What's the plan, fellow Texans?

[Sanguine]

I am of the opinion that working on reforming the federal government is useless.  The fed is just too big and too entrenched.  We don't have many choices.  The states have to reassert their rights and reestablish the correct relationship with the federal government.

However, in Texas we have a possible opportunity in that, for now we Texans are still Texans, and we have a state government (Abbott, Patrick, etc.) that is seems amenable to the idea of states rights.

I think we need to establish a fairly short list of goals and work towards them.  To that end, I've created the above poll and would really appreciate your votes and input.

[TheMom]

Texas should definitely focus on education.  Get away from those stupid standardized testing and go back to old school teaching.

[Bigun]

Tax Reform!

Texans are being taxed out of their homes and property and fixing that is job one IMHO!

[Just_Victor]

I wish we could find a way to eliminate property taxes.

[Bigun]

I wish we could find a way to eliminate property taxes.

We can! All we need to do is expand the base of the sales tax to include services and we can lower the overall sales tax rate and eliminate property taxes entirely.

[Just_Victor]

We can! All we need to do is expand the base of the sales tax to include services and we can lower the overall sales tax rate and eliminate property taxes entirely.

The problem is going to be the effect on the real estate economy.  The driving force behind getting undeveloped land on the market is the property tax.  When land owners get sick of paying the taxes on unused land they unload it.  With no tax, most people probably wouldn't sell land because one can afford to just keep it and do nothing with it.  So the supply of land for sale dries up, and prices go through the roof.  Maybe if the state distinguished between residential and commercial/agricultural/industrial/undeveloped land for tax purposes.

I don't know.  The entire concept of property taxes means that the government owns all property and you are just renting it from them.  And I just really loath that.

[M1078]

Property taxes don't necessarily need eliminated but they certainly need reformed.  When I lived in WA I had 10 acres and a house and paid about 1/5th what I'm paying in TX for half the property (and WA doesn't have state income tax either).  The only thing saving me from having to sell and get something smaller is a disability lock on how much it can go up.  Luckily I live in the county and not in town or I'd be taxed out of my home.

[ShadowAce]

If we could get illegal immigration under control, that would employ more Texans, which would allow us to work on taxes and education.

Of course, we'd also have to work on welfare benefits to encourage Texans to actually go back to work.

[M1078]

If we could get illegal immigration under control, that would employ more Texans, which would allow us to work on taxes and education.

Of course, we'd also have to work on welfare benefits to encourage Texans to actually go back to work.

I know an awful lot of folks in the oil and gas industry that would love to go back to work.

[sinkspur]

We can! All we need to do is expand the base of the sales tax to include services and we can lower the overall sales tax rate and eliminate property taxes entirely.

That won't be near enough to fund state services. Plus, pieces of the sales tax go to local counties and communities. And, a large number of services are assessed sales taxes already.

We could lower property taxes but, as someone else pointed out, property taxes keep the value of land low by forcing people to sell land due to the taxes.  Housing prices would rocket with no or even low property taxes.

[TheMom]

I know an awful lot of folks in the oil and gas industry that would love to go back to work.

   Not waving, I'm raising my hand.   Lost my job in August, having a bear of a time finding another one.

[Ghost Bear]

I voted for Illegal Immigration and Education.  Make the state less "friendly" to those here illegally (as some other states have done) and many will self-deport, while new ones will choose to go to other destinations. This will have the benefit of reducing the costs of healthcare and education (among other costs) and increasing wages and employment.

Education reform is desperately needed. Get rid of the influence of the teacher's unions, start ignoring more federal mandates, go back to the teaching methods of the 30s, 40s, and 50s that worked. Start teaching children to think critically again.

[austingirl]

Secession. The overreach of the federal government will not be stopped with the two candidates running. Texas sends more to DC than it gets back.

[Ghost Bear]

Secession. The overreach of the federal government will not be stopped with the two candidates running. Texas sends more to DC than it gets back.

I almost put secession down as my "Other" vote.

[Sanguine]

I caught Mark Levin's first hour today, and he was on a righteous rant.  Reminded us that we don't and won't have any real influence over the federal leviatian.  The power resides in the states, and if we got off our big, lazy butts (my wording) and reassert our power, we could turn this around.

[Sanguine]

Secession. The overreach of the federal government will not be stopped with the two candidates running. Texas sends more to DC than it gets back.

I agree.  But, we have to be in a position to do so, and I don't see that we are at this point.

[Sanguine]

Texas to blackmailing Obama: Maybe you can just keep your federal funds

Surely you heard this past weekend about the Obama threat to withhold federal education funds from states who don’t immediately embrace Obama’s transgender bathroom policies. The current shell game of collecting money through the IRS and then sending it back to the states in the form of federal aid is merely a way for the federal government to dictate to the state how they must operate. It’s certainly not a new phenomenon, either. Remember the nationwide 55-mile-per-hour speed limit? That was never a law passed by Congress. It was a gambit of Jimmy Carter to deny federal highway funds to any state that didn’t play ball.

Typically, states meekly capitulate to these threats because they don’t want to lose the funds. Obama knows that perfectly well, and figured he could use the threat of withholding federal funds to force his transgender bathroom agenda on the entire nation.

But what will happen if the day finally comes when the federal government has pushed too far, and some state tells Washington it can take its federal aid and shove it? And if some state were to do that, which one do you supposed it might be?

You guessed right:
....
http://canadafreepress.com/article/texas-to-blackmailing-obama-maybe-you-can-just-keep-your-federal-funds

[Night Hides Not]

I applaud the Governor's stand on the bathroom issue. I looked it up, federal funds comprise 13% of education funding in Texas. I think we all have a pretty good idea what those funds go to.

Robin Hood has to be scrapped and replaced. I live in Coppell ISD, and over 50% of our local dollars go to other districts in the state. As a result, we get nickeled and dimed on extracurricular activities. The "participation fee" is at least $150 for each activity. My youngest son enters HS in the fall, and he will be in band and cross country at a minimum.

[Sanguine]

@INVAR and @bootless ' responses on another thread were so relevant and well stated that I'm copying them here:

Re: Given today's FR activity...
« Reply #184 on: May 17, 2016, 11:33:35 PM »

    Quote

Quote from: bootless on May 17, 2016, 10:23:16 PM

    In the meantime, this has been an interesting one... with some fine support by some Constitutionally-focused folks. The most startling admission by some of the die-hards? That we are apparently already post-Constitutional and that there's basically no point in returning to it.


Mark Levin has actually created that phrase in regards to what we have been struggling to call what we have been transformed into the past decade-plus; A Post-Constitutional Society.  And, he is correct to note that the Constitution is in all practicality, irrelevant - because those charged with upholding it - have reneged and failed to do so.

I am a bit more pointed in describing what we have been transformed into, and that is a post-Constitutional Fascist Mobocracy with a dictatorship empowered by an oligarchy.

Quote from: bootless on May 17, 2016, 10:23:16 PM

    Also, we aren't there yet. Venezuela is there.


We are well on our way to where this system we have been transformed into is going to take us, which will be Venezuela multiplied.  Venezuela didn't have the crushing trillions in debt we currently do and they (to my knowledge) have not been invaded by willful foreign squatters invited by their own government to get on the government dole and conquer the country from within.

Quote from: bootless on May 17, 2016, 10:23:16 PM

    And Skippy's ongoing abuse of the Constitution (and by extension, us) doesn't mean that we just accept that's how it's going to be.


Congress and the courts let them get away with it, so now it is precedent.  Nothing you or I do is going to change or stop that short of what is necessary, and there are not enough of us willing to risk what is necessary to make that possible. Besides - we cannot even agree as a people what the definition of liberty even means - so the common foundation that forged us in the first place no longer exists.

Quote from: bootless on May 17, 2016, 10:23:16 PM

    Finally, one poster said the Constitution failed. I disagreed. It didn't fail - we did.


Exactly.  A moral and religious people would never haver permitted the Constitution, the rule of law or our culture be destroyed in the manner it was.  We bought the lies sold to us by our domestic enemies, and allowed our culture, religion and principles be redefined over the decades until we stood for nothing but ourselves and create rights for everyone to do what is right in their own eyes at the expense of common sense and liberty.

Quote from: bootless on May 17, 2016, 10:23:16 PM

    But it's not a lost cause, not by a long shot.


John Adams would disagree with you there, at least as far as history would dictate.

"But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty once lost is lost forever. When the People once surrender their share in the Legislature, and their Right of defending the Limitations upon the Government, and of resisting every Encroachment upon them, they can never regain it."- John Adams, letter to Abigail - July 1775

[Sanguine]

Reposting from another thread:

    05/16/2016Ryan McMaken

    Last year, we covered a story coming out of Texas in which the state government was planning to institute a state-controlled "gold depository" that would allow individuals to store their gold in a presumably safe place outside the United States banking system.

    This proposition was met with emotionally-charged denunciations from Americans in far away northeastern American states where it was claimed this measure was contrary to the "supremacy clause" and just a terrible idea in general because it undermined faith in the US's central government and the Federal Reserve System.

    Well, in spite of the disapproval of New Yorkers, the Texas legislature passed the bill, and the governor signed it into law last June. ...

    https://mises.org/blog/texan-plans-build-gold-depository

Abbott is willing to go to the mat.  Let's get behind that effort.

[truth_seeker]

Secession. The overreach of the federal government will not be stopped with the two candidates running. Texas sends more to DC than it gets back.

So does California.

[GrouchoTex]

Secession would be my other.
Immigration and Education, as well.

[austingirl]

Has anyone checked out the Texas Nationalist Movement? I belong and used to go to meetings when I had a different work schedule. I realize that most Texans are not in favor at this point, but I have to ask, what will it take?

http://www.thetnm.org/

[Texas Yellow Rose]

With recent events of the foolish setting out to destroy our country, I think secession should become the top priority.  I've thought about it somewhat the last four years, but now?  It seems prudent to regain our Republic.

Yes it does.

[geronl]

Once the federal government completely disregards the Constitution, it has effectively seceded and the states should feel free to reform a new union elsewhere.

[txradioguy]

Illegal immigration especially since it looks like HUD is going to be free to move the inner city neighborhoods out to the suburbs.

Education

Freedom of religion

[txradioguy]

They've already done it here in DFW.  The people they moved to the suburbs were mostly American Citizens.

The D/FW "experiment" is one of the example cited as to why this crap doesn't need to be pushed onto the whole of the country.

[Sanguine]

And, another Texas push-back:  Federal Judge in Texas Demands Justice Dept. Lawyers Take Ethics Class

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/20/us/andrew-hanen-immigration-texas-court.html

WASHINGTON — A federal judge in Texas on Thursday excoriated the Justice Department, demanding ethics classes for the department’s lawyers and ordering other sanctions for those who argued the case involving President Obama’s immigration executive actions.

He also ordered the government to produce a list of about 100,000 immigrants who entered illegally and who are participating in a government program that protects them from deportation.

In a blistering order, Judge Andrew S. Hanen of Federal District Court in Brownsville accused the Justice Department lawyers of lying to him during arguments in the case, and he barred them from appearing in his courtroom.

He also demanded that Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch provide a “comprehensive plan” within 60 days describing how she will prevent unethical conduct in the future, as well as making sure the department’s Office of Professional Responsibility effectively prevents misconduct among its lawyers....

[Bigun]

And, another Texas push-back:  Federal Judge in Texas Demands Justice Dept. Lawyers Take Ethics Class

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/20/us/andrew-hanen-immigration-texas-court.html

He should have thrown their asses in jail if you ask me!

[truth_seeker]

They've already done it here in DFW.  The people they moved to the suburbs were mostly American Citizens.

In SoCal there are Moreno Valley, Lancaster and Palmdale.

It is as if they lifted Compton/Watts up and moved them along with Sect. 8 housing, food stamps,  gangs and all, etc.

Probably plenty of other examples in other parts of this faire lande.

[Just_Victor]

He should have thrown their asses in jail if you ask me!

The idea of sending lawyers to ethics classes for doing what the president and the justice department told them to do is idiotic.  The judicial sanctions need to be against the president.  I just wish someone could figure out a way to enforce it short of impeachment.

[Sanguine]

I think the judge is doing what he can.  The states have to start reasserting their Constitutional rights/duties.

[Sanguine]

Greg Abbott is on the Mark Levin right now talking about a Convention of States.  Good stuff.

[HoustonSam]

Once the federal government completely disregards the Constitution, it has effectively seceded and the states should feel free to reform a new union elsewhere.

Hear, hear.  I advocate secession.  And I am not kidding.

[RetBobbyMI]

Hear, hear.  I advocate secession.  And I am not kidding.

Wouldn't be the first time, and certainly shouldn't be the last.  Remember the Alamo!

The federal regular Army is now only 450,000.  Not enough to take Texas.

[Sanguine]

Wouldn't be the first time, and certainly shouldn't be the last.  Remember the Alamo!

The federal regular Army is now only 450,000.  Not enough to take Texas.

I'd rather remember San Jacinto.   ^-^

Anyone know anything about the Texas Guard?  Not the National Guard, the Texas Guard?

[HoustonSam]

Wouldn't be the first time, and certainly shouldn't be the last.  Remember the Alamo!

The federal regular Army is now only 450,000.  Not enough to take Texas.

Only downside I can see is we'll need a wall around the entire border, not just the Rio Grande.  I will advocate for expedited entry by other native Tennesseans such as myself.....

[Sanguine]

Only downside I can see is we'll need a wall around the entire border, not just the Rio Grande.  I will advocate for expedited entry by other native Tennesseans such as myself.....

With a screen-name like that you're a shoo-in.

[RetBobbyMI]

Only downside I can see is we'll need a wall around the entire border, not just the Rio Grande.  I will advocate for expedited entry by other native Tennesseans such as myself.....

I graduated HS and College in Tejas, still have family there and winter there, does that count for expedited admission?

[RetBobbyMI]

I'd rather remember San Jacinto.   ^-^

Anyone know anything about the Texas Guard?  Not the National Guard, the Texas Guard?

Texas Guard is a true state militia, not controlled from Washington like the National Guard.

[HoustonSam]

I graduated HS and College in Tejas, still have family there and winter there, does that count for expedited admission?

As a transplanted hillbilly here in Houston I should probably defer to the native Texans for a decision.  But I'll put in a good word on your behalf.

[Sanguine]

Texas Guard is a true state militia, not controlled from Washington like the National Guard.

Yes, it is....

https://tmd.texas.gov/texas-state-guard

[biff]

Texas should definitely focus on education.  Get away from those stupid standardized testing and go back to old school teaching.

You are exactly right. Funny how 'readin, writin and rithmatic' put us on the moon and common core gives us 20 yr. old juniors in high school that can't read.

[Sanguine]

You are exactly right. Funny how 'readin, writin and rithmatic' put us on the moon and common core gives us 20 yr. old juniors in high school that can't read.

Welcome, Biff.  Ok, we know what you don't think should be done - what do you think should be done?

[Texas Yellow Rose]

- what do you think should be done?

Hope I can jump in here.  I say we get rid of the current tests.  Go back to teaching K-12 the way it was taught in the early 60's.  Repetition, repetition, repetition.  Phonics, phonics, phonics.  Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction, Division.  Memorize. memorize. memorize. These kids don't have the basics down.   In the mean time, the teachers administration is only concerned about the state test.  If we must test, lets test with the Achievement type tests.  They are still in use by private schools.   

On a personal note, my grandson has not been taught cursive.  I learned that last Christmas, when he could not read the names on the packages.  I substituted elementary classes when the teacher had to leave early back in the late 60's.  I was younger than 18 and could do a better job than I'm seeing today.   

[Sanguine]

Hope I can jump in here.  I say we get rid of the current tests.  Go back to teaching K-12 the way it was taught in the early 60's.  Repetition, repetition, repetition.  Phonics, phonics, phonics.  Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction, Division.  Memorize. memorize. memorize. These kids don't have the basics down.   In the mean time, the teachers administration is only concerned about the state test.  If we must test, lets test with the Achievement type tests.  They are still in use by private schools.   

On a personal note, my grandson has not been taught cursive.  I learned that last Christmas, when he could not read the names on the packages.  I substituted elementary classes when the teacher had to leave early back in the late 60's.  I was younger than 18 and could do a better job than I'm seeing today.

Of course you can jump in!  Good comments. 

I would also add that the control of the curriculum needs to be removed from federal involvement, back to the states and communities.

[GrouchoTex]

Hope I can jump in here.  I say we get rid of the current tests.  Go back to teaching K-12 the way it was taught in the early 60's.  Repetition, repetition, repetition.  Phonics, phonics, phonics.  Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction, Division.  Memorize. memorize. memorize. These kids don't have the basics down.   In the mean time, the teachers administration is only concerned about the state test.  If we must test, lets test with the Achievement type tests.  They are still in use by private schools.   

On a personal note, my grandson has not been taught cursive.  I learned that last Christmas, when he could not read the names on the packages.  I substituted elementary classes when the teacher had to leave early back in the late 60's.  I was younger than 18 and could do a better job than I'm seeing today.

The old PEMDAS saying on how to solve algebraic equations still sticks to me to this day, 30+ years later

[RetBobbyMI]

You are exactly right. Funny how 'readin, writin and rithmatic' put us on the moon and common core gives us 20 yr. old juniors in high school that can't read.

Then become Bernie or Trump supporters, depending on how they're twisted by parents and or teachers.

[RetBobbyMI]

You see kids, young adults and full adults protesting for $15 an hour wages, and yet they can't even process basic math to figure how much change from a $20 without the register telling them.

[GrouchoTex]

Got mesquite charcoal started. Going to grill some fajitas. Drinking a Shiner, cut up homegrown bell and jalapeño peppers to go with it.
No matter what, it is still the basics that matter, and why I love the Lone Star state. Now, if Trump or Clinton come after my pistols, truck, grill, or smoker, look out!

Seriously, a convention of states should be the order of the day, since D.C. Can't read the 10th amendment.
Barring that, secession.
I'd like to see COS before we actually seceded.
Just my mesquite-fajita-shiner-jalapeño induced opinion.