In recent columns the subject has been the loss of our freedoms as related to politics. Also as I mentioned previously the elites are step by step moving our world and in particular our nation towards a dictatorship of the politicos supported by the religion of the state. One only has to look at the candidates’ rhetoric related to experience such as perceiving folks in small towns as leaning on religion or their firearms as a crutch. That comes off as Marxist “elite” tome. In the same vein we cannot forget the excessive legal challenges to the way some celebrate the joy of their religions publically to get a sense of the prevailing directions. As a minimum I would prefer my representative –or even president – to be a person like my dad or mom. 

I would expect someone with the ability to evaluate situations, determine when other advice is needed, secure several points of view, then based on needs of the time make a decision (which may be not to make one at all).  My president should be fair and honest as well as highly motivated, and most of all, be able to communicate the realities of government to us, in a manner that we can understand. I am also presuming a modest education and experience that provided skills in management. Most of the other stuff that is being touted, really relates to information that should be provided by staff.  Mr. Carter demonstrated that the most educated and intelligent did not make the best President while Mr. Lincoln and Mr. Truman demonstrated that real life skills were more important. 

The saving grace is that even if we elect the wrong guy, power is distributed in such a way that Congress can really undue most Presidential mistakes. Everything that the President does can be thwarted or overridden by a disbelieving Congressional sense even to the point of removing a really bad one. I for one would like to see more “real people” than those “bred” to be elite. I like the Lincolns and Trumans of our past and even feel that the sense of America was very strong when an Actor, Ronald Regan played the role needed better than most could have done at that time in history. 

I wonder how well Mark Twain would have done or what our nation would have accomplished under a Audie Murphy. Further, during the progress of many past elections we are often told vote for me because the guy in the third – smaller party can’t win regardless of his excellent qualities and great political focus. That is indeed elitist! We need only look back to the 1800’s when a new third party was able to successfully elect Abraham Lincoln. Where would we be today if “We the people” had not voted for the best candidate rather than the “least worst” candidate of the major parties? 

 Another consideration is that when we vote for the “least worst” we are giving that person a public mandate to work towards all the policies that were part of that campaign. I would love to see a presidential election that was decided by negotiation in the Electoral College by electors representing a number of parties and policies. Perhaps it would mute the extreme directions that all too frequently lead us in the wrong direction or just roadblocks the good stuff that needs to be accomplished. Mostly our system badly needs more “citizen statesmen” candidates to run for office and bring us back on track. It is a shame that many offices go uncontested year after year. That just tells the incumbent that he is perfect and need not improve regardless of his or her accomplishments. It also makes it much easier to breed a system of corruption in public service as the personal power expands and there is no need to be competent. For evidence all we need to do is look at the office holders and their “supporting power backers” when you see instances of improper stewardship. 

In the coming political season, I urge you to examine each candidate, not just by party affiliation. Look at  the person to see if he or she represents your hopes for yourself, your family and community. Check with a variety of news media and political analysis – don’t just depend on the local paper pick up a news magazine as well. We must remember that there are more than just one television news analysis show. The Comedy Channel, CNN, Fox News, NBC and CBS offer different perspectives. It is all too easy to just focus on the candidates and policies our friends tell us are good and vote our liberties away at every election. Most of all attend local forums such as The South Texans for Good Government, political party meetings as well as those provided by our local University then support the candidate you believe in and vote. 

In my last column I focused on how the elite influence the outcomes of the elections so that they remain elites. I also pointed out how unique an opportunity there was for “We the people” to make our choices felt in this election. All that is needed is for “We the people” to become active in the campaigns and vote. The question then becomes what do we really want and whom do we vote for! 

From my perspective, I want the least amount of government interference in my life as possible but I realize a certain amount of government is needed to maintain order and to preserve the liberty I have. As humans gathered together into groups certain choices and liberties were traded in to secure security and a stable source of supply of the necessities. 

Most societies organized into groups dominated by the strongest and most powerful and for the most part the kings and dictators of most of the world before 1776 were the result. The elite dominated “We the people” for their own good and convinced us that we could not make choices on our own. With the birth of the United States a government was formed that derived its power from “We the people”. It seems to me that we are allowing that light of freedom and liberty to diminish with every election as government grows ever larger, feeding on the taxes that it extorts from us daily. Worse with every election we give the beast more power to enslave us further with our votes or apathy. 

Every election the professional elites or politicos dream up something more that we are incompetent to do for our selves and promises a “free” program to provide it. We are told that the rich will pay for it but soon find out that we are the rich that they are talking about because the really rich have moved their resources and jobs to places where they are less taxed and regulated. We have to strike a balance where those who are genuinely unable to care fo themselves are cared for by those that understand the real needs not a politico in Washington and those who can are given the motivation to seek the dream. 

We still see the light of that dream in the eyes of the new immigrant who has not been weakened by a lifetime of government freebees. Just as was the case in our history new waves of immigration have made us increasingly stronger. As we wade through the political promises of the season beware of what is promised for free to be supplied by the government. For each gift there may be an even bigger grab from our personal liberties. 

The worst part is that both major parties are but shades of the same thing - big government, more control over we the people and more power for the elite. From one quarter we hear a call for personal freedoms such as relates to gender orientation, domestic relations, religion, and speech. However we do not hear anything about the responsibility to use those freedoms in such a way that they do not take away from a neighbor’s freedoms. 

We also are promised free or “affordable” health care but what is the cost of government becoming involved in that. History has shown that anything that government does becomes grossly inefficient and vastly inexpensive. Do we really want a health care system as efficient as the Veterans Administration or as costly as Medicare. How would the government reduce costs” Would they select who gets what kind of treatment and when? (Look at Canada and England) Would it be determined that when you get old or fat you don’t deserve treatment or would it be regulated as to what you can eat? (A law was proposed to prohibit fat folks from buying fast foods) For everything that is given there is a cost. Just remember all that free money for education from the Fed comes with a set of requirements that tell the schools what to teach and how to teach it; I would think that it would be the province of “We the people” to make those choices for our children. 

Even in the case of one of the functions that is universally agreed that is the principal function of government our national security, our Congress allows the Administration to start wars so long as they will provide the money. No one is accountable.  In the coming election season we need to take an active part to let the politicos know what level of “Socialism” is acceptable and vote for those that will represent us honestly and fairly. Most of all we must carefully consider the cost of each bit of government largess and vote accordingly. 

Our votes will count heavily in this election because the sides are so close, perhaps only a few votes could sway the entire election just as was the case in Florida four short years ago

The basis of voting is still based on the way the political subdivisions are drawn or gerrymandered. Each party as soon as it gets in power does all that it can to draw the political lines to the best advantage. Perhaps, you will remember the recent controversy when the Republicans redrew the lines a few years ago. It wasn’t to provide fair and equal voting power or the lines would be drawn to provide equal regional power. They were draw to represent the new Republican majority. This is certainly something less than fair elections. The candidacy of Barack Obama has done a lot to bring light to the way things are and the motivation to change some of them. 

His youth and personal popularity have re-energized the voting public and encouraged many new voters, not only to vote but to become active in the campaigns. He has also invigorated the demographic of young people into the fray. These folks have contributed to making this election one of the most active in my memory. This activity, the competitiveness of the campaigns and the resulting high voter turnout has brought focus on the more seedy issues of the process such as the vote then caucus as we saw here in Texas and the scheduling of certain States primary elections to give the party faithful a bigger influence in the outcome. Perhaps some of the smoke in the back rooms will clear as a result. Locally, in spite of poor voter perceptions many of the traditional politicos keep coming back. Former County Judge Gilberto Hinojosa has retrieved the reigns of power by seizing the Chairmanship of the Democrat party and launching a number of his associates and former supporters in local races. It remains to the voters to make the right choices, which in this election season, might be very surprising because of the large numbers of voters. One of the larger constituencies is made up of university students which are more interested than in the past. While I am asked to speak periodically it is usually relating to International Trade, but recently I was invited to speak to a class at UTB as Chaiman of The Libertarian Party following Republican Chairman Carlos Cascos and Democrat Gilberto Hinojosa. The questions I received were informed and well thought out and presume my contemporaries experienced the same. I am looking to see larger Student Democrat and Republican organizations as well as a Libertarian Group on Campus in the coming year. Should the student constituency be motivated properly they could easily control the outcome of any of our elections and I suspect the coming local and general elections will show evidence of this. How will the traditional political processes fair in the light of the new interests? In the news hints that the issues of the Super delegate system, seating of delegates at the convention and the caucus system are being revisited. How will the process fair in Cameron County? 

I for one would like to see some fresh untried candidates run for office, perhaps some of our military veterans who have received such great leadership training in the service. One example would be Sergeant Ben Christiansen who has shared his thoughts in these pages. His experience as a teacher and a military leader would stand him in good stead. I am very surprised that he hasn’t been recruited as a party standard bearer all ready. I know I would be pleased to welcome him into the Libertarian fold.  There are many others like retiring baby boomers, Winter Texans that just don’t go home and students from UTB that could provide the basis for a revitalized and less seedy political system and bring accountability and some efficiency to the management of the public trust.  We might then see elections rather than coronations of forgone selections by the elite.  

This week we heard that the “technology based” border protection package was delivered and the “Secretary of Homeland Security” proclaimed it up and ready as he had seen it personally. Then we heard that it didn’t work! I wonder what it was that was working – obviously politics was working.

I have been silent on this issue as I am very biased. I worked for U.S. Customs for more than 25 years and then watched a formerly efficient entity with a clear purpose, be combined into a mess of other agencies without a clear direction for anyone. 

The border control problem has not been approached in reality, it has only been fiddled with in order to satisfy some segments of certain political constituencies. To my knowledge no nation has ever been able to effectively control their borders, the iron curtain did and the bamboo curtain does a better job than most but only because they are not afraid to shoot. The only thing we had going for the “fence” was the use of technology, the physical fence only promises to divide our nation and even neighbors in our community as no other thing has. Just here in Brownsville the University will be segmented by the fence and individual properties that have been in the came families long before the United States was formed are being seized. Promises of continuing litigation abound! 

This is what the socialist government of the Demopublicans and the Republocrats have brought us to. Only the elite rulers of Congress and the Administration, in an effort to control “We the people” with scare mongering and “givemeitis” playing on individual fears of one group benefiting over another and that some terrible thing will befall us without them. Protecting the borders is much more than just keeping some people out, it is also a big part of what our nation is and what it will become. The societies of peoples have formed these social organizations each with different rules and requirements that supposedly evolved for the benefit of its people. Obviously some nations have been perverted from the original purpose by the desires and goals of those in power. Those people that perceive that, will take risks to go elsewhere to seek a new home and society that they believe will provide a better life for them and their families. 

The United States has been the beneficiary of this migration through its history. Why is it that we have jobs available and the only folks that can be found to do them are people from other countries who come here without following the proscribed requirements? More than that, even though there are waiting lines of folks who have applied to come to the U.S. legally and the wait is in the decades. I believe the beginnings are the result of the “national government” failing to accomplish one of the functions that it is really supposed to do. Perhaps the following might sound familiar: “…. establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence” or perhaps this: “ ….To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization…..” 

A failure to establish a uniform rule of naturalization and then to enforce the rules is really what is at the bottom of the problem. This has also been severely aggravated by our congresspersons incessant interference in the process, for their own political benefit and a lack of consistent application of the law by the immigration magistrates. The process of Immigration is broke and worse is mixed in with a behemoth of an all purpose government bureaucracy that has demonstrated an inability to do any one function really well. 

Had the process worked properly the workers would have immigrated properly and not be the basis of political scare tactics and efforts at gaining even more control of “We the people”. We currently have a large need for new immigrants and have had for quite some time. Our aging workforce has begun leaving the workforce and requires many more services as products resulting in the need for many more jobs. These needs just haven’t been met.  The mere fact that there are as many as 12 million illegal migrants working in the U.S. in relative obscurity is absolute proof of the incompetence of our supposed “representatives” or possibly worse, their malfeasance. 

What is all this coming to? A common statement is that these folks are “doing jobs that Americans will not do”. That sounds to me like a very “racist and belittling” statement. Could it be translated to mean that these “immigrants” are not really competent to do real jobs – only those that people like me, won’t do? If, like me, you have watched “these immigrants” work in the construction of malls and offices and have seen the innovation they have developed to do the job better and easier, their competence can not be challenged. Even more, when you see the quality of the work done and the care for the craftsmanship exhibited is remarkable. This seems to have been lost in the escalating of wages and titles, no longer providing the opportunity for entry level jobs to learn the work by experience or apprenticeship. This has also resulted in many of our manufacturing jobs being exported to areas where there is a larger force of folks willing to take less while they learn the basics. In today’s America people refuse the entry level jobs or anything else that seems beneath them. What’s more, they can do it, because there are so many jobs available thanks to our raging economy. 

If the normal immigration process were to operate efficiently and in a timely manner so that unfilled jobs could be satisfied as needed the number of those taking he enormous risks to seek a job that doesn’t exist would diminish to a manageable number and make the real threats more apparent. An Iron Curtain of the Americas would not desecrate the soil of the “Home of the “almost free” and home of the brave”. I would suggest that the entire naturalization process be based on a temporary worker process. Such a process might be: 

Any individual who can secure a job at the prevailing entry level wage for the occupation, should be considered for a temporary worker visa. The visa would be temporarily granted within 14 days so long as the worker can communicate in English, demonstrate the qualifications to do the job, and can secure evidence that no felony level or violent crime has been committed. This approval could be reconsidered in the next 180 days upon assertion of a false representation made in the application. This visa could be reviewed annually for 3 years based on the needs for a temporary worker in that occupation. The visa would not permit the entry of any dependents or confer any obligations to remain in the US and only entitle such benefits as Congress may specify. At the end of 3 years the individual could petition for permanent residency which would be based on a clean criminal record, good work and credit records. Permanent residency would allow for the immigration of the petitioners immediate family upon approval, confer U.S. Citizenship on an children born in the U.S. of the petitioner, and allow participation in any benefits normally allowed permanent residents today. 

After 5 years the permanent residents would be required to petition for U.S. Citizenship which will require the same educational requirements as now and necessitate the renouncement of citizenship in and allegiance to any other Country. Should a permanent resident apply within 5 years, or not qualify to become a citizen within 7 years of becoming approved, the applicant will revert to being a guest worker and any beneficiaries may be returned to the country of origin unless they should qualify independently. 

Such a concept would provide for a stable level of legal immigration and remove the need for any fences other than the technology needed to assist our border patrol officers.  Just consider at present we have an unemployment rate between 5% and 6 %, about 12 million undocumented residents, with the ‘Baby Boomers” just starting to retire. This is just the beginning and if a process that considers the needs of “We the people” instead of the poetical insiders, we won’t need an “American Iron Curtain”. 

My new issue of the Journal of Commerce reported that imports at the giant port of Long Beach, California have dropped by 4.6% and exports have risen by 18.9% . Further, while watching my favorite comedy show, the House of Representatives on C-Span, it was noted that we were exporting substantially more than we were importing since December of than year. On the home front, there are nine ships scheduled in the Port of Brownsville during the month of February.  At a recent Port Board Meeting it was reported that shipping was getting better and that new business in the form of containers or trailers on barges from Tampa was expected to begin shortly. Congratulations to the marketing team for the hard work. I sincerely hope this is a trend that will continue and that the Port management is now moving away from continuing past mistaken directions and moving towards a realistic view of today’s realities. 

What are today’s realities here in the Valley..  In considering the following, it should be known that, I have operated a roll on / roll off vessel operation as well as a roll on / roll off passenger ferry operation and that I am involved in consulting in the industry and have a personal interest in the Port of El Mesquital. The most obvious is the high price of fuel which seriously affects vessels and trucking. Secondly is the fact that the bridges are becoming more crowded because of the increased traffic and more intense security measures and the likelihood of a port bridge diminishes more and more with the passage of time. New versions of free trade treaties are being negotiated to tie trade with Central and South America closer to the U.S. 

Thirdly, there is the loss of a lot of the produce production in the valley due to drought and other weather problems. The warehouses and folks that really know the industry are still there but just not the produce. It would seem that the valley could resume its position as a center of produce marketing be contract growing in Central America and shipping from smaller ports using the smaller RoRo vessels that need only the minimum of facilities and none of the expensive cranes and other equipment. Transit times to Brownsville are in the area of three to four days and will easily fit into a delivery window of nine days allowing for the marketing of some tree/vine ripened products using the smaller boutique entrepreneur vessel operations and the especially resourceful truckers in the area. The resulting frequent transport facilities would also provide new opportunities to further develop new opportunities in the maquiladora operations that also exist in Central America not to mention others not even considered yet. All of these ideas may be enhanced further by establishing a “barge service” bridge between Brownsville and the Port of El Mesquital 40 miles south. Associates in Mexico have suggested that Mexico officials have determined to allocate sufficient funds to complete dredging and improve dock facilities there. Perhaps the trade opportunities have not been lost on our neighbors to the south. Lastly, in consideration of the formal withdrawal of Fidel from an official office in government, there is floating in the now clearing mist the possibility that relations with Cuba may become normalized in the not distant future. That would provide the opportunity to revolutionize logistics and distribution patterns in the Western Hemisphere. Just imagine “Wallmart sized central distribution centers” in Cuba with product being supplied to South and Central America using barges and roll on / roll off vessels. One should not forget the market that would arise when a nation essentially starving for much of what we take for granted and the products that would be developed by the industrious Cuban people. 

In order to take advantage of the realities an analysis of what the port intends for the near future and definition of needs developed as well as a plan for specific marketing. Currently, the port functions best as a general cargo port where quick turnaround of vessels and services are not critical. The 2.5 hours transit from the sea to the port can be costly to passenger and container / trailer operations, and in fact that was one of the major reasons I chose to locate “Isabel Cortes Ferry Service” in Port Isabel. Further, the 2.5 hours of fuel usage can put an additional bite on the operation. I would suggest that the port consider a dock facility on property nearer the channel entrance. There is a location that seems ideal on the North side of the channel just adjoining Port Isabel. A modest dock suitable for a passenger service, barge trailer and roll on / roll off operation could be developed at a reasonable cost. The transit time from sea to dock would become approximately 25 to 30 minutes. A definite attraction! In the coming Port elections we can encourage new thinking like this to move into today’s world. I am looking at Sergio Lopez, the principal of a cross border trucking company, and Eliceo Munoz , formerly the conscience of BISD, as candidates that could provide new life in port management. There is still time to the election and I suggest that we listen closely to all the candidates and examine their goals, to guide the inevitable evolution of the port that is so important to the economy of the entire region. 

When incarcerated by illness one gets a lot of free time to observe and consider. Some of the more important appliances to sanity are the radio and television as they just keeps pumping the information at you.
If you have an avid interest in the political landscape, after a while even the entertainment shows take on a relationship.
Of late I have had a bunch of time to “observe and consider” and instead of bringing clarity the result has been more questions.
On the national front there appears to be a kind of revolution building that demands a change in how the government is perceived and administered; sort of a loud “I am not going to take it any more”.
The most obvious is Presidential Candidate Dr. Ron Paul’s passionate and growing support for his freedom message of smaller less intrusive government that is also shared by Candidate Huckabee such as a more literal interpretation of the Constitution, less intrusion by the government in the daily life, less or no use of imminent domain, the importance of second amendment rights, health freedom, fulfilling the promises to our veterans that were called to protect us, as well as many other freedoms that are being forced upon us because “we the people” are viewed as victims of one thing or another, by the elites as incapable of making decisions for ourselves.
The people seem to be saying: I am responsible for the education of my children and I don’t want the federal government mandating what is to be taught and how. People also want “Congress or the Courts not to make any laws respecting religion” and quit advancing the religion of the state. People also want to be able to make decisions for themselves about there own health. If the government becomes the provider, we can expect laws like one recently suggested hat would prohibit obese folks from eating at fast food restaurants.
Other candidates have also taken positions that sound similar but are shrouded in other rhetoric.
Some really revolutionary circumstances that are appearing in this election season, are due to the fact that two representatives of previously perceived victim classes are now considered qualified for the position of the President of the United States. We now have a candidate who just happens to be black and one that happens to be a woman on the scene and both have demonstrated sufficient qualities to secure that most important position in our land. It also appears to be likelihood that one or both will occupy those highest positions. It surely appears that the list of victims may change and the issues of race and gender relations will change substantially, regardless of the election outcome.
Unfortunately in most races even though one politician or other talks about fixing Social Security, smaller government spending, less dependence on lobbyists, no earmark spending, they still promise more and more government support / intrusion for each of us. The purpose of these “benefits” is to make us more dependent on the politico and thereby guarantee that he will be able to be the “masta”. The only answer would be to ensure a regular change of at least one group of legislatures, preferably the House of Representatives. The first step might be to take away the retirement system so that even Congress would have to depend on Social Security. Perhaps a limit of two terms might become a reality and social security would certainly be improved.
It still seems that the Republocrats or Demopublicans have yet to change; they continue to say anything to get themselves elected.
Consider if you will the issue of the economy. Some are saying that there is a recession because a lot of folks are unemployed. The traditional employment figures indicate a low employment rate so they take the numbers from a segment of the population to capture those not looking for employment. How many of the unemployed are baby boomers just retiring (because their 401Ks now have value more are) or folks working the grey economy to avoid government interference?
Could it be that the rhetoric of economic problems are just precipitating a lack of confidence that becomes a self actualizing circumstance. Perhaps, like some of the peso devaluations in Mexico, the idea of a downturn is based mostly on confidence.
The issue goes on to focus on certain states as having weak economies and it is to be expected as each has their own problems created by the politicos in that state. In Michigan there seems to be manufacturing businesses that have not evolved with the needs of the customer and the prices that are to be paid. How many new Ford or GM vehicles have kept up technically with the needs of “We the people”. Were they first with fuel efficient cars and trucks? Why did Toyota move its manufacturing to the U.S. and capture the formerly Michigan market? Could it be efficiency, and quality of product?
In California for instance the taxes and ridiculous spending have chased the tax base out of the state. I know of numerous Companies that have moved aggressively to Texas and Nevada to avoid the government interference and confiscatory taxes.
While the above are rather simple answers and certainly not complete they are true and provide the basis of the problems. The good thing is the injured folks do have a place to go to find a better life; they can come to Texas.
I urge everyone to take this election season seriously and not only listen to the promises but ask yourself what will it cost to do that and who will pay? Everything costs something – a loss of more freedom, perhaps.

Published Brownsville Herald Decamber 30, 2007

2007 has come and is on its way out and will usher in what could be one of the most pivotal years in our history. Our nation is more deeply divided than it has been since the Civil War by some of the same things that were in dispute then. 

The issue of whether the people should have some control over their own lives or whether the government should decide the future for them is still very much alive. Both of the major political parties want to decide what folks make and how much income they can take home from their work. The government wants to dictate the social norms as well by advancing the “Religion of the State”. They have dictated that no Religious icons should be seen in “the public square” during festive times of the year, the concept of a “Higher Power” should not be discussed in educational institutions and on and on. Only the “Religion of the State” is to be discussed publically. 

Further, the elite’s want control of their minds and thoughts as well and have refused to discuss openly those of different views. Many of the conservative speakers are heckled on the rare instances they are selected to speak or those that support a successful end of the current War have been harassed, belittled and shouted down. I have heard of middle and high school students being disparaged by their teachers for advancing an idea deemed out of the conventional mainstream. Our “Rulers” have created a situation where further divisions have been created. The “if it feels good – do it era of the 60’s and 70’s” have left us with a culture that does not respect laws if they are inconvenient, many have lost regard for ideals like patriotism and honor declaring that those that do are suckers. 

An example is the immigration laws. Dissatisfaction with them was common even back in the 1930’s as can be seen from the Ginger Rogers Movie “Romance in Manhattan” in 1935. An Eastern European man jumped ship while being deported and became a well thought of and moderately successful cab driver in New York. When he wanted to marry the lady of his dreams he found that he needed proof of identification. While trying to secure legalization he was identified to the authorities. His neighbors and some Irish police officers all pitched in and helped him meet the requirements so that the story ended happily. At no time were their protests, or suggestions that the laws be circumvented no matter how ridiculous they seemed. The story described complying with the law because it was the law. It is also interesting that those laws are still inefficient and do not satisfy the purpose they are intended for. At the bottom of it all is that we all have lost focus on who is in charge in the United States, and mostly trudge on going with the flow – believing that you can’t beat city hall! 

The secret is in the first three words of the constitution; “We the people” We just take what the government gives and vote politicos in that bring home a pittance of “pork” from the government after they take theirs. Just think; Congressmen who are in effect the “Board of Directors” of U.S.A. Corp, for a period of only 2 years and in my mind not employees, have a grand retirement system and do not depend on Social Security. It is no wonder why it is not fixed, as it appears that the trust fund is used to pay for their overspending. When a solution was suggested that would take control of the purse strings from their fingers they disposed of it expeditiously, 

In this column I have railed on and on about the lack of interest in new folks running for office and more often the about the lack of interest at the polls. Issues like the recent State Bond Issue spending spree passed with only a few percent of those that could vote spending everyone else’s money. Currently, in our own neighborhood the government is planning to build a wall to “protect our sovereignty” and may well require that the government take away some folks land that have been in their families before the government was here. We already have roles that say you cannot do this or that with your property because a particular bird may move elsewhere or so many other things. This all seems to be a continuing loss of Liberty over our lives and property. 

While I don’t have an intellectual problem with a fence defining our nation from Mexico, or personal properties voluntarily tendered for the public good, I do have a problem with anything being done to interfere with personal choices or property. “We the people” have proven over and over to be much better custodians over our property and lives than the government. The record of success of socialist governments, which is what many politicos and interest groups are advocating, is pretty dismal. I really do not aspire to a place like Cuba or Russia to live in. I would like to ask why you think the Fed’s believe that they could get away with putting up a fence that would conceivably divide ranches and even parts of our community? 

The answer is that even though there are a lot of potential voters here, there are few actual voters. Hispanic citizens on average do not vote in large numbers. Recent elections where 30% of the electorate voted have been considered good. I suspect that the politicos do not believe that it will hurt them to be unloved by the electorate in South Texas because we don’t vote! In order to fulfill the promise of America we need new ideas and leaders in government, As we approach the deadline for candidates to file for election, I see mostly the same old suspects announcing for positions, even some with demonstrably shady performance. Some positions may well have no opposition and become a larger embarrassment by providing the folks no choice at all. The Libertarians have an interesting rule when it comes to in house elections. In addition to any choices there is also a choice for “none of the above”. We believe there should always be a choice – no one should have to vote to the “least worst” candidate. It should always be known what the real sense of the electorate is. As there are some places on the ballot for which there may be no active candidate we also encourage any interested parties to file for the position as a Libertarian seeking to grant a choice. Any one interested contact me at the e-mail below for more info. 

In the area of late breaking news, I want to congratulate  the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) in a success in rectifying an a long overdue injustice for the CBP officers.  Congress included 

A year ago, on December 17, 2006 , my Christmas article, hoping for a “Miracle” of the Season was published in the Brownsville Herald. The Christmas party I described, impressed me with opportunities for a number of our community leaders and new County Judge Cascos, to break the gridlock of personal power obsessions, and long standing political animosities. I hoped would get some of the reforms needed by “the folks”, accomplished. I had a genuine possibility that the spirit of the season would actually encourage  “Good Will” toward our neighbors that might support the real changes at PUB and  the “Unity” that would be needed to accomplish the peoples’ work in the city and county.  “The folks” did their job by voting in higher than normal numbers and effected the political change that was advertised as the solution for the city. The actual result has been anything but unifying; the Utility Connection Fees, one of the most touted issues during the election still have not been dealt with and any change seems to be getting more distant; the PUB itself is becoming less and less stable in staff and operation. My PUB bill has a different monthly pay schedule with each billing. I appreciate the lower rates but cannot get away from the feeling that it will all come crashing down. I wonder where the money came from when we were supposedly losing thousands in debt costs and lost connection fee opportunities. While all of this is “not going on” our city leaders seem to be lost in jousting for personal advantage and one-upmanship. The personal priorities have taken precedence over the good of the community. 

On the good side our new County Judge seems to have remembered why he was elected. A new and improved efficiency and sense of confidence has descended over the county chambers; the county meetings are run uniformly and every speaker treated with respect and courtesy. On the occasion I asked for an appointment with Judge Cascos, I was promptly given a meeting with sufficient time to describe my interest. In spite of a difference of opinion about what might be done with regard to my issue, I still retained a sense of confidence that the right things are being pursued by his office and that overall progress is being made because it is the right thing to do, not that it will bring more power as was the case with the past occupant of the office.  One has to wonder whether the influence of the Christmas Season can precipitate a renewed interest in the community leaders in “getting it right” to the betterment of the entire community, especially those of us that can least afford expensive mistakes. It appeared to be working for awhile but then seemed to sputter and weaken. 

I grew up with Bing and White Christmas, and Miracle on

I certainly have no objection to hearing a Happy Honokaa and in fact relish being invited to share religious celebrations of any other faith that celebrates good will, such as the Hindu Festival of lights recently held in November where large numbers of lamps are lit to dispel the darkness and ignorance, and spread the radiance of love and wisdom. It sounds a lot like the purposes of that “Holiday” we are preparing to celebrate this month. That is the true spirit of Christmas – good will towards our neighbors. We need lots more of it including the tolerance to listen to the ideas of others with an open mind and the courage to see success in someone else’s thoughts. That seems in short supply just now. 

I have been told that Captain Bob is planning a sequel in hopes of giving our “city fathers” another opportunity to find a way to get it together. I wish him success in searching for the “Miracle” needed to fan the flame of the spirit of the season in our leaders and perhaps we will see an improved situation next year.  If there is no improvement, we will still have the opportunity to replace a lot of them at all levels in the government. 

The media these days are full of stories where this person or that says “I know my rights” or “I have the right of free speech. Just recently the Supreme Court agreed to hear a challenge to those rights related to the right to “bear arms” that many of us here in Texas take very seriously.
I would guess that few of us actually read the Constitution and think about its meaning and then take the time to consider what it all means when filtered through Common Sense and not the perversions of political correctness, partisan political or legal arguments.
The body of the United States Constitution is relatively short and sets out the only powers granted by “We the people” to the government and specifies what methods must be followed to use them. The first assumption was that “We the people” had all the powers and rights and were allowing our representatives and employees of the government to do certain things for us. That would seem to mean that any amendment to the Constitution in some way should provide a new power that was not previously granted.
This is supported in a statement by Alexander Hamilton during debate on the first amendments to the Constitution. “For why declare that things shall not be done which there is no power to do? Why, for instance, should it be said that the liberty of the press shall not be restrained, when no power is given by which restrictions may be imposed?” It was feared that a judiciary may determine that the amendments meant something different that the attempt to restrict the government from interfering in certain areas of life. This fear seems to be justified as the Supreme Court looks at the right to bear arms as it has religion and others in the past, using the Amendments’ specificity as a way of restricting personal rights rather than protecting them.
At present, even though we are at war, are buffeted daily with the news of one crime more horrendous than the next, a new disease that will kill us all in the coming month or the deterioration of the planet that will drown us all by the end of the decade the average person in the United States is pretty well off. Most are working with only 4 – 6% unemployed (even with 2 million folks in the Country that are not supposed to be). Most, with the largess of the government, even the poor ( who qualify at an income of that may still be in the five figures per year) can get enough to eat and secure shelter. Further, as our new undocumented migrants are showing us, everyone can improve their lot with education and hard work.
The problem is there are only a few that have the courage to go out and protect “the folks” from the most insidious of dangers, our government! It can only be accomplished from inside.
In looking at our “rights” in the area of religious freedom the governments by departing from the idea of not being involved “not making laws respecting the establishment of religion” appear to have supported the concept of a state religion of socialist atheism in preference to the beliefs and practices that prevail. The rights of free expression are trampled on daily when speakers of unpopular beliefs, or points of view, such as support of the government, religious values, or alternate views to climate change are shouted down and physically attacked with no outcry from the government, we elected.  
The worst of it is that we are to blame as we didn’t take the time to learn about the issues, we accepted whatever our friends said. Did it ever occur that the friend might be even less informed! Then we didn’t take the time to use all the information we didn’t have to at least go vote. In the most recent election in November only a very small portion of those eligible to vote actually voted on a very important election. The amendment of the State Constitution must be considered serious. If the issues were not prohibited to the State by the Constitution they could just be passed by the legislature. The result is billions of dollars that are to be repaid by our children and their children have been authorized over the constitutional requirement that the State not assume debt. At the very least voters should be aware of what the issues are and conscientiously make a choice not just let the folks in places like Dallas, Houston, and Austin, tell us what to do at every turn because they voted. In this case the descriptions on the ballot didn’t even fairly represent the actual resolution so even if you voted, had you not read the whole resolution first you may not know that UTB/TSC was one of the beneficiaries.
The lack of attractive candidates in my opinion is one of the things that support this apathy and I for one am pledged to do all I can to help recruit and develop candidates in the coming elections, I want to see all three major parties and several independent candidates as candidates for every office.
Perhaps we can interest some of our military heroes to come to our aid again and share some of their decisiveness and can-do-ability to chart a new direction based on proven successes.
I urge each of you to join a political party, issue interest group, or civil betterment group like the South Texans for Good Government and get active, find out what it is all about, encourage a good person to become a candidate, and support him or her. You don’t have to be a citizen to be involved as you can express your interests, and support candidates as well. Many organizations like the Libertarian Party that I belong to, welcome residents aspiring to citizenship and have special memberships in the party as well as provide help to support them in qualifying for citizenship.
We need to get active and protect the rights we have!
 

Up until a week or so ago health care, for me, was pretty much only an issue to be discussed. In just a few days it became one of the most critical issues, as I found myself in Valley Regional Medical Center bloated like “Michelin Man” with hives and other evidences of a severe allergic reaction. Though that was bad enough the treatment was aggravated by a preexisting skin problem and diabetes.  To that point in my life, health care was the country doctor in the rural area where I grew up. Then forty years ago there was the corpsman in the Vietnam conflict and the Jacksonville Naval Hospital that put me back on my feet when I returned to the “States”. While in the Philippines six years ago, I was hospitalized for three weeks for an emergency surgery and serious infection at one of that nation’s foremost hospitals, The Makati Medical Center. More recently I was the guest of the Brownsville Surgical Center for three days for a non-life threatening procedure. 

I think my experience is not unlike the majority of “the folks” who rarely think of health care in terms other than when the body is broke the doc fixes it. Over the years, now in the sixty’s, the medical care has never been less than adequate and most often excellent. I have never been denied medical care in the U.S. for any reason nor have I ever heard of anyone else being denied. I have had disagreements with providers concerning the accuracy in the invoicing and amounts and have always found that those same providers, if not ignored, were open to some accommodations, when justified. In every case I have found that the current system is concerned with successful health care first! Certainly, now I wish I had paid more attention in health class and lived a better life, but what will any adolescent give priority to when healthy and indestructible? 

The military facilities, while somewhat spartan were efficient and had some of the best surgeons in the country. One of my comrades who had most of the major bones in his body broken was in the Jacksonville Naval Hospital at the time I was there, and was pretty much rebuilt by the great military surgeons and is living a successful life today. In Manila, I went into the emergency room and after a few very brief tests was put on a trolley and wheeled into an operating room. The surgeon, Dr, Rosas was something like a “Hawkeye Pierce” and exuded enormous confidence, which lessened my apprehensions at being in an unfamiliar place. The surgery was successful. The remaining three weeks were very uncomfortable during the recovery, from an infection that was precipitated by my reluctance to seek care earlier; however the medical care was excellent by any standard. The nurses were especially competent and contributed to the Filipino reputation as being among the best caregivers in the world. The food was so good that many nearby office workers regularly came to the hospital cafeteria to eat. The cost in 2001 Manila, for the surgery, pharmacy and a private room for nearly three weeks was $3,600 in cash. A private duty nurse (BSN) could be secured for about $200 per month or so. In an earlier column, I described the excellent care that I received at the Brownsville Surgical Center. 

As I have gotten older and my body shows evidence of its past mistreatment, I have also found a particularly competent physician in Dr. Baduel, here in Brownsville, to help guide me towards better health. Over a very short period between appointments, I started to notice some unexpected changes which were tolerable at first but became progressively more difficult and resulted in my referral to allergist Dr. Lekach who confirmed the circumstances. The difficulties of a medical treatment for the problem without hospital supervision and the presence of issues that could potentially make the situation more difficult were explained to me. Though it didn’t appear that the situation was immediately life threatening, my reluctance for hospitalization was finally superseded by apparent need and I was admitted the following morning. The administrative requirements were satisfied in a calm professional manner with just the right amount of concern to inspire confidence. It was thorough but relatively brief. 

Once settled in the room the army of professionals, in various colored scrubs looked, poked, jabbed and stuck me. Finally, they had enough blood and information and went on to analyze it so that results could be fed to Dr, Baduel and Dr. Adames who were the generals in my life for the next five days. Treatment, a process which began almost immediately when a nurse with a special talent for inserting an “IV” needle arrived and attached it, with only minor discomfort, in such a way that it stayed without further problems for the entire stay. Bags of stuff were hung on the “IV” pole and, after a description from the nurse as to what it was and what it would do, were plugged in. My attention was then focused on the mobile table that came in with the nurse that had a laptop computer on it, as I had never encountered one before, even in my reading. Each patient was recorded with a unique barcode, also printed on the patient identity wrist tag, and information necessary for treatment was recorded. Medication for the rounds was checked into the computer with a barcode reader when secured from inventory and dispensed only after checking the patient barcode. A wrong medication, wrong patient or a wrong time would result in an error. I was impressed with the obviously important asset in security for the hospital and safety for the patient. All the folks were pleasant, friendly and very professional, which extended even to the folks that cleaned the room and took the trash. The charge nurse Jessica was often evident checking on progress but I was especially impressed with Cesar, the nurse that I saw most often, especially when I found out that he was a recent graduate of the UTB/TSC Nursing program. He demonstrated a maturity and skill well beyond his recorded education. That program can be proud of this young man. 

During the earlier tests, it was found that a couple of scrapes on my ankle area, which I had not considered of much importance, were not healing and one was infected. Immediately at hand was nurse wound expert Christine Trejo who promptly worked her magic and both were well on there way to healing within just a few days and the infection stopped. I have to rate her almost as high as the corpsman in Nam’ and a lot more pleasant. Now a week later both wounds are nearly invisible. The details I recorded above are not unique in health care in the United States; different hospitals innovate to improve service, lower costs and hopefully improve profits for the privately owned. The things I perceived as special, if they are, will become commonplace through out the country and other improvements will be made by others so as to improve position and stay in business. I often hear criticisms of the medical care from some here in Brownsville but have never experienced or verified anything other than the kind described above. Certainly there are limits to availability of specialized services which are only available in large cities but we can take pride in what we have here. The variety of medical facilities we have, all competing to become better, just improves the quality of care, efficiency and economy to secure the client base and stay solvent. Unfortunately, the experiments with socialized medicine have not! 

We are reading daily about the benefits of a socialized health care where the government would become the single payer and controlling bureaucracy for all health care choices. In the past it was referred to as “Hillary Care” and has resurfaced in a variety of new names and even has some advocates from the “right”. In the last few days I have had occasion to chat with former health care workers from Canada and England. They confirm the reports of delayed access to many services because of long lines and in some cases like nursing homes the wait of as long as two years effectively makes it unavailable. It appears that the tax system is having difficulty supporting the English system which is substantially reducing staff. In Canada many are getting U.S. Health insurance so as to have reliable health care available when needed and in Europe many are taking medical vacations to places like India and the Philippines for what they need.  Is it any wonder that we hear reports that the cost of Medicare is creating more and more financial problems for the budget?  We do not need to be further enslaved with government run health care that will decide who can get well and when!