungen abzuwenden die steuerlichen Cliff, der die Wirtschaft in der Rezession Kostenspirale. "Keine wesentlichen Fortschritte zwischen dem Weißen Haus und dem Haus" in den letzten zwei Wochen der Ohio Republikaner vor Journalisten nach der privaten Treffen in seinem Büro Capitol Der Präsident tatsächlich zu tun bereit ist", sagte Boehner. Während die oberen Republikaner im Senat Sen. Mitch McConnell Kentucky, bot eine pessimistische nehmen nach getrennten Treffen mit Geithner. "Bisher hat die Regierung blieb konzentriert sich auf eine Anhebung der Steuern und die Teilnahme an Kampagne Stil Veranstaltungen, mit keine besonderen Pläne, Medicare schützen und soziale Sicherheit oder reduzieren unsere Staatsverschuldung in einer sinnvollen Art und Weise", sagte McConnell in seiner Erklärung. "Und heute, nahmen sie einen Schritt rückwärts, weg von

Konsens und deutlich näher an der Klippe." Und die Demokraten tun, was sie am besten können. Sie konterte, dass es bis zu der Republikaner zu bieten eine spezifische Roster der Ausgabenkürzungen. "Die Republikaner wissen, wo wir stehen", sagte Senat, Harry Reid Nevada. "Wir warten noch immer auf ein ernsthaftes Angebot von Republikaner." Reid festgestellt, dass Umfragen starke öffentliche Unterstützung für neu gewählte Präsident Barack Obamas Vorschlag, die alle auslaufenden Steuersenkungen außer für die, die für Einkommen über $200.000 für Einzelpersonen und $250.000 für Paare - Rechtsvorschriften, die Boehner und andere Republikaner sagen wäre schädlich für die Wirtschaft und nicht helfen. Was Sen Reid kann man es nicht durch seine dicken Schädel ist wir wollen Kürzungen zuerst dann irgendeine Art der Einnahmen. Auf der Pentagon, Comptroller Robert Hale sagte "Der Ton der Diskussionen zwischen Republikanern und Demokraten verbessert hatte und wollte keine Seite finden Sie in der zusätzlichen Kürzungen zu Militärausgaben, die insgesamt $52 Mrd. im Geschäftsjahr 2013 allein." Die Tatsache, dass Demokraten kontrollierten Senat hat nicht einen Haushalt in 3 Jahren. Doch alles ist die Republikaner Störung. Nach Angaben des Weißen Hauses und des Kongresses Demokraten.