Everything's Bigger in Texas, including the economy

This two year old video is a great summary of why Texas outperforms the country economically:



Highlights:

• No personal income tax.

• Second Lowest Cost of Living in America.

• (Relatively) low business taxes

• More than half of the new jobs in the U.S. since 2009 have been created in Texas.

• Consumption taxes are more efficient than income taxes.

CSCOPE: Texas Students Chart 'Journey to Mecca'

Another Shocking Find from Red Hot Conservative:

Our children are not being taught about the great men and women who sacrificed their lives for this country nor or they taught that these sacrifices attribute to the FREEDOM we have been so fortunate to enjoy.Instead our children are being indoctrinated  with a pro Islamic, anti christian view. Texas students could benefit greatly from studying the lives of great men such as  Christopher Columbus, George Washington, Abe Lincoln or better yet the missionary journeys of the Apostle Paul. Unfortunately for our children Cscope writers felt it more important that 6 grade students chronicle Islamic Scholar Ibn Battuta’s pilgrimage to Mecca and  Mohammad’s tomb in Medina.

 The 83rd Texas Legislature has no business authorizing one dime for education until we get to the bottom of this growing scandal.

Louie Gohmert: "We can't afford Business as usual."

Sadly, (my pal) Louie Gohmert nails it on Fox News a couple hours ago:



Highlights:

• We can't be about 'business as usual'

• It's time for something different.

Personally, I think it's time to cut up Washington's Credit Card.

'Cut Washington's Credit Card' -- An Open Letter to SENATOR Ted Cruz

Greetings Senator Cruz,

First things first, it's good to finally call you Senator; I look forward to seeing you next week in Austin.

I wish we could give you some time to settle in, but America's deteriorating finances make that impossible.

In the next few weeks, Obama is going to ask for yet another debt ceiling increase.  Just say no.  The time has come to cut-up Washington's credit cards.

The debt ceiling is our only point of leverage.  Don't raise it.  The time has come to cut-up Washington's credit cards.

Refusing to hike the debt ceiling is the only way to force Washington to cut spending.  The ususal suspects will bitch and moan, but so what?!?  The time has come to cut-up Washington's credit cards.

$16 trillion in debt is enough.  A debt to GDP ratio north of 100% is enough.  Enough is enough; the time has come to cut-up Washington's credit card.

When the next debt ceiling fight comes up, don't raise it.  Exploit your leverage.  The time has come to cut up Washington's credit card!!!

Sincerely,
Adam Cahn
Austin, TX
January 3, 2013

'Choose Wisely' -- An Open Letter to Texas House Republicans

Gentlemen and Ladies,

Last night, John Bohener screwed America's finances; in so doing, he put each of you under our microscope.

Washington, at least for now, is a lost cause; Austin isn't.

The 83rd Texas Legislature has a once-in-a-generation opportunity.  With structural reforms to state spending, School Finance, and Medicaid the 83rd Legislature can lay the foundation for another two decades of prosperity.  Our challenge is to get good legislation to Governor Perry's desk without watering it down.

That's where you come in.

The Texas Senate leaves us cautiously optimistic.  The Texas House...not so much.  The current leadership of the Texas State House is an obstacle to prosperity.

Joe Straus can dole out campaign cash and committee assignments, but we live in your districts.  The grassroots might not be able to control events in Washington, but we can be a pain in your ass.  Ask Vicki Truitt.

The 83rd Texas Legislature needs to deliver.  Structural reforms to state spending, school finance, and Medicaid need to reach Governor Perry's desk without getting watered down.  Choose wisely, Texas House Republicans, choose wisely.

Sincerely,
Adam Cahn
Austin, TX
January 2, 2013

CSCOPE Document Request Form Letter

Texas CSCOPE Review has created this form letter for parents who want to know how deeply their local school board is in bed with CSCOPE:

Dear Superintendent _____________,
In light of recent criticism of the CSCOPE Curriculum, and in keeping with my parental right in accordance with Texas State Education Code 26.006, I am respectfully asking for a copy of the ____________(subject, grade) CSCOPE lessons from September, 2011 to May, 2012.
Thus, this request is made under the Texas Public Information Act, Chapter 552, Texas Government Code. The Open Records Act guarantees a citizen’s access to information in the custody of governmental agencies. Disclosure of this information is in the public interest because providing a copy of the information primarily benefits the general public. I therefore request a waiver of all fees and charges pursuant to Section 552.267 of this Act.
According to Wade Lebay, Texas State CSCOPE Director, as quoted in a recent article by Ann Work (12/2012, Wichita Falls Press) parents may view and have a copy of CSCOPE lessons and materials used in the classroom.
So that I may evaluate the CSCOPE lessons and handouts and have the material evaluated independently by a professional, I respectfully request copies of the material associated with this course.

Sincerely,

Parent will submit their name and address

Welcoming Brietbart Sports

This morning, Breitbart.com announced the addition of Breitbart Sports to the Breitbart family; this is a welcome development in the culture war.

Sports media is a primary transmission mechanism for what Andrew called 'liberalism by osmosis,' where a generally apolitical population receives Marxism in small, subtle, doses that shifts public opinion over time.

The best way to illustrate this phenomenon is with an example from my personal life.  Back in 2008, I was looking at polling data from that election with ESPN playing in the background.  I was trying to understand why public opinion had shifted so dramatically against Sarah Palin when, on cue, the ESPN anchors chimed in with back-to-back-to-back 'Sarah Palin is stupid' jokes.  People who didn't follow the news got their view of Sarah Palin shaped by ESPN.  That moment was my personal epiphany, but the insidious role of sports media is obvious to anyone paying attention.

Since 2008, it's gotten worse.  From denigrating Tim Tebow's faith, to Bob Costas' recent endorsement of gun-grabbing, sports media's influence on our culture is undeniable.  It's long past time to hold sports media accountable.

In the short term, this means getting in front of this phony NFL-concussion 'issue.'  Lawsuits are here, and the sports media will help turn this into a boondoggle for trial lawyers.  Bullcrap.  Most NFL players who go broke do so through their own stupidity.  The coming cultural kerfuffle over NFL concussions is a fight we can win.

Culture is upstream of politics, and sports is often at the front line of culture; this is a shrewd move by the Brietbart crew.

#WAR

Update: Talk about God's perfect sense of timing.  About two hours after I posted this, I'm watching Ken Burns' The Tenth Inning on MLB Network.  Who is doing the commentary for this documentary?!?  Keith Olbermann, Bob Costas, and Chris Rock are talking about 'economic pressures' as an excuse for steroids.  Textbook example.