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"The Great Texas Land Grab": "NOT"

I spoke with a man several months ago who opposed Governor Perry when I spoke of the Governor, and he complained of the "Land Grab".  This man, who I previously considered an intelligent, discerning man, listened to my explanation of this misunderstanding of "history".

Recently, this same man approached my father and said that, "Dr. Shafer wouldn't like it if someone just stole his land and built a highway through his front yard."  The man is an obvious idiot, not able to comprehend the truth, or a perverse liar, not willing to study the facts to see the truth.

My argument in short form: No Land Was EVER Taken For State Use In What Has Become Known As the "Texas Corridor Land Grab".  No Land Taken, ergo, No Land Grab.

This is a sketch of what has happened leading to the so-called, "Land Grab."

Approximately a decade ago, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was instigated, allowing trucks from Mexico, the United States and Canada to pass through these countries to transport products, primarily food, from one area to another.

This increase in traffic, both from the Southern Region of Texas ("The Valley"), and Northern Mexico, increased dramatically the amount of traffic on IH-35, causing massive congestion of traffic in the metropolitan areas of San Antonio, Austin and Waco.  There was also a notable increase in wear and tear on these sections of highway, and some trucks (primarily from Mexico) tended to lose vehicle parts along the highway, which led to an outcry from people who suffered injuries to themselves, and their vehicles.

As alternatives were bantered back and forth in the bowels of the government, the idea of a "Trans-Texas Corridor" was mentioned, and the general idea from the office of Governor Rick Perry, the Texas Highway Department, and other related governmental offices BEGAN to evaluate the feasibility of such a proposition. Some of the Pro's and Con's that surfaced were:

1.  President Eisenhower, who oversaw the creation of the United States Inter-State Highway System, had been accused of abuse of the Government's right to Imminent Domain; the expense was objectionable; but finally the improvement of transportation over-reached the objections and the project was begun.  This included so-called, "Land Grabs" from hundreds of thousands of persons along each of the routes, whether entirely new, or expanded.
2. The typical increase in land value along the pathway of the Inter-State Highway System increased land values for an average of 50 miles on either side of the "land grab."
3. By building this new "Trans-Texas Corridor", the highway traffic burden would be diverted from larger metropolitan areas, to the less populated, and less prosperous areas of Texas lying further to the West.
4. Another advantage would be the increase in commerce through this nearly One Thousand Mile stretch of Texas, increasing jobs, etc, in these areas.
5. The question arose as to how the road would be paid for: one strongly favored opinion was that since this road, while primarily for the benefit of those who produced commodity products being delivered to market, and not necessarily taxable through the ordinary routes of assessment of usage, could have a toll-tax.  The obvious method of directing expense payments to the specific people using the facility was to tax the users in the form of a toll tax.
6. On an aside, there is a rumor that "Mexican" contractors were going to be the builders of the highway.  In truth, a SPANISH Contractor sent an unsolicited bid to the State, which was far above what most expense expectations were, and was never a serious consideration.
7. The last step in this fairy tale, called the "land grab."  Any building of such a corridor would require the purchase of land, and for person's that did not want to sale their land, the State would have to proceed with the action of Imminent Domain.  Early estimates by the state did not match the land valuations by the land owner's, and the people began to raise their voice against such action by the Texas Government, largely laid at the feet of Governor Perry.

At this point, and make sure you understand this VERY CLEARLY, when Texans complained about this use of Constitutional, but Unfavorable, use of power, the project was dropped.

There was NO land grab.  There were NO toll ways.  There were NO foreign contractors.  And whoever says there was, is an idiot for not examining and accepting the facts.  Even worse, they are bearing false witness.

City councils routinely do this in a manner known as "annexation", in order to bring a tax-advantage property into their city limits.  When highways are expanded, the same effect is worked upon property owners when, "right-of-ways" are expanded."

I have a small acreage of land that is bounded on two sides by county roads.  I own the bar ditches and the land to the center of the county road, and they tax me on every bit of it.  I cannot use the ditch and must hold my fence back a proscribed distance from the edge of the road.  Four years ago, the county decided to pave these two roads, without my consent, and I now pay taxes on the "increased value" of my property due to these roads being present.  (BTW, I use a very small portion of the roads' overall use, and most of the people that drive the road don't live on the road, or pay taxes on the road.)

One of the roles of government is to provide modes of access from one place to another.  I don't always like it, and I often regret that people felt they were hurt by the institution of the Interstate Highway System, but when I drive those highways, I am thankful for their sacrifices.

Because of the outcry of several Texans, the Trans-Texas Corridor NEVER EVEN GOT OFF OF THE DRAWING TABLE, OR, THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.  I admire a Governor, who has the Constitutional authority, along with the Legislature, to take the land by Imminent Domain, but backed-off to look for another way to handle the problems.

What would you do?  Have you driven down IH-35 lately, particularly in the Austin and San Antonio areas?  Would you widen that highway, broadening the right-of-way, thus taking more land from people along the Interstate?

I'm thankful we have a Governor like Rick Perry, who will listen to the outcry of Texans, step-back to look at the problem again, and try to find a better solution.

But don't be stupid, and call something a "Land Grab" when no land was taken, or a legal proposal even made.  I can't stand dealing with idiots.

Sincerely, The Sand Hill Philosopher

Shortcut to this Article: http://bit.ly/cGoZyd

 

Charles H. Spurgeon Speaks on Politicians

The following is taken from an article written about politicians by the late Charles Spurgeon.

"You Can't Catch the Wind in a Net"

Some people get windmills in their heads, and go in for all sorts of silly things.  They talk of ruling the nation as if men were to be driven like sheep, and they prate of reforms and systems as if they could cut out a world in brown paper, with a pair of scissors.

Such a body thinks himself very deep, but he is as shallow as a milk-pan.  He has a great head, and very little in it.  He can talk by the dozen, or the gross, and say nothing.  When he is fussing and boasting of his fine doings you soon discover that he makes a long harvest of very little corn. His tongue is like a pig's tail, going all day long and nothing done.

This is the man who can pay off the National Debt, and yet, in his little shop, he sells two apples in three days: he has the secret of high farming.  He reminds me of a blind man on a blind horse, who rode out in the middle of a dark night, and the more he tried to keep out of the ditches the more he fell in.  He is going to be rich next year, and with your investment, you can share in his invention for growing wheat without plowing or sowing.

It is odd to see this wise man at times when his wits are all up in the moon: he is just like Chang, the Chinaman, who said, "Here's my umbrella, and here's my bundle, but where am I?"

Moonshine is the article our friend deals in, and it is wonderful what he can see by it. I heard of one of these politicians, who told his friends that if they searched his field under the moonlight, they could find gold and silver everywhere.

I do not like that man, for he wanted us poor fellows to put our little savings into his hands, as if we could fly kites with laborer's wages.

I have long ago found out that pretty things on paper had better be kept there.  Our master's eldest son had a plan for growing plum trees in our hedges as they do in Kent, but he never looked to see whether the soil would suit, and so he lost the trees which he put in, and there was an end of his dreams.

The wise voter will examine the politician, and consider the veracity of his hopes by passing new bills and spending more of your money.

Someone recently told me that at a table of people trying to solve a problem, the Liberal will make a proposal that sounds good, but the Conservative will ask, "Will it work?"

Just Thinking, The Sand Hill Philosopher

Reference: "You Can't Catch the Wind in a Net", from John Ploughman's Pictures, by C.H. Spurgeon

Shortcut to this Post: http://bit.ly/brw1TX

 

Governor Perry Continues Stand on Border Security

Last month, Governor Rick Perry presented President Barak Hussein Obama a four page letter when the President visited Austin.  In the letter, Governor Perry reminded the President that he had promised 1,200 troops to help guard the border with Mexico, and it had been cut to 1/10 of that number.

Ms. Napalitano has only seen fit to send some 125 US troops to Texas, while the Texas Militia, Texas Rangers, Texas Department of Public Safety Officers and regional sheriffs continue to provide the bulk of the security.

It has reached the point that Drug Lords from Mexico have come into Texas to kill competitors in the drug cartels.  Kidnappings in El Paso are up 400% over the past four years, all believed to be related to the drug cartels in Mexico.

Earlier this summer, a truck from Mexico was stopped with a large arsenal of illegal weapons and explosives.

Since President Obama has taken office, he and the Democrat-controlled Congress have time-after-time egregiously offended the United States' citizens with their transgressions into areas NOT allowed them by the US Constitution.  Protection of our borders and national security IS a stated responsibility of the US Government, and they are failing.

Without the support of the Federal Government, Governor Perry may be called into a position requiring Texans to become more intensely involved, whether President Obama and his administration like it, or not.  There are plenty of Texans willing to lay down their lives for this State. 

It is critical that we keep Governor Perry in office at this time, and above are some of the reasons.  He has experience in negotiating with Mexico; he has Texas' own military resources; and, he has his own military record, should he need to call for action in order to keep us from becoming a Terror State.

God Bless Texas, and God Bless Governor Rick Perry.

Vote Rick Perry for Governor on November 2, 2010.

Just Thinking, The Sand Hill Philosopher

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The "White Risk" to Texas

Governor Perry represents is a steady, experienced politician. As we have seen him in office these past years, we have come to know his positions on issues, his reactions to challenges, and his ability to keep Texas stable even in these turbulent times.

We know very little of the Democratic challenger for the gubernatorial race, except that during his tenure as mayor of Houston, he was a liberal who was very close with a circle of friends the city did business with.

Since White left office, his personal fortune has soared (from uncertain sources), and he has come to sit on many of those same boards that he once did business with.  This could be because he was an astute businessman that they needed to steer their corporations, or something less than noble.

In every objective rating, taken from across the country, Texas rates in the top of all economic indicators and projections.  Can Texas risk losing that on a challenger of highly questionable character?

A vote for White, or an abstention, is a vote against the economic prosperity that Texas is experiencing under this current leadership set in place by Governor Perry.

In these last few weeks of the campaign season, it is critical for Texas, and the Nation that we replace Democrats and other Liberals with Conservatives, while we can at least stabilize this fiscal avalanche and risks to our national security.

Make sure you are registered to vote. Vote Republican.  And, make certain that you do all you can to persuade your friends, family and neighbors to do the same. America and Texas are worth saving.

Let's keep Texas the greatest state in the US: Vote Rick Perry for Governor.

Just Thinking, The Sand Hill Philosopher

shortcut to this post: http://bit.ly/bAxCXn

"Did Ere Such Love and Sorrow meet, or Thorns Compose So Great a Crown?"

After the close of Worship today, my mind locked upon the words of Isaac Watts, "Did ere such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so great a crown?"

 

Many of you know that I am learning to play the guitar, and am catching on to some of this chord-stuff.  I picked this out in two different keys that are comfortable to both play and sing.  The additional verses were picked out of the Primitive Baptist Hymnal, "The Good Old Songs," edited by Elder Casey. 

 

I hope these words touch your heart, and perhaps call you to your guitar play and lift your voice to God!

 

Just Thinking, The Sand Hill Philosopher

 

Shortcut to this post: http://bit.ly/9FMcr9

 

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

By Isaac Watts

(Key of D:  D, G, A)

 

D        G   D

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

 

D     G    A

On which the Prince of Glory Died

 

D G      D

My richest gain, I count but loss

 

D      G     A    D

And poor contempt on all my Pride.

 

Verse Two

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,

Save in the death of Christ my God,

All the vain things that charm me most,

I sacrifice them to His blood.

 

Verse Three

See, from His hand, His hands, His feet,

Sorrow and Love flow mingled down.

Did ere such Love and Sorrow meet?

Or thorns compose so rich a Crown?

 

Verse Four

Were the whole realm of nature mine,

That were a present far too small;

Love so amazing, so divine,

Demands my soul, my life, my all.

_________________________________________

Extra Verses:

The name of Christ, how sweet the sound!

How sweet the mention of His wounds!

How good, how excellently good!

Is the dear name of Jesus’ blood!

 

What makes it so to me is this;

All that is Christ’s my portion is;

I’m His, and all I ere shall be,

And all he has He gives to me.

 

O what a great estate have I!

A heaven to all eternity!

I’m rich, my Lord hath made me so,

Nor would I greater riches know.

 

His new eternal testament

I read, and much sweet time is spent

In seartching every verse and line:

How much my Jesus’ will is mine!

 

My dearest Lord I’ll ever bless,

For His most glorious righteousness;

I’ll sing how black, how vile I am,

How fair and comely is the Lamb

____________________________________

Look up, my soul, with cheerful eye;

See where the great Redeemer stands.

The glorious Advocate on high,

With precious incense in his hands.

 

He smiles on every humble groan,

He recommends each broken prayer;

Recline thy hope on him alone,

Whose power and love forbid despair.

 

Teach my weak heart, O gracious Lord,

With stronger faith to call Thee mine;

Bid me pronounce the blissful word,

My Father God, with joy divine.

 

[To change Key of D (above), to

Key of G: change D=G, G=C, A=D or D7]

"The Exceeding Greatness of His Power . . ."

The exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe according to the working of mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead.     (Ephesians 1:19-20)

Let us share these following words from Charles Spurgeon:

In the resurrection of Christ, as in our salvation, there was put forth nothing short of a divine power.  What shall we say of those who think that conversion is wrought by the free will of man, and is due to his own bettterness of disposition?

When we shall see the dead rise from the grave by their own power, then may we expect to see ungodly sinners of their own free will turning to Christ. It is not the word preached, nor the word read in itself; all quickening power proceeds from the Holy Ghost.  This power was irresistible.

All the soldiers and the high priests could not keep the body of Christ in the tomb; Death himself could not hold Jesus in his bonds: even thus, irresistible is the power put forth in the believer when he is raised to newness of life.  No sin, no corruption, no devils in hell nor sinners upon earth, can stay the hand of God's grace when it intends to convert a man.  If God omnipotently says, 'Thou shalt', man shall not say, 'I will not'.

Observe that the power which raised Christ from the dead was glorious. It reflected honor upon God and wrought dismay in hosts of evil.  So there is great glory to God in the conversion of every sinner.  It was everlasting power.

'Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over Him.'

So we, being raised from the dead, go not back to our dead works, nor to our old corruptions, but we live unto God. 

'Because He lives we live also.'

'For we are dead, and our life is hid with Christ in God.'

'Like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.'

Lastly, in the text mark the union of the new life to Jesus.  The same power which raised the Head works life in the members.  What a blessing to be quickened together with Christ!

Praise God, Ye Saints! - The Sand Hill Philosopher

Taken from, Morning & Evening, (September 8, evening reading), by Charles H. Spurgeon.

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Campaigning with "Scare-Tactics"

Recently the Conservative Movement has been accused of using "Scare-Tactics" to drive their message.

Good.  The opposition, and positions, that we face are not exactly comforting.

Look at what we face.

We have a President that promised Socialism, during his campaign, and is delivering on that promise, using such things as: usurpation of powers; choosing Czars to execute his deeds; charging over Congress and their Constitutional authority, making Congress "irrelevant"; taxing us to pay for our healthcare, stealing jobs from Americans to send to countries over-seas; failing to protect our borders; bowing before foreign powers; apologizing for what brave Americans have done for past defenses, for both Americans and the world; offended our friends; angered our friends; allied with our nation's enemies; taken control of the privacy of every American; made our financial system the ruination of every American who works, owns or saves; rewarded the lazy individual and the rich corporation; and, left us wondering exactly what his true agenda is.

If that is not "scary", then I don't know what is.  It is the scariest thing I've seen since The Exorcist, while in college.  Although we might argue the truthfulness of the representation of evil in that movie, I have no doubt about the veracity of the danger the current President, his Cabinet, his Minions and his Congress.  The darkness of his evil, it's clearly harmful actions, which are speeding us on into destruction, are scary, if nothing else.

If Conservatives, unveiling these evil tactics are not "Scare-Tactics", then we have not been getting out the danger and peril we all face.

President Barak Hussein Obama is the engine providing the "Scare"; the Conservatives are merely uncovering THEIR tactics.  If that makes Conservatives the "Scare Mongers", let us gather an even more strong force.  If that makes Conservatives anything, it only re-enforces our resign to embrace and die for Conservatism.

The Liberal Democrats are presenting all of the "Scare" that it will take to drive Americans into our polls this November 2.  Make sure you get at least 10 people to the polls. Prepare for Passive Resistance. Prepare for a bloodless Revolution.

Just Thinking, The Sand Hill Philosopher

Shortcut to this Blog: http://bit.ly/azTs0d

 

Financial Reform Act is Legalized Theft

The recent passage of the so-called, "Financial Reform Act", has no basis in Constitutional Law.

Well, the Judicial System can cram everything under either the rug of "Interstate Commerce", or under the couch of "Right to Privacy", but both of these phrases are misused, and in this case, quite misguided.

Let's look at some points in history and see the path that has been laid-out, and the imminent theft of your IRA's and 401-K's.

1. President Ronald Reagan warned the American People that Social Security was unsustainable, decades ago during his tenure as President.

2. When President George W. Bush proposed the "Privatization of Social Security," the reigning Democrats in Congress argued that the general population (with the exception of Union Workers, Federal Employees, and Airport Luggage Handlers) were incapable of managing such an important task as their financial future.

3. When the "Dot-Com" bust of the Stock Market hit, the Democrats in Congress used this as "proof" that Americans were not capable of preventing devastating losses to their retirement funds that were self-managed (such as IRA accounts), ergo, Social Security MUST stay in place, as is, and NOT privatized. (Except for that Airport Luggage Handler.)

4. President Reagan's not-so-mystical prediction of the unsustainable Social Security System (as then operated) has proven true.

5. Also true, Congress has shown itself incapable of managing the retirement dollars of millions of Citizens who have paid into Social Security all of their lives.

6. Congress has disregarded their own inadequacies, while pointing out the risks of the stock market-related investments available to all Americans with the monies to invest in this, or other markets involving any risk at all.  Instead, they use this as a continued argument that Americans cannot make critical decisions about their financial futures.

So what is the answer to this conundrum of unstable financial markets, an empty Social Security Fund, and Congress's profound underestimation of the intelligence of Americans?  They propose taking over IRA's and 401-K's (that the American Tax Payer earns, saves and invests), under the guise that the market failures of this "double-dip recession" have proven that the American Investor cannot manage his own savings accounts.

So what is the Government's solution?  Really quite simple: take the individual person's IRA and 401-K funds and place them within the Social Security Fund "lock-box".  In other words, steal your money, to be placed in a general public fund that the government has historically mismanaged, give you a portion of this money back (Are you stupid?), and they will keep the remainder if you die before your funds are depleted, all with a "guaranteed" return on investment of 3% !!

Several months ago, I mentioned to a family member that this consideration of financial confiscation had been brought to the level of open discussion.  He scoffed, and said, "They can't do that. You must be getting your news from Fox."

Well, I don't remember where I got the information, whether from Fox News or the internet, but the last discussion with this family member went differently, after he became concerned about what would happen to his well-funded IRA Funds.  Currently, there is legislation being formed that will allow private retirement funds (those under tax protection) to be taken by the Federal Government and placed under Government management.

If you have not contacted your Senator and Congressman, this might be about the time you should do it.  It also might be time to consider checking your voter registration status, and vote against EVERY OFFICE HOLDER who voted FOR the Healthcare Reform Act, TARP and the Financial Reform Bill.  These are the reasons why they are really taking your money. The money has to come from somewhere.

It is not that YOU cannot manage your money, it is the fact that the GOVERNMENT has not managed your money (taxes, social security, etc).  Do you REALLY believe that the government wants your money because they are convinced they can manage it better than you do?

Get rid of the current legislators behind these bad decisions.  What you call it if I took all your money, or charged things to your credit card?  What is the difference between me doing it, and the Government?  Would it be called Felony Theft?

Just Thinking, The Sand Hill Philosopher

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Doctors Uncertain About Rules, Penalties Imminent

Doctors are becoming concerned that the Healthcare Reform Act, passed Christmas Eve of 2009.  In addition to their concern about the "known" problems with the Healthcare Reform, and the Socialization of the medical industry, there are emerging evidences of powerful penalties against non-compliant physicians.

Before the Healthcare Act was passed, Speaker Nancy Pelosi was asked what the details of the Act were, to which she replied, "Pass the Bill and then you will find out what the details are."

In the past eight months, since the Bill was passed, there have been few details that have become clear.  A director was just chosen in the last month, and he is an avowed Socialist, stating, "There can be no fair healthcare availability without redistribution of wealth."

Some of the few details that have emerged are such things as the universal availability of a comprehensive Electronic Medical Record (EMR) on every patient which can be accessed by every doctor and hospital caring for the patient.  The IRS, and unstated governmental agencies, will also have access to this information.  Failure for the medical provider to provide this information will not only lead to non-payment for services rendered, but will be accompanied by potentially large fines, including both penal and monetary judgments.

Even more frightening is the undefined portions of the Act that require compliance by January 1, 2011.  In reviewing the architecture of this Babylon of Healthcare and Bureaucracy, it seems that penalties are established before the actual criteria are made clear.

This uncertainty is making many doctors fearful of providing care. In our small community (population 35,000), the number of doctors who no longer accept new Medicare patients has doubled in the past four months.

Pelosi's beast that was voted on is being discovered to have a warm, fuzzy feeling for all those concerned about lack of healthcare coverage, but actually something akin to a Saber Tooth Cat from La Brea, accept this one is hungry.

Soon this pussy cat will have all the fierce spirit of its California cousin, with a claw and bite to match.

As I have told you for over a year, many doctors will begin fleeing the practice of medicine as soon as the Healthcare Reform Act goes into effect, but many may shed blood to this hungry beast, designed and bred to destroy the best healthcare system in the world today.

As a disabled/retired physician, I am torn between my sympathy for my former colleagues, and my empathy toward the patients that so desperately need the healthcare that should be available, but lacks the doctors and funds to administer the therapies.

This should have been thought about BEFORE the bill was passed, but certainly must be pondered now.  With the elections approaching for the entire House of Representatives, and 1/3 of the Senate, we MUST hold those wreckless legislators accountable for the damage they have done, by voting them out of office.  See how your candidates stood on this issue, and the ones that started this Babylon must be punished in the private: between you and the ballot box.

Just Thinking, The Sand Hill Philosopher

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So She Gleaned in the Field Until Even

Let me learn from Ruth, the gleaner.  As she went out to gather the ears of corn, so must I go forth into the fields of prayer, meditation, the ordinances, the hearing of the word to gather spiritual food. 

The gleaner gathers her portion ear by ear; her gains are little by little; so must I be content to search for single truths, if there be no greater plenty of them.  Every ear helps to make a bundle, and every gospel lesson assists in making us wise unto salvation. The gleaner keeps her eyes open: if she stumbled among the stubble in a dream, she would have no load to carry home rejoicingly at eventide. 

I must be watchful in religious exercises lest they become unprofitable to me; I fear I have lost much already - O that I may rightly estimate my opportunities, and glean with greater diligence.  The gleaner stoops for all she finds, and so must I.  High spirits criticize and object, but lowly minds glean and receive benefit.  A humble heart is a great help towards profitably hearing the gospel.  A stiff back makes a bad gleaner; down, master pride, thou art a vile robber, not to be endured for a moment. 

What the gleaner gathers she holds: if she dropped one ear to find another, the result of her day's work would be but scant; she is as careful to retain as to obtain, and so at last her gains are great. 

How often do I forget all that I hear; the second truth pushes the first out of my head, and so my reading and hearing end in much ado about nothing!  Do I feel duly the importance of storing up the truth? 

A hungry belly makes the gleaner wise; if there be no corn in her hand, there will be no bread on her table; she labors under the sense of necessity, and hence her tread is nimble and her grasp is firm; I have even a greater necessity, LORD, help me to feel it, that it may urge me onward to glean in fields which yield so plenteous a reward to diligence.

Just Thinking, The Sand Hill Philosopher

Morning & Evening, by C.H. Spurgeon, August 2, Evening Reading

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