Dr. Hotze, You're Doing it Wrong

Alright, folks.  I've held my tongue as long as possible, but when you run across internet gold like this, sometimes you've just got to speak out.  Over the years since I started this blog, I've not been shy about my disdain for a few people that would call themselves 'party leaders'.  Those that run a 'conservative' PAC in the state of Texas that formed some time ago to enable those in charge there to continue to gate-keep from their high horses.  As one of my activist friends would say, "Name names."  Oh, don't you worry, that's coming.

Steven Hotze is well-known in Harris County for his contributions to the local political scene.  By that I mean that he runs a slate mailer with paid for endorsements by candidates seeking elected office; mostly state representatives and judges that are local to Harris County.  He also uses his place of position to lobby in support of traditional family values laws and potential laws that come across the desks of state legislators.  He opposes abortion, gay marriage and the bathroom bill which would allow people to use bathrooms and locker rooms of the sex with which they identify.  This has been and still is a hotly contested issue seeing as how it's been raised again in the Texas 85th special session coming up on July 18th.

I actually AGREE with Dr. Hotze on his traditional family values.  I'm pro-life and pro-traditional marriage.  I, too, am a Christian and feel called by the great commission in Matthew 28 where Jesus gives us the charge to, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father, the son, and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."  There's just one glaring problem with Dr. Hotze's method; he's doing it wrong.

I'm not an avid reader of the Huffington Post by any means, but this article showed up in my news feed, and I just had to say something.  In the article, it quotes Dr. Hotze as saying in the name of Jesus, "...May they (legislators) be consumed, collapse, rot and be blown away as dust from their current positions because of their wicked works, thoughts and deeds. May people scorn them and nations abhor them. May their punishment lead them to repentance and faith in Christ. May God’s will be done in their lives."

I can't think of a worse prayer.  I do not agree with that at all.  If Dr. Hotze is truly about Christ and doing His work, he's doing it wrong.  This is an embarrassment to the name of Jesus and to Christians alike.  It's also an embarrassment to the GOP.  And we wonder why we can't win people over with our conservative principles and values.  To counter what Dr. Hotze is saying, I'm reminded of the scripture verse in 1Peter 4:8 which says, "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins."  

Well, I guess there's just one thing left for me to say to Dr. Hotze, "Bless your heart."

'Bigotree' Emerges in Texas Democrat's Druken Tree Crash

In the world of social media, often after a tragedy occurs somewhere in the actual world, Tweeters, Facebookers and Instagrammers take to their pages and profiles and change their profile pics in support of the victims of the heinous crimes.  Those profile pic changes can be felt around the world, I'm sure of it. 

One other thing that just comes naturally to the Western world is hashtags.  Hashtags are often invented to help show solidarity with the victims of crimes.  Those hashtags are imperative in healing a hurting world after a terrorist attack.  It's been proven.

Let us look at the incident that happened just yesterday here in Texas.  One Democrat State Representative, Victoria Neave, was arrested for allegedly drinking and driving after she crashed into a tree.  It's a bit ironic, though, her alleged drinking and driving when she was one of many state reps who supported Texas' ban on texting and driving.  I detect a bit of a double standard.

Speaking of double standards, myself and a few other friends noticed that there was little to no support for the tree that was victimized in the crash.  He's subsequently been named 'Albert' and we'd like for you all to show your support for him, too.  I mean, where's the love for Albert?  The profile pics?  The hashtaggery?  You'd support people, but what about a tree? 

That tree was just standing there, minding its own business, not hurting anyone.  He was a shelter for little woodland animals, all of which we can assume that representative Neave hates because she so carelessly crashed into their home.  Why not?  I mean, if a GOP representative crashed into a tree, he or she would be accused of hating on trees and nature and woodland animals.

So, if you want to help Albert the tree, you'll download the picture and use it as your profile picture immediately.  Together, we can make sure this never happens again!

*satire* 

Republicans vs. Democrats: A Culberson Town Hall Wrap Up

Pensions.  Health care.  Tax reform.  Immigration.  All of these issues affect us.  Not just 'you' us, but ALL of us.  Each individual has a story about how each one of these issues affects their lives.  Contrary to what Congress may tell you, there isn't any sweeping legislation that is a one size fits all solution, and I think going forward, legislators and the public need to remember that when we're considering what we're asking for.

Unfortunately, we live in the era of Big Government, and although it's not necessarily a new thing, it's still a thing.  They have this attitude of, "Anything the private sector can do, the public sector can do better."  This is not just an attitude of the federal government; it's a view held by Democrats and leftists alike.  That was never more evident at the John Culberson town hall.

The town hall was hosted at Spring Branch Middle School Auditorium and it was filled to capacity.  Seven hundred constituents flooded the town hall with questions to be asked and confrontations to be had with the Congressman.  The majority of the attendees were Democrats and there was a theme running through them all.  I'd love to tell you it was sweetness and light, but alas, that was not the case.

From the moment that they booed the opening prayer, and left out 'Under God' in the pledge, the mood had been decided. It was clear to me that the folks that were in attendance were out to control the entire town hall.  They were there to intimidate and to shout down and make their noise.  And that, they did.

I've got to say, I didn't blame the constituents for their frustrations, although they could have been much more civil about it.  I and others have felt similar frustrations with Congressman Culberson over the years. The only difference between myself and the Democrats is that going into any conversation or meeting, THEY would KNOW that they're going to disagree with the Congressman and that he's not going to represent their interests very well.

I think that the Congressman could have handled the crowd a bit better than he did.  Each time someone rose to ask a question, he often responded with "That's a very thoughtful and important question."  On the surface that might sound good, but it came across as very condescending.  The constituents recognized it and often followed those words with 'boos' and began chanting, "do your job'.  It was embarrassing.

I went there as an observer.  Full disclosure, I have been a long time skeptic and critic of the Congressman, but I went there really wanting to hear what he'd have to say.  There was one few thing he really stood strong for, like being against a single payer healthcare system which I was glad of.  Others, like something that he kept repeating, "Keep politics out of science and art.", that I wasn't so sure of.  Sounded good for the crowd he was in front of, I guess.

Another constituent was there, Mary Jane Smith, precinct chair and long time GOP activist, and this is what she had to say about the way the Congressman handled himself; " He was misinformed on several points. I was disappointed, although not surprised, when he said to the opposition that he was going to vote for same ole funding for National Institute of Health, (NIH), increased funding for education, public broadcasting, and was against Trump's decrease funding of the Dept of State."

The Republican constituency that lives in Congressional District 7 didn't show up for this town hall.  Hell, they didn't show up for the general election!  CD-7 went for Hillary!  I have news for them and for whomever is reading this, the Republican leaders, activists and voters had better not get comfortable over the next four years. The opposition is alive and well in even the most conceivably conservative areas in Harris county. The GOP still has to make OUR voices heard in the legislative process and the election process!  The squeaky wheel gets the grease!

Local Government Matters: Pockets of Power

Local government matters, just like the title of the blog states.  The title has dual meaning, actually.  Events that take place within local government are 'matters' and those things are important, or they 'matter'.  However, I can't stress enough how important keeping an eye on local taxing authorities are.  I hope the information I've included will convince you and you'll be converted for LIFE!  Well, anyway, here goes!!

We've all been so focused on Washington, D.C., that we haven't paid attention to our local municipalities and how much debt THEY are incurring.  Tell you what, I'll let you in on something that will (or should) get your attention: Texas has the second highest per capita local debt in the nation!  We are only second to the state of New York in local debt!

There are taxing authorities that no one talks about or knows about; Management Districts, cities, MUD Districts, ESD's, and all of the ISD's.  In and around Harris County and the City of Houston, there are things called TIRZ's that fall under the management district category.  They can all issue bonds and debt, some of them without even putting it on a ballot for public approval!  Now, we can't just eliminate these entities, but we can certainly influence the elections of these tiny towns and pockets of power.

You may not be aware, but May 6th is Election Day for lots of the aforementioned taxing authorities.  Yes, you read that correctly.  So if you live in any of the smaller cities in and around Harris County, you may just be electing a new Mayor or new city council members or voting to change your city charter.  These are the elections where you can make the most difference!!

The Harris County Republican Party is working to empower the grassroots to make a difference during this election cycle.  The party is hosting phone banks all over the county in order to increase voter turnout in what are ultimately some of the lowest turnout elections. You can visit www.harriscountygop.com to find out dates and times of upcoming phone banks.

So, how do you know if you have an election to vote in?  Good news!  I've asked our very own  Harris County Clerk, Stan Stanart.  He reports that, "(Harris County)...is conducting only eight of the sixty two entities holding elections this May.  Harrisvotes.org has been programmed to tell a voter, when they look themselves up, if they are eligible to vote in an election and we provide links and/or phone numbers to the other fifty-four of the sixty-two that we are not conducting."  So, if you're not sure if you have an election to vote in, please go and visit harrisvotes.org.

On a side note, I once personally surveyed 100 people and only four out of those 100 had ever voted in an Emergency Services District election before.  So four percent of the people in that room could have decided the election.  So, you see now, I hope, the importance of showing up to elect people to what I now refer to as pockets of power.  Government really does go to those that show up! 

John Culberson Hosts a Town Hall THIS Saturday, March 25, 2017

Congressvarmint. Congresscritter.  Tax dollar waster.  These are some of the names that I and others have come up with over the years for our congressmen.  I think I may have found a new favorite term of endearment for my very own congressman; 'porker of the month',  Unfortunately, I wasn't the one who coined the phrase, but when I did a Google search of Congressman Culberson this morning, the first thing that popped up was an article written by Citizens Against Government Waste.  The title?  "CAGW names Culberson, Rogers, and Rooney December 2016 Porker of the Month".  Love it.

Apparently he's done enough of NOTHING over the past sixteen years he's been in office for Congressional District 7 that he may face a serious Democratic challenger for his seat.  I base that claim on the fact that good old conservative congressional district 7 went for Hillary Clinton in the November general election.  So, guess what he's doing now?  Sending out fundraising emails with cries for help much like a modern day Paul Revere, only with much less courage, claiming in emails that his staff sends out, "The Democrats are coming!  The Democrats are coming!"

Oh, yeah, they are.  And so are the Republicans.  After cosponsoring legislation to remove the ban on earmarks in December of last year and his lack of responsiveness to his current constituency, he's feeling the pressure.  Seems kind of ironic, though, don't you think, that the party of the opposition would be the voice that he's responding to? Well, you know what they say, there's only two ways to run for office, unopposed or scared.  I have a feeling Culberson is running scared.

To further prove that he IS running scared, he's finally hosting a town hall.  If you live in his Congressional District like I do, you will be allowed entrance.  Click on the link here to get all of the details, the do's and don'ts.  Apparently this time, there are quite a few of those.

So, what will his tagline be this time?  I guess you'll have to attend to find out....

Christmas Through the Years

Have you ever noticed that our views and feelings of Christmas can change over the years?  Sometimes Christmas is awesome and fun and exciting and then you grow up and Christmas is, well,  different.  Not necessarily bad, just different.  I think my Christmas experience began to change when I was about sixteen years old.  I don't think I ever shared this with my parents, although they may have noticed and graciously not said anything. 

Sure, I was a brat like most kids can be around that time of year.  My mom loves to tell the story about how one Christmas when I was about fourteen or fifteen, she decided to wrap my presents in one kind of paper and my sister's presents in a different kind of paper, without any names on them.  I promptly threw a fit.  Apparently, I made life so miserable for her, that she finally relented and put names on the packages.  So, you see, a total brat.

When I turned sixteen, I started to feel frustrated with the holiday and all of the expectations that were (and still are) placed on gift givers.  I started to get angry with people for not celebrating what I considered the true meaning of Christmas, which was the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.  I used to feel out of control and helpless about the situation because I wanted to change the world's attitude and opinion of the most special holiday of the year.  I wouldn't even have called myself a Christian back then either, which is quite humorous, given my righteous indignation about the whole thing.

As I've gotten older, though, my frustration has given way to introspection and self examination.  Now, I know that doesn't sound like a whole lot of fun to do at what is supposed to be one of the most exciting and happiest holidays of the year, but I think it's necessary.  We are called as Christians to examine ourselves and our hearts on a regular basis, even when it isn't Christmas.  The thought alone that God would love this world enough to wrap his love in flesh and then sacrifice his son;  his one and only son so that we could live in heaven with him for all of eternity?  That, my friend, is the sort of thing spurs me on to want to be better, or to try to be better. 

Something else that happens when you think about God's love for us is that it makes you want to remove all impurity from your heart and mind and life and replace it with obedience and joy and happiness.  God gave us His son and His Word for our benefit, for our life to be lived abundantly, not to punish us or to hinder us.  He gave those things to us because he knows that we need limitations to protect our hearts from sin.

I pray that this Christmas night, as I sit here and type this, that you and your family are experiencing joy and peace and love.  Not because of the gifts that are under your tree, but because of the gifts that are around your tree.  Your family and friends are the real gifts in your lives.  Forget about the commercialization of the holiday, as I so fervently wished for the world as a teenager, and make it about a wonderful blessing of a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes.  Merry Christmas to your family from mine. 

Invite Jesus Everyday

Hello, readers!  Welcome back to The Political Chicken!  If you notice the title, it doesn't look very political, and it isn't.  This is a place where my politics and faith sometimes meet and I share about both of them, because I am a Christian. 

Let me set the stage for this blog post:
My family and I attend Second Baptist Church and we love it there.   We were at church recently and one of the youth pastors was leading us in a prayer honoring our Veterans, which was quite nice.  He used the word, 'invite' in his prayer, as in he was 'inviting' the Holy Spirit to our worship and into the hearts and lives of the Veterans.

For some reason that word, 'invite' really got to me.  I mean, it really struck a chord with me and I wanted to write about it and teach it to my kids immediately.  I was really excited!  I started thinking about how an invite is intentional.  You don't normally hand out invitations to something important like a wedding or a birthday party by accident, do you?  No, you're intentional and you're selective about who you're going to ask to attend.

So, in order to demonstrate this, I wrote on three index cards the words, 'You're Invited'.  I handed them out to my three boys as a way to invite them to our nightly devotional time.  At first, they looked at me like I was crazy.  "You're inviting us to home devotional, Mom?"  The mystery was kind of fun, actually.  I couldn't wait to reveal what I had been contemplating all day to share with them.

After dinner, we gathered together, each one with their invitations.  I asked them how it felt to be invited?  How did they feel the last time a friend invited them to a party?  I got the following responses:
"Special"
"Included"
"Welcomed"
"Wanted"
"Loved"

Yes, yes, and yes.  I was so happy because I felt that they really had grasped the concept of the invitation.  I also explained to them that in order to become Christians, you have to invite Jesus into your heart to rule and reign for the rest of your life.   My oldest son has done that already, but the other two have not.  I have faith that they will make that decision very soon.

I went one step further and reminded them that not only do we invite Jesus into our hearts to be Lord of our lives, but we need to make a conscious effort to invite Jesus into our heart and into our day EVERYDAY.  We can all get busy and stressed; at least I do.  That's usually when I have to stop and think if I had prayed and asked God to guide my day.  If the answer is 'no', then I have made an unwise decision. 

Asking God into your day and praying daily is always important, but it's especially important to do now that we are in the "most wonderful time of the year".  Like the song says, "with Holiday greetings and gay, happy meetings when friends come to call."  I hope you and your family have a blessed and Merry Christmas!