Date: Sat, 26 Mar 1994 05:48:06 -0600 (CST) From: Michael Lax Subject: HELP!-RELIGIOUS REICH WAGING WAR IN AUSTIN, TX! Radical Right's Newest Battleground is Austin, TX National plea for help! ** URGENT! URGENT! URGENT! URGENT! URGENT! URGENT! URGENT! ** National help is need to stop them! Austin, Texas is the newest battleground in the national war being waged by the Radical Right. Your _IMMEDIATE_ help is needed to help stop their war of bigotry and hate. On May 7, 1994, a ballot item that will _eliminate_ the City Employee Domestic Partner Health Insurance policy will be up for a vote. This item is proposed by a Radical Right organization known as "Concerned Texans" -- and have been assisted by the Colorado Family Values Coalition. This initiative, if passed, will place the Radical Right's political agenda in Austin's City Charter-- **And will open the national floodgates of intolerance and may lead to victory for dozens of ballot initiatives if you and I don't stop them today.** If we are to begin winning these ballot initiatives, we have to stop them in Austin, Texas. Because even before "Concerned Texans" filed their petition, they began their devious misinformation campaign. "Concerned Texas" claims this issue is about taxes, special rights, and bankrupting the city. But their real agenda is much broader -- and may eventually effect _you_. Here's what they've been up to in Austin. -- They were almost successful in denying Austin's children adequate and accurate information in Austin schools about health education. -- They attempted to close down vital city funded preven- tative health clinics at two local elementary schools in East Austin. -- Their leaders were instrumental in getting the Texas State Board of Education to censor high school health textbooks. -- They embarrassed our business community and our citizens by leading the effort to get Williamson County to turn away Apple Computer and 1,700 jobs. _We're calling out to friends across the country for financial help to fight the Radical Right._ Because in less than 50 days, these same Radical Right leaders will ask voters to support their radical agenda in Austin -- and they'll stop at nothing to win dozens of ballot initiatives in November.[ With _YOUR_ support and financial help today we will win on May 7th and we can turn the tide of losing these ballot initiatives across the country to wins!! That's why now, more than ever, we need your help. We realize that you may live clear across the country, or even in other cities in Texas. But if we are to be successful in November, where there are doz- ens of ballot initiatives we have to stop the Radical Right today and we have to begin in Austin, Texas. We will have to match them dollar-for-dollar and argument by argument. _IT WON'T BE EASY_. Sadly, *their* message will be mean spirited, vicious and well funded. The Colorado for Family Values Coalition, the _same Radical Right_ group that is helping "Concerned Texans," dumped over $380,000 into Cincinnati, Ohio to overturn an anti-discrimination ordinance. Their national leaders, Pat Robertson, Kevin Tebedo, and others, have expended millions of dollars to develop strat- egy, clever messages, and well honed expertise. _NOW, THEY'RE ON THEIR WAY TO INVADE AUSTIN._ That's why we must ask for your financial help today. Your donation of $35, $50, $100, $250, $500 or more will make a dif- ference in whether the Radical Right's agenda becomes a part of our City's charter and their organization can then reach out to your city. With 44% of Austinites uninsured or underinsured, a victory for the Radical Right also sends the message the employers, public or private, don't need to provide health care for their employees on a non-discriminatory basis. The Radical Right's victory threat- ens _everyone's_ long-term economic future by sending a message to prospective businesses that diversity is unwelcome in Austin. Our opponents are prepared to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a deceptive ad campaign designed to confuse voters with a litany of myth and misinformation. All of mainstream Austin and people across this country must band together to meet the Radical Right's threat of intolerance. We cannot be embarrassed by the Radical Right once more, as we were during the Williamson County fiasco. We must protect _everyone's_ long-term economic future by sending a message to prospective businesses that diversity and tolerance are alive and well across the country. _WON'T YOU STAND WITH US?_ Please send the largest donation you can today, whether it's $35, $50, $100, $250 or $500. Your help is critical. With less than 50 days left before the May 7th election, time is running out. Please respond today. Sincerely, The Mainstream Austin Coalition. Please send your donation of: ___ $35 ___ $50 ___ $100 ___ $250 ___ $500 ___ Other $_________ TO:The Mainstream Austin Coalition Attn: Bobby P. O. Box 2062 Austin, TX 78768 Because the Mainstream Austin Coalition is a specific purpose committee, your contribution is not tax-deductible. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP. For more information, please send e-mail to lazarus@bga.com