Wouldn't our Country be better off with an expansion of the use of The Four Way Test?

We need to improve our public policy in our country today: Locally, within each State and at the Federal Level ...


Our public leaders, elected officials, community and business leaders would be wise to remember the following when promoting policy at the local, State and Federal levels.




Four Way Test - Rotary International
During a business crisis in 1932, he wrote the "Four Way Test," shown below. It was adopted as part of Rotary International in January of 1943. ...


The future of our great Republic has a lot at stake with the growing size of government. Our founding fathers were strong proponents of a limited government.

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With tomorrow being April Fool's Day: American Taxpayers should tell Congress "We are not being fooled"

American Taxpayers To Congress:

"You Are Not Fooling Me!!"

Call Congress on April 1st!

Dear American Taxpayer,

On this Thursday, April 1st we are asking you and everyone who supports the FairTax to call their two United States Senators and Member of the House of Representatives to tell them you are not fooled!

Just think, hundreds of thousands call their Senators and Member of Congress, all on one day: do you think that will get their attention?

You bet it will!

Tell them you and hundreds of thousands of FairTax supporters are not being fooled, and are not fooling around anymore!

Call and tell them:

• Taxes are out of control, and you know it.


• Deficits are out of control, and you know it.


• Gifts of taxpayer money to banks and special interests are out of control, and you know it.


• The economy and the future of country are out of control, and you know it.
  

Your Senators and their phone numbers:

• Charles 'Chuck' E. Grassley - (202) 224-3744


• Tom Harkin - (202) 224-3254

Your Member of the House of Representatives:

• David 'Dave' Loebsack - (202) 225-6576

Make three calls, all on April Fool’s Day. Tell your Senators and Member of Congress you are not fooled, you know what is happening to our nation.

Hundreds of thousands of Americans calling every Senator and Member of Congress on one very appropriate day, April Fool’s Day! They will never forget it!

Make your three calls this Thursday, April 1st!

We received the above e-mail from http://FairTax.org.

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Obama headed to Iowa after The House passes Health Care bill

You may find the following Monday, March 22, 2010 article was published in The Washington Post. titled, "A look at the health care overhaul bill" of interest.

The Public Interest Institute suggests the following on the ideology of reform, read: "Let the Market Work, Government Won't."

President Obama heading to Iowa City to promote Health Care Reform.

Obama To Speak About Health Care In Iowa City‎ - WCCO - Mike Glover
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) ― President Barack Obama will speak about health care Thursday in Iowa City, marking passage of the historic legislation by returning ...

As National Write Your Congressman Reports on Monday, March 22, 2010 ...

Health Care Overhaul Bill: Democratic leaders in the House have promoted legislation designed to remake the nation's health care system. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) posted a preliminary $940 billion cost estimate for the bill. President Obama canceled a planned trip to Asia to help push through the legislation. The House voted and passed the health care package on Sunday, March 21, with floor action to follow in the Senate as early as this week.Republicans were thwarted in a bid to bar Democrats from using a rule that allowed them to clear the Senate-passed health care overhaul and to pass a reconciliation bill after making changes to that measure. (H.R.4872)

Budget Math Hinders Health Care Bill: House Democrats had difficulties crafting a final health care bill that would achieve a five-year deficit reduction of more than $100 billion. The problem delayed what party leaders hope will be a final vote on the measure to Sunday.Under the little-known rules for budget reconciliation, a bill passed through the expedited parliamentary process must produce a greater deficit reduction than the legislation it amends. Since the Senate health care bill would produce $104 billion in deficit savings in its first five years, according to the CBO, the final bill — which will include changes to the Senate bill — must provide more savings. (H.R.3590) (H.R.2847)

Hammering home reform - The Economist
Barack Obama’s health reforms cross the most important threshold

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It's Time to Push Back on the Expansion of the Federal Government in America

We believe in Limited Government and Limited Spending in our country! We believe that our country needs to focus again on Liberty! That Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness is important to Americans. Equality and Property Rights cannot be forgotten, but Liberty and Personal Responsibility are crucial for our Republic. Our President and Elected Officials need to get the financial house in order for our Country.

Today's article is from the Monday, January 4, 2010 edition of The Wall Street Journal is titled, Deficit, Budget Woes Need Solutions as U.S. Nears the Precipice. For more on this issue, read: Institute Brief: Cutting Federal Spending Must Be a Top Priority.

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A New Decade Begins: Happy New Year 2010 Everyone!

Our thoughts and resolutions from cidsports to kick off the new decade and New Year!

We want to wish everyone the very best in the coming New Year.

H is for Hugs!

A is for Accountability in government at all levels!

P is for Passion!

P is for Prudence and ethics in our society and our government!

Y is for Y that is found in Liberty!

N is for New opportunities that a New decade and New year bring!

E is for Energy!

W is for Work and the good works that come from Service!

Y is for Yesterdays and the lessons that history can bring!

E is for Eradicating!

A is for Attitudes, positive rather than negative!

R is for Rotary and the motto: Service Above Self!

E is for Economics: Earning, Saving and Giving!

V is for Virtue and Values over vice or violence!

E is for Enjoying: Life!

R is for Responsibility: we must support Liberty and personal responsibility!

Y is for the Y in Victory in 2010!

O is for Orange and the January 5Th bowl game and the Iowa Hawkeyes!

N is for Neighbor and The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)!

E is for the E that is found in LOVE!

This first post for the New Year is dedicated to my mother and the many gifts she passes on through her love, support and encouragement from birth through youth through adulthood through our times now in 2010!

Happy New Year Everyone!

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Happy New Year and Peace to all ...

Have a safe and enjoyable New Year's Eve in Cedar Rapids or wherever you may be ...

Thank you for visiting our blog throughout the year and we look forward to a better 2010!

Today's article from Thursday, December 31, 2009 edition of The Washington Times is an article titled, Dems tout year of wins but wait for more Obama priorities. For more on political philosophy of the Obama administration, read: The fourth wave of progressivism.

Let's make 2010 a year of:

• Limited Government
• Limited Spending
• Life
• Liberty
• Pursuit of Happiness

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The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly for 2009 ...

Where do we start as we close out the Year 2009?

There is always more good in the world, than bad. But, things are getting ugly in many respects.

The Good ...

• Christmas - we hope everyone had a very nice Christmas 2009
• Family - the love of family is always special
• Community - 'Who is my neighbor' - if willing, you will often find good people to break bread and get to know ...
• New leadership in Cedar Rapids in 2010, as Ron Corbett is elected Mayor in 2009
• Private flood recovery and small business flood recovery

The Bad ...

• Well, the loss of life isn't always a bad thing. Many people simply live a long life and time reaches a point, where they gently pass on. But, it is tough to lose friends, family and loved ones to age, cancer, accident, H1N1 and/or tragedy. Two more die of H1N1 flu
• The Economy
• The time consumed by social networking, blogging and other demands of time at work and otherwise ...
• Not always keeping up with our blogs ...
• The next recession, which appears around the corner, due to our public policies ...
• Our Federal Government and State Government's expansion throughout 2009
• The transition in Cedar Rapids to the Council-Manager Form of Government over the past four years ...
• Tax Climate

The Ugly ...

• More terrorism on the horizon in the USA - Fort Hood and Christmas Flight to Detroit
• Health Care Reform and tactics
• Congressional Earmarks
• We could add to the list, but we would suggest the following needs to be promoted in 2010 and that there is more good in life, than bad ...

Needed in 2010 ...

• Limited Spending
• Limited Government
• Life
• Liberty
• Pursuit of Happiness

Governments and individuals need to uphold established standards of ethics and prudence at all levels. Whether it be a political organization, a local, state or federal government, we have a lot of work to do to build a better tomorrow and to rebuild the trust of the American taxpayer.

The past year, we ran across a person who at the end of many conversations or e-mails, would simply say in his salutation or his departure ... "Pay Taxes"

While government has an important role at all levels, there is more to life than taxes ...

Let's work to build a better tomorrow, with getting involved in our local communities and working to better know our neighbors.

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Is Inflation in our future after Economic Crisis and Election of Mr.Obama?

The Monday, September 21, 2009 edition of The Wall Street Journal features an article titled, Fed faces test on inflation. For more on the Federal Reserve, please read Public Interest Institute's brief titled The mythology of Fed control of the economy.

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Remembering the Constitution on Constitutional Day: September 17Th

The Thursday, September 17, 2009 online edition of The Mason City Globe Gazette features an article titled, Free Constitution Day forum Thursday at NIACC. To commemorate Constitution Day today, please read Public Interest Institutes's briefs titled We Have Free Speech, For Today and Three Cheers for Washington: Remembering the Nation’s First Chief on Constitution Day.

September 17 is Constitution Day - Examiner.com
September 17 is Constitution Day, The day we commemorate the establishment of the United States Constitution. The document that created the government that ...
More than 200 years later, Constitution remains current - SDSU Collegian
Constitution Day - Monroe Evening News
It's Constitution Day - Scottsboro Daily Sentinel
Duluth Weekly - Mount Vernon News

First Lady Rendell Leads Virtual Lesson on Constitution Day -Reuters
First Lady Judge Marjorie O. Rendell today helped celebrate Constitution Day by teaching a civics lesson via the Internet with ...
State officials honor 222-year-old document in an educational event - Altoona Mirror

How the poll on the Constitution was conducted - The Associated Press The Associated Press-National Constitution Center Poll on views of the Constitution was conducted by GfK Roper Public Affairs & Media from Sept. 3-8. ...
Constitution Center Poll Finds Americans Adhering to Basic Values - KYW1060.com
Poll Shows Most Americans Oppose Bailouts - NPR
POLL: Most Americans opposed gov't stake in private companies - The Associated Press

On Constitution Day, the document lives on in political debates -Christian Science Monitor
In many ways, views about the Constitution are reflected in the debate over how President Obama is handling the issues of the day. By Patrik Jonsson Staff ...

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RIP - Walter Cronkite: America's Most Trusted Man in America

The Thursday, September 10, 2009 edition of The Washington Post features an article titled, "Cronkite, Icon of Truth and Trust, Hailed at Memorial." For additional information on the topic read, the Public Interest Institutes's brief titled "The Most Trusted Man in America."

It's hard to trust anything these days with the expansion of government at all levels.

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The Path to Recovery is Limited Spending and sticking to the Constitution

The Wednesday, September 2, 2009 edition of The Wall Street Journal features a story titled, U.S. economy gets lift from stimulus. For more on economic policy ideas read the Public Interest Institutes's brief titled, Follow the Constitution rather than Keynes.

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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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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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