It's clear that the statewide polls show the GOP headed to a statewide race sweep, but remember polls are NOT elections. Turnout matters, that's why TCR in its Harris County Voters Guide says, "This time vote like your world depends on it," because it does.
Elections Matter, Vote Like Your World Depends On It
President Barack Obama recently proclaimed, "I'm not on the ballot this fall ... but make no mistake, these policies are on the ballot - every single one of them." Well, it appears as though we have finally found one statement made by Barack Obama on which we can agree, that this year's elections should be a referendum on the Obama and Democrat policies.
So which of President Obama's policies are up for a vote?
Maybe we should start with these, in no particular order:
- Illegal Immigration: has allowed the free flow of immigrants, including terrorists and drug cartels, across our borders and is preparing to offer amnesty to millions.
- Ebola: failed to take effort to protect citizens, including to issue travel ban and then appointed a political hack, not a physician or scientist, to head Ebola efforts.
- Obamacare: national takeover of healthcare resulting in higher premiums and cancellation of policies. "If you like your health care plan, you'll be able to keep your health care plan," and other lies.
- ISIS: completely underestimated or intentionally allowed this global threat to grow resulting in the slaughter of innocents including US citizens beheaded on camera.
- Fast and Furious: handed weapons to dangerous criminals resulting in the death of at least one Border Patrol agent and countless others.
- Veterans Administration: institutional failure to provide health care to veterans; many have died on waiting lists for care. Deplorable.
- Benghazi: failed to protect embassy staff in Benghazi. Because of Administration cover up, the true depth of this failure is still not known.
- Secret Service blunders: numerous incidents of Secret Service gaps in protection including penetration of the White House through the front door.
- IRS scandal: persecuted conservative groups then covers up with "lost" e-mails.
- National debt: has doubled under Obama.
- Marine held hostage: nothing done to get the release of US Marine Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi improperly held for over six months in a Mexican prison.
We couldn't agree more that these issues represent what is at stake when we vote. By not voting for conservative candidates, either by not turning out at all or by not voting the entire ballot, we are actually voting FOR these policies by omission.
By not voting against these policies and liberal candidates we also embolden them to push their liberal agendas, like Mayor Annise Parker did when she opened the doors for men to invade the bathrooms and locker rooms where our wives and daughters expect privacy and safety. Not voting leads to activist judges who seek to overturn the death penalty by legislating from the bench. Not voting paves the way for Democrat judges who publicly berate rape victims while going easy on the rapists.
So now we know what is on the ballot and what we are voting against. But, what are we voting for?
Republicans Making A Difference
What do you get when you vote for a Republican candidate? How about innovation, leadership and real results, to start with?
But don't take our word for it, consider the evidence and you will see that Republican officeholders are truly making a positive difference in the lives of Harris County residents.
Tough On Crime, But Compassionate When Possible
Republicans have a reputation for being tough on crime and current Harris County District Attorney Devon Anderson is no exception. Earlier this year Anderson became the first sitting District Attorney in ten years to personally prosecute a case. Anderson secured both a conviction and a death penalty sentence for the man who murdered a Bellaire police officer and a citizen. Anderson leads from the front and has the guts to demand the ultimate price, when it is deserved. On the other hand, she also sees the justice system as a place for second chances and an opportunity for a better future. Two great examples of that belief applied is with her innovative SAFE Court and 1st Chance Intervention Programs, both designed for non-violent first offenders. SAFE Court is a prostitution program that helps offenders break the cycle and not become repeat offenders. 1st Chance was created to address the problem of marijuana use by allowing offenders to avoid arrest and jail time. They are programs indicative of Anderson's innovation and leadership and great reasons why we should return her to the D.A's office.
Giving Victims A Voice
In 1994, after Peter Cantu was given the death penalty by a jury for the rape and murder of Jennifer Ertman and Elizabeth Pena, Republican Judge Bill Harmon allowed Randy Ertman to address the defendant in open court in front of the jury. Harmon was the first judge in Texas to allow a relative of a deceased victim the right to present to the defendant a statement of the person's views about the defendant and the effect of the offense on him. In 1995, the Texas Legislature passed a law specifically requiring judges to allow victims and their relatives the opportunity to address the defendant in open court.
Giving Youthful Offenders A Second Chance
Republican Juvenile Judges John Phillips, Glenn Devlin and Mike Schneider know that once a youthful offender finds his or her way into the criminal justice system, it is hard to break free. That is why these judges, with the cooperation of Harris County D.A. Devon Anderson, have created the juvenile Deferred Prosecution program that allows non-violent offenders to participate in counseling and supervision in lieu of going to court. This program helps youthful offenders become productive members of society, while saving taxpayers millions of dollars.
Judges Implementing Innovative Solutions To Mental Health Issues
Recognizing the problem of relapse among mental health patients following release, Harris County Probate Court Judges Rory Olsen and Christine Butts, who oversee the mental health and civil commitment courts, launched a new program to deal with the issue in Harris County. The program titled Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT), provides intensive support in the first few weeks following release to help reduce relapse and further expense in an already overburdened mental health system. This program, which helps those in need while saving taxpayer dollars, is another common sense initiative by Republicans making a difference in Harris County.
These are just a few examples of Republican elected officials making a difference in the lives of Harris County residents. We have also seen what happens when the Democrats win. This November, there are clear choices with clear consequences. Vote like your world depends on it, because it does.
A Time For Choosing: 50 Years Later
October 27, 2014 was the 50th Anniversary of Ronald Reagan's speech on behalf of GOP Presidential Candidate Barry Goldwater in 1964, that catapulted him into conservative leadership. This inspiring talk was the first domino knocked over that led to Ronald Reagan's Presidential election in 1980.
TCR on the Air
Red, White & Blue featuring TCR Editor Gary Polland, liberal commentator David Jones and moderator Linda Lorelle on Fridays at 7:30 pm on PBS Houston Channel 8.1, replaying Saturdays at 6:30 p.m. on Channel 8.1, Mondays at 11:30 pm on Channel 8.2 and on the web at www.houstonpbs.org.
Coming soon:
Sam Houston, Attorney General Candidate.
The 2014 Elections, What They Meant.
The State Party Chairs - Steve Munisteri & Gilberto Hinojosa.
State Legislative Preview with Paul Bettencourt and Sylvia Garcia.
The current show as well as past shows are available on YouTube.
About Your Editor
Gary Polland is a long-time conservative and Republican spokesman, fund-raiser, and leader who completed three terms as the Harris County Republican Chairman. During his three terms, Gary was described as the most successful county Chairman in America by Human Events - The National Conservative Weekly. He is in his fifteenth year of editing a newsletter dealing with key conservative and Republican issues. The last thirteen years he has edited Texas Conservative Review. As a public service for the last 11 years, Gary has published election guides for the GOP primary, general elections and city elections, all with the purpose of assisting conservative candidates. Gary is also in his 14th year of co-hosting Red, White and Blue on PBS Houston, longest running political talk show in Texas history. Gary is a practicing attorney and strategic consultant. He can be reached at (713) 621-6335.
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