Free Republic

Texas lawmakers hit the road in January, touching down in places as diverse as Sri Lanka, Fort Lauderdale, West Virginia and Hawaii — with private organizations picking up the tab. With House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's free fact-finding trips at the heart of ethics debates in Washington, the question again has been raised: Are trips by lawmakers on a third party's dime worthwhile educational jaunts, harmless recreation or corruption? Texas lawmakers, current and former, insist that the trips offer insights that help them make more-informed decisions. "To understand America's role in the world, there is no substitute for seeing it...

- Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) today released the 2005 Congressional Pig Book, a sweeping compendium of the pork-barrel projects in the federal budget. Congress spent more tax dollars on pork this year than in any other year in history. For fiscal 2005, appropriators stuffed 13,997 projects into the 13 appropriations bills, an increase of 31 percent over last year’s total of 10,656. In the last two years, the total number of projects has increased by 49.5 percent. The cost of these projects in fiscal 2005 was $27.3 billion, or 19 percent more than last year’s total of $22.9 billion....

The saga of Terri. Reading your column raised several thoughts, one of which is this: If, as the non doctor judge says she is brain dead and is considered a non-human then she would not know if she were alive or not. So what would be the reason for not keeping a non-feeling, non-human alive? She is NOT on life support as the left-wing mainstream media claims, she just cannot feed herself. Babies cannot feed themselves, stroke victims in many cases cannot feed themselves for many weeks or months, paraplegics cannot feed themselves, people with Alzheimer’s cannot feed themselves, people...

United States Constitution Article I. Section. 8. Clause 1: The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States; Clause 2: To borrow Money on the credit of the United States; Clause 3: To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes; Clause 4: To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies...

It's all spend but no tax these days for six state lawmakers who revenue officials say failed to file income tax returns while voting to spend billions of dollars paid by others.      The delinquent pols, all Democratic members of the House, include Rep. Byron Rushing (D-South End), a top lieutenant to Speaker Sal DiMasi, and Rep. David Linsky (D-Framingham,) a former prosecutor eying a run for Middlesex district attorney.      They were joined on the Department of Revenue non-filing list by fellow lawmakers Colleen M. Garry (D-Dracut), chairwoman of the Personnel and Administration Committee; Rep. Anne M. Gobi (D-Spencer), Rep. Sean...

04:57 PM CST on Monday, February 7, 2005 Associated Press AUSTIN – Republican Rep. Talmadge Heflin withdrew his election challenge Monday after a lawmaker overseeing evidence in the contest found that he failed to prove his November loss to Democrat Rep. Hubert Vo should be overturned. Republican Rep. Will Hartnett, who was named "master of discovery" in Heflin's challenge of the Harris County race, found that Vo's margin of victory was reduced from 33 votes to 16 votes. Hartnett recommended that the challenge be dismissed. Hours later, Heflin withdrew, before Hartnett's findings could move on to a special House committee...

"...Technorati, a blog search engine, announced the winners of their first developers contest...GovTrack scored #1 for integrating the blogosphere with the world of U.S. legislation...." (from news release on the site)

Presenting the grand opening of our new website. www.nyra.us New York Republican Association, check it out!!!

The purpose of FreeRepublic.com's multiple message boards is to limit the topics for each board to particular topics. Posting the same message on all the boards defeats the purpose of multiple-boards for special topics. It is very annoying to see the same message on every bulletin board. PLEASE! DO THE READERS A FAVOR. STOP CROSS-POSTING YOUR MESSAGES!

LIMESTONE - Brian Hamel, the former president and CEO of the Loring Development Authority, left the LDA last March to run for the U.S. House of Representatives as a Republican against Democrat Mike Michaud. He lost that race, and on Wednesday there seemed to be a question about whether he was returning to run the LDA."That's the subject of an executive session [after Wednesday's LDA board meeting]," LDA trustee Chairman Philip St. Peter said when asked about Hamel's future.Later Wednesday, Hamel said, "I am on an unpaid nine-month leave of absence which ends Nov. 30. I took the extra time...

GOP takes control of Oklahoma House of Representatives By Ryan McNeill The Oklahoman Republicans scored a historic victory Tuesday, sweeping into control of the Oklahoma House of Representatives for only the second time since statehood. With some votes still uncounted at press time, Republicans had apparently won at least 56 seats in the 101-member House, more than what even GOP leaders predicted. It marks the end of a decade-long erosion of Democratic Party dominance in the House by the GOP, whose members have predicted a takeover for several years. Democratic Party leaders were confident going into tonight, bolstered by an...

Election Day is a week away, and the Republican challenging Rep. Lynn Woolsey already is giving his concession speech. Republican Paul Erickson, a real estate appraiser from Santa Rosa who lost to the Petaluma Democrat two years ago, is running a couch-potato campaign: a slightly updated Web site from his earlier bid, no precinct walking and less than $5,000 to get his message out. "Lynn Woolsey will win this as long as she runs for re-election, just like most other incumbents," said Erickson, 61. "I'm just doing this to make her spend some money in the district, because without any...

A team of graduate students from Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism, have cataloged every privately sponsored trip taken by members of the House or Senate since 2000. The result: Over $14 million spent by corporations, universities, and other outside interests, sending representatives around the world, for sometimes questionable reasons. Indexed so you can look up your representative's record.

“GOP Candidates must talk truth when faced with it— “In response to Michigan Campaign Finance Law violations in Michigan House District 81 We have an obligation to our cause to determine if what we hear is factual or an outright lie. That’s exactly what I did in regard to the allegations from the Trupiano show featuring a former Michigan state employee. This case could not have been more important to pursue, as it involved allegations of “illegal Michigan Campaign Finance law” in my District- that’s the Michigan House of Representatives District 81. Unfortunately, each party continues to employee “at will...

The poll of 600 likely Republican voters in St. Clair County Michigan’s State Representative District 81 countywide found Alloway leading Pavlov by 12 points, 48 percent to 40 percent in a three-way race with Yale Republican Steve Pray Nader included in the ballot test.

Washington FReepers, please get McDermott outta there! He's a bit nutty. Also, a bit cocky. Also, seemingly Un-American. Cassady may not be the person, but she does have a funny webpage!

Republican 'Moderates' Only Advance Liberalism By Christopher G. Adamo April 26, 2004 Slowly, reluctantly, grassroots conservatives are waking up to the fact that their agenda is being systematically undermined and thwarted. Worse yet, this is consistently happening at the hands of Republicans. The GOP controls the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the White House. The overwhelming majority of Supreme Court Justices are Republican appointees. And Republicans hold the majority of state governorships. Yet the moral bankruptcy of the counterculture relentlessly advances. The upcoming primary election in Pennsylvania stands as a sterling example of just what is wrong with the...

Jim Stork Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives Florida - 22nd District Jim Stork (D) is challenging Rep. Clay Shaw, Jr. (R) from Florida’s 22nd Congressional District. Shaw’s last strong challenge was in 2000 when he won by a mere 494 votes and Gore beat Bush by a solid 6%. Once again, the District will be a top turnout target for Democrats in this year’s presidential election. In March of 2002, Jim Stork, at the time new to politics, won a stunning victory in the race for mayor of Wilton Manors, Florida, defeating an incumbent who had served for 14...

All who are from Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio who would like to meet with other Freepers to discuss issues, bills, proposals of both, and likewise topics please mark your calendars for Saturday June 12th, around 5:30pm in Covington, KY (right off I-75 5th St. exit). There will be a private room, at an affordable yet quality restaurant. Willies Sports Cafe! It's not a bar,however they do have a full bar, a secluded game room, and large tv's throughout the dining area. I am not sure about the private room details. Please contact me soon if you feel you know of...

In the months following the September 11th terrorist attacks, questions arose about whether Congress could continue to function if many of its members were killed or injured in a future terrorist attack. These concerns resulted in the creation of a commission that advocated a first in American history, namely the appointment of individuals to the U.S. House. A constitutional amendment has been proposed that would provide the method for such appointments following a catastrophe that killed or disabled a majority of the people in Congress. I strongly oppose this constitutional amendment, because I believe an appointed Congress would become an...

Please- In need of good solid feedback. I'm planning for a panel conference call for broadcast after the speech, touching on Michigan 2004 State House Elections, State of the Union, County Issues and can use "based" feedback--- Michigan Voters give the President a 63% Approval rating and 77% Approve Democratic Governor Jennifer Granholm (+/- 5% according to a Detroit News 1/19/2004 poll). With Bush and Granholm fairing well, how do you see "your" Michigan county or Michigan State House of Representatives District voting in 2004? Please note your Michigan House District, county (if non multi-district), and issues most important. Do...

FRANKFORT - The special election to replace Governor-elect Ernie Fletcher in Congress figures to get more than the customary amount of outside attention, thanks to its timing. Assuming Fletcher will not delay in issuing the call, the election of his replacement in the 6th District could take place in mid-January. It apparently would be the first Democrat-Republican contest in the nation and, as happened in Fletcher's recent run for governor, would be scrutinized for signs of President Bush's strength or vulnerability. Maybe the Democrats will "make this another referendum on Bush," Brian Goettl, the Jessamine County attorney, said at a...

I can already hear the chorus: We have too many politicians now! They already cost too much! Why would we want more of them? (and those will be the polite comments). The fact is, however, compared to the first half of our history, and to most of the rest of the major countries of the world, we currently have too few representatives for our population (see tables below). This idea is not particularly original; a quick search turned up the following article which says the same thing at more length and with more eloquence than I can muster; (THE REAL...

Lord, Keep our Troops forever in Your care Give them victory over the enemy... Grant them a safe and swift return... Bless those who mourn the lost. . FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer for all those serving their country at this time. ...................................................................................... ........................................... U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues Where Duty, Honor and Countryare acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated. Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel...

"

WHATEVER YOU DID UNTO ONE OF THE LEAST, YOU DID UNTO ME An address at the National Prayer Breakfast (Sponsored by theU.S. Senate and House of Representatives) February 3, 1994 On the last day, Jesus will say to those on His right hand, "Come, enter the Kingdom. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was sick and you visited me." Then Jesus will turn to those on His left hand and say, "Depart from me because I was hungry and you did not feed me, I was thirsty and...

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Runaway Texas Democrats returned to a heroes' welcome at the Capitol on Friday after their self-imposed exile in Oklahoma killed a redistricting bill they hated. Legislative business in the House of Representatives resumed. "Welcome home, Texas heroes," one sign read as the lawmakers stepped up to the Capitol to cheers and applause from like-minded citizens. The Democrats stood momentarily, smiling and waving at the exuberant crowd, some wearing yellow ribbons. "We've weathered a few things. We've weathered some troopers; we've weathered a tornado, and we weathered Denny's," said Democrat Jim Dunnum, who emerged as the group's...

Dear Texas Republican, Legislation that would fairly redraw current congressional districts is being considered in the House Redistricting Committee. The committee will be holding hearings on Friday, May 2 and Saturday, May 3 regarding the problems with the current map, and what action needs to be taken in drawing fairer congressional lines. Details on the committee meetings follow this message. The current districts, which were put in place in 2001 by a federal court and not the legislature, do not accurately reflect Texas voting trends. For example, in 2002 Republican congressional candidates won 56% of all votes cast - but...

"We still have a window of opportunity tonight," said Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., the only House member who voted against a resolution over a year ago authorizing President Bush to use force against anyone associated with the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. We are worried that the war on terrorism is taking a back seat to a pre-emptive strike on Saddam Hussein," Waters said. "Yes, every country should be able to defend itself, but we're in no danger from Iraq. Striking Saddam is not fighting terrorism."

3 PARTS:Congratulations AmericaCountdown to Socialism in AmericaSatan's Strongest Weapon Congratulations America The following is the first in a three-part series written by our Chairman, Joe Larson. Mr. Larson intents this series to be a wake-up call for America’s Christian Men – men who have long been asleep at the wheel. His words may be bruising, but his message is a blessing. – webmaster Part One of Three - Congratulations America: Today there are over 10,000 openly Marxist professors and thousands of Humanist professors controlling the universities and colleges that produce America’s teachers and other professionals. Varying forms of Marxist-Humanism are...

Whereas there is little to no oversight over Washington state's legislators, there is no accountability nor penalty for filing bills that benefit special interests at the expense of others, that punish taxpayers further, that wastes the taxpayers' hard-earned money, and that far too often are simply ill-considered and even counter-productive to the ends for which they are filed, Be it resolved that The Washington State Legislators' Hall of Shame is hereby established.

For Immediate ReleaseOffice of the Press SecretaryDecember 14, 2002 Radio Address by the President to the Nation      Audio THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. This week I introduced new members of my economic team. For the Secretary of the Treasury, I have submitted the name of John Snow, a respected business leader and economist who shares my commitment to faster growth and more new jobs for American workers. I have nominated Bill Donaldson to serve as Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, to vigorously enforce the laws against corporate corruption. And here at the White House, Steve Friedman will be the...

<p>WASHINGTON — Several of the House's more prominent and colorful members, including GOP leader Dick Armey and Democratic stalwart David Bonior, are leaving office with the close of this Congress. Some are taking the short walk down the Capitol hallway to the Senate. One took a longer trip to a Pennsylvania jail.</p>

It has started already. Just a few short days ago the Democrats got kicked out by the American people and the President that America trusts. Now in an effort to revive the brain-dead party the ranting and raving losers have elected Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco to lead them to _____ (fill in the blank!). It's respirator time for the Geezer Party! No disrespect to the elderly; I am just citing a liberal magazine which maintains that the ideas of the Democrats are too old for voters under 65, as we don't scare as easily. The liberal media is up...

okay