Ames Tribune “disappointed” in Grassley

It is clear that many Iowans have strong opinions about Charles Grassley and what he is doing in regards to the health care reform bill. The Ames Tribune editorial staff has an opinion. As you will see in this post, the Tribune is “disappointed” in Grassley. You may read about their disappointments and decide if you agree with the Tribune writers or are one of the voters who voted for Grassley and expect him to listen to your opinions not just those who have the good fortune of writing their opinions in an Iowa newspaper.

http://www.amestrib.com/articles/2009/08/13/ames_tribune/opinion/editorials/doc4a843b46548cb006329816.txt

Grassley walking a tightrope
This editorial was intended to commend Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley for his work on health care reform on the Senate Finance Committee and for his principled stance above the noise and rhetoric that have characterized public debate so far.

But that was before Grassley spent Wednesday at four town hall meetings around Iowa where he joined in the fear-mongering chorus of “pull the plug on Grandma.”

We’re disappointed, Senator.

We have watched with growing dismay as members of Congress trying to discuss health care reform with their constituents have been shouted down, all useful discourse silenced.

We have watched with growing alarm the range of lies and ignorance presented as truth about health care and the bills working their way through Congressional committees — everything from “death panels” deciding who lives and dies to protesters insisting that Medicare is not a government health care program.

Grassley knows that none of the bills under consideration include government intervention in end-of-life decisions. The provision in the House bill calls for reimbursement for having a discussion about end-of-life care with your doctor. That’s all. It doesn’t require writing a living will, even though that’s a good idea. It doesn’t mandate having this conversation when you are actually at the end of your life, as Grassley seems to believe. It doesn’t mandate having this conversation at all. It just allows Medicare to pay for your doctor’s time if you decide to talk about it.

The atmosphere surrounding one of the most pressing issues we face as a society has become so poisoned that partisans on both sides of the political spectrum are calling for our representatives to stop talking to each other, too.
From the left comes the call for Democrats to use their majority status to ram through whatever bill they want. From the right, an ideological recalcitrance that says no to any and all Democratic ideas. Grassley himself has been criticized by members of his own party for his willingness to work with Democrats and comments from the mostly supportive crowds Wednesday suggested he might be voted out if he continues to work toward a bipartisan solution.

Grassley is the top-ranked Republican on the Senate Finance Committee. The committee is trying to hammer out a health care reform bill. Grassley, in working with his Democratic colleagues on the committee, is doing the job Iowa sent him to Washington to do.

Moreover, until Wednesday, he was demonstrating that people who disagree still can work together and do not have to sink to fear-mongering, no matter how much that might please their base.

One doesn’t need to agree with Grassley to appreciate his Finance Committee efforts. For example, The Tribune favors a robust, competitive public health insurance option; Grassley opposes it.

And we understand the tightrope Grassley is on between the job he went to Washington to do and the increasingly critical voters who sent him there.

We urge Grassley to focus on the former.

My Thoughts On Adel

The primary purpose behind Town Hall Meetings is to allow the public to have an avenue where they can express themselves to their elected officials face to face. It allows citizen’s to ask a question directly to the official. This is an excellent method for our legislators to correspond with us, the residents of the district. In recent days we have seen Town Halls across the country erupt with passion and activism in quantities that we have not seen in quite some time. As Craig Robison pointed out on The Iowa Republican, it would seem that an apathetic public has awoken and nothing will contain their passion or their outrage.

Unlike some other Iowan’s roaming the halls of Congress in Washington Senator Charles Grassley’s Town Halls have maintained an openness and respect for the constituents that has rarely been witnessed this month. Instead of closing the meeting down when turnout exceeds the room capacity, Senator Grassley has moved his meetings to locales that can handle the additional throng. This is the type of openness that we, the people of this state and this country, need in order to regain lost trust.

And so it was with Senator Grassley’s Town Hall in the small community of Adel, IA. The event was originally scheduled to be held inside the Adel City Hall, but as the anticipated crowd began to swell the decision was made to move the meeting outside in order to avoid turning people away. It proved to be a very wise decision as I estimate that around 400 eager and passionate people were in attendance. They gathered around the pavilion in Adel to hear Senator Grassley speak and to hopefully ask him questions.

The throng attending the event asked some pretty good questions of Senator Grassley. There were some passionate speeches given. One in particular by a woman named Vicki Crawford who recited a speech that she had authored the night before. There were some in attendance that supported not just the health care bill that Senator Grassley is helping to draft, but also a public option for health care. But for the most part the people in attendance were opposed to the plan.

In my opinion Grassley did a good job answering the questions posed to him. He said the right things to assuage opponents of the bill while at the same time promising to work with the other Senators to deliver a bill that he believed would be better than if he was not there. Overall I would say that his responses were well received, however I do believe that he is still treading a very perilous path. One wrong step in this process and the citizen’s of Iowa will land on him like a ton of bricks.

Clarke County Farm Bureau supports taking land from farmers

Farm Bureau members support proposed lake
Surprise, disgust and anger are some of the feelings I had when I read the Osceola-Sentinel Tribune Letter to the Editor by the “Board of Directors, Clarke County Farm Bureau” stating that they were in support of the proposed lake in Clarke County. This local group now has publically communicated that they have chosen to support the land grab for recreational use disguised in the need for water. I share a portion of the letter below.

“A recent letter to the editor called into question the motivations of the Clarke County Farm Bureau to take a measured, considered response in the Clarke County lake project. We are writing to let Mr. Patterson and the other members of Clarke County know that we are here. We are 770 members strong in this county and our board works hard to support the betterment of all county residents.”

Obviously the Clarke County group believes that taking land is for the good of all the county residents. I do not know the thought process behind what the Clarke County Iowa Farm  Bureau used to decide what ‘betterment’ is by choosing to support the lake project but after checking out the Iowa Farm Bureau website I must conclude that yet another group bites the dust for not living up to what they stand for.

Here is some of what I found when checking out what the Iowa Farm Bureau states on their site:

“On Dec. 27, 1918, the Iowa Farm Bureau was born.
While much has changed since then, one thing hasn’t: the character of Farm Bureau and its more than 153,000-member families – a character rooted in timeless values like hard work, love of community, a passion for the land and a belief rooted in faith and family.”

“Character? Timeless values like hard work? Love of community? Passion for the land?”
Just a bunch of empty words for the land owners in Clarke County who have for years lived under the threat that their property will be taken to build a lake.  Land developers and others will benefit at the expense of those who actually DO have a “passion for the land”. Empty words for concerned citizens like me who see that even the Farm Bureau will not stand up to join to fight of the abuse of eminent domain in Iowa.

More from the Iowa Farm Bureau:

“We will continue to support and speak out for Iowa farmers and their families.
We will continue to champion our youth and everything that they have to offer Iowa’s future.
We will continue to support and provide communities with the resources they need to be better places to live and work.
We will strive to keep health and wellness programs affordable for all Iowans.
And we will continue to promote the rural heritage that is Iowa.
We are the Iowa Farm Bureau. We are the people, progress and pride within all of Iowa.”

Let’s see – assisting with valuable farm land being at the bottom of a man made body of water is support for Iowa farm families?

Be a ‘champion’ for the youth who may not see their family farm passed down to their generation?

“Resources” needed to make better places to live and work… taking land from farmers and turning it over to others is assisting with “resources”?

“Health and wellness”… this one is especially hurtful, even to an interested Iowa Citizen. I can only imagine the suffering of the landowners as they await the next round of decisions and greed. The fight to keep their rightful land must take a toll on their health and wellness!

Sure- promote the rural heritage, Farm Bureau, as you stand by and let the Clarke County Board of Directors rip away rural heritage in their county.

And, pride? There can be “pride” in the horrible actions being taken against so many in Clarke County? Ask Page County landowners about “pride” as they have concerns about suffering the same fate at Clarke County landowners.  Many Iowans will not feel pride in learning that a well known organization supports the taking of land that rightfully belongs to hard working citizens in order to turn it over through condemnation efforts to those who will benefit financially, all in the guise of water needs.

Pelosi is at it again: “un-American” Americans

The latest from Nancy Pelosi:

‘Un-American’ attacks can’t derail health care debate
By Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer
…. disruptions are occurring because opponents are afraid not just of differing views — but of the facts themselves. Drowning out opposing views is simply un-American. Drowning out the facts is how we failed at this task for decades……
Now — with Americans strongly supporting health insurance reform, with Congress reaching consensus on a plan, and with a president who ran and won on this specific promise of change — America is closer than ever to this century-deferred goal.
This fall, at long last, we must reach it.

Nancy Pelosi is getting bolder and bolder in expressing her true feelings about American citizens who are attending Town Hall meetings. We are “simply un-American”. And Pelosi is clearly (one of her favorite words!) doing and saying everything in her power to make sure that the Health Care Reform bill is rammed, crammed and shoved upon “un-Americans” in order to reach her goal.

Pelosi and Company are to arrogant, power hungry, and Washington elite to get it that Americans DO have the intelligence to see what they are attempting to do with the American way of life. And debate? Is debate Pelosi standing up in front of numerous cameras on numerous occasions to wave her hands while she tells us how the Democrats are going to make the necessary changes that America needs?

Pelosi has crossed the line with calling tax payers and American citizens “un-American” for taking the time and effort to attend Townhall meetings. Pelosi and her fellow Liberals have a theme going with their nasty words about the Tea Party events and now the Town Hall meetings.

For too long Americans have allowed the Nancy Pelosi’s to have their way with what they think is best for the rest of us. Our elected officials are not used to Americans attending meetings or questioning what they are doing. Now we are waking up to the reality that letters, faxes, e-mails, telephone calls, twitters, and facebook communications are not being taken into consideration when decisions are being made and voting on bills are taking place. We can’t even count on our elected officials to read the bills. The is no “transparency” – it is hurry up, hurry up, and get it done quick. Let’s get it done before the voters know what is being done.

When will Americans have the “last straw” when it comes to statements from the Nancy Pelosi’s about being Un-American? What will push us over the edge enough to not listen to their propaganda? When will we take back the power and vote them OUT of office?

The next election can not come soon enough.

Fundamentals of Staging Ornery Town Halls

Fundamentals of Staging “Ornery” Town Halls.

1. Pick a room that is too small to handle the expected crowd.
2. Set the thermostat for a temp that is above a tolerable level – preferably no air conditioning.
3. Give the initial impression of a town hall meeting format
4. Avoid hot topics by presenting on smaller, less mainstream issues
5. Delay appearance or speaking time of the host – for example highlight presentation on title issue.
6. Time of Day. Hold meetings when inconvenient for largest number of attendees.
7. Have staffers play roles running interference to help representative avoid direct contact or direct questions.
8. Focus on positivity only, be polite and smile no matter the climate in the room. You are there for THEM!

With all of the recent media attention regarding wildly out of control town hall meetings, one must consider the recent meetings that have been held in Iowa and how they compare to the above list. When do we start to see a pattern emerging? The media is thriving off video showcasing mobs of screaming, angry individuals being planted by local conservative groups to throw off Democrats in Washington.

Consider these fundamentals when attending these town halls; with our video cameras, note pads, and lists of questions. Are we being lured into a town hall setting by the enabling hosts, our elected officials? Are we being lured to showcase an event that appears to be wildly out of control? Are we being lured to these events to appear unruly and hostile to discredit our intentions? Who is really staging these events, the so-called angry mob, or our seemingly gracious hosts? One should only look as far back as WWII to the Nazi propaganda films that were perfected by using these basic staging principals.

As we look to our representatives for accountability and answers at these so called meetings we get responses such as: “you’re in a mood” “You’re being adversarial.” “I’m not taking questions” “We’re not talking about that today.”

As we try to get one on one time with our elected officials, their staffers are heading us off at the pass, assuring us of our voice. We are being directed away from the hosts, our representatives, so they are not barraged with our questions and discontent.

Prime examples of these staging fundamentals can be seen in the most recent “town halls” held just last week. Marcia Hora from Ankeny, who attended a Small Business Forum in Chariton on Friday Aug 7th hosted by Congressman Leonard Boswell, stated that almost all of these staging fundamentals were present. Marcia reports that not only did the Congressman stand up, point his finger, and sternly refuse to answer questions at this unpublicized event, his staffers ran interference for him as he walked out. Congressman Boswell did not even let the crowd know he would be unavailable for questions, leaving people so angry that mass confusion ensued. People circled the small room asking anyone and everyone how they could get the Congressman to listen to them. None of his staffers were able to provide any attendees with answers.

A town hall meeting in Des Moines on Sat Aug 8th hosted by Senator Tom Harkin was reported to be held in a small room with no air conditioning or fans. The location of the meeting was significant such that it is being turned into a medical clinic and pharmacy thanks to the stimulus package. And it might be important to note that this meeting was also held in an area of Des Moines known for its lower income residents.

So consider these conditions as you head to your local “town halls.” Who really is staging these events?

Iowa’s Un-Representative: Leonard Boswell

The residents of the 3rd Congressional District are angry. They feel that they are not being represented. They are frustrated because their Congressman has failed to heed their advice. They are confused as to how their elected representative could so willingly turn his back on their will. And most of all they are disgusted by sheer magnitude of arrogance displayed by their representative. The Congressman I am talking about is Leonard Boswell, a member of the US House of Representatives supposedly representing Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District. Please watch the two videos at the end.

Now you may wonder why the residents of the 3rd District would feel like Congressman Boswell is not representing them. Perhaps it is the fact that Congressman Boswell’s office took literally thousands of calls urging him to vote no on the recent Cap and Trade legislation. Despite this overwhelming show of opposition Congressman Boswell voted for the legislation. The question in many folk’s minds is why on earth would Boswell deliberately disregard his constituent’s wishes? In fact one brave young professional, Meghan Swella, spoke and asked that very question. And what was Boswell’s answer? He stated that voting yes is a part of the process.

When the issue of ethanol came up a spirited debate ensued. Unfortunately for Congressman Boswell, he come off as ill informed or deceptive when his constituents voice their belief that ethanol was not an answer to our energy concerns. Somehow Boswell interpreted the residents belief that ethanol is just a temporary fix as an attack on ethanol. If Congressman Boswell had been paying a little closer attention he might have understood that the people want real answers, not some half measure being passed about as being a solution. Furthermore Boswell attempts to refute another audience members concern that food prices will continue to rise if the use of ethanol increases. Boswell gives a strange answer talking about how his corn production compared to his father’s corn production will be the reason that food prices will stay low. I know a strange answer. It almost makes me wonder if Boswell is suffering from some form of dementia or could we be seeing the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease in the long serving Congressman. Either way here is a little factoid for Congressman Boswell. This tidbit comes from a text book written by Lester R. Brown, President of Earth Policy Institute, called Plan B 3.0 Mobilizing to Save Civilization. According to Mr. Brown the State of Iowa, in a good year, produces just 2.2 billion bushels of corn. However as of late 2006 the amount of corn demanded for use to produce ethanol reached 2.7 billion bushels. Tell me Mr. Congressman, just how can food prices not rise when the amount of corn needed for ethanol production exceeds total production.

And as I stated in a previous post the subject of cap and trade came up. In the course of discussion on this subject, one glaring truth came through. Congressman Boswell clearly does not respect the power that he wields in the United States House of Representatives, nor does he respect the voters that put him there. During the debate leading up to the vote on cap and trade it was widely reported that Congressman Boswell was concerned with portions of the bill. When Boswell capitulated and voted yes on cap and trade many of his constituents were upset with him. However when we found out at the town hall meeting in Knoxville that he still had concerns with the bill we were beside ourselves. He attempted to repeatedly claim that his affirmative vote was just a part of the process and that future versions o f the bill will remove the portions of the bill that he objected too. One courageous young lady stood up and questioned the method in which Boswell was representing our district. She pointed to the fact that thousands of calls flooded the Congressman’s office in OPPOSITION to the bill.

It has quickly become evident that Congressman Boswell no longer respects the voters that put him there. From the lies, distortions, and deceptions; Congressman Boswell has demonstrated that he is a part of the problem infesting Washington. It is politicians like him that give politicians a bad name. They scheme and plan in an effort to deceive their constituents all in a vain desire to maintain their life of luxury in the capital. With each event and each appearance Boswell’s credibility continues to plummet with the most important people in his life; his constituents. Perhaps a better title for his position would be US House of Un-Representatives.

Edited Version (approx 3 min)

Full Version (approx 20 min)

Leonard Boswell talks Energy at Iowa Town Hall Knoxville from Melody Borucki on Vimeo.

Boswell Breeding Mistrust

Iowans are angry. They are angry at the direction this state and this nation are going. They are appalled at the speed with which Congress has been spending our tax money. They are angry about supposed solutions to some of our problems will only serve to hinder our nation. You can see this anger and outrage building across the State of Iowa and across the United States. From the numerous tea parties springing up nationwide to the outbursts at Congressional town hall meetings the frustration that the electorate feels is profound.

Yesterday morning that anger and frustration was on full display in the rural community of Knoxville, IA. Wednesday morning 3rd District Representative Leonard Boswell held what was billed as a town hall meeting with his constituents. Numerous district residents converged on the Senior Center in this community known for its lightning fast racing action at it famous racetrack. However on this morning the thunder that could be heard was the collective displeasure of the dozens of area residents as they grilled their Congressman over his actions on national energy policy.

The beginning of this meeting stunned the gathered residents as a representative of the Pella Electric Cooperative began a presentation on a variety of tips designed to help consumers save and conserve energy. While this presentation may have been useful, this was not the reason these men and women attended this meeting. They attended to question Congressman Boswell. As the gentleman from Pella continued to speak the ire of the gathered citizens continued to rise in a manner that did not bode well for Congressman Boswell. Many of the assembled individuals felt slighted by this intrusion into their time with their Congressman.

Finally after approximately 30 minutes the gentleman from Pella finally relinquished the floor to Congressman Leonard Boswell. He began to speak about energy and what he was doing in Washington to help “solve” America’s energy problems. In the course of this he talked about being in the military in a foreign nation during the 70’s oil crisis. How this relates to today’s problems is not thoroughly known at this time. Perhaps this was just an attempt by the Congressman to stroke his own ego.

Congressman Boswell didn’t get very far into his explanations of the actions he has taken in Congress when the barrage of questions began. The most obvious question related to energy was the recently passed house bill on cap and trade. During the discussion Congressman Boswell remarked that he was fine with the cap portion of the bill, but that he had trouble with the trade portion of the bill. At this point the crowd let out a collective sigh as one individual put the question to Congressman Boswell, if he had misgivings about any portion of the bill, why did he vote for it? His response was that it was just one step in the process and that his vote didn’t matter because he would end up having to vote on the bill again. The back and forth between the irritated crowd and the cornered Boswell continued for the next 20-25 minutes until Congressman Boswell cut his town hall meeting short. I guess he wasn’t prepared to handle the wrath of his constituents.

After Boswell cut his town hall meeting short I managed to get in a few words with him. Specifically I wanted to ask him why he didn’t publicize this event. You see I was unable to find a single place in which this event was publicized. He didn’t even post a notice on his website. This would have been the most convenient location for him to do so because his staff controls the content of the site. But alas no, it was not even there. When I asked Congressman Boswell about this horrific oversight he used the excuse that there was not enough time to announce it because the House of Representatives were unsure of when they were going to adjourn. When I asked him which day the House had adjourned the Congressman did not know when they had adjourned. He had to ask one of his staff members when they had adjourned. I attempted to explain to the Congressman that I was thoroughly familiar with web content and that I knew it would not have taken more than a day to post the information on his website. At this point the Congressman declared that he was not going to discuss it with me any further because he could see that I was in a “mood” and that I was going to be unreasonable. I wonder if the thought had ever crossed the Congressman’s mind that his words and actions were what was upsetting the people of his district.

Stephen Burgmeier for Iowa HD 90

The resignation of John Whitaker (D) in Iowa HD 90 has left a vacant seat and the special election to fill it will be on September 1.  This district includes Van Buren County and parts of Wapello and Jefferson Counties.  While this is a Democrat leaning district, in light of what has been happening it could very well turn into a swing district.

Stephen Burgmeier has received the Republican nomination for this district.  He and his wife, Betty, reside in Lockridge and are partners in the Hooter Lane Farms sow farm, and farm over 300 acres of land. Burgmeier is a three time elected Jefferson County Supervisor, currently serving as chairman, a past district director of the Iowa Pork Producers, an appointed delegate of the Pork Act boards, and a Jefferson County Farm Bureau board member.

Mr. Burgmeier recently made the news as being one of three counties that adapted resolutions that demanded the legislature take action to resolve the conflict between Iowa law and the Iowa Supreme Court’s ruling on marriage.

“I think the Legislature and the governor have really not done their job. We now have conflicting Supreme Court opinion and law, and I personally I would like to see the Legislature address the issue,” supervisor Steve Burgmeier said.

“We expect the Iowa legislature to resolve the issue,” said Stephen Burgmeier, chairman of the three-member, all-Republican board. “We hope it either leads to a public vote or to a constitutional amendment.”

It is apparent that Stephen Burgmeier knows how to lead and it is time to gain a seat in the Iowa House.  Please visit his website to learn more.

Guest Commentary: Brian Donegan of Can-Do Conservatives of America

brian_mikeMy name is Brian Donegan and I am a nearly-27 year old conservative from Lawrenceville, GA (Just northeast of Atlanta).  I am legally blind and am affected by other disabilities that I was born with (the technical term for these are “defects” I call them “blessings”).  While I have a lot of challenges in my own life I am striving to make this country a better place.  I consider myself very blessed and one of my favorite things to do is to “pay it forward” by giving back to my community.  For example, I am an active volunteer for a local private school for special needs children.

I have always been interested in the political process.  At an early age I realized that some day I would be old enough to vote and I wanted to be able to perform my civic duty responsibly by being an educated citizen.  Ever since 2000 I have voted in each election (even the local elections) but prior to 2008 I never got involved with the process.  That definitely changed when I was an extremely active volunteer for Governor Mike Huckabee’s presidential campaign.  I have been heavily involved in politics ever since and my activity level increases with each month that goes by.          

I paid a lot of attention to the race for RNC Chair at the beginning of this year.  There were many excellent candidates for that post, including the elected Chair, Michael Steele.  However I left the process discouraged.  Each candidate came forth with a plan.  These plans called for reaching out to various population groups.  (African Americans, Hispanics, Women, young voters, etc).  While this is definitely necessary to get the Republican Party back on track, these plans left one important group out, the disabled. 

For many years,the disabled has been “championed” by the Democrats with their promised entitlements.  More importantly they reach out to the disabled and at least pretend to care about us.  Therefore we tend to vote overwhelmingly for Democrats by default. 

I believe that my future, the future of the disabled, and all Americans will be better under freedom and liberty, and not socialism.  This is why I feel it is important to change the story and give the disabled a voice in the Conservative movement.  To further this goal I have founded an organization called the Can-Do Conservatives.  Our mission is as follows: 

We are looking for a hand up, not a hand out. We are in favor of liberty and freedom to pursue the American dream like anyone else.

We resolve that we cannot have the freedom to pursue the “American Dream” under socialism.

We are in favor of less but competent government that allows us to retain our dignity while getting the help and assistance we need.

We are in favor of an economic system that allows us the freedom to move up the economic ladder through hard work and determination, most especially enacting the FairTax.

We are in favor of reforming health care by focusing on preventative care that will lower the cost and burden on the individual.

We are in favor of passing a Veteran’s bill of rights. They are our heroes and deserve all the thanks and help we can give them after serving and fighting to protect our freedom.

We are in favor of reforming education to allow the freedom to choose how our children our educated and to increase competition in order to improve the system so everyone wins.

We believe in the sanctity and value of human life, from conception until death.

It is my hope that in the coming months and years that this organization will grow to having an active website and a chapter in each state of the country. In time we aim to join the ranks of the Christian Coalition, The Young Republicans, the College Republicans, and the Federation of Republican Women as a major conservative group. 

Please visit our website for more info and become a supporter on Facebook,  I wish to thank the Iowa Defense Alliance for their support of the movement thus far and I look forward to making my first out-of-state trip for the organization to Iowa this September.

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