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TCR is at loss as to why the U.S is primed to allow foreign trucks on the U.S highways.
Texas ought to just say no. No vehicles should be allowed on Texas roads that have not been inspected for safety to Texas standards, or that have not shown to comply with Texas safety responsibility laws (insurance), or that are driven by drivers not qualified by Texas law to drive in Texas.
In Congress, the House already has come out against this idea (411 to 63) and the Senate just voted against it with 74 votes. There should be no Bush veto here.
There are also other questions: Do we really want foreign trucks to enter the U.S in volume that will be virtually uninspected? Will it not make it easier for illegal drugs, Islamic terrorists or illegal aliens to enter the country unimpeded? Do we not have American truck drivers and trucking companies who can and will handle shipping from the border area into the U.S?
We are not sure what is going on with the Administration on this issue, but this dumb idea needs to be canned. If they will not, Texas must stand up for its own sovereignty and enact laws to stop foreign trucks.
Comment from a reliable former official on foreign trucks: In 2003 after NAFTA, U.S. Department of Transportation did require Mexican trucks and drivers to meet U.S. safety, licensing and insurance standards.
TCR Comment: That's all well and good, but the bigger question is whether we can trust the government to do its job right when it has generally failed in border security and visa management. Can we trust them here or as Reagan said, trust but VERIFY.
Option 2 On Federal Tax Reform: The FairTax
The FairTax proposal would abolish the Internal Revenue Service and income tax for individuals and corporations, taxes on estates and capital gains, as well as payroll taxes for Social Security and Medicare. It also would end tax breaks ranging from the homeowner's mortgage-interest deduction to corporate credits that are embedded in the economy and important to many voters and special interests. To ensure the income tax never returns, the FairTax advocates repealing the 16th Amendment that created the income tax a century ago.
In its place would be a 23% national sales tax that is intended to be progressive, taking more from those with greater wealth. A consumption tax could be regressive, hitting lower-income people proportionally harder because they spend all or most of their income on necessities while wealthier people can save and invest much of theirs.
So to address the regressivity argument, FairTax.org proposes a "prebate" paid monthly to every family to cover their sales taxes, up to an amount equal to the poverty level.
You can read about Americans for Fair Taxation and the FairTax at their website: www.Fairtax.org.
Fundamental Federal tax reform is needed and necessary. Why are we running behind, of all countries, Russia, on this key issue?
Is The U.S. House Of Representatives
Slipping Away From The GOP?
TCR a while ago analyzed the 2008 U.S Senate races. TCR concluded that no GOP return to the majority is in the cards but there was hope in the House of Representatives.
Today, that hope is looking increasingly unlikely.
Here are the latest developments:
- The GOP is being crushed moneywise with the GOP House group (NRCC) having only $2 million on hand in July, compared to the Democrats at $19 million, reversing a trend since 1997!
- GOP retirements went up (4+ seats.)
- Scandals that won't go away (5+ seats.)
- Too many weak incumbents who barely won in 2006.
- Close losses in seats for the GOP in 2006 resulting in "blue dog" Democrats (who appear more moderate than their colleagues) who could be stronger for reelection. This means we will have to work hard to take back these seats and there are no guarantees, for example, Nick Lampson in Texas District 22.
All said, the GOP looks to be in trouble in its goal to quickly return to the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2008.
COMING (Friday, October 12, 2007 at 8 pm) on Channel 8 PBS in Houston, Texas - The Connection - Red, White & Blue, featuring TCR Editor Gary Polland and liberal commentator David Jones with surprise guest and coming on October 26, 2007, former Mexican President Vicente Fox in an extraordinary interview.
About Your Editor
Gary Polland is a long-time conservative and Republican spokesman, fund-raiser, and leader who recently 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 tenth year of editing a newsletter dealing with key conservative and Republican issues. The last six years he has edited Texas Conservative Review. Gary is a practicing attorney and strategic consultant. He can be reached at (713) 621-6335.
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