More Tea Party Coverage

On April 15th, tax day, I was excited to attend my local tea party. My mother found great signs online and had them printed out for us to carry. Going down to the Sugar Land Town Square with my mom and sister in law, Leah, we weren't sure what to expect. The only rally I've ever attended was the Houston Rally for America back in 2003, which was a celebration of our country and troops.

When we walked out of the parking garage and out into the square we were overwhelmed at the number of people gathered. Wow! I can't find an "official" count, have heard the numbers were over 3,000, which is believable if you were there.

We wandered around for a few minutes, signed in and found a good place to stand. Unfortunately the first few speakers, though fiery, were difficult to hear. Our 4th speaker was Dr Neil Frank, former Director of the National Hurricane Center and recently retired Chief Meteorologist for KHOU-TV. His speech, an excellent discussion on the falsehood of global warming, was refreshing. It's not often you hear a scientist so eloquently and factually rebut this new "religion" of climate change without fear of retribution.

While our tea party was planned by a nonpartisan group, they had 12 speakers, a few of which were elected officials or Republican party officials. Our new congressman, Pete Olsen, spoke passionately and consistent with his fiscally responsible votes. It was nice to see him in action and getting such a warm response from the crowd. Three speakers who surprised me with their passion and remarks were Jessica Colon, Chairman of the Young Republicans National Federation, Elizabeth Ames Jones, TX Railroad Commissioner and Ted Cruz, TX Solicitor General. I will definitely keep my eye on these three!

The event as a whole wasn't so much about the speeches, but about the crowd. Everyone was very friendly and excited to be there. Some had great signs, brought their family and friends or were there for the camaraderie. We were all there for the same reasons, it wasn't about politics or party, but love of country. There was an obvious consensus from the crowd that the federal government is taking too much control from the states, cities and individuals. The feeling had been building for some time, with the out of control spending by Republicans and Democrats these last several years, but the current administration and Congress' unheard of spending increases and proposals really brought it all to a boiling point.

For me, there was a moment when the crowd was singing God Bless America when I felt overwhelmed at the greatness of our country and the crowd. We were united in prayer for our great nation as we sang.

It was an exciting night, seeing everyone together, knowing that we felt the same and had taken time out of our busy lives to gather together in the name of freedom. This was a true grassroots effort that will hopefully mark a change in the attitude of letting the federal government take care of people and their problems.

Our signs read - "Read my Lipstick! No New Taxes!" "You
Are Not Entitled To What I Have Earned" and "The democracy will cease to exist
when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who
would not." Thomas Jefferson.

There were so many great signs, but we were so tightly packed together, it was difficult to get many pictures of them. Here are just a few...

Can you read it? It says, "Socialism is for lazy underachievers, not
Americans"

A picture of a local restaurant on the square. Their signs say, "More of
the Same, Just Bigger. Stop Spending Our Money" and "T.E.A. Taxed Enough
Already, The Top 10% Pays Over 70% of All Income Taxes."

In addition to the speakers and music, there were vendors selling tea party t-shirts, buttons, bumper stickers, etc. A tent where you could sign a huge copy of the Constitution, turn in tea bags with your name on it for Congressman Olsen to take back to Washington, representatives of the Marine Moms organization, and a table for booksellers.

Secret Holocaust Diaries

To honor Holocaust Remembrance Day 2009, which fell on April 21 this year, I would like to share with you a new book being released this month.

The Secret Holocaust Diaries: The untold story of Nonna Bannister

When 23-year old Nonna Bannister arrived in the United States in 1950, she closed the door on her disturbing past. She married and raised three children and never told a soul about her experiences in Russia, the Ukraine, and Germany during the Holocaust. After 43 years of marriage, she finally introduced her husband to her past, the photographs and diaries she had miraculously saved and painstakingly transcribed into English. This book is her story.

The book, a compilation of Nonna’s diary entries and family stories, opens with her 1942 transport from the Ukraine to Poland, bound for a “labor camp” in Germany. The horror is quickly realized as fifteen year old Nonna witnesses firsthand the murderous brutality of the German soldiers toward the Jewish prisoners.

After this shocking opening, the editors return us to Nonna’s earliest childhood memories and stories about her unusually comfortable life in Russia post-Revolution, embracing family and Russian Orthodox Christian religion as the foundation of her character. Embedded in these childhood tales, Nonna becomes more aware of the outside world and dangerous influences. In the mid-1930s, the communist Soviet laws were heavily enforced, ending her Grandmother’s prosperity and Nonna remembers that everything had to be “donated” to the “collective farms.” Religion was forbidden and her parents send away her older brother to an unknown location for his safety. Nonna never saw him again. As German troops approach from one front, the family chooses not to evacuate with the retreating Soviets and hide in the cellar. They later learn that Aunts, Uncles, and cousins who did retreat were killed.

When the Germans invade in 1941, Nonna and her mother are sent to another village for safety, while her father hides; but he is discovered. The rest of the book cover Nonna’s darkest experiences. After her father’s death, she and her mother are transported to Germany. Nonna’s compassion and brief futile attempt to help a young Jewish boy leads her to be put in the middle of a massacre, where she is miraculously saved by the same boy, who dies seconds later.

She survives her experiences at the labor camp and soon her knowledge of five different languages, especially German, is recognized as a valuable asset. She and her mother are moved to a Catholic hospital where Nonna works as a clerical translator and her mother serves as a nurse’s aide. But an incident that happened on that first train ride from the Ukraine causes the Gestapo to arrest Nonna’s mother and transport her to Ravensbruck and then Flossenburg.

Nonna’s story is a valuable contribution as a primary source and witness to the Holocaust. While the editors notes interrupt the flow of the narrative, and should have been added as sidebars or footnotes, they enhance the reader’s understanding with background information. The book would benefit greatly from a map showing the various locales discussed, and despite being told that the diaries and photographs survive, there are no photographs included in the book and would be a valuable addition.

Don’t pass up reading this book because it addresses an uncomfortable topic. If this teenage girl could live through this and write it as it happened, then we, in our comfort sixty years later, can definitely read it and be witness to her life and the truth. Despite the struggle, this is a tale not only of survival, faith, and courage, but also forgiveness, strength, and hope.

Integrity in California

It may seem trivial to some, but when Miss California answered Perez Hilton's question on gay marriage, she revealed integrity and resolve. When asked the question about her stance on gay marriage by an openly gay judge in the Miss USA pageant, she knew what the "proper" and seemingly popular answer was, but chose to answer true to her beliefs, faith and convictions. Carrie Prejean recognized at that moment that her answer could keep her from winning the title Miss USA, which she was heavily favored to do, but prioritized her integrity over her desire to win. For that she should be congratulated. Instead, she is publically ridiculed. The press is reporting as if Miss Prejean injected politics and faith into the Miss USA pageant, rather than the other way around. And just so you don't think Perez Hilton was a rebel and created this question off the cuff; gay marriage was a preapproved question by the Miss America organization. Mr. Trump's organization chose to provide not so subtle support for the gay rights community by including that question, and in the off chance someone answered as Miss Prejean, a little controversy to gin up ratings.

It is fascinating to me how the "public", as the media reports, is horrified that Miss California would go against "public opinion" on such a settled matter of "rights". Everyone they interview can't believe she would think that because no one is against gay rights, especially in California. Yet in California, when they put gay marriage on the ballot for the public to vote in November 2008, the BAN on gay marriage passed! Is their memory that short? Miss Prejean's critics choose to ignore the seven million in California who voted to protect traditional marriage and lob vulgar, hateful attacks at a young woman who was there to win a beauty pageant.

We are led to believe that it is rare for this next generation to hold values and convictions and almost unheard of for them to stand behind them. Carrie Prejean should be recognized as a young person who stood behind her values, convictions and faith in the face of losing something she had worked towards for many years.

Did you see these comments on the Hill's Blog Briefing Room?

Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) blasted "tea party" protests yesterday, labeling the activities "despicable" and shameful." "The ‘tea parties’ being held today by groups of right-wing activists, and fueled by FOX News Channel, are an effort to mislead the public about the Obama economic plan that cuts taxes for 95 percent of Americans and creates 3.5 million jobs," Schakowsky said in a statement.

"It’s despicable that right-wing Republicans would attempt to cheapen a significant, honorable moment of American history with a shameful political stunt," she added. "Not a single American household or business will be taxed at a higher rate this year. Made to look like a grassroots uprising, this is an Obama bashing party promoted by corporate interests, as well as Republican lobbyists and politicians.

Here is the response I sent to her email.

Dear Congresswoman,

I attended a Tea Party last night with my family. If you met me I wouldn't think you would consider me a "typical" anything. I am definitely not a "right-wing activist fueled by FoxNews." My husband works as a manager for a company and I work for a ... We bought a house we could afford and we try hard every month to live within our means.

I don't need television to tell me that what Congress is doing is wrong and despicable. The work I completed while earning my graduate degree in History provided me with the capability to think for myself and weigh both sides of the issue. It's shameful that too many in America don't take it upon themselves to better themselves instead of whine and complain about what they don't have and what they think we should provide for them.

My immigrant ancestors arrived 100 years ago this summer. My husband's Citizen Potawatomi ancestors walked the Trail of Death. My children represent all of the best that is possible in this country. When times are tough in our house, we do not run up our credit card with more debt hoping that someone else will pay it or plan to leave it for our children to pay. Your Congress is doing exactly that. They have spent my children's tax dollars and my grandchildren's tax dollars.

I pray every day that God's will be done in this country. That we find a way to motivate people to work hard, take care of their families and their neighbors. While we need government for some issues, we do not need government to replace our common sense and ability to be responsible for ourselves. Our Tea Party was a family friendly, respectful gathering. We are not the mindless masses. You should take a good long look at the videos of the hundreds of thousands of HARD WORKING Americans who have no voice in the government, who gathered (after work I might add) to have their say.

You need to honestly think about the rhetoric that comes out of your month when you repeat "party lines" without an independent thought. You know perfectly well that a) 95% of (working, not all) Americans will not see a tax cut, because b) SOMEONE has to pay for the $4 TRILLION in entitlement programs. Also, you
might want to brush up on your history.... there is a reason that socialism continues to bankrupt and fail.

Thank you for your time.

Respectfully,
Shelly K. American

Tea Party!

Lisa and I each went to a Texas Tea Party tonight. She went with our mother and sister-in-law to their local Tea Party, while I took my daughters to our local Tea Party. Lisa will post a review of their area party tomorrow.

First, let me say that I have never been to any kind of protest before and I didn't know what to expect. I skipped lunch and left work a little early so I wouldn't be late or caught in a crowd. While in the car, I called into our local conservative talk radio show and chatted with the former Harris County Tax Assessor "Tax Man" Paul Bettencourt on the air.

The girls and I arrived at Clear Lake Park 45 minutes before the program. Parking was easier than I expected and the park was a great location for our gathering. I let the girls play on the playground as more people arrive and then we found some seats on the grass.

I'm told that approximately 1500 people attended. We enjoyed chatting with others who share our sentiments, said Thank You to several veterans, and had an emotional conversation with one father of a soldier who left ten days ago for his second tour in Iraq. (Please offer a prayer for James, from Clear Lake, Texas, and his family and his unit.)

Our tea party organizer, Lisa Gonzalez, described how our tea party came together. A small business owner in the area, she felt frustrated and fed up with the direction of our government and after listening to Glenn Beck decided she could do something.

Her husband spoke about growing up in Cuba and coming to the US a year or two after Castro's takeover. His description of the government officials coming to take inventory of their home before they could leave moved me. The officials inventoried the home after the family left to make sure they didn't take anything from it as the house and contents "belonged" to the government. He talked about working in the Pacific Northwest picking strawberries and other crops so they could go to school and better themselves.

We expected Paul Bettencourt to speak, but his radio show ran long and he couldn't be there in time. U.S. Rep. Ron Paul spoke last about limited government and the Constitution. (Our District 22 Rep. Pete Olsen was in Sugar Land.)
A local television news camera crew filmed Rep. Paul's speech and talked to a few people in attendance, but their broadcast on the 10 p.m. news took a decided slant. They clearly did not understand (or care) why we were assembled. In fact, most of the mainstream media seems to be trying to brush off this show of grassroots unity across the country.


After the short program, we marched down to the edge of Galveston Bay/Clear Creek and dumped tea into the water while the crowd chanted "U.S.A.! U.S.A.!"

We didn't leave right away; the girls played on the playground while I admired, compared, and photographed signs.

Why We Blog

I read this blog post on Fallible Blogma and really identified with his sentiment. Matthew makes an excellent point that Shelly and I share. We should be discussing two of the most important things pertaining to our lives and not shying away from them. That is one of the reasons we started this blog.

I hope you identify with his post as much as I did.

Always Talk About Religion and Politics
Matthew Warner

There's a weird understanding in our polite culture that we don't talk about religion and politics. I say always talk about them.

I don't mean like constantly talk about religion and politics. But to always make sure and talk about them. And certainly don't never discuss religon and politics... read more

First Puppy

This morning I received a question from a friend: "Didn’t the Obamas state they were going to find a shelter dog, a Mutt like me?"

Yes, he did.

http://www.usmagazine.com/news/barack-obama-we-want-a-shelter-dog-a-mutt-like-me

"We have two criteria that have to be reconciled," he said. "One is that Malia is allergic, so it has to be hypoallergenic. There are a number of breeds that are hypoallergenic. On the other hand, our preference would be to get a shelter dog, but, obviously, a lot of shelter dogs are mutts like me. So whether we're going to be able to balance those two things I think is a pressing issue on the Obama household," he said.

The Chicago Tribune ran a story in November to help the Obamas select a First Pup considering Malia's allergies:

Allergist offers advice on Obama dog debate

The Tribune reporter offered her own advice:

But it might not be as hard as he thinks. According to Petfinder.com, an online database of shelter animals, there are more than 5,000 low-shedding dogs available for adoption in the United States.

While, the six month old purebred Portuguese Water Dog, unofficially a gift from Sen. Edward Kennedy, isn't due to be introduced officially until tomorrow it's hard to put a damper on the power of the internet. Who Let the Dog Out?

Let's hope that President Obama's choice to accept a breeder dog and not to adopt from a shelter doesn't bring the same reaction that has been given to Vice-President Biden and the breeder who supplied his German Shepherd puppy last December.

Woman is vilified for selling a pedigreed pup to the Bidens.

Fifteen minutes of fame turned into four months of bitter remorse for the Chester County woman who sold the Bidens their adorable little German shepherd puppy. Linda Brown's been investigated, scorned and had her life threatened.
When the story got out, Brown faced backlash from pet lovers who thought the Bidens should have opted for a shelter over a breeder to find their new puppy. PETA seized the moment as an opportunity to blame the killing of shelter animals on people who buy from breeders. The organization's TV commercial, "Buy One, Get One Killed" ran in Delaware after the Biden puppy story made headlines.

Dog wardens from the state showed up at Brown's Wolf Den kennel, repeatedly, for inspections."I was cited for a piece of kibble on the floor and five strands of dog hair. They took a picture of that, they walked around, snapped pictures and don't tell you why," Brown told the newspaper. She was found "not guilty" for each citation, but hiring a lawyer for the court hearings has cost her $4,000 so far in legal fees.

Brown says she and Biden both received death threats from animal activists.

Strangle on American Businesses

At this time, Corporations in the United States pay the highest corporate tax rates in the world. They range from 35% to 41.6% of their income in combined state and federal taxes. While President Obama is promising to raise the rates to 46.2% in 2010, other countries have been lowering their corporate rates to encourage economic growth. Rates now include 34.4% in France, 25% in China and 12.5% in Ireland. What does this mean for American businesses?

Many economists see the high taxes as prohibitive to economic and corporate growth. High taxes give corporations less incentive to retain and hire new employees, to expand their operations, to invest in research and development or pay more in dividends to their shareholders. Several economists are concerned that other countries lowering their tax rates while the US is raising ours will drive more American businesses overseas to remain profitable, taking their jobs, growth and profit with them.

The current administration is also pushing yet another regulation to strangle American businesses, Cap and Trade. While promoted as an environmental necessity to save the planet from Global Warming, this regulation actually does more to tax the middle class and corporations than it does to "save" the environment. It was devised as a complicated bureacracy creating a market for carbon credits, but in actuality is a complicated penalty tax on energy. Opponents on both sides of the aisle say it is simply a device to redistribute wealth wrapped in the cloak of environmental protection.

With stricter environmental regulations being piled on American businesses, while other countries are rejecting environmental controls, it is a wonder more businesses aren't sprinting to China and India. What does it say about our country that Communist China is now more hospitable to Corporate growth than the USA?

Articles to Read -

US Companies Pay the Highest Taxes in the World

Show Us the Ball

The Climate Change Lobby Has Regrets

White House Admits Cap-And-Trade Tax Costs Triple Their Official Estimate

U.S. States Lead the World in High Corporate Taxes (from 2008)

Call to Action

There is only one day left to comment on the President's proposed repeal of the HHS regulation called the "Conscience Rule," which protects health care workers who refuse to particpate in abortions or other objectionable procedures. See more details in my previous post.

Recent polls show that an overwhelming majority (87%) of Americans support general conscience protections for health care workers. Over 62% oppose Obama's proposed recission of this Concience Rule enacted by President Bush.

By law, the Obama Administration had to leave the matter open for a 30-day public comment period. This window is over at the close of business tomorrow, April 9th. If you haven't made your voice heard on this issue, take the 30 seconds and e-mail your comments directly to proposedrescission@hhs.gov - tell them to ‘retain the conscience regulations!'

You can also go through the SBA-List, Freedom to Care or the USCCB to utilize their forms for submission.

It's not too late.

Around the World

About the same time that North Korea demonstrated their new and improved missile launch capabilities, President Obama was in Prague calling for a world without nuclear weapons, pledging to cut the US nuclear arsenal.

Here is the analogy I used to describe what is happening to my daughters.

Imagine that all of the countries with nuclear capabilities are men standing in a corral with guns on their hips. For the most part we all get along, but there are always one or two who like to rest with their hands on the holsters. The US has always been the man with the biggest guns. We don’t need to put our hands on the holster, because everyone knows we’ve stared down the best of the big boys in the past. (Thank you President Reagan.)

Right now President Obama is asking all of these men to toss their guns aside. Of course, it only works if everyone trusts the other and everyone does it together. But on the outside of this corral, you have North Korea leaning against the fence watching the action, showing off their new holster. Maybe we can’t see the gun yet, but odds are in their favor they have a gunsmith putting the pieces in place. Also watching from the fence line is Iran. They also want to come in the corral, and remember if one person in the corral can’t be trusted, then we can’t back down and leave it open for the bully.

Another analogy I’ve used is from a book we’re reading right now, The Great Brain by John D. Fitzgerald. In the first chapter the author, J.D., tell us that even though he and his older brothers were in the minority in their town, they earned “tolerance” by being able to beat up every kid in their age range. Sweyn could beat every kid his own age, Tom could beat every kid his own age and J.D. could beat every kid his own age. Nobody messed with them.

In one chapter a Greek kid moves to Adenville and is beaten up by a bigger kid. We learn how Tom, “The Great Brain,” tells the kid’s father he will teach his son how to fight American style, because if Basil doesn’t learn to fight Sammy, then he will always be beaten by this bully. When the father says -But this kid is bigger and stronger than my son, Tom replies, He is bigger and stronger than me, but I fought him until I learned how to beat him.

Bullies won’t pick on you if they know you can whip ‘em.

Tax Day Tea Parties

Does preparing your taxes for the April 15th deadline have you fuming at the Administration and Congress? Have you heard of the impending tax increases? The cuts in your deductions and tax credits? What about the unfathomable increase in spending and debt! If you are fed up, it is time for a Tea Party!

Back in February, there was a smattering of protest parties planned around the country, but they were planned hastily and not always convenient to you. To read about the meaning behind the Tea Parties, see my previous blog post.

Well, you will be pleased to know that - They're BACK! This time you are almost guaranteed to find one near you! Visit Tax Day Tea Party to find out where and at what time. There are reportedly over 2,000 Tea Parties planned all over the country for Tax Day - April 15th and more are constantly being added. Just here in the Houston area, we have 4 to choose from - Downtown, Sugar Land, Seabrook and the Woodlands. Texas alone has over 30 planned, including many in smaller cities, like Alpine or Luling TX.

Check the list often, as some municipalities are attempting to cancel the protests, citing crowd control, but is more likely due to political pressure.
Find one in your area, put the date on your calendar and plan to get your voice heard.

http://taxdayteaparty.com/

Notre Dame Scandal

I've debated whether or not to post about President Obama not only being invited to speak at Notre Dame's May commencement, but also to receive an honorary doctoral degree in law. There are so many unbelievably great articles and blog posts on this subject, any of mine would pale in comparison, but it is difficult to let this issue pass without mention.

The simple fact is, President Obama is in blatant opposition to the basic values, beliefs and morals of the Catholic Church. As a state senator, Obama voted three times to allow Doctors to kill a baby that had been born alive after a botched abortion. As President, he has taken immediate steps to advance a culture of death by lessening the protections for innocent life. So why would a Catholic University invite the most pro-abortion President to not only speak but to confer upon him an honorary degree?

Some would argue that it is beneficial to have a "conversation" with the President through this commencement address. The problem would be that this is a one-sided conversation, a commencement speech does not lend itself to a give and take dialogue. Others say the greater concern is the granting of the honorary doctorate. By conferring this degree, the school projects the image of acceptance or endorsement of his anti-life views. Notre Dame gives tacit approval of President Obama's culture of death when honoring him as a doctor or "teacher" of law.

Many speculate that Notre Dame has been on this path for several years, losing more of what makes it a great Catholic University to instead increase its prestige and recognition in the secular academic world.

The President of Notre Dame, Father Jenkins, admittedly expected controversy when he invited President Obama, but he remains steadfast in his decision. The pressure for Father Jenkins to rescind this offer and the level of outrage is growing every day. While Notre Dame expected some controversy, we are left wondering if they expected this level of outrage. Visit NotreDameScandal to view and sign a petition to Father Jenkins. To date, more than 230,000 have done so.

Many US Bishops and Galveston-Houston's own Cardinal DiNardo have taken a public stance opposing this invitation. I'm proud to report that most of the rebukes are strongly worded critiques of Notre Dame's decision. Many cite the 2004 US Conference of Catholic Bishops policy on Catholics in Political Life that included the following...

I am not under any illusion that Notre Dame will rescind their offer to President Obama, but firmly believe this discussion among Catholics is a good thing. After a majority of Catholics voted for a pro-abortion presidential candidate, the leaders of our faith in our country need to take a stand, remind the faithful of the tenets of the church. Those of us in the congregation need to decide if we stand with the Church or against her.

Good places to visit to read more about his topic include:

http://www.notredamescandal.com/

AmericanPapist page on the scandal

Fallible Blogma

My Senator Gets it Right

One of our Texas Senators published a commentary in the Austin American Statesman why he is voting against President Obama's $3.6 Trillion budget.

He gets it.

COMMENTARY
Cornyn: Why I'm voting against the budget
John Cornyn, U.S. SENATE Thursday, April 02, 2009

This week, I will vote against the massive $3.6 trillion budget proposed by President Barack Obama and Democrats in Congress, and Texans deserve to understand why. I believe this budget taxes too much, spends too much and borrows too much. This budget will delay economic recovery in Texas and across the nation, and it will reduce opportunities for all of us.

This budget will reduce opportunities for people looking for jobs. Nearly three-quarters of all new private sector jobs are created by small businesses. In Texas, we understand that small businesses are the employment engines of our economy, and so we have put in place policies that encourage entrepreneurs to invest in our state and create more opportunities. As ABC News reported last week, only three of the top 39 job markets in the nation gained jobs last year. All three are in Texas, and one of them is Austin.

I have worked to bring successful Texas policies to Washington, especially our policy of keeping taxes low. Once again this year I offered an amendment to make it harder for Congress to increase taxes in future budgets. Had this amendment been adopted last year, 60 votes in the Senate would be required today to increase taxes on America's families and small businesses.

Congress chose not to make it harder to raise taxes, and so this year Obama proposed raising net taxes by $1.4 trillion over the next decade. Much of this burden will fall on our state's most successful small businesses. He has proposed raising the top two tax brackets to a nominal rate of 36 and 39.6 percent, and by limiting deductions for state and local taxes and other expenses, the effective marginal tax rates on thousands of our small businesses will be over 40 percent.

Small businesses make a big contribution to our economy, and charitable organizations do the same for our society as a whole. More than 150 years ago, Alexis de Tocqueville marveled at the spirit of volunteerism in our country, and how quick we were to form "public associations" for the common good. Today, faith-based and community-based organizations heal the sick, feed the hungry and serve the most vulnerable among us.

Charitable organizations depend on the generosity of donors to serve our communities, and for decades we have encouraged this generosity by making charitable donations deductible. But Obama wants to limit this deduction for charitable contributions, which could cost charities nationwide anywhere from $4 billion to $9 billion.

You can see the potential impact right here in Austin. The Austin Pregnancy Resource Center is a 501c(3) organization that provides counseling and services to women who are pregnant or who may think they are pregnant. Some of their clients are students. Some are homeless. Some are victims of domestic violence and other abuse.

The center provides these confidential services at no cost to women in need. It relies completely on donations from individuals and businesses to fund its programs. Thanks to the generosity of the Austin community, the center now has two full-time employees, one part-time employee and about 60 volunteers.

The recession has made it harder for the center to raise money — even as the demand for its services increases. In just one day this month, the center received nearly 20 calls from women who could not afford to buy diapers. In the words of Executive Director Lori De-Villez, "There are many times where a bag of diapers or a can of formula truly means the difference between 'Do I eat today, or provide for my baby?' "

The center works to ensure that its clients don't have to face such a terrible choice. De-Villez estimates that up to 10 of the center's largest donors would see their taxes go up under the president's plan. She would like to see policies that would expand her pool of potential donors — rather than dry it up.

I believe that charitable organizations like the Austin Pregnancy Resource Center, as well as thousands of successful small businesses across our state, help make Texas a better place. They deserve our support. They do not deserve to suffer the impact of higher taxes. I will continue to bring the experience of successful Texas policies to our nation's capital, and help more people contribute to the common good.

Cornyn is a Republican from Texas.

Facebook

In those first few days and weeks after I signed up for a Facebook account, I was “friended” by people I hadn’t heard from in years. Did I go to high school with you? Friend! Did you go to elementary school with my little brother and I babysat you? Friend! Do our kids go to school together? Do we work together? Did you babysit my kids? Friend!

Over 175 million people have decided that Facebook is a really cool social networking tool that allows you to pretty much share your entire life with the world, or just your friends, or your friends and their friends. You can post your status, post a link, post a photo. It’s useful for “reconnecting” with people and keeping track of their status and their photos and their lives in general.

Some people use Facebook more than others and for different purposes. For example, I “friended” a local politician in our state legislature, who uses Facebook to keep us updated on what is happening in the state legislature. In addition to notes about bills he’s introduced, he updates his status while he’s in committee, hearing testimony, and it’s great! Live feedback! Even the news media is watching him for updates.

Others use Facebook to play games, take silly quizzes, and “poke” people. (I have never understood the poke thing.) They list their five favorite books, movies, television shows; they pass around “25 things about me” to share details about themselves.

I use Facebook to post links to news stories I want to make sure my friends are aware of, so they can think about what’s really happening in this country. The average user on Facebook has 120 friends. When I post a news story and a friend reads it and comments on it, then their friends can read it too. Sometimes I copy news stories posted by other friends and they post stories copied from me.

Most of the feedback from my friends is positive, with some messages saying they’ve learned more about what’s going on from my Facebook links than they’d heard or seen in their regular news sources. I’m not usually asking for commentary by posting the links, I’m just sharing information, but these links occasionally attract negative defensive comments from my friends who don’t share my political persuasion.

This week one of those “friends” dropped me as a friend, which really doesn’t bother me and doesn’t change how I feel about her. However, she is still friends with some of my mutual friends, so when she talks about dropping me because I’m “shoving” my Conservative “propaganda” down her throat every day, I still hear about it.

I’d like to remind her, and others who don’t want to see the links that I post to MY page that Facebook understands their concerns. There used to be a setting called “See less about this person,” but with the recent Facebook home updates it’s now simply called “Hide.” If you don’t want to see my status and my links everyday you can simply put your mouse next my link where it is showing on your news feed and this little gray “hide” will pop up. Click on that and voila – you will not be bothered by unwanted news from me or anyone else who challenges you to be “tolerant” and understanding about the other side again.

Remember that when using a social network like Facebook, you aren’t always friends with people because you agree on everything. And if one of your friends just won’t stop posting “What character are you from Sex and the City” or another item you find completely irrelevant in your life, you don’t have to drop them as a friend - you can smile sweetly and click on “hide”.