Cynthia Brehm, Chairman, Republican Party of Bexar County
REPUBLICAN PARTY OF BEXAR COUNTY
Adopt-A-Park: Lincoln Park The RPBC officially adopted Lincoln Park as one of our Community OutReach Programs. On October 5, 2019 15 volunteers from across the city of San Antonio gathered to clean up Lincoln Park. The Adopt-A-Park Chairman was chaired by Otis Thompson from Precinct 4036. The park bench was repainted, the dug out to the baseball field, and some fencing in need of fresh paint were the areas worked on. The City provided all the materials and the RPBC provided the volunteers. After 50 community hours of service, the City of San Antonio will provide the RPBC with a plaque designating the adoption. If you would like to volunteer, please contact the RPBC at 210-824-9445.
_______ Go Vote! Early voting begins October 21 through November 1, 2019. The ballot propositions are at the end of this newsletter.
NATIONAL
The Impeachment Mirage!
The Democrats want us to believe in an impeachment mirage, but the political and constitutional reality is that Trump committed no crime. The Democrats desperately want to impeach the President because they know they can’t beat him at the ballot box. President Trump’s discussion with Ukrainian President Volodtymyr Zelensky and the Whistleblower’s complaint have been declassified for all to see. Prior to the release of the documents, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi proclaimed:
If the Administration persists in blocking this whistleblower from disclosing to Congress a serious possible breach of Constitutional duties by the President, they will be entering a grave new chapter of lawlessness which will take us into a whole new stage of investigation.1
Per Article 2, Section 2 of the US Constitution, the President is the Chief Diplomat and there are no restrictions on what conversations he may have with other national leaders. As to the “grave new chapter of lawlessness,” Ms. Pelosi may want to review President Obama’s comment to Medvedev to tell Putin that once he was re-elected, he would have more “flexibility” in his discussions with Russia.2 Give it up Pelosi, you have nothing!
Wealth Tax
Elizabeth Warren, who has called herself “capitalist to my bones,” is, in reality, a rank Socialist. Under a Warren administration, the corporations and private businesses that provide employment, would be transformed into organizations that serve their employees. It would be impossible for employers to so generously meet the needs of its employees and succeed while competing in a global economy. Warren wants the Green New Deal and reparations for the descendants of slaves. Warren co-sponsored the Medicare for All proposal which covered undocumented immigrants.3
After all that spending, Warren believes that there will be money for markedly increased Social Security benefits.4 She also intends to provide affordable childcare, paid for with a new tax on multimillionaires.5 Families would be charged based on their ability to pay. Just like the tax code is tiered, with Warren your childcare bill would be tiered. The “rich” will pay more taxes, and pay more for childcare, and eventually more for college tuition.
These programs, financed with a progressive wealth tax, are a confiscation of personal wealth. It would start with assets over $50 million. But as British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher once observed, "The trouble with Socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money."6
Governor Newsom’s Tax Ploy “Trumped”
California Governor Gavin Newsom’s attempt to obtain five years of President Trump’s tax records as a prerequisite for running in the state’s primary elections has been blocked by U.S. District Judge Morrison England Jr. According to Trump attorney, Jay Sukelow, Gavin’s new law is unconstitutional because “states are not permitted to add … requirements for candidates for president,” and the law “violated citizens’ 1st Amendment right of association.”7 Interestingly, none of the 2020 Democratic candidates have submitted tax returns to California.8
STATE
Gun Control
Governor Greg Abbott has issued eight Executive Orders to address mass shootings in Texas and vowed to work closely with the Legislature to protect our communities. So far Texas gun laws remain unchanged. “The battle is far from over in Texas,” Big League Politics reported, “gun owners must remain vigilant as more Republicans could possibly succumb to anti-gun pressure and endorse certain forms of gun control.9 12News, a local ABC affiliate, affirmed the danger, commenting that the “executive orders address police procedures, communication with local law enforcement and schools, and mental health in the state. But they do not include any measures on gun control.”10 Apparently, we must control the gun rather than the perpetrator of a crime who uses a gun.
Texodus to the Socialist Party? Not so fast …
Socialists (Democrats) are salivating over the possibility that Texas may go blue in the 2020 elections. However, Dave Mann of the Texas Observer, gave a sound rebuttal11 to an article in The Economist magazine. The article claimed that the diversity of state officials (politicians, police, etc), that is the hateful tribalism called Identity Politics, by itself heralded a blue wave.xi Although Mann acknowledged Socialist gains in Texas, he also noted “they’re still heavy underdogs in every statewide race and remain the minority in both chambers of the Legislature.”12 We must be ever vigilant that Texas remains conservative, Republican red.
LOCAL
Immigration – with Medicaid, WIC and Head Start
Public Engagement Officer for San Antonio, Ashley Alvarez, advertises the following on Nextdoor: How the New Public Charge Rule Impacts your Health Care/
Are you thinking about taking your children out of Head Start or Medicaid because you heard that you might have problems with immigration? Are you worried that you shouldn’t go to the doctor or get help from WIC because you are not a U.S. citizen? Come to a free meeting to learn from experts how the change in immigration law that begins on October 15 will affect your family.
Event date: 10/17/2019
Time 6 – 7 PM
Location: Pre-K 4 SA, 3635 Medical Dr.,
San Antonio TX 78229
San Antonio has a liberal mayor, who is making sure that your tax dollars are being spent on non-citizens.
Council’s Gun Buyback Program
The San Antonio City Council initiated steps to implement a “potential” gun buyback program to get “guns off the streets and out of the homes of potentially dangerous people.” Incentives would be cash payment or gift cards and the anonymity of the seller. According to Police Chief William McManus, who has experience with such programs in Washington DC and Minneapolis buyback programs are expensive, resource intensive, and ineffectual. Although Mayor Nirenberg admitted that a buyback would not solve the basic problems involved with gun violence, he said it could be “one small step … we hope to find others that we can take.” And, the City Council vows to conduct, as Councilman John Courage (D9) recommended “more research to develop a process.”13 It is doubtful any study would include the impact of violent video games on children – perhaps that is where the buy-back program should focus.
Bexar County Commissioners Pay Raise
On October 1, 2018, Bexar County Commissioner’s Court gave themselves a 7% pay raise. This year, the Proposed 2020 Budget included County Commissioner’s giving another 2% pay raise. This equates to a 9% pay raise within one calendar year.14 At the September 10, Commissioner’s Court public hearing, Judge Nelson Wolff announced the Commissioners had already voted on the Proposed 2020 Budget, to include their pay raise, the day before the last scheduled public hearing.
When RPBC Chairman, Cynthia Brehm asked them not to give themselves another pay raise, she noted that the phone number provided for citizen input was a nonworking number. Chairman Brehm’s charge was challenged by Judge Wolff and Commissioner Kevin Wolff, but they both enjoyed a hearty dish of crow when Brehm gave them a copy of the nonworking number as posted in the newspaper.
COMMENTARY
Abundant Life
By RPBC Chaplain A. D. Smoot
There is a wonderful scripture that is used in many Patriotic ceremonies; “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord”. The translation of the word “Lord” in this text, from the original Hebrew, is Jehovah. This Jehovah is the Judeo-Christian God, the national God of the Jewish people, from the Patriarchs of Judaism; Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Jacob was also given the name Israel). This God is the Father of the only begotten Son, Jesus, in whom Christians place their faith.
This God is the One the Holy Scripture declares blesses a nation. It is easily identifiable that God has blessed our nation. In turn our nation blesses other nations by financing 87% missions work throughout the world.
The Bible declares this God breathed life into mankind. Furthermore, Jesus said, “I have come that you might have life, and life more abundantly.” So, God, not only, wants us to have life (survive), He wants us to have abundant life (thrive)!
This thriving from God is more important than material wealth, but is based on complete spiritual, mental, and emotional dependence on God as our provider.
Politicians Ignore Second Amendment While Hoping Americans Will Quietly Follow the Law
Presidential Candidate Robert Francis O’Rourke and his ilk are eager to ignore the 2nd Constitutional Amendment and order a mandatory buyback (read: confiscation) of assault weapons.15,16 But where to from there, Mr. O’Rourke? Will hunting rifles, shotguns, and hand-guns soon find their way into ONLY government and criminal hands?
Mr. O’Rourke has not made the Socialist Party of America (once known as the Democratic Party) very happy with his forthrightness concerning gun confiscation. Although all Socialist candidates for President agree with him, admitting it publicly in an election cycle is a no-no. However, while Mr. O’Rourke vows to ignore the Constitution, he expects American citizens to follow the gun confiscation law he would enact. Perhaps O’Rourke has been skateboarding too long in the Texas sun to recognize his gross hypocrisy.
Here at home, the San Antonio Mayor and City Council are following O’Rourke’s lead, but rather coyly and with less courage (no pun intended). They want to pursue a program that has been proven expensive and does not accomplish the intended goal of reducing gun violence. Money for the buyback and gift cards appears to be a concern. One would think that, if stopping gun violence was that important, City Council might find money to put toward that goal in a $2.9 billion budget. Furthermore, Chick-fil-A gift cards are relatively inexpensive.
Is stopping gun violence the true goal? Mayor Nirenberg admitted a buyback program would not fix the underlying problem, but it would be a “small step.” A small step toward what, Mr. Mayor. If basic gun violence is the problem, then it’s the criminal’s committing the violence, will that not be addressed? Mr. Mayor drop the coy pretense and state what you are really after. San Antonians did not fall off the pumpkin wagon yesterday! You and your regime are backing your way into a gun confiscation program that leaves guns in the government and criminal hands and leaves law-abiding Texans defenseless.
TRUMP RE-ELECTION 2020
Campaign Central: Trump Re-election 2020
Volunteers Needed!
The RPBC needs your help to re-elect President Trump 2020. Please consider being a presiding judge, alternate judge, clerk, poll watcher, precinct chair, or general volunteer. If you would like to help, please call RPBC headquarters at 210-824-9445.
The RPBC has Trump2020 signs-- large 4’ X 8’ recommended donation is $60 and 1’ X 1.5’ yard signs recommended donation is $10 Vote Republican signs. The recommended donation is also $10.
If you are interested, please come by headquarters to pick one up. We have sold a lot of them. Please come by to pick yours up.
Trump t-shirts are still available, too. The sizes range from small to 3X.
Men’s patriotic Trump signature, flag caps with his name embroidered on it, and MAGA caps also available. We also have the ladiesTrump visors available. They are the same as the men’s caps but visors. The recommended donation for the caps is $30 and the recommended donation for the visors is $20. Finally, we have Trump flags! (Recommended donation is $10. Many of you have been asking for these things. Please come by and pick up what you want.
Recap on the Proposed Amendments to the Texas Constitution
The Republican Party of Bexar County has received numerous phone calls requesting information regarding the amendments that are on the ballot this coming November. The following are proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution to be voted on November 5, 2019. Here is the result of our research:
Proposition 1 (H.J.R. 72) permits a person to hold more than one office as a municipal judge at the same time. Vote No. Municipal court judges are either appointed or elected in accordance with the rules laid out by each municipality's charter/ordinance. The Constitution does allow appointed judges to serve more than one municipality. The concern is that judges from larger cities tend to be more liberal, and their influence could reach smaller, more conservative communities. Proposition 1 does not specify the size of the municipality. Placing judges in municipalities in which they have not been elected seems fundamentally wrong and may encourage governmental overreach by larger cities. Moreover, holding multiple judgeships may be more work than one person can handle. Proposition 2 (S.J.R. 79) provides for the issuance of additional general obligation bonds by the Texas Water Development Board in an amount not to exceed $200 million to provide financial assistance for the development of certain projects in economically distressed areas. Vote No. Although concurring with providing water supply and sewer service projects in economically distress areas, the answer is to
prioritize such projects through normal funding mechanisms, not by having the State incur more debt. Proposition 3 (H.J.R.) authorizes the legislature to provide for a temporary exemption from ad valorem taxation of a portion of the appraised value of certain property damaged by a disaster. Vote Yes. Support tax breaks for Texans afflicted by disasters. Proposition 4 (H.J.R. 38) prohibits the imposition of an individual income tax, including a tax on an individual’s share of partnership and unincorporated association income. Vote Yes, it is a very confusing amendment. If you want to continue with no state income tax on personal income, then you should Vote Yes. Proposition 5 (S.J.R. 24) dedicates the revenue received from the existing state sales and use taxes that are imposed on sporting goods to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Historical Commission to protect Texas’ natural areas, water quality, and history by acquiring, managing, and improving state and local parks and historic sites while not increasing the rate of the state sales and use taxes. Vote No. Targeting specific revenue for a specific purpose ties the hands of future legislators who need to fund other issues, such as presented in Proposition #2 above. Proposition 6 (H.J.R. 12) authorizes the legislature to increase by $3 billion the maximum bond amount authorized for the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. Vote No. Increasing the state debt through bonds is an unfair burden on taxpayers and funding for cancer research is not a fundamental state function. Proposition 7 (H.J.R. 151) allows increased distributions to the available school fund. Vote No. This proposition doubles the current distribution of funds from $300 million to $600 million. Texas schools already receive 48% of our property taxes. If approved, the amount used to fund through this mechanism will only continue to increase. Proposition 8 (H.J.R. 4) provides for the creation of the flood infrastructure fund to assist in the financing of drainage, flood mitigation, and flood control projects. Vote No. Initial funding for this proposition, $793 million, will come from the state’s economic stabilization fund (Rainy-Day Fund) with no indication of where funding will come from in the out years. The Rainy-Day Fund, meant to assist all Texans affected by natural disasters, should not be depleted for cities who have, historically, neglected long-standing flood issues. Proposition 9 (H.J.R. 95) authorizes the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation precious metal held in a precious metal depository located in this state. Vote Yes. Government spending has undermined confidence in our currency. Those who seek refuge from a devaluing dollar by holding precious metals should not be penalized. Proposition 10 (S.J.R. 32) allows the transfer of a law enforcement animal to a qualified caretaker in certain circumstances. Vote Yes. Let’s take care of the dogs.
Republican Prayer Group
October 14, 21, 27 2019 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Republican Party of Bexar County, 12000 Starcrest Dr, SA San Antonio Republican Women Fall Fundraiser Spectacular
October 22, 2019
Hilton Garden Inn - Live Oak Conference Center, 8101 Pat Booker Road, Live Oak, TX 78233 $70 per person; $120 per couple Management Committee Meeting
October 10, 2019 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Republican Party of Bexar County, 12000 Starcrest Dr, SA Bexar County Republican Women Luncheon
October 11, 2019 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
The Club at Sonterra, 901 E Sonterra Blvd, SA Precinct, Activists and Campaign Workers Training Class
October 12, 2019 10:00 am - 12:30 pm, The Restoring Church, 8308 Fredericksburg Road, SA,
October 26, 2019, 10:00 am - 12:30 pm, Location TBD HCR Republican Club Monthly Meeting
October 15, 2019 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
4550 Del Webb Blvd, SA Tour of the Holocaust Memorial Museum
October 16, 2019 9:30 am - 11:30 am
12500 NW Military Hwy at Wurzbach Pkwy inside the Jewish Community Center, SA Early Voting begins Oct 21, 2019 through November 1, 2019 Republican Club of Bexar County Monthly Lunch
October 23, 2019 11:00 am - 1:00 pm, Luby's 911 North Main, SA Young Republicans of Bexar County
October 24, 2019 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm, Location TBA Election Day November 5, 2019 for the Texas Constitutional Amendments Alamo Pachyderm Club Monthly Luncheon Meeting
November 7, 2019 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
San Antonio Petroleum Club, 8620 N New Braunfels Ave # 700, SA Bexar County Republican Women Luncheon
November 8, 2019 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
The Club at Sonterra, 901 E Sonterra Blvd, SA Alamo City Republican Women,
November 12, 2019 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Embassy Suites North by Hilton, 7750 Briaridge, SA San Antonio Republican Women Luncheon
November 14, 2019 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Old San Francisco Steak House, 10223 Sahara Dr, SA County Executive Committee meeting (CEC Meeting)
November 18, 2019 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
San Antonio Professional Firefighters Association, 8925 Frontage Rd, SA
