U.S. Senator John Cornyn

Dear Senator Cornyn,  Please do not vote in support of changes to medicare that can be harmful to senior citizens, especially in the area of premiums.  It is tough to live on a fixed income, especially if you are a Texas teacher and have no built in cost of living adjustment.  Please also vote to repeal the WEP and GPO for Texas teachers.  Don't punish our profession.  How did you learn to read?  Wasn't it through the teachings of a good Texas teacher?  Let's have a retirement like you will be entitled to!

A vote has been called so I have to run.

Thanks for your time and sorry to cut it short.

I will read your comments and try to reply later on.

Thanks

John

   A vote has been called in five minutes, but I have time for one more.  I'd like to address high energy prices, since I see several questions on that issue.

    This is a frustrating topic, because politics have taken over for common sense.  We're in a transition period from near-total reliance on fossil fuels to a more balanced energy supply that will include alternative sources such as solar and wind, nuclear, biofuels, clean coal and others.  Both government and private industry are spending billions of dollars to promote this change.

   But for the next several years, we will have to rely heavily on traditional sources.  The U.S. now is the only country in the world that is refusing to develop its resources.  We cannot repeal the law of supply and demand, and so the only real answer to a growing economy -- both the U.S. and worldwide -- is increasing our supply of energy.

     I voted, along with virtually every other Senator, this week to halt diversion of oil into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.  That will help a bit, but the real solution lies in developing more sources of energy, as quickly as possible, using our technological ability to do it in a clean manner. 

   Javier --

    I've been concentrating on U.S. Senate legislative matters, and am not completely up to date on exactly what Rick is proposing.  However, I believe voters will have a clear choice this fall.  Both Rick and I have been in legislative bodies for several years, and we have voting records that will provide Texans with the information they need to make their decisions. 

 

Thanks much for the question and insight Joseph. I am in complete agreement with you on the Fair Tax.

I co-sponsored the Fair Tax Act in Congress. It would significantly change the way we collect taxes in America. It certainly isn't a perfect solution, but dramatic reform is needed in our current system.  We have to address the waste and distortions that the current system has developed.   

I couldn't agree with you more about how vital it is to our nation's future that we fix Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, and our crumbling infrastructure, as well.

A good place to start solving many of our nation's most pressing problems would be to make the tax code fairer and simpler.

Good morning Elizabeth -

  

This is a very difficult and personal issue for a great many people.

I wouldn't support a similar law for Texas.

 

I deeply cherish the sanctity of all life, no matter how young or how old. I'm committed to continue building a culture that respects and protects every human life, from conception to natural death.

Mr. Cornyn-Do you think Republicans will be able to take back the Senate this November. I sure hope so!

Hello all...thanks so much for your interest and questions. Unfortunately, I have to postpone our live blog because I have been called into the Senate to vote. I am very excited about doing it, so I will make sure we do it very soon.

In the meantime, I will quickly answer a couple of your questions before I run into the office.

Thanks and I apologize for the inconvenience.

What do you believe should be done to bring an end to hostilities in Darfour?

Senator Cornyn-

I have supported you since you first ran and believe you are one of the most "down to earth" of the candidates in Texas.

My question to you is...How do you feel the internet will play an active role in the 2008 campaign and how can you counter the strong online presence of the left?

Intelligence estimates say that Iran would probably have the technical capacity to produce enough highly enriched uranium needed for a weapon by 2010 to 2015.   How do you suggest the U.S. government verify the development and accuracy of intelligence and respond to threats like Iran's nuclear program?

 

"Please have the Senator explain why, in today's high priced fuel environment, the U.S. continues to block the import of diesel cars. Europe uses diesels without reservation and we continue to suffer for our lack of vision."

Dear sir,

Can you please explain why Washington, D.C. after knowing for decades the United States of America is too dependent on foreign supplied Oil we are so late in the development of alterative fuel sources? Why has NASA been ahead of using Hydrogen Fuel for outter space programs when the American People and the World always were in need of this Hydrogen Fuel source??? Hydrogen is in great abundance!

And, it seems ethanol bio-refineries are not the true answer to the demands of a fuel crisises with limited cultivated land.

Leo B. Jackson 

 

  

 

 

 

Do you support the work of the SAFE Commission? Why or why not?

As gas prices continue to rise, affecting our entire economy, what steps do you suggest we take to increase efforts to free the USA from being oil dependent?

Do you support "No Child Left Behind" and what can we do in Texas to get rid of the horrible TAKS tests?

It's great that you're communicating with voters through this medium! I think more politicians should do so.

My question is: What issue most separates you and Lt. Colonel Noriega?

Why is Defense Secretary Gates not allow to bring down the cost of our U.S. Military expenses, especially the U.S. Air Force when it comes to using unmanned aircraft??? Unmanned aircraft are just as effective in most combat situations today!

This is irresponsibility by the U.S. Congress and the U.S. President to the American Taxpayer with the cost of fuel and new aircraft as the Joint Strike Fighter; to mention in aircraft pilots who demand too much for their joy ride!

Senator Cornyn,

As a prominent and influential Senator will you make the Fairtax a priority as a bi-partisan bill that I consider to be the American Dream wrapped up into a simple, fair, and transparent tax system? Given America's current economy, weak dollar, and low consumer confidence levels, will you put yourself on the line to push for the Fairtax and all that it promises. The bill would eliminate the payroll and income taxes, lead to an amendment of the Constitution, and abolish the IRS.

Given an estimated $1.3 trillion that the baby-boomers will cost the federal government in Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid benefit payouts plus the fact that these systems will go into defeceit spending in as early as 2 years from now, I see the Fairtax as the only solution. It is also estimated to cost the federal government $1.6 trillion to fix our crumbling infrastructure that we desperately need. There is approximately $1 trillion of American company's and private citizen's money that is kept over-seas legally, simply for the purpose of not paying taxes on it. We need that money back into American banks to stimulate our economy, invest in good jobs, and bring the dollar back to its superiority.

American businesses and citizens spend an estimated $282 billion a year to file tax returns and hire tax attorneys to ammend our returns. Please put an end to the wasteful spending in Washington and make the Fairtax a reality for all Americans.

-Joseph Rodriquez

Sen. Cornyn-

Do you support assisted suicide laws such as the Oregon "Death with Dignity Act"?

Senator Cornyn,

For the life of me, I can't figure out why, given the state of the country, anyone would want to elect a Democrat to office.  Why do you think there has been such a shift in the electorate toward more socialist values?   Even our Republican candidate for President is a liberal on a lot of issues.  How do you think we can get the country back on track?

What do you plan to do about all the illegal aliens in the state of Texas????

Senator Cornyn-

Do you feel that Senator Hillary Clinton should drop out of the Democratic race?

reducing gas prices means increaseing domestic supply and that means security. in light of chinas rise and aggressive intent and the green gangster movement that is pervasive what can we do to get this done. i understand we are being softened up for the main thrust by the left so why is not an argument being made to drill and change the domestic tax structure related to oil gas and steel.

 

1.  Why don't the republicans have a "mandate for America", similar to Newt's contract for America?  Target the issues we all are concerned about and present a plan, not just recognize the problem!   Some of the issues that we need to deal with are:

1. Iraq war.

2  Energy policy/opening up areas for exploration

3.  Immigration

4.  Economy-taxes-value of the dollar

5.  Health care

6.  Terrorism

7.  Social Security

8.  Foreign aid--more controls on where the money goes and how it is used.

9  Repay the US for what we have spent on the Iraq war by getting funds from Iraq from sale of oil

These are just a few that someone needs to step up with some solutions and band together as a party to get them done!!  Establish some goals that are realistic and let the American people know what they are.  The democrats haven't done this and will not.

Mitchell Smith--Houston, Texas

 

Illegal immigrants of any nationality must be sent to their own country--not to return and no path to legal status. Houston and other like cities could reduce the need for higher taxes ,congestion, school. and health needs. They are not "cheap" labor in my experience.I have voted for and worked for John Cronyn. I vote mostly Republican but maybe the party needs to collapse to be rebuilt.

Strong borders and enforcement of existing laws.

 

Why haven't you signed on to the Save Act?   If you don't, forget about 100 votes.  We want the border closed, illegal deported immediately deported, the double fence built as promised, no more spin, and if you cannot keep the faith, resign your office.

 

Best regards,

Doug Macnair

 

I have been concerned about the glut of Chinese products flooding all of our stores.  I am for a free market and free trade...but I look around and notice that Chinese products seem to be taking over the marketplace.  I would like to know what it is that we export to China.

I would also like to know if there is some oversight on food products that enter our country from China.  Finding actual products made in the USA are getting harder to find.  Companies that are based here seem to be sending production to China which I understand but am really concerned that the balance of imports seem to be skewed to one country.

 

I really thought the town hall meeting format via phone was a great idea.  Thank you for all of your hard work.

 

 

Sandra Greenman

Garland, Texas

If this race is getting so tight, why doesn't John Cornyn gather a few hundred thousand easy votes by getting the WEP and GPO provisions in social security repealed and he would instantly garner thousands of votes from every teacher, policeman, and firefighter AND THEIR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS who is being screwed out of 2/3's of their social security benefit by merely teaching for a living in the 13 states this unAmerican and discriminatory law unfairly penalizes one of America's hardest hit segments.  It is unbelievable that over 80% of congress supports this important legislation (HR 82 and S 206) yet it remains stuck in  committee for YEARS now!!  Get this done, let the media know he led the fight, and he will be unanimously elected in a landslide...This is a promise and a guarantee!!  I will be betting that he will continue to ignore this super important population, but stranger things have happened!  You want to win the election,  get busy now and be sure the media is constantly blasted with this....Sincerely,  Lee Powell  retired Texas teacher of 34 years and past state president of several teacher organinzations.