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.

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We need Health Care in America that is Sustatinable and Market Driven

“You come in and you’ve got a bad sore throat, or your child has a bad sore
throat or has repeated sore throats. The doctor may look at the reimbursement
system and say to himself, ‘You know what? I make a lot more money if I take
this kid’s tonsils out.'" - President Barack Obama at Wednesday's press
conference

Today's article is from the Monday, July 27, 2009 edition of The Wall Street Journal newspaper features an article titled, Dr. Obama’s Tonsillectomy. For more on health care reform, read the Public Interest Institute's Brief: A Healthcare Prescription for Iowa.

There's a better direction for the U.S. Congress to proceed with Health Care Reform. Reject Pelosi-ObamaCare and embrace ideas like 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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Stimulus, Stimulus and Stimulus... it covers just about everything!

Of course, only about 10 percent of the stimulus has actually been distributed to date. The State of Michigan it was announced this week that state's unemployment rate topped 15 percent.

Some cash-strapped states and school districts are signaling a major
expansion of charter schools to tap $5 billion in federal stimulus funds,
despite strong opposition from some teachers unions. - Rob Tomsho

The Friday, July 17, 2009 edition of The Wall Street Journal features an article titled, Charter schools gain in stimulus scramble. Cash-Strapped States, Districts Signal Expansion of Public-Education Alternative Despite Some Teachers' Strong Opposition.
For more on charter schools read Public Interest Institutes's Brief titled: Charter schools in America: will they be successful?

Some other articles to consider regarding Charter Schools and the Federal Stimulus...

Fenty Alters Proposal To Close Budget Gap - Washington Post
About $125 million will come from the city's rainy-day fund and $188 million from President Obama's economic stimulus package. ...
Patrick charter school plan could net fed funds -Belmont Citizen-Herald o
Patrick on Thursday framed the charter school push in moral terms, as a tool to close significant performance gaps along ethnic and income lines, ...
Morton Kondracke: Who will Congress put first - children or ... -San Gabriel Valley Tribune
So far, Congress has robustly backed Obama and Duncan's efforts with $100 billion in the economic stimulus package for education, including $10 billion to ...

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'Cap and Trade' will next hit the Senate after the July 4Th recess

The June 29, 2009 edition of The Wall Street Journal features an article titled, "Obama Wary of Tariff Provision." For more on this issue, read the Public Interest Institutes's brief titled "Iowa Climate Change Advisory Council Recommendations: Warmed Over and Wrong Again."

“Cap and Trade” Energy Legislation moved through the House, with the House narrowly approving the landmark legislation by a 219-212 vote last week. The National Write Your Congressman report "the measure would put the Department of Agriculture, rather than the EPA, in charge of special projects to reduce emissions in rural areas. It would not set new greenhouse gas emission standards for aircraft, but does include new standards for motor vehicles and off-road equipment. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration. (H.R.2454)."

The Wall Street Journal points out that the "Trade Proposal in Climate Bill a Potential Problem as Action Moves to Senate."

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Australian politicians, scientists and citizens once again doubt the science of human-caused global warming, so why not "No" in USA to 'Cap and Trade'

The Friday, June 26, 2009 edition of The Wall Street Journal features an article titled, The Climate Change Climate Change. For more on this issue, read Public Interest Institutes's Iowa Climate Change Advisory Council Recommendations: Warmed Over and Wrong Again.

This week Mr. (Steve) Fielding issued a statement: He would not be voting
for the bill. He would not risk job losses on "unconvincing green science." The
bill is set to founder as the Australian parliament breaks for the winter.
- The Wall Street Journal

As the U.S. House of Representatives passes a climate-change bill on June 26, 2009. The Wall Street Journal reports "the Australian Parliament is preparing to kill its own country's carbon-emissions scheme. Why? A growing number of Australian politicians, scientists and citizens once again doubt the science of human-caused global warming."

Martin Feldstein: Cap-and-trade = protectionism?‎ - Business Standard

The cap-and-trade system imposes a carbon tax without having to admit that it is really a tax, raising the possibility of serious risks to international ...

"There is a serious danger that the international adoption of cap-and-trade
legislation to limit carbon-dioxide emissions will trigger a new round of
protectionist measures. While aimed at reducing long-term environmental damage, cap-and-trade policies could produce significant harmful economic effects in the
near term that would continue into the future." - Martin Feldstein

Cap-and-trade does more harm than good‎ - Philadelphia Inquirer

Cap and trade will not save the earth - Examiner.com

The dangers are clearly moving forward with 'cap and trade.' As Alliant Energy spokesman reported on KGAN on June 26, 2009, the green portion is good, however, Alliant is concerned about the "trade" portion. The impact of a Carbon Tax will have a negativeimpact on the consumer with a regressive tax that could become very costly and have a negative impact on American jobs.

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Hey Washington? Why not take the lead of others and expand Nuclear Energy in the USA!

The Wednesday, June 24, 2009 edition of The Wall Street Journal features an article titled, The New Nuclear Revolution. For more on energy sources, read the Public Interest Institutes's How shall we power our World? Coal ? Terrestrial Energy? Wind? Solar? Corn? Or Turkey Droppings?

We need to expand nuclear energy as a clean form of energy for our nation.

Department of Energy grants NCSU $5.9M to improve nuclear power -Bizjournals.com
North Carolina State University is getting $5.9 million from the US Department of Energy to conduct research on improving nuclear energy production and ...

Sen. Bennett calls for more nuke plants -United Press International
Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., said that if President Obama supports Iran using nuclear energy he should support it in the United States. ...

Bennett calling for 100 new N-plants - Deseret News

"It's been my experience and my position ... that one of the driving forces
behind America's economic growth has been our access to cheap energy. If
we're going to survive in the kind of economy we want, we need to have access to
cheap energy." - Sen. Bob Bennett

Let's expand the Energy Policy discussions to include Nuclear Energy. We encourage you to write your representative on your views on the issues.

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Spring is in the Air, as are taxes, budgets and crime...

The Friday, March 13, 2009 edition of The Wall Street Journal highlighted a newspaper article titled, God Will Provide - Unless the Government Gets There First. For more on a related subject, read Public Interest Institute Brief: Is the U.S. "Stingy" With Foreign Aid to Developing Countries.

Where will Cedar Rapids head, as we rebuild from the tragic Flood of 2008? In public policy and as a community, what direction are we headed in 2009 and beyond?

The City of Cedar Rapids plays a big role in Iowa Lottery sales per The Gazette. Iowa's top voluntary tax is popular in Cedar Rapids.

How will Cedar Rapids fare among the LIST: 3,800-plus projects vying for Iowa bond money per The Gazette story? Several projects are related to Flood Recovery, but certainly not all.

University of Iowa's new flood damage estimate: $743 million per The Gazette.

Is there a Crime problem on the horizon in Cedar Rapids? Shots fired during robbery at McDonald's in Cedar Rapids per The Gazette. With the economy and impact of the Flood of 2008, what direction will Crime take in Cedar Rapids? Shots fired in one of three overnight robberies to 89 cited for violating Cedar Rapids flood curfew.

With Spring approaching, 2Nd half property taxes are becoming due, corporate and individual income tax deadlines are coming up. Local governments and schools are working on their budgets for the next fiscal year. The City of Cedar Rapids is still preparing their final budget. KCRG reports budget almost done.

Linn County, Iowa: The Gazette reports Linn certifies new budget and earlier story: Linn County supervisors to certify budget.
Kirkwood Community College story: Kirkwood board OKs budget.
K-12 spending is likely to rise for 2009-10 as the House and local school boards prepare for the upcoming budget year.

The City looks to raise revenue through Red-light cameras coming to Cedar Rapids by June per The Gazette. Hopefully, public safety will be a by-product as well, but that will have to be determined.

The City of Cedar Rapids successfully passed the 1% local option sales tax on March 3Rd. Now, May 5Th the communities that defeated the 1% will take a community re-vote on the local option sales tax. Marion to be specific on option tax projects per The Gazette.

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A Return to open-ended welfare with Stimulus?

"The House stimulus bill endangers Clinton's biggest reform." -WSJ

The Tuesday, February 10, 2009 edition of The Wall Street Journal in the Opinion section featured an article titled, The Return of Welfare As We Knew It. For more on this issue, read Public Policy Institute Brief: Federal Experiment in Welfare Yields Success.

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Cedar Rapids was hit by a flood, but other Cities line up for Stimulus wish list

Did you catch in today's edition of The Wall Street Journal. The Journal features a story, Stimulus brings out city wish list.

By the way, The Gazette reported our local wish list in an article dated: 01/09/09
Library, new bridge on C.R.'s federal wish listIn a normal year, City Hall asks Uncle Sam to find money for five or so local infrastructure projects. This year — with the city in the midst of flood recovery and with every expectation that Congress and the incoming Barack Obama... More >>

Our mayor and council member, Monica Vernon, are currently on a lobbying trip to Washington D.C. with the local Area Chamber of Commerce.

For more on information on a free-market based solution to the economic crisis please read Public Institute Policy Study: Governing by the Founder's Constitution: the Presidency of Warren G. Harding.

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Today's Topic: Earmarks and Pork Barrel Spending

The Wednesday, January 7, 2009 edition of the Washington Times features an article, Obama bans bill pork, warns of deficits.

CNN reports in a story titled, Obama to make case for 'urgent action' on economic recovery plan.

• Banning earmarks
• Oversight board

"We are going to ban all earmarks, the process by which individual members
insert pet projects without review," - President-elect Barack Obama

WSJ Wall Street Journal reports Obama Taps Killefer for New Post http://tinyurl.com/8tgszd

nytimes New York Times headline: $1.2 Trillion Deficit Forecast as Obama Weighs Options http://tinyurl.com/9crg97

usnews Story from US News & World Report titled Obama's Trillion Dollar Deficits and Taxes http://tinyurl.com/7fon29

For more on earmarks, read Public Interest Institute Brief, "Pork, Politics Gone Bad."

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How far will they go: Massive Economic Stimulus plans in Washington DC?

The Monday, January 5, 2009 edition of the Washington Times features an article, Dems pursue ambitious agenda on Hill. For more on public policy solutions for Congress, read the Institute Brief: Ryan's roadmap from the Public Interest Institute.

The April 21, 2008, edition of U.S. News & World Report featured a cover
story titled, "Big Government: It’s back — no matter who wins. Americans want
Uncle Sam to solve their problems…" The Monday, May 19, 2008, edition of USA
Today featured a headline, "Bill for taxpayers swells by trillions: Deficit far
bigger than government estimate."

Fast forward to January 5, 2009.

• RedState Why the Obama Stimulus Will Fail, Chapter 217 http://tinyurl.com/7nxbx7
• WSJ Frugal Families Aggravate Nation's Economic Woes http://tinyurl.com/9ov5xb
• USATODAY Gas prices rise for the first time in 16 weeks http://tinyurl.com/7ejbaj
• techRepublican Proposed Stimulus Plan Could Embrace Better Transparency in Spending http://twurl.nl/b3x5el
• WSJ A Happy Lesson on Lending http://tinyurl.com/8x6dyk
• nytimes Obama Pushes for Stimulus on Capitol Hill http://tinyurl.com/8rghdv

Happy New Year... the 111Th Congress is getting ready to rock and roll in Washington DC.

cidsports

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Is this man the next U.S. Senator or is it this guy?

The next session of the U.S. Senate will soon begin, but two members are yet to be determined. Who is the next U.S. Senator to make this exclusive group in Washington D.C.?




Is it this guy? Latest from Wall Street Journal from Minnesota.

No, this isn't a SNL comedy skit, but the current set of affairs in the Land of 10,000 Lakes



Or will it be this guy from the State of Illinois, as the fight is on to replace President-elect Obama? Latest from the WSJ.

The soap opera continues in the State of Illinois as Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's pick to fill President-elect Barack Obama's Senate seat is contested.

We know President-elect Barack Obama is working on a new nominee for Commerce secretary. It clearly is a "Next man in" situation in Washington D.C. right now. We see it in sports all the time, but in politics?

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New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson withdrawals as Commerce Secretary nominee

Wall Street Journal reports Richardson Withdraws as Commerce Nominee http://tinyurl.com/89l3x7

As Iowa Football motto goes "Next Man In" or in this case next person in.

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Topic for discussion: Limited Government and Government Stimulus Plans

The Wall Street Journal features an article on Tuesday titled Republicans warn against overspending on stimulus. For more on limited government, read Iowa Economic Scorecard: Is limited government a serious idea or just flummery from the Public Interest Institute.

Over the past one to two years in the City of Cedar Rapids, the local city council appears to be looking to expand the size of local government. We see on the State level as well with the expansion of the Iowa State budget.

The impact on Federal government spending in the stimulus package could have an impact in Cedar Rapids on flood recovery, our new federal court house and a variety of economic development issues.

cidsports

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Could person with Cedar Rapids roots play role opening at the New York Fed?

The Friday, December 5, 2008 edition of The Wall Street Journal in the Opinion section features an article titled Opening at the Fed. For more on the Federal Reserve, read Institute Brief: The Mythology of Fed Control of the Economy.

The WSJ article mentions a person with roots from Cedar Rapids...

Better choices would include current Fed Governor Kevin Warsh, who was
early in identifying the problems at Fannie Mae and also warned about the credit
mania; John
Lipsky, a former Wall Streeter who is now chief economist at the
IMF; David Malpass, an economist who worked at the Reagan Treasury and long
predicted the credit bubble; or one of the non-New York regional Fed presidents,
such as Gary Stern of Minneapolis or Dallas's Richard Fisher, who had first-hand
experience with the dollar crisis of the 1970s and dissented from the policy
that created the 2007-2008 Bernanke oil and commodity
spike.

Whoever is picked will need to work closely with the
Obama Treasury but should also bring an independent point of view. At this
watershed moment for world financial markets, the New York Fed needs more than a
monetary technician. It needs a policy heavyweight with some guts.

If memory serves me correct, John Lipsky is the son of Abbott and Joan Lipsky of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. John's father, Abbott, passed away in May 2008.

http://twitter.com/cidsports

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We need more taxes... Globally, Nationally and Locally, right?

Globally, the Wednesday, December 3, 2008 edition of The Wall Street Journal in the Opinion section featured an article titled We Need a Global Carbon Tax. For more on the issue of global warming, read Institute Brief: Global Warming: Making the Evidence Fit the Theory.

The National Write Your Congressmen web site had a headline titled Letting the Bush Tax Cuts Expire. The web site mentioned, the following, which will have the same effect of a tax increase if the tax cuts are allowed to expire...

"With President-elect Barack Obama counting the days until his presidency
begins, Democrats in Congress are beginning to think about how they will
address
the tax cuts implemented by the Bush administration."

Locally, KCRG's web site is reporting in a December 4, 2008 story by reporter Mark
Geary: Shoppers Debate Potential New Local Sales Tax. The article reports that some on the City Council want to create a two percent local sales tax. Some would like the State of Iowa to allow the City Council to introduce the city sales tax without a vote of the people. Current Iowa
State law requires a public vote.

It is cold in the air in Cedar Rapids tonight, per twitter.com...

Joe_Winters
Tonight: Clearing and cold - Low near -3...wind chills near -10. More
snow on
Saturday - 1 to 3 inches during the morning. What a December!

Well, there appears to be more than chilly temperatures in the air. Taxes increases: globally, nationally and locally are clearly in the air today.

http://twitter.com/cidsports

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What is the future of entitlements?

The Thursday, November 20, 2008 edition of The Wall Street Journal as article titled "States cut services for elderly, disabled." The subtext of the article is "As Budget Shortfalls Force Reductions in Home Care, Low-Income People May Face Nursing Homes, Advocates Say."

For more on the looming entitlement crisis read Institute Brief: Ryan's Roadmap.

Want to connect better and learn more about the issues impacting America? Visit... www.nwyc.com.

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"Congress has an eye on the tax break for your retirement" per WSJ

The Friday, November 14, 2008 edition of The Wall Street Journal features an article titled "Targeting Your 401(k)." You may find the following information about retirement issues titled "Fiscal Storm on the Horizon: The Looming Entitlement Crisis" of interest as well.

Of local interest, unrelated the Final Storm, Cedar Rapids Washington (11-1) travels to Cedar Falls (11-1) tonight in the Class4A Semi-Final Playoff football game at the UNI-Dome.

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Global Push to Beat Economoc Downturn

It was a bad October economically for a lot of people around the globe. The Friday, November 7, 2008 edition of The Wall Street Journal featured an article titled "Global Push to Beat Economic Downturn." For more information on economic issues read Amy Franz' Policy Study report titled "No Income Tax: The Key to Economic Growth."

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The Day after the Election of 2008...

What lies in the future?

Today's link comes from the Wednesday, November 5, 2008 edition of The Wall Street Journal. It features an article titled, "Polls Show CA Prop 8 Ahead." Here's an interesting read on ballot initiatives from the 2007 article in Limits titled, "Unprecedented Danger in One of the Proposed California Ballot Initiatives."

States Rights vs. Central Government?

"The Founding Fathers were highly suspicious of unregulated majorities. Hence,
they deliberately created the Electoral College to constrain the will of the
majority and to ensure that the votes of those in less populous States were
heeded." - Paul M. Weyrich

McCain's Concession - Stephen Hayes, Weekly Standard

The Age of Obama: Will He Govern as He Ran? - Jon Meacham, Newsweek

Ten Reasons Why Obama Won - Carl Cannon, Reader's Digest

Tide Turned as Economic Crisis Peaked - Monica Langley, Wall St. Journal

Barack Obama will soon take the role as our 44th President of the United States of America. There is a lot of work to be done at all levels of government. Public policy discussions will be imperative and what discussion with come of the thought of reducing or limiting the role of government?

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