Patriots,
There is a counter-rally planned for this Saturday, March 12, in Austin. The Left is rallying to demand that Texas raid the Rainy Day Fund, and we’ve got to let our Reps and State Senators know loud and clear that we are 100% opposed to that plan!
The Rainy Day Fund serves two purposes.
First, having a healthy reserve helps the State of Texas keep a high bond rating.
Second, it provides for needs in time of unforeseen emergencies… you know, things like hurricanes, floods, even terrorist attacks. Will someone please tell me how the school finance situation is an unforeseen emergency? And how will raiding the rainy day fund solve the problem for the next budget? Won’t we be back in this very same position?
Unfortunately the folks in Austin are hearing from the Left 5 times more often than they are hearing from the Right on this issue. Gee, if you were a politician, how would you vote in that case? This is a big deal, and we need to get way more vocal than we already have been.
Have you signed our petition AGAINST raiding the rainy day fund yet? Have you forwarded it to every conservative you know in Texas? You can find the petition here: http://www.petitiononline.com/NETTP1/petition.html. We’d like to deliver it on Saturday, so please take this seriously and get it in front of people.
If you know conservatives who are on the fence about the rainy day fund because they don’t want to hurt the teachers, please send them to this site: http://www.protecttheclassroom.com/. We have GOT to get the truth out there. Teachers’ jobs do NOT have to be cut. The rainy day fund does NOT have to be raided.
I would love to bring a LARGE group from NETTP to the counter-protest on Saturday. Wouldn’t it be fun to rent a bus and all go down together? The bus would have comfortable seating, a restroom, and great company to chat with. We’d go down in the morning and be home that same night. I’ve not priced this out yet, but I’ve heard it will cost around $35/person. I do not want to put time into making this happen if we do not have takers. If you think you might like to take the bus with us on Saturday, please email me asap to let me know.
Whether or not you go to Austin, we all need to be contacting our Reps and Senators. Ideally, this will be done in writing. And we’ve got a really easy way for you to do that. Use the sample paragraph below (taken from the petition that member Tom Moore wrote up for us), tweak it as you desire, and then click here to paste it onto a form to submit it to Empower Texans. They’ll print it and deliver it for you free of charge.
To: All Texas Legislators, Governor Rick Perry, Lt. Governor David Dewhurst
The Economic Stabilization Fund, also known as the Rainy Day Fund, was established by the Texas legislature to provide funds for unexpected emergencies. The education budget is a known and continuing expense. The current budget situation requires a long-term, responsible solution. The Rainy Day Fund is a spending source that will not support ongoing obligations. Using this money depletes the fund and does not address the root problem of excessive spending. Holding the line on spending will not be easy. It will require establishing thoughtful priorities and the realization that we can no longer afford the level of spending we have had in the past. In these difficult economic times it makes no sense to spend our savings account and still be left with the same budgetary predicament.
The Rainy Day Fund is for unexpected, one-time emergencies. Please do not use it for the current school finance situation, nor any other known and continuing expense.
Sincerely,
So let me summarize the steps we desperately need you to be taking…
Several NETTP members were in Austin earlier this week for the Speaker vote. We were there to encourage our State Reps to vote for a more conservative speaker, and they chose not to do that. Since nearly 90% of Texans wanted a more conservative speaker, our Reps clearly were not representing the people as they were elected to do.
Watch this video clip showing patriots lining the halls of the Capitol in one last attempt to make their wishes known as Reps enter the meeting room. And then watch this video clip showing that some of those Patriots chose to wait outside the meeting room where the caucus was being held. Both videos make it clear that hundreds of voters from all over Texas showed up in Austin. They say that for every one voter at the Capitol, there are at least 100 more at home who wish they could be there. So our Reps knew the will of the people and deliberately did not act on it. In fact, as our own Rep Vicki Truitt left the building after the vote, she laughed at us!
It is understandable that many of us are upset about the vote. I share that sentiment. However, we must remember that for the next several months, our Representatives will be working on many more issues, and we want to be able to impact those. If we make them believe that no matter what they do we will never be happy with them and will vote them out, why will they listen to us during the remainder of the session?
Let it be known that NETTP does not condone violent threats of any kind, even in the face of the Speaker vote. Though we didn’t get what we wanted, there’s nothing we can do about it now, and we encourage voters to continue to engage with their Reps and work for the common good. Each Rep’s Speaker vote, combined with their actions during this session, will all be taken into account in the 2012 primaries. At the end of this session (in June) we’ll know for sure who must have a primary opponent. In the meantime, let’s do our best to work with our Reps, regardless of who they are or what their track record is.
I hope everyone who can possibly make it to Austin next week is making plans to do so. If you are undecided, let me tell ya, just go ahead and decide to be there! I remember being on the fence about going to DC for that big March on Washington in Sept 2009. We did end up going, and next to my wedding day and having Zoey, it was the most amazing event of my entire life. I'm so glad I didn't pass it up. I know the event in Austin isn't going to be quite as grand — certainly not 1.5 million people — but it's our own state-size version of that event, and you don't want to miss it. Do what you have to do to be there!
Need a little more motivation? Well, remember that TV ad that NETTP helped to pay for regarding the TX Speaker race? Check out this news clip about it: http://www.news8austin.com/content/top_stories/275937/conservative-groups-hit-airwaves-to-oust-straus. Notice the comment about nobody knowing about or caring about the TX Speaker race. That is a thing of the past. It's our job to make sure none of our elected officials can blow us off like that! We DO know about it, we DO care about it, and we are demanding that our desires be represented by those we elected to represent us!
If you are NOT going to Austin, scroll down to the bottom of this email for two important things you should be doing instead.
If you ARE going to Austin, here's a listing of planned events…
Sunday, Jan 9, 7-9pm, South Steps of Capitol – Prayer Vigil – We'll pray for our Representatives, Senators and Government officials that they may seek Divine Guidance, follow their true hearts, listen to the people, and act accordingly. We place our Trust in Him, over the will of man. Bring a flashlight, as no candles are allowed.
Monday, Jan 10, 8a-8p, La Quinta Inn at 300 E 11th St – Hospitality Suite – check in to record your attendance at this historic event. This is a gathering place for all conservatives. Come and go. Meet up with friends. Make some new ones.
Monday, Jan 10, 8a-12:30, Capitol Offices – Constituent meetings with legislators. Don't be intimidated by this. The Capitol is YOURS. YOU pay for it. YOU hire those who work there. Stop by your Rep's office. Make your presence known, as well as your desire for a conservative Speaker. Let everyone know that as any good boss does, you are keeping an eye on things. Bring a letter for your Rep that you've written yourself, or feel free to grab one at the hospitality suite mentioned above.
Monday, Jan 10, 12:30-1:30pm, North Steps – Pre-Caucus Rally – Let's show up en masse and make a loud statement for the Reps we elected! Wear red and/or your tea party shirt. Bring signs (hand-held; no stakes or poles allowed). The Reps will caucus from 1:30-3pm.
Monday, Jan 10, 4-??, South Steps – Post-Caucus Rally
Tuesday, Jan 11, 8a-8p, La Quinta Inn Austin Capitol – Hospitality Suite – check in to record your attendance at this historic event. This is a gathering place for all conservatives. Come and go. Meet up with friends. Make some new ones.
Tuesday, Jan 11, 8-10am, Capitol Offices – Constituent meetings with legislators. Let's keep up the pressure. Just because they caucused doesn't mean the deal is done. The official vote happens from noon-1pm. This is our last chance to make our individual voices heard. Again, bring a letter for your Rep that you've written yourself, or feel free to grab one at the hospitality suite mentioned above.
Tuesday, Jan 11, 10-noon, North Steps – Pre-Session Rally – Last chance to make our combined voices heard. Let's make loud! Wear red, bring signs.
Tuesday, Jan 11, 1-3pm, South Steps – Post-Vote Rally & Call To Action – However the vote goes, we need to stay active. Here's a chance to hear some of the game plan.
If you are going to Austin, text "PATRIOT" to 90210. This will get you on the contact list for last minute updates and events. It will be the fastest way to spread the word about what's happening or where we need large numbers of people to gather, for example. Do it now so you don't forget.
Full details on the Austin rally, including transportation, events, and why we are going, are here:
Text "PATRIOT" to 90210. You will be kept in-the-know on events as they occur so that you can immediately get the word out on blogs, emails, facebook, etc. We do not anticipate fair coverage by the media, so it's important that we spread the word ourselves.
Make plans to attend our NETTP meeting on Monday night from 6:30-8pm at 1060 E Highland in Southlake. Our guest speaker, Michael Badnarik, is incredibly knowledgeable on the Federalist Papers. He usually gets paid big bucks to teach on this topic, and he's speaking to us for free! If you want to prepare in advance, read over Papers 10, 11 and 12. We'll be recording this event and posting it on our website for those who will be in Austin. It should be a great event.
Today’s rallies were a great success — let’s hope they have an effect on our Representatives. We had over 100 show up to rally, and over 200 signatures on the petition we presented. Nice job, Patriots!
Conservative patriots from all over TX are rallying in Austin at the start of the 2011 legislature session. Our purpose is to encourage our Reps to vote in a conservative Speaker of the House. Details are at http://grassrootstexans.net/events/id/1069/.
Remember how conservatives used to be silent as our liberties and rights were taken away one by one? Remember how it seemed the wrong people were always getting their way? NO MORE! Tea parties all across America are becoming more and more vocal, and the issue surrounding the TX Speaker of the House is one about which NETTP believes we need to ROAR!
Join us on December 13 from noon until 1:00pm as we rally outside the offices of our 3 State Representatives. (Click here to find out who your TX House Rep is, Truitt, Smith, or Hancock).
VICKI TRUITT – meet in the Southlake Town Square (1709 and Carroll Blvd.) in front of the library/govt offices building
TODD SMITH – park in the vacant Luby's parking lot in SW corner of Hwy 183 & Forest Ridge; spread out to all corners and under the bridge depending on size of crowd
VERY IMPORTANT: Please check back here before going to the event to make sure nothing has changed or new information added regarding time, location, cancellation, parking, etc.
We had an amazing meeting Monday night with guest speaker Wayne Richard. He was an energized, passionate speaker, and we all not only learned a lot from him, but we were motivated to act on it as well. If you missed his presentation, or if you'd like to hear it again, it is available on our website. Please click here. I'd personally rank him up there with the likes of Pastor Broden as far as speakers go. That's a pretty high compliment!
The issue regarding the next Speaker of the TX House is a big one. If you are not already aware of why that is, listen to the presentation from Wayne, and please take a look at the following documents he handed out:
At this point, I want to clarify that NETTP is supporting a Republican caucus to decide the next TX Speaker of the House (as opposed to allowing the Democrats to pick one!). We are not endorsing any of the candidates running. We merely want our elected State Reps to make that decision.
So, what are our next steps to make this happen? Check it out…
If you have not already signed the online petition requesting a Republican caucus to decide who the next speaker will be, please click here to do that.
Call your State Rep (most of us have either Vicki Truitt, Todd Smith or Kelly Hancock) and demand a Republican caucus to decide who the next Speaker of the TX House will be. Contact info for your Rep is found here. Call, fax, email daily! And most important of all, mail in a written letter. That gets the most attention. A sample letter might say something like this:
Dear Representative ________,
I am a constituent in District ____. I contributed to and worked hard for contested Republicans throughout the state (and country for that matter) to ensure that Texasremains a conservative bastion against the rising tide of the Progressives and outright Socialism. I am truly concerned over your seemingly unwavering support for Speaker Straus as you seem to ignore the facts that he and his minions blocked the conservative agenda at every turn. District 98 is overwhelmingly conservative and we deserve representation on the same order. I implore you to join the call for a Republican caucus to select the next Speaker of the House. If you are truly a conservative Republican but cannot take this step then I must view your position as one of self-serving interest. I will work diligently to ensure your defeat should you decide to run for reelection.
Sincerely,
your name and address
If Vicki Truitt is your State Rep, I have contact info for her Chief of Staff, Terra Taylor. Let's get our message out to her too! Terra.Taylor@house.state.tx.us
Contact your Precinct Chair and let him/her know you want a Republican caucus to decide our next TX Speaker, and that you want him/her to go to your State Rep (Truitt, Smith or Hancock) and communicate the interests of the people. I have a list of phone numbers for precinct chairs. Send me your precinct number (find it here) and I'll send you the correct name and number.
Join us in a protest outside your State Rep's office on Monday, December 13, from noon-1:00pm. Make a sign and join us during your lunch break! More details available here.
Join us at our December 6 fundraiser dinner at Mooyah Burgers in Euless where NETTP will have its own petition for you to sign! More details available here.
There may be a January rally in Austin just as the TX legislature session is beginning as well. We will provide details if/when that develops.
Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer will be discussing their history with the mega-mosque, their future plans to fight it, and all their other efforts to stop stealth jihad in America, accompanied by a book-signing of their new book, The Post-American Presidency.
Hawthorn Suites - DFW Airport North 5000 Plaza Drive, Irving, TX 75063
Full day class: $100
(Includes an autographed copy of Michael’s book - Good to be King)
For more information call 512-461-0995
(alternate payment - 4 ounces of .999 fine silver)
Michael Badnarik author and Constitutional scholar presents a seminar on the Constitution.
Would it surprise you to discover that the United States is NOT a democracy?
Would you like to know – once and for all – what the “electoral college” is, and why we have it?
If you don’t need a government permit to exercise your First Amendment rights, why do other people need a government permit to exercise their Second Amendment rights?
Would you sign the Declaration of Independence today if it meant that Homeland Security would arrest you for being an “enemy combatant”?
Even if you think you know the Constitution well, you’ll be shocked at how much you were never taught. Come experience the passion and drama that shaped the birth of our country.
