Posts
THSC PAC today announced its endorsement of Governor Rick Perry in his campaign for reelection for Governor of Texas. Tim Lambert, chairman of THSC PAC, noted, “Home schoolers in Texas have never had a better friend in the Governor’s mansion than Rick Perry.”
Governor Perry’s support of home schooling has been long and consistent, beginning with his signing of a measure in 2003 requiring Texas colleges and universities to not discriminate against home school graduates for college admission.
In 2005 Governor Perry responded to complaints from home school families that Child Protective Services (CPS) caseworkers were investigating home school families simply based on the fact that they were teaching their children at home. He directed his staff to set up a meeting with the commissioner of the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) and Tim Lambert. That meeting resulted in the establishment of DFPS policy that home schooling was not relevant to an investigation of abuse and that CPS has no authority to enforce the compulsory attendance laws.
This year Governor Perry supported THSC’s effort to pass the Texas Parental Rights Restoration Act, support which he publicly announced at THSC’s Parental Rights Rally on the steps of the Capitol in April. In June Governor Perry responded to the outcry of thousands of Texas parents against SB 1440, the bill that was passed in the closing days of the legislative session that would have drastically undermined parental rights and expanded the power of CPS workers, by vetoing the bill. As he has done throughout his tenure as governor, Rick Perry stood up for parents, and now we stand with Governor Perry in his campaign for Governor of Texas.
“Texas has more home school families than any other, and I am proud of the steps we have taken to protect their freedoms and encourage home schooling as part of our state’s overall approach to education,” said Gov. Perry. “I am honored to receive the Home School Coalition’s endorsement and eager to continue working to strengthen this essential segment of Texas’ education.”
To join the Perry Campaign and/or see a video of THSC PAC members' endorsement comments, click here.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
37 comments:
Unfortunately I feel that THSC has been influenced by a projected image rather than reality and in endorsing Rick Perry, done serious harm to their credibility.
Yes, Perry Vetoed SB1440. At the last possible moment and only after he realized the great outcry against it. A man who has, as a core value, parental rights wouldn't have let that bill gather dust on his desk before sending it out the door.
May I remind you that Perry, that stalwart of conservative values, was the one issued an executive order, bypassing the legislative process to mandate that preteens be given a vaccine for a sexually transmitted disease, a vaccine that has since proved to have significant medical sequela, some of which may prove permanent. Not only did abrogate parental rights, it also sidestepped the right of the public to see such a sensitive issue move through the appropriate channels whereby they might have the opportunity to influence the issue through their elected representatives. This is not the kind of "conservative" that I am hoping to see continue in office and I am, frankly, saddened to see that it is what THSC considers conservative.
LeeAnne,
We were influenced by his actions on behalf of home schoolers on many, many occasions. That is not to say that we agree with every action he has taken. We do not.
However, the political reality is our choice for Governor is between Rick Perry and Kay Bailey Hutchison or one of the Democratic candidates and he is far and away the best candidate among those on home school and parental rights issues, in our opinion.
Thank you for your response! I appreciate the time that it took to answer a negative post.
Unfortunately I do not feel that being the better of two wrong choices isn't a good basis on which to make a decision. Perry may have been in many ways supportive of Homeschooling, but the right to homeschool is based on a broader foundation of parental rights and Perry has shown himself bi-polar at best in that area. I have done my time of holding my nose while I vote and have reached an age where I can do so no longer (not to mention the fact that it is not what I want to teach my children). It looks to me that so far our best option is Medina.
Medina is a conservative and I have known her for many years. However, she spoke to the homosexual Log Cabin Republicans last week seeking their support. I doubt that you or I would consider that a conservative position. So, as always, we are faced with a choice of candidates that we will not agree with on every issue.
We chose to endorse Perry because of his record and the fact that Medina is not electable. Supporting her will only give Hutchison a chance to win which would be far worse than our current circumstances...in my opinion.
"And it happened that He was reclining at the table in his house, and many tax collectors and sinners were dining with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many of them, and they were following Him.
When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that He was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they said to His disciples, 'Why is He eating and drinking with tax collectors and sinners?'"
Debra was invited to go speak to the Log Cabin group. I do not consider it outside a conservative position to speak to people when invited. In fact, one of the thing you, Debra, I, and so many others fought for at the last Republican State Convention was the right to have dialogue with those we may fundamentally disagree with, rather than just being told what to think by those in authority.
Debra also stood on their stage and told them exactly what she as a conservative Christian believes about homosexual behavior. I'm reasonably sure you wouldn't have a problem with what she said. If they choose to vote for her anyway, good for them. It is too bad more elected officials don't have the courage needed to talk to people they disagree with. I believe Ronald Reagan had some things to say on that topic; most would consider him a conservative.
As for endorsing before the filing period even begins, on a claim of "electability"--this is the same so-called logic the state schools have been indocrinating kids with for years to make sure there is never any actual progress, just incrementalist shifts that in total only cement the power of the authoritarians. It should be obvious by now that it does not work in our favor, particularly after years of supposedly Republican control produced the exact opposite of what we stand for in so many areas. It is old and tired and it is a major part of the problem. It is also supremely ironic hearing the state's favorite programmed flawed thinking parroted here. We home schoolers should know better.
Debra should have known that appearing at the Log Cabin Republican group and the resulting media coverage could not have helped her politically among conservatives.
Her reported comments that the Republican Party should not address the issue of homosexuality and the government should not address it either is certainly controversial for a conservative Republican and in my view could be considered "catering to them."
And I'm sure Jesus knew eating with prostitutes would not help him politically. And we knew that fighting for a fair convention would not entirely help politically, depending on people's goals and perception of what we were doing. The right thing to do is still the right thing to do. Governor Perry clearly weighs what helps him politically before deciding what to do and when, and that's a large part of why he's not the one I want reprenting me or defending my rights.
Fair enough that some conservatives absolutely want government as the answer to picking up the church's slack in maintaining virtue in our society. Of course, other conservatives (including the Tarrant GOP Vice-Chair) fought in the last convention cycle to take that out of the platform, while also fighting for stronger language against affirmative action, seeing them both as unwelcome government intrusion.
I do not agree that stating one's sincere beliefs counts as "catering". Catering is changing one's beliefs or stating something other than one believes for the sake of votes or endorsements. Governor Perry, for example, clearly caters to home schoolers and other parents when it suits him. That's great for us when it suits him, but less great when he sees more benefit somewhere else (in Merck's pockets, for example) and leaves us high and dry.
The Log Cabin Republican's mission is to win "equal rights" for homosexuals, which means they work for public policies that will validate homosexuality as normal and oppose public policies that are based on the biblical position that it is abnormal and destructive.
Therefore they oppose restrictions on homosexuals serving in the military for example and any other public policy which is based on the Christian principle that homosexuality is a destructive lifestyle and should not be encouraged or legitimized.
In my view, a candidate who accepts an invitation from that group and tells them that she disagrees with their lifestyle but the Republican Party and the government should not be involved in that issue appears to be agreeing with their goal of validating homosexuality as normal from a policy standpoint or trying to give them the impression she is close to them on their issue.
Either way, many would not consider that a legitimate conservative position but one more closely aligned to liberals.
And Tim, we really need to know if you understand that your endorsement of Rick Perry means you also endorse his statist policies. Do you agree with his statist policies or not? Are you a conservative or a statist?
Even if she did agree with the lifestyle of the Log Cabin Republicans, I feel that my family has far more to fear from CPS and others who would erode my parental rights than people who live a different lifestyle. Last I checked, the Log Cabin Republicans (tho their behavior is contrary to what I believe) haven't tried to enter my home, take my children for questioning and do their best to ignore the fact that I have Constitutional rights. I am not looking to elect a governor who will protect me from Conservatives who happen to be homosexual. I am wanting a governor who will stand up for Texan parents against those who think that they know better how children should be raised. Unfortunately there has been a bit too much of the nanny state in Austin. If I wanted a nanny...I'd hire one.
OK. So Tim's argument for Gov. Perry is that Ms. Medina talked to the Log Cabin folks.
Tim, what are the other issues that Perry trumps Medina?
Was support by THSC for Perry the price for vetoing SB1440?
And, if homosexuality is such the problem here why not go ahead and begin stoning them to death? Why not? They do not have equal rights as the rest of us?
I'd simply like to hear Mr. Lambert's concise definition of "electable". I know it sounds too idealistic for today's world, but shouldn't electability be decided by the voters and not those who put the candidatesd in front of us?
"Therefore they oppose restrictions on homosexuals serving in the military for example and any other public policy which is based on the Christian principle that homosexuality is a destructive lifestyle and should not be encouraged or legitimized."
Other Christian principles are that we should look after orphans and widows in their distress, care for the poor, turn the other cheek, not engage in usury, and lend when asked without expecting repayment. Conservatives understand, however, that none of these principles belong in public policy. How about "mercy triumphs over judgement", "love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind", and "love your neighbor as yourself". Do those belong in public policy somewhere?
I firmly believe that asking the state to police marriage is nothing less than "worshipping the created rather than the Creator" and a *cause* of the lack of virtue in our society, not a cure for it. And it *invites* the fight over adding protection of homosexuals to civil rights legislation, because the question over whether or not government should be involved in policing people's relationships with each other has already been granted by so many in the right.
"Either way, many would not consider that a legitimate conservative position but one more closely aligned to liberals."
That very much depends on how one defines conservative. Until very recently there would not be a question that conservatives are those at the forefront of the fight to keep government out of the private sector. The Log Cabin Republicans revere Reagan as much as any conservative does for his work in their favor. Goldwater obviously made a name there as well.
I'm obviously not going to change any of your minds. I have stated my reasons for supporting Governor Perry. You have stated your reasons for supporting Medina. We disagree.
You have indeed stated your reasons, but I am simply asking for a clarification on your reason. What is it that makes her unelectable?
Tim, you have stated your reasons, but your reasons have been shown to be rather shallow. You have also been asked some very straightforward questions such as:
1. Are you a conservative or a statist
2. Do you understand that your endorsement of Perry means that you support his statist policies
3. Why does Perry get to pass out campaign literature at the convention while another guy gets kicked out for doing the same thing?
Larry, What makes her unelectable, in my opinion, is she has little to no name recognition, she has never held state-wide elective office and she can not raise enough money to get her message out.
Clint, I am a conservative. In my earlier statements I acknowledged that I did not agree with all of Governor Perry's actions. I doubt that anyone agrees with every position or action of the candidate they endorse. I sent a letter detailing the issues at the convention that I'd be glad to forward to you. In short, his letter was approved before-hand and was a thank you letter to home schoolers not a campaign piece seeking reelection. The Medina campaign piece was not approved as it was advocating for her election.
Perry's support of parents and home schoolers regarding CPS happened in 2005 when he helped facilitate CPS policy that home schooling was not relevant to an investigation of abuse/neglect. His staff intervened again on the issue of CPS requiring home school groups to be licensed for childcare in 2009. He publicly supported our efforts to pass the Texas Parental Rights Restoration Act in the last session and most recently he vetoed SB 1440 which would have give CPS broad new powers and undermined parental rights.
As I have said, I don't agree with or support everything he has done, but in my opinion this race is between him and Kay Bailey Hutchison and he is the best choice. Thus, our endorsement.
I realize that some of you disagree.
What if you had a chance to put in the governor's office someone that home schooled their kids? Do you think that person would have a good perspective on what the needs of home schoolers are? You have missed a great opportunity to endorse someone who has home schooled her children and is a true conservative in every sense of the word. That person is running for Governor and her name is Debra Medina. Rick Perry is no conservative as his record will show (hate crimes bill, mandatory vaccine, does not stand up for elected State Board of Education) and the list goes on and on.
In reading the various posts here, I think the only reason you are endorsing Perry and not Medina is that you think she is unelectable. You state that you are a conservative so I encourage you to have the courage of your convections and back someone with those same conservative principals. The more people that get behind her the better her chances become. Do you want real conservative limited government or more of the same? If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always gotten. Do you like what you are getting?
Hi Tim. I remember asking you at a homeschooling convention about Debra and you said you liked her. Is there anything against the rules to put out to your membership that Debra is also a conservative candidate in the running that has homeschooled both her children and is a strong supporter of parental rights?
As others have stated before, I think Debra will have a chance if everyone who is not supporting her because they feel she does not have enough support turns around and supports her. She has a very strong grassroots following, is picking up new donors every day, is getting more and more media coverage, and many of the Tea Party people like her. Here in SA we will be having candidate forums where all three are invited to debate so that people can decide for themselves who they like instead of having others decide for them. Why not offer the same to your membership?
CraiginAustin, those who gave their comments on the video were not THSC staffers. They were THSC PAC members. I'm glad you appreciate Governor Perry for what he has done for home schoolers.
You are certainly within your rights to vote and work for who you believe to be the best candidate as am I. THSC PAC has never done dual endorsements and we don't have any plans to do so in this election.
Tim, I appreciate most of your comments on this blog.
I do have one question.
What was the procedure that the THSC PAC used to endorse a candidate.
I was wondering because I don't know any homeschoolers myself that are supporting Perry, they are all supporting Medina.
(sorry, for some reason my spell checker is not working at the moment)
Bryan,
As Chairman of the THSC PAC, I polled the members of the PAC as to their support for Governor Perry and they were unanimous.
Bryan,
I can tell you that when Governor Perry spoke at our Convention on Thursday night the room had seats for 900 or so and we estimated that well over 1300 were in the room and hotel security close the doors with another 300 or so in the hall who could not get in. The response from the crowd to him was a standing ovation. I took from that the most of them supported him.
And had Ms. Hutchinson and/or Ms. Medina given the chance to speak the reaction would have been ... ??? We will never know.
I do not support Perry but had schedules allowed it I would have attended his speech also.
Could you please do tell us how is Perry better, philosophically and committment wise, better for home schoolers than Ms. Medina?
Is the THSC-PAC (and most people will not see the destiction with THSC) now a PAC for other issues as well?
Thanks Tim, for the quick Response.
How many members are there in the THSC PAC. I realize the PAC is not the THSC, only the political arm of it due to election laws and what not.
You are correct when you talk about Medina being a dark horse candidate. But with that said, it is very early in the election cycle. Don't forget everyone a year before the primaries were thinking it was Rudy Giuliani as the Republican front runner. Before he pulled out, even Ron Paul had more votes that he did.
I must also admit that nearly every Homeschooler I know is because of the Ron Paul movement, the natural choice for them is Debra Medina.
I do thank you for answering the questions and posting the opposition, you could have just not approved them or deleted them.
As for me, right now I am full blown Medina, but just like the Presidential election, I will make my final choice on March 2nd, do I vote against someone, or do I vote for who best represents my views. I have a feeling I will be voting for who best represents my views so I can sleep with my self at night.
Thank you again for your honesty.
JaimieinTexas,
I have stated our support for Governor Perry is based on his long and consistent support of home schoolers and his intervention on our behalf numerous times. The THSC PAC exists (as it has since 1986) to educate candidate and endorse those whom we believe will best support our freedom as home schoolers.
Bryan, the 13 members of the THSC Board of Directors are also the thirteen members of the THSC PAC. I am supporting whom I believe to be the best candidate for home school freedom and I applaud your conviction to vote for whom you consider the best candidate.
I find it appauling that you would come out early in an election and give support to a candidate just because you believe another candidate is unelectable. That was tried with Jesse ventura.said he was unelectable.Ya know what. He smoked the so called big dogs. And so Will Debra Medina. Shes the only candidate running who will fight to and nail for HSers rights,true parental rights,and basic family values. You are truely underestimating her chances.
Tim,
I greatly appreciate your endorsement of Gov. Rick Perry. As you stated time and again, not everything he has done is perfect, but Rick Perry has PROVEN himself an advocate for homeschoolers. He is also the best candidate for Texas as a whole. He stands strong on the support of states rights and opposes big government.
The fact that Hutchinson and Perry are running against one another is cause for enough concern, as this sort of situation is historically proven to allow the opposing party the upper hand. Concentrating our support on a dark horse candidate will only give the Democratic candidates an even better chance.
I am in total agreement with your decision to endorse Rick Perry.
Just because someone is a really nice homeschooling mom, it does not make her qualified to be Governor of Texas.
I've homeschooled since 1980 and my adult children are extremely successful. I am an untra-conservative activist for parental rights. I am so pro-life that I adopted a deaf blind son. My family members are concealed hand gun carriers. My husband is a long-time pastor. I taught natural childbirth and am an employment specialist for people with disabilities. I've been an active Republican precinct chair since 1982. I advocate and network constantly.
However, I am not qualified to be Governor of Texas and neither is Debra Medina!
Lamb-man,
Once again, you have endorsed the best candidate for the upcoming Republican primary for Governor. Perry has done the right thing on the SBOE and countless other appointments. He has placed righteousness in open forum like few elected officials. He has held the line on spending thru threat of veto. He is an unashamed pro-life advocate. Some of your bloggers -- homeschoolers or not -- just don't understand or care that this state and this country was founded on principles that owe their allegiance to God, the Creator, the ordainer of governments.
Such is at odds with the libertarian thesis that government shouldn't address moral issues. Bah! Murder and stealing and homosexuality are all moral issues. Any candidate willing to reach out to groups that are in the opposition to mission intercept points of truth and righteousness is lacking in wisdom, at best, and diluted or unsympathetic to righteousness on the topic, at worst.
Paul's letter to the Romans says that the purpose of government is to punish the evil-doer and protect the innocent. That's a limited government platform! But by logical inference, one is compelled to believe that righteousness exalts a nation and sin is a reproach to any people--including the policy implications of "social libertarianism." I like the Texas GOP platform. I don't support candidates that don't go with the Party's duly elected process to arrive at that platform.
Thank you for coming down on the right side of the issues for home educators and parental rights.
Keep on being light and salt for our state.
Mr. Lambert--Considering that there are 13 members of the THSC Board, it seems likely that some of them are probably aware of Debra Medina and her campaign. If anyone really thought she was a qualified candidate there probably would have been some significant discussions about her vs. Perry and/or KBH.
A 13-0 decision is quite significant--it indicates that the Board believes there is only one candidate truly qualified to represent the interests of homeschooling families, that being current Governor Perry.
If the Medina supporters want to vote for her in the primary election, that is of course their right. But should the race become tight, and KBH ends up as the GOP nominee due to a split in the homeschool crowd between Perry and Medina, I don't want to hear the same crowd whine and complain for the next four years about having a Democrat governor who is trying to abolish homeschooling in the state.
Ms. Donna: And how much do you know about Ms. Medina's political/party credentials? She had the guts to take the GOP to court because of the GOP shennanigans, nay, abuses, with the GOP convention. See what Mr. Lambert has written on the issue.
I was at the Houston convention. I saw some of it with my own eyes.
Ms. Medina is qualified.
Out of curiosity, what is a qualified candidate?
Myron:
The old and tired Romans 13 abuse.
At what point, then, will you agree that a government becomes illegitimate and not "protected by Romans 13?
Do you advocate establishing the [civil] Mosaic Law? If not, why not? Which laws do you think are relevant and why just those?
"Such is at odds with the libertarian thesis that government shouldn't address moral issues."
And where do you get this? I am NOT a libertarian and do know several. None of them will agree with that statement.
"Bah! Murder and stealing and homosexuality are all moral issues."
The guiding prnciple of libertarianism is the prohibition against initiating violence. Did you now that? Libertarians who accept the scientific fact that a baby in the womb is a separate human life than the mother's ARE PRO-LIFE! Are you also stating that libertarians oppose laws against theft? Where do you get this stuff? The problem with someone like you making these ridiculous assertions is that yo do not recognize, and libertarians do, that taxation to fund unconstitutional/illegal government activities is also theft. And anyone who promotes government theft is also a thief.
"Any candidate willing to reach out to groups that are in the opposition to mission intercept points of truth and righteousness is lacking in wisdom, at best, and diluted or unsympathetic to righteousness on the topic, at worst."
So, you will not march for the unborn next to a pro-life feminist? They do exit, you know. Nor will you then work with the unrighteous against, say, tyranny? There are many pagans in the GOP that are not homosexuals and you say do not reach to those?
Sigh!
Donna, I think you're forgetting that neither George W. Bush nor Ronald Reagan had any qualifications to be governor, they they served as governors and as presidents. Debra Medina is more qualified than either of them were.
Tim, I think you are forgetting that both Bush and Reagan had high name ID and were able to raise enough money to run a competitive campaign and were therefore considered electable. As I have said, my friend Ms. Medina does not meet that criteria.
It would seem to me that it would be prudent for a conservative organization to endorse the most conservative candidate in order to help make that person competitive in the race. Essentially you're saying you cannot endorse a good candidate if they are not already part of the establishment and don't have a war chest to expend on a nasty campaign. Just once, I'd like to see organizations like this one stand up for the best candidate, no matter their financial situation or name recognition. Your endorsement could help increase her name recognition and campaign cash flow. You would be endorsing the most conservative candidate in the race, as well as someone who obviously has home schooling near and dear to her heart and actually talks about it all the time on the campaign trail.
Post a Comment