Community Matters

(Community Matters) another, especially-notable event bridging Austin & San Antonio for Joaquin Castro for Congress

(Community Matters) NYTimes op-ed from the authors of “The Anointed: Evangelical Truth in a Secular Age.”

(Community Matters) This sounds like insightful perspective on the electorate

David Brooks:

Some economists say the government should be spending more now to stimulate a recovery. Thirty-eight percent of Americans seem to agree with that. But 56 percent have said “government spending when the government is already running a deficit is the wrong approach during an economic downturn because it is only a temporary solution that increases long-term debt.”

These majorities are focused on the fundamentals. They say that repairing the economic moral fabric is the essential national task right now. They are suspicious of government action in general, saying that government often undermines this fabric. But they support specific federal policies that nurture industriousness, responsibility and delayed gratification, like spending on infrastructure, education and research. They distinguish between the deserving and undeserving rich*.

America went through a similar values restoration in the 1820s. Then, too, people sensed that the country had grown soft and decadent. Then, too, Americans rebalanced. They did it quietly and in private.

After listening to family and other moderates over the last week, I’m even more daunted by the task ahead.

* I’d like to know more about this “concept” of deserving and undeserving rich

(Community Matters) so . . . what can 500 Entrepreneurs Foundation volunteers accomplish in 6 hours at Zilker Park?

•    spread 10 acres of wildflower seeds
•    plant 8 palettes of native grasses and plants
•    stripe eight parking areas
•    spread 15 yards of mulch
•    repair and paint 8 benches and 6 tables
•    remove 60 truckloads of invasive plant species (!)
•    install new shelving
•    install a weather station
•    re-gravell 100 feet of beach around a pond
•    build 120 feet of split-rail fence
•    set 120 square feet of brick trail
•    build 3 ½ tons of stone into a dry-stack wall
•    and much more!

(Community Matters) The Daily Beast reports on emails from a Perry political operative

not to be misunderstood as any defense of the Mormon church which organized and spent millions in CA (against tax exemption laws btw) to overturn marriage equality. They’ve declared war against constitutional equality for LGBT Americans

(Community Matters) No surprise Wall Street is lavishing its support on Romney and Perry. Pres Obama passed the most aggressive financial regulatory reform he could get through Congress and the Republicans want to reverse even that. NYTimes article – Romney Beating Obama in a Fight for Wall St. Cash

There are some (too few) enlightened Wall Street players who get that a strong middle class, more fair taxes, and a strong regulatory system are not only in the best interests of the 99% but of the 1% too.

Pres Obama hasn’t been winning friends on Wall Street by passing & enforcing financial regulatory reform – a lot more is needed: 1) a constitutional amendment rolling back S Ct Citizens United decision, and 2) more aggressive regulatory reform will real penalties. I don’t know if as far as reestablishing Glass Stegall but the current situation & level of influence is intolerable.

(Community Matters) Friedman on Emanuel in Chicago – A Progressive in the Age of Austerity

I’d like it even more if Cut, Pay & Invest

Reminds me of Warren Buffett’s story: A genie is talking to twins in the womb. Tells them they’ll each be bright, beautiful and rich beyond their wildest dreams. Only issue is, one will be born in the US & must pay 70% taxes while the other will pay no taxes & be born in Bangladesh. Guess where they both want to be born.

Wealthy Americans will pay a premium for US services – stability of markets, access to capital, rule of law, roads, healthcare and other services. Talk that modestly higher, marginal taxes will stifle job creation is total bullshit.

(Community Matters) Amy & Steve Younkman hosted the out of town brunch for Sandi & Bob’s wedding. Steven and I noticed a lemonade stand while driving over, so of course had to enlist the kids in walking over.

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Steven’s pics

(Community Matters) After being married at the Tiger’s Nest in Bhutan, Sandi Aitken and Bob Tomlinson (now Sandi & Bob Tomlinson, aka Aunt Sandi & Uncle Bob) had a civil ceremony & larger wedding reception last night at the Vista on Seward Hill.

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Great evening since so many of our cousins, Steven’s parents, uncles and extended family were there – yet still intimate. Off to a brunch this am.

(Community Matters) If you are a Wheatsville Co-op member, please vote here now for our dear friend Jason Heffron to serve on the board of directors. Jason is one of our favorite former MBA students, a dear friend, a great husband & dad, a successful business owner, and is very community minded & spirited.

photo: Jason, Nathaniel & Lucia

(Community Matters)  As to the specific allegation which John-Michael Cortez is promoting on behalf of Lloyd Doggett that Joaquin Castro collaborated with the Republicans to create CD-35, that’s simply not true. Of course I called Joaquin the minute I read this.

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(Community Matters) Lloyd Doggett’s surrogates are stepping up the lies and innuendo about my friend, Joaquin Castro. Joaquin won’t let this go unanswered.

I’d like you to watch a short video.

Joaquin Castro Responds to Lloyd’ Doggett’s Att…, posted with vodpod

It’s sad that Lloyd is more worried about keeping his job than standing for the principles we’ve long known him to champion.

Joaquin is worried about your job, worried about getting things done in Washington.

Lloyd’s behavior is the same desperate Washington-style politics that have gotten us where we are today. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that these silly attacks have stepped up since Joaquin Castro outraised Lloyd by $100k in the 3rd quarter.

Conspiracy rumors about Joaquin working with Republicans are just some of the latest, negative, personal attacks. Yelling across the aisle doesn’t get anything done either. It’s time to elect a new generation of leaders. Congress is broken. It needs to be fixed.

Please share this video and help us get the truth out.