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Lamar Smith

The March to Victory

by: Lainey Melnick

Thu Mar 04, 2010 at 03:53 PM CST

Thank you so much for your amazing support over the past 9 months. Because of your hard work and dedication, we did it. I am now officially the Democratic Nominee for the TX-21 Congressional Seat. In November 2010, I will face the 22-year Republican incumbent, Lamar Smith. Our challenge is really only just beginning. The results of the primary show that he is a skilled career politician who understands the business of re-election. His opponent was able to get about 20% of the Republican vote, denting his base, but not nearly enough to split the support. I think he put himself in a difficult position though trying to run on the right of Lamar Smith, there wasn't much wiggle room there. Smith also lost support that he had from the 2006 primary, so he came away with about 16,000 votes less than he could have had.

There's More... :: (0 Comments, 315 words in story)

(Not So) Fair and Balanced

by: Lainey Melnick

Wed Feb 17, 2010 at 10:19 PM CST

Today, I received an e-newsletter from my opponent, Congressman Lamar Smith. On the one-year anniversary of the Recovery Act, he outlines the failure of this legislation with partisan sarcasm highlighting only wasteful spending in "The Top 12 Spending Lowlights." Wasteful spending is a huge problem with our government, both during Republican and Democratic majorities and Presidents. We must have accountability for all these programs to assure there are not abuses.

But, as usual, Lamar Smith isn't telling the whole story of the Recovery Act. He omits everything related to our own Congressional District. He has left out the most important information for our own community...What has this Recovery Act done for us here in Central Texas? The highest amount of awards in Texas came into our district, obviously without any assistance from Representative Smith. $2,481,005,612.00 was pumped into our local economy. Our Congressional District also tops the list with the highest amount of jobs created in Texas from the Recovery Act, 20,500 new jobs, just in our district alone.

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Early Voting Begins!

by: Lainey Melnick

Mon Feb 15, 2010 at 09:33 PM CST

After 8 months of tireless campaigning, the first major milestone is finally upon us. It will be such an honor to walk into the voting booth and see the names of so many of my friends and colleagues along with mine on the Democratic Primary ballot. I know that I'm unopposed and so just one vote will make me the winner of my race, but I am still filled with anticipation. I can't wait for the evening of March 2nd to see the results.

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Lamar Smith's Fearmongering Robo-Call: "Jail Time For Resisting Obamacare!"

by: Katherine Haenschen

Thu Dec 03, 2009 at 08:41 AM CST

If death panels weren't enough for the Republicans, now Lamar Smith is sending robo-calls across his district claiming that President Obama will incarcerate people who don't buy in to the public option. Evidently Lamar has been spending too much time reading Free Republic and getting policy advice from Sarah Palin.

Harold Cook has the full audio:

"Under the health care plan Democrats passed, if you do not buy the government-prescribed health insurance, you can be fined or put in jail for up to five years. Do you want the government to have the power to make you buy health insurance?" -- Lamar Smith

So, I did a little research. First off, the Senate's two committee bills specifically prohibit penalities such as jail time. One can be assessed a tax for refusing to enroll in any insurance program. But both the Senate Finance and HELP bills specifically prohibit any punishment other than a tax for not getting insurance.

This distortion comes from the House bill's reference to the general penalties for folks who willfully refuse to pay their taxes. However, in practice, if someone refuses to pay the health-insurance related portion of taxes for political reasons or as an act of protest, a tax which will only be assessed if they refuse to enroll in any insurance at all, they're not going to jail.

Now, it is true that in America (as with most developed nations), if you choose to use illegal methods to deliberately avoid paying the taxes you owe you can go to jail. This level of tax evasion goes beyond accidentally misstating your income--we're talking about deliberate efforts to knowingly disguise income to avoid paying taxes on it. (Like, for instance, my former crazed Neo-Conservative boss who hid millions of income in the Caymans. True story.)

So honestly, unless there are some "good patriots" out there planning a Wesley Snipes-level of tax evasion (whom prosecutors allege owes over $2.7 million in unpaid taxes) you're not going to jail for not paying your taxes. And really? If you have so much money you even owe $2.7 million in taxes? You can afford health insurance, and you're not the problem here. (Other famous jailed tax evaders? Joe "Girls Gone Wild" Francis and Richard "Survivor Winner" Hatch. Not a good club. Pay your taxes.)

An interesting side note: folks who refuse to pay all or part of their taxes in a form of protest against the government (war tax resisters, for example) have virtually no history of receiving criminal prosecution. So, tax-haters, you can even protest this penalty for refusing insurance by protesting the tax, and have no fear of going to jail.

This scaremongering from Lamar Smith sounds like the rest of our Texas Republicans in Congress, who spent most of the House floor debate yelling about how having insurance imperils our freedom. Ah, yes. Our freedom. Our freedom to be denied insurance for a pre-existing condition like acne. Our freedom to go bankrupt from medical bills. Our freedom to choose between paying for prescriptions or paying the rent.

Texas Republicans want to preserve the status quo--24% of Texas residents uninsured, 20% of Texas children uninsured--the worst statistics of any state in the nation. These lies and distortions have been spreading around the Republican base, aided and abetted in part by one Sarah Palin, who in addition to fanning the flames of the "death panels" lie, has been promulgating the idea that Nancy Pelosi wants to throw good, honest tax evaders in jail.

Fact is, the average American family pays $1,077 per year to cover the costs of uninsured Americans, who--like those of us with insurance--still get sick, and are often forced into the emergency room as a result. So while the Republicans keep fear-mongering and riling up their base, Americans are dying from lack of basic care. Seems to me that I'd want my elected officials to focus more on that... Rather than suggesting that President Obama and/or Nancy Pelosi want me to go to jail.

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Texas GOP Hall of Hypocrites

by: Libby Shaw

Wed Oct 21, 2009 at 08:40 PM CDT

( - promoted by Phillip Martin)

According to the DCCC there are 67 House Republicans who voted against the stimulus package. But when these no voters are back in their home states they like to brag and swagger about bringing home the bacon. On a different level, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison joins these ranks. She voted against the stimulus bill and yet she criticized Rick Perry for turning down federal funding for extended unemployment benefits.

Texas has its fair share of outstanding hypocrites. Check the list below to see if your U.S. House Rep. is included in the GOP Hall of Hypocrites. I must admit that I am not shocked to learn that my U.S. Rep., John Culberson, is among them. I betcha your U.S. Reps are too.

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Triumph over Evil

by: Lainey Melnick

Thu Sep 24, 2009 at 06:41 PM CDT

The saying goes, "For evil to triumph, all is needed is for good men to do nothing." Of course, I would modify that to include us all, men and women.

Due to Lamar Smith's 22 years of inaction, our community has suffered. Our public school system is lagging behind the rest of the world. Our natural resources are dwindling. Our economy is struggling. Our infrastructure is crumbling. Our military continues fighting without a plan for victory or exit. Our health care system continues to flounder under the weight of increasing costs. And our climate continues to change.

The time has come for someone to represent our community who will take action, someone who will fight for your interests rather than the special interests. That is precisely what I will do as your representative.

This election is about far more than simply saying no to Lamar Smith...It's about our future. And so, my question to you is: what vision for tomorrow do you have? Is it a vision of better roads and better schools?; A vision of safety, security, and prosperity for you and your loved ones? Is it a vision in which we put people before politics?... Or is it a vision of inaction and status quo? If you're tired of the failed policies of Lamar Smith, and if you have a vision for a better tomorrow, then join me in taking action to win in 2010!

How can you take action?

1. Donate $100, up to a maximum of $2400 per individual, or whatever your own financial circumstances allow, before the end of our first reporting period on September 30th: http://www.actblue.com/page/lm...

2. Volunteer to help in a variety of roles by filling out the "Join Our Team" form: http://www.laineyforcongress.com

3. 10 in 2010. Find 10 friends and ask them to support my campaign, then follow through and make sure that they go out and vote.

4. Spread the word. Suggest my Facebook Fan Page to all of your friends. Forward this email to all of your contacts. Post all our events and pages to your social network. Come to our Environmentalists for Lainey Melnick House Party hosted by Robin Rather and Melinda Taylor: http://www.actblue.com/page/en...

With your help, we can win this race.

Thank you,

--
Lainey Melnick
Candidate for US Congress
Texas 21st District
http://www.LaineyForCongress.com
lmelnick@laineyforcongress.com
512-799-0626 cell
On Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/pages/...
On Twitter http://www.twitter.com/lmelnick
Paid for and authorized by the Lainey Melnick for Congress Committee

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Campaign flyer for health care events

by: Lainey Melnick

Sun Aug 23, 2009 at 04:09 PM CDT

As the health care debate keeps heating up, there is an onslaught of rallies, meetings, town halls filled with people who have passionate feelings about this issue. These are the voters who will make a difference in November 2010. Lamar Smith has voted no on health insurance reform, no to providing health care to poor, uninsured Texas children, and it's time that we say NO to Lamar Smith.

To get our message across, I need your help to print these flyers and distribute them at every health care and political event you care to attend. This will ramp up the pressure on those who want to stand in the way of progress. They can be printed in black and white or color and be cut in half to save on paper. Hand them out, put them on car windows, use them where ever people are interested in health care on both sides of the issue. I want CD21 voters, including those in Smith's own party, to understand that he's not working for The People. And I need them to know that just like you, I already AM working for The People. The intended audience is all voters, the majority of whom agree with these basic principles: stop the pre-existing condition discrimination, make insurance portable, and end financial crisis due to catastrophic and chronic health care.

For my benefit in creating future messaging, I'd appreciate it if you would look at the flyer and tell me what you think. Collectively, we'll create the message that voters cannot ignore. At Ronnie Earle's event the other day all the cars were flyered with John Sharp info. Yes, blanketing the area is a great way to tell voters there is already an alternative to the status quo in Congress. I need everyone who is able to help out with this.

I hear the audience is growing at both the Schertz and Kerrville Lamar Smith town halls on Monday. I hope to see you there!

Thank you, team, for getting out there.

-- Lainey

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Taking Our Turn in the Health Care Debate

by: Lainey Melnick

Thu Aug 20, 2009 at 01:43 PM CDT

After weeks of Representative Lloyd Doggett taking the heat from anti-health care reform protesters, the shoe is finally on the other foot. Representative Lamar Smith, who has avoided facing his constituents on this issue up to now, has scheduled two health care forums in our district to listen to his constituents on Monday, August 24th.

This is our opportunity to voice our support for health care reform and show that this can be done with respect, dialogue, and without needing to use vile, divisive language.

Rep. Smith has scheduled these events only for San Antonio and Kerrville, but will be attending a Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Sept 2nd at the Hyatt in Austin. If you want to let him know that you'd like him to change his vote to yes on reform, please go to any or all of these events. He is looking for letters from constituents, so come prepared with lots of letters.

Local grassroots organizations are working on a combined effort to show a united front for reform. Contact Moveon, Organizing for America and your local democratic party for more information.

We need to make it clear to Rep. Smith that we will remember his no votes at the election booth in 2010. I am counting on that! If you are a supporter of health care reform, please support my campaign.

The events:

Kerrville (open to the public):
August 24, 9:30 a.m.
The Kathleen C. Cailloux City Center for the Performing Arts
910 Main Street
Kerrville, TX 78028

San Antonio (open to the public):
August 24, 12:30 p.m.
Schertz Civic Center
1400 Schertz Parkway,
Bldg. #5 in the Municipal Complex
Schertz, TX 78154-1634

Austin ($55 cost to attend):
Congressman Smith Shares Updates On Policies That May Impact Your Bottom Line
WHEN: Wednesday, September 2, 2009 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
WHERE: Hyatt Regency Hotel, 208 Barton Springs Road, Foothills Ballroom, 17th floor, Austin, TX 78704

Discuss :: (4 Comments)

Witnessing the Best of Texas

by: Lainey Melnick

Sun Jul 26, 2009 at 06:48 PM CDT

This weekend was a testimony to the strength of the community as a whole when organizing pools all the local resources. The Health Care Rally effort led by Organizing for America was joined by practically every local democratic club and organization including the Travis County Democratic Party and the strength of Texans for Obama. The success was particularly due to the additional support lent by our elected officials, Chair Andy Brown, Senator Kirk Watson, Mayor Lee Leffingwell, Congressman Lloyd Doggett, Council Member Sheryl Cole, Former Representative Ann Kitchen, who all put their names and support behind this important issue. I'd like to think that the rest of us, the candidates, grassroots organizers and volunteers who also supported this effort helped to build the crowd which has been estimated between 600 to 1000. This was the biggest rally in the country, again proving to the Obama administration that you can't mess with Texas.

In addition to the incredible success of this rally, I personally worked with friends in a rummage sale to benefit an Austin family in dire need due to health care crisis. The outpouring of support was awe-inspiring. We had hoped to raise about $1K at best, but when the day was done, it became clear that we more than doubled our expectations and was able to give $2400 to this very needy family. The donations poured in, the street was packed for 2 blocks in each direction, and we were all shocked and amazed all day by the generosity and love in this community.

In one day, I witnessed the very best of our community. I am very proud to be a Texan.

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Lamar Smith Votes No

by: Lainey Melnick

Sat Jul 18, 2009 at 08:04 PM CDT

There were some interesting votes in Congress this week that effected District 21. Representatives Gonzales and Smith put out a statement in support of the passage of H.R. 3170, the Financial Services Appropriations bill, which included $4 million for a new federal courthouse in San Antonio. Representative Gonzales voted for passage of the bill, but Representative Smith voted with the Republican party against the bill.

On the same day, another statement was released by the San Antonio Congressional Delegation about the passage of H.R. 3183, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, which included over $3 million for San Antonio area projects. Again Representative Smith voted with the Republican party against this bill, while the three other San Antonio Representatives voted for the bill.

In one day, the other representatives were able to bring in over $7M for local projects, while Lamar Smith voted no.

Help me say no to Lamar Smith. Please support my campaign to bring change to Texas District 21.