Why I Endorse Barry Smitherman Texas Railroad Commissioner July 31st, 2012 Republican Runoff Election

VOTE TOMORROW!

2012 Republican Primary Runoff Election

Election Day: Tuesday, July 31st, 2012

Polling Places/Voting Locations open 7am-7pm


I have already written many personal endorsement articles this year such as Why Texas MUST Elect Ted Cruz for US Senate and also Why I Support Re-Election of Super Conservative James White for State Representative. I was gone for 3 weeks for Army Training, but now that I am back, here is another endorsement article for everyone to consider before election day TOMORROW!

Why I Endorse Barry Smitherman Texas Railroad Commissioner July 31st, 2012 Republican Runoff Election

 

I believe in Commissioner Barry Smitherman. I really do. I am not the kind of person who just goes along with the crowd. Anyone who knows me knows that I rock the boat all the time when needed. I am not supporting Barry Smitherman for election to the Texas Railroad Commission because he was appointed by Governor Perry, or because he is endorsed by many top Conservative organizations and individuals like David Barton, Cathie Adams, Texans for Life, etc. (See Full List of Barry Smitherman Endorsements at the Bottom of this Article) I support Barry Smitherman because, after many conversations with him, and examining his family life and professional/political history, I really believe that Smitherman is a solid conservative, Christian and a family man who is fighting for Texas and for conservative values. He does not just do his own thing and he is very responsive to concerns and questions from conservatives.

The ONLY thing negative I have ever heard about Smitherman has to do with Smart Meters and it is a big misunderstanding. When Smitherman led the PUC, the TEXAS LEGISLATURE passed smart meter legislation. NOT SMITHERMAN. Smitherman ran the PUC and smart meters was put in his lap after the Texas Legislature passed it with no objections from citizens or conservatives. It now appears that the Texas Legislature only looked at the good things about smart meters and might not have fully thought out the POTENTIAL consequences of spart meters. I am very upset, as a conservative, about the possible misuse of smart meters too, but the Texas Legislature is responsible for that and not Smitherman.

Smitherman is Working with State Rep. David Simpson to Allow Citizens to Opt-Out of Smart Meters

This is how you know a good elected official from a bad one. They listen. Recently there have been worries about the potential negative effects of Smart Meters that were not thought about when passed by the Texas Legislature. Smitherman did not pass smart meter legislation and he is not even head of the PUC anymore (He is Railroad Commissioner), but he is working to correct the problem by joining with Conservative State Representative David Simpson (TSA Anti-Groping Bill) to pass legislation making smart meters optional. Smitherman is LISTENING TO CONSERVATIVES and trying to correct the problems that the Texas Legislature did not think about. That is what a good conservative elected official should do!

I am not against Barry Smitherman's runoff opponent Greg Parker. I am FOR Barry Smitherman. I really do believe in him and believe he is fighting for us and for conservative values. I have friends who are voting for Parker and I have friends who are voting for Smitherman. Not everyone agrees on who to vote for 100% of the time and that is ok. We are still all on the same side and will continue to work together fighting for conservative values. I think Greg is a good guy and has a good road ahead of him. I look forward to working with him in the future. That being said, I thought Parker was originally running in the open Railroad Commissioner seat and not against Smitherman. I fully support Barry Smitherman and I like how Smitherman has fought for conservative values while appointed to Railroad Commissioner and I would like to see Smitherman elected to a full term. He always makes time to listen to regular people like me and even personally calls me to talk about conservative issues and explain what he is doing to stand for us.

I first met Barry Smitherman when I was on the State Republican Executive Committee for the Republican Party of Texas. Smitherman came to one of our SREC meetings and gave a passionate speech about how he is fighting for Texas, conservative values, and standing up against the EPA. My friend John at www.TexasGOPvote.com recorded the speech for me and posted it online so I could write an article about it and link to the video.

His message at this meeting was clear.

Obama’s New GREEN EPA Rules will cause Texas to shut down power plants, which will mean that homes could go without power (Lights and even Air Conditioning) in the middle of next year’s 2012 Texas Summer heat.

Texas is fighting tooth and nail to stop this rule form going into effect. Barry Smitherman is fighting too and he is part of every lawsuit that Texas has against the EPA.

Here is the article I wrote:

Texas Commissioner Barry Smitherman Says EPA will Turn off Power to Air Conditioners in Summer Heat

As time went by, I began to like Smitherman even more. He was very willing to work with conservatives to stand for our values and

Here is a video of Texas Railroad Commissioner Barry Smitherman talking to the SREC on October 1^st, 2011 about the EPA threatening to Turn off the Lights in Texas:

 

Heritage Alliance (including Liberty Institute, Eagle Forum, etc.) ranks Smitherman high on their Conservative Rankings

Railroad Commissioner, unexpired term - Republican

Parker, Greg (R)	Grade: B+
Smitherman, Barry (R)	Grade: A

Railroad Commissioner Barry Smitherman's Endorsers & Supporters:

​Governor Rick Perry
Attorney General Greg Abbott
Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples

“I am proud to endorse Barry Smitherman in the run-off election for the Texas Railroad Commission. He has demonstrated strong moral character and nothing symbolizes that character more than his 25 year marriage to Marijane and their commitment to protecting unborn life. Voters can feel confident that when they head to the polls and vote for Barry that he is a proven conservative and a man of integrity who will govern as such.” ~ Kyleen Wright, President, Texans for Life

"Barry Smitherman is a proven fiscal and social conservative. As the current Chairman of the Texas Railroad Commission, Barry has worked hard to make the Commission more responsive and is leading the way to American Energy Independence. Barry is a leader we can trust because of his stellar character and personal integrity. As a proud homeschooler and father of four, Barry just celebrated his twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. Barry Smitherman practices the conservative values he preaches. I invite my friends across Texas to join me in voting for Barry Smitherman for Texas Railroad Commissioner." - Cathie Adams, President, Texas Eagle Forum

"Barry Smitherman is a proven conservative who has served all Texans well. As a values driven conservative I find it easy to endorse his candidacy. I voted for him in May and plan to do so again in his run-off and in November." – Dr. Rick Scarborough

I am honored to support Barry Smitherman for Railroad Commissioner. Not only is he exceptionally skilled in all the issues surrounding the complex energy industry, he is also a strong, conservative man of faith committed to fighting Obama and the cultural liberals. Whether it be by suing to block unconstitutional actions by Obama bureaucrats, or by showing the world that even those in public office can still have a strong, 25-year marriage and successfully raise four children, Barry lives his values every day. Barry Smitherman is a competent, conservative public official who also demonstrates his faith and values in all his actions. I'm proud to support his bid for Railroad Commissioner." – David Barton

ORGANIZATIONS

Conservative Club of Houston
Conservative Republicans of Texas
Houston Realty Business Coalition
Texas Association of Business
Texas Association of Manufacturers
Texans for Lawsuit Reform
National Rifle Association
Texas Alliance for Life
Texas Association of Realtors
Texas Conservative Review
Texas Farm Bureau Ag Fund
Texas Home School Coalition
Texas Oil & Gas Association Committee
Texas Right to Life
Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association PAC
Texas State Rifle Association
Sportsman’s and Animal Owners Voting Alliance

FORMER RAILROAD COMMISSIONERS

Victor Carillo
Michael Williams
Elizabeth Ames Jones
Charles Matthews
Barry Williamson

REPUBLICAN PARTY OFFICIALS

Borah Van Dormolen - Republican National Committeewoman

Robin Armstrong - Republican National Committeeman

Sue Evenwell, Mt. Pleasant SD – 1
Vicki Slaton, Sunnyvale – SD 2
Judy Parada, Montgomery – SD 3
Michael Truncale, Beaumont – SD 4
Megan Higginbotham, Georgetown SD – 5
Russell Martinez, Huntsville SD – 5
Glenda Bowles, Houston – SD 6
Rex Teter, Pasadena – SD 6
Mark Ramsey, Spring – SD 7
Valoree Swanson, Spring – SD 7
Candy Noble, Plano – SD 8
Sheryl Berg, Houston – SD 11
Dennis Paul, Webster – SD 11
Thomas Washington, Carrollton – SD 12
Bonnie Lugo, Houston – SD 13
Rex Lamb, Houston – SD 13
Davida Stike, Pflugerville – SD 14
Randy Samuelson, Austin – SD 14
Montie Watkins, Houston – SD 15
Vergel Cruz, Houston – SD 15
Randall Dunning, Garland – SD 16
Tina Gibson, Sugar Land – SD 17
Marvin Clede, Houston – SD 17
Ben Zeller, Victoria – SD 18
James Barnes, San Antonio – SD 19
Gayla Miller,Rio Frio – SD 19
Bob Jones, Corpus Christi – SD 20
Eric Opiela, Karnes City – SD 21
Janet Jackson, Clifton – SD 22
Linda Kinney, Dripping Springs – SD 25
Dr. Johnny Lovejoy II, San Antonio – SD 26
Marian Stanko, San Antonio – SD 26
Norma Tovar, Brownsville – SD 27
Russ Duerstine, San Angelo – SD 28
Jane Cansino, Lubbock – SD 28
Rena Peden, Ft. Worth – SD 30
Danny Pelton, Hico – SD 30
Tom Roller, Amarillo – SD 31

SENATE

Chairman John Carona – TX 16
Chairman Bob Deuell – TX 2
Chairman Robert Duncan – TX 28
Chairman Kevin Eltife – TX 1
Chairman Craig Estes – TX 30
Chairman Troy Fraser – TX 24
Chairman Chris Harris – TX 9
Senator Glenn Hegar – TX 18
Chairman Mike Jackson – TX 11
Chairwoman Jane Nelson – TX 12
Senator Robert Nichols – TX 3
Senator Dan Patrick – TX 7
Chairman Kel Seliger – TX 31
Chairman Tommy Williams – TX 4

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Representative Jose Aliseda
Representative Doc Anderson
Representative Rodney Anderson
Chairman Jimmie Don Aycock
Representative Leo Berman
Representative Dwayne Bohac
Chairman Dan Branch
Representative Linda Harper-Brown
Representative Cindy Burkett
Representative Erwin Cain
Chairman Bill Callegari
Representative Stefani Carter
Representative Angie Chen Button
Representative Warren Chisum
Representative Wayne Christian
Chairman Byron Cook
Chairman Brandon Creighton
Representative Myra Crownover
Chairman Drew Darby
Chairman John Davis
Representative Sarah Davis
Representative Joe Driver
Chairman Rob Eissler
Representative Allen Fletcher
Representative Dan Flynn
Representative John Garza
Chairman Charlie Geren
Representative Lance Gooden
Chairman Tuffy Hamilton
Representative Kelly Hancock
Chairman Rick Hardcastle
Representative Patricia Harless
Representative Charlie Howard
Representative Dan Huberty
Representative Bryan Hughes
Chairman Jim Keffer
Representative Phil King
Representative John Kuempel
Representative Jodie Laubenberg
Representative Lyle Larson
Representative George Lavender
Representative Tryon Lewis
Chairman Jerry Madden
Representative Dee Margo
Representative Doug Miller
Chairman Sid Miller
Representative Geannie Morrison
Representative Jim Murphy
Representative Rob Orr
Chairman John Otto
Representative Tan Parker
Representative Ken Paxton
Chairman Aaron Pena
Chairman Larry Phillips
Chairman Jim Pitts
Representative Four Price
Representative Debbie Riddle
Chairman Allan Ritter
Representative Charles Schwertner
Representative Connie Scott
Representative Kenneth Sheets
Representative Ralph Sheffield
Representative David Simpson
Representative Todd Smith
Chairman Wayne Smith
Chairman Burt Solomons
Chairman Larry Taylor
Chairman Vicki Truitt
Representative Randy Weber
Representative James White
Representative Paul Workman
Representative Bill Zedler
Chairman John Zerwas

Like the Alaska Oil Pipeline, Keystone XL Pipeline Will Help Texas and Not Cause Damage (Pictures)

Texas Republican Leaders say that the Keystone XL Oil Pipeline has passed all environmental reviews and will bring money and jobs to Texas

There was recently a United States State Department hearing in Port Arthur, TX regarding the proposed building of the Keystone XL Pipeline that will bring tar sand oil from Canada all the way down to refineries right here in southeast Texas.

Not surprisingly, most of the people in the large crowd at the meeting were in favor of the pipeline. Some were against it, including a person who claimed that the pipeline would cause people of color to be negatively impacted. Not sure where that idea came from, but there have been many black Republican Elected officials who have stood up in favor of the Keystone XL Pipeline (see below)

The Beaumont Enterprise reported that the meeting was more of a pro-pipeline rally. Many Texas Elected Leaders were at the meeting to support the pipeline. Republican Texas State Rep. James White, whose district includes Angelina, Trinity and San Jacinto counties, was at the meeting and he noted that the agency had already assessed the environmental impact and said he wanted to see the permitting process expedited.

"This is why people are frustrated with government," he said to applause from a crowd numbering around 500. "We need jobs.”

At a different United States Department of State Hearing in Austin, TX, Republican County Commissioner Greg Parker testified on behalf of the Keystone XL Pipeline.

His more important remarks were his remarks about the money and jobs the pipeline will bring to Texas:

“We expect to see 7,000 manufacturing jobs, 13,000 construction jobs, and 118,000 spinoff jobs related to the design and management of the Keystone XL pipeline. This is exactly the kind of economic boost the federal government has tried to do with the American Recovery Act and is again prepared to pay hundreds of billions of our tax dollars to achieve, yet they have not given this privately-funded venture permission to begin.

In Texas, the Keystone XL pipeline would mean gains of $1.6 billion in private investment, $2.3 billion in total business expenditures, $2 billion in gross output. Local governments would eventually receive a total of $1.1 billion in new property tax revenue.

It makes no sense to delay a project of this magnitude any longer. The State Department's own environmental review has found no support for opposition to the Keystone XL pipeline based on fears of ecological damage. In these perilous economic times, it would simply be foolish to pass on an opportunity like the Keystone XL.”

The Alaska Oil Pipeline Has Proven to be a Success!

Although there are many in favor of the Keystone XL Pipeline, there are also some who are against the pipeline. This reminds me of the opposition to the Alaska Oil Pipeline.

A few decades ago there was a highly publicized resistance to the building of the Oil Pipeline in Alaska. Some of the biggest reasons against the Alaska Pipeline were that it would damage the permafrost, an earthquake could cause it to open up and spill out, and that the pipeline would destroy the Caribou populations.

The truth is, the Caribou population has exploded in Alaska (they like the warmth of the pipeline), the pipeline has survived many earthquakes, and the pipeline is built above the ground and has no effect on the permafrost.

I went to Alaska a few summers ago as part of a Texas A&M University Student Exchange Program. Alaska sent some student to Texas and Texas sent some students to Alaska. I absolutely love God’s creations in nature and I was thrilled to get to go to Alaska where the raw beauty of nature is so evident. I have been to most National Parks in America and when I went to Alaska I drove so that I could camp out at National Parks all along the way to Alaska. I would never wish for widespread, intentional devastation of the environment. The fact is that Alaska’s Pipeline has not at all caused damage to the beauty of Alaska and it has created money and Jobs for Alaska. The pipeline runs through only a small percentage of a percentage of Alaska and the pipeline has not hurt the environment. In fact, I would never have been able to drive the 400 miles to the Arctic Ocean and see all the beauty of Alaska if it were not for the 400 mile service road that the pipeline built (the Dalton Highway).

So not only am I in favor of the Keystone XL Oil Pipeline, I am also in favor of drilling in the Alaska Wildlife refuge. The drilling area would be very small and they would drill in such a manner that it would not have an impact on the environment around them. I have been to the drilling fields in Alaska and I have seen that these oil fields do not bother the wildlife or the environment. What drilling in Alaska will do, just like building the Keystone XL Pipeline will do, is it would help the economy and help us break away from our dependence on Middle East foreign oil.

Below are pictures that I took of the Alaska Pipeline and the beauty of Alaska. I was able to experience it thanks to the road that was built beside the pipeline.

Notice how the pipeline has not caused any destruction to the environment it is in and the Caribou were easily spotted.