Troubles in the Automotive Industry aren't just an American problem

BBC is reporting expected job losses at Honda in England. In a story titled UK Honda staff facing redundancy as of Friday, December 5, 2008.

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The 111th Congress from the State of Iowa

State of Iowa

Senators for the State of Iowa
Grassley, Charles [R]
Harkin, Thomas [D]

House Members for the State of Iowa

IA-1
Braley, Bruce [D]
IA-2
Loebsack, David [D]
IA-3
Boswell, Leonard [D]
IA-4
Latham, Thomas [R]
IA-5
King, Steve [R]

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Iowa Supreme Court: Plenty of interest coming on Tuesday

KCCI-TV in Des Moines, Iowa is reported today, Thursday, December 4, 2008, a story entitled Iowa Marriage Hearing Set To Draw Crowd. The Iowa Supreme Court "will begin deciding fate of same-sex marriage ban on Tuesday" for citizens in the State of Iowa.

"I can't remember, and I've talked to several people who've been here
for quite awhile, this much interest in a case before the oral
arguments," - Iowa Supreme Court spokesman Steve Davis.

State of Iowa Constitution

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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.

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How much will you be purchasing online for this Christmas buying season?

The Tuesday, December 2, 2008 edition of The Burlington Hawk Eye's Business section features an article titled Retailers go online for 'Cyber Monday.' For more on the issue of Internet sales, read Institute Brief: Hands Off Taxing On-Line Purchases!

I know my daughter enjoys purchasing on the Internet and there is no question that more and more will jump on and purchase online now and in the future.

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Should the Government bailout the Big 3 Automakers?

Automakers try again; UAW to meet to talk concessions is reported in an Associated Press article on the Quad Cities Times web site. Should Congress bailout the Big 3 Automakers? Where do these bailouts begin and end?

By the way, I picked up this story from a twitter.

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Should Casinos be allowed to permit smoking in Iowa?

The Monday, December 1, 2008 edition of The Des Moines Register featured an article titled Illinois Smoking Ban Benefits Clinton Casino. For more on the issue of smoking bans, read Institute Brief: A Smoking Ban in Iowa: By Government Force or Market Forces?

"I play the video games here and a little blackjack, and this is a real nice
facility. I just have a problem with people smoking. ... I have to go out
coughing. My eyes are burning," said Bob Paasch, a Clinton-area resident and former bar
owner.

Mr. Paasch told the Register that he has called Gov. Chet Culver's office to complain. Is the Governor listening?

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