No More Funeral-Type GOP Rallies

Team Vander Plaats made the most of Governor Mike Huckabee’s day in Iowa on February 24th.  The luncheon in Cedar Rapids brought in a roomful of large donors with a big portion of them being new to the campaign.  The guests were treated to a photo-op with Huckabee and Vander Plaats and then received a personal message from them during the luncheon.  The Governor and Bob were then flown off to an Iowa Family PAC fundraiser in Des Moines in which they were both showcased again.  (Never hurts to get in front of as many people as possible.)  The Bob VP people also used Huckabee’s visit to generate online donations which brought in quite a few new smaller donors from Iowa and across the nation as the Governor’s online network helped promote it.

The highlight and the most successful part of the day for theVander Plaats campaign was the grassroots rally back in Cedar Rapids that same evening.  Their goal was to make this event into what a rally is supposed to be………. filled with enthusiasm and inspiration and not a bunch of people sitting in chairs feebly holding up a few signs while listening to talking points.  I attended the event and would have to say Team Vander Plaats was successful.  Over 400 people came to the rally and while in the beginning they were a littly grumpy about being forced to stand-up (except for a select few who needed chairs), in the end there was no one wanting to sit down.

What amazed me first about the event is the amount of volunteers that the campaign can harvest in addition to the band coming as far as Spirit Lake, Iowa.  The band played while waiting for the speakers and Peter Teahen was the first one up as he is Bob VP’s county chair in that area.  I don’t know much about Mr. Teahen except for the fact that he was narrowly defeated in the 2008 Republican primary for that district’s congressional seat but I do know that he delivered a fiery speech that day to get things warmed-up.  He was definitely the red meat thrower of the event.  He did take time-out to publicly recognize the people at the rally who were running for office this year.  Nice touch.

Next up was Bob Vander Plaats who took the crowd through what he would do as Governor of Iowa which did include the things he would accomplish after “Day One.”  (I hate to take away from his critics’ rhetoric, but he does have a plan after Day One.)  But it is his promise of what he would do on that Day One that always lights a fire under people and this was once again true at the rally.  The response to his Executive Order putting a stay on the Supreme Court’s April 3, 2009, unconstitutional move in order to give the power back to the people and to protect our freedoms brought a response from the crowd that I can only describe as lit match in one hand and lighter fluid in the other.  Bob finished up his speech by giving a heartfelt introduction of Mike Huckabee.

It’s no secret that Governor Huckabee is hands down the best communicator the GOP currently has and he did not disappoint at the rally.  As a governor himself for almost eleven years in Arkansas he could clearly explain why he has thrown his full support behind Bob VP and the reasons why he would make a good governor.  (At this point in time the rally attendees forgot anything about wanting to sit down.)  And as only Mike Huckabee can, he transitioned his speech into playing bass in the band for three songs.  It was then that I did not know if I was at a rally or at a rock concert because the fans then took control of the event and I swear quite a few of them reverted back to their younger years.  It was a “rally” in the true sense of the word.  After the event Huckabee and Vander Plaats stuck around for photo-ops and to talk with people.

It is fully expected that Governor Huckabee will be back at least one more time before the June 8th primary to campaign with Bob Vander Plaats.

Mike Huckabee’s Iowa Blitz

On February 24th Governor Mike Huckabee will be returning to Iowa in order to support his endorsed candidate for Iowa Governor, Bob Vander Plaats.  This is the second time Huckabee has been in the state to support Vander Plaats and it won’t be his last.  He has committed a good portion of 2010 to stump for his Huck PAC candidates, some of who are in contested primaries against establishment candidates such as Bob and also Marco Rubio who is fighting Charlie Crist for the US Senate nomination in Florida.

Since winning the 2008 Iowa Caucuses Governor Huckabee has had two books hit the New York Times best seller list, hosts the number one weekend news show on cable, and has the fastest growing radio show of the past decade.  With all of this going on he still has committed himself to helping conservative candidates in the 2010 elections.  On the 24th he will be speaking at a high dollar fundraiser luncheon for Vander Plaats and then headlining a free rally for him in the evening.  Huckabee’s national grassroots team, Team Huck, is currently making phone calls to promote this event to Iowans

While in Iowa for Vander Plaats, Huckabee will also be lending a hand to Iowa Family Policy Center’s political arm.  The Iowa Family PAC will be hosting an event in Des Moines on the 24th in between the two Vander Plaats events and the Governor will be the keynote speaker.  This organization will be raising funds to locate and elect pro-family candidates while also working tirelessly on getting a Marriage Amendment passed.  Huckabee has always been an outspoken supporter of traditional marriage and successfully passed a Marriage Amendment with a Democratic legislature as Governor of Arkansas.

Details of all of the Mike Huckabee events on the 24th are provided below.  You will also be able to watch the rally live on Bob Vander Plaats’ new website that was just launched.  Huck-tastic.

Noon-1:30 PM
Private Luncheon for Bob Vander Plaats at the Cedar Rapids Country Club
Featured Speaker Mike Huckabee
550 27th Street Drive SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
$1,500 per person or $2,000 per couple
**if you are unable to attend please consider sponsoring another individual or couple**
Please RSVP to Tim Dusenbery at tim.dusenbery@teamvp2010.com

5:30-7:00 PM
Free Rally for Bob Vander Plaats at the Cedar Rapids Marriott
Mike Huckabee will speak and play in the band
1200 Collins Road NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Please visit here to get your free ticket

2:00-4:00 PM
Iowa Family Policy Center PAC event “Rebooting Faith in Government”
Keynote Speaker Mike Huckabee
Airport Holiday Inn
6111 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, Iowa
Donations requested at event
Questions: 515-263-3495 or 1-877-866-IFPC

Public Hearing on HF 2420/”Fair Share”

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

SPONSOR:  House Labor Committee, Rick Olson, Chair

SUBJECT:  House Study Bill 702, An Act concerning public employee collective bargaining, including provisions allowing reasonable reimbursement for employee organization services provided to certain executive branch employees, and including applicability provisions.

DATE:  Wednesday, February 17, 2010

LOCATION:  House Chamber

TIME:  5:00 pm to 8:00 pm

TIME LIMIT FOR TESTIMONY:  Individual testimony will be limited to three minutes

SUBMISSION OF WRITTEN TESTIMONY:  Submission of written testimony is encouraged but not required

TO SIGN UP TO TESTIFY:  Call the Legislative Information Office (LIO) at 515-281-5129 or visit the LIO office in the basement of the Capitol

TO SUBMIT TESTIMONY BY EMAIL:  Testimony may be emailed to the Legislative Information Office at lioinfo@legis.state.ia.us.  Please type “Testimony” in the subject line.

The Iowa Policy Institute has a great analysis on the potential harm of HF 2420 to Iowa:

http://www.iowapolicyinstitute.com/uploads/IPI_Whitepaper_on_Right_To_Work.pdf

Tebow Super Bowl Ad Super Disappointing

Those of us who champion the social issues and are in the trenches everyday are just aching for leaders who take a stand outside of the 700 Club or TBN.  I’m not asking for a mere human being to save the world from moral decay because we know that there is only One who can do that, but just someone to be the forceful voice in the darkness, our Moses in the wilderness.  But maybe that is asking too much in a nation where Planned Parenthood is building their biggest baby killing factory in the same city as our nation’s largest church.  One would think that Joel Osteen’s church, which draws 43,500 people per service, could cause some uproar against  this factory.  Not so, but what would one expect from a Christian church that doesn’t even have a cross.

This lack of leadership is telling when the statement of a mere beauty queen captured the nation when she stated her belief that marriage is between one man and one woman.  No one has ever been so bold in the secular arena with millions watching.  While what Carrie Prejean did was full of conviction, she has proven to be a flawed vessel just like everyone else.  Not surprising since we are the ones who are flawed but not the One who we follow.

The next fervor to appear was the anticipation of Focus on the Family’s Super Bowl commercial featuring football great Tim Tebow and his mother who was to proclaim her pro-life message of not aborting Tim when it was deemed medically necessary.  Tim Tebow has never been shy about his faith and beliefs but to my knowledge I have never witnessed Focus on the Family pull something so bold.  It was inspiring and I thought, “Yes, finally!”  The left was in an uproar, Planned Parenthood was putting on their armor, and Women’s groups were fearing that their gender would now suffer needlessly from this ad (even though they were okay with the commercials of the girls in the skimpy clothes serving beer).

There was a lot of hoopla for nothing and even though I have gotten countless emails from pro-life and pro-family groups hailing the success of the Tebow commercial, I thought it was a missed opportunity since this Super Bowl broke all records in viewership with a total of 106.5 million people tuning in.  The ad merely showed that life is precious at all stages and all life has potential.  A great message but could there have been more?

Even though I was disappointed in the commercial that Focus on the Family chose to run, I still try to look at the bigger picture.  Perhaps it wasn’t the ad itself that was important but instead it was the weeks leading up to its debut.  What the nation witnessed was the irrational opposition of the pro-aborts to a harmless message that celebrated not only life but free speech.  Another fine representation of the tolerance they champion.  Perhaps those for abortion rights protested too much over this ad.  What were they really trying to hide from the nation?  Perhaps that women are important only if they aren’t in the womb and choice is only celebrated when it doesn’t result in another life.

Maybe they should just stick to protesting the beer commercials.

Creative E-card Valentine’s from the GOP!

I just love Valentine’s Day so hearing about GOP Valentine’s caught my attention.

The Republican National Committee is sending out a fundraising e-mail that urges donors to send GOP Valentine’s E-Cards to loved ones with online contributions of anywhere from $10 to $100.

What fun to click into numerous Valentine’s that could be sent to my political friends! You may see the entire collection of creative Valentine’s E- cards here!

I must admit sending money to the GOP for this form of FUNdraising is much more appealing than the usual survey they send asking for my opinion on many issues and then wanting a donation. At least this Valentine version of requesting money entertaining and amusing!

Happy Valentine’s Day via the GOP!

Yes, enjoy!

I share one Valentine here, although my personal favorite is one about Ben Nelson (D-NE).

U.S. House District 2 Forum

The three Republican Candidates hoping to challenge Dave Loesback for the U.S. House of Representatives in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District gathered at Mt. Mercy College on Saturday to take part in a well-run, civil, and very informative forum sponsored by the Linn Area Pro-Life United and the Mt. Mercy College Political Science Student Group.  All were given two minutes to answer a question or two from several different topics and then were allowed a five-minute conclusion at the end.  Questions were not seen in advance and none were allowed from the audience.

As would be expected, Marriannette Miller-Meeks, Steve Rathje, and Christopher Reed all seemed to agree on popular conservative point of views such as less government, tax cuts, and taking care of our veterans.  A central theme seemed to be to get the federal government out of the way, and let individuals, businesses and families have control.

Below is a list of some of the topics that were discussed and a few of the key points that were made.

Agriculture

-          Rathje:  Farming is the same as any other business.  Taxes need to be cut.  A member of his staff, Mark Stutsman, and he have been working on this area.  The government needs to get out of the way.

-          Miller-Meeks: Need fair and free trade.  Cap and Trade and Pure Water Act will have a direct impact.

-          Reed:  The federal government has ballooned out of control.  We need to get farmers back in control of their businesses.  There is no better steward of the land then the farmer himself – they don’t need the government telling them how to be good stewards.  We need people negotiating not just for free trade, but for fair trade.  “Iowa can feed the world if we untie their hands.”

Economy

-          Miller-Meeks:  Holiday on payroll taxes.   We have the second highest corporate income tax in the world. Trade agreements.

-          Reed:   The role of the government is to protect the citizens, then get out of the way.  Our tax policies penalize success.

-          Rathje:  Has a 3-tier plan which would include a 60-day income tax holiday, a 2-year federal income tax holiday for new businesses, and allow college graduates to not have to pay federal income tax for 3 full years after graduating to help them get started in life and pay off their student loans.

Education

-          Reed:  Tax incentives – but should be state incentives.

-          Rathje:  The federal government is not responsible for educating our kids.  “I don’t want the federal government educating my children in any way, shape or form.”  Agreed with Chris Reed on lower taxes.  The federal government’s role is infrastructure and defense, not education.

-          Miller-Meeks:  More state control over education and state dollars.  Federal government doesn’t belong.

Health Care Bill

-          Rathje:  Should be allowed to buy health insurance from anywhere, any state.  More education regarding best deal – deductibles/premiums, etc.  Government is NOT responsible for our personal health.  Government needs to get out of moral values.  Need people in Washington with the NERVE and GUTS to do the right thing.

-          Miller Meeks:  Allow purchase of health insurance to cross state lines.  Tax deductions.  Personal responsibility for healthy lifestyle.  Government role should be to enforce transparency, insure the needy are cared for, and take care of fraud.  Have to have conscience clause where doctors and medical personnel can opt out if they feel a procedure is immoral.

-          Reed:  The current bill has nothing to do with healthcare.  The federal government doesn’t belong in healthcare.  Should be up to the states at the state level.  States will come up with the best programs.

Control  (which programs should be scaled back?)

-          Miller-Meeks:  Department of Energy (dependence on foreign oil).  Homeland Security, No Child Left Behind

-          Reed:  “Like a buffet-so much to choose from.”  National Education Association – no one in Washington knows what‘s happening in Iowa schools.  The local school board should be in control of the local school.  He is an advocate of homeschooling.  Parents know what is best for their children.

-          Rathje:  Education – wants control back in the states and with the families and the churches.  Referred us to Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution.

Abortion

-          Reed:  Unapologetically pro-life.  Roe vs. Wade overturned.  Should be left to the state.

-          Rathje:  Am a born-again Christian saved by grace through faith.  Pro-life from conception to natural death.  Has a moral compass that he lives by daily.  Will not accept abortion in any circumstance.  It is between the mother, God, and the doctor…period.

-          Meeks:  Parental Consent.  Valid concern for Rape and Incest.  Roe vs. Wade should be overturned and sent back to the states.  No federal funded abortions…period.  Taxpayers should not have to pay – goes back to freedom of religion.

Human Rights

-          Rathje:  Right to life is God given.  “The issue of human rights has to be at the forefront of our negotiations with every single country.”

-          Meeks:  Since we are in debt, we will have problems negotiating human rights with other countries.   Example:  Obama would not meet with Dalai Lama for fear of offending China.

-          Reed:  America is the most compassionate country in the world.  U.S. has always been at the forefront insuring human rights are there.

Energy Consumption

-          Meeks:  Off shore drilling allowed immediately.  Promote nuclear energy.  Allow technology to aid us.  Tremendous avenues and sources.  Gave example of individual conservation:  turn off computers at night, unplug cell phone chargers.

-          Reed:  Would rescind Cap and Trade if passed.  Drill offshore and in Alaska.  His responsibility in Congress:  “Anything that will free us from the bondage of foreign dependency.”

-          Rathje:  Need the government out of our way allowing us to drill, develop solar/clean coal.  Take our country back – get Government out!

Illegal Immigration

-          Reed:  Nation of laws – can’t decide which we will enforce and which we won’t.  Need to come here the right way and assimilate to our way of life.  A number should be determined of how many we need for each category of employment – farmers, computer techs, etc., then cap that amount.  Our sovereignty is at stake.  Need a clear picture of what it takes to come and become a legal U.S. Citizen – remove the ambiguity.

-          Rathje:  Control our border!  Need to have something to offer-what can they bring?  – science, medicine, technology, etc.  Has their government threatened them?  No wide open gates.  Those who hire illegals should be punished.  Fence on southern border.  Bring in only those we can control while they are here.

-          Miller-Meeks:  Revamp immigration.  Takes too long to become a legal citizen.  Emphasized there are FOUR borders that illegals come through that need to be controlled.  E-Verify needs to be put back in.  Penalize businesses if they hire illegals.  Immigrants are needed. We’re stronger because of our diversity.

-

Military  (what can Congress do to honor and help when they come home?)

-          Rathje:  How dare this current administration deny 40,000 troops when asked for and said needed. Vietnam Vets need to be taken care of.  Any healthcare bill should have Veteran’s care in it.

-          Miller-Meeks:  50 years of service between her and her husband.  Vets should be able to receive care from any medical facility – not just Veteran’s facilities.  More flexibility for generals on the ground.  Look at the military bases we have overseas.  Look at families of those who have been deployed over and over.  Thank them for their service whenever you see them.

-          Reed:  Is a Navy Vet.  Dedicated to the cause of tending all to the needs of all soldiers returning.  Need people in Congress who understand their needs.

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

-          Miller-Meeks:  Decision should be left to the military.  Allowing openly gay soldiers to serve may be uncomfortable for some, however if someone is willing, they should be allowed to serve as long as that’s the decision of the military, not the Feds or the Supreme Court.

-          Reed:  Another example of the Feds trying to fix something until it is broken.  They are already there.

-          Rathje:  Supports Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.  Morality issue.  If the generals in the field tell me it’s an issue, I have to believe them.

Retirement Alternatives for Senior Citizens

-          Reed:  People should be free to invest for their own retirement.  Youth today should be allowed to opt out of Social Security.  Country of freedom – should be allowed to be in charge of their own retirement.

-          Rathje:  Gave example of U.S. Postal Service – turned in $600 million loss even after a postal rate increase vs. UPS who had earnings of $10.9 billion.  Should tell us that the government needs to get out.  Personal responsibility – taking care of ourselves.

-          Meeks:  Unfair to end Social Security to those who have put in the $ all of these years.  Privatize 2%.

Federal Reserve

-          Rathje:  Abolish Federal Reserve.  Biggest joke on American people – used to hide behind whenever they want to spend money.  Nothing but a game used to manipulate our economy, world economics, etc.

-          Miller-Meeks:  Mentioned Ron Paul’s bill to audit.  Should be independent to regulate percentage rates – neutral, nonpartisan.

-          Reed:  It is a private entity – not part of government.  We have a right to know.  Should open books up.

Their closing remarks included the following:

-          Miller Meeks:  Mother of 2 –her greatest achievement.   Married 27 years.  She didn’t fill out any surveys the last time she ran – was busy with working and being a mother doing all the things mothers do.  That allowed people to misrepresent her.  Wants to move people from apathy to action.

-          Rathje:  Must elect someone who can articulate a message.  Mentioned 3-tier Plan again.  Founded two successful corporations – understands and experience in international trade.  Will bring the jobs back to eastern Iowa.  Need to elect a representative that will be there for them.  We can turn this around, but it will take a lot of work.

Reed:  Any of us here will be better than what we have in D.C. now.  Believe in founding principals of this country.  We need a representative with honor and principle – someone who will put principle before party in Congress.  He will fight for us.  Every dollar spent will be spent fiscally responsibly.

New strategies in Clarke County lake issue

Imagine spending years of your life fighting to keep YOUR land from being grabbed up by those who covet what you have for their personal gain.

Imagine hard feelings with your neighbors and people you thought were your friends because you would not roll over and give in to the greed of others.

Imagine the price paid  in your sense of well-being, belief in fairness, and cost in personal finances that years of fighting for what is yours takes on your life.

Imagine what it would be like to find out that there was an alternate, less expensive way for water to be provided for the county where you live.

And then imagine what it would be like to uncover information that exposes the twisted, underhanded, and conniving “ramblings” of those who are desperate to grab your land away.

Yes, envision what life is like for those who are at risk of losing their  land and homes.
According to an article in the Osceola Sentinel – Tribune there is an alternate way to get water to Clarke County.

Pipeline costs were also discussed at the meeting. The construction of this alternative to the reservoir would mean pumping water from McMullen Water Treatment Plant in southwest Des Moines to Osceola.

The pipeline would be constructed along country roads for the majority of the route. The 38 miles of pipeline is estimated to cost $32 million.

Doug Robins, Clarke County landowner, states the following in a letter send to Richard Simms of the NRCS.

The reason I am writing you today is to ask if you are aware that an alternative to a water supply for Clarke County is a pipeline from Maffit reservoir west of Des Moines. At the last CCRC meeting a cost estimate was presented to the commission at a cost of just under 32 million dollars. The last estimate of the reservoir was 42 million dollars and that is not including the cost of the stream mitigation that the EPA is requiring which could run into more millions of dollars.

My question to you is, as the head of the Iowa NRCS, why are your employees still pursuing the reservoir when Clarke county can have an adequate water supply for at least ten million dollars less. As a taxpayer of this county and state I have seen this project spend hundreds of thousands of dollars with the NRCS charging the county close to $350,000 for your services.

And here is an e-mail that was written by Dan McIntosh, Manager of the Southern Iowa Rural Water Association. The document was requested by Doug Robbins through the Freedom of Information Act.

“My ramblings on new proposal.”
Possible New CCRC Strategies
Water Needs Assessments Reviewed
SIRWA & CCRC Water Needs Assessments will be reviewed by an independent engineer
*Possibly DNR
The findings will determine how the lake is sized
No Recreation
Recreation will not be a part of the CCRC plan to build the lake
*Lake would be fenced in so no one could use it for recreation
Positives
Those most vocal against current plan have said they would be “willing sellers” of their land if these two changes were made
Much less opposition from land owners & others around the state
*Takes the CCRC out of the “Hot Seat”
Less acres to buy because we only need to purchase the buffer strip & possibly land to square up property lines.
Legislature will not need to modify the current Eminent Domain law
*It works as they want it to
Negatives
NRCS will have to develop new Draft Plan
Costs for CCRC will increase due to less funding from NRCS because this will not be a multi-purpose lake anymore
*LOSST Tax will be in effect years longer
Positives
Area Citizens will be upset at the thought of no recreation
*CCRC Board can deflect blame to:
* Certain stubborn landowners
* Representatives Kaufmann & Tymeson
We will finally get the “Silent Majority” of the citizens to express their feelings
*They WANT RECREATION on the new lake

Negatives
It will probably add time to the planning stages of the lake

“Deflect blame to certain stubborn landowners”?

“Deflect blame to Representatives Kaufmann & Tymeson”?

Twist things around to say NO RECREATION because you know that “they WANT RECREATION”?

Readers, can you see what the ‘certain stubborn landowners’ are up against?

These people must be exposed for what they are doing before  more tax dollars are spent to create a lake when there is an alternate water source.

Iowans and Americans: What will you do to put those working to find ways to unscrupulously take this land and put them in the “hot seat”?

The time is now.

Your land could be next.

Taylor County, I hope you are paying attention to the struggles that may be coming your way.

So Much For Inevitibility

In the wake of the off year caucus it would not be unreasonable to assume that all of the Republican Party’s declared candidates would have garnered the required number of signatures. However, that does not seem to be the case. On two consecutive days this week I have received emails from two prominent campaigns asking for help in acquiring the signatures needed. This indicates to me that these campaigns have failed to garner the required signatures. Now I admit that they could simply be trying to gather more signatures than is needed, however I couldn’t see them going through the added expense of generating an email to do this.

The first candidate that I spoke of is 3rd Congressional candidate Jim Gibbons. In the email that the Gibbons camp sent out it specifically mentions an increased number of caucus goers this year over previous off year caucuses. I find this comment especially interesting considering Gibbons appears to not have garnered enough signatures at the caucuses to get his name on the June primary ballot. In fact the headline of the email sent out is “Next Step: Get Jim on the Ballot.” This clearly points to a feeling among the party base that Gibbons is not their guy.

The second candidate that appears to have failed at getting nominating signatures has been promoted as the inevitable gubernatorial nominee. In an email sent out by the Branstad campaign they are soliciting their supporters to get out and promote him. However the tool that they are using to do this is the nominating paperwork. It would seem that Terry Branstad has failed to garner the required number of signatures at the various caucuses around the state. Another thing that I find interesting about the Branstad campaigns effort is that they felt the need to “bribe” people into getting the papers signed. This would indicate to me that not only is the prospect of another Branstad administration not appealing to the base of the party, but his supporters are not all that thrilled to go out to do the dirty work to get their guy nominated. It is clear that contrary to what Branstad’s supporters want you to believe, his ascension to Governor is anything but a foregone conclusion.

There is little doubt in my mind that both of these candidates will manage to acquire the required number of signatures to file with the Iowa Secretary of State. However what is in doubt is how they would fare against their competitors. Both of these gentlemen should have been able to gather their required signatures last Saturday, but they failed at that endeavor. So much for inevitability.

Dave Funk on President Obama’s State of the Union Address

The following is a press release released by 3rd Congressional District Candidate Dave Funk

Dave Funk, Candidate for Congress; Iowa-03 Responds to SOTU and Unsuccessful Job Creation of 2009

Job creation is the biggest myth in the economy right now.  That is, those jobs “created” by the government.  Job creation, when done as direct investment by the government in the government, is no more than a long term unfunded mandate on the local level.  Here’s why:

Last night President Obama said, “Because of the steps we took, there are about two million Americans working right now who would otherwise be unemployed. 200,000 work in construction and clean energy. 300,000 are teachers and other education workers. Tens of thousands are cops, firefighters, correctional officers, and first responders. And we are on track to add another one and a half million jobs to this total by the end of the year.”

That’s right, jobs created in law enforcement, education and construction (roads & infrastructure).  These are government related jobs! Gov. Chet Culver as well has been following the same logic as Leonard Boswell in Iowa and President Obama.

How will the schools pay for these new jobs when their budgets are being cut?  How does the police force justify their budgets when the number of officers increased and crime did not?  What will construction workers do when their projects are done?  All they have done is place financial liabilities that cannot be avoided on state and local governments.  There is no way around this burden and now either the greater population suffers because the state and local governments have to find the money to cover it or our state’s lose even more power and are dependent on the welfare of the federal government.

When the government makes a direct investment in jobs that add no economic productivity to the underlying economy it is impossible to turn a job created into more jobs created.  When you make a financial investment, your intent is for your money to make you more money.  This is the same logic.  When the government stimulates job growth it should be creating jobs that will help create more jobs indefinitely.

In Iowa, the government has spent $1.5 billion on 5,336 jobs.  These jobs were also in education, law enforcement and infrastructure.  The state of Iowa already has had to make a 10% budget cut across the board.  Now they’ll either have to find ways of supporting this increase they’ve accrued in annual costs or they will have to cut pay or layoff more to make up for it.  And here’s the saddest thing of it all.  Even if the state of Iowa or any area were to just lay off the people they hired from the stimulus package they are still stuck paying unemployment benefits.  There is no way around this cost burden – this unfunded mandate from the Federal government.

We need to get away from creating jobs for the sake of creating jobs and start pushing private investment in the private sector.  This could have been funds managed by private equity and venture capital to grow businesses in high growth industries.  It could have been done through private investment tax incentives or simply doing away with capital gains taxes.  There were so many ways the government could have created more jobs with that money and they have now borrowed from our children’s and grandchildren’s futures for unsustainable jobs.

The government needs to follow one rule of thumb:  The government should NEVER invest money in itself for the sole purpose of growth and job creation. It’s like creating 1,000,000 widgets for a market of 500 people.  It’s too much!  We cannot let them be stupid with our money anymore.  Time to stop the Stupid Spending! Vote these people out!

www.CongressNeedsFunk.com

Christopher Reed on Obama’s State of the Union Address

The following is a commentary on last nights State of the Union Address from 2nd Congressional District candidate Christopher Reed.

1/28/10

Cedar Rapids- Christopher Reed, conservative candidate for U. S.  House of Representatives for Iowa’s 2nd Congressional district, released the following in response to President Obama’s State of the Union address.

President Obama continues to dazzle the American public with his speaking skills, even while Americans continue to lose their jobs, their homes and their confidence in our federal government.

I am in total agreement with President Obama’s statement, “There is a deficit of trust [in the Government] by the people”.  I believe this mistrust stems from a generation of politicians going to Washington DC and not holding true to the principles upon which they campaigned. The time has come for Americans to hold candidates to their words and demand that they are held accountable for their promises.

President Obama talked about the need for additional nuclear plants, more offshore drilling, and bio-fuel and clean coal expansion, which are all solutions to our nation becoming energy independent. But immediately after making this statement Obama pushed the need to pass the “Clean and Safe Climate and Energy Bill”, commonly known as “Cap and Trade”.  In my estimation, this bill will do much to eliminate those energy-producing technologies he previously mentioned.

The President made several other statements I disagree with:

  • Our President suggested, “People are upset because Washington is not fixing their problems.” I believe it’s not the government’s job to fix people’s problems. It is the people’s job to be responsible for their own lives.
  • Obama mentioned he wants to “forgive” college debt for anyone who goes into “public service jobs”. This will only serve to grow an already over-sized government and create even more bureaucracy.

  • President Obama stated that Health Care Reform is a “complex issue” and he threatened there will be lost care, employers will shirk their responsibilities, and health care costs will rise if reform is not passed. He also said he understands there is a lot of opposition to the bill, yet he demanded Congress “get it done”. So, even though the majority of Americans do not support the current health care reform being considered, Obama will make sure it happens.
  • Mr. Obama said he came to Washington to open the government to the people and keep lobbyists from decision-making positions. Yet he chose to ban C-SPAN from televising health care debates and his cabinet is filled with no less than twelve lobbyists!
  • In one breath Mr. Obama promised new incentives to open pathways for small businesses to access loans, but in the next breath he threatened to tax and fine any lending institution that dares to make a profit. True leaders take ownership in the face of adversity, not blame others for a mess they willingly accepted responsibility for.

  • Our President continues to blame the previous administration for this country’s economic problems. I believe it is time for Obama to end the blame game and focus his time and energy on fixing our economy and creating jobs.

Overall, our President seems determined to pass blame to others, ignore the will of the people and force-feed his agenda on the American people.

I believe this philosophy is in exact contrast to what has made this country great.  The people are the solution to problems, not the government. I believe its time to take back our country and return the control of our government to “We the People” as our constitution states!

For more information about Christopher Reed, visit www.ReedforIowa.com or call Campaign Headquarters @ 319-241-0565