Tuesday, April 27, 2010

TEA PARTIES

A LONE RIDER MAKES HIS ENTRANCE TO THE TEA PARTY HELD IN BOERNE

(Photo by Doug Kirk)

On Saturday, April 24th, a series of Tea Parties were held in Comal County. The primary purpose was to discuss the proposed $75 million Justice Center. A wide variety of invited speakers were on hand to give their opinions regarding this topic as well as several others. I was honored to be one of the invited speakers and although I am running for Texas State Representative, District 73, I was advised that I would need to speak simply as a concerned citizen. Besides not being allowed to make any kind of campaign pitch, I was also asked to keep my remarks to under three minutes.

Some of you have asked what I said and what I thought about this experience. To that end I am posting below the text of my remarks made to those in attendance. As for my overall reaction to these events, let me simply say that I thought all of the speakers gave very thought-provoking and informative presentations. All-in-all, approximately 210 people attended the three Tea Parties which were held in Landa Park, Sattler and Bulverde. The weather was terrific and I would participate again if asked.


(Photo by Pat Friedrich)

Here's the text of my remarks:

"The first thing I want to do is thank those who succeeded in getting this issue before the voters. Had it not been for their dedication and effort, the single largest public works project in Comal County history would have gone forward under the shadow of darkness without voter approval. My sincere thanks go to Ken Valentine, Glen Peterson, Doug Kirk and everyone else who worked so hard and diligently to secure the required number of signatures to bring this issue before the voters.

As for why we are all here -- I simply ask that the County Commissioners and all those in favor of the new Justice Center stop and consider the current economic climate. Just about everyone I know is having financial difficulties to one degree or another and this is simply not the time to add to a family's financial burden. Instead, I personally think that it is time for one great big "TIME OUT" for all politicians to simply back off.

Yes -- I'm talking about a "TIME OUT." It works with unruly pre-school children when they get so caught up with an inappropriate behavior that they need a "transition" to help them go from a "bad" behavior to a "good' behavior. And it should work for unruly politicos as well. Without a shadow of a doubt I believe our elected officials could benefit by the same process -- in Washington, D. C., in Austin and in Comal County as well.

LET'S CALL A SIMPLE "TIME OUT" -- no comprehensive health care, no comprehensive immigration, no onerous cap and trade policies, no Trans-Texas Corridor, no tolling of existing, publicly funded roadways, no additional spending that isn't 100% absolutely necessary.

And NO Justice Center. At least not now.

For me, the message to the County Commissioners and the supporters of this onerous financial burden is best stated by the Rolling Stones --- "You Can't Always Get What You Want!"



(Photo by Doug Kirk)

I'm sure there will be more Tea Parties scheduled in the months ahead. Based on my experience this past Saturday, I would encourage everyone reading this to attend a Tea Party at some time in the future. While I certainly do not agree with all of the points of view expressed at these gatherings, I still believe it is worthwhile to get involved and to listen to your fellow citizens and not just what is being said on radio and TV and in the newspapers.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

LAURA ANN VALLE


I am extremely pleased to announce that Laura Ann Valle has agreed to become my Campaign Manager. Securing Laura's services is a major step in helping guide my campaign efforts between now and November 2nd. With her unbridled enthusiasm, her dedication and her demonstrated ability to "think outside the box" I am confident that, together, we will surprise everyone who is following the political race for Texas State Representative, District 73.

Of course, a reasonable question to ask is why she decided to do this. Here's what Laura says:

"I'm a working single mom and I've lived my whole life here in south central Texas. I am so fed up and tired of the 'politics as usual' mess going on in this country today. I decided in the last few months that I wanted to get actively involved in making a change. As the Libertarians say, "If you want to change the law, change the lawmakers". After meeting Robert I truly feel that he would make an excellent State Representative in the Texas Legislature. I'm so excited about meeting someone who has the will and the drive to truly make a difference, so I'm putting all my support behind him, including helping him coordinate his campaign. I believe in him and the kinds of changes he will push for and I am proud to have this opportunity to work with him and to support him in his efforts."

Welcome aboard, Laura. Let's start having some fun...

Sunday, April 4, 2010

WHY LIBERTARIAN? "I'm Mad As Hell"

"I'm mad as Hell...and I bet you are, too!"
(Robert A. Nowotny)





"When the government's boot is on your throat, whether it is the left boot or the right boot is of no consequence."
(Gary Lloyd)

WHY LIBERTARIAN? "Change You Can Keep In Your Pocket"

"In general, the art of government consists in taking as much money as possible from one party of the citizens to give it to the other."
(Voltaire)





"Electing just one Libertarian to a governing board comprised of 'Tax and Spend Democrats' and 'Borrow and Spend Republicans' is akin to having a designated driver in a roomful of drunks."
(Doug Klippel)

WHY LIBERTARIAN? "Dirty Diapers"

"Politicians, like diapers, have to be changed frequently -- and for the same reason."

(Anonymous)





(Any resemblance to a Texas politician, living or dead, is purely coincidental)

Friday, April 2, 2010

TWEEDLEDUM/TWEEDLEDEE

WHY VOTE LIBERTARIAN? HERE'S REASON #27


"Our democracy is but a name. We vote. What does it mean? It means that we choose between two bodies of real, though not avowed, autocrats. We choose between Tweedledum and Tweedledee."

(Helen Keller)