Quote of the week

"These (economic growth) numbers confirm that the American people
are using their money far better than government would have ."

President George W. Bush

State of the Union Address

January 20th, 2004.

Analysis of the Union Address
The Editors

Americans, the President pointedly said, face a "choice":  They can support Mr. Bush in his resolve to take the fight to the terrorists and his agenda of tax cuts and entitlement reform, or they can return to the "illusion" that terrorists aren't a threat and to "old policies" of higher taxes and the government status quo.

If Democrats are going to beat him, in other words, they won't be able to do it on the small stuff.

There is no backing down on the war on terror and Iraq.  Mr. Bush drew a bright and accurate line between policies prior to September 11 -- when terror was handled like traditional police and judicial work -- and his decision to pre-empt and pursue international terrorists and the states that assist them on their own turf.

To complaints that he'd alienated the rest of the world, Mr. Bush read a list of coalition partners in Iraq so long it was interrupted by applause.

And, in one of the better lines of a generally lackluster text, he said that Americans must never "seek a permission slip to defend the security of our people."  The President also painted a vivid picture of what Iraq and the world would be like if Saddam had not been deposed: programs for weapons of mass destruction if not immediate stockpiles, torture chambers, killing fields and an America whose word would not be trusted.

Mr. Bush also seems to be ready for a rumble over the state of the economy, and especially on taxes.

(More...)

Back To Top 

Special Session on Robin Hood, Property
Tax Reform and School Finance

The Editors

In case anyone's thinking nothing is being done on this subject – think again. Hearings have been held, studies have been or are being done, and yes, legislation is probably already being drafted.

That means the people of Texas need to get engaged, call and/or begin talking to their legislators.

Ever heard of a “split tax role”? That's where business tax rates are delineated from individual tax rates, so that in the future it will be easier to raise taxes on businesses– whom many of us think don't pay taxes at all. And in a sense they don't; their taxes are simply passed along to the Texas consumer in the form of inflated prices for the goods and services they provide.

Well, there is plenty of talk in Austin right now about these “split tax roles”, so be forewarned and communicate your opposition to them every chance you get to your state Representative or Senator immediately.

Also being talked about:

(More...)

Back To Top

Remembering 2003's Legislative Accomplishments
The Editors

If you are a Texan who wanted the legislature to implement an income tax; if you are a Texan who wanted your doctor to retire or move out of the state, or wanted your health insurance rates to continue to soar uncontrollably; if you are a Texan who wanted bigger government, wanted jobs to flee the state (to Oklahoma no less), or wanted the tough issues ignored, we are sorry. Get out the Rolaids. Texas is NOT headed in that direction.

Many of Texas' major newspapers' editorial boards are wringing their hands and breaking out in hives over the recent court confirmations of Texas redistricting changes – for Pete's sake we say! Grow up. Wake up and smell the coffee – this is not your father's Oldsmobile! At least Lloyd Doggett had the gumption and foresight (months ago) to immediately move into the district he could possibly get elected in and admitted at that point the validity of the realignment in Texas. Get over it, whatever.

Austin is full of left over liberal political “analysts” (code word for “former campaign consultants/lobbyists” who cannot get jobs and are long on time) who the media continues to quote …. Hey, maybe they were all buddies these past decades after all, NOT objective political seers.

The bitterness is still oozing out of their mantras about redistricting being “the worst of the worst”. Well, if they need to, let them go ahead and get out their Rolaids, too. If, on the other hand, you are one of those 65% or so of Texas who have called for and been working for some conservative government since November 2002, rest assured – Texas is NOT going back, and therefore the citizens of Texas have some celebrating to do.

The bottom line? – The 2003 legislature addressed the two major issues Governor Perry declared as “emergencies” and solved them. Though watching sausage being made is never a pleasant experience, Texas' new leadership team of Governor Rick Perry, Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst, House Speaker Tom Craddick and Comptroller Carole Strayhorn produced a balanced budget after starting with a $10 billion shortfall – all without increasing our taxes!

What a huge, huge success, and we congratulate ALL those who contributed to making the 2003 legislative session a truly historic one.

For those interested, here is a short reminder of the more significant issues addressed:

(More...)

Back To Top

The Year To Be
Some things that will come to pass, and others that should.
Seton Motley for the Editors

We here at the Citizen Action Network feel inexorably drawn to the notion of creating and compiling a list of events and incidents that we believe will transpire in the imminent new year. This certainly does little to distinguish us from a whole host of other institutions, publications and individuals, all of whom will engage in this activity in the days and weeks to come. What does delineate us from all the rest is our acumen at making precise predictions, our pompous air of moral certitude as to their accuracy, and our unwavering ability to recast incorrect forecasts as things that have simply not yet occurred.

We hope you take this with the spirit of joy, hope and mirth with which it is offered. The feelings that arise (at least for conservatives) with the advent of a fresh annum. Enjoy.

(In other words, this list is for entertainment purposes only; neither the Citizen Action Network nor members of its staff are responsible for any debt incurred by any reader foolish enough to wager on the contents of this missive):

• Howard Dean, the former Mayor of Vermont (population: 613,000, the same as the McCallan-Mission-Edinburgh, Texas corridor), will be (God help them) the Democrat nominee for President in 2004. George McGovern, Walter Mondale and Michael Dukakis all rejoice, reveling in the fact that they will each move down one spot on the “Past Democrat Presidential Nominees with Thoroughly Clean Clocks” list.

(More...)

Back To Top