As we close out the month of August in Eastern Iowa

The right decision ... cut your loses as Roy Marble is terminated ...

Former Hawkeye Roy Marble loses youth post after arrest - The Gazette
Former University of Iowa Basketball star Roy Marble has been terminated from his ...

We need help in Cedar Rapids post-Flood Gov. Chet ...

Fong wants Culver to make some noise - The Gazette

A New York Times progress report on flood recovery in Cedar Rapids caused a ripple in the 2010 race for governor. After reading the Times’ story -- “After Iowa flood, feeling just a bit ignored,” Cedar Rapids Republican Christian Fong criticized Gov. Chet Culver’s comment that Iowa was “not making a lot of noise” about the flood that caused an estimated $8 billion damage across the state and as much as $6 million damage in Cedar Rapids-Linn ...

Federal Stimulus funds are not hitting the local market as well as elsewhere ...

Linn County coming up short in federal stimulus funds - The Gazette
Just like in real estate, location appears to be key to cashing in on the federal stimulus program. Take Monona County in western Iowa, for example. It’s home to 8,966 people who own 16,383 vehicles — cars, trucks, trailers, buses and mo-peds. Of the $47,035,324 Monona County is getting from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, $46,333,400 is from the federal Department of Transportation for road projects. Linn County, where 208,574 people live and own 254,000 vehicles, already has spent its $962,000 ...

Yes, even Firefighters will have to get off the streets for MDA ...

Cedar Rapids panhandling ordinance passes first reading - The Gazette
Beggars on Blairs Ferry Road will soon be a thing of the past. A new ordinance, approved unanimously by the City Council Wednesday night, would outlaw panhandling on the city’s right of way, or soliciting money from anyone in a motor vehicle. The new ordinance will apply even to firefighters raising money with boots in the street for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Aggressive panhandling would also be forbidden. Beggars who won’t take no for an answer, touch the people they ask for money, ...

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State Spending outpaces State Revenues in most States

No sooner had state lawmakers around the country gone home after spending
months plugging ...

The Monday, August 31, 2009 edition of The Washington Times features a story titled, State, local services hit as revenues fall. For more on the importance of cutting taxes to raise revenue, read Public Interest Institutes's brief titled, Historical success of tax cuts.

Other reviews of state spending vs. state revenues across the USA.

Conn. and Pa. state budgets still in limbo -The Associated Press
Erik Arneson, a spokesman for the Senate Republicans in Pennsylvania, frames the debate as a choice between cutting spending to match revenues, ...
What Now for State Budget? - Industrial Laser Solutions
Pennsylvania lawmakers begin to make concessions to pass budget ... - The Patriot-News

Mo. cuts $7 million from tourism budget -Bizjournals.com

Missouri has had to cut spending and lay off workers as tax revenue dropped and shoppers pulled back on spending. The state expects nearly $7.4 billion in ...
Your letters, Aug. 30, 2009 - St. Joseph News-Press

It's time to bring back the virtue of limited spending.

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Do you agree with the following suggesting from a friend?

A friend passed on the following quote recently ...

My friend commented: "This is probably the five best sentences you'll ever read. This is one paragraph that should be in every book, in every school room, in every city, in every state, in our great Union. Our educators should make a lesson plan on this one statement and beat these words into every head, in every class, in every state, in these United States of America."

Profound short paragraph:

“You cannot legislate the poor into prosperity by legislating the wealthy
out of prosperity. What one person receives without working for, another
person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to
anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else.
When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because
the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets
the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get
what they work for, that my dear friend, is the beginning of the end of
any nation. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it." - Adrian
Rogers

Another famous quote from Adrian Rogers is

"You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it."

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Choice is important, whether it be Health Care or our K-12 systems of Edcuation in the USA

Choice is important in both Health Care and in Education in the USA.

The consumer is often best protected when there is competition in the marketplace and options for the consumer to select.

The Friday, August 28, 2009 edition of USA Today features a story titled, L.A. school board OKs school choice plan with private operators. For more on the issue of school choice, read the Public Interest Institutes's brief titled School Choice in America and Iowa: The Time for Change is Now.

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Is Limited Spending a concept that has been forgotten?

A good read is from By Ken Washer, DBA, CFA, Associate Professor of Finance at Creighton University.

Earning, Saving and Giving: Have We Lost Our Way? - Creighton University Magazine

The Christian theologian and founder of the Methodist Church, John Wesley, preached: “Earn all you can, save all you can, and give all you can.” He encouraged hard work in “honest industry,” along with limited spending. Wesley argued that to not use your money to support a good cause is to simply “throw it away.” ...

The Wednesday, August 26, 2009 edition of The Washington Post features a story titled, "Deficit Projected To Soar With New Programs." For more on the issue read, "Cutting Federal Spending Must Be a Top Priority."

Limited Government is a formula for success. It starts with limiting government spending.

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What's up on the Health Care discussion: VA pamblet and Budget Strains

Page 21 is a bit creepy. I'm not defending or complaining at this point. I'm
just saying why are enough people concerned that the VA book was pulled from the .gov website and we're hearing that section is being removed from HR3200? ...I finally found the book online (thanks Deb) - and I kept a copy. - A person on Facebook wrote

Your Life, Your Choices -www.docstoc.com
Your Life Your Choices Planning for Future Medical Decisions: How to Prepare a Personalized Living Will Your Life Your Choices Planning for Future Medical Decisions: How to Prepare a Personalized Living Will Authored ...

The Monday, August 24, 2009 edition of The Wall Street Journal features a story titled, Budget pain spreads to energy-rich states. For more on economic recovery policy ideas, read Institute Brief: The American Option.

In the State of Iowa, newcomer Christian Fong, the Western Iowa native, who is a businessman here in Cedar Rapids, released his first radio advertisement that was critical towards the use of bonds by the current governor. In speaking engagements, Fong often speaks about the dangers of generational debt.

“As governor I would end the use of taxpayer money to fund lobbyists and
veto any budget that is not balanced.” - Christian Fong

Fong begins statewide radio ad campaign; Dems cry ‘foul’ - The Gazette CEDAR RAPIDS – Republican gubernatorial hopeful Christian Fong is on the airwaves with a statewide radio campaign. ...

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What's local in Cedar Rapids: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Cedar Rapids airport commissioners go green with netbook computers - The Gazette
The Eastern Iowa Airport is using technology to replace reams of paper, the latest in a series of green moves. ...

Sorry, but how are accrued property tax calculations considered quirky? The system hasn't changed over, forever ...

Cedar Rapids leaders: We were wrong on tax abatement period - The Gazette
We got it wrong.
That was the message out of City Hall on Thursday after city officials acknowledged that a council decision this week to recommend a partial abatement of property taxes for flood victims was premised on a faulty understanding of a quirky basic of local government — property taxes. ...

A look back at August 2006, when our first City Manager arrived in Cedar Rapids.

"I'm not coming in here to run the show. I play a role. My role isn't more
important than anyone else in this organization." - City Manager Jim Prosser

Jim Prosser's Plan for Cedar Rapids KCRG-TV9 Cedar Rapids, Iowa ... - KCRG
CEDAR RAPIDS -- Jim Prosser is now Cedar Rapids first City Manager. ...

It would be interesting to poll how people look at the City Manager's role in the City of Cedar Rapids today or even before the Flood of 2008.

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Display the American Flag on September 11, 2009 in honor of 9/11

Received the following e-mail this morning and thought we would pass it on to our readers ...

We have a little less than one month and counting to get the word out
all across this great land and into every community in the United States of
America .

If you forward this email to least 11 people
and each of
those people do the same ... you get the idea.

THE PROGRAM:

On Friday, September 11th, 2009, an American flag should be displayed
outside every home, apartment, office, and store in the United States . Every
individual should make it their duty to display an American flag on this eighth
anniversary of one of our country's worst tragedies. We do this to honor
those who lost their lives on 9/11, their families, friends and loved ones who
continue to endure the pain, and those who today are fighting at home and abroad
to preserve our cherished freedoms.

In the days, weeks and months following 9/11, our country was bathed in
American flags as citizens mourned the incredible losses and stood
shoulder-to-shoulder against terrorism. Sadly, those flags have all but
disappeared. Our patriotism pulled us through some tough times and it shouldn't
take another attack to galvanize us in solidarity. Our American flag is the
fabric of our country and together we can prevail over terrorism of all
kinds.

So, here's what we need you to do .

(1) Forward this email to everyone you know (at least 11 people). Take
a moment to think back to how you felt on 9/11 and let those sentiments guide
you.

(2) Fly an American flag of any size on 9/11. Honestly, Americans
should fly the flag year-round, but if you don't, then at least make it a
priority on this day.

Thank you for your participation. God Bless You and God Bless America!

We have a lot of challenges today. In Cedar Rapids, Iowa, our community is trying to rebound from the worst natural disaster in the City's history. Some have called it the 5Th worst natural disaster in U.S. history. The Economy has been very weak locally, nationally and worldwide.

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The U.S. Federal Government needs to promote limited spending

"The large deficit and the grim longer-term fiscal outlook also will
continue to play a big role in the debate over domestic priorities, such as
health-care overhaul." - The Wall Street Journal

The Wall Street Journal features a story titled, U.S. deficit projection trimmed for 2009. For a historical example of the importance of following constitutional government, read Institute Brief: Governing by the Founder's Constitution: The Presidency of Warren G. Harding.

Attempts are being made to stimulate demand by channeling resources into areas
that government planners consider socially beneficial. For example, a bonus is
given to individuals who trade in their “clunkers” for sub-compact fuel
efficient cars. In the end, such programs will prove futile and result in a
misallocation of resources. - Fred Buzzeo

An Analysis of Production and Consumption Based Economic Stimulants - The Market Oracle
The answer is clear: The government should return money to its rightful owner, the taxpayer; eliminate excessive spending and budget deficits; and encourage ...

I believe in letting the free market correct itself and letting competition
rather than the government decide "winners" and "losers." I’m doing everything I
can to prevent the Washington, D.C., mindset of government growth and spending
sprees from infecting our state. - State Sen. Luann Ridgeway (Mo.)

Stopping excessive spending not easy - Sun Tribune
The 2010 budget amounts to a 3 percent increase in spending — yet our income (tax revenue) is down 4 percent. Your federal tax dollars came back to us via ...

Of course, the spending spree by the Federal Government can cause difficult challanges to state and local budgets. Federal stimulus money is only short-term.

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Pass the Ketchup and Mustard, but can we please hold and stop the Rationing of Health Care path

"Although administration officials are eager to deny it, rationing health care
is central to President Barack Obama’s health plan. The Obama strategy is to
reduce health costs by rationing the services that we and future generations of
patients will receive." - Martin Feldstein

The Wednesday, August 19, 2009 edition of The Wall Street Journal features a story titled, ObamaCare Is All About Rationing. For more on health care reform, read Institute Brief: A Healthcare Prescription for Iowa.

Ketchup / Catsup History
Original ketchup contained no tomatoes

"But do Americans really want government bureaucrats
dictating access to care based on their perception of one's worth to society?
This question goes to the heart of the problem with rationing: A stranger far
from the scene decides who gets care and who doesn't. The person making these
decisions knows neither the patient nor the health care provider, yet he or she
is charged with the responsibility of allocating scarce resources among a
demanding population rather than providing the best possible care." - Ken
Connor

Ken Connor: Elderly should keep a close eye on health debate - Tallahassee Democrat

A Washington Times editorial on Aug. 18 criticized the claim that private
insurers “ration” care: “There
is no more rationing by private insurance companies than there is rationing at
the grocery store. In a private system, consumers can buy more
expensive health insurance plans if they want better benefits. Similarly, in a
grocery store, if you want more food, you pay more money. There is no rationing
in either case.”

CNN Devotes Six Minutes to Health Care 'Rationing' Proponent -Business Media Institute
At one point in the segment, Roberts asked why rationing is a “dirty word” in the health care debate when it already “goes on all the time in the corporate ...

A key component in a quality health care system is choice. Here are recommendations from the Mayo Clinic Health Policy Center:

• Create Value
  Improve patient health outcomes and satisfaction with U.S. health care. Decrease medical errors, costs and waste. Read details.


• Coordinate Care
  To increase value, patient care services must be coordinated across people, functions, activities, locations and time. Patients must actively participate in this process. Read details.


• Reform the Payment System
  Change the way providers are paid in order to improve health and minimize waste. Read details.


• Provide Health Insurance for All
  Provide guaranteed, portable health insurance for all individuals, giving them choice, control and peace of mind. Read details.

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It's grassroots: Americans are concerned about Washington D.C. Health Care Reform talk

About 60,000 senior citizens have quit AARP since July 1 due to the group's
support for a health care overhaul - AARP spokesperson

The Tuesday, August 18, 2009 edition of USA Today features a story titled, AARP loses members over health care stance. For more on health care reform, read Institute Brief: Deafness is Treatable, If You're Listening.

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Good News ... Obama steps back on Public Option in discussion in Health Care Reform

The Monday, August 17, 2009 edition of The Wall Street Journal features a story titled, Chances Dim for a Public Plan. For more on health care reform, read Institute Brief: More Government Is Not The Answer.

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Enjoying the Dog Days of Summer in Iowa

It's nice to be back, after taking a little over 10 days off our blog.

There is plenty of Health Care talk around the State, with Rotary Clubs, legislative town meetings and other events around the State.
Despite President Barack Obama's retreat away from a public option, there are still concerns for many retirees regarding the pending Federal legislation in Washington D.C. H.R. 3200 needs to be cleaned up.

Providers, academics, medical industry leaders, businesspeople, insurers, political leaders and patients — recommend four areas of focus per the Mayo Clinic Health Policy Center.

• Create Value
  Improve patient health outcomes and satisfaction with U.S. health care. Decrease medical errors, costs and waste. Read details.
• Coordinate Care
  To increase value, patient care services must be coordinated across people, functions, activities, locations and time. Patients must actively participate in this process. Read details.
• Reform the Payment System
  Change the way providers are paid in order to improve health and minimize waste. Read details.
• Provide Health Insurance for All
  Provide guaranteed, portable health insurance for all individuals, giving them choice, control and peace of mind. Read details.
  
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We need to slow down and not rush Health Care Reform

Some want to argue that we have been waiting since Truman for health care reform. But, clearly that is not correct. First, single payer health care is not the only remedy or option for health care reform in the USA. By the way, Medicare in the State of Iowa should be a good indication to voice 'No' for single payer health care ran by the Federal Government.

One size does not fit all when it comes to health care.

"The debate over health care reform is being shaped by an unlikely player -
Sen. Mike Enzi, the media-shy Republican from Wyoming. Although the Democrats control both houses, reporter Greg Hitt says Enzi's support could be a factor
down the road." - The Wall Street Journal

The Thursday, August 6, 2009 edition of The Wall Street Journal features an article titled, Sen. Enzi Won't Rush Into Health-Bill Deal. For more on health-care reform, read the Public Interest Institute Brief: Let the Market Work, Government Won't.

Market driven health care example:

"To those who say that the free-market doesn’t work, I send you to the
cosmetic surgery clinics. Many baby boomers frequent these clinics. Their
insurance doesn’t pay. They choose to look younger. The number of people getting
treatments has increased by 5 or 6 times, while the costs have either gone down
or remained stable. This is also true for elective laser vision surgery. As
recently as 10 years ago, the cost was double what it is today. There is
virtually no wait time and outstanding results.8 The free-market works, if it
has the opportunity." - Deborah Thornton

The concerns with public controlled and driven health care are sustainability, equality, rationing, choice and quality. We encourage to visit the Mayo Clinic Health Policy Center for more information on health care reform.

• Create Value
  Improve patient health outcomes and satisfaction with U.S. health care. Decrease medical errors, costs and waste. Read details.
• Coordinate Care
  To increase value, patient care services must be coordinated across people, functions, activities, locations and time. Patients must actively participate in this process. Read details.
• Reform the Payment System
  Change the way providers are paid in order to improve health and minimize waste. Read details.
• Provide Health Insurance for All
  Provide guaranteed, portable health insurance for all individuals, giving them choice, control and peace of mind. Read details.

peace