Previous History

A virtual coup that subverted the will of the people occurred when Joe Straus in the 2009 81st Legislature made his move to become Speaker of the House. Straus began his “conservative” campaign for Speaker by first engaging the 65 Democratic Party House members to pledge their vote.

Straus then enticed 11 Republican House members to pledge their support enabling Straus to win a majority vote that ousted former Speaker Tom Craddick.

Empower Texans Top 12 Reasons to Oust Straus

Joe Straus

2010 – The 82st Legislature – The Tea Party is still in rally formation.

• Joe Straus – Texas Tea Party Public Enemy Number One – Redstate.com
• Joe Straus – Texas Tea Party Public Enemy Number One – Teaparty911.com

Straus still rewarded Democratic Party House members with chairmanship of certain committees.

• No doubt the opposition he received from the Texas Tea Parties and the “Texas 15” had some effect on committee assignments and legislation passed during the 82nd sessions.  The average conservative ranking of the committee chairs improved a little from 43 in the 81st to 57 in the 82nd, still a long distance from a respectable conservative ranking of between 70 and 100.  Also a third of the committees were chaired by Democrats down from half in the previous session.  However, many of the remaining assignments went to his closest allies. [Above Link - Teaparty911.com]

Each of the above actions ignored the will of the people by:

• subverting the will of the people who voted for the Republican Party candidates.
• Subverting the will of the people who voted for Republican Party ideas.
• Subverting the will of the people who voted for Republican Party control of the House.
• Subverting the will of the people by empowering the losing party with chairmanships.

Joe Straus continued in this “bi-partisan coup” of radical equality by giving the losing party more power than the voters determined. The Tea Party was rebuked  as “threats, harassment and attempts at intimidation because of the fair and respectful way in which you want this House to operate” because they dared to speak out against the undemocratic  methods employed by Straus in his quest for power.

Although many good conservative bills were debated and voted upon, many others were locked in committee, never allowed for floor debate or vote.

Joe Straus, as well as David Dewhurst, are two reasons your Granny gets groped by the TSA in Texas.

For an overview of just who Joe Straus is please check Ramparts360.com: search Joe Straus.

A vote against Joe Straus is a vote for the will of the people.

Please see our update to the State Rep District 14 race, below.

We’ve tried to look beyond the personalities and to seek candidates who are:

• guided more by principle than by pragmatism, or “whatever works”
• guided more by constitutional ambition than by personal ambition
• not afraid to go beyond calling themselves “Conservative” but to also associate themselves with the principled stands of the Tea Party Movement.

Please note that there is not a single candidate listed below with whom we agree 100%. Each winning candidate will require constant oversight by vigilant constituents.

President

1. In this primary, vote your conscience and align yourself with Tea Party values.

2. In the general election, even though many of us believe there have been candidates that better align themselves with Constitutional principles, we foresee recommending a vote for Mitt Romney as a vote against the incumbent Barack Obama (see First Put Out the Fire from 2009).

U.S. Senator

Ted Cruz

The best single vote you can make for the good of the country. Please be prepared to vote for Ted Cruz in the surely-upcoming runoff July 31 as well.

U.S. Rep. District 17

Bill Flores

We have disagreed on some decisions. We support him as a candidate.

Railroad Commissioner Unexpired Term

Greg Parker

The principled stand he’s taken against so-called man-made climate change, and the constitutional ambition he exhibited in the Q&A session at our April meeting, lead us to recommend him.

Justice, Supreme Court, Place 2

Don Willett

Member, SBOE District 8

Barbara Cargill

We heard from both candidates directly at our May meeting. We strongly recommend Barbara Cargill.

State Senator District 5

Ben Bius

Ben Bius is committed to defend personal liberty and property rights.

State Representative District 12

Timothy Delassandro

The personal liberty and property rights candidate.

State Representative District 14

Hal Hawkins

UPDATE 5-17-12: We’ve had a lot of feedback on this race, and need to clarify the main reason for this recommendation.

First, some reminders of Texas Speaker of the House Joe “Texas TEA Party Public Enemy Number 1″ Straus. (More links from our article today).

The incumbent, John Raney, has received a large contribution from “…the Texas House Leadership Fund, which (the) House Speaker runs. The funds help House Republicans fighting to retain their seats…” That quote is from the Lubbock Avalanche Journal (fifth paragraph down), describing a 2010 race. It adds, referring to that race, “that Straus and his leadership team are doing whatever they can to help their embattled colleague.”

It seems the same thing is happening in this race, though of course here the incumbent is in no danger of losing (incumbent funding, challenger funding). We do know one of our Board has heard the incumbent say that he’ll have no problem working with Straus. By the way, Empower Texans just posted 12 reasons to oust Straus.

We strongly encourage principled conservatives to vote for the challenger in this race.

Chief Justice 10th Court of Appeals District

Tom Gray

Endorsed by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott. A frequent contributor at our meetings.

District Attorney 85th Judicial District

Ray Thomas

A difficult choice with more than one strong candidate.

School Choice

YES

Repealing Obamacare

YES

Public Prayer

YES

Balanced Budget

This is a misguided idea. We recommend NO.

A balanced budget amendment gives the government permission to spend beyond what it (Constitutionally) now has. Details–please read. Plus, it just treats the symptons.

Redistricing

YES

Please note: if you see errors or omissions, or would like to discuss, please leave a comment below or email at contact@bcsteaparty.com.

The Catholic Church produced this video that highlights exactly what this election is about.

Will you vote the values that will stand the test of fire? Some things are more important than high gas prices or a faltering economy. They are life, marriage and freedom.

Primary Voting is the beginning of this process to vote the values that established this nation.

Early primary voting begins Monday, May 14.

Primary Voting Day is May 29th, 2012.

Your participation is needed, even required.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Brazos County Meet & Greet
5:30 to 7:00 pm
Location: C&J BBQ, Party Room
1010 South Texas Avenue
Bryan, TX

Purchase some delicious C&J BBQ then meet with Ted Cruz in the Party Room!

A new poll shows Ted is gaining on Dewhurst, and actually ahead of him when voters are familiar with Ted!  With early voting starting on Monday May 14th we need your help phone banking from home for Ted. Will you please sign up for even one hour a week, or more if you can?  We will provide the call lists and talking points.

Remember, there is no better way to get a sense of a candidate than to meet them in person and ask them your own questions.

Please RSVP to Nick@TedCruz.org or 512-637-8777 and note what event you will be attending.

You may download his flyer, or view its main contents below:

Nathan Exley is currently a student at Blinn College in Bryan and was recently accepted to Texas A&M University. As the previous president of the Austin Rhetoric Club, an Eagle Scout and small business owner, the torch of freedom has always been of special significance to him. Nathan attended Patriot Academy in July 2011, with the gracious donations of friends and family, to become equipped to protect the freedoms and principles set up by the founding fathers. He came out with much more than expected and plans to attend Patriot Academy again this year. Support Nathan Exley in this campaign for Patriot Academy 2012!

Patriot Academy is a five-day political training program where students learn about America’s system of government. Each summer, young people from around the nation come to the Texas State Capitol to form a fully functioning mock legislative body. Students draft legislation, debate bills and pass laws on the House Floor under the tutelage of current and former elected officials.

Students are strongly encouraged by Patriot Academy to raise all $950 of their tuition fees by campaigning for it. Donations are tax deductible.

To Donate:

-       Write a Check. Make it out to Patriot Academy. Send it to:

Nathan Exley
11866 Great Oaks Drive
College Station, Tx 77845

-       Donate Online: Go to www.patriotacademy.com and click the ‘Donate’ Tab. Put “For Nathan Exley” in the shipper box or comment section. Then let me know that you donated so that I can record campaign contributions.

-       You can reach me at: nathanexley@msn.com or by phone at (512) 508-8051.

To make the political fundraising experience as realistic as possible, we require a completed fundraising report similar to the Texas Ethics Commission report candidates and officeholders must file. It is crucial that I know about your donation.

When anybody preaches disunity, tries to pit one of us against the other, through class warfare, race hatred, or religious intolerance, you know that person seeks to rob us of our freedom, and destroy our very lives.

This 1948 Joseph Barbera/William Hanna cartoon has been going around since just after the last presidential election. Nothing new under the sun.

 May 29th is Primary Voting Day. 

Cruz Attacked by Desperate Dewhurst – Get the Facts
Introduction:

The environmental agenda has been infected by extremism—it’s become an economic suicide pact.

Freemarketamerica.org has produced this video to challenge the intent of ideas with results of dearth, poverty, and chaos.

Do your children and grandchildren tell you they are capable of “saving” the planet? What are you going to do about it?

We are a nation that prides itself for acknowledging the principle of equality, but as wisdom instructs:

• Pride is the first step to self-created destruction.
• The frailty of human willpower ensures that the ability to practice a virtue eventually devolves to vice.

The hellish world where the ends justify the means is the direct result of ends unhinged from the source of the principle. This is the dangerous world of radical or extreme equality that is devoid of self-interest and individual responsibility.

The movement of radical equality has been slowly gaining ground over the years via lawsuits which prompt “corrective” legislation and regulation. Even our tax code is no longer viewed as a means to raise revenue, but rather as a social construct to promote equality. Radical equality makes those individuals adhering to the principles of self-government (as a means to better pursue happiness) targets for those who choose to ignore the principles of self-government. A culture practicing extreme radical equality is set for self-destruction.

What is critical for us to appreciate today is that this understanding is not new. According to Mark Levin’s Ameritopia, the danger of radical equality was well known to our Founders. The subject was discussed in Tocqueville’s Democracy in America with the warning that by the time radical equality is recognized as the problem, it is too late for the nation in peril:

“The evils that extreme equality may produce are slowly disclosed; they creep gradually into the social frame; they are seen only at intervals; and at the moment at which they become most violent, habit already causes them to be no longer felt.”

The questions we must ask ourselves are:

• Why, as we are only now “discovering” the perils of radical equality, do we find the footprints of men far more enlightened than ourselves having already charted this “unknown” land?
• What did these great thinkers understand about Human Nature that enabled them to contemplate potential disaster in advance?

The answer is that these enlightened thinkers knew and feared God. Contemplation of this reality drove them in pursuit of the virtue of the good, justice, and truth in every aspect of intellectual study and action.

Comparatively, our pop culture aggressively acts and speaks upon the fallacy that God is a subject about which the LESS one knows, the more intelligent one is. These self-ascribed know-nothings then define the terms of discussion for the rest of the community. Radical equality is all about the silencing of those that do know by those that don’t want to know. If allowed to continue, this siren song of “no accountability or responsibility required, but share equally the results of those who are” will wreck our ship of state.

"God Lives in the Clouds" by silverskie

There is nothing noble, kind, or even tolerant about treating foolishness and ignorance as the equals of wisdom.

In his 1994 speech at Independence Hall, former Czech Republic President, Vaclav Havel reminded us of the need for transcendence if man is to actually appreciate the privilege of Creator endowed rights. It seems there is a paradox that only by acknowledging the Creator can man even imagine equality and then recognize the humanity within his fellow man. This is the process that creates the leveling force of equality, and with that fact comes the accountability of self-government. Every man will be held accountable for his deeds, as well as the results of those deeds (God is not impressed by “good intentions”).

So, in identifying the danger of radical equality, we now must appreciate and respond to the two fronts of this battle within our Human Nature:

• Acknowledging that there is a God to fear.
• Deeds, and results of those deeds, in keeping with that acknowledgment.

The future of our Creator-endowed rights within civil society are dependent upon our action.

In Dred Scott v Sandford (1857), Chief Justice Roger B. Taney pointed to the commerce clause, along with the so-called Fugitive Slave Clause (Article IV, Section 2, Clasue 3), as evidence that slaves were not citizens but were to be considered property according to the Constitution.
The Heritage Guide to the Constitution, p. 151.

In Roe v Wade (1975) the Court extended the concept of privacy to cover the right to obtain an abortion…
The Heritage Guide to the Constitution, p.  397

The study of Court Precedent is nothing more than a glimpse into the pop culture mores of the day;  the fickle fads and personal whims that change according to the side of the bed one emerged from on a particular day. Precedent recognizes that which went before. According to the Founding Documents precedent refers to what existed before the Constitution–i.e. God and the understanding of Natural Law.

Today, Court Precedent is too often no longer connected to the originating principles in existence before the Constitution.

Instead, it has become the process by which originating principles have been negated and overruled. Our national  situation is dire because Court Precedent has successfully confused citizens as to the ability to practice those rights over which the Constitution declares government possesses no authority. Popular opinion in agreement with these absurd conclusions has come to the point that we find ourselves restricting our own liberty while absurdly referencing “good manners.”

Consider these examples:

• “One of the Willowcreek [church] theory papers on small groups in churches suggests that we need to remove “religious words” in our efforts to reach the community.” [http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/willowcreek.html]

• “A Virginia school district is facing a mountain of criticism after a grade school music teacher edited references to God in an upcoming performance of the song ‘We Are The World’ so that non-Christians would not be offended.” [http://radio.foxnews.com/toddstarnes/top-stories/school-removes-god-from-we-are-the-world.html ]

• “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.” (article 25(1))” [http://www.hrea.org/index.php?doc_id=411]

• “The first thing to note in any sensible discussion of freedom of speech is that it will have to be limited.” [http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/freedom-speech/]

Each example is an indication of how unconstitutional court precedents have diluted the authority of our pre-existing Creator endowed rights. The barrier of protection in the phrase “Congress shall make no law…” has been undermined and Congress, the Executive, and the Courts are zealously making law in that fenced off area in which they have no authority. Further compounding this grave injustice and abuse of power is a pop culture  ignorant of philosophical truth. The result is that our  citizens are trained in the necessary abdication of self interest as a means to “the public good.”  Those in possession of philosophical truth (which is irrefutably linked back to God, Natural Law, and those pre-existing Creator endowed rights) are shouted down by the ignorant and those with malevolent motives in regards to seeking power and authority over others.

Precedent is the method to subjugate the justice of natural law in order to replace it with its mirror-image reversal—man-made law. What natural law declares evil, man-made law determines as good and what natural law has determined as good is now pronounced evil.

Principle is grounded in Natural Law

Principle, on the other hand, is founded in the pre-existing Natural Law of self-evident truth. Principles are statements of truth, therefore, when courts contradict Principle, they are unlawful and unconstitutional.  So, in referencing the two unconstitutional Court Decisions listed above, those in search of constitutional truths must appreciate that the idea that “privacy” legalizes the murder of an infant inside the womb when everyone appreciates such an act as murder when done outside the womb, is absurd. But yet this nonsense currently stands as Court Precedent. Likewise Court Precedent recognized a bill of sale as capable of legally reducing a  human being  to a material possession. The Dred Scott Case’s Court Precedent was accepted as constitutional opinion as if it negated the self-evident truth proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence.

Principles remain true regardless of our acknowledgement.

SCOTUS. Technically, the arbiter

ObamaCare is not constitutional or unconstitutional because the Supreme Court rules it so. ObamaCare is unconstitutional because it is not in accordance with the pre-existing principles of this nation. The way to know this is to study the Founders’ writings and know the meanings of their words.

The method to stop such malicious abuse of power is application of Newtonian physics. A lawless object will remain in motion unless stopped by an object with the weight (large number of people) and grounded mass (knowledge and faith in self-evident truth) empowered with momentum of its own.

Join our classes and/or learn on your own

See our write-up here. There is a wonderful confidence we can all develop by learning our founding principles and being able to quote them every time we’re confronted with anti-constitutional thought. And this is often.

And remember

Human Nature is such that for every law, the people simply look for a way around it. The study of Court Precedent is merely the blueprint, the schematic, the map to follow in order to make what is illegal, unconstitutional, or against Natural Law declared legal and constitutional.

Such activities, while as futile as trying to mathematically disprove gravity, engender social chaos and injustice rather than the pre-existent purpose of government which is safety and the ability to pursue happiness. Those things constitutional are self-evident and clear while those things unconstitutional must be explained in nuanced and inferred language. When an explanation deteriorates into legal gibberish, strongly suspect a breach in the constitutional boundary. Principles need no explanation because they ring clear and true in self-evident clarity.

When discussion of “What’s constitutional?” deteriorates to a listing of court precedent to explain a particular opinion or position, you can be certain of an unconstitutional threat to your liberty.

We look forward to you joining with us in studying our Founding Documents.

James Madison

Most of us understand that the purpose of having three branches of government with enumerated powers is to prevent consolidation of power.  A principle not so commonly understood is that according to the authors of The Federalist, our own Human Nature is the greatest threat to our Liberty. As James Madison wrote in Federalist 51, “If men were angels, no government would be necessary.”  Madison understood that government was really a study of Human Nature. Likewise, vetting candidates is a study of Human Nature. Which is why it is so important to actually meet candidates in person to ask them questions that you record, document, and share.

Use Ambition to Counter Ambition

Therefore, vetting candidates according to the Constitution is not merely a test of a candidate’s appreciation of enumerated powers and interpretation of certain clauses. Constitutional vetting is also a study of the set rules of Human Nature—the candidate’s as well as our own. In Federalist 51, Madison proposes a very wise principle: “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition. The interest of the man must be connected with the constitutional rights of the place.”  In applying Madison’s logic, citizens must look for candidates that are ambitious for the power that accompanies that elected position. Such a candidate will demonstrate a focused view of the job description to explain how he will accurately use that power to secure and defend his constituents’ liberty and private property. He also will explain how he will defend that position from unlawful limitations or encroachment from other branches of government as well as resist the call to consolidate the power of the office to grow unconstitutional power and authority.

You’re Not the Boss of Me. The Constitution is.

Every position has rightful authority and constitutional power, and the responsibility to use it. A constitutional candidate appreciates that the purpose of government is to secure and defend the liberty and private property of the people. He then uses all the power and authority of the office to do so. He does not allow other members of the legislature, council, or branches of government to interfere with the power and authority of office to first secure and defend the liberty and private property of his constituents. This type of ambition for the constitutional power of the place could be summed up in the phrase, “You’re not the boss of me. The Constitution is.”

Consensus of Power is Medieval redux

Contrarily, the personal ambition of a candidate will drive him to seek alternative methods of securing power. This has always been consensus — might makes right. Personal ambition is best described in feudal imagery where a man pledges loyalty to another man, rather than the rule of law. As the honored man rises, so do his vassals. Votes are cast, not according to the original purpose of government, but rather according to the personal ambitions of the men involved. Such a candidate speaks of:

• working with others,
• bipartisanship,
• and consensus.

A personally ambitious candidate may even imply that he has already pledged to support a certain incumbent legislator in order to gain a desired committee appointment.

What is of vital importance in vetting a candidate according to the Constitution is another principle of Human Nature: no man can serve two masters.

Constituents, Practice What You Preach

Likewise, in our search for the candidate with constitutionally-principled ambition it is imperative that citizens understand that the constitutional candidate is practicing the same sort of individuality that we must be ambitious for in our own community.

Madison continues in Federalist 51:

“It is of great importance in a republic not only to guard the society against the oppression of its rulers, but to guard one part of the society against the injustice of the other part. Different interests necessarily exist in different classes of citizens. If a majority be united by a common interest, the rights of the minority will be insecure. There are but two methods of providing against this evil:

• the one by creating a will in the community independent of the majority — that is, of the society itself;
• the other, by comprehending in the society so many separate descriptions of citizens as will render an unjust combination of a majority of the whole very improbable, if not impracticable.    [Bolding & Bullet Points added for clarity.]

Factions are the result of Human Nature, too

Just as we would prefer that our elected officials not surrender their rightful power and authority to some power structure of which the people are not privy, it is our duty as constituents to not band together in factions (see Federalist 10). Factions demand special privileges, exemptions, partialities, or rights. Such demands result in depriving other members of our community of their civil liberties. It is our duty to create within our community a respect for all citizens as unique individuals as well as supporting a spiritual will independent of the majority on issues not pertaining to civic virtue and responsibility.

The End of Justice

Madison’s lessons reveal two proofs that our own Human Nature is the greatest threat to our Liberty. Faction and personal ambition are driven by man’s animal instinct to destroy or be destroyed. A community that allows factions, or the feudal system of personal ambition in elected officials, will eventually destroy the liberty of everyone as well as the foundation for civil society. This loss of liberty eventually leads to the elimination of justice, and therefore fails as fulfilling the first intent of government.

Madison:

Justice is the end of government. It is the end of civil society. It ever has been and ever will be pursued until it be obtained, or until liberty be lost in the pursuit.
Federalist 51

Apply the Win/Win Strategy

It is to this end that we must learn to vet candidates according to the Constitution as well as teach the proper application of Human Nature’s ambition. Accordingly, we must apply these rules of Human Nature to ourselves because we too can be a threat to our own Liberty. Proper use of ambition is a win/win endeavor for the candidate as well as our communities.

Presidential Candidate Ron Paul will speak at Texas A&M University

Town Hall Presentation by U.S. Representative Bill Flores

In preparation for each of these two events we encourage everyone to acquaint themselves with the information provided at our website: Guide to Asking Candidates Questions.

DVD Meetup at Good Time Charley’s

6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 12, 2012. (downtown Bryan across from LaSalle Hotel)

We are continuing to enjoy the Wall Builder’s DVD’s about our nation’s religious founding as well as some great burgers, salads, as well as an oval platter sized chicken fried steak! Don’t forget the Tea Party special on those Sam Adams’ Lagers! These DVD meetups are turning out to be a really FUN night out, so if you haven’t been, you are missing out.

Brazos County Republican Convention

Best Western Hotel – 1920 Austin’s Colony, Bryan.

Saturday, April 14, 2012 starting at 9:00 am – throughout the day
This is the preparation for Brazos County’s presentation to the Texas Republican Party Convention (June 7-9, 2012 in Fort Worth).

The conservative movement within the Republican Party can only be as strong as the strength of the conservative movement in every county/parish in the United States.

If you are truly weary of RINO’s and moderates acting and voting in opposition to the planks of the Party Platform, in order to set up new guards, it is your duty, your responsibility to make sure Brazos County has a strong conservative movement that has the authority to hold all our candidates and elected officials accountable to each plank of the Republican Party Platform.

Come, watch, and learn how the political sausage get’s made. Listen to the resolutions and ideas submitted and participate in voting those worthy statements into a final document to be presented to the State Platform Committee.

This is how a republic remains a republic.

Constitution in 10 Lessons

The purpose of this short study is to obtain a good general understanding of our Constitution that will inspire confidence when addressing candidates and elected officials. The rights you save, could be your own.

And in speaking of our nation’s Constitution, I want to invite everyone to check out Mark Coppock’s work on our website’s pages First Principles - The U. S. Constitution. Mark has provided all the information you need regarding our  Constitution in 10 Lessons as well as the webinar U.S. Constitution lessons provided by Hillsdale College.

The U. S. Constitution is unique because it is the first constitution that identified We The People as the source of this government’s power. All previous documents such as Magna Carta,  were a carving away of individual rights from the authority of a monarch, or ruling body. This is but one example of what we call American Exceptionalism.

Whether you attend our Constitution in 10 Lesson classes or view the Hillsdale College webinars on our Constitution, or do both!! be sure to find out just why the U.S. Constitution is such an extraordinary document that if adhered to, will ensure and secure those precious Creator endowed rights that belong to all men – even those currently living in tyranny and oppression – into this newly begun century and millennium.

As you can see, this is an extraordinary week for the Bryan/College Station Tea Party. Your participation is all that is needed!

Make your Legislator Commit!

1. Be politely professional, not friendly. You deserve definitive answers.

• Politicians want an “exchange between friends” with constituents because friends don’t demand definitive answers. Have a politely professional exchange instead. Politely demand the information you need (the same applies to car salesmen!).

2. Ask “yes” or “no” questions.

• Legislators will try to confuse you with details when answering open-ended questions.
• Ex. – “Will you be a ‘yes’ vote on defunding the remaining $39 million of our state tax dollars to Planned Parenthood?”

3. Trust your gut about whether you’ve gotten a good answer.

• You may get a good answer from the candidate, but to a slightly different question than you asked. These answers will seem okay to your brain, but your gut will tell you something is wrong. Trust your gut.

4. Repeat your question.

• Say, “I’m sorry but I’m not sure you answered my question exactly.” Then repeat your question. Do this as many times as it takes until your candidate takes a firm “yes”, “no”, or “I’m not taking a position at this time.”
• If the latter, politely say, “You make it hard to vote for you when you don’t take positions.”

We’re now two months out from the May 29th Texas primary! With this race heating up, it’s important to keep in mind all of the critical dates surrounding primary elections in Texas. Below are some helpful dates to remember!

Last Day to Register to Vote: April 30th
Early Voting: May 14th- May 25th
Primary Voting Date: May 29th
Primary Runoff Election Date: July 31st

Remember that, according to the recommendations of FreedomWorks when they were here, the primaries are the most important elections  as far as bang-for-the-buck (with the exception of runoffs!).

Ted Cruz

The Republican Liberty Caucus of Texas will be hosting a buffet-style luncheon with their 2012 endorsed candidates.

Date: Saturday, March 24, 2012

Time:  1100 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Location: Wings ‘N More Party Room; 1803 Deacon, C.S.

Cost: $15, $12 for students

This will be used to cover the cost of the event, including a buffet style lunch by Wings ‘N More.

Capacity is limited so please RSVP soon by emailing Aaron at  aaronalghawi@tamu.edu

Candidates Speaking will be:

U. S. Senate Candidate Ted Cruz

Grant Stinchfield – candidate for Congressional district 24

Bill Tofte – candidate for U.S. Congressional District 34

Rob Roark – candidate for U.S. Congressional District 35

Sheriff Richard Mack – candidate for Texas 21st Congressional District is pending.

Remember: the best way to vet a candidate is to meet and question him in person. Be sure to seize this great opportunity to meet Ted Cruz as well as these other great constitutional and limited government candidates at a local event.

Stand Up for Religious Freedom

Nationwide – March 23, 2012 – Noon

Defeat the HHS Mandate!

On March 23, thousands of faithful citizens will gather
in prayer and public witness in cities and towns all
across the United States to oppose the HHS Mandate.

Let’s make our voices heard right here in Bryan/College Station

Rally for Religious Freedom
Friday, March 23, Noon to 1 p.m

Sue Haswell Park

1142 E. W.J. Bryan Parkway, Bryan 77803

What is the HHS Mandate?

In January, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a mandate requiring all employer health plans to include free contraceptives, sterilizations and abortion-inducing drugs, regardless of any moral or
religious objections. Catholic universities and hospitals will be forced by the federal government to provide services that directly contradict Church teaching.

The HHS Mandate is an unprecedented assault on religious freedom and must be opposed!
The Nationwide Rally for Religious Freedom is a joint project of the Pro-Life Action League and Citizens for a Pro-Life Society.

StandUpForReligiousFreedom.com

Click the graphic to fill out the volunteer questionnaire.

The founding fathers pledged their

LIVES, FORTUNES, AND SACRED HONOR

What will you pledge to the fight to preserve YOUR liberty and that of your family? This is a time for action not just words. You may feel you can’t make a difference but YOU CAN!

We need your help!!

The past few months have been spent getting organized into two arms—educational and political.

The TEACH part of Teach, Empower, Act

Our education will continue to focus on several monthly meetings for

• discussion of local state and national issues
• Constitutional study
• teaching first principles, and
• renewing our knowledge of our founding as a nation, our liberties, and responsibilities for keeping them.

Volunteer!

Now, be empowered to ACT

The political side will focus on working directly with our legislators from the local to the national level to insure Constitutional representation. When our representatives promote legislation or vote for issues not supported by our Constitution, we will work to find, vet, and support new candidates who will work to preserve our liberties and our Constitution. We will organize rallies to support or protest issues from the local to the national. We will work with the precinct committees to insure fair, open, well-run polling places. When we can, we will actively work to stop legislation that is against our liberties.

All these actions need your help in one way or another. Every action, large or small, adds to our strength.

Please fill out our questionnaire to let us know what you’re interested in volunteering in!

Thank you for all you are willing to do to preserve our liberty.

Sincerely,

Nancy Coppock, educational initiatives (the Teach part of our slogan)

Bill Bingham, political initiatives (now that you’re empowered, Act)

Jess Fields speaking at the April 2009 B/CS Tea Party event in Tanglewood Park. Photo by Derek Warneke.

ICLEI — “an insidious, extreme institution that does not represent our citizens”

College Station Councilman Jess Fields gave a great talk covering several issues and concerns at our monthly meeting this past Thursday. During that talk he shared about College Station’s several-year participation in ICLEI. 

Check out the the B/CS Tea Party articles on ICLEI for some background on this organization. Short explanation:

ICLEI is an international environmental organization formed to control what you can do with your property. Local governments use your money to pay them.

See also the very active Stop Agenda 21 Texas for more specifics on ICLEI and Agenda 21, a United Nations plan intertwined with ICLEI.

College Station successfully scraping ICLEI off?

First, from his website councilmanjessfields.wordpress.com:

I am truly excited to announce that the proposed 2013 College Station budget will not include funding for this organization. It is an insidious, extreme institution that does not represent our citizens, and for our taxpayers to continue to fund it would be ridiculous.
(emphasis added)

Jess’ article from which the quote above is taken is long and thorough. We recommend strongly that you read it, follow the links, and join us in thanking Councilman Fields!

According to ICLEI, College Station off the membership rolls?

• ICLEI’s list of global members as of Nov. 23, 2010: College Station listed as a member.
• ICLEI’s list of global members as of April 11, 2011: College Station listed as a member.
• ICLEI’s list of global members as of now: College Station NOT listed as a member.

Now, trust but verify

Note the question marks after the previous two headings. “The proposed 2013 College Station budget will not include funding for this organization” suggests it may not be a done deal. Stop Agenda 21 Texas has more, including a statement by Jason Stuebe, College Station’s Assistant to the City Manager:

As of today, I have sent a letter notifying ICLEI that the City of College Station will not be renewing its membership nor taking part in its programs in 2012 and beyond. Furthermore, I asked that ICLEI immediately cancel our membership (if it is even still active), and remove the City of College Station and its officers from any and all ICLEI rosters, publications, and websites.

Jess needs citizens’ help and support making sure this goes through as planned. If you’re a College Station resident, stay on the rest of the Council. If you’re not a resident, you can still encourage and support Jess’ work!

1. Raise and spend millions of dollars.
2. Become a unified group of organized voters.

Scratch number one. We need to learn how to become, and grow as, a unified group of organized voters. Enter FreedomWorks..

The visit Thursday Feb. 23 by two representatives from FreedomWorks laid out how far we are behind big-government proponents in this regard.

What follows are raw notes from the meeting :

Freedomworks

• since 1984
• formerly Citizens for a Sound Economy
• consider FreedomWorks a service center, a distribution center

Grassroots 101

David Spielman, Campaigns Coordinator
Amanda Shell, Campaigns Assistant

David Spielman’s presentation

Dick Armey, FreedomWorks Chairman and Former U.S. House Majority Leader:

• Hard works beats daddy’s money any day
• progressives have known that for years
  • they’re the most well organized grassroots organization there is
  • been going for 120 years

build to win, win to build

• it’s a battle
• focus has to be local
  • succeeded by knocking on doors, getting people to agree to something (want that pothole fixed? sign here)
• book: a force more powerful
• works with a lot of groups who’d never work with the Tea Party
  • find what unites you

circle of power: people, dollars, policy, elected officials, grassroots pressure to lawmakers

• a constant movement
• goes both directions

politicians don’t care about policy. they care about their own rational self-interest, survival

• when in power, people become infected by it
• FOCUS ON GROWING YOUR ARMY

Saul Alinsky

• greatest organizer since Samuel Adams
• delivered small victories at a time
• never made himself the leader
  • he knew if a leader was identified, the movement could be stopped by cutting off the leader’s head
• never use the same tactic twice

We need to be like the Dems (as far as tactics): snakelike

Find what unites you

Work outside your comfort zone

99% of campaigns don’t know what they’re doing

• we have to be the army

30% of people at the time were against the American Revolution; 30% for; THE REST DIDN’T CARE

• like today

It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people’s minds.
Samuel Adams

BECOME THE ESTABLISHMENT

Amanda Shell: Grassroots Campaigning and GOTV

Download the presentation (PDF) added 3-7-12

• the Right has to be better at marketing
• we have to make our army larger

FW uses a 4 step process to see what candidate they support

1. ask membership–in Texas, 70% said Ted Cruz
2. FW exec. interviews the candidates–Ted Cruz passed with flying colors
3. ask: can they fund raise? do they have name ID, and will it grow? Ted Cruz has won 60+ straw polls in TX out of 70
4. FW then asks, how much difference can we make in this race?

always been in favor of a hostile takeover of the Republican Party by true candidates

you have to get behind the candidate that’s the best to take the seat from a RINO even if you don’t agree with the candidate on every issue

why grassroots

• campaigns spend on standard media
• grassroots do the most effective work, if they do the work

Yard signs very important

• PART OF THE WARFARE
• not just in your yard!! All over the community
• in a primary people vote for the name they’ve heard the most
• put everywhere public
• creates [best bang for the buck] name recognition
  • a part of the process of building excitement about a candidate.
    • People want to be part of something exciting; to be associated with a winner
• life span of a yard sign: 36 hours
  • so take more than you need

door to door meetings are the most important

• studies show this is the best way to get someone to vote for your candidate
• Saturdays are the best day
• FW will supply you with materials for candidates they endorse

freedomworksforamerica.org Political Gravity
- to make a door-to-door map of the best potential voters

phone banking

• they offer the technology to make it fast and easy
• their system: Volunteer Connect
• we can call voters in swing states like Florida

Phone banking examples

1. Dave’s mission: Kosher Tea
   • getting the 750 Jewish Tea Party members in Israel to call swing states in the U.S.
   • “You cannot vote for Barack Obama. We live in Israel and are put in direct danger because of his policies.”
2. Scott Brown victory in Mass.–from out-of-state phone banking

swing states matter SO MUCH

GOTV (get out the vote)

• contact FreedomWorks 90 days out and get to work (Aug 2)
• become a precinct chairman
• become a voter registrar

freedomconnector.com

No. 1 goal for the FW superpac: take back the Senate

• replace Orin Hatch (36 year RINO)
• replace Dick Lugar (36 year RINO)

Summary of point one. Now watch the video!

My friend at Ramparts360—a top Texas political/cultural blog—posted this video first.

EVERYBODY knows that Republicans are EVIL!

What kind of Evil?

• Greedy 
• Fascist
• Racist

The worst kind!

Bill Whittle of Declaration Entertainment unravels the facts behind this perfect storm of evil in a breezy fashion that provides a hurricane of historical data to lift the white robes of even the most stalwart Democrats.

The Democratic Party has knowingly rewritten history in order to project their own sins against the liberty of all men upon their political opponents. In doing so, they prove that their own members are ignorant boobs whose minds can be molded at will…and then bribed with government subsidy checks for a vote.

However we choose to do so, we need to keep this document handy

Should government be in the business of taking care of you for free, or making sure you are free to take care of your business?

The Democratic Party is currently asserting that the Constitution of the United States of America is outdated and irrelevant. They claim that the necessities for survival are basic human rights, and a Constitution that doesn’t guarantee them doesn’t work.

I would not look to the U.S. Constitution if I were drafting a constitution in the year 2012…I might look at the constitution of South Africa. That was a deliberate attempt to have a fundamental instrument of government that embraced basic human rights…
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Read more. Watch the video.

President Obama, as chief spokesman for the Democratic Party, has always agreed with this mischaracterization of the purpose of our Constitution:

The [Warren] Supreme Court never ventured into the issues of redistribution of wealth, and of more basic issues such as political and economic justice in society…It didn’t break free from the essential restraints that were placed by the Founding Fathers in the Constitution, at least as it’s been interpreted. In the same way that generally the Constitution is a charter of negative liberties, it says what the States can’t do to you, it says what the Federal Government can’t do to you, but it doesn’t say what the Federal government or State government must do on your behalf.
Then Senator Barack Obama in 2001, emphases added

The Federalist Papers repeatedly explain that the very purpose of the American form of government is to ensure and defend the liberty and private property of all her citizens at home and abroad, as citizens acted in according to commercial self-interests around the world. The United States of America was established according to Adam Smith’s principle that it was the activity of self-interest engaged in commerce that created national wealth rather than preservation of natural products.*

The brilliance of our Constitution is that it was written to not only:

1. limit the power and authority of government to interfere with the most basic and necessary of all human rights, self-interest; but to
2. determine that our government and even ambassadors to foreign nations were to be our champions in our pursuit of commercial self-interest. [Federalist 4]

Self-interest should be considered fundamental to any concept of human rights. If you must ask for permission to breathe, to take in nourishment, to seek shelter and protection, to make an honest living, you have no rights.

Self-interest knows that we must protect the freedom to suffer the consequences of bad decisions.

Individual growth comes through failing and learning by trial-and-error. A country’s growth and prosperity comes from all capable citizens doing so. A government pretending to shelter people from their failures may as well proclaim national weight loss by redefining how heavy a pound is.

Self-interest is suspicious of those that make themselves advocates of your self-interest.

Strongly suspect the motive of anyone who offers or implies unsolicited responsibility for your self-interest. Traditional fairy tales are full of warnings about trusting strangers who promise to care more for the unsuspecting than they could possibly care for themselves.

Be especially suspicious of a President or Supreme Court Judge who repudiates the very Constitution that acknowledges they have no authority in decisions regarding your self-interest, in order that they become eligible as arbiters of your self-interest. Note that in order to attain these positions of power, these authority figures swore an allegiance to that very Constitution they now undermine. At best such duplicity is the stuff of carnival sideshow hucksters; at worst, vile examples of those that prey upon fellow human beings.

It is your responsibility to protect your self-interest. If you don’t it will be taken from you.

Liberty requires the individual be a zealous defender of his own self-interest. Self-interest determines your level of personal accountability and responsibility to yourself. Unfortunately, our post modern worldview has separated our minds from considering such foundational truths. “Liberty”, they say, “is the absence of accountability and responsibility,” slyly opening the door of opportunity for these frauds of “new and improved human rights.” All con men are astute students of our Human nature because our own greed and lust is the bait of every con man’s trap.

Political con men bait their trap with the lust of all men, which is to make others pay for all that we want or think we deserve. In the process, they get you to willingly abdicate our Creator-endowed right of self-interest in exchange for a promise from a professional liar, now tyrant.

Respecting the Constitution = respecting your self-interest.

Exercise your self-interest when selecting a candidate by choosing a candidate who respects the Constitution of the United States of America. Only support a candidate that recognizes that after the election it becomes his duty to consider whether pending legislation will

• ensure and defend your liberty,
• your self-interest,
• your private property, and
• pursuit of commercial self-interest before every vote.

It is in your own self-interest.

Endnotes:
* “The prosperity of commerce is now perceived and acknowledged by all enlightened statesmen to be the most useful as well as the most productive source of national wealth, and has accordingly become a primary object of their political cares.” [Federalist 12 - Hamilton]

The Texas Aggie Conservatives (thanks!!) are presenting Star Parker as keynote speaker for their First Annual Social Justice Program.

Where do we begin in describing this amazing lady? Here’s the first few paragraphs of her organization’s website:

Star Parker is the founder and president of CURE, the Center for Urban Renewal and Education, a 501(c)(3) non-profit think tank which promotes market based public policy to fight poverty.

Before involvement in social activism, Star Parker had seven years of first-hand experience in the grip of welfare dependency. Now, as a social policy consultant, Star is bringing new energy to policy discussions on how to transition America’s poor from government dependency.

She is a sought after expert on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC and for national radio, television, and print interviews, nationwide.

A number of us got to hear Star’s speech here last week. It is hard to fully express how much everyone  within driving distance should come to this event!

Here’s the Facebook Event Page. Please sign up!

A future denied discretionary cash after expenses is devoid of savings or  investments.

While Popeye’s Wimpy was always willing to pay you on Thursday for borrowed money for a hamburger today, a national debt approaching $20 Trillion forces those repayment Thursdays so far into the future that certain enslavement is assured.

Click here to view the embedded video.

‘ The fathers eat the sour grapes, But the children’s teeth are set on edge’ Jeremiah 18:2b

Hat tip: Sandra

Michael Quinn Sullivan of Empower Texans

Meeting summary: we need to better monitor the Texas Legislature and keep those we elect there accountable.

An important conclusion: engaged citizens (us) can give elected officials an excuse to not fall into the anti-conservative games played in Austin. But we have to stay on them at every turn or they will turn on us.

One example given was House freshman Van Taylor from Plano who, when confronted by Speaker Straus to vote against his district’s wishes, could point to a large stack of correspondence from his constituents and assure his Speaker that they’d vote him right out if he did. This is how we need to be with our representatives.

Good turnout. Thanks to all!

First, we had a very good turnout and greatly thank all the officials, candidates, and voters who attended! And of course, hearty thanks and appreciation to Michael Quinn Sullivan (his blog) and Andrew Kerr of Empower Texans for presenting.

Primaries are the most important elections

• Only 15% participate in primaries. As an organized group of conservative voters, we must make the most of this opportunity.
• Now is the best time to get our legislators to make commitments since they need something from us.
• Use your phone to record their responses.
• EVERY action a legislator does should be open to public review – and stay in contact with them to hold them to it. 
• We need to convince our friends and neighbors to vote—even if it means giving them a ride to the polls ourselves

This disease won't cure itself. It is OUR job as citizens to monitor and hold our elected officials to account.

The 2011 Texas Legislature :-/

A few other random notes from the meeting (please add your own comments below and/or on the Facebook group):

• in the 2010 election, Texas said they wanted—and voted for—conservative state legislators. But the supermajority we achieved was not so super: reforms were stifled by Speaker Joe Straus
• Our biggest problem is not state legislators, it’s local officials who go and lobby them with your money
• Sen. Ogden’s lame-duck proposal—lame
• the 2011 legislature can claim it didn’t raise taxes, but they did use gimmicks (fees etc.)
• the education lobby will always cry for more. They’ll never talk about a targeted spending plan or how best to use the money, just about “more”
• last session, 60% of the increases were for education
• $12,000 is spent per student
• the Texas Senate is referred to as where good ideas die and bad ideas get new life

A good example of beginning to get it right

One of the things Michael mentioned during his talk was our own Senator Steve Ogden’s frustration at “outside groups” (Empower Texans and other pesky Tea Party types) getting inside the Senate’s chummy club and making it harder to pass bills without accountability. Remember this? That’s the issue the Senator was referring to. Looks like we may be having some good effect, but there’s a long way to go!

Why I know Mr. Culpepper is wrong.

Sam Sharp died on Wednesday. He was 80 years old.

This came as a shock to me this morning when I heard it on the news.

I still don’t know quite what to say. I do know that The Eagle and WTAW have not done my friend and mentor any justice in their reporting. Sam was more than what they could ever understand.

Sam was a man of honor, courage, justice, and faith. Sam was a man’s man. A Patriot, a philanthropist. A humble man who knew that because he had two ears and one mouth, listening was more important than speaking. Sam knew that when a fellow human being was hurting, the first thing you needed to do was embrace that hurt…because only then could you take it away from them so they could start to heal.

Chance are, you have absolutely no clue who Sam Sharp was. But the chances are high that you have been affected by Sam without knowing it.

You see, most of the time you hear of the beautiful people in town. The movers and the shakers. The folks who are on the cover of Chamber events and local magazines.

Sam wasn’t pretty, and he didn’t play the petty games of the pretty people. Sam, though worthy, eligible, and most likely to run the good ol’ boy network, never participated in the shenanigans of that sort of “It’s not what you know but who you know” game.

Sam was a human being in the purest sense: Created in the image of God.

And he knew that. He never told me that he knew that, but he certainly lived consubstantially with that belief.

My first encounter with Sam was from an email response to a group of folks. He simply signed his message, “Shalom, Sam.”

Shalom. “Peace.”

Every time I saw that from Sam, I thought he was saying, “My Peace I give you.”

Now, I think Sam is saying “My Peace I leave with you.”

I met Sam as I was working as the founding Vice-President of the Bryan-College Station Tea Party. Sam was, at times, its only financial supporter. Many a check from Sam Sharp made sure the Tea Party could continue until it was on its feet.

He was a true believer in Freedom, Liberty, and the principles of the Founding Fathers. You will find in the Bylaws of the BCS Tea Party, which I wrote, the essence and words of Sam Sharps. The vision of the BCS Tea Party, which forms an acronym, are from Sam’s own thoughts:

TEA: Teach. Empower. Act.

Sam was a Teacher. There’s not a single person who will attend his funeral tomorrow who will be able to say they did not learn something from Sam Sharp. In fact, I would opine that several owe their maturity to a single word or phrase that Sam uttered to them at some point in their life.

Sam believed that you must Empower others. He believed that with his resources, whether his mind, money, time or talent, he could give somebody the hand up that they needed to change the world. He wasn’t about hand outs…he was about making your dreams come true with a little bit of his help and a lot of his encouragement.

And Sam believed that you must Act. Talking gets you nowhere unless it is followed with action. Sam was in the thick of things, leading by example to the very end. He forced you into action by the mere shame that he was doing more than you. Yet he did not ridicule you…instead, he held out a hand, looked you in the eye, and said, “Come on. Let’s do this. We’ll have a good time and get to know each other. And we’ll help people along the way.”

In our lives as married people, we as spouses run into people on a regular basis who our better halves only know peripherally. I am sad to say that my wife only knows Sam as the man who gave me neckties. Neckties that, two Christmases ago, he offered to me to give to her so that she could give to my boys so they could give them to me as Christmas gifts.

It was a tough time for us. Our business had a downturn, and Sam offered to make sure the kiddos didn’t experience that. He and I sat at lunch one day in mid-December, and he handed a small bag across the table, Inside was a pearl necklace for my wife, and neckties for me. He knew I was starting a new business, and that neckties would be important. Selfishly, I told my wife on Christmas morning the pearls were from me…she finds out now that they were not from me by reading this. But Sam wanted me to tell her that. She’s understanding the neckties now, too.

I think Sam also knew that someone needed to believe in me, because I didn’t. Sam believed in me.

Sam was that kind of man.

Christmas that year was actually big and successful…Sam had been a stopgap that allowed me to focus on the reason for the season and not all the hype. By doing that. Business picked up, we had a bang-up Christmas and even helped a national group raise money and deliver toys to 19 families who would have had no Christmas at all. I was able to give a computer and PlayStation to my Brother-In-Law and his family, just as they were about to make a big breakthrough in his own business.

I was able to make a difference in the lives of hundreds of others because Sam made a difference in mine.

If I had to swear it, though I know it is true of every person I meet, I would proclaim that Jesus sat at lunch with me the day Sam handed me a bag full of neckties. And, as selfish as I am and subject to original sin, I’m a son-of-a-bitch for not knowing God sat before me at that sandwich shop. What would I have done different, had I opened my heart and allowed the Truth to enter me?

It was three months later, less than a year ago, that I saw Sam for the last time.

It is unconscionable that a community not know Sam such that a front page article on the local rag is their first experience of him. In my brief moments of knowing Sam, I knew God was sharing something special with me. I just did not know what.

But I know that God embraces our beloved Sam, and holds him close and dear. The man who held wisdom in his eyes that I might aspire to but always fall short of is not only a prize possession of our Father, but he is the image we may make of God when we imagine what he looks like.

Sam Sharp is the person you want to be. Sam is the person we want to look up to. Sam is the person whom we think of when we think of what a perfect world would be if we had the perfect leader…or the perfect follower. Sam is what we wish we were when we lay awake at night and don’t think of what we could have done better the day before, but instead think about 0what we want to do tomorrow that we shouldn’t do. He is what our conscience tells us we should be while we refuse to listen to it.

Sam is our image when we look into the mirror and think “Who could I have been?”

I love Sam Sharp. Him and his damned thirty year old neckties. I don’t know which ones to wear tomorrow at his funeral.

But I do know he wouldn’t care. He would chide me for thinking about it too much. He might even chide me for attending his funeral. He would say, “You can’t do anything for the dead…go do something for the living. Time is wasting!” So I do this for the living: I tell them about Sam Sharp. And for that he’ll give me a stern talking to, should I meet him in Heaven. God is whom he wants us to know. Not Sam.

Sam, whom I met as a patriot, was scared for our future. I have no doubt that he would have given up his well-earned fortune to ensure Liberty for just one more minute. He was passionate about his cause – our cause. He was passionate about passionate people – God’s people. And he was passionate about people who wanted to do more than just let life happen to them.

I will miss Sam Sharp. God, I hurt so bad inside, and it is a selfish hurt. What could have been. What should have been. My sons never knew this man. A man more worthy to be in their presence than I. A man of conviction. A man of devotion, faith, inspiration, joy and peace. A man of love, and impact so great that you cannot imagine a life without him being on this world somewhere while you live and breathe. Our world is changed because Sam Sharp has gone Home to His Father.

People will tell you that Sam leaves a big hole in this community. But a hole implies that it can be filled.

No chance.

Sam was what this community aspires to be. Sam was what we all want to be. Sam was what we all could be.

Sam was what we will never be.

Shalom, Sam.

Consider this definition of slavery by Fredrick Douglass:

“What is freedom? It is the right to choose one’s own employment. Certainly it means that, if it means anything; and when any[one] undertakes to decide for any man when he shall work, where he shall work, at what shall he work, and for what he shall work, he or they practically reduce him to slavery.”

Government impress of service is listed as a grievance in the Declaration of Independence:

“He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands .”

According to Congressman Pete Stark, the Constitution does not restrain the Federal Government from doing anything.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Those that believe that the service of another is their due right must be rebuked with the same disdain we hold for those former advocates of the age-old practice of slave-trade and ownership.

“No man can put a chain about the ankle of his fellow man without at last finding the other end fastened about his own neck.”
― Frederick Douglass

The Bryan/College Station Tea Party is pleased to pronounce the month of February as Building Constitutional Momentum Month.

Purpose:  To solidify all citizens interested in preserving their community, state, and nation according to constitutional principles in a thriving movement.

Goal:  To create a growing movement based on constitutional principles that:

• will enable each member to understand these principles, express them in their own voice, and apply these principles as solutions to the problems we face locally, in Texas, and in the nation.
• will unite citizens of the The Brazos Valley according to stated principles which recognize the reality of Human Nature.
• will focus on the qualities of leadership that promotes the value of adherence to these principles.
• will provide a solid foundation for constitutional conservative candidates to base their campaign upon.
• will also provide protection for our candidates by inhibiting the worst aspect of Human Nature which is to destroy anything beautiful, better, or virtuous.

The Bryan/College Station Tea Party has some terrific events planned to make this happen.

Events and Dates to put on your calendar:

February 2, 2012 -  The Leadership Project – 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 at The College Station Conference Center, 1300 George Bush, CS. Room 101.

February 23, 2012 – FreedomWorks – Democracy & Power – [Time to be announced.] at The College Station Conference Center, 1300 George Bush, CS. Room 101.

Please see Upcoming Events to learn of other events such as dvd meetups to watch the Wallbuilder’s dvd Library, 10 Lesson Study of the Constitution, as well as regular monthly meetings.

That we are even contemplating such a difference that is noted by observers from all over the world means that Culture itself is not an innate attribute. This one startling revelation brings to mind former President of the Czech Republic, Vaclav Havel’s conclusion:

The Declaration of Independence states that the Creator gave man the right to liberty. It seems man can realize that liberty only if he does not forget the One who endowed him with it.

The United States of America is different from other nations because our institutions as created by our Founding Documents did not follow in the European model that placed their national well-being in the hands of a particular family or class of men. The American policy was to keep its national well-being in the hands of the people. This was because our Founding Fathers understood and had faith in the transcendent ability of all men to rise above their human nature in order to serve the public good. [Federalist 1 - Hamilton]

American Exception is based on a right understanding that appreciates the transcendent right of all men to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness that treasures that only the individual can best determine his own self-interest.

Why is there no European Tea Party Movement?

Daniel Hannan – British Member of the European Parliment – explains in this interview with Uncommon Knowledge’s Peter Robinson – The Hoover Institution his understanding of American Exceptionalism to answer such profound questions such as why there is no European Tea Party Movement.

Click here to view the embedded video.

 January 12 -14 @ Minute Maid Park

From the Saddle Up Texas Website:

Texas holds a rich and diverse landscape of people from all walks of life that have genuine concerns about traditional values of moral decency, responsibility in government, and sound constitutional principles being preserved and uplifted in our Texas and American societies.

Despite Texas’ apparent political clout as holder of the second largest delegation to the Electoral College and the second largest population in the United States, its position in the primary election, which is governed by political parties, is significantly and detrimentally out of balance to its general election influence.

Texas is a critically vital part of the U.S. economy, currently providing a statistically and disproportionately high contribution to the nation’s job growth, GDP, and positive production across nearly every sector of the free market. In 2010, Texas created more jobs than all other states combined.[i] Texas is the 14th largest economy in the world as of 2009[ii].

Citizens from every corner of Texas have come together to bring Texas’ influence forward as an integral part of the national primary election process through a grassroots organized presidential straw poll, called the Saddle Up Texas Straw Poll, which is designed to give Texans an appropriate voice in the Primary.

[i] http://www.texaswideopenforbusiness.com/assets/documents/Texas-Economic-Overview.pdf

[ii] http://econpost.com/texaseconomy/texas-economy-ranking-world

Likewise the rate of expenditures by health care facilities in the three represented states reveals the same differences between Governor Romney’s Massachusetts and the steady lines of Governors Perry’s Texas and Huntsman’s Utah.

State-by-State comparisons are difficult because each state has different regulations affecting health care spending and costs.

The point of Conover’s article is that two Presidential Candidates have a far better record in keeping health care spending and costs low and steady than the candidate campaigning on the success of his own Romney Care Heath Care Program.

This Election Year is Important Because There is Something Fundamental To Decide

A comparison of the two leaders graphically explains this fundamental choice.

The Fomer Supreme Leader of North Korea: Kim Jong Il

Former President of The Czech Republic: Vaclav Havel

Marc Theissen of The Enterprise Blog offers some stark comparisons between the results of the deeds that accompany the leadership style of these leaders.

Separating Light From Darkness

The startling satellite photos of the Korean peninsula at night reveals the truth about the darkness of totalitarianism.

Korean Pennusula at Night Reveals the Darkness of Totalitarianism

Besides the inability to produce enough energy to extend the enjoyment of life into the natural darkness that accompanies the end of the work day, totalitarianism must also snuff out the spiritual light that exists within all men in order to maintain control. Totalitarianism is not friendly to those with abilities, thoughts, or innovations that would challenge the ability, thought, and innovations of the Supreme Leader. That self-inflicted darkness of the mind and soul of individuals who find themselves born into such an earthly hell/regime leads every nation on the downhill path from social/democracy to totalitarianism into the downward spiral of poverty and the ever expanding sparseness of insufficiency known as dearth.

This photo accurately records the results of the deeds of former Supreme Leader Kim Jong Il and should stand as a warning sign to all men whose sense of survival has succumbed to fearing any other man as if he were God.

As Jay taught in Federalist 3,

It is not a new observation that the people of any country (if, like the Americans, intelligent and well-informed) seldom adopt and steadily persevere for many years in an erroneous opinion respecting their interests.

Vaclav Havel successfully lead the Czech Republic from the darkness of Soviet Union subjected totalitarianism of communism into the light of freedom of conscience, liberty, and private property rights. Havel lead a revolution whose center was the transcendent wisdom that re-established the tenants of normal humanity by ensuring the safety of the individual in a culture whose generations of totalitarian power was determined by criminalizing the individual. This is the subject of the film The Lives of Others.

The Lives of Others

Totalitarianism: every citizen is an un-yet charged criminal

While every totalitarian regime must criminalize the individual, enforcement of this over-criminalized mentality becomes the major employment agency. The naturally ensuing lack and scarcity of necessary products for life is blamed on individuals who are arrested, sentenced to prison work camp as part of an unpaid labor force, or executed as an example for others.

Representative Republic:  every citizen is endowed by his Creator with certain unalienable rights

Vaclav Havel wrote the speech “The Need for Transcendence in a Post Modern World” a 1994 July 4th message that was delivered at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pa. As we are learning in our study of the Federalist Papers, our Founding Fathers were able to form an exceptional nation because their ideas were founded upon undeniable principles guided by a clear understanding of human nature.

Tyranny was recognized as the nature within every man to lust for power and control over others, while liberty was the result of appreciating that all men were created in the image of God with certain unalienable rights.  Where tyranny is the direct result of fearing man more than God – the result of thinking wrongly about God – a Representative Republic is preserved with expanding liberty for all men when served by elected representative and citizens that think rightly about God.

Transcendent Wisdom brings about seemingly paradoxical results that keep human nature in check with the least loss of liberty for the entire group. For instance, the paradoxical adage attributed to Thomas Paine: That government is best which governs least.

Such a consideration is in direct conflict with the principle of Totalitarianism where every citizens is an un-yet charged criminal. Only by understanding that totalitarianism is possible only by citizenry that fears a man more than God can we appreciate that liberty is only possible when we think rightly about all men being created equal and endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights. That among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

So, in considering the results of the deeds of these two world leaders we see see the deeds that lead to liberty and those that lead to the tyranny of totalitarianism. When we remind ourselves that the purpose of our Constitution and Representative Republican form of government is: to ensure and defend the liberty and private property of all citizens, it is clear that the current idea of government regulating and legislating the American citizen into morality is the path to totalitarianism.

Funerals should always remind us of our mortality and to consider those things that make our human experience different from that of mere animals. We have so much to begin thinking rightly about.

The Texas Tea Party movement was sorely disappointed in the results of 2011 Texas Legislature.

Republican legislators were divided between Party Lackeys* and Conservative Leaders with the liberty and private property rights of all Texans losing ground.

For too long special interests have used legislative lackeys to protect their interests,
grow government, and further burden the taxpayer.
In both the Texas House and Senate, special interest lackeys pretending to be
conservatives have skillfully stonewalled needed conservative reforms.
Texas needs leaders who will champion the principles of limited government and
conservative values, not lackeys who serve the establishment.

• *Lackey –  toady, flunky, sycophant, flatterer, minion, hanger-on, lickspittle, brown-noser, spaniel, pawn, underling, stooge; informal yes-man, trained seal, bootlicker, doormat, drudge, peon.  [note: to refer to Party Lackeys as a spaniel is to do a disservice to the entire spaniel breed]

Texans for Fiscal Responsibility is identifying our Texan Conservative Leaders as well as who’s a Lackey.

Visit their website,  sign the petition as well as donate to this worthy project.

The Conservative Leaders Project will be coming the Bryan/College Station in February.

We’ve got a terrific new year planned for the Bryan/College Station Tea Party for this important 2012 election year.

The topics discussed in this essay about Federalist 3 are:

• National Interest – Just as with an individual having wrong opinion of your self interest will affect your Security and Safety, the survival of a nation depends upon exhibiting its interest toward other nations.

• Human Nature - Jay makes the case that all nations operate just like individuals according to the dictates of human nature.

• Ruling Class Mentality – While not intending to, Jay, in making a false argument for a strong, unified Federal Government filled with the nation’s best, brightest, and most able men, Jay forgets that all men are driven by the same lust for power, wealth, and status…. even the nation’s most able of men.

We are confident that Rep. Raney will consider the principles that establish our need for government which is to ensure and defend the liberty and private property rights of every citizens before casting his vote as our representative in our state government.

We ask God to provide Mr. Raney with wisdom in all things as he considers legislation that will affect all constituents and citizens of Texas. We are certain that our new representative appreciates that leadership is characterized by adherence to principles and we also ask God to strengthen Mr. Raney according to these proven principles.

Congratulations, Representative Raney.

Well done, sir.

Sincerely,

The Bryan/College Station Tea Party

That said, be sure to vote in the runoff election on the 13th!

John Raney (left) and Bob Yancy debate Dec. 8 cancelled

UPDATE: THE DEBATE HAS BEEN CANCELLED. But we still urge you to vote on the 13th!

This past Monday, Gov. Perry set the date of the State District 14:

State Representative runoff  is Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Runoff Candidate Forum December 8

This is an extended-answer debate between the Texas House runoff candidates John Raney and Bob  Yancy. We will post the list of topics to be covered.

The candidates beyond their ads

Many people may have already decided who they will vote for, but others want to know more about each candidate, beyond their soundbites, websites and ads. This forum will give you the real details on each one’s platform and plans.

So either come support your chosen candidate or come to get the information to make your decision!

Forget the sugar pills. The cure for our country's disease is the Constitution and the principles behind it.

When you only treat the symptoms, you allow the disease to progress

There is a problem with simply treating the symptoms of a deadly disease. You may think you feel better because of the treatment.  But the disease is still killing you.

Treat the disease—unconstitutional government

The Tea Party Movement exists because common citizens believe there is a fundamental decision to be made before setting course on the future of the nation. That decision is rooted in the philosophical principles written in our Founding Documents—the Declaration of Independence, The Federalist Papers, and The Constitution. What must be decided in the November 2012 election is not whether to pass a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution, but rather whether that document or any other founding document defining the American Compact between the people and their government is of any consequence literally or legally.

Bureaucracy becomes tyranny

Those in the Tea Party Movement adhere to the original intent of the American Compact. We know that treating the Constitution as a “living document” is the same as having no rules at all. Further, in our understanding of human nature we appreciate that a bureaucrat unrestrained by rules is a tyrant in his own sphere of influence. The Tea Party Movement understands these realities because our productivity and prosperity are being threatened by “living” applications of the American Compact.

But, just as new members of the National Rifle Association may often be former liberals who experienced an armed attack by a mugger, average citizens are finding the need to become Constitutional Scholars. This is because our livelihoods and our children’s future have been put in jeopardy, if not destroyed, by tyrants affecting the authority of the government in pursuit of their own lawless instincts for more power and authority.

The proposed Balanced Budget Amendment does not treat the cause of such abuse of power. It treats only the symptoms of a government bureaucracy operating in a netherworld of unconstitutional privileges, legislation, regulation, and authority.

Those politicians advocating a Balanced Budget Amendment would be of better service to the end good of the people and nation if they spoke accurately about the American Compact rather than continuing to promote feel-good solutions to problems created by unconstitutional legislation and spending.

Elected officials, do your sworn duty—defend and support the Constitution

Our elected officials have sworn an oath to defend and support the Constitution. A Town Hall to teach the documents of our American Compact would be of far more consequence than a Town Hall to defend decisions that continue the policy of unconstitutional out of control spending. It is our republican (little “r”) spirit that has motivated the Tea Party Movement to do what our leaders are failing to do. The Tea Party Movement is calling for more republicanism in our elected officials.

The book of Proverbs is full of wisdom regarding human nature. It was the responsibility of the author, King Solomon of Israel, as the father of the nation, to provide citizens with instruction that would enable them make good moral choices. A nation of citizens well grounded in moral principles would be prosperous and productive. A prosperous and productive nation grounded in moral principles would then be better able to take care of the widow, orphan, and afflicted.

In Proverbs, it is the voice of a loving father offering words of wisdom to his son. The father tells his son everything a young boy needs to know about human nature and how to avoid the traps and snares of individuals with evil intent.

The whole immoral package—and its consequences

When the father warns of the adulterous woman, his warning is for far more than mere sexual relations with a married woman. It goes the very lifestyle the adulterous woman is advocating. The adulterous woman makes it her purpose to nullify and destroy the moral principles instilled by a loving father, and by God. In doing so, the adulterous woman affects the ability of the young person to be productive and prosperous for the rest of his life.

This video offers a modern day twist on the adulterous woman archetype: a beautiful woman with an engaging smile offers conspiratorial stolen-bread kind of “friendly” advice. However, the end result of young people listening to these “lips that drip honey with smoother than oil speech” will be the end of their own prosperity, productivity, and well-being.

Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.
John Adams

Click here to view the embedded video.

Does not Wisdom call?  ‘Listen, for I shall speak noble things; And the opening of my lips will produce right things.’

• the weakness of the case for man made global warming, and
• the quantity and quality of the evidence which flatly contradicts it.

Come join us for burgers and viewing of The Great Global Warming Swindle to learn how to refute this costly miseducation and scientific fraud.

If you’re coming, you may RSVP on Matt’s Facebook Event page.

Dear Friends,

Do you approve of the job Congress is doing? Recent surveys say that 90% of us disapprove, yet 95% of incumbents will get re-elected.

Politicians have taken control of our government; our nation is at risk.
We have a plan to evict all 435 of the career politicians who have taken over the U.S. House of Representatives and get our country back on track.

The GOOOH plan will

1. sever all ties with special interest money,
2. break the stranglehold the two parties have on our government,
3. fire the career politicians, and
4. put accountability back into the system.

Now is the time to act

District 17 is holding mock elections on:

We are selecting the Citizen Representative for this district and need your help. If you know someone that you believe will make a good representative for “The People” of our district, not the special interest groups in Washington, bring them to Sam Rayburn Middle School on November 5th. Even if you don’t know anyone that could represent us, come and bring your family and friends and take part in this historic event of electing a true Citizen Representative!

Another way you can help is to make copies of the attached flier and pass them out. Give them to your friends, co-workers, family, put them on bulletin boards, place them on car windows, go door to door, just make a commitment to get the word out – because if you don’t act now, you can’t blame anyone but yourself on which politician is sent back to Washington and you end up with business as usual.

For more information about GOOOH visit our web site at www.GOOOH.com.

Wayne Arrington
College Station

Some Important Points:

• It is clear that our culture has lost touch with the reality of human nature – that all people are capable of every sort evil, vice, and corruption, including that person we see in the mirror every morning.
• Madison was right when he cautioned that our own human nature would be the greatest threat to our own liberty through the work of faction. [Federalist 10]
• Schiff boldly states – as does the B/CS Tea Party – the purpose of government is to ensure and defend the liberty and private property of all citizens.

Click here to view the embedded video.

BrazosVotes

http://www.brazosvotes.org
Visit BrazosVotes to preview a Sample Ballot, find early voting polling places and learn about election day. They have an FAQ about voting.

Votexas.org

http://votexas.org/exp-statements-2011.html
Texas voters will decide on ten amendments to the Texas Constitution. Read these explanatory statements about the amendment election.

We Texans

http://wetexans.com/propositions-voters-guide-just-say-no
We Texans points out that that these amendments are often the means of saddling Texans with debt.

Proposition 10 is the only exception that they suggest people support.

We Texans is a non-partisan, non-profit organization that fights to protect liberty, integrity and justice through legislation and education.

Hat Tip: Thanks to Pam Praesel for getting this list together.

Below is their overview of the proposed amendments and links for more information.

 

You can find our complete listing of the amendments, our take and recommendation, by visiting our website. There, you can also find a handy sample ballot noting our recommended positions.

The Bad
The worst of the amendments are Propositions 2, 3, 4 and 6.

Propositions 2 and 3 would set in place permanent debt – allowing government agencies to issue bonds over and over without ever having to approach the citizens again for a vote. That’s an incredibly irresponsible way for government to treat debt.

Proposition 4, meanwhile, would open the door to Texas’ counties taking private property for the same kind of “economic development” reasons that has sparked so much outrage in cities across the country. We should be curtailing the ability of government to take private property, not increasing it.

Meanwhile, Proposition 7 would allow an El Paso County entity to start levying property taxes. We should be moving away from property taxes, not getting more governments hooked on them.

Finally, Proposition 6 would endanger the long-term viability of the state’s Permanent School Fund. It would allow a larger portion of the fund to be tapped for expenditure in the short-term, meaning fewer dollars would be available to grow the corpus and keep the fund viable into the future.

Neutral
We are neutral on Propositions 8, 9 and 10, but do offer a summary on our website of what supporters and opponents are saying about them.

The Good
Finally, we are supporting Propositions 1 and 5.

Proposition 1 would recognize the sacrifice made by our 100% disabled veterans by granting a property tax exemption to them and their surviving spouses. The fine men and women who serve our nation by defending our liberties, and then find themselves fully disabled as a result, all too often find federal services difficult to access. Providing some property tax relief through Proposition 1 can at least allow Texas to step in where Uncle Sam too often has failed.

Proposition 5 will allow cities and counties to enter into cost-savings interlocal agreements of a year or longer without having to classify them as expenses if they are not. In the past, such agreements had been counted as debt and have a portion of their tax revenues set aside to cover it. But for those agreements that result in cost-savings, the old state of the law got in the way.

Hopefully, Proposition 5 will result in more local government seeking sensible agreements that save money and improve services.

All of us at Texans for Fiscal Responsibility encourage you to utilize the resources of various organizations to study these propositions and their impact on the Lone Star State. And, most importantly, we encourage you to participate in the Nov. 8 constitutional amendment election.

For Texas,
Michael Quinn Sullivan
& the EmpowerTexans.com Team

According to historian Joyce Appleby, one of the factors that qualified Thomas Jefferson as a genius was Jefferson’s ability to take the lessons of the past and apply them to current situations in a way that was new and novel.

While democracy is constantly praised, it is classical republicanism that is the agent of change that established the American Compact of self-government. Classical republicanism is based on the understanding that

…there were two orders of men – the talented few and the ordinary many – and because there were inevitable social divisions, a properly balanced constitution would balance the powers of these two groups. But constitutional stability rested ultimately in this classical paradigm upon the exercise of civic virtue – upon the capacity of some men to rise above private interests and devote themselves to the public good. Men deeply involved in their own business, in getting ahead, and seizing opportunities for gain were not proper candidates for public office. [p. 9.]

Capitalism and A New Social Order: The Republican Vision of the 1790′s  records the era that completed the new vision of the American concept of self-governance, as Jefferson led a republican assault on the then ruling Federalist Party.

In understanding that history repeats itself, it is interesting to know that the Federalist Party of the 1790′s lost power forever because they defended a party platform of the well-born over the common citizen, Federal solutions to local problems, and the unity of church and state – re: the current entitlement argument.

The Jeffersonian republicans ran on a platform of Liberty that heralded that ability of the common man to participate in affairs of state and labeled the Federalists as autocratic…

“…and pointed out the conundrum that they condemn people to ignorance and superstition and hence produce the evils that are used to justify their repressiveness” [p. 81] as well as arguing that “authoritarian institutions [were] the cause rather than the consequence of human waywardness” [p. 82] and declaring a revolutionary republican principle that it was the Liberty of self-interest that drove human beings to take care of themselves, and thus eliminating the need for “vigorous government“. [p. 82]

The elections of the 1790′s were pivotal in setting the vision of the new nation because in each election there was something of consequence to be determined in this new experiment in self-government. At the end of the 1790′s the Federalist Party was extinct, never to rise again from obscurity as the republican vision became the leading view of what the new nation was meant to be.

We need this now

This book is back in print and is a short and historically packed blueprint for our current need in the American experiment in self-government. I highly recommend this book to all those interested in reacquainting themselves in the American Spirit of Liberty.

Audio files

Intro; Questions 1, 2
Questions 3-7
Questions 8-11
Questions 12-16
Questions 17-20 (lost some here)
Candidate wrapup
(To download, right-click the links and choose “Save Target/Link As”)

Thank you candidates!

The Bryan/College Station Tea Party wants to thank the four candidates for their terrific participation in the District 14 Texas House Candidate Forum tonight at the College Station Conference Center. Those four candidates were:

• Libertarian Joshua Baker
• Democrat Judy LeUnes
• Republican John Raney, and
• Republican Bob Yancy

Republican Rebecca Boenigk, after agreeing to appear, had campaign manager Bill Gravell call right before the event to say that she had a prior engagement.

Thank you attendees!

Many I spoke to said that the forum was welcomingly different. We focused discussion on the principle of government as understood from Federalist 10 (James Madison): the purpose of government is to ensure and defend the liberty and private property rights of all citizens. All the candidates agreed that studying for the B/CS Tea Party forum had been difficult, but fun none the less. Considering that we had candidates from all three political parties, that is both a credit to the B/CS Tea Party board in selecting and preparing the topics and questions as well as an appreciation of the power of the unifying principles that established our nation and our state.

The questions related to the topic of private property rights indicated that most candidates and elected officials are not aware of the perspective of the private property owner. All of the District 14 Texas House candidates vowed to research that topic more due to their admitted ignorance about a subject that had the audience quite vocal in informing the candidates of their concerns.

Changing the discussion

The B/CS Tea Party is very pleased to report that the audience participation on the subject of property rights only served to highlight to the candidates their need to learn more on this subject in order to better serve future constituents better. That no other forum had previously discussed this topic, which is of such interest to a large group of citizens, indicates that the B/CS Tea Party, as well as the Tea Party Movement, are indeed necessary to changing the conversation of political discussion.

Those questions…

We hope that everyone used their scorecard to keep track of rating answers and as promised we are making the questions and background information public. You can view the PDF of the questions and backgrounds by clicking here.

The recording of the event is now posted. You may download and/or listen to the audio files in the list at the upper right of this story.

Also, as stated in the conclusion, we have invited the participating candidates to each write a guest article/editorial* if they would like to add or explain further any question. We are an educational group and we want to provide the voters with the best information in order to select the best candidate to serve in the purpose of government—which is, again, to ensure and defend the liberty and private property of every citizen.

Again, thanks go out to those candidates participating in our Candidate Forum and to all the people who attended and made this forum a dynamic success!

*Candidates, please let use know at contact@bcsteaparty.com. You may either email us your response or request a guest editor account to log in and enter it directly on our site.

Click the image to download the flyer!

THE TIME HAS ARRIVED!!!

As supporters of the B/CS Tea Party we now have the opportunity to show our unity and strength of numbers.

We—all of us—are hosting this

The B/CS Tea Party is hosting a forum for the candidates of the District 14 special election (Fred Brown’s seat).

Tuesday, October 18th, 7pm at the College Station Conference Center on George Bush Dr.

The room can hold two hundred people. We are asking you to set aside two hours to support the cause of freedom. I say this in all seriousness. Fred Brown represented us well and it is up to you to replace him with a person who will do as well or better.

(Location details are on the Upcoming Events page. Also, if you are on Facebook please acknowledge your attendance on the Facebook Event page.)

We must be there

We need to show up en masse to demonstrate our resolve to hold our representatives to our standards, not Austin’s or Washington’s. We will be asking pointed questions and expect straight answers.

(Also, you can download the full-page flyer, and/or the two-per-sheet flyer.)

Send questions

If you have a question you want asked, send it to contact@bcsteaparty.com. If you want to hear the answer come to the College Station Conference Center on Tuesday, October 18th at 7:00.

The candidates attending:
Joshua Baker
Rebecca Boenigk
Judy Webb LeUnes
John Raney
Bob Yancy

We noticed, at the Herman Cain book signing today, the great John Wayne impersonator Dr. Gene Howard (far left) seems to be leaning toward a particular candidate. :-)

John Wayne, aka Dr. Gene Howard, showing his sentiments at the 2009 Bryan/College Station Tea Party event

The Duke speaking at the 2009 B/CS Tea Party event. A man's got to do what a man's got to do.

Peggy Venable of Americans For Prosperity – Texas released the following statements in support of the release of this Left-Right Coalition paper.  http://www.foe.org/sites/default/files/Green_Scissors_2011.pdf   

“America currently faces the toughest economic challenges seen in generations. We agree with Green Scissors that as our federal government faces a $1.65 trillion deficit and $14 trillion debt, it is imperative that we cut unnecessary and wasteful federal spending.  Americans for Prosperity commends the Left-Right Coalition in their call on Congress to make environmentally sensible budget cuts.”

“Americans for Prosperity released its list of proposed budget cuts on Monday, and several of these proposals – such as ending the ethanol tax credits, renewable fuel standards, and eliminating agricultural subsidies – go hand-in-hand with the cuts proposed by the Coalition today. AFP has identified $5 trillion in federal spending cuts, and the cuts proposed today will go a long way to reach this achievable goal.”

“We applaud the Coalition for their work, and we urge Congress to take action. These wasteful programs must be eliminated to balance our budget, reduce our national deficit and put America back on a course to prosperity.”

For more information about Americans For Prosperity recommendations for the Debt Reduction Super Committee now at work in Congress click here.