DISD Prop. For $87M In New Debt Should Be A Solid NO!

Passions run high on both sides of Dayton ISD's $87M bond initiative.  While there is no doubt Dayton does need some school improvements, there are many questions people in the community should ask themselves before committing themselves and children into debt.

Some facts of discomfort are:

The current combined debt of the district is $17M, adding and additional $87M will bring that total to over $100M in debt.

Here is a breakdown:

Dayton ISD population at 28,170.

That is $3,088.40 per person in new debt.

That is $12,353.60 of new debt per a family of four.

Total Proposition Amount ($): $87,820,000

Individual Proposition Number: 1

Individual Proposition Amount ($): $87,820,000

City: Dayton

County: Harris/Liberty

Local Election: TBD

State House Districts: 18

State Senate Districts: 3, 4

Number of Schools: 9

Population in ISD: 28,170

ISD Enrollment: 5,067

ISD Growth Rate 2003 to 2013: -1.27%

Current I&S: 0.168

Current M&O: 1.04

Total Tax Rate: 1.208

% of Debt Service: 7.43%

Proposed I&S: TBD

Proposed Total Tax Rate: TBD

Last Bond Election: September 21, 2002

Last Total Proposition Amount ($): $15,400,000

Carried/Defeated: Carried

Despite pro-bond objections, the district has not grown. From 2003-2013 growth is -1.27. There is no massive growth to be seen, in fact. However, the pro-bond group assures us that in the next five years the population will explode. This has not been bared to reality yet and this is nothing more than a guess. What if in five years we still have a - growth pattern? Keep this in mind as well: school bonds are products that are marketed and sold for profit. They are often based on maximum local economic projections rather than actual educational needs.

Also, one must ask: If some of this bond is for upgrades and renovations, what has been going on with the ISD's Maintenance and Operations budget?  They have a Maintenance and Operations budget. Maintenance is just that, to pay for maintaining, updating of schools. ..you already pay taxes for that. Don't let them fool you and double dip and tell you it's for the kids. If they are paying for maintenance with this bond they are not only double dipping tax payers...they are also financing it.

A selling point to seniors is that they can be exempt from the rise of taxes. While there is some truth to this, That would ONLY apply on a homestead; many senior citizens own rental properties as part of their retirement plans. The following types of properties are examples of over-65 owned properties that are NOT exempt from the increase: Farm/ag, rental homes, commercial buildings, business inventory/equipment/fixtures, oil/gas production, etc....many, many of these things are owned by folks over 65 and will impact them even more because there are zero exemptions to offset the increase. When property taxes increase, businesses & landlords will pass that cost on to customers & tenants....those over 65 will pay increased prices just like everyone else.

Another great line:"This bond will only raise taxes by $20.00 for every $100,000.00 in property in the district." Yes. And doesn't that sales line sound great? Ask yourself why the district doesn't just ask you to vote on a $20.00 tax per property? This is a perfect example of how bonds twist thinking into forgetting the $87M in debt its truly creating. If they were to ask via taxation for these funds...do the math..it would be an unfeasible rise in taxes, WAY higher than $20.00 per $100K. What they will continue you to do is push this line of only costing you $20.00. What you must remember is this district is shouldering this community with $87 Million dollars in debt, and that is the bottom line, no matter how you twist numbers.

This bond as written contains Six new tennis courts, covering the rodeo arena, new showers and locker rooms for athletes, a new practice gym and a new UIL Auditorium. As much as soccer mom's dislike it, public funds shouldn't be used to support athletics. If a tennis team of 12 people desire 6 new courts is that a tax payer liability? That is a rather small percent of the community as a hole asking for a large sum. And, yes, it is even a small percentage of students. A school being built should of course come with the basics, but after that, let those who have a vested interest support improvements. Where are the booster clubs? Why is it if the very small number involved in these activities won't raise money for their wants the entire community must burden it?

On a personal note, I find it laughable how easily even conservatives fall for 'It's for the children' when assuming massive amounts of debt. I find it more so funny that I am a child hater who obviously don't or didn't have children in public school. Why is it wrong to question debt? Why is it wrong to review details that once added to existing debt will be in excess of  100 million dollars? I have not gone to one single bond supporter and said they had to vote no. If you feel this massive amount of debt is acceptable, fine. I don't. You guys do realize we live in a rural community right? This is not a metropolitan area. Anyone who votes for this bond does not however have a right to complain once more about national debt or state debt, because it always starts with ' we must have this, damn the cost' at every level.

As to the morality of placing this amount of debt on children:

Despite what modern governments and educators teach our children, massive debt is WRONG. In addition, laying that debt on your children and asking/forcing your neighbors to be complicit in it is IMMORAL.

Very little is said nowadays about the Biblical teaching on property and taxation, and with reason: we are so far from the Biblical way of life. There was no property tax in the Bible. Civil government of the state could not tax the land, because the land is not the property of the state but of God, and no state has a right to levy taxes against God’s possessions. The support of civil government was through an increase tax, that is, a production tax.

Today, the Lordship of the triune God is being denied; the tithe is neglected; the power of statism is increasing, and taxation is compelling men to pay a rent for their property. Property was ordained by God to establish men in liberty; it is now being taken from man, and liberty is waning.

If men could acknowledge the sovereignty of God, render to truly Christian causes God’s tithe, and then work to free the land from the tyranny of taxation, a great rebirth of liberty would be forthcoming. This is a cause to work for. ~ R.J. Rushdoony

In closing, massive debt through force of taxation is wrong. One may say, "Haven't you gone into debt for a valid reason? A house? A car?" To this always remember, you or I made that choice to willingly and voluntarily enter into debt, and we didn't ask our neighbors to pay for it as well.

Bottom line, the Dayton ISD should re-evaluate the needs of the district, not the wants. Then re-present this bond for a MUCH lower price tag based only on needs next cycle. Can you or I afford this? More importantly, can your children?

VOTE NO!

12,000 Reasons To Say NO

Forced Motivation?

Locally, the Liberty County Republican Party is behind. Harris County made a switch to a more effective leader, San Jacinto did, as well as did Polk County. Yes, we do hate to depart from our good old boy, Dixiecrat roots here.

To be clear, before anyone thinks I am speaking ill of those who tirelessly fight for true conservative issues, I completely understand the fight it took to turn this county red. I also am appreciative for that. I don't need a reminder each time we discuss this issue.

However, let's face some real facts. We're coasting on red. We're not actively seeking engagement on any issues. In fact, we worry more of an imaginary takeover threat from some libertarian group. No clue who that could be....*sarcasm*

We literally had a candidate running for commissioner that had no, zero, hang-ups stating on radio that he was running as a republican because he knew the reality that he had to run as such to win. He didn't, so there's some hope. We gladly re-elected a representative that voted for state mandated vaccinations and proudly strutted Straus in our county. We had leadership seek out and tap a former Democrat office holder for precinct chair over a personal vendetta.  Yes, we still have our issues.

Eventually, the Obama wave will end. Then, and only then, will the voters turn and see just how conservative, or not, these elected officials are.  For now they are safe in the dislike of the Democrats to the point that most will vote for anyone doesn't have a D behind their name. Comments in response to concerns along the lines of "Because they're strong and don't have to deal with it." are surely the sign of a smug, incompetent leadership that can't see a future view, but only the now.

I am quite happy to see the party engagement on an upswing as far as activity. However, it is a shame it took an election and challenge to the current leadership to start that motion. Our leaders should have been engaging long before they were threatened. But, giving them the due respect, motion is motion regardless of the motivation.

Liberty Conservatives

I am a Libertarian-Leaning Republican. No, not a Libertarian, no not a mainstream click my boot heels for party dogma Republican either. I'm everyone's favorite enemy, for I have free thought and can understand that conservatism isn't owned by the GOP. I'd actually say it barely exists any longer in the GOP itself. I personally am so tired of libertarianism being marked as some kind of foreign thought process in the GOP. It once was quite prevalent in the Party.

 So many people are uneducated, especially here locally. There are clear differences in the Libertarian Party and the Liberty Republicans. I have heard everything from libertarians want anarchy to they are liberal on social issues. I'd say some of that is correct in the actual Libertarian Party. They do support gay marriage. They do support open borders. They also support severely limited government.  Another good line is that libertarians can't win so they are invading the GOP as Liberty Republicans. Again, false. Most Libertarians wouldn't vote Republican to save their lives. They see the party as beyond salvation and out of step with any founding principles. This is even more so after the insanity of the whole Ron Paul issue last election.  Paul did bring a huge influx of libertarians, but they are mostly all gone, and dislike Paul, Jr.  So fear not, they are not returning. I do give them their due as at least they stand on principles they believe in. They know they won't win, they know it doesn't matter, yet they refuse to fall prey to the lesser of two evils most Americans have.

Liberty Republicans, are usually still strongly pro-life. Are there some who aren't? Yes, just as there are some regular Republicans who are not. It is clear on a Jeffersonian principle of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, abortion is indeed infringing upon that right of the child. Most Liberty Republicans refuse to give government the right to define marriage. Though we may personally disagree with each other as far as gay marriage, one thing is for sure, asking the government for permission to marry is not at all what Christians should be doing. The government takes its involvement as deep as possible to split the family unit, and our faith here. Here is where the misunderstanding on social issues may come from.

We have a strong belief that government should function as closely as possible as to what the founders envisioned. Period. We don't on one side say this then approve special pork for things we claim to stand against. Something our current elected officials do far too often.  We want real  solutions now. Not solutions in 40 years. We have concerns about a National Debt that is unsustainable. We have concerns over the Federal Reserve abusing its power to control the money supply and devaluing our dollar. We have serious issues with federal overreach in education and in almost every issue imaginable. Other Republicans claim the same, but continue to elected representation they KNOW will continue these habits. They know no one they vote for will actually tackle a budget, much less a balanced one. None of them will fight our very own leadership when they are wrong.  They do this under the guise of party loyalty, but they are putting party before principle.

So, next time you feel I, we, a certain group is too libertarian, know your facts. Know the correct definition of libertarianism. Do a better job of knowing the true definition of conservatism and understand how our party is drifting way beyond what it truly is. When you think we are less Republican because we refuse to vote and back candidates who will not stand on principle but on party dogma, look at the facts. Don't be afraid to look at the voting records of your 'conservative' representatives. Sometimes that fringe guy in the primary....is the only guy with real principle. Perhaps, the lesser of two evils is why we are in the mess we are. Should you vote third party? No. That's right, no. You SHOULD vote in the primary to elected quality conservatives so that come November, you have someone you can back without holding your noise while doing so.

I will vote for the losing primary Republican every time before any one of the main stream gets my vote to continue endless spending, debt, deficits and war. 

The Lone Dissenting Voice

Since the illegal immigration resolution passed unanimously in Liberty County, Texas, I offer the lone dissenting voice. First off, this is my personal opinion. It does not represent anyone else’s opinion in any group or organization that I may belong to.

I am sick of fear mongering. There, I said it. I’m sick of the refrains of “diseases, plagues, future democrats, and end of days”. Let’s just be honest about it. We are a nation of immigrants which hates immigrants. We always have been and always will be. The Irish were an issue at one time, as were the Chinese, and the Italians too. One has to wonder if the modern Tea Party would have turned away German Jews as well. I realize that this notion of banning any “holding” of illegals has become a popular political slogan in Texas. I realize I am a minority voice on this subject. However, I try to consider myself a man of principle, far above any party dogma. I also find it totally repulsive that most of these very same people show more concern for imaginary lines in the Middle East than they do for the southern one here.

I am a huge supporter of securing the border. I will stand firm on that. However, I still believe in humanity. I still have a sense of pride that our nation is one that people will risk everything to come to be a part of. They will fight, die and even send their children off alone because of our exceptionalism and the promise of a better life. It kind of used to be our mantra, but that’s no longer so.

Shame on this court in Liberty County, for not even one single man was willing to say, “Hey, maybe this is a bit of an overreaction to the issue at hand.” What have we become? When did we turn into a nation of cowards? Much like we bomb other countries out of fear, without a thought of the future consequences, we as conservatives are also blocking any common sense solutions out of fear of brown people, that some Texas conservatives have gone so far as to compare to diseased animals. For what, I ask, “the burden on the school system?” The school system is already broken. Anyone who doesn’t know this is living in a dreamland to begin with. “They are going to steal our jobs!” Yes, mowing your lawn that you’re too lazy or busy to do, or being recruited by that McDonald’s Drive Thru which you’d rather collect unemployment benefits than work in. “What about the rise in treating them with medical care?” Sure, but there are vast numbers of our own citizens, outnumbering them by far, doing this very thing.

We refuse to accept any responsibility in our own problems we create. We prohibit drugs, while our population consumes more and more, only fueling the cartels these people are fleeing. We create a welfare state that our very own citizens abuse and wonder why immigrants will abuse it as well. Do we even consider their plight? I wonder how far we’d go to protect our children if they were walking by fence posts with human heads on them. I’m quite sure we’d do whatever is necessary to get out of that situation. Now, of course there is an argument to be made that these people’s very own government should be better in stopping gangs and cartels. I suppose by the same logic one could ask: Why are we willing to protect and fight and lose our sons and daughters in lands that are extremely anti-American to ‘keep peace’ and supposedly ‘save’ people, but we aren’t at all considerate to our very own, fellow democratic neighbors? Perhaps a real ‘War on Drugs’ should look quite different from the policies we pursue today. Or perhaps, just perhaps, Mexico’s oil reserves just aren’t in enough jeopardy to warrant any significant level of American concern for the Mexican people. But, what do I know?

Common Ground

I find myself at odds sometimes with both factions of the liberty movement and the traditional movement in the GOP. I am part of the 'stuck in the middle' generation. Living through part of the Cold War to its ending and the aftermath, I tend to still cling to some ideals that the liberty movement won't embrace. I also try to learn lessons from what has happened during and since to learn where we have made mistakes that traditionalist will not embrace.  

My favorite part of being involved is when you can become part of a very intimate discussion with a few people that are involved and hear openly all views, from all age ranges, no judgment, just discussion. After a meeting the other night something someone said stuck with me. He mentioned that people my age have to remember that not only do the new generations of conservatives not remember the Cold War, but they hardly remember the world Prior 9/11. Ah, yes, the reminder of age is a funny thing. From my viewpoint, I tend to forget how much they don't know or understand of the past, AND how much I or even my elders will never understand their worldview. It is dramatically different than ours.

I'd argue the Cold War was a little simpler. We had a well defined enemy. We had a well defined goal. The communists were bad, and stopping the spread of it was a worthy goal. Today, the enemy is muddy. It is bands of people, groups and ideological nuts that are the enemy. Also, today, the new generation likely has no memory of living in a time of less freedom, government, security, NSA, NDAA, TSA, on and on. They understand this is not correct or in line with constitutional regulations. They see the grave mistake made to achieve security over personal liberty. I agree with this. We have become a nation of fear and fear mongers. This was not the nation I remember. We lived with the very real threat of human elimination daily via a nuclear threat. Yet, we retained our personal liberties. The rush to secure us in any situation, any place, any time has left us more like the old guys we used to fight. We have forgotten, or are now too scared to remember, the stance of : The price of a free society is that sometimes bad things will happen. Yet, we take these risks, freely, gladly even, to continue to be able to be free.

I can very much agree with the new guys in the spirit of we have become far too entangled in foreign affairs. First and foremost, we can no longer afford it. We are in a state of astronomical debt that we were not back then. I tend to believe we have far surpassed the limit of debt that can ever be considered sustainable or any hope of repayment of it. I tend to agree it is time to repair our own home before we try repairing others. Some call that isolationism, I call it common sense. If we are to have any chance of a future, we have got to correct this issue.  This perpetual state of war must be curtailed. We simply cannot afford it any longer.

Now I fully am aware, if we are going to truly do a compare/contrast as I opened with, that just as there are many factions of traditionalists, the same applies to the liberty movement. Isolationism does exist in some. And to be honest, always has as long as I can remember, even before this new generation. Once, someone made the argument that if Canada were invaded the US has no obligation to be involved if we were left alone. Sadly, I wish human obsession worked this way, but it does not. If one thing history should have taught us, it is that once someone hungers for power, no matter how much we appease it, it's thirst cannot be quenched and usually has to be forcibly stopped.  Also, many liberty people fancy open borders. I personally cannot agree in our current state. The theory of open borders is indeed something to think of, but so is world peace. I don't think either is coming soon. In our current state of a nation, in the magnet that pulls them here, it is impossible. Yes, if we had no welfare system, if we had no education or healthcare for illegals, the argument of open borders holds some weight as there would be absolutely no services offered, less would come but for those that will truly work for a better life. One should also understand an open border does not mean an unsecured border either. Sometimes there is a misunderstanding there. However, personally, I prefer to work in realities.  I want a real-time solution for the current issue in the current state of reality, not one of a dreamland if everything were perfect.

What I am saying here is, I think we all have much to learn from each other. We should neither dismiss the new generation due to age, nor should they dismiss the old guard as simply out of touch. Party unity is a big issue for me. Parties naturally change as they slip from one generation to another. The issue we have currently is we must allow the transition to take place with respect and a common goal of our principles of limited government, free markets and personal liberties. Fighting and trying to keep any thought from entering the discussion from the new generation coming in is you run the risk of them finally busting in and removing anyone of your thought left at all. Or, in the worse case, simply abandoning you completely. Neither ends well. 

Sheriff Rader Addresses Lone Star Republican Group

Last night, Sheriff Bobby Rader spoke to the Lone Star Republicans group in Crosby Texas.

Some attendees participated to question the sheriff on the recent article that was published about the recent purchase of explosives and his comments on sovereign citizen groups in Liberty County.

First, I personally like Bobby Rader. I fully supported him and voted for him. He surely inherited a mess of a department and has really worked hard to bring things around. But, I certainly wanted to know about these explosives and if he was trying to militarize a local rural county sheriff's department. Add to that,  in his response he said he was concerned about sovereign citizen groups. Well, we're all sovereign citizens. And well....who exactly did he mean? Tea Party groups? Self sustaining individualists? Just who? As I sat, ready to release many questions, Mr. Rader beat me to the punch. He addressed the article as well as had examples of what he had in the way of explosives.

Of no surprise to myself, all this mess started with an unnamed blogger in the county that seems to, in my opinion, mislead those in the county that still choose to believe or listen to him. The explosives...haha, a joke. I sure wish this person would do a little research before he publicly gets everyone in an uproar. These are nothing more than door knocker explosives. I could make better one's at home likely. There's a charge big enough to blast a lock or door, that's all. Most times it doesn't even damage the frame just the door. Clearly the sovereign citizen group was directed at a group that has chosen to not accept any law enforcement power over them and are actually murdering officers during traffic stops. This has not happened locally, but I understand the concern. However, I suggested the sheriff find better wording for them. Scum perhaps? I kid.

 

I'll go a little further on said blogger's character. He took an issue with the Sheriff having an out of county deputy and driving to and from work. First, this is very common in all departments, but whatever, he has a right to question. However, he went further to post a map of the officer's route to and from work and his home. How much more irresponsible can you get? Why in the hell would you publish those kinds of things and put this man and his family in possible danger? Especially when Sheriff Rader has always encouraged anyone with a concern to call him and he'd gladly discuss any issue you wanted?

I certainly can feel the sheriff's plight as I and many others have been a favorite punching bag of this local blogger. I also know that by addressing his ignorance I only bring attention to him, which is what he craves. He wants a feeling of importance because he has so relatively none. However, I personally won't stand by and watch him trash good men and women that work hard to make this county a better place, and on the partisan side grow the party with positive messages while he sits on his sofa shouting at a PC screen and does little in the way of action himself. Maybe one day people in the county will actually take him to task on his troubling ways. I doubt it, they haven't before. At the very least, maybe they'll see him as the pure entertainment show he is.  

But, fear not Liberty County, you have a good law officer in Bobby Rader. I can promise you he is very aware of his constitutional role as sheriff. He is very aware of his power over federal agencies in regards to the county. And that is what you need to know.

 I will also add that the department is in desperate need of some resources. Perhaps an opportunity for the public, local party or the RLC to help with. 

Red County, Blue County

It's always a unique thing to turn a rural county from blue to red in political terms. You can do it through conviction and hard work and changing people's views. Or, you can simply play letter switch at the ballot box. Though Liberty County is red now, they are red with the some of the same players as when they were blue. Funny how that works.

"Back in the day we looked in closets and anywhere we could to run someone as a republican" is a quote I hear often. So, good, you changed your county from blue to red by using any warm body. But, does that really make you a conservative? Is the stance of state imposed vaccinations a conservative principle? Is intentionally working with the few Democrats left to see who can run for what to achieve an agenda a worthy goal? Is standing with Speaker Straus who defies the party regularly a conservative stance? Or is it the same old good old boy network now functioning under a different label? I don't take issue with the original tactics to achieve the goal. But, you now have it.........

People fear change. They always have and always will. But, I'm not selling Obama style change. I'm not even selling Republican Party change. I'm saying we no longer need 'warm bodies' here. We need true conservatives now. We need elected officials that are held accountable to the platform. Rather than perpetuate the system that always has existed, defend your majority now. Lackluster attitudes of a 'safe' majority are NOT a winning strategy. Ever. And as great as you came in, you can be removed. Look beyond the 'names' and find principled candidates and leaders and hold them hard to what you expect. Don't explain away bad votes or decisions because he's your guy or friend. You don't have to desert the party to do this. You simply need to find another republican who is wanting to act. And, they are indeed out there.