MY THOUGHT OF THE DAY

"This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing government, they can exercise their constitutional right amending it, or their revolutionary right to dismember, or over throw it. I cannot be ignorant of the fact that many worthy and patriotic citizens are desirous of have the constitution amended. While I make no recommendation of the amendments, I fully recognize the rightful authority of the people over the whole subject, to be exercised in either of the modes prescribed in the instrument itself; and I should, under existing circumstances, favor than oppose a fair opportunity being afforded the people to act upon it..."

These words were spoken by President Abraham Lincoln on March 4, 1861 in Washington, D.C. at his first Inauguration. President Lincoln fully understood the rights of Americans and he sided with their right to disagree with government.

I wonder what the media would do to him for uttering these words?

This week we have seen and heard Americans expressing their Constitutional right of "Freedom of Speech and Assembly." Yet, the media and others have "be cried" the public right to voice their objections to their elected representatives concerning the Healthcare Bill.

Though I don't agree in violence or criminal threats, I do agree that we all have a right to express our dissatisfaction with our government....no matter how vocal or loud the dissent may be.

Our elected "representative" or to represent us, their bosses. They are to hear the concerns of their constituents and provide meaningful answers to serious questions.
I am concerned when those "representatives" fail to meet with the people and try to correct their mistakes in failing policies.

The issue is not Republican or Democrat...is about a government "of the people, by the people and for the people."

This week I had the opportunity to attend several meetings in the area including the Border Security Conference sponsored by UTEP and attended the keynote given by Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano whose remarks were eye-opening to say the least.

Congressman Harry Teague attended a joint meeting of the Las Cruces Home Builders Association, Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce and Las Cruces Association of Realtors Boards of Directors and community leaders. There were strong questions asked but there were "no shouting matches" going on. Just democracy in action.

How soon we forget the "rioting in Watts," "the Democratic National Convention in Chicago," "The Million Man March on Washington," "Civil Rights Demonstrations," "Bra Burnings," "Anti-War Demonstrations," and other highly emotionally charged issues that Americans have "LOUDLY AND VIOLENTLY" voiced their dissatisfaction with current Administrations.

When we forget the past, we lose our future. We are a Republic Government formed by our Founding Fathers who understood the "right to object." They lost life, property and all for the freedom to assembly and freely speak.

Let us never lose sight of what makes America Great...our Constitutional Rights of Free Speech, Assembly, Religion, the Right to Bear Arms, etc. We should rejoice in the fact that we can oppose our Government as is our right.

CONGRESSMAN HARRY TEAGUE ANSWERS QUESTIONS REGARDING PROPOSED HEALTH CARE BILL

Congressman Harry Teague spoke to local leaders representing the Home Builders Association, Las Cruces Association of Realtors and the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce who were invited to ask the Congressman about the proposed Health Care Plan Bill.

A number of local business and community leaders gathered at the Las Cruces Home Builders Association yesterday afternoon to express their concerns as to how the Health Care would impact their businesses and employees.

Congressman Teague stated from the beginning in his opening remarks that he has some serious concerns with the legislation and he had addressed his concerns in a letter to the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi.

When asked if he had read the Bill (which is over 1000 pages) he answered, "I sat for seven (7) hours as it was read to me." He further stated that "no Congressman has the excuse that they didn't know what is in the Bill as they had the Bill read also."

Congressman Teague answered very tough questions from the various leaders in attendance and answered their questions, however some still didn't agree with them.

John Hummer, President of the Chamber of Commerce and owner of Steinborn Realty moderated the question and answer session.

One interesting point raised by Isaac Chavez, Governmental Affairs Director of the Las Cruces Association of Realtors was that there is a provision in the plan to have "surprise" home visits to verify if children are being properly cared for and meet the "parenting guideline" as defined by Congress. For example if you have a child who is overweight, the government can take your child and place them under their "protective services" to assess the child's health, diet, etc.

Congressman Teague responded that their are parents who need to be visited as this area has a high child abuse rate.

At the end of the Question and Answer period, John Hummer polled the attendees as to whether they wanted to have the Health Care Plan passed without any "Tort Reform" legislation in it? The overwhelming majority voted no. When asked if they wanted the Health Care Bill currently proposed, again the majority voted against.

DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY JANET NAPOLITANO WILL SPEAK TOMORROW AT UTEP

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano will participate in the 6th Annual Border Security Conference: Fostering a 21st Century Relationship of Cooperation and Shared Responsibility taking place August 10 - 11, 2009 at the University of Texas at El Paso.

The Honorable John Brennan, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, Alan Bersin, Assistant Secretary for International Affairs and Special Representative for Border Affairs, John Morton, Assistant Secretary for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Kenneth Melson, Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, David Aguilar, Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol, and Roger Garner, USAID Mission Director for Mexico will also participate in this year's conference. The event is free and open to the public.