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God Bless the UPS George told him what was wrong and where we were, and the seventh helper hit the road to find us. While we were waiting, introductions were made all around, and Mrs. George smiled in recognition of the UPS man. "He's a good one," she said. I knew that. He's an UPS guy.
A Healthcare Prescription for Iowa...So if high healthcare costs are the problem, and healthcare costs are high because Americans are over-consuming healthcare, the question remains: Why are Americans over consuming healthcare? The answer is surprisingly simple: Americans are over-consuming healthcare because they are not paying for it directly...
Strange Days Have Found Us ...But when I look at the biased misleading web sites of some PACs. I'm not sure I believe that we have democracy here. I wonder if we have slowly been sliding toward plutocracy, letting the moneyed special interest groups do our thinking for us. Let's just hope the Dark Ages don't follow. Is this a good move by the Democrats or suicidal? We'll see. Strange days have found us...Cathy Haustein
The editorial about the flat tire made me think...to the editor from Lori Koop.
I spent a lot of time over the past winter complaining about the weather, and about Iowa...And then the tornados struck...And as I stood in that cornfield, I suddenly remembered why I am so proud to live in Iowa.
Strange Days Have Found Us "It's supposed to be one man one vote, but it's getting to be one dollar one vote" - observation made by a previous candidate for state office...Cathy Haustein
The Burden of Government How much of a burden are state and local governments placing on the citizens of Iowa? Governments provide some necessary services, but are they providing too much or not enough?
On the War in Iraq...When I heard John McCain say that the only result in Iraq must be an American victory I cringed. Why? Winning sounds better than losing why shouldn’t that be our goal?
The Declining State of Higher Education...The 2 Plus 2 program will help reduce costs and help students finish their education within the proper four years...
Primary Night Shows Voter Preference for Fiscal Conservative Candidates
...We are the one organization that asks the government for less, not more....
On Freedom of Speech, by Paul Scott
This is in response to the article titled Healthcare in Iowa: What Should Be Our Goal? (further down this page) by Paul Scott
The Power is Already in Your Hands, Have the Courage to Use It! An article in the Dubuque Telegraph Herald encouraged taxpayers to take their “stimulus” checks and go out and “SPEND!” ...Chicken Little, Henny Penny, and the animals ended up being eaten by the fox because they did not think, they did not have courage, and they relied on someone else instead of their own power. The citizens of Iowa would be wise to heed that message.
Politically Smart or Incredibly Stupid? One of the reasons politicians run all over us is that we let them - we don't hold them accountable. We are a long ways from being the informed citizenry the founding fathers wanted us to be. While it's not entirely our own fault, we can still use a little common sense. You don't have to understand the greater implications and ramifications of various issue positions in order to smell the skunk in the road.
"...the proposed freeze may be politically satisfying to some, but it doesn't fix anything. I suspect partisan politics is behind the proposal"...Ed Fallon, candidate for US House of Representatives
Iowa Ranking Shows Strong Effort, Still Has Work to Do From: Child and Family Policy Center, Des Moines, IA. Iowa received a top ranking overall on a Commonwealth Fund state scorecard on child health system performance released Wednesday, May 28th. (See article above, in To Your Health.)
A Step Backward in TIF Reform: Sales-Tax TIF Defies Idea of ‘Incentives,’ Ignores Wage Issues Gov. Culver OK’d a radical departure from Iowa tax policy last week, allowing cities to divert local-option sales-tax money without approval of voters or other jurisdictions currently receiving the funds.
Healthcare in Iowa: What Should Be Our Goal?
If states indeed are the “laboratories of democracy,” there may be a lesson to be learned from the failures of states to pass and implement a successful universal healthcare initiative; namely, that policy makers are starting from flawed premises and seek a quixotic goal. Essentially, universal coverage is the holy grail of American healthcare — a mythical, fleeting cure-all, ever (just) beyond our grasp.
How shall we power our World? Coal? Terrestrial Energy? Wind? Solar? Corn? Or Turkey Droppings? While the rest of the world dithers, turkey farmers in Minnesota are taking action. The first power plant in the United States to be fueled by turkey droppings opened in Benson, Minnesota, last summer.
My "new" Old Car
I just bought a toy. No other way to describe it. This car has no practical use, plus it's old, but it is unique. It's a neo-classic custom built motor car, a Zimmer...
Avoiding cults means choices to be made, by Cathy Haustein
I keep thinking about the images of the young females taken away from the polygamy cult in Texas... a cult will "prohibit critical analysis or independent thinking" and limit personal freedom and choices...
Tribute to Daisy
Ain't Food Wonderful?
Recently, on the way back from Iowa City, my wife and I stopped for lunch in Sully, at the Coffee Cup Cafe. What a delight. Rural Iowa at its best!
Weight Loss...My Way, by Chase Kooyman
This is an article that I asked my grandson to write. Chase has my admiration and that of his whole family for coming to terms with his eating problems. He has achieved by will power alone what many of us have attempted to do with various plans and programs, and I, for one, am very proud of him...Grampa Keith Aldrich
Toni Mattox on Red Rock Yacht Club...
As I write you today, the marina is still in shambles...The marina will continue in a downward spiral until ...
Working to Increase Government Transparency...“[T]he liberties of a people never were, or ever will be, secure when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them.” (Patrick Henry) Hopefully the Iowa Legislature will agree with him in enacting HF 2439, and Governor Culver will sign it.
State Auditor David Vaudt Says Governor Culver's Proposed State
Budget "Maxes Out" Iowa's Charge Cards: Predicts Tough Times Ahead. AUDITOR SAYS PROPOSED BUDGET ENHANCES CLARITY, BUT SETS IOWA UP FOR DIFFICULT CHALLENGES IN FISCAL YEAR 2010:
