link

Since I do not have a spotless record when it comes to passing on links, I will check back and correct my mistake, if any.

What if the federal government did not have a law (NAIS not being law), not even an unconstitutional law, but just a proposed program, that the feds could, without proving a crime, confiscate a person’s private property and entire wealth - cash included - and ensure that person lose their job, and everything they had worked their life for. Would you push to have a law passed in the individual states to say that anyone who wanted to could “volunteer” for that program? Of course not. You would want the states to condemn the program, but you would not want the states to memorialize the proposed program by passing a law that said anyone who wanted to “volunteer” could.

I’m beginning to suspect that the “voluntary” movement is well-planned, and may be doing just what the feds wanted.

I have been told that you cannot stop a voluntary program of any kind, NAIS or otherwise, and I would agree with that. If someone wants to participate in anything, unless it is unlawful, they should be able to do so. However, we do not need to pass laws stating that if you want to volunteer for anything you may.

One person at the hearing said that HB1361 was passed in anticipation of what the feds would do with NAIS - and look where that has gotten Texas. Now we are going to pass another bill, this time a “voluntary” one, again in anticipation of what may happen legislatively at the federal level.

HB1361 needs to be repealed, not amended, then we can get back to square one.

I have re-read this comment several times. I know what I am trying to say, and I hope my ramblings can be understood by others.

I managed to upset several folks there, I am sure, as they were speaking in favor of the bill and a “voluntary” NAIS, and I spoke against the bill. I spoke about two things: premises ID and “voluntary” and how it would become mandatory. I had people tell me afterwards that the representatives from the various pro-NAIS organizations would also speak against the bill, and was pretty much told that I was wrong to oppose it. Most said to me that they agreed with me on the voluntary, but as one person put it, Virginia people spoke against their “voluntary” legislation at a hearing, and now they have nothing. I asked one person why having nothing was better than having something we all know is not good. I believe if all the states pass “voluntary” legislation, it is acknowledging to the feds that they have the authority to impose NAIS on us, and, therefore, give it credibility. The others that had yet to speak after the recess, were, I am sure, all going to speak for the bill. So, I am certain that my husband and I were the only anti-NAIS folks that spoke against the bill.

I don’t like being thought of as hard-headed and obstinate, but I firmly believe “voluntary” NAIS should not be condoned.

Thank goodness there are so many more of you out there that are not willing to cave in. I don’t know how many Texans can be counted on to speak out against “voluntary”, but I haven’t met or spoken with any yet.

One committee member came up to me during the break and said he agreed with everything I said. He said this thing scared him to death. He said they would address this issue again, even next year, to make it better. He seemed very sincere, but part of my presentation was a statement about how, if the Texas legislature does not have the will to oppose a “voluntary” NAIS now, where would the will be to do anything once the feds evolve NAIS to mandatory. I really don’t think we can count on them to do anything further once they give their blessing to a “voluntary” system. Look at all the you-know-what laws we have now. Freedom never is reinstated once it is taken away.

Anyway, I’ll post your update, too.