Quote: Amontillado wrote in post #14

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"This bill is simply to put the question to the people of Texas. Even if legislators don’t personally support TEXIT, at a minimum they should support your right to publicly debate and vote on the issue. Your representatives either believe that you are smart and responsible enough to make this decision or they believe that they know what’s best for you regardless of what you think. There is no middle ground."

Agreed, it's hard to imagine a middle ground on the issue of this referendum.

I also have to confess extreme reluctance for the act of secession. I believe in American principles. I hope to never renounce American citizenship.

On the other hand, the federal government should face the constant real possibility of seceding states with the fear drunks have for Saturday night police checkpoints.

For similar reasons, now that I think about it.

A friend sent me this link, https://www.takimag.com/article/the-deat...ic-nationalism/ , which makes valid points about conservative implosion.

Being a right-wing dissident is a high calling right now. To me, that's patriotism in action.

There are dangers. If we secede, we're in bad shape if the new Republic makes stupid decisions. I don't want Texas to become the next Venezuela. We will be burdened with too much liberal baggage from places like police-defunding Austin.

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Quote: Tinker wrote in post #15

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There is a LOT of good information on the page linked below and you would do well to take the time to read it.

https://tnm.me/texit

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Quote: EdJames wrote in post #16

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Quote: Amontillado wrote in post #14

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"This bill is simply to put the question to the people of Texas. Even if legislators don’t personally support TEXIT, at a minimum they should support your right to publicly debate and vote on the issue. Your representatives either believe that you are smart and responsible enough to make this decision or they believe that they know what’s best for you regardless of what you think. There is no middle ground."

Agreed, it's hard to imagine a middle ground on the issue of this referendum.

I also have to confess extreme reluctance for the act of secession. I believe in American principles. I hope to never renounce American citizenship.

On the other hand, the federal government should face the constant real possibility of seceding states with the fear drunks have for Saturday night police checkpoints.

For similar reasons, now that I think about it.

A friend sent me this link, https://www.takimag.com/article/the-deat...ic-nationalism/ , which makes valid points about conservative implosion.

Being a right-wing dissident is a high calling right now. To me, that's patriotism in action.

There are dangers. If we secede, we're in bad shape if the new Republic makes stupid decisions. I don't want Texas to become the next Venezuela. We will be burdened with too much liberal baggage from places like police-defunding Austin.

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Yes, it is clear that giving Texans a chance to voice their views on pursuing Texas Independence is the absolute right thing to do.


I believe in American principles. I hope to never renounce American citizenship.

I used to believe in Americans principles in the fashion of those at the time of the founding.... two centuries later, they no longer exist, except in historical tomes on their way to being burned away forever. You won't need to renounce your American citizenship.



There are dangers. If we secede, we're in bad shape if the new Republic makes stupid decisions. I don't want Texas to become the next Venezuela. We will be burdened with too much liberal baggage from places like police-defunding Austin.

The dangers of remaining in the effectively dissolved union (see @Tinker's comments that I recorded in post 16 of this thread) are far greater and more perilous than any that an Independent Texas will encounter. I far more trust Texans to do a better job of avoiding making stupid decisions, than I do the proven failures in DC.

Detaching from the liberal baggage of Lost Angelos, Chicago, Atlanta, New York, and most importantly Washington, DC is a far more important than having to merely focus on dealing with the liberal baggage from places like Austin, Dallas, and Houston.

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Quote: austingirl wrote in post #19

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Chip Roy voted to keep Liz Cheney in her leadership position. With this turncoat and Cruz saying Trump crossed a line and couldn't prove election fraud, I am done with these two. And the federal government.

Sheila JACKson Lee with her gun grab bill that requires Americans to apply for a FEDERAL gun license, undergo psychological evaluation, take 24 hours of training, pay $800 a year in insurance, and have fines of $150K and 25 years in jail is an idiot. She is on tape claiming that she held an AR-15 and that it weighed as much as 10 moving boxes and uses .50 cal ammo. The press believes every word out of her lying mouth.

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Quote: Isailedaway wrote in post #23

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Quote: Isailedaway wrote in post #8

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Quote: Tinker wrote in post #4

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I just put my state rep (Ernest Bailes) and state senator (Charles Schwertner) on notice that failure to support both HB1215 and HB1359 would be unacceptable and letting them know that I WILL be watching.

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l will do the same to my State Senator Bryan Hughes and Rep. Matt Schaeffer.

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Got the response from my legislator. He believes we wait for the swing back towards us rather than to fight now.

MATT SCHAEFER
STATE REPRESENTATIVE
DISTRICT SIX

Dear Sir,

Thank you for contacting me regarding House Bill 1359 and the idea of Texas seceding from the Union. This is a very serious matter. I hear you. I trust that you do not take this position regarding secession lightly. Other elected officials and I should listen and appreciate the depth of concern about the collapse of confidence in federal government institutions.

The political grievances we have with the federal government in Washington are too numerous to list. From the legalized murder of babies in the womb funded by taxpayers, to the election fiasco in swing states, to the exploding national debt, the problems are serious. When I hear my friends and neighbors express deep frustration, disappointment, and even anger with what is happening in Washington, it grieves me because I share those sentiments as well. The questions are hard, and the answers are hard too.

But the simple truth is that I do not favor secession. The words of the Pledge of Allegiance ring in my ears. We recite it as we begin our business each day on the floor of the Texas House of Representatives. Secession would bring harsh economic turmoil, and ultimately bloodshed. Though Texas enjoys a high level of economic prosperity by historic standards, the financial and legal bonds we hold with our countrymen in other states reach into every area of our lives.

Of course, we all feel that way! Well....except for those in DC who have corrupted and squandered our national ideals. And, no, we enjoy a high level of economic prosperity because of Texas and her citizens, not because of the insane overspenders inside the Beltway. Really, that's laughably weak.

Texans have paid countless dollars into Social Security and Medicare that would likely be lost if Texans stopped paying into the federal coffers. Military pensions and bases, currency, trade, and water rights are more examples of how interconnected Texas is to the rest of the country. Even if secession was attempted as a gradual process, there will be major obstacles at the very beginning where the other side simply says ‘no.’ What then? Nobody has the answer. And what about the dense urban parts of Texas controlled and populated by Texans with the very same ideology that we oppose in Washington? My guess is they will push back hard. Texas has its own challenges.

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Quote

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President Trump’s legacy of appointing judges is strong. Texas must push back on bad court precedents, and give these new judges a chance to work. Roe v Wade immediately comes to mind. The road to abolishing abortion goes through the courts. Texas must take every inch of ground we possibly can. I think we have a good chance to pass a “heartbeat bill” this session. If the heartbeat is detected, the baby must be protected. A bill like that would be a great opportunity for the Trump Supreme Court to work in our favor. The work President Trump did in the courts cannot be overstated.

In addition, there is a glimmer of hope that the balance of political power in Washington will swing back in two years. Twenty-three states now have complete GOP control at the state-level, whereas Democrats have 15. Republicans increased the overall number of chambers they control in the recent November election. The redistricting process happens this year and is controlled by state legislatures. The new maps will have an impact at the federal level for decades to come.

We must also ensure that Texas government aligns with constitutional, limited government values. There are deficiencies right here in the Lone Star State that need our immediate attention. Pro-life legislation, election integrity, executive overreach, the Second Amendment and other matters must be addressed in the 87th Legislative session which is now underway. I am committed to passage of bills that address these urgent needs.

God sets in place all persons of authority. We must renew our efforts at every level of government to ensure that God-fearing, constitution-loving patriots represent us. Our votes should go to persons whose decisions will reflect justice, mercy, and humility. I pray for the leaders of our country. I hope you will too. It was God’s providential hand that formed the United States against all odds. God can sustain us once more.

Thank you for sharing your deep concern. May God grant us wisdom to move forward. Please reach out to my office again as you see fit.

Respectfully,

Matt Schaefer
State Representative, District 6

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That's all I have time for right now, but will tackle the rest of his letter later.

OK, here goes:

Quote: Isailedaway wrote in post #23

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Quote: Isailedaway wrote in post #8

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Quote: Tinker wrote in post #4

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I just put my state rep (Ernest Bailes) and state senator (Charles Schwertner) on notice that failure to support both HB1215 and HB1359 would be unacceptable and letting them know that I WILL be watching.

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l will do the same to my State Senator Bryan Hughes and Rep. Matt Schaeffer.

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Got the response from my legislator. He believes we wait for the swing back towards us rather than to fight now.

MATT SCHAEFER
STATE REPRESENTATIVE
DISTRICT SIX

Dear Sir,

Thank you for contacting me regarding House Bill 1359 and the idea of Texas seceding from the Union. This is a very serious matter. I hear you. I trust that you do not take this position regarding secession lightly. Other elected officials and I should listen and appreciate the depth of concern about the collapse of confidence in federal government institutions.

The political grievances we have with the federal government in Washington are too numerous to list. From the legalized murder of babies in the womb funded by taxpayers, to the election fiasco in swing states, to the exploding national debt, the problems are serious. When I hear my friends and neighbors express deep frustration, disappointment, and even anger with what is happening in Washington, it grieves me because I share those sentiments as well. The questions are hard, and the answers are hard too.

But the simple truth is that I do not favor secession. The words of the Pledge of Allegiance ring in my ears. We recite it as we begin our business each day on the floor of the Texas House of Representatives. Secession would bring harsh economic turmoil, and ultimately bloodshed. Though Texas enjoys a high level of economic prosperity by historic standards, the financial and legal bonds we hold with our countrymen in other states reach into every area of our lives.

Of course, we all feel that way! Well....except for the globalists in DC who have corrupted and squandered our national ideals, defecated on our national flag and given lie to the Pledge.

And, no, we enjoy a high level of economic prosperity because of Texas and her citizens, not because of the insane overspenders inside the Beltway.

When we are able to slough off the shackles of federal overspending and overregulation, it will free our economy up to explode. Texas already has the 10th largest economy in the world and we could easily move up several slots by freeing up our potential for growth.

Really, that's an insultingly weak argument by Schaefer.

Texans have paid countless dollars into Social Security and Medicare that would likely be lost if Texans stopped paying into the federal coffers. Military pensions and bases, currency, trade, and water rights are more examples of how interconnected Texas is to the rest of the country. Even if secession was attempted as a gradual process, there will be major obstacles at the very beginning where the other side simply says ‘no.’ What then? Nobody has the answer. And what about the dense urban parts of Texas controlled and populated by Texans with the very same ideology that we oppose in Washington? My guess is they will push back hard. Texas has its own challenges.


No, those dollars would not be lost. Why does he say that? (For the fear factor?) Americans draw their SS, Medicare and federal pensions wherever they live. You can have your Social Security check sent to Zamboanga if you want to do so.

And, not continuing to make wage earners pay their hard-earned dollars into those bankrupted systems would free Texans up to create a workable, "sustainable" system. Again, a weak and untrue argument.

What can be done?

Flex our federalism muscles. There are many ways we can do this, but I will mention just a few. One example is guns. Keep Texas a Second Amendment sanctuary state! Even if President Biden gets a gun-grabbing law through Congress and the U.S. Supreme Court lets it stand, the Texas Legislature can (it must!) pass legislation stopping the use of any state, county, or city resources to enforce federal gun control measures that violate our 2nd Amendment rights. I will be joint-authoring that bill, House Bill 635, with Rep. Matt Krause.

Yeah, yeah, come back when you've finally actually done something that would stop the feds from dumping the 2nd. It won’t happen – as they have shown clearly, the feds are ready to do anything and everything they can to secure their “win”. They have spit on our Constitution for years, and are now openly doing so. There is no laws that they won’t circumvent or bypass. And, the judiciary has clearly shown to not be the stopgap or final arbiter for right.

President Trump’s legacy of appointing judges is strong. Texas must push back on bad court precedents, and give these new judges a chance to work. Roe v Wade immediately comes to mind. The road to abolishing abortion goes through the courts. Texas must take every inch of ground we possibly can. I think we have a good chance to pass a “heartbeat bill” this session. If the heartbeat is detected, the baby must be protected. A bill like that would be a great opportunity for the Trump Supreme Court to work in our favor. The work President Trump did in the courts cannot be overstated.

This is a ridiculous and insulting argument. Biden and crew have already promised to pack the courts with like-minded progressives and there is nothing to stop them from doing so. Even if there were, the Supremes have shown to be feckless and useless.

In addition, there is a glimmer of hope that the balance of political power in Washington will swing back in two years. Twenty-three states now have complete GOP control at the state-level, whereas Democrats have 15. Republicans increased the overall number of chambers they control in the recent November election. The redistricting process happens this year and is controlled by state legislatures. The new maps will have an impact at the federal level for decades to come.

I can’t believe he says this. Did he not just see the amount of voter fraud in the most recent election? Does he think it will now suddenly stop? WTH?

We must also ensure that Texas government aligns with constitutional, limited government values. There are deficiencies right here in the Lone Star State that need our immediate attention. Pro-life legislation, election integrity, executive overreach, the Second Amendment and other matters must be addressed in the 87th Legislative session which is now underway. I am committed to passage of bills that address these urgent needs.[/i]

Is he unaware the Speaker of the Texas House, Dade Phelan, has appointed democrats to head up key committees in this current legislative session? How the hell does he think anything at all difficult or controversial is going to be passed? Doing what Phelan did ensures that they will not pass!

God sets in place all persons of authority. We must renew our efforts at every level of government to ensure that God-fearing, constitution-loving patriots represent us. Our votes should go to persons whose decisions will reflect justice, mercy, and humility. I pray for the leaders of our country. I hope you will too. It was God’s providential hand that formed the United States against all odds. God can sustain us once more.

This is not true nor is it Biblical. It is self-serving and dishonest.

Thank you for sharing your deep concern. May God grant us wisdom to move forward. Please reach out to my office again as you see fit.

Respectfully,

Matt Schaefer
State Representative, District 6

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Please feel free to use any and all, @Isailedaway .

And, you're right. I'll have to reconsider "Sanguine".