TEXANS -- VOTE NO ACROSS THE BOARD TODAY! (please)

[Czolgosz]

Here's Democratic AG candidate David Van Os's analysis:

The Constitutional Amendments - Just Vote NO

Early voting starts October 24 on the Texas Constitutional Amendments. There are nine proposed amendments. I recommend a vote of NO on all nine. Consider the source. These amendments were generated by one of the most special interest-dominated legislatures in the history of our state. Every one of the proposed amendments serves a Perry-Craddick special interest -- be it banks and big corporations, Rick Perry's political ambitions, or the so-called religious right (which is really the unreligious wrong).

Concerning Proposition 2: I don't like the phrase "religious right." The protagonists of the so-called "religious right" are not in accord with most of the world's great religions and they are certainly not right. It is neither "religious" nor "right" to seek the destruction of our great democracy's Constitutional checks and balances; nor is it either "religious" or "right" to stir up hatred and prejudice against fellow citizens for the purpose of political grandstanding. Thus I prefer to call these purveyors of hate the unreligious wrong.

The authors of Proposition 2 seek blatantly to involve the power of government in matters of religion. Freedom of Worship is one of the bedrock Four Freedoms identified by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in one of democracy's darkest hours, when our cherished and fundamental democratic values were under attack from the evil worldviews of Nazism and fascism in World War II. Our nation's Founders saw clearly that freedom of religion cannot flourish unless government is equally neutral and impartial toward all religions and religious beliefs or non-beliefs; otherwise different religious beliefs and non-beliefs will fall prey to passing political winds of governmental favoritism and disfavoritism, and the freedom of worship will not be free. Whether a Supreme Being or a religious scripture recognizes or condemns same-sex marriage is a debate that belongs in religious halls, not in the framing of a Constitutional Bill of Rights that is the equal birthright of every citizen.

Furthermore, the Radical Republican Caucus that masqueraded as the State Legislature last session is so incompetent it cannot even do a good job of pursuing its own anti-democratic objectives. The wording of Proposition 2 calls for "prohibiting this state or a political subdivision of this state from creating or recognizing any legal status identical or similar to marriage." Did you get that? The proposed Constitutional amendment will prohibit the state from recognizing any legal status identical to marriage. In its eagerness to enshrine hate into our Constitution, the unreligious wrong has placed before the citizens of Texas a proposition to prohibit the state from recognizing any marriage. It just goes to show you that hate cannot beget anything but bad ideas and bad consequences.

Propositions 1 and 9 are on the ballot to speed up the Perry Government's rush to put higher profits into the bank accounts of private developers at the taxpayers' expense, through the public subsidization of privately owned and operated transportation facilities by the actions of un-elected developers' cronies. Proposition 3 would allow local governments to spend even more of the taxpayers' money on boondoggles to reward campaign contributors. Proposition 5 would be a dream come true for banks, by removing any caps on the amounts of interest they could charge for commercial loans, making it easier for them to increase the squeeze on small businesses. Proposition 7 would give banks another tool in their already large arsenal of ways to entice homeowners to indenture their homes. Propositions 4, 6, and 8 appear to serve narrow interests. Just vote NO.


Here is the progressive Austin Chronicle's analysis:

Proposition 1: No.

Create the Texas Rail Relocation and Improvement Fund. This is yet another attempt by the state to underwrite the expenses of private industry – in this case, the relocation of major rail lines that are either getting crowded by urban growth or else figure in Gov. Perry's grandiose plans for the Trans-Texas Corridor. We say let the railroads pay their own way.
Proposition 2: No!

Prohibit gay marriage or civil unions. This is the most outrageous proposition on the ballot, the most direct assault on human rights and privacy rights, and the most blatant attempt to write bigotry into the Texas Constitution since the Civil War. We need every one of you to get out on election day and vote to prevent the state of Texas from joining this march in the modern History of Infamy.
Proposition 3: No.

Clarify that certain economic development programs do not constitute a debt." Prop. 3 has a local hook – Save Our Springs Alliance won a lawsuit against the Village of Bee Cave to stop the municipal underwriting of a shopping center to subsidize a private developer without even a mechanism established to do so. The Lege wants voters to ratify any and all such arrangements, yet the ballot language is so vague it should be rejected on those grounds alone.
Proposition 4: No.

Authorize denial of bail to a criminal defendant who violates a condition of release. This is a solution in search of a problem, and drafted in such vague language that even those who might support it should pause. There are other ways of dealing with this issue than by writing yet more specific legal exemptions into the state constitution, including a higher bail – not denying altogether such a basic protection against unjust imprisonment.
Proposition 5: No.

Allow the Legislature to define rates of interest for commercial loans. The Lege is worried that poor Texas bankers are not able to charge more than 10% interest (currently defined as usury) on commercial loans, as they can in 46 other states, and are selling the amendment as aimed only at "sophisticated commercial borrowers." This is a foot-in-the-door amendment to give the banks whatever they want and undermine the anti-usury limits altogether.
Proposition 6: No.

Add two additional members to the State Commission on Judicial Conduct. The ballot language doesn't say that the amendment would also eliminate geographic representation on the commission, in theory allowing the greater packing of the commission. It probably doesn't matter whether the commission has 11 or 13 members, since judges virtually have to commit blatant public felonies to be subject to disciplinary action; we doubt seriously that adding a couple of commissioners will do much about that institutional problem.
Proposition 7: No.

Authorize line-of-credit advances under a reverse mortgage. Like Prop. 5, Prop. 7 is a gift to the bankers under the guise of helping creditors, in this case retired homeowners (over 62) whose only asset is their home. This amendment would create "lines of credit" to draw down smaller loan advances that often look reasonable but can quickly accumulate into heavy debt burdens – a circumstance ripe for abuse. Why make it easier to fleece small homeowners?
Proposition 8: No.

Relinquish any state claim to certain land in Upshur and Smith counties. Title to several thousand acres in the two counties was under dispute because of apparent vacancies in land surveys. The General Land Office has already relinquished claim to the bulk of the land, but another 950 acres remain in court. The constitution shouldn't be a handy bludgeon to settle complicated land disputes.
Proposition 9: No.

Six-year terms for RMA board members. The Lege allowed six-year terms for regional mobility authorities, but anti-toll warriors won a ruling that the constitution prohibits terms of more than two years. The only way for voters to voice their general opposition to tolls is to vote against this amendment and Prop. 1 (the railroad subsidy amendment).

[flamin lib]

1. Okay, you brought it up. Prop 7 is not a bad thing.

(Prop 7 is reverse line of credit)

Currently senior citizens can recoup the equity in their paid-for homes by getting a reverse mortgage. Instead of getting a conventional re-fi and making payments to the Mortgage company, the Mortgage company makes payments to the home-owner. Small monthly payments over 30 years. The estate settles up with the mortgage company when the owner dies.

Prop 8 allows a line of credit against which a senior can "borrow" without making payments back. If a hospital stay or other major expense comes up the home owner can take as much as needed to meet that need and no more. It allows the maximum flexibility for seniors on limited fixed incomes.

Vote Yes on prop 7.

edited to correct the prop #

[tanyev]

2. Prop 7 is the reverse mortgage thing.

Prop 8 is the Smith/Upshur county thing. And why that supposedly needs to be settled with a constitutional amendment, I will never understand.

[flamin lib]

3. That's what I thought from looking at sample ballots, but

was responding to OP which listed it as 8. Thanks.

[Czolgosz]

6. Here is the problem with Prop 7. Texans, historically, have enjoyed the

best consumer protections in the nation with respect to home-owner's rights. The lending industry spent tens of millions over the past few years to erode this working person's right which Texans have enjoyed since the days of the Republic.

The line of credit loans the amendment would allow give the lending industry the loophole to escape (1) limits on loan fees, (2) usury laws setting the maximum insurance rate they can charge, (3) homestead protections, etc., etc., etc.

I'm not saying that there couldn't possible be a good amendment to allowed some type of reverse mortgage line of credit, but this amendment does away with many time-honored protections for Texans. This amendment is bad for Texans.

Also, you may note that in other states which allow these type of reverse mortgages with a line of credit, which admittedly is most states, (1) many states have better consumer protections against abusive fees and (2) still, the loan scheme has been a tool for the lending industry to take advantage - financially - of the poorest homeowners.

[jobycom]

4. There are local bond issues you might want to vote YES on

In Austin, anyway, there are three park bonds. I don't know the details, but most liberal groups are supporting 1 and 3. 2 has mixed support, since it calls for developing a park over a sensitive water shed. The SOS coalition has urged voting no (I think), and others have said to vote yes.

That's Austin, I'm sure other areas have local issues, too.

[Czolgosz]

7. Good point -- I mean VOTE NO ACROSS THE BOARD on Constitutional amendments

Which are the only thing on the ballot where I vote.

You guys in Houston, pick us some winners!

[jobycom]

8. I just voted. There was actually a line, which is very unusual for

an offyear election like this. When I left, there were close to twenty people voting or waiting to vote.

[justabob]

12. There was a line at my precinct too nt

[amitten]

10. Right...the bond propositions are a different issue.

Two of them are parkland related (I voted yes) and one is about building/improving prisons. However, all the constitutional amendments are B.S. in my opinion. Voted 'no' on all.

[Ian David]

5. Sign-up to phonebank for Mess With Texas!

Mess With Texas! We are happy to pass along this message from our partners in Texas to join with us in fighting the Texas Marriage Amendment next week! Read on to learn more about the new phonebank tool that will allow you to help with this campaign from the comfort of your own home, anywhere in the country.
http://www.nononsenseinnovember.com /



Dear Task Force Friends:

As you read this, 17 states already have passed constitutional amendments that prohibit marriage for same-sex couples, depriving families of the protections and responsibilities that come with marriage. Right now, Texas is facing a similar constitutional amendment that would write discrimination into the Texas Bill of Rights and unwittingly cause a myriad of unintended consequences.

To beat this amendment next week in Texas, it is all about voter turnout on Election Day. But, to do this, proponents of equality need our help.

The Task Force is proud to announce our support of the No Nonsense in Novembercampaign, a broad coalition of individuals, businesses and organizations working to defeat this hateful and divisive amendment in the Lone Star State.

Today, we are asking our members to Mess With Texas and help No Nonsense In November defeat this attack on Texans and their families. A victory in Texas would change the dialogue for ALL elections in 2006.

Mess With Texas and start phonebanking today!
http://www.onlinephonebanking.com/NoNonsense/?a=NoNonsense&b=777865926

The exciting news is that you can help defeat the amendment from the comfort of your own home, work, a coffee shop or anywhere else that is convenient for you. All you need is a computer with Internet access and a phone.

The campaign has set up an online phonebank so that you can call from anywhere - you don't even need to be in Texas.

The phonebank is set up so you can identify fair-minded Texans to vote against the amendment on November 8th.

Click this link, register, read the quick instructions and you are ready to begin! You can make as few or many calls as you like. The more you make - the more you Mess With Texas.
http://www.onlinephonebanking.com/NoNonsense/?a=NoNonsense&b=777865926

Mess With Texas and start phonebanking today!

Understand that some of these people will be supporters of the amendment. Be polite and courteous to everyone. Identifying our opponents is just as important as identifying our supporters, because this information will save the campaign money and time during early voting and Election Day.

Please visit the campaign's Web site, www.NoNonsenseInNovember.com, where you can learn more about the issue at hand and why having it on the Texas ballot is such Nonsense.

Please join us!

P.S. To contact the campaign directly, e-mail [email protected] or call 512.443.2019.

Founded in 1973, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Foundation (the Task Force) was the first national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights and advocacy organization and remains the movement's leading voice for freedom, justice, and equality. We work to build the grassroots political strength of our community by training state and local activists and leaders, working to strengthen the infrastructure of state and local allies, and organizing broad-based campaigns to build public support for complete equality for LGBT people. Our Policy Institute, the community's premier think tank, provides research and policy analysis to support the struggle for complete equality. As part of a broader social justice movement, we work to create a world that respects and makes visible the diversity of human expression and identity where all people may fully participate in society. Headquartered in Washington, DC, we also have offices in New York City, Los Angeles, Miami and Cambridge, Mass. The Task Force is a 501(c)(3) corporation incorporated in Washington, DC. Contributions to the Task Force are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law.

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Inc. ("NGLTF, Inc."), founded in 1974, works to build the grassroots political power of the LGBT community to win complete equality. We do this through direct and grassroots lobbying to defeat anti-LGBT ballot initiatives and legislation and pass pro-LGBT legislation and other measures. We also analyze and report on the positions of candidates for public office on issues of importance to the LGBT community. NGLTF, Inc. is a 501(c)(4) non-profit corporation incorporated in New York. Contributions to NGLTF, Inc. are not tax-deductible.

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[Czolgosz]

9. I got a call from Save Texas Marriage saying that the language of the

amendment is flawed and if it is passed, it would technically ban all marriages in Texas.

The Save Texas Marriage folks are using quotes from Texas Supreme Court Justice Nathan Hecht (creepy Republican quoted as saying “When you’re construing the Constitution or statute, you’re stuck with what’s there”) and State Attorney General Greg Abbott (hypocritical Republican quoted about the need to follow the “literal text” of the Constitution).

I don't know if it worked, or even if it helped, but it amused me to see how much it pissed off Hecht and Abbott.

[catabryna]

13. I also received a call this afternoon...

from the same group. I'd already voted. Sad thing is, this was the only call I received out of 5 that was a No on Prop 2 call. *sigh*

[McCamy Taylor]

11. I voted NO--however Texas has one of the worst RNC hack rate in the USA