Thread: TX: Local Republicans oppose national superhighway at county

Local Republicans oppose national superhighway at county convention

By Sandra Cason, News Messenger

Saturday, March 29, 2008

The Republican Party of Harrison County Convention played to a full house Saturday as delegates, alternates and guests crowded into a first-floor courtroom at the Harrison County Courthouse.

Chad Sims, conducting his first convention since being elected local party chairman, said the meeting represented politics at "a grassroots" level.

"We can't have much influence on who is elected president, but we certainly can have an impact on local and state races," said Sims, who then introduced local candidates.

In Jeff Thompson, who is seeking the Precinct 1 County Commission seat against Democratic incumbent Jerry Lomax, Sims said the party has "an opportunity to take back the Commissioners' Court."

Two of the four commissioners are Republican, while two others and the county judge are Democrats.

William Hughey, who will face Democrat Brad Morin in the November race for 71st District Judge, is another "excellent opportunity" for the party, Sims said.

He made the mistake of saying Hughey would be the first Republican to hold that office and was quickly corrected by delegates who named former Republican judges John Furrh and E.N. Smith.

"Well, he would be the first one in my lifetime," Sims quipped, adding: "The Democrats don't know what hard work we are going to do to get him elected." He encouraged attendees to "host events in your homes and bring in your friends to meet William and Jeff."

While trustees for Marshall Independent School District do not run by party, there was also an introduction of District 5 candidate Wendell Jones.

After delegates were seated according to the polling places they represented, Lou Gaw of the nominations committee explained the selection process.

"Office holders and candidates go to the state convention," she said. "We choose people who have worked hard for the party. These include officers for the Republican Women of Harrison County. Then we send out notices to others" who voted in the Republican primary "and ask them to write down what they have done" for the party "and why they want to go" to the state convention. "Also we choose one or two for their potential as to what they might be able to do for the party. We worked many hours to get a good list."

Delegates and alternates will represent the local group June 12-14 at the state convention in Houston.

The major portion of the 2 1/2-hour session was given over to discussion of and voting on resolutions that will be submitted for state consideration.

Dr. Orin Littlejohn, resolutions committee chairman, said many submissions, "which would have been excellent," were not considered by the committee because they were not adequately explained and were improperly prepared.

"You've got to get the 'whereases' in there as to why the resolutions are being submitted and you've got to document statistics" quoted in the resolution, he explained.

The resolution drawing the most discussion was one opposing the Security and Prosperity Partnership, the North American Union and its superhighway system.

In 2005, Littlejohn explained, President George W. Bush met with former Mexican President Vicente Fox and former Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin. The trio signed the Security and Prosperity Treaty, which calls for construction of a transcontinental highway from Mexico, through the United States and into Canada.

"This will precipitate an end to the sovereignty of Mexico, Canada and the U.S.," said delegate Mark Adair.

"For those who believe world government is the way to go, like — I don't want to call any names, but, well, I'll say it — Barack Obama, this might not be a problem. But for myself, it's give me liberty or give me death. There'll be a quarter-mile stretch of eminent domain, along which loads of local communities will be lost," he predicted.

Polly Moren said the super highway would "split the U.S. down the middle. I've studied it for years. We can't be gullible. If we are going to do this, we can't allow foreign counties to build it. Let's do it with American ingenuity."

To support such a resolution, others said, would eliminate Interstate Highway 69, proposed for construction in this area. Delegates noted many in the room had worked long and hard on that plan.

Delegates passed the resolution to whispers of "hallelujah" and "amen" from the audience.

Following the meeting, Littlejohn said "I-69 would not be affected. There's a difference between it and the superhighway," he explained, "although I-69 could possibly be in the same corridor."

Other resolutions included:

Support for the Texas Association of Realtors' stand to "repudiate a real estate transaction tax," which, the resolution said, would kill the American dream of home ownership by adding a sales tax to home purchases.

A proposal urging U.S. withdrawal from foreign trade agreements, such as NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement and CAFTA (Central America Free Trade Agreement).

Support for passage of the Social Security Fairness Act, which would provide greater Social Security benefits for Texas teachers, police officers and firefighters.

Support for border security, discontinuing welfare support to illegal aliens and denial of citizenship by birth to the children of illegal immigrants.

Support for returning the U.S. to a currency based on the gold standard and elimination of the federal reserve.

A call to end the federal War on Drugs program because "it is no more effective than prohibition" and a return of all funds spent on the national level to the states.

Support of parents' rights to homeschool their children.

Support for abolition of the IRS and federal income tax and establishment of a national retail sales tax.

Support for U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

www.marshallnewsmessenger.com

Surprisingly, I support all of their resolutions! If only they could all be implemented.

Those Texans sure are a spunky bunch!

Originally Posted by roundabout

Those Texans sure are a spunky bunch!

Do ya think? You should hear what comes out of those TCC meetings. Whooo, cover your children's ears. I haven't heard of a single one of those going for the highway projects. That's about the most unpopular thing ever thought of.

Dixie