Now What?

Last night the political landscape in Texas changed dramatically. Most "experts" on Texas politics were calling for up to a 10 seat gain for the GOP in the Texas House of Representatives. While there may be some seats in dispute, as of this morning, the GOP looks to have 99 or more seats in the House. That is a 2 to 1 margin in the House! Just as nearly all the statewide races went 2 to 1 for the GOP.

Now we can start to have an influence. I almost feel like a kid in a candy store. With these margins, there is no need for the GOP to tiptoe around some truly conservative causes:

Could we actually see the Texas House nullify the mis-labeled Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act?

Is it possible, the GOP House will actually support choice in education?

Will the GOP leadership actually reverse the tide of our expanding Texas government and actually cut or eliminate big government programs?

The answer to all these questions depends on us, and grassroots activists across the state to infuse some political courage into our state reps.

 Let's roll!

The Rowlett TEA Party endorses Rep. Joe Driver for Texas House District 113

The Rowlett Tea Party proudly endorses Joe Driver for the Texas House of Representatives, District 113. We this endorsement very carefully, considering the recent allegation levied against Mr. Driver over his campaign finances, but ultimately, we believe he will represent the interests of Rowlett far better than his opponent.

The 2011 legislative session is vitally important for Rowlett and Garland as it is likely that a two new Congressional seats will be formed in North Texas. Rowlett will have a unique opportunity to be represented by a single representative in Washington, potentially a representative that is more familiar with the unique needs, concerns and interests of our city, rather than three Congressmen, each with only marginal interest in our city. Redistricting is a very important and very difficult process for a freshman representative to navigate successfully, so on this point Mr. Driver's experience will be invaluable.

Also in this session, the Texas legislature will have to take on mandates from Washington to create the necessary infrastructure to support health care reform legislation. We believe that Mr. Driver will be better positioned to help Texas stand up to the federal government's mandates to protect the freedoms of all Texans from an overreaching federal government.

The Rowlett Tea Party includes members and board members familiar with campaign finance law and after thoroughly reviewing the campaign finance irregularities Mr. Driver has been accused of, we have concluded that Mr. Driver's only sin was little more than a bookkeeping error and that he did not "double dip" from state monies, as his opponent and the Dallas Morning News has falsely accused him.

Finally, Mr. Driver is largely in agreement with our core principles both in his rhetoric and his voting record. Ms. Dorris is clearly not.

The Rowlett TEA Party endorses Sen. Bob Deuell for TX 2

The Rowlett TEA Party endorses Sen. Bob Deuell for TX 2

There are a lot of GOOD people saying a lot of GOOD things regarding Se. Bob Deuell, and we are in 100% agreement, Bob Deuell IS the BEST choice for Texas Senate District Two.

Some other endorsements for Sen. Deuell:

“Deuell, 59, a Greenville physician and former school board member, has emerged over four lawmaking sessions as a thoughtful, engaged lawmaker and a resource for colleagues on health issues.”
-Dallas Morning News-

“This fellow is a champion. He is a fine conservative. He is a soldier and a champion for keeping taxes low.”
-Lt. Governor David Dewhurst-

“Dr. Bob Deuell is the model public servant. I have often said that I believe he is the best State Senator in Texas and I look forward to working with him for years to come.”
-Mayor John Harper, Rowlett-

“That's where GOP Sen. Bob Deuell earns his pay. The Greenville physician stepped in once again to guide the Senate through
the maze of health spending.”
-Dallas Morning News-

"One reason we do have great freedom here in the State of Texas, is because we have a State Senator that has represented us in the manner we want to be represented. I've known Senator Deuell for quite some time and I'm proud to have him be my State Senator."
- Pat Chase, Treasurer, Hopkins County GOP -

"You're a good doctor, a doggone good Senator and one terrific friend. And I thank you and your wife for everything you've done."
- The Hon. Ralph Hall, U.S. Congressman -

Senator_Deuell_Endorsement.FIREFIGHTERS.pdf

More Endorsements for Sen. Deuell

The Rowlett TEA Party Endorses Amie Parsons for State Board of Education, District 12

The Rowlett TEA Party Endorses Amie Parsons for State Board of Education, District 12.

Amie is a dedicated mother of two young children and a certified teacher. She was born, raised and educated in Texas, graduating from Rockwall High School and UTD.

The State Board of Education has two key functions under the Texas Constitution:

1. To maintain the permanent education fund


2. To establish curriculum standards for Texas public schools

Amie wants the State Board to work to improve the education of Texas students by:

• Creating state curriculum standards that will prepare students for the all important college entrance exams.


• Encouraging greater parent and teacher involvement in establishing the State’s curriculum standards.


• Developing curriculum standards for vocational education programs in school districts across Texas.

Amy also supports funding to assist public charter schools, a move in the right direction for giving parents and students a choice in their education.

With respect to her opponent, George Clayton (R), we agree with the sentiment of the Dallas Morning News,

“...Clayton’s passion and anger haven’t translated into workable ideas for the post he’s seeking. And Clayton, 60, seems to have a tenuous grasp on the board’s role.”

The Rowlett TEA Party Endorses Danny Clancy for Dallas County D.A.

The Rowlett TEA Party Endorses Danny Clancy for Dallas County D.A.

Until recently many of us in Rowlett had not met Danny Clancy, but we had the opportunity to meet him and talk at length at the TEA Party forum.

We had the distinct pleasure to make his acquaintance, talk with him in a very casual and informal manner and then to hear him speak as to why he should be the next Dallas County District Attorney.

“It seems like each day I open the newspaper there’s a story about our District Attorney, but unfortunately they have nothing to do with fighting crime. Instead, it’s ethical questions, political grandstanding and cover-ups. Our taxpayers and families deserve better.

I think it’s time for a DA who is making headlines for putting our toughest felons behind bars, and as your District Attorney, I will personally handle the prosecution of our most violent criminals. With close to two decades of experience as a prosecutor and a criminal court judge, I have the real-world experience fighting crime, and I am committed to re-focusing the DA’s office on what should be its top priority: keeping our families safe.”

Danny Clancy is the best choice for Dallas County D.A. He is, in our opinion, the ONLY choice. We honestly believe that Danny will do a fantastic job as Dallas D.A. and will make Texas proud of this native son!

From the Danny Clancy web page:

News and Updates
Endorsements

Campaign Address:
3131 McKinney Avenue, Suite 800
Dallas, Texas 75204

Campaign Contact:
Abby Hoak
Phone: 214-850-3397
Fax: 214-740-9912
abby@dannyclancyforda.com

The Rowlett TEA Party Endorses Jeff Weems for Texas Railroad Commissioner

The Rowlett TEA Party Endorses Jeff Weems for Texas Railroad Commissioner.

Jeff was raised in the oilfields of West Texas and Louisiana. Jeff has worked in the OIL Industry, and has the scars to prove it too!

The Texas Railroad Commission is a misnomer at best, but it is the most important regulatory commission in Texas.

The Texas Railroad Commission was formed in the 1890’s to protect farmers from predatory pricing by the railroads. The Texas Legislature later gave the Commission additional regulatory responsibilities, primarily over trucking and oil and gas exploration and production. Over the years, the Commission’s authority over railroads and trucking was reduced, and finally eliminated altogether in 2005.

The Texas Railroad Commission is currently responsible for:

*Regulating oil and gas exploration and production;
*Regulating pipeline (both natural gas and hazardous liquid) safety;
*Regulating certain coal and uranium surface mining operations;
*Setting rates for pipelines and for natural gas utilities;
*Regulating natural gas utility safety measures; and
*Creating and applying programs designed to promote the use of and market for *Liquefied Petroleum (LP) or Propane gas.

Jeff is a strong supporter of ALL things Texas. He is a proponent of property rights and is set to tackle the eminent domain issue that most Texans are tired of.

Eminent Domain

n. the power of a governmental entity (federal, state, county or city government, school district, hospital district or other agencies) to take private real estate for public use, with or without the permission of the owner. The Fifth Amendment to the Constitution provides that "private property [may not] be taken for public use without just compensation." The Fourteenth Amendment added the requirement of just compensation to state and local government takings. The usual process includes passage of a resolution by the acquiring agency to take the property (condemnation), including a declaration of public need, followed by an appraisal, an offer, and then negotiation. If the owner is not satisfied, he/she may sue the governmental agency for a court's determination of just compensation. The government, however, becomes owner while a trial is pending if the amount of the offer is deposited in a trust account. Public uses include schools, streets and highways, parks, airports, dams, reservoirs, redevelopment, public housing, hospitals and public buildings.

We believe that Jeff Weems would make an excellent Texas Railroad Commissioner.

Jeff's opponent? Well, ask him if he ever threw a *spinning chain* or *racked* pipe...

As GOP civil war rages, Democrats look to benefit

As GOP civil war rages, Democrats look to benefit

WASHINGTON (AP) - A Republican civil war is raging, with righter-than-thou conservatives dominating ever more primaries in a fight for the party's soul. And the Democrats hope to benefit.

The latest examples of conservative insurgents' clout came Tuesday at opposite ends of the country. In Florida, political newcomer Rick Scott beat longtime congressman and state Attorney General Bill McCollum for the GOP gubernatorial nomination. And in Alaska, tea party activists and Sarah Palin pushed Sen. Lisa Murkowski to the brink of defeat, depending on absentee ballot counts in her race against outsider Joe Miller.

Full Story Here:
As GOP civil war rages, Democrats look to benefit

A fight is being waged within the Republican Party. It's a fight between REAL Republicans, the old fashioned Reagan Conservative Republicans, and the RINOs that have come to represent a party that is in severe need of a makeover.

The GOP has made it clear that they will blow smoke up the TEA Party's skirt, use them if they can, and once elections are over, they plan to try and co-opt the TEA Party into being a wing of the GOP.

It's just NOT going to happen that way folks.

There are multitudes of Conservatives out there in *I VOTE LAND* that are SO tired of the GOP, Michael Steele, the RNC, the RINOs, Graham, McCain, Murkowski, Snowe, Collins and so many others. I am happy to see that in many cases, REAL Republicans are replacing RINOs.

The GOP is likely to survive its bitter intraparty battles in such states as Alaska and Utah, even if voters oust veteran senators in both. But tea party-backed candidates might be a godsend to desperate Democrats elsewhere - in Nevada, Florida and perhaps Kentucky, where the Democrats portray GOP nominees as too extreme for their states.

Too extreme for America and their states? Or for the Dems and their game?

God, guns and guts is too extreme? Believing in God is too extreme? Standing up for the right to life of the unborn is too extreme? Wanting secure borders and wanting those in this nation that are not here legally removed? That's too extreme for the Dems?

Do Americans, especially the Blacks of this nation, which do, by and large, vote Democratic, need to be reminded that it was the Democrats that started the Klan? It was the Democrats that sought at every turn to deny the Black man the right to vote? To be counted as a WHOLE person? Do the Dems REALLY want to go there regarding extremes?

If Murkowski joins Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, as a victim of party activists who demand ideological purity, other Republicans are still likely to win in November, though Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., would have to deal with more maverick members who are loathe to compromise. And the conservative insurgency is hardly all-powerful, as Sen. John McCain proved by easily winning renomination in Arizona despite a challenge from the right by J.D. Hayworth.

'As a victim of party activists who demand ideological purity' has a nice ring to it.

Compromise is OUT of the question! Compromise is what took America to the brink of disaster, the one that we are now facing in the person of Barack Hussein Obama.

Regarding Conservative insurgency and John McCain, all I can say to the GOP voters of Arizona is this; John McCain is nothing more than an ass-kissing RINO. He got all Conservative as soon as the election cycle started again, and you folks bought it. As soon as it’s over, he’ll go right back to being an ass-kissing RINO, writing bills with Feingold and the like, reaching across the aisle and siding with the Dems at every occasion.

Arizona, you should be ashamed of yourselves.

The White House has tried to link the Republican Party with the fledgling conservative-libertarian tea party coalition - and demonize the combination as too extreme for the country.

That's "the Republican tea party" that's "offering more of the past but on steroids" and is "out of step with where the American people are," Vice President Joe Biden told the party's rank and file last week.

Here we go with that too extreme stuff again. What, exactly, is too extreme?

An American president bowing to foreign dignitaries? Is that too extreme?