Monday, February 22, 2010

Katy Tea Party weekend



Hi All,
I attended the Katy Tea Party event this weekend at Taylor High School and it was great. The Tea Party volunteers did a great job with this event and it was educational!
I also had a wonderful opportunity to meet Congressman Ron Paul. He stayed afterwards to meet as many people as he could, which says something about his character. My congressman, Mike McCaul, flew in and out, did not meet anyone. I guess he thinks it is not important to meet the voters.

Congressman/Dr. Paul was his usual self, very much strict in adhering to the Constitution and still very humble. I admire those qualities very much. He took a lot of heat, but it was not deserved, and truth be told, most of it was not really directed at him, just a great deal of frustration with the state of affairs in Washington, D.C

I had a NEW IDEA as I was listening to the candidates, and want to use this as an "Education Moment" for us all. There was one question asked which was - "define "We the People". Well, simply, we the people means all of us, we all have a responsibility to be participating citizens. However, here is what I thought was missing - a call to action.

We the People have three arrows in out quiver if we want to change the government.

1. Mouth - yes, you are allowed to protest, send emails, etc This result is mixed depending upon the character of the rep receiving the message. The Tea Party has done a great job here getting their attention.

However, my additional suggestion - we all need to tell 10 of our friends about this and ask them to tell 10 of their friends, start a viral marketing campaign. That will get more attention.

2. Vote - the ultimate definition of term limits. we all have an opportunity to do this but in between the reps may forget we exist. It is up to each of us to vet the candidates and their integrity and vote wisely. Again, tell 10 of your friends who and why you are voting, encourage them to do the same.

the brass tacks item no one likes, but is also effective -

3. MONEY - campaign contributions. Here is a new twist. I have often found myself frustrated that we in TEXAS don't get a voice because in many cases our choices are between a moderate and a conservative (sometimes). True liberals usually do not fare well here. Many races which will decide our future are not in Texas, as Massachusettes has demonstrated. So what can we do?

Easy - If you do not like Nancy Pelosi, send $10 to her opponent in the next election, same for Harry Reid and Arlen Specter's opponents. Money talks - loudly. Also tell 10 of your friends!!!! We the People can make a difference all over, I encourage you to think this way.

And please don't forget to vote for me in the local Texas election too!

Friday, February 19, 2010

Campaign Platform

Dear Friends:
Here is my platform; I am open to comments and suggestions to make it better.

M Ryan Platform Texas State Rep #132 rev date: 01/20/10

1.Freeze taxes! – The real estate tax system is broken, I will introduce a bill similar to California prop 13 – Your homeowner residential taxes will be frozen at the 2009 levels, no agency will be able to automatically raise them until the house actually sells. The sales price shall determine the new tax rate, no more yearly surprise increase in taxes by arbitrary agencies! Call me “Mr. Freeze”!

Reasoning – most people need to be on a budget, you generally have a fixed mortgage payment, why should this not also apply to government taxes? Why should the government automatically get a raise and take more of your money when things change – like the calendar year? If you were laid off, do you think they would forget about your taxes? Ha.

2. Health care – Simple – KISS principle – two part solution, A) Any health insurance policy sold in TX must not have a pre-existing condition clause, period. This may make insurance more expensive, so we also need part B) make insurance available across state lines, any TX resident can buy any health insurance policy by a registered USA firm. This will increase competition, thereby mitigating potential price increases due to the restriction of No pre-existing conditions.

Reasoning - it is not the right of the federal government to do anything about health care, it is a US Constitutional right reserved for the States – see the US Constitution – Amendment 10 - Powers of the States and People. Ratified 12/15/1791.

“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”

3.Jobs/Economic prosperity – Again, very simple KISS principle. Any TX registered business with less than 50 employees and or less than one million dollars in revenues in a calendar year is exempt from paying Franchise TAX! If the business grows beyond that mark during the year, then they pay a pro rata share tax based on a monthly calculation.

Reasoning – people will only do what hey are incentivized to do – so if you want less of some activity, then Tax it; if you want more of some activity, DON”T TAX IT!

4.Small business assistance – my favorite project! – The Street Rod Bill! –

Allow the registration (and payment of fees) of custom built automobiles. About 18 other states already have these laws, and they are flourishing. This is a multi-billion dollar cottage industry comprised of small businesses and manufacturers. See website:www.SemaSan.com

Reasoning – many auto mechanics, restoration shops, etc are limited in new business by not having a law like this. This will INCREASE tax revenues with ZERO infrastructure cost to the State. Already introduced last Session HB#2412 due to my grass roots efforts.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

M Ryan FAQ

Dear Friends:
A little FAQ is in order to better understand my background and character. I listed a few basic questions that everyone has a right to know, I have no secrets.

Question #1: What is your background?

Education:
Fordham Prep (Jesuit) high school graduate

BSEE graduate General Motors Institute, thesis on computer simulation.

Career experience in global firms in the IT areas, finance, manufacturing, IT audit and security. Served as CIO for several firms, extensive and current information technology training in a wide variety of technologies such as Oracle, SAP, Microsoft, Cisco networks, security, risk, compliance, SOX, SAS70, ITIL,CISA, CISSP, PMP and more. Formerly held a life insurance license in addition to SEC Series 6 and 63 securities licenses.

Married with children, lived in Texas over 20 + years. Community volunteer as a business plan advisor to the Houston Technology Center, UT Health Science Center School of Medical Informatics and Houston Baptist University MBA program (visiting lecturer), skilled tradesman to Fort Bend Habitat for Humanity. Coached both Katy American Little League baseball and Katy Girls Softball Association teams. Member St Bartholomew Catholic Church, NRA, Bayou Rifles, HGCA.


Question #2: Why do you want to run? Why now?

I want to run because I know I can do a better job. Both the Republicans and the Democrats all behave like this is one big country club. All they do is fritter away time and make minor irrelevant changes. We need a better way of thinking and more grass roots action.


The Tea Party movement really struck a chord in my heart and mind. If not me, then who? Now is the right time to stand up for the average, common sense American and take back control of our government for the people. I am doing this for all of us, especially for our children. I am not doing this for personal gain.


Question #3: Why do you believe you are qualified?

I am qualified because I am a businessman with 30 years experience in multiple industries. It is not my lifelong ambition to be a politician. I can bring a real world pragmatic approach to our state which has been lacking for years.


Question #4: What legislative experience do you have?

I have been working for over 4 years now to get a law passed in Texas that would cost the taxpayers ZERO dollars and create jobs instantly. I have worked with Rep Charlie Howard to help author HB # 2412. This bill is commonly called the kit car or hot rod bill. I went to Austin last year and testified before the Transportation subcommittee, which later passed the bill and referred it onto the full house for a vote. It was then stalled like many others due to political partisanship and bickering throughout the entire system.


I have also negotiated many contracts with vendors on the multi-million dollar level for Federal and State IT contracts for the better part of 15 years in my various capacities as a private sector business leader.


Question #4: Why are you different from all the other candidates?

I have more business experience than all of them – in NON governmental businesses. I am NOT a person who does “Consulting” or “Sells services” to Government entities” and is just looking to get another cushy contract for my firm. I have ZERO conflicts of interest. I intend to actively pursue another CIO position as my full time career.


I think it is a fair question to ask all the candidates what they do for a full-time job and where they get their paycheck, no?

Big Announcement!

Hello everyone!

Having been inspired by the tea parties, I have decided that I can do more for my fellow man and have agreed to run for the office of State Representative of Texas district #132, Katy and Cinco Ranch area under the Libertarian party. Please pray for me as I start this new adventure.

I am new to this process, have never done anything like this before, and as this is a part-time position, I will continue to look for another full-time position as a CIO. This blog will serve as my home base for campaign operations. I intend to run a very frugal campaign, all digital if possible. Need volunteers!

Thanks for your prayers and support!
-Mike Ryan