Will you answer all of the 2010 U.S. Census questions?

June 30, 2009 by 18 Comments

My husband and I have discussed what we will do about filling out the Census form. And, if my on line research is any indication, many other Americans are having similar discussions. There are others who do not trust those collecting the information and  how the information will be used. There seems to be different information as to the fines that could occur if citizens do not completely fill out the form or if it filled out inaccurately.

My post is not to encourage or discourage American citizens to complete the 2010 Census and American Community Service form. I suggest that you become informed about the questions that will be asked, how that information will or will not be used, and if you are willing or able to pay the fine if you decide to not answer any or all of the questions.

Here is some information for you yet there is much more out there if you wish to take the time to read it.

Rep. Michele Bachmann and Rep. Steve King have been speaking about the 2010 Census partnership with Acorn.

Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota said earlier this month that she wouldn’t answer certain questions on the 2010 Census form partially because of concerns about Acorn. A spokeswoman for Ms. Bachmann didn’t make her available for comment.

Rep. Steve King (R., Iowa) tried unsuccessfully to attach an amendment to a must-pass appropriations bill to forbid any Acorn involvement in the 2010 Census. The outspoken Mr. King is perhaps the most vocal critic of the organization, introducing a host of bills that would limit Acorn’s affairs in federal governance.

The actual questions and reason for the questions – “meeting Federal Needs” and “Community Benefits” are listed here.

This is from 2000 but very interesting. I share a portion of the article U.S. Census questions put your privacy at risk by Robyn Blumner. I found myself thinking of all the advances in technology in the past ten years. It is much easier for Big Brother to keep track of us….

Then there’s the privacy issue. The Census Bureau promises up and down that it will keep your personal information confidential and will only share statistics. But even aggregated data, when finely parsed, can be highly compromising.

While the Census Bureau didn’t release the names of Japanese-Americans during World War II, the bureau did lend a hand to our government in tracking them down. According to a new research report, the bureau’s complicity assisted in the rounding up of 120,000 Japanese-Americans who were then sent to camps for the duration of the war.

The paper, titled “After Pearl Harbor: The Proper Role of Population Data Systems in Time of War,” says in days following Pearl Harbor the bureau put out detailed reports on the Japanese population in the country, including where pockets could be found. J.C. Capt, the director of the Census Bureau at the time, explained: “We didn’t want to wait for the declaration of war. On Monday morning we put our people to work on the Japanese thing.” The paper indicates bureau disclosures to the War Department were so exacting that it provided the number of Japanese people living on various city blocks.

What’s even more troubling is that a block-by-block report on racial make-up wasn’t generally available then, but it is today. Now, with computer assistance, the bureau’s databases can organize “nonidentifiable” information in ever-smaller nuggets and make it available in no time…..

There’s a reason the law prohibits the census from forcing people to disclose their religious affiliation. Matters of faith should be private and a compendium of where religious minorities lived could later be used as a tool for repression. But if that information is deemed too intimate and potentially compromising, then so should questions of race, ancestry, household relationships and physical and mental health.

By not answering invasive questions on the census I risk a fine of $100. That comes to ten dollars a year to protect my privacy — well worth the price.

And the fine for not filling out the questions:

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Bachmann may be in trouble if she fails to fill out the entire census. Spokeswoman Shelly Lowe told the Washington Times that anyone over the age of 18 must fill out all the questions and any such person who refuses to answer “any of the questions” faces a $5,000 fine.

Each of us will need to decide if completely and honestly filling out the 2010 U.S. Census is the American thing for us to do. What will the Government really do with the information collected? Are we willing to pay the fine?

Good luck with your decision.

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“Romney’s team awaits 2012″

June 29, 2009 by 12 Comments

Well, well, well… according to a Politico article, Mitt Romney’s team awaits 2012,  Willard  Romney is “tanned, rested, and ready” for another run for the White House. He has dozens of former aids and advisers to assist him.

I take note that it is his “Washington-based alumni” who have regular meetings and he has a Boston based PAC group.

And, least we not forget, Willard Romney has Iowa supporters who are alive and well. Well enough to have a photo of Romney flash up during a slide show at the Night of the Rising Stars event. I have been told that John McCain did not get his shining face in the slide show, but Willard did. Go figure!

According to the Politico article:

Mitt Romney says publicly he’s not considering another presidential campaign, most recently on Sunday during an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” But many of his loyalists expect one and remain at the ready for 2012.

And, a man who ran Romney’s New Hampshire Primary campaign says in the Politico article that “I’m going to be a Mitt guy until he tells me he’s not running for president.”

Here’s some news from a Mike Huckabee supporter. We don’t care if Willard is “tanned, rested, and ready.”

We know that we are “ready” to support our guy Mike. And we know that if Huckabee and Romney DO run for President a battle in Iowa is in the making. It might be the common, ordinary citizens against the high-profile, even elected, Iowa officials. But we are ready and getting more so every day.

Willard’s supporters may meet in “fashionable” locations. That’s fine. Huckabee supporters have an army (Hucks Army), Huck PAC, and we meet in low-key places where we have a lots of fun networking and making our own plans.

And we have Chuck Norris on our side.

Just so you know….  :) .

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Obama’s schedule needs to make citizens ‘wonder’

June 29, 2009 by 2 Comments

http://www.politico.com/politico44/

The three big events on Obama’s schedule today:

- An afternoon meeting and pool spray with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe (We wonder: Will Obama move the ball on Iran in their pool spray, as he did after meetings with South Korean President Lee and German Chancellor Merkel? Hot about on Honduras?)

- A reception at the White House for LGBT Pride Month (We wonder: Will this placate anyone on the left, or just fuel liberals’ desire for non-symbolic action on gay rights?)

- A Democratic fundraiser at the Mandarin Oriental (We wonder: Does the White House have any concerns about holding a glitzy, partisan dinner as “jobless recovery” becomes the buzzy term of the week?)

There seems to be a lot of “wondering” going on over at the Politico. There needs to be a lot of “wondering” going on with American citizens, Iowans very much included! You know- the ones who actually pay their taxes, struggle to keep a job, struggle to find a job, sweat out the layoffs and loss of income, and worry about keeping their homes.

More “wondering” needs to transpire about the people  our President ‘pals’ around with and who influence his decisions. OUR President in OUR White House can’t publicly celebrate the National Day of Prayer but he can welcome with open arms a group that many citizens find to be responsible for the down fall of our American way of life. Wonder about time given to celebrate a group that is shoving their lifestyle upon us and using their wealth to influence the outcomes of campaigns of those they oppose. (Yes, even in Iowa!)

We need to “wonder” how there can be happy parties when people in Iran are suffering- the men and women, old and young, who are being beaten, tortured, put in prison and slain while fighting for their freedom. We need to “wonder” about raising money while our fellow Americans are serving their country in very dangerous places. Living and working with no air conditioning, no water sprays, and no glitzy dress up parties for their comfort and fun.

We need to wonder about a lot of things.

I personally wonder if anyone regrets voting for Obama. Does anyone wonder why 8 Republicans sold us out to vote with the Democrats for the Cap and Tax Bill? Does anyone wonder what a President Huckabee would be doing differently?

Does anyone else wonder and be fearful about the future for their grandchildren which includes taxes, taxes, and taxes, not to mention being indoctrinated with ideas that are Un-American!

As Independence Day approaches, I wonder- does anyone take the effort to read the Constitution and understand that it is “We the People”? Does anyone else fear for America? Does anyone wonder about the bias in the media FOR Obama? Does anyone wonder about Obama and the Democrats double standard of expecting hard working Americans to ‘sacrifice’ when they can jet about and live the high life?

The folks at Politico can’t be the only ones who wonder.

There will be more “big events” at our White House. I don’t need to wonder. Many will not be events that I can support or be proud of occurring.

Concerned Americans need to wonder. And care. And be informed. And take action.

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House parties bringing politics to the people

June 28, 2009 by 6 Comments

Saturday I attended a house party event for Bob Vander Plaats. I had never been to one before so I wasn’t completely sure what to expect. There were probably a total of 20 people there so there was plenty of opportunity to mingle and talk with other individuals in a very informal comfortable setting. If you are ever invited to one of these I highly encourage you to go!

The most amazing part of the experience was actually speaking with Bob and getting to know him on a more personal level not only through a one on one conversation but also as he addressed the group. Bob discussed his reason for entering into a gubernatorial race as well as why he has continued to do so throughout the years. The reason may surprise you. Bob is not, or ever has been a politician; he is simply an Iowan that feels he has been called to serve. As Bob would explain to you, he has spent his life serving the people of Iowa in many capacities.

This is a rare quality in just any human being these days, but why would we expect any less out of our elected officials?

Bob discussed the areas of most importance to him, especially the platforms that he had run on in previous elections, being education; bringing that back to the locally controlled level and letting teachers teach, businesses; work on attracting good businesses to our state through creative ways to keep our college grads here, health care; not controlled by a corporation or government, but putting the control in the hands of those who use it – US!

The conversation was good, the passion was definitely there, and Bob has a plan for our state. For me, this is a relief as I feel like most other Iowans do, that our state is winding through a black hole and there is no light

Bob fervently discussed his stance on marriage in Iowa and the recent Supreme Court decision. As an educator, Bob is well versed on explaining how our state government let the judicial branch, the weakest of the 3, make a law that affects every Iowan. Because the other 2 branches of our government did not do their due diligence and take the reins after the decision was handed down, our great state may be headed down a path where the weakest branch of our government may start to further control the lives of Iowans. Bob articulated how important it is for all 3 branches to work together to serve the people of Iowa with the people’s best interests in the forefront of their minds.

After Bob spoke to the group, he asked for questions. And people spoke up. Like I said in the beginning, if you get a chance to attend one of these events, do so. If you are interested in finding out where one is, let us know, we can help you locate one.

Bob wants you to know about him personally, but more importantly he wants to know what you care about and if you don’t personally tell him, how will he? How many opportunities will you be able chat one on one with a gubernatorial candidate –and a front runner at that?

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Proposed Lakes Surrounds Me with Questions

June 28, 2009 by 10 Comments

News of the Clarke County reservoir controversy has opened lingering questions. I can relate to this issue as my county also has a similar controversy.

 

If I were facing life threatening surgery and treatments, I would want to know all my options and describe the least invasive options. I continue to have questions and I want truthful answers from officials who would have no reason to leave out solutions for a less invasive outcome. 

 

I used to trust what I read and trust the officials in charge to make the right decisions on such matters. My trust was sunk when the lake issue heated up and I learned not to believe everything in print concerning proponents of our lake.

 

In the lake issues, the statements are often from those who would benefit financially or further career ladders. Lake studies include birdwatching and lake users that are all but believeable. If that is how they base the success of a lake, then it is no wonder our federal government is broke. 

 

Another question is about job creations. We hear that nearly everyday when discussing the stimulus and it is the same for the lake issues. Jobs are created for the building of the structure but these are not lasting jobs. 

 

In our county, some towns get drinking water from river sources and others have wells.

If a drought would happen, everyone would need to conserve. Reservoirs would be the same and there would be the possibility of rationing there also. 

 

A recent letter to the editor wrote about one of Clarke County’s lakes filling in with sediment. If we can’t take care of what we have, why are we building more? Can that lake be repaired and used for a water source? 

 

It seems that both my county and Clarke are using commissions that are making the decisions. These people are not elected but do they have the authority to condemn?

 

In consideration of our nationwide economic struggles, I just want lifechanging decisions to be fair and justified. Recreation and housing developments are not reasons to force evacuations and condemnations. I think we deserve this issue to be put under an in-depth evaluation. Is that too much to ask?


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Guest Commentary-Asleep at the Wheel

June 27, 2009 by 3 Comments

Christopher Reed-2008 Republican candidate for US Senate in Iowa

Christopher Reed-2008 Republican candidate for US Senate in Iowa

Sleep:  to be careless or unalert; allow one’s alertness, vigilance, or attentiveness to lie dormant

Meeting: an assembly or conference of persons for a specific purpose

Rollcall.com had a story this week about United States Congressman Dave Loebsack (D-IA-02) being asleep during a meeting on health care. It can be said that meetings in Washington are probably not as fun as running marathons in Cedar Rapids or attending rallies with Nancy Pelosi in Des Moines. However, how long should Iowa’s Second District continue to put up with this complete lack of leadership? My answer: about 16 more months.

In these perilous times of tumult and world chaos, can we afford leadership like this?

The book Improving Leadership Effectiveness says “The quality of leadership, more than any other single factor, determines the success or failure of an organization”. Well friends, we cannot afford failure of the organization known as the United States of America. Unfortunately, keeping Mr. Loebsack at the helm will almost assuredly accomplish just that.

We need a leader who will not only stay awake and alert during important meetings, but we need someone in Washington that will stand up for what is right for Iowa and America. We need a leader who is willing to make tough choices and stand up for what he believes in.

Today, more than ever, we need real leadership in Washington, and sadly it is lacking from Iowa’s Second District. Dave Loebsack is alright with being asleep at the wheel, but the voters in District #2 need to be awake and ready to enact a change in leadership come November, 2010.

Christopher Reed

Marion, Ia.

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Pelosi’s Iowa Puppets Should Resign

June 27, 2009 by 6 Comments

Puppet_MasterAs I was sitting here this evening contemplating the passage of the Waxman-Markey Cap and Trade bill yesterday evening I continued to get more and more irate. Sure I have been opposed to any form of cap and trade legislation because I firmly understand that it is a job killer, an economy killer. I understand that it is nothing more than a massive tax on all Americans. I understand that it does have good intentions, however I remain unconvinced that it will achieve the objectives that the bills supporters have been claiming. I understand that it will drive good paying employers from our country. I understand that it will drive the cost of energy beyond the reach of many families. I understand that it will drive the cost of many products beyond the reach of many families. Be that as it may, these are not the reasons that my anger continues to rise as I contemplate the bills passage.

I will admit that I was pissed that this bill was even considered for the reasons stated above. But it was the circumstances in which the bill was passed that put me over the top. The speed in which this legislation was pushed through the House of Representatives prevented many Representatives from even conducting a rudimentary review of the bill. There was just one copy of this legislation available for review on the day of the debate which further exacerbated any attempts at genuine review of the bill. To further stifle any true review of the Democratic leadership successfully placed a limitation on any debate yesterday. I find it laughable that any of the Representatives that voted for this bill could actually have a firm grasp of what the plan entailed. For all the 219 legislators know the bill could have included wording that would change the name of our country to the United States of Ignorance. My point is that passing this legislation of this magnitude in this fashion constitutes a dereliction of duty.

Upon further inspection I have found that the Iowa delegation split in a party line vote. Iowa’s two Republican Representatives; Steve King and Tom Latham; voted against the legislation. Our three Democrat Representatives voted to approve the plan. I had fully expected Bruce Braley and Dave Loebsack to vote for the bill as they are nothing more than pawns used by their puppet master, Nancy Pelosi. I had higher hopes for Leonard Boswell. As the debate raged in the House I had heard rumblings that Boswell was on the fence. As more and more Americans called in to voice their disapproval of the plan I thought that Boswell would succumb to the pressure of the public. That was not to be though. Ultimately he fell on the side of the puppets.

As I contemplated the actions of these three I decided to see if they had any press releases rationalizing their affirmative vote for this legislation. It should come as no surprise that there is no statement yet released by them. I would love to hear what these three puppets have to say in defense of their vote. I would contend that in voting to pass the Waxman-Markey Cap and Trade bill without a full understanding it’s contents amounts to a dereliction of duty. Iowan’s elected these three to competently represent Iowa in the US House of Representatives. But when they act in this fashion they have failed miserably. The fact that they have remained silent on this action should be an indictment as to the character of all three men. They are not fit to represent the wise and honest people of Iowa. If you are as upset about their actions as I am, please contact their offices in Washington, D.C. and urge these men to do the honorable thing and resign. They have become an embarrassment to all of Iowa.

1st District Bruce Braley

Email

Phone: (202)225-2911

2nd District Dave Loebsack

Email

(202)225-6576

3rd District Leonard Boswell

Email

(202)225-3806

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NO to Barbour’s advice

June 27, 2009 by 6 Comments

While I did not attend the Night of the Rising Stars I have taken the time to read about the event and to hear from those who were attendance.

A  take away I have from what Haley Barbour had to say is that “pro-lifers need to vote for pro-choice candidates and vise-versa if we are to win elections.”

The Republican Party is in big trouble if they think Social Conservative Republicans will take this advice. In fact, let me be clear, the answer is NO!

For me it boils down to trust. If a candidate can support killing babies then I can not and will not trust them to support other issues that I care about.

Big Tent is a nifty term for some but for me if it means compromising my beliefs I will not cave in to support moderate candidates.

There are grass roots social conservatives who also care about other issues that need to be solved. We are out in our communities working to make our voices heard. We may not attend party events or be in the “in” crowd of political circles but we are networking and supporting each other to be strong and committed to candidates who share our values and beliefs.

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DesMoines Register.com fails to report Climate Bill Vote

June 27, 2009 by 4 Comments

Last night  I went to the Des Moines Register web site to see if they had reported anything on the Climate bill vote that congress passed by a vote of 219-212. And much to my surprise nothing on it. So I just went back again few minutes ago now its almost 12:30 pm in the afternoon  and heres the top articles they have on their main website homepage. Story about the person who shot the Parkersburg coach, Hog prices are down, Postville  leaders lets talk about a lawyer, Dog parks leap in popularity,Man stalks record fish for 3 days before getting it with a bow and arrow, man fatally shot at a dice game ” Oh Crap” that’s surely interesting news isn’t it. Wouldn’t you think they would want the public to know who don’t get the Register’s newspaper and read their news online to report the vote on this Climate bill that will become the biggest increase in taxes ever. Cap and trade will effect EVERYONE  of us more than just our light and gas bills. It will cause food prices to go up as everything we buy uses energy to produce or package it. So that cost is gonna be passed on down to us the consumers. But here its in middle of the afternoon on the day after the vote and nothing on their main web page about the vote. Do they not want Iowan’s not to know about this vote? I do not get the news paper as i’m out in the rural area it would come by mail man a day late. So I come online to find my news. And looks to me so far the DesMoines Register.com will not tell us the House passed the bill. It now goes  on to the Senate and if passes there we all better brace ourselves for much higher food prices and anything we would buy that’s not edible. As this will all have a bigger price tacked on thanks to this bill. I don’t know how people who are barely getting by would get by this coming winter? Guess we will be sitting in our houses fully dressed with long johns couple pairs of socks and coat on wrapped in a blanket because they can’t afford to go over and turn up the dial on the furnace. And their cubboards will be getting bare as the cost of canning food and packaging will increase. I was reading about the bill they want to decrease the greenhouse gases by 80% by middle of this century. Think about this what would be left going in this country to be producing only 20% of the gases we are now? Not much i can tell you. Would there be any semis on the highways?   One person said on a radio program about this many months ago that we would be basically be going back and living in the dark ages if we reduced it that much. I don’t know about any of you but i don’t think i want to go back to living like pioneers in the 1800′s or 1700′s  If any of you have kept up with Congress lately they passed another bill unread. If you remember the stimulus bill was passed without being read by most of Congress. For one it was passed so fast only a speed reader could have read it before the vote took place. Im sick and tired of these arrogant congressional leaders who are voting without ever reading the bills they voted on. That is flat out Wrong !  Nancy Pelosi said “We passed transformational legislation which takes us into the future,” Pelosi said at a press conference following the vote,

I fail to see how this will take us into the future. To me it looks more like a bill that will take us into the past. What industry we have left will not spend the money and many can’t afford to make the changes so they will move the industry out of America to a country who simply doesn’t care if there is pollution. Only thing i can see leading us into the future is  cleaner ways to produce energy. We better get busy the middle of the century is about 40 years off and we haven’t built any nuclear power plants since the 70′s. Mainly all i see coming out of this bill is people like Al Gore and the thousands of other rich people who invested in this scam called carbon credits.Its like the bully standing on the street corner you have to pay him to let you pass.  They will be come even richer and the poor will either starve or freeze to death.
Thanks again Desmoines Register.com for keeping me informed about some guy stalking a giant Carp thats way more important than the Climate bill that will effect EVERYONE of us in this country.

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I-Jobs: The Essence of Pork

June 26, 2009 by 2 Comments

ijobs-logo-1024x394-580x223Wednesday the I-Jobs board selected the first applicants to be awarded money from Governor Chet Culvers bonding plan. All of the projects approved are located in the city of Cedar Rapids, a city still recovering from the record breaking and devastating floods that decimated the city last year. For the most part the projects awarded the funds can be considered vital infrastructure needs. Here is the list of projects with the amount awarded along with a short explanation of the projects needs:

Cedar Rapids Public Library; $5 million.

Apparently the Cedar Rapids Library was heavily damaged in last years historic flooding. According to the I-Jobs board the library sustained more than 50% damage during the catastrophe.

Paramount Theater, Cedar Rapids, IA; $5 million.

This historic theater was heavily damaged during the 2008 floods that inundated this city. This money will be used to restore the theater to pre-flood condition while also adding a bar/café to the facility.

Public Works Building, Cedar Rapids, IA; $5 million.

The city of Cedar Rapids Public Works Building is another building that was heavily damaged during the flooding that invaded the city last year. As such the building is in desperate need of rehabilitation.

Steam System Customer Relief, Cedar Rapids, IA; $5 million.

The City of Cedar Rapids operated a steam heating system in the city. The flooding that struck the city undermined and damaged the boiler and delivery system. This funding will be used to help the city’s customers convert to a heat system other than steam.

Linn County Human Services Campus, Cedar Rapids, IA; $10 million.

The flooding last year displaced several non-profit service organizations. These funds will be used to construct a new Human Services Campus in downtown Cedar Rapids with room for 7 to 10 non-profit organizations.

Options Building, Cedar Rapids, IA; $5 million.

A large portion of Linn County’s infrastructure was damaged or destroyed during last years floods. This project is proposed to replace two separate buildings damaged during the flooding last year, the Options Building and the Witwer Building. The plan is to replace these two buildings with just one.

National Czeck and Slovak Museum & Library, Cedar Rapids, IA; $10 million.

This project is rather large in scope with four separate phases. They include the restoration of a historic building, the restoration of two historic homes, construction of an exhibition center and research library, and construction of a permanent exhibit.

Also considered but not awarded funding was a request for $500,000 for the construction of a new fire station in Elkader, IA. It would seem that the city’s current fire station has suffered considerable damage as a result of last years flooding.

Like I stated before, for the most part the funding will be going to rehabilitating infrastructure hit hard by the flooding of the Cedar River. However not all of the funds allocated will be going toward necessary infrastructure needs. For instance, I understand that the Paramount Theater is a city landmark. And I understand that it can and should be a source of community pride. But at the same time I also question the use of public funding to restore the theater to its original state. I wonder if the backers of this drive have attempted to secure private donations to help them rehabilitate the building. The same holds true for the National Czech and Slovak Museum & Library. I have to question if this is an appropriate use of taxpayer money. Should not the first order of business for the I-Jobs board be to ensure that necessary infrastructure is rebuilt? That is clearly not the case here.

I will not pretend that I was supportive of this massive debt funded program. But since it has been approved and there is nothing I can do to prevent this money from being spent, we must ensure that the money goes toward vital infrastructure needs and not unnecessary projects. With their first approval meeting out of the way the board has shown us an indication that they are looking to spend the money on high dollar projects without regard to the necessity of the project.

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