SD 13
Temporary Chair:  Pamela McKinney
Temporary Secretary:  Evelyn Barnett
Judge Clouser’s Courtroom
Missouri City Annex Building
303 Texas Parkway (2234)
Missouri City, TX 77489
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

SD 17
Temporary Chair: Skip Belt
Temporary Secretary:  Susan Clark
Houston Community College Missouri City-Sienna
5855 Sienna Springs Way
Missouri City, TX 77459
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

SD 18
Temporary Chair:  Don Bankston
Temporary Secretary:  Carlos Garcia
Jury Assembly Room
Fort Bend County Justice Center
1422 Eugene Heimann Circle
Richmond, TX 77469
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Frequently Asked Questions

Over the last few weeks, I’ve engaged in countless discussions about the incidents surrounding Trayvon Martin’s murder.  On Facebook, message boards or on local television, I’ve debated numerous apologists who would go to extraordinary lengths to defend George Zimmerman.

Despite not knowing all the facts surrounding this case, one thing is certain, Trayvon is dead and Zimmerman killed him.  What we do know is that someone who lacks the experience, training or authority to initiate contact with an unarmed boy did so.  Regardless of his intent, the end result was the death of Trayvon.

Whether out of poor judgment, or worse, the intent to kill, Zimmerman had no business confronting Trayvon.

Trying to understand why people would so intently defend him has led me to believe that these people have probably never been profiled themselves.  They’ve never been followed in their neighborhood, or stopped by police for no other reason than being somewhere that they presumably shouldn’t be.   That reality makes the Trayvon Martin case intimately personal to a number of African Americans.  We can all instantly relate to the unspoken dynamics of this case where others may not.

I have tried to understand the arguments of Zimmerman’s apologists. They claim that we don’t have all the facts yet. True.  That African American men are killed every day, but there are no rallies for those victims.  True.  That there is a culture of “gangsterism” in African American communities that’s gone unchecked for generations, and that Trayvon fell victim to the transgressions of others. Perhaps.

With that I’m reminded about the other Stephen K. Brown.  The young man from Florida who for the past decade has been an outlaw and fugitive of the law.  To make matters worse, that Stephen, an African American, was born the exact same day that I was.

I learned about the other Stephen on a late Sunday night in 1999 driving back to Austin where I worked in the State Legislature.  I was speeding outside of Giddings, and was pulled over by a local police officer. After being detained for over thirty minutes, I was informed of my “alter ego”.  The other Stephen weighed about 30lbs more than me, so eventually the police officer came to the conclusion that our identities were but an interesting coincidence.  There may have been two or three other moments since where I’ve been confused for the other Stephen.  In each occasion, however, reasonable professionals were able to come to the conclusion that I was only guilty of a minor traffic violation.

I understand the suspicion of African American youth, and I get that our community bears some burden for re-branding our image and culture.  I also understand that we need to do a better job policing our own neighborhoods, and advocate against black on black crime with the same passion with which we’ve spoken out about this case.

In the end, though, the difference between suspicions about me and of Trayvon is that mine was handled by professionals trained to engage in a potentially violent situation.  Zimmerman had no such training.  He was told by an emergency dispatcher that he did not have the authority to pursue Trayvon, yet he did it anyway.  There’s just no excusing that.

Steve Brown is the Chairman of the Fort Bend County Democratic Party.

No Tickets Left!

Join Us For Breakfast Honoring

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State Representative Senfronia Thompson
The longest serving African American and female in the Texas House

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Saturday morning, March 17^th, 9:30 am
Sweetwater Country Club
4400 Palm Royale Blvd.
Sugar Land

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Tickets $25 pre-purchase $50 at the door

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Benefitting

The 2012 Election Efforts by

Silver Democrats of Fort Bend

Suburban Southwest Texas Democratic Women

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This will be the major fundraiser of the election season for both groups.  Proceeds will go to the 2012 election, specifically Get Out the Vote efforts.  We encourage you to be part of this event to elect Democrats in November.

Sponsors will each have the opportunity to place campaign/business materials at every place setting at the event.  We expect between 200 and 250 guests.  Candidates not purchasing a sponsorship will be permitted to place their campaign materials on a table at the entrance.

Sponsorships are available at the following levels:

$5,000 – Obama Democrat.  You will receive two tables (16 tickets) with your name prominently displayed on the tables and on the front page of the program.  Each of your guests will receive an Obama ’12 cap, bumper stickers and buttons.  You will also be allowed to give a 5-minute speech at the event.

$2,500 – Roosevelt Democrat.  You will receive two tables (16 tickets) with your name prominently displayed on the table and your name listed as Big Dog sponsor in the program.  Each of your guests will receive an Obama ’12 cap and bumper sticker.

$1,000 – John Kennedy Democrat.  You will receive one table (8 tickets) with your name prominently displayed and listed as a Growling Dog sponsor in the program.  Each of your guests will receive an Obama ’12 cap and bumper sticker.

$500 – Truman Democrat.  You will receive one table (8 tickets) with your name prominently displayed.  Each of your guests will receive an Obama 12 bumper sticker and button.

The absolute deadline for sponsorships to be included in the program is Friday, March 9^th.

If you wish to donate a sponsorship, but cannot fill all the seats at your table(s), we can do that for you.  Any unused sponsor tickets will be offered to deserving Democrat volunteers who would otherwise be unable to attend the event.

Contact Susan Bankston at 281-341-7789 or Don Bankston at 281-341-5489 to arrange for your sponsorship.

If you have an item you would like to donate to the auction, please contact Fredericka Petry at rickielaw@hotmail.com Your name will be displayed with your auction item.

1. I am a seasoned and competent attorney. Graduated from University of Texas Law School in 1970. For most of these 41 years I have been an independent attorney, but I also have been vice president, general counsel of companies in the oil drilling and exploration. I served as President of the Fort Bend Bar Association. Prior to my career in law I was in international banking in New York City, Venezuela, and Houston. I graduated from the University of Texas Institute of Latin American Studies in 1964.  I am bilingual English/Spanish.

1. I am married to my high school sweetheart, Judy Belt for 49 years. Three children, and 9 grandchildren. I am a fifth generation native Texan and have lived in Fort Bend County since 1976. Many people know me through my leadership in youth soccer which continues today. Many others know me through my wife who is also very active in community affairs.

1. I served on the Missouri City City Council for two terms during the early expansion in 1980-84 which put in place the principal ordinances and land planning and parks that has shaped this city. I still serve on the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone #1 that has been largely responsible for drainage improvements, sidewalks and beautification of the city.

1. I am a strong and loyal Democrat. I feel I am liked and respected by many Republicans and Independents in and out of office, because I am pragmatic and fair in my approach. Still I am not a part of the good ol’ boy network in the County which persists because the Republican Party has controlled Fort Bend County for the past 30 years and incumbents are secure and not credibly challenged.

1. The County has grown and changed. People are beginning to realize that they can make a beneficial difference with their vote and their voice. Candidates for public office should be judged on their own merits and their approach to solving and managing the administration of Fort Bend County regardless of party affiliation. I have the experience, ability and temperament to make a positive impact as County Attorney of Fort Bend County.

M. E. “Skip” Belt   281-650-2751, skipbelt@sbcglobal.net

The filing deadline has been extended to Monday, December 19th.

Congressional District 22 – KP George

State Senate, Dist. 13

State Senate, District 17

State Senate, District 18

State Rep., District 26 - Vy Nguyen

State Rep., District 27 – Ron Reynolds

State Rep., District 30

387th District Court -

400th District Court- Fredericka Petry

434th District Court-

County Attorney- M.E. “Skip” Belt

Sheriff – Michael Ellison

County Tax Assessor/Collector-

County Commissioner Pct. 1- Richard Morrison

County Commissioner Pct. 3-

Constable, Precinct 1 -

Constable, Precinct 2 – Darrell Smith, Ruben Davis

Constable, Precinct  3

Constable, Precinct  4

County Chairman – Steve Brown

November 26, 2011 by Skip Belt

This Thanksgiving I gave thanks to the Movement “Occupy Wall Street”, because the movement has opened our eyes to the American malaise: High unemployment, an unresponsive and corrupted political system, a shrinking middle class, and an economic and tax environment that amplifies the income and wealth disparity of our people.

I believe The Occupy Wall Street movement is a legitimate expression of an angry and frustrated people. They feel that their prospects for living the American Dream and of having meaningful employment have been greatly diminished due to the greatest economic decline since the Great Depression of the 30’s.  They are weary of being debt slaves to the banks who received government protection while feeling they have no voice in a government bought by special interests.

The message they are sending is they want Fairness and they also want Government to be responsive to their needs, the 99%, and not just to the wealthy and well connected corporate interests. They are not seeking to destroy capitalism, free enterprise, and good old self reliance and replace it with handouts and entitlements, and social welfare. The protesters just want a decent job, a decent standard of living, an opportunity to improve themselves, and a government that protects them from the excesses of the Wall Street Casino, the avariciousness and deceptiveness of the financial industry, and the degradation of our environment by huge corporate interests. These are valid public interests and government must be responsive to them.

Obama had the hope that both Democrats and Republicans could come together to analyze and find solutions for the major problems facing the country. Many of us had the same hope, but it was a hope that has steadily faded as the Republican Leadership found ways of blocking any progress. It is truly remarkable that any progress was made in these last few years. The stated goal of the Republican leadership is to defeat Obama and to capture all sectors of government and to hold power by any means and at all costs. It is a battle with no quarter and no compromise of interests.

Now we Democrats must stop negotiating with ourselves. We must recognize that while we currently have no opportunity to realize any significant economic initiatives, we can be responsive to the 99% by listening and showing solidarity with them. This contrast with the Republicans is important and should prepare the Democratic Party for the battle to come in the 2012 elections which I believe will determine the direction of our country perhaps for decades.

In the midterm elections of 2010 the Democrats were swept from power because of the rise of the Tea Party and the fatigue and default of major Democratic constituencies. The progressives and the African American voter sat on their hands and did not vote. Obama was unfairly blamed for the poor economy, and the Republicans successfully used their considerable resources to make the election a referendum on the Obama administration.  Expect the Republican election strategy to be an attempt to repeat 2010.

But, there is one major difference from 2010. The Republicans and the Tea Party have held power and have revealed their true intentions. They have revealed that they are willing to risk harm to our country and to shut down our government to get their way. They want to do nothing that might help the economy that is favored by the Obama administration. Their focus is not on the economy or jobs, but rather on political advantage through over reaching redistricting, voter suppression and anti-union legislation while also patronizing their social conservative base with hot button social issues. Their objective is to dismantle the government compact with the people on Social Security, Medicare, and the protection of the environment and public safety, while benefiting the wealthy top one percent of our country.

The Occupy Wall Street and the demonstrations in Wisconsin and Ohio and the polarization in Government are symptomatic of the political and economic divide in our country that must be repaired and adjusted. For our country to flourish and be a worthy example of democracy our laws must be fair and our treatment of our people must be fair. This objective is not the objective of the Republican Party. They see government as the enemy and seek to make it ineffective and powerless to prevent or mitigate the abuse of power and privileges of special moneyed interests that keep them in power. They are deaf to the message of “Occupy Wall Street”.

The stakes are very high for our country. Look at the Republican candidates for President. Look at the Republican leadership in the House and Senate. Look at the crazies in the Congress. Look at the majority of the U.S. Supreme Court. If they defeat Obama and assume control of Congress, because Democrats let them win by default, imagine what kind of a country we can expect over the next eight years.

For the Democrats to save our country from mediocrity and relative decline, we must clearly confront the lies and manipulations of public opinion by the Republicans and their sponsors. This will not be an election in 2012 for the faint of heart or those who seek safety in competitive districts by acting as “Republican Lite”. Democrats must clearly show they will insist on the truth in all matters, and that they support the best interests and priorities of the people. There must be a pragmatic approach to fiscal responsibility and a willingness to make hard choices which will be understood and accepted so long as there is shared sacrifice. This is achievable by the Democrats only if they are united and committed to our country by voting for the change we believe in.

By Skip Belt Oct. 15, 2011

The American Economy has suffered erosion from competition that has both shifted the means of creating wealth and in the division of wealth within the U.S. Why do we find our national economy in a decline or steep slow down relative to other economies? The major reason is the loss of manufacturing. This is not a political or ideological filtered observation and conclusion. I believe it to be the truth. I hope we can solve this problem with pragmatic public policies, and I reject the political notion that we can do nothing or that we should do nothing.

Employment the US has shifted dramatically to the service sector. We know that we have 50,000 fewer manufacturing companies than we had even 10 years ago, and that the reduction in manufacturing started decades before that and is accelerating. The manufacturing companies and jobs moved to China and India, Mexico and other countries because of lower labor costs. We import those goods now and have a huge trade deficit. Countries like China invest the dollars they harvest from us into US T bills, U.S. real estate, and other US companies, especially manufacturing companies that have technology, patents, and market for goods that can be produced in China; and so the momentum and direction of decline continues.

One of the effects of Free Trade is to promote Capital flow to the countries that have adequate labor at lower cost. The theory of  Free Trade is that each country will benefit through specialization of doing what it does best. The pitch to the American People is that we will greatly increase our export sales of products that we do best, and on the other side we will be able to import goods from other countries at a lower price. The problem with this theory in actual practice is revealed in the great trade imbalance that our country faces particularly with China.

Exports are a significant but not a large part of the US economy. Imports of consumer goods and oil are a huge part of our economy and is growing. This imbalance has resulted in the decline of local manufacturing and even assembly of imported components. This results in fewer US manufacturers trying to compete in the US consumer market. This results in fewer jobs and decline in wealth and more stress on the country and in lower demand for goods.

The effect on the U.S. of this trend is ominous. Loss of manufacturing decreases wealth creation, and it decreases blue collar jobs. We do not offset this loss of jobs through the service industries, and financial industries. The trend in these industries is to utilize technologies of efficiency to actually do more with fewer people; in other words, to have lower and lower employment.

The middle and lower class are the most vulnerable to this trend. They tend to have less education, lack mobility, and are more likely be formerly employed in manufacturing or construction or their job exists (ed) indirectly due to the activities in those sectors. They do not have the education or skills that can be easily transferred to many of the companies in the service sectors of the economy such as the Banks, and Brokerage Houses, Insurance and Medical which have generally prospered relative to the manufacturing sector. Despite that growth they cannot absorb the unemployment and underemployment the nation faces, and we cannot create new wealth if we do not manufacture and build.

The ultimate condition that we should be seeking is full employment. That should be a national goal. The other goal should be raising the value of labor through education. And finally there should be reasonable limitations on the vast disparities of income and wealth in this country and its negative impact on the rest of us. I speak of the activities of the very wealthy that risk us all to financial collapse of banks and other financial institutions, exploitation through monopolies, and destruction of our environment in the pursuit of greater personal wealth. We can solve none of these problems if our economy deteriorates more. We must address the huge trade imbalance with China and its manipulation of its currency to favor Chinese exports.

It is a tall order to even discuss these problems much less find solutions in our current political climate which has become so ridged and divisive due to unlimited special interest money influencing our government. But, if we are to better the economic prospects of our country, we must swim against this current of political thinking that demands that government to do nothing. We must elevate the discussion about how we got on this economic slide and elect leaders that will take a pragmatic approach to improving our economy for all Americans and not just for the wealthy and well connected. Perhaps the first step is to explain to the American people why that the lowest consumer price or bid price for a product is not always best for America. We need to recognize that our best economic interests are served when we buy products MADE IN THE USA. But it will take public action more than just slogans if we are to reverse the decline in US manufacturing and reemployment. We need to revisit the public policy debates on Free Trade, Energy Policy, Regulation on Wall Street, Taxes, and Political Finance Reform and challenge the Hard Right Libertarian  notion that Laissez-faire capitalism without any public interest regulation will solve our problems in a natural way without any government intervention. That is a fairy tale.

We need to begin this discussion in the streets, in academia, within public forums and yes, within the Democratic Party to change the political landscape and to rescue our economy. I hope this public discussion will motivate Congress to act on the Jobs Bill and other major issues currently blocked by the Tea Party and the Republican leadership, but, I fear this will be deferred to the detriment of our country until public opinion and the elections of 2012 give the Obama Administration and a Democratic Congress a mandate for Change for the better and the politics of NO is rejected. Until then, the 99% of us will see our national wealth decline and our debt grow as it is inexorably transferred to China,  and will see the existing national wealth redistributed to the rich in this country.

By Skip Belt Feb 23, 2011

The revolutions in the Middle East have been along time coming, but they are here. It is a natural desire of all oppressed people to oppose autocrats, dictators, and kings and emirates that run their countries for their own benefit and wealth. Tunisia was the flashpoint that emboldened others. The people are tired of intimidation and corruption in their government and want the individual respect inherent in a democratic representative government.

I believe that Middle East is embarking on a momentous change for the better for its people and the U.S.  It truly offers its people hope which has been squelched for centuries. It is as significant as the collapse of the Soviet Union and the dictatorships of their client states. As leaders of the free world, we need to help democracy develop in this region. It is the best hope for long term stability and peace.

Libya is very different from Tunisia and Egypt and the risk of major violence and civilian deaths is far greater. There should be no equivocation in our support for the people protesting the regime. Gadhafi is a bloody tyrant and is mentally unstable. He has no legitimacy to rule. He has told his people that the U.S. and the West do not care about them and will do nothing to assist them because they fear a civil war that only Gadhafi can prevent. The only way to meet this challenge and to reduce probability of brutal genocide is for the U.S. to show resolve and strength and solidarity with the Libyan people. It is not enough just to decry the violence. We must show the democracy protesters that we admire their courage and share their ideals. We also must be ready to act to protect and encourage this movement in Libya.

I anticipate that more elements of the Libyan armed forces will defect to the side of the protesters. If they have legitimate democratic motives, the Obama administration should offer military assistance and humanitarian aid to protect them and to legitimize their leadership. We should not put any troops on the ground but should at least offer protection of a no fly zone perhaps as part of a UN or NATO effort. It will be a clear message of our support for this Movement and our concern for the welfare of the Libyan people.

We must not appear as an aggressor or occupier. We should only offer limited support to the leaders of this Democracy Movement to overcome this dictatorship and protect the people from Gadhafi’s brutal efforts to retain power. If we do not take this action the civil war is likely to be more bloody as well as the reprisals. In this chaotic atmosphere and power vacuum, the radicals and other anti-democratic elements will be trying to position themselves to take over the revolution. We can reduce this risk if the anti-Gadhafi forces consider us as allies and not just bystanders. I feel sure that President Obama understands and is committed to this movement. He naturally must be cautious, especially while American citizens in Libya are still in jeopardy, but we must be willing to act if the Gadhafi forces seek to massacre its people.