LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
TTC plan a 'travesty'
Editor, the Leader-News:

The Trans-Texas Corridor is something coming straight for us and straight though us. Remember our history? The Runaway Scrape comes to mind, when Santa Anna's Army marched through Texas destroying everything in its wake. It did not destroy the spirit of Texans, did not stop our way of life, did not ruin our economy, and did not defeat us. We believe strongly in our independent nature, our willingness to unite and fight, and our individual rights and freedoms. Our best defense is a good offense. People ran ahead of the army, prepared, saved valuables, and their lives. Texans defeated Santa Anna and claimed this state.

Texas became an independent Republic. Are we now allowing our government to take away what our forefathers fought so hard to win? Are we giving up our guaranteed Constitutional rights? We cannot afford to let this runaway government take from us what is ours. The way to do this is to stay alert, be active in local, state and federal politics, stay informed, and above all practice our right to vote. We cannot afford to sit back and let others make decisions for us. We need to influence the decisions, enforce the Constitution, and say "NO Action Alternative" to the New Trans-Texas Corridor.

The travesty is that TxDOT is taking land from families that have owned it for generations. It proposes to take away the family farm and give it to foreign and special interests. It proposes to take away our economic base and give it to foreign investors that will make billions. Along with this, they are taking from us our resources.

Land owners are paid the minimum for land. If they try to relocate, there is no guarantee they will be able to buy a comparable piece of property elsewhere. This means their standard of living and ownership of property will decrease and what they have to pass on to their children diminished. The Constitution is supposed to protect American citizens, not take away our rights, our land, our livelihood, and our legacy and hand it over to foreign and private interests.

Ron Paul, noted for his defense of the Constitution and the rights of the individual states: "The Constitution guarantees Americans the right to be secure against all unreasonable seizures."(Victoria Advocate, Feb. 4, 2008).

Ron Paul has introduced legislation (HR5191) to try to block Federal funding for the Trans-Texas Corridor. We need to practice our right to vote; we need to try to stop state funding for the Corridor. We as citizens of this county and state need to demonstrate that we believe in the Constitution, we believe in our rights as citizens, we believe that our land, way of life, economy, right to vote in how taxes are allocated and spent, and that our children's future is worth fighting for and keeping.

Before the bull dozers and steam rollers start to roll over our precious land, homes, towns and history, we need to take a stand and let our politicians know it will not be without a fight. Do not allow our legacy to end.

Mark Twain wrote, "The pen is mightier than the sword." We are left to defend what it is that is ours and rights that cannot be taken: Our right to defend our homes against unreasonable seizure, to taxation WITH representation, to freedom of speech and press, to assemble, to VOTE, and to petition.

Charlene Clarke