Home of Today’s Common Sense

Published Brownsville Herald 11/28/2004
In the Wednesday November 24, editorial in the Brownsville Herald, entitled the “Freedom Way”, the ownership of the paper renewed its commitment to Freedom as advanced by the principles of human liberty, self-reliance and personal integrity. It also renewed their support for respect for the individual, low taxes, free trade, free markets, and private property rights. Though these things are the foundations on which our nation is built and has become successful, political correctness, court created law and defining legislation has changed the effect and intent of the founding fathers words.
An issue of particular importance at these times is the use of military force. The proscription provided by Mr. Hoiles is especially apt now: “If the initiation of force is wrong for an individual, it is also wrong for a government.”
Peace and order, in my mind, is the first and possibly the only need for the federal government, and government is abdicating their responsibilities in many ways.
We find ourselves involved in a military conflict that the majority of Americans see as necessary but is being attacked regularly, which serves to demoralize the troops and give support to the enemy. In the last “real” war, World War II, the goal was to win not to lose with honor. In the “Vietnam Action” this same lack of solidarity and support for the action resulted in enormous numbers of troops dying needlessly because the prosecution of the war was according to political goals not military ones – we could not follow enemy troops across a border or bomb above a certain parallel. Polls of public opinion determined how many died rather than Generals. Read the rest of this entry »

Published : Brownsville Herald 11/14/2004
In my column entitled Self Rule Comes When People Vote that was published just before the election, I made the assertion that “we were in a civil revolution that will determine the course of government for generations” and it that was critical that people vote. Now after the election many are looking for reasons why the Republican Agenda won so convincingly or why the “Liberal” philosophy is still the “Mainstream and morally superior” in spite of the people’s choice. Some are coming to different conclusions. Read the rest of this entry »

Published Brownsville Herald 11/1/3004
This week has been extraordinary for an info junky like me; the analysis and analysis of the analysis of the Presidential campaigns, the different perspectives shown on CNN, CBS, NBC and Fox news television and so many different versions of the same truths in The Times (East and West), The Chronicle, and Washington Post. I was especially pleased with the lead Editorial in The Herald Sunday entitled “No Super Heros” especially since my article pointing out many of the same issues beat it by one week. The President cannot do all things and the Federal Government should not be all things to all people. The Presidential election, while important, must share equal billing with local elections. Where is the real power?

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Published Brownsville Herald 10/17/2004
During this election season we have heard some of the most outrageous claims and counter claims from both major party campaigns and the candidates themselves. Some are out and out falsehoods, others are exaggerations, and few are true.
Here in Texas, I have heard the admonition: that “If you can’t add something to a story, don’t tell it.” In the case of this election choices made may become some of the most serious in our history. We need to verify the accuracy of the claims, what the real issues are and what if anything has just been added.
For the most part the President establishes policy, provides rule in emergencies, manages the White House, and manages the Government in General by issuing Executive Orders which are published in the Federal Register and are available on the internet. Read the rest of this entry »

Submitted 9/22
In a recent column I asserted that a message was being sent “that we are paying enough tax or too much and government must live with the amounts that are there” and “all of the taxing authorities are in competition for the available tax dollars”. Now the courts have entered the fray declaring that some education funding methods are unconstitutional.
I submit that the results of the new state education legislation will impact enormously on all government funding not just education and everyone should take an active interest in it.
I suggest that it is now crucial that we look at our priorities as to what taxes ought to be used for and fund the most critical fully, first without fail. There should never be a flap over funding things like law enforcement and emergency services or teachers fully, as they make everything else possible.
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Sent 9/15/2004 Published 9/19
I attended the presentation that University and Texas Soutmost College officals provided at St. Marys Church on September 14 and was impressed with the candor that permeated the meeting. I went there with preconceived notions that were dispelled to some extent and forced me to rethink the whole thing.
The event began with Dr. Tony Zavaleta’s imposing presence that transmitted the sense that you are in good hands here and we are going to be straight with you. Read the rest of this entry »

Submitted 9/6 Published Brownsville Herald 9/10
I read the Herald editorial relating to the City Charter election and Mr. Oscar Garcia’s comments entitled “Not all information about charter election correct”. I also took Mr. Garcia’s invitation and went to the PUB Web site “to learn more”. Unfortunately the Web site did not provide “more to learn” as it was badly out of date. Most information was only accurate as of 2002 and there was no new financial information after that date. So it would appear right away that “something is not right at PUB.” PUB chooses not maintain current information available to their owners and customers and the Chairman either knows nothing about it, or is intentionally trying to mislead the community.
The fact the City Charter election is being held at a time separate from other elections some just recently held and another in just two months or so further suggests that there is an attempt to just push this through with as few finding out about it as possible.
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Submitted 8/25
I noted a “Letter to the Editor” from Jacinta Rodgers dated in the Herald dated 8/26 asserting that George Bush passed new labor laws taking away the right of overtime from up to 6 million people middle class Americans. That assertion is patently wrong in almost all parts. George Bush cannot pass any laws only Congress can do that. Thechange in overtime rules is not a change in law but a change in regulation that defines specifically, who is covered by an exemption from the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (amended frequently thru 10/27/1990), already provided for in the law. Read the rest of this entry »

Submitted 8/25
In an article in the Brownsville Herald dated August 19, 2004, I read that The University of Texas and Texas Southmost College will be asked to vote on a smaller version of the $97 million dollar bond proposal that was sneaked into a special election two years ago.
The University of Texas at Brownsville wants the taxpayers of Brownsville to shell out a 38% increase in the taxes that we pay to the Southern Union Jr. College District to pay for a larger University library, more University classrooms, a Day Care Center, the establishment of a University workforce training center, expanding University campus parking, and funding for University research for Diabetes, heart disease and Alzheimer’s Disease.
All of the uses mentioned are admirable and valuable goals and would certainly improve the University. Read the rest of this entry »

Submitted 8/25
While surfing the Cable Channels recently I came across Congressman D. Hastert speaking, on one of the talk shows, about a national Sales Tax with certain rebates to lower income groups as an alternative to the income tax.
The idea of tax reform has been with us since the time of the Boston Tea Party and in effect “Tax Reform” is a large reason for the birth of the United States.
. Read the rest of this entry »

Submitted 6/8/2004
IIn a recent article in the Herald relating to the rejection of the Bond Issue the BISD Financial officer is reported as predicting doom for the district because the bond issue referendum failed. I don’t know where he gets the idea that there will be less money to run the district; as that is just false and anyone who has looked at their tax appraisals can appreciate it.
Just a few months ago BISD again raised its rates to collect an additional $6,000,000 or more for which they could not demonstrate a rational use. At the same time thousands of new homes and businesses have been built, Brownsville construction growth is among the highest in the Valley which has increased the value of taxable property enormously. Additionally, this year most property owners faced substantial increases in the appraised value of there homes which further increases the tax revenues. All of this translates into very large revenue increases. The bond issue failed not only by the small margin in votes, but also by a large mandate, given by the folks who voted against the bond issue by staying home. They just could not trust what they were being told by the Trustees and the BISD administration Read the rest of this entry »

Submitted 5/7/2004
I just read the Dan McNeely column entitled “State Senator makes case for income tax” with disgust at how our “elected professional rulers” choose to not deal with the real issues.
The impression is conveyed that unlimited amounts of tax money will make our children well educated and productive. This is patently false and is demonstrated by the fact that the Washington, D.C. schools where the highest per child spending occurs, has one of the worst education results in the nation.
The issue is not how much is spent; it is how it is spent. Money should be spent primarily and in order of importance on teachers, books, supplies, training teachers, and classrooms. After you have adequately funded those things then if there is money left (the operable word is if) fund things like minimal supervision and administration. Read the rest of this entry »

Submitted 4/4/2004
During the week I read about the coming bond issue to extort more money from us. The story mentioned that 50% of the bond issue would go towards a specific purpose and didn’t say what other purposes it would be used for.
After taking into consideration, the recent tax increase that was foisted on us “just because they could” and where no rational explanation was ever proffered, and the fact that substantial increases in tax money have resulted from a rise in assessed valuation, how can there possibly be the requirement for a new bond issue/tax increase just popping up at the last minute. It would appear that the BISD Administration and Trustees are either incredibly incompetent or they are not honest with those of us who must pay the bills.
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Submitted 4/4/2004
During the week, The Herald printed a story describing a new attempt on the part of BISD to extort more money from us, “so that we wouldn’t lose some other money from the state”. The story mentioned that 50% of the bond issue would go towards that purpose and didn’t say what other purposes it would be used for. I was looking for a more detailed story over the weekend and didn’t see one. I certainly hope the Herald has plans for a more complete story as the only protection regular folks have from “the government” is an informed voting public and the Herald is our first line of defense.
Please get us the facts!!
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Submitted 4/1/2004 Published Brownsville Herald
I have some serious issues relating to the impact of the World Court Decision concerning the adjudged violations of consular notification when a foreign national is arrested described in the lead article in the April 1, Herald.
What really concerns me is that we are beginning a process where we will be revising our immigration policies that will result in a substantial number of temporary worker/residents where this consular notification will indeed become serious.
In looking at the issue we must focus on the specifics and ignore the legalities of jurisdiction, procedures and time frames of filing memorandums and such.
The issue in this case, is that a number of individuals were arrested and convicted of a variety of serious crimes. The government of Mexico claims that they were citizens of Mexico and that sufficient information was available to determine that these individuals were citizens of Mexico. Because of the fact of nationality the nearest consul of Mexico should have been notified in a timely manner of the fact of the detention.
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