ATTENTION VOTERS!
Don't Let Someone Else Choose the Issues! Attend Your Precinct Convention!
Ever wonder how the Republican and Democratic parties pick the issues?
Would you like them to pay attention to YOUR issue? All you have
to do is
vote in the primary of one of these parties and then attend the
precinct
caucus held at your polling pace after the polls close.
WHAT TO DO AT A PRECINCT CONVENTION
1. Introduce Resolutions:
Bring at least 4 copies of resolutions on YOUR most important issue,
to the
convention. Resolutions should be short. There is usually a paragraph
or
two of background (the WHEREAS part) explaining why something must
be done
or undone (often including the current status), and a paragraph
(the
THEREFORE part) stating what level of government should do what
thing or
take what position. Give copies to the convention secretary and
distribute
others to be read out loud. Be prepared to answer questions and
explain WHY
the issue is important TO YOU. If possible, have other voters in
your
precinct also speak in support, and provide copies of endorsements
from
party candidates. It is okay to introduce more than one resolution
on a
topic and also amend them to satisfy concerns of precinct voters.
2. Become a Delegate:
Nominate yourself to be a delegate to the district. Be prepared to
stand up
and explain why you want to be a delegate (e.g. to represent your
neighborhood's values and concerns). You should be willing, and
say so, to
give up a Saturday to go to the district convention. If asked how
you stand
on various issues, be honest, but careful to remain uncommitted
on "hot
button" issues that are not YOUR most important issue. Also, nominate
other
voters in your precinct (they must have voted, but don't need to
be
present) who support YOUR most important issue. Chances are, your
precinct
will have more delegate slots than people present, but if you can't
get on
the delegate list, get on the alternates list.
WHAT TO DO AT A DISTRICT CONVENTION
District delegates choose state delegates and vote on resolutions.
However,
because of the sheer number of delegates and resolutions, district
conventions depend on committees to prepare the list of nominees
for the
state, and to prepare a package of the most popular resolutions
(those that
passed a high percentage of precincts). How this is done is very
important,
and delegates vote on chairmen and rules to govern these powerful
committees. (A similar process is followed at the state level to
choose
delegates and resolutions for the national party convention, though
it is
complicated by Presidential candidate delegate selections.)
1. Become a State Delegate:
Most precincts get to elect one or more delegates and alternates
to the
state. The precinct chairman is usually one of these delegates,
but they
can be anyone who lives in the precinct and voted in the primary
(they
don't have to be present and don't have to be a district delegate).
Be
prepared to nominate yourself, and try to get the support of your
other
precinct delegates. Be sure to state your willingness to give up
a weekend
to attend the state convention (which may require travel) at your
own
expense. If you are not elected from your precinct, or your precinct
is too
small to get a delegate, you have the option of becoming an at-large
delegate. It is best to get someone of party stature (your precinct
chairman at least) to speak for you to the Nominations Committee,
but you
can nominate yourself. At-large slots are generally reserved for
big
donors, elected officials, and party campaign workers and volunteers.
However, "new blood" is always welcome, and if you've never served
before,
this could get you a slot, at least as an alternate. Many delegates
don't
attend the whole state convention, so if you are an alternate and
attend,
you may very well get to vote at the State level.
2. Introduce/Amend/Support Resolutions:
If a resolution that passed your precinct is not in the prepared
district
package, it is usually because it didn't pass many precincts, was
not
understood, or not considered important by the Resolutions Committee
members. As a delegate, you have the opportunity to address the
committee
in the morning of the convention to urge them to reconsider it.
Get there
early because the line is often long. Have about a dozen copies
and hand
them out to the committee members. If possible, get and read an
endorsement
letter signed by popular elected officials. If the committee votes
to add
your resolution to its recommended list, it will be read to the
entire
convention before the package is voted on by you and the other delegates
later in the day. If they vote not to include it, you still have
the option
to offer it from the floor. However, conventions often pass rules
which
restrict and limit this process. Resolutions included in the package
can be
singled out (from the floor) and amended or voted down, but generally,
those recommended by the Resolutions Committee pass.
WHY GET INVOLVED?
When you introduce a resolution, you are educating all those present
on an
issue of importance to YOU. Hopefully, some will also consider it
important
to THEM. If your resolution becomes part of the district package,
every
delegate to that convention will read it. If it is passed by multiple
districts and/or wins the endorsement of important party officials
and
candidates, it will go into the state package and probably the state
party
platform - read by every state delegate and candidate. If similar
resolutions come from multiple states, they can end up in the national
platform - read by every national delegate and candidate. These
delegates
and candidates have the power to implement the platform - to take
YOUR
issue, make it THEIR issue, and MAKE IT HAPPEN. By voting and attending
a
precinct, district, and/or state convention and helping others of
similar
opinions, you have the opportunity to influence the people who can
and do
change the world. You also have the opportunity to be one of those
people!
IMPORTANT DATES FOR TEXAS ELECTIONS IN 2000
| TBD 2002 | Last day to register to vote in time for March 14 primary in Texas. |
| TBD 2002 | Primary election. Polls open 7 to 7. Precinct conventions held after the polls close. |
| TBD 2002 | Texas Senate District Conventions. |
| TBD 2002 | Runoff elections if needed. |
| TBD 2002 | Texas Democratic State Convention in Fort Worth. |
| TBD 2002 | Texas Republican State Convention in Houston. |
| TBD 2004 | Republican National Convention in Philadelphia. |
| TBD 2004 | Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles. |
FOR MORE INFORMATION
To register to vote in Harris County, call the Tax Assessor Collector
office at 713-224-1919.
To find out who your precinct chairman is, call your local Party
Headquarters. Harris County Republican Party: 713-838-7900. Harris
County
Democratic Party: 713-522-9361. Ask for a copy of the current Party
Platform.
For sample resolutions and to answer questions about being a Texas
delegate, contact Marianne Dyson.
For other states Election Information, go to Secretaries of State:
www.nass.org
NASA Budget
In February, 2000, President Clinton sent Congress a $14.0353 billion NASA budget request for Fiscal Year 2001, an increase of 3% over FY 2000 levels. The proposed increase would end a seven-year decline and provide critical funding for the nation's space transportation programs and scientific missions.
The budget includes $5.499 billion for human spaceflight, $5.929 billion for science, aeronautics and technology, and $2.584 billion for mission support. It funds a second-generation Reusable Launch Vehicle program, an initiative to utilize commercial rockets for human spaceflight, and provides $256 million for a program to enhance Shuttle safety. Space Science will receive a 9% boost to $2.4 billion. The new budget will also allow NASA to hire as many as 2000 personnel over the next five years, though the net gain will be only about 600 due to attrition. [NSS Online 3-00]
According to Dr. Robert Zubrin, author of The Case for Mars, a human mission to Mars could be accomplished within 10 years and at a cost of only 20 percent of the current NASA budget. After the first mission, a human presence can be maintained for a cost equivalent to one or two Space Shuttle launches at year (there are currently about 8 launches/year). [Mars Society web page.]
Aerospace Industry
The Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP), established by Congress in the aftermath of the fatal Apollo 1 fire in 1967, concluded in its annual report that NASA's current [1999] workforce level is not sufficient to handle the increased shuttle flight rate planned for the coming years during space station assembly. The panel noted there are twice as many scientists and engineers at the Kennedy Space Center over the age of 60 than under the age of 30. [SpaceViews 2-00]
The aerospace industry contributes $1.7 billion per year to the Houston economy, employing approximately 14,500 jobs in the area. [Houston Chronicle, 9-99]
Public Interest
When Mars Pathfinder landed in 1997, there were over 100 million hits on that webpage in the first day. Since then, over half a billion people have viewed the Mars Pathfinder site. In December 1999, there were almost 200 million hits on the Mars Polar Lander website, despite the mission's failure.
Foreign Competition
In 1999, the Chinese launched their first man-capable orbital rocket and are pursuing building their own space station using Russian technology. "We have very seriously talked with our Chinese friends about the use of our technologies in the creation of an orbiting manned stations," Russian Deputy Prime Minister Ilya Klebanov said in March, 2000. Anatoli Filipchenko, a Russian cosmonaut, has visited China three times recently and was quoted predicting the Chinese will have their own space station within ten years. [Space Daily, 3-7-00]
Quotes
"If in truth we are alone in a lonely universe, it is all the more reason to explore our unimaginable big back yard. To leave our footprints on other worlds. To revisit our neighbor the moon and forge ahead with plans to visit Mars. Our space program has so often brought out the best in us. Neglect it, and we are earthbound in fact and in fancy. Encourage it, and we might find the keys to life's very survival - and provide a ringing affirmative to the question: Is there any intelligent life down here?" CBS news anchor Dan Rather [Houston Chronicle, 2-20-00]
"We have a vast frontier sitting on our doorstep in space which we have
developed the technology to make use of. And I think, not only for the
sake of this country but for the sake of humanity, we need to follow in
the inspiring and visionary footsteps of our founding fathers. And we should,
as a community, sustain our commitment to make sure we are able to develop
and make use of that great frontier; for the sake of humanity, not just
for our own sake.
"I also think, by the way, that that has a spiritual component
which we may be losing sight of, because, as a people, as a race, we need
continually to have before us the truth that our potential is best realized
when we are challenging ourselves to reach for those things that transcend
our every day needs and desires and passions, and commit us to the kind
of endeavors that have importance, not only for us, but for future generations.
"I think space exploration is one of those and I would support
it strongly." Ambassador and Presidential Candidate Alan Keyes [New Hampshire
Campaign, 1-00]
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Resolution for Space Exploration and SettlementTherefore be it resolved that the ______________ Party of Texas requests that the Congress and President make a commitment to human space settlement as the long-term motivating goal for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). To implement this commitment, the Government should immediately:
1. Stabilize or increase the NASA budget to encourage hiring of young scientists and engineers and retention of NASA's cutting edge engineering and scientific teams;
2. Put a priority on design, testing, and reducing the risk of technologies needed for human space exploration and settlement on space stations, on the Moon, and on Mars. Key technologies include reusable and advanced rocket propulsion systems, closed life support systems, and in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) equipment and robotics.
3. Encourage and continue governmental policies which support commercial
efforts (such as a registry for property ownership, purchase of launches
and data from the private sector, and support of space tourism) to create
an infrastructure that would be conducive to human space settlements.