AFFILIATES:

 

 

- CENTRAL TEXAS -

AUSTIN TEA PARTY PATRIOTS

 

- SOUTH TEXAS -

 

- NORTH TEXAS -

 

 -HOUSTON AREA -

 

- EAST TEXAS -

 

 

 

- WEST TEXAS -

 

- PANHANDLE -

 

« Welcome to the Common Sense... | Front page | The Bill White Virtual Deba... »
The Common Sense Texans Virtual Debate

 

Thanks to emails from grassroots conservatives around the state encouraging the campaigns to meet with us, we have completed our video interviews of each of Kay Bailey Hutchison, Debra Medina and Rick Perry. Each candidate was asked ten questions prepared by statewide tea partiers and 9-12ers.

 

We hope that these videos will be valuable to you. Please encourage your friends to hit these sites. The more hits, the more likely we will be able to get candidates to speak directly with the people in the future.

 

 

Question 1:

"Do you plan to further reduce property taxes, so that we can own our land without the threat of losing it to the government because we can't afford the tax burden?  Would you eliminate property taxes entirely?  Why or why not?" - Kerry Watson, Austin Tea Party Patriots

 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evL6aNjkNno

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Question 2:

"Specifically - by major program categories - how much do you intend to reduce state spending?  If you say it can't or shouldn't be done, why not?" - Tammy Blair, Tyler Tea Party

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oh085R9aTCs

 

 

 

Question 3:

"To end the magnets that draw illegal aliens to Texas, many Texans support policies that end sanctuary cities and require all employers to use E-verify for all employees.   You made your views known on those items in your last debate. Many Texans also support requiring state agencies to report the costs of services provided to illegal aliens.  Do you agree?  In addition, tell us what other steps you believe need to be taken at the state level to protect our borders, families, and economy from illegal immigration." - Rebecca Forest, Immigration Reform Coalition of Texas

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7BC6xwr7Nw

 

 

Question 4:

"If you could only focus on one item during your term as governor, what would it be and what would you do about it?" - Jennifer Heiden, Katy Tea Party

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mHC8vufDS4

 

 

Question 5:

"The federal government has exceeded its constitutionally enumerated powers for many years, frequently infringing on those rights reserved to the States respectively, or the people.  Specifically, as the chief executive of the state of Texas, how will you contribute to reversing the transfer of power from our people and state to the federal government and restore our lost sovereignty?" - Andrew Piziali, Allen Area Patriots

 

 

Question 6:

"The concept of American Exceptionalism has been completely removed from our textbooks.  Instead, children are taught to be global citizens.  Do you agree this is the correct path?  If not, how would you correct this systemic problem?  What is your stance on vouchers and school choice?" - Lorie Medina, Dallas Tea Party

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZq6PwZYXkE

 

 

 

Question 7:

"How do you intend to lead as governor and encourage the Texas legislature to avoid last session's stalemate and instead pass a solid Voter ID bill?" - Judy Holloway, Austin Tea Party Patriots

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbVjDVvsaJ4

 

 

 

Question 8:

 

"Now that the notion of the Trans Texas Corridor and the ever increasing number of toll roads being built in the state have come under fire, what you think is the best way to handle our transportation needs in the future without creating a financial burden on the working citizens of the state?" - Kaaren Teuber, Texoma Patriots

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4PtPKANx-M

 

 

 

Question 9:

“Many Texans believe that the high cost of all levels of government is directly due to a trend towards government involvement in projects that could be better handled by the private sector.  What public project or program would you like to see move towards privatization, and how do you propose to implement the change?” - Felicia Cravens, Houston Tea Party Society

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpYl45SLInA

 

 

 

Question 10:

"Tell us about a mistake you have made in your public life, why it was a mistake and what you did to correct it." - Maria Acosta, Central Texas 9-12 Project

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6JamCQzwpo

by Robbie  2010-02-23 20:14:11
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Outstanding effort, and much more revealing than those horrible televised debates.

Did Medina really say "irregardless" in that first video, by the way? Her campaign devolves further and further into irrelevancy every time she opens her pie hole.
by Mom of 7  2010-02-24 12:37:03
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In response to Robbie's Comment:
Yes, we should be able to own our own home irregardless of the potholes that need to be fixed in the road. I pay for my house, therefore I should own it. Under the current law, if you do not pay your property taxes, your home will be taken away from you. The silly thing is, Robin Hood takes my taxes and uses them on another city's potholes or million dollar high school football stadium. Does the government need my money more than I need a house? Give me one good reason they need it more.
by  sparkie  2010-02-24 14:05:32
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Much more imformative than TV debates. Yes, she said "irregardless". The E-verify program was not addressed by Medina, mainly I guess, because she had answered that on the KERA debate when she stated another form was just as good, indicating she would not use E-verify. The IRS should be replaced w/the Fair Tax, however, I cannot see that for the State of Texas, nor "no property tax". Real estate appraisals should be redefined over the state to see if property taxes can be lowered; that would help tremendously. I note with interest that on the question of privatizing some govt. programs, not one of the participants came up with State Parks.
by Texan2010  2010-02-25 03:03:26
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Sparkie, you're right about Medina's position on E-Verify. The problem with it is that it doesn't catch people using a "valid" Social Security number, even if it's not their own. The SSA does not report when there are multiple users of the same SS# (identity theft). It also won't catch employers who continue to hire illegals "off the books". Too bad our Governor can't eliminate the IRS, but if you're open to a national sales tax (Fair Tax), why not one for the state? And eliminating property taxes is not just about tax reform - it's about restoring private property rights. Privatizing state parks could be a good idea for multiple reasons - when CA was first teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, the Feds "offered" to take their state park lands as down payment on a bailout.
by John Paul McDaniel  2010-02-24 18:31:01
Reply   permalink
Retired Teachers of Texas HAVE NOT had a raise since 2001. There is no COLA built in to the retirement system. What will the Governor do to correct this problem and fully fund the TRS, making a COLA a part of it so teachers get a pay adjustment each year. So far, Rick Perry has not corrected this problem. What would the other two candidates do to solve this problem??
by Texan2010  2010-02-25 02:51:16
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Robbie, I assume you base your assessment of "irrelevancy" on more than a grammatical error. On the issues, eliminating property taxes (to be replaced with a sales tax) is not only a workable & fair tax policy, but is essential to restoring true property rights. And the natural right to private property is the cornerstone of liberty. Perry's actions against Texans' property rights to accommodate to TTC disqualify him in my mind from holding public office.
by Roy  2010-02-26 19:29:18
Reply   permalink
I figure that a doubling of sales tax would cost me a lot less than the property taxes I pay (less than half). If so where is the difference coming from? Also, Perry has a point concerning businesses along the border of Texas if sales tax is lower in Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma, but not relative to automobiles. Texas gets the sales tax when you register the car.
by Irving tea partiier.  2010-03-01 21:30:37
Reply   permalink
I enjoyed and learned a lot from these debates over the televised debates. I am for Debra Medina because she looks at goverment from the citizens' viewpoint.
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