The last days have been issue intense, with many interviews and an update of the issues chart which we posted on-line last night, still the first item under issues at www.radnofsky.com. We added several foreign policy positions and quotes.
Immigration:
Our press release on my immigration stance, the impact of misguided trade agreements which have attracted massive new influx of illegal immigration, for economic reasons and the massive cost of opponent's "self deportation" and other wacky proposals complete with criticism by her own administration, was widely distributed the day before this August 25 news item by Jerome R. Corsii of WorldNetDaily.com.
"Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff told reporters yesterday at the Mexican border in Harlington, Texas, the White House was 'in no position to endorse' any one immigration reform proposal, including the 'Ellis Island Center' plan advanced by Rep. Mike Pence, R, Ind., and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson, R-Texas."
As yet, my opponent has not had the time to turn her idea into a bill. She hasn't thought it through. So, the author of this self deportation combined with tax payer funded "Ellis island Centers" built at huge expense by private contractors in foreign lands and subject to all kinds of security risks hasn't yet the ability to submit it to her colleagues, as Corsii continued:
"Pence's office confirmed to WND that the Pence-Hutchinson plan was right now 'nothing more than a proposal.' No actual bill has been written up or submitted to Congress at this point."
Transportation: The Trans Texas Corridor has finally received media attention. (Some of it incorrectly portrays my opponent as opposing, although smaller town newspapers have been able to capture my opponent's statements supporting the wasteful plan). The state leaders are attempting to pit community against community in fighting for scarce transportation dollars, while many do not realize the private nature of the scheme will have no tourist benefit to their region: rest stops and shops are within the right of way. If anyone uses these tollways to any degree, they'll be inside the toll system for all their needs, and private donors of the politicians pushing the project reap the profits. The huge water and crushed rock needs are un-disclosed. From where does Sen. Hutchison think massive water needs for construction for 8 concrete tollways across Texas. Even in non-drought times, local communities couldn't spare that amount.
Here's a letter just received:
Mrs. Radnofsky,
I believe one of the most controversial issues in the upcoming election is the Texas Transcorridor Tollroad. I am amazed at how many Texans still do not know about this massive attempt at taking land and turning our state into one giant Tollroad system. I'm amazed at how politicians
(local/state) don't see this is an invasion of our property rights, but instead see it as an economic boost to the state. What on earth has happened to "the little guy" who pays taxes, obeys laws, holds a job, buys land......the American Dream? At what point did I, as a citizen/property owner, lose my right to own land?
My two family farms (over 60 acres) are in the path of the TTC. The cemetery where my relatives are buried is in the path of the TTC. My aunt/uncle, cousins, friends farms/homes are in the path of the TTC. I attended the July 26 Texas Transcorridor meeting in Temple. I was born and raised in Temple, but now live in Arlington. My grandfather, W.C. Collier, Sr., owned two cotton gins in Belfalls and Oenaville from the 1930's through the 1970's. My mother now proudly owns two farms in the same area. I certainly understand the anger, frustration, and disgust displayed at the meeting.
As I looked at the maps of the proposed plan, I am still stunned at the massive amount of acreage (over 1 million Texas acres) that the Texas Transcorridor Tollroad will carve out and destroy across the entire state.
If the Texas Dept. of Transportation and Governor Perry really wanted feedback as to the environmental impact that the Transcorridor Tollroad will have, even the most simple-minded citizen could list about a thousand reasons why concrete/machinery/pollution will destroy fertile farmland.
Have you noticed that the other candidates for Texas governor are vehemently opposed to the project? Have you noticed that this highway will not cut through Highland Park, Crawford, or any other wealthy region?
Tens of thousands of homes, farms, businesses, schools, waterways, and cemeteries are in the path of Rick Perry's pork political project known as the TTC. The key to my family keeping OUR land is in getting rid of this hair-brained scheme and ending the abuse of the power of Eminent Domain.
If our land is taken by eminent domain, it will then be turned over to a private company (Cintra, of Spain) for profit and be worth millions for them in commercial value for resale and development. How can this happen in the year 2006? There is absolutely no difference in the abuse of eminent domain power of the Transcorridor project and my recent experience here in Arlington where our city forced landowners to hand over 168 parcels of private land to the private corporation known as the Dallas Cowboys for a new football stadium.
This project and abuse of eminent domain power cuts across party lines and will take property away from Republicans AND Democrats. It is very important for people who do not own land to speak out against this land grab by the wealthy. It is happening all across the U.S. and private land is being taken for malls, condos, sports arenas, golf courses, etc. It CAN happen to you!
To our current so-called leadership in Texas and along the Corridor route:
1) We DON'T want Toll Roads
2) We DESPISE taking farmland and putting down concrete
3) We are DISGUSTED at the fact that our land will belong to a private company from Spain.
4) We don't want fellow Texans to lose their homes/land, nor do we want our deceased Texans in cemeteries to be dug up and moved!
Governor Rick Perry often brags about being a graduate of Texas A&M. I am also an Aggie (as is your husband and future college graduate) and I can tell you clearly that Mr. Perry has forgotten what the name of our college stands for:
"A" is for Agricultural.....not ASPHALT
"T" is for Texas.............not TOLL ROADS "M" is for Mechanical....not MONEY.
Mrs. Radnofsky, what can be done to stop this outrageous abuse of Texans?
This issue needs to be broadcast loud and clear to every single Texan in radio/tv/print ads. People need to wake up and realize that even though it's not their land that Gov. Perry/TxDot/Cintra is after right now, their land could be next!
Linda Lancaster
600 Whistler Dr.
Arlington, TX 76006
