Thank You, Mr. Lee

Baseball fans are well aware of this, but the rest of the world may not bet. Free agent pitcher Cliff Lee signed a contract with the Philadelphia Phillies this week. Mr. Lee was the hottest free agent on the market this off season.

Cliff was traded to the Texas Rangers in the middle of this past season. The left hander solidified the pitching staff, helping the team into its first post-season appearance in 11 years. The Rangers reached the World Series for the first time in their history. It was the first time in a VERY LONG time that the DFW area had something in sports to cheer about in October besides the Cowboys. In fact, the World Series has more than made up for the embrassingly dismal season our 'football' team is having.

Cliff's contract was up at the end of the season. The Yankees were the supposed frontrunners for his services (since they have a never ending pile of money to blow). The Rangers were seen as an outside shot, but they made a serious effort to get him. At the last minute, Philly came in and swooped him up.

Lee signed a contract reportedly for 5 years at $120million, give or take a few million. The Yankees had offered him 7 years at $160 million. The Rangers had gone up to 6 years at $140. IN taking the lesser of the three offeres, he explained that he was comfortable with the team (having pitched there before), and he felt it was his best chance to win more championships. I respect that - he didn't go for the tallest pile of money, he went for his (and his family's) happiness - and a very tall pile of money.

Thank you Mr. Lee. I mean that sincerely. Although you were only here for half a season, your impact was far greater than the short time frame would indicate. Yes, it would have been nice to have you back, but at the length and dollar figure of the contract, it would have crippled the Rangers' efforts to field a decent team around you. You helped give us a World Series. Outstanding. I wish you all the best.

You want to know the BEST part ??? The damn Yankees didn't get him!!!!!!!!!

Way To Go Rick, Part Deaux

Texas Governor Rick Perry sent this OpEd out to major newspapers in Texas concerning his intention of refusing Obama's welfare bribe:

"During these tough economic times, Texas employers are working harder than ever to move products to market, make payroll and create jobs. The last thing they need right now is the burden of higher taxes and expanded obligations from the federal government that would limit their ability to weather these tough times and hinder job creation in our state.

That is the primary reason I chose to stand with Texas employers and reject the unemployment insurance portion of the federal stimulus package.

Our current unemployment system has been helping Texans who lost their jobs through no fault of their own as they look for full-time employment and will continue to do so. The scare tactics and misinformation that some critics have employed to confuse Texans about my decision are not only wrong-headed, but also harmful.

If anything, Texans should be offended at the federal government's coercive approach to micromanaging state business with no consideration of our future economic health. I cannot allow the strings attached to those federal dollars to strangle the folks who create Texas jobs: Texas employers."

Rick Perry, Governor of Texas, Austin

Stand tall, Mr. Perry. With Democrats and some Republicans in the state pushing you to go ahead and accept this welfare sham, please do not give in. If the Obama administration was serious about helping, there would be no strings attached to this money. But they aren't serious about enything except increasing their voter roles and solidifying their hold on power by hooking as many people as possible onto the welfare spigot.

Way to go Rick!

Texas Governor Rick Perry (R) has turned down the Obama regime's offer of $555,000,000 dollars to extend welfare benefits. Thank you Rick!

On the outside, turning down this money in this economy sounds stupid. But, like everything from the government, it comes with big strings attached. By accepting the money, Texas would permanently have to expand welfare coverage to many more unemployed and poor people. The money requires changes to state law to ensure that more people become dependent upon welfare. In addition, Texas would be responsible for funding that expanded coverage beginning in three years, when the federal money runs out. At that point, unemployment taxes on Texas based business woud have to be increased dramatically to cover the increased expenditures.

Not surprisingly, Democrats in the Texas Legislature are plotting to find a way to overturn Gov. Perry's decision. Expanding welfare roles and making more people dependent upon government are sure fire ways to increase their vote totals. Give people free money, and they tend to want to vote for you - tried and true Democrat politics.

Several Southern Republican Governors are contemplating refusal of the money - they see through the facade into the real reason it is being offered by the Obama administration.