Independence Day is often a time when Americans reflect on the courage and leadership shown by visionary statesmen in our country on July 4, 1776, pledging their lives, fortunes and sacred honor to the cause of a new nation.

They were visionary, and they showed great courage, from Patrick Henry’s “Give me liberty or give me death!” to George Washington’s leadership during the Revolutionary War. But in many ways, those Founding Fathers were really just average citizens who were upset with the tyranny imposed on them by a government that would not listen to them, and in which they had no true representation.

There’s been a lot of talk in the media about something called “Cap and Trade” lately. To put it simply, this plan would have the bureaucrats at the EPA decide what level of greenhouse gas emissions a person or corporation could produce in a given time frame, and tax them for exceeding that limit. Congress is set to vote as early as today on this bill, called Waxman-Markey or H.R. 2454.

There’s three really good reasons why every member of Congress should reject this bill.

What an exciting time to be a conservative in Central Texas! Wednesday Rob had two chances to meet with voters and Republican leaders, and came away energized by the conversation and strengthened by the widespread grassroots support for his candidacy.