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03/02/2003
THE
REPUBLICAN LIBERTY CAUCUS OF TEXAS eNEWSLETTER
March 02, 2003
http://www.rlctexas.net
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IN THIS ISSUE:
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RLC
OF TEXAS HOSTS "PRIVACY PROCLAMATION" WITH CONGRESSMAN RON PAUL:
Report Authors: Don Zimmerman, Michael Franks, and John Reed
February
17, 2003 - University of Texas - Austin
The Republican Liberty Caucus of Texas successfully hosted the "Privacy
Proclamation" with Congressman Ron Paul at the UT Law School Auditorium on
February 17th. There were many other co-sponsoring organizations too, from the
Federalist Society to the LP and Austin Silver Center*. The Event was split
into two meetings. The first meeting was the private VIP reception for event
sponsors, held prior to the public 7 PM lecture. It was filled beyond capacity
with many last minute supporters -- in all 38 people attended the small
dinner. The reception featured many new RLC members, and new Texas Land
Commissioner (and RLC of Texas Chairman) Jerry Patterson. Other elected
officials attending were Don Loucks - Bastrop County Commissioner, and Gerald
Daugherty - Travis County Commissioner. These Privacy Sponsors helped pay for
the advertising and radio ads that we played in Austin on KLBJ 590-AM and KIXL
970-AM:
http://www.rlctexas.net/membership/2003_02_17/23673.mp3
In addition, we coordinated various interviews on these radio stations, one of
which was a 45 minute radio interview with Congressman Ron Paul on KLBJ
590-AM, the day of the event.
Congressman Paul with Sponsors of Event
The MAIN event for the evening, was the Public Lecture on "Privacy" by
Congressman Ron Paul. RLC members greeted the public lecture guests at the UT
Law School Auditorium. About 270 people attended, a standing room only crowd.
RLC of Texas Executive Director Don Zimmerman called the meeting to order and
introduced ACLU Texas Executive Director Will Harrell. Mr. Harrell highlighted
the strong agreement he had with Dr. Paul's courageous stand against the
Patriot Act and Homeland Security bill, and introduced the Congressman.
Privacy Proclamation-Public Lecture Audience
Congressman Paul spoke for about an hour on the way war time leads to
government assaults on Liberty and Privacy. He highlighted six popular reasons
given for the war on Iraq, and offered powerful logic contesting these
reasons. The Congressman's main concern is the Unconstitutional transfer of
War Declaration Powers from Congress to the Executive Branch.
Congressman Paul wants Congress and the President to follow the rules of the
Constitution. On the issue of "weapons of mass destruction", he pointed out
how the Soviet Union had (and still has) many destructive weapons which never
led to war. Congressman Paul also highlighted the fact that the 9/11 attacks
were carried out by primitive weapons -- box cutters -- in the hands of Saudi,
not Iraqi, men. He also went into detail about the dangers to Constitutional
liberty that "PATRIOT ACT" presents -- with even more dangers to follow in
"PATRIOT II".
Congressman Paul Receives Standing Ovation
Congressman Paul was well received. There was much applause between comments.
There were cameras all over, and some guests brought their own video cameras.
There was a good mix of students and non-students. There was a good
cross section of folks from all different backgrounds in attendance. These
Americans were finally hearing a rational argument for the Constitution of the
United States.
Congressman Paul being interviewed
A 15 minute Q&A session followed, interrupted by media requests for interviews
that had to be produced for that evenings' news. After a successful meet and
greet public reception hosted by the Federalist Society (Marc Levin) in the
Atrium, the group took photos at the "Liberty Bell" parked just outside the UT
Law School (courtesy of David Hall from the Dallas area). From there
Congressman Paul joined an eager UT student group (led by Jarod Patterson) to
Double Dave's Pizza, where the enthusiastic crowd cheered an excellent 10:00
KVUE TV news report on the Privacy Proclamation event, with excellent quotes
from our greatest Congressman. KEYE News also aired Congressman Ron Paul's
views on the threats to our Privacy. There were several young students
present; Congressman Paul sat with them and talked to them most of the
evening. This lead us to wonder about our future. The next "Ron Paul"
may have been present somewhere that evening. The seeds of LIBERTY have been
planted in Austin and the debate for Constitutional government will continue.
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RLC MEMBERS HELP PUSH HAYS TAX BATTLES OVER THE TOP:
Republican Liberty Caucus of Texas members and supporters helped win two
significant Tax Battles this quarter.
In the first battle RLC members helped push a city tax rollback to win by 70%!
RLC members in the Hays County area joined an organized group of pro-Growth
Tax-Cutters and some helpful elected officials, we were able to collect enough
petitions to force a tax roll-back, send letters to local papers, and call
every registered voter in Buda. We did have opposition from the local Chamber
of Commerce. They were constantly in the local papers and they blanketed some
neighborhoods with misleading flyers attempting to stop the Tax Roll Back.
For the second Tax Battle, RLC members helped stop a bloated $124 MILLION
school bond, we won by 65%! RLC members joined another organized group
of pro-school, pro-child, pro-Tax-Cut and some helpful elected officials, we
were able to send out a 12,000 mailer (thank you RLC of Texas member and
Political Consultant - Jared Patterson), send letters to local papers, and
call every registered voter in the Hays ISD. We did have opposition from the
ISD bureaucrats. There were stories that the they hosted PTA meetings and gave
out false information with scare tactics about the lack of desks and kids
having to eat standing up. Then they would haul all the parents next
door to vote early. They sent out multiple misleading flyers claiming that
this bond was for the kids, but WE were the pro-child and pro-family group! We
were shedding the light on their inefficiency, specifically their attempt to
place us 3rd in the state for highest debt per student ratio. We saved the
families and children of Hays County from a future debt. We did not reward the
mishandling of our tax money with more money!
What is beautiful about this victory is that it sends a message! The message
is, "Hays County bureaucrats, if you attempt to put us in debt and raise our
taxes, there is enough of a constituency base and organized pro-family,
tax-cutter group to stop you!" If we'd won by 51%, there would be no message.
We would like to personally thank RLC members and supporters: Jared Patterson,
Don Zimmerman, Jason Pratt, Rosa Chamberlin and Fran Caldwell. We'd also like
to thank the many local Hays County volunteers that have been trained to
battle tax increases. Each of you helped us inform the voters on the
facts. We'd also like to thank the many voters for speaking out and
voting! They are listening to you now.
In addition,
If you're tired of rising taxes and sick of inefficient waste from school
districts, do something about it. Join us. If you live near Austin
(Travis County) or Dallas (Dallas County) you have a chance to
fight rising taxes with us. RLC members in Dallas County
will be fighting some inefficient School Bonds. RLC members in Travis
County will be fighting the ACC Tax hike. Please join us. We are
already working with other pro-Growth Tax Fighters. The election days
are coming quick. Let's work fast. We have a plan.
Send your information to:
Dallas County Contact:
Mr. William Zimmerman,
wzimmerman@rlctexas.net
Travis County Contact: Mr. Don Zimmerman,
dzimmerman@rlctexas.net
If you have some of your own pro-tax cut ideas, let us know:
HQ@rlctexas.net
We hope to continue on this tradition of fighting tax increases on the odd
years and getting involved in pro-LIBERTY Republican campaigns in the even
years. There is no greater feeling than knowing that you made a
difference for good. Yes, you can make a difference, but you have to get
involved. Please join us.
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RLC OF TEXAS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MEETS WITH
"LEAVE US ALONE" COALITION IN WASHINGTON D.C.:
February 15th, 2003
Republican Liberty Caucus of Texas, Executive Director - Don Zimmerman
accompanied a group of Austin Constitutional Republicans at the "Western
Civilization Ball" at the OAS building in Washington, D.C.. A number of
high profile lobbyists and political activists attended. Don met with Grover
Norquist - Director of Americans for Tax Reform. Grover Norquist hosts the
most famous weekly lunches in D.C.. All grass-roots "leave us alone"
groups, from Home-Schoolers to Pro-Gun organizations, show up to get ideas on
how they can get the government off their collective backs. Don also
briefly met John Fund, Wall Street Journal editorial writer. In spite of very
nearly getting snowed in by the blizzard of that weekend, Don made it back in
time to join the other RLCers for the Privacy Proclamation with Congressman
Ron Paul on Feb 17th.
Picture: Grover Norquist and Don Zimmerman
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IF YOU LIKE WHAT
WE'RE DOING, JOIN US!
If you like what we're doing and it's been over a year since you've paid your
membership dues, please renew today. If you are still sitting on the fence,
undecided about becoming a member of the Republican Liberty Caucus of Texas,
please consider officially joining us. We look forward to your commitment to
joining us fight for LIBERTY in our lifetime through our Republican Party. Our
main focus is to get pro-LIBERTY Republicans into office. In order to
accomplish this goal we need to continue to grow our network of pro-Liberty
Republicans. There is strength in numbers. We want to work with
you. Join us today. If you can't contribute financially but would like
to volunteer for an upcoming campaign please contact us:
HQ@rlctexas.net
Membership
Options (Receive RLC License
Plate Frame 
and One Ounce Silver "Liberty" Dollar):
 $30 Regular
Membership
$50
Premium Membership
$100
Sustaining Membership
$250
Patron Membership
$500
Associate Membership
$1000
Roundtable/Lifetime* Membership
Special
Membership Options. (Receive RLC
License Plate Frame):
$10
Limited Trial
Membership
$20
Military Membership
$20
Student Membership
$15 Emeritus Membership
(Age 65 and above)
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Our Purpose:
After decades of New Deal and Great Society social
activism ... combined with the rapid decline in civics and American history
education in our government-run public schools ... mixed with a growing
population of ill-informed and apathetic voters ... government at
every level in this country continues to be too big, too intrusive and
too expensive.
Founded in 1990, the Republican Liberty Caucus of
Texas works to advance the principles of limited
government, individual liberty and free markets within the Republican
Party and throughout Texas. Our focus is on a broad range of issues, including
education, taxation, property rights, gun rights, free speech, federalism and
the proper role of government.
In addition to giving disenfranchised smaller-government Republicans a home by
creating incentive to stay in our party, the Republican
Liberty Caucus of Texas helps avoid
a potential exodus to Libertarian, Constitutional, and other third parties,
which would end up weakening our thin margin over the Democrats, thus opening
the door to big-government victories from leftist candidates. The Republican
Liberty Caucus of Texas is
proud to promote the GOP's smaller-government message. Our limited
government, individual liberty and free market ideas will win by inclusion.
There is strength in numbers.
While rolling back decades of government "nannyism" will require a
great deal of public education and grassroots lobbying, the most important
means of changing public policy is to change public officials. Therefore, the Republican
Liberty Caucus of Texas works
to elect pro-liberty Republicans to offices at all levels,
partisan and non-partisan, in both primary and general elections.
The Republican Liberty Caucus of
Texas is committed not to just electing more Republicans
... but better ones, as well.
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COMMITTEE:
Executive Director:
Mr.
Don Zimmerman
Austin,
TX
(512)
250-8649
dzimmerman@rlctexas.net
Chairman:
Mr. Jerry
Patterson
Austin,
TX
jerry@rlctexas.net
Vice Chairman:
Mr. Lonnie
Brantley
Houston,
TX
lbrantley@rlctexas.net
Secretary:
Mr. Trey Summitt
Dallas, TX
gsummitt@rlctexas.net
Treasurer:
Mr. John Reed
Buda,
TX
jreed@rlctexas.net
At-Large:
Tammi Kannar
Austin, TX
tkannar@rlctexas.net
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Reference Links:
* Austin Silver Center:
http://www.austinsilver.com
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