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Les4TxGov
The People's Choice Candidate

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Forum  >  Voter Questions

From: Casey Gordon-Owens
Subject: Voter Questions
To: staff@les4txgov.com
Date: Friday, January 8, 2010, 2:52 PM


Good Morning. I was sitting down with my morning tea and looking for information on who is running for office in our district. I came across your name and website and found much of what I read interesting and thought provoking. I am not one to vote simply based on what I hear. I prefer to go straight to the source (or the candidate in this instance) for answers to the questions most important to my family. Speaking of family, let me tell you a little bit about mine. I am a 30 year old wife and mother (soon to be a mother of 2 instead of 1). I have 3 college degrees (right now...all gathering dust on a shelf). I run a small business from home to help financially (and also because I cannot just SIT all day long). My husband works at the local TDCJ unit, currently a CO III and hoping to be sgt by summer. MY 9 year old son currently attends a privately funded school district, but because of issues there, we are considering home school. We attend and serve at Victory Church, and our faith is what binds and moves us. Before I met my husband, I was a single parent for more than 5 years, all while working full time and gong to school; so I understand the challenges you faced as a single dad. So, that being said: here are a few questions we would like answered, as we didn't see anything listed on your webpage.

1. What do you believe (in terms of God, not religion)?

2. What are your plans for keeping our Texas borders secure against more illegal immigrants, and what do you plan to do to resolve the issue of illegal immigrants currently residing in Texas (and benefitting from the work of our citizens)?

3. What are your specific plans when it comes to the criminal justice and prison system?

4. What are your specific plans for the education system? I grew up in the Texas school system, and have seen a decline in the standards. Is this something you plan to remedy, and if so, how?

I would appreciate either a call at 806-335-7005, or an email at newdamascusroad@hotmail.com. Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you.

Also, if you haven't visited Amarillo yet, let us know when you will be doing so. I'd love to come hear what you have to say.

Thanks again!

Casey L Gordon Owens
Administrator
1/8/2010 12:36:06 PM
I know my website is huge and some things are hard to find, but I shall give you the area these answers are in, and add to it where I need to.
 
1) On the Introduction page under "Nothing to do with being Governor", I have touched on several subjects that are intrinsic to my character, but have no real bearing on my ability to serve the people. My Faith is the second item on there, but to expound further:
 
I feel that as Christians we are called to serve our God by serving our fellow man.  Jesus said to love our enemies, to give all that we have to anyone that needs it more, and to make the world a better place for all people, even those that don't believe.  We are supposed to lead by example, not force anyone to do what is not in their conscious, and render aide whenever we can.  Being a Christian is a choice to put others before yourself and to treat all people equally and with respect.
 
It is not a license to do what we want, to force people to follow our rules, or to brow beat people and put ourselves above them.  Being a Christian is a responsibility, not an excuse for bad behavior.  Most of the bad rap we get as Christians is because of those that use the name of God to justify their own selfish agenda.  There are people that want power and abuse any system they control, they do it in the name of God, Gold, or Country.  But,  "We are on this world, not of it", and by this we are called to a higher standard: to do what is right, not what is popular; to allow personal choice when the actions affect only that person; to constantly strive to be the best of ourselves; and to always seek ways to empower and lift people to be the best of themselves.
 
2)  Illegal Immigration is on the "Misc" page, kind of hard to find, sorry.  Ultimately I believe that the time for borders is over, and that if we have any future beyond 2015, it will be in the direction of space.  It will take a global effort to make this a reality, so the way we handle government and economies has to change, both for here and space.  Having said that...
 
I believe we need to bring our military home and they can begin policing the border.  We spend millions on training exercises, why not combine the two expenses and give our military real hands-on training in real world conditions.  This lowers total costs, is much more realistic and more effective training, and keeps them home to protect America not overseas where we will have a devil of a time getting them home in an emergency.
 
I believe that we need to institute laws that give severe penalties to ANYONE that hires an illegal, including individuals, not just companies, e.g., $10,000 fine for every illegal employed  and for every day employed, NO appeal, NO exceptions.
 
We need to be compassionate in the way that we deal with the actual illegals, but deal we must.  We should have a training program that teaches them how to create a true democracy in their country.  We need to change the law so that your citizenship is decided by your parents citizenship not the location of birth, and outline a pathway for their children, born here, to "earn" their citizenship.
 
Some things that will help to control this problem:  Enforce existing laws that make it compulsory to carry ID at all times while out in public, while not issuing any IDs or driver's licenses except to Citizens, Legal Residents, and tagging Visa's with expiration dates (for tourists to get around while legally here);  Demand ID at voter polling cites, why isn't this the law?;  and, Deportation of all Illegals in our Criminal Justice system, not being held on Capitol charges.  All of this should be done in a respectful, compassionate manner, we are not punishing these people, we are sending them home.
 
3) Both of these are outlined under "the Plan" page.  Basically, updating and simplifying,  existing laws.  Return our system to a "Justice" system not a "Legal" system.  Get prisoners educated and trained so they can work to pay off the expense of incarcerating them and  have a chance at reforming themselves when they return to society.
 
4) This is also outlined on "the Plan" page.  Finding money for education should be Job 1.  People can help themselves when they are aware of ways to do so.  A free country only benefits from education and activism, tyranny benefits from ignorance and apathy.
 
My "Plan" is a series of Public Works projects that will put EVERY able Texan to work.  In this system, education is necessary and every level of education will benefit.  Ultimately I want to secure funding to make Public Education free until an Associates Degree, and if at all possible, till a Bachelor's Degree.  We can try an indentured public service solution or route all available funds to that end, but education is a must to be free and prosperous.
 
I am 47, we had standardized test in my day, but you didn't know when they were coming, they tested you on REAL Basic Knowledge, and you couldn't "teach for the test".  We need those types of tests back.  We need to certify all teachers and constantly be training them to better execute their responsibilities.  Identify all students' strengths and weaknesses and put together a curriculum that addresses those particulars, while still allowing personal carrier choices.  DO NOT ALLOW drop-outs, mandatory education until the end of the State's responsibility.  We are not doing anyone, especially society, any favors by allowing people to remain ignorant.
 
A couple of quotes from James Madison -
 
"Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives"
 
"Learned Institutions ought to be favorite objects with every free people. They throw that light over the public mind which is the best security against crafty and dangerous encroachments on the public liberty"
 
****************************************************
 
The governments job, in my opinion, is to serve the people, to empower them so that our society/country is the best it can be.  It does not exist for its own security or well-being, but for the people's.  The government of America is supposed to BE the people, "The Magistrate is not the King.  The People are the King!" - Gouverneur Morris of Pennsylvania, actual writer of the Constitution
 
I hope that I have answered your questions the way your were wanting me to.  I hope I have given you much to ponder and possibly agree with.  If you have any more questions or need even more of an explanation, please feel free to E-mail me again, also, I am going to post this on the Forums, so you can also post comments there.
 
I have already made a trip through Amarillo, early on in my tour, but I hope to be called back by interested groups and Institutions of Higher Learning.  If you belong to such a group, I would be happy to travel back there and address all of you in person.  Right now I am working on Fund Raising, as I am doing this from my own pocket and I ain't rich, but hope to begin another state-wide tour in late January or early February.
 
Thank you so much for your interest, and I am looking forward to your reply and continued patronage.
 
Thanks, Les...
Casey Gordon-Owens
1/8/2010 5:37:27 PM
Thank You, Les. Feel free to use my questions for your forum. It's great to get some REAL answers instead of just political mumbo jumbo. And for the record...you have now secured my family's votes. I will be sharing your website with friends and family here in TX, and if it's alright with you, will post a link for it on my facebook pages (both personal and business).

Thank you again for taking the time to answer my questions today.

Casey Gordon Owens
Administrator
1/8/2010 5:44:23 PM
And thank you for your support.  Feel free to include my link anywhere you want to.

I am in need of donations and volunteers.   Donations are a necessary evil, and without volunteers I will not get enough people to sign the petition that I will need as an Independent Candidate to get on the ballot.
 
For the record, the procedure to get on the ballot is $1500 for Republican and Democratic Candidates, it is 1% of the number of people that vote in that Primary for everyone else, last election it was 43,900 signatures.  Because you have to see a valid Texas Driver License and make them take an oath that they did not vote in the primary or sign any other candidate's petition, the only way to get signatures is in person.  Unless there is a weak Primary turn out, I will need a lot of signatures, thus a lot of volunteers.  You only have 60 days in which to secure this petition, from beginning of March until the end of April.
 
If you have further comments, suggestions, or questions, feel free to E-mail me or post in the Forums.
 
Thank you, Les...

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Introduction & Site MapTime to BlogFront Page Views & What's NewGlossaryThe PlanHealth-careEnviromentPersonal ChoicesPersonal EndorsementsForumGuestbookCONTRIBUTIONSContact MeBulletin BoardMiscBIO, Pics, & PersonalTravel Blog & Shout-outsBibliographyArchives
We don't need more Politicians...we need LES!