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.

peace

Welcome to Cedar Rapids: Where some our local leadership since the '05 City Election want it both ways?

Folks, we want our cake and eat it too ...

Cedar Rapids is a vibrant urban hometown - a beacon for people and businesses invested in building a greater community for the next generation. - City of Cedar Rapids

The key word of concern is "urban" ...

By the way, the Federal Government classifies "urban" as

populations of 500,000 people or more.

A good resource to discuss some of our current and future challenges is the League of Cities and Counties in the State of Iowa. Prior to the change in the Form of Government vote in June 2005, The Gazette held a good forum with the League of Cities and Counties in 2005.

How many U.S. House members does our "urban" community have in Washington D.C. representing us today? How many does the City of Chicago have? Are we really "urban" folks?

But, go no further than our most recent "Conflict of Interest" story unfolding in the City of Cedar Rapids right now ...

"It’s a small town. It’s no different from all the other people that come before
the council that I know or have some relationship with.” - Council member Pat
Shey

Say, what? Could this be part of our branding problem that the City of Cedar Rapids has right now? Maybe, we need to rethink our "urban" thing we are trying to force down our public. Maybe we need to look at our hometown culture and determine what really exists today in our community?

"It's a small town." No, we would say Algona is a small town. While, Cedar Rapids isn't "urban" in the true sense. Suggesting Cedar Rapids is a "rural" community like Algona isn't the direction we should turn to either. But, the words of one of our council members says a lot of the disjointed messages we hear in our community often these days.

Actually, the banking model (Urban, Community or Rural) would seem most appropriate for Cedar Rapids. Cedar Rapids is in the middle.

We should stop branding Cedar Rapids as an "urban" community; when in fact, we are more like that "small town" of Algona, Anamosa or Marion, than clearly Kansas City, Charlotte, Memphis or whatever "urban" community one of City Council or City Consultants want to think up next?

Council’s $540,000 yard-cart fix raises appearances of conflict - The Gazette
It’s a small world. It didn’t seem so much so Thursday evening when only one of eight City Council members at a budget hearing ...

The Parlor City needs to get back on track. The "City of Five Seasons" went through some outstanding times with Urban Renewal in the 1960s and 1970s, but the Farm Crisis of the 1980s created a chic in the armour of our fine community.

We lost some of our industrial base in the 1980s, with losses in heavy manufacturing. We didn't lose our step immediately, but a variety of factors have slowly arisen over the past 15 years. Now, the Flood of 2008 and the recent economic and financial crisis have seen another round of losses in our manufacturing sector.

As a neighbor often says: Pay Taxes! Our economic engine in Cedar Rapids is hammered hard with the burden placed on industrial and commercial property taxes right now in the State of Iowa. There is current pressure to increase property taxes again for new infrastructure and the cost of government services ...

• Rising salaries of city and county employees


• A proposed new $45 million downtown library


• The new Cedar Rapids Community School District board building


• Expansion and recovery of Linn County infrastructure - post Flood


• Expansion and recovery of City of Cedar Rapids infrastructure - post Flood

When, we formed our new Council-Manager form of government in 2004-05, we identified the need for an Ethics component. Sadly, the original members of the City Council, stalled in the creation of Article VI of our City Charter.

Both the transition from the Commission form of government and now the Flood of 2008, has our City Government at times stuck in the mud. Could more mud be in the forecast? Let's hope not.

peace

P.S. - How much does our local government plan to get into commercial operations, such as yard-cart devise? The City of Cedar Rapids has expanded into housing and development over the past four years. Now, we hear this from the "Council’s $540,000 yard-cart fix raises appearances of conflict" story ...

"Gulick said he has an interest in Brokaw’s invention if it holds out the
potential of making the city some money, adding that the council has not cast a
final vote on the purchase." - The Gazette

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.

peace

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.

peace

Today at Work... I visited with a gentlemen from Texas

I received a call today from a salesman. We had a nice visit and in the course of our conversation we discussed government. Basically, we came to the basic agreement that most people agree 60-70% on most things. But, politics today seems stuck on the focusing on the fringe or the extreme polarization that is fueled by special interest, money, greed and/or power.

Small business is made up of both Republicans, Democrats or those calling themselves something else. I would contend that most people are better off with a limited government. We need regulation and over site. However, it needs to be limited to the extent that private sector works better than government on most things.

But, our tax policy is day by day destroying the middle class and small business. Our society is fueled by consultants, tax accountants and lawyers, rather than a quality product or service today. The incentive today is to reduce your tax liability rather than focusing on that quality product or service.

We need to knock down partisanship and work together again. We have completed the elections of November 2008. Now, we need to come together and work on the public policy that fueled the rebirth of voter participation. There is a role for government at the Federal, State and Local level, but we need to get back to the roots of limited government.

The private sector needs to get back to providing a quality product and service. However, government is focused on Big this and Big that, while making our tax policy bigger and more burdensome. We sure have come a long way, since 1913.

Our tax policy is the problem. Government has grown too large at the Local, State and Federal levels. Look at the national debt today in Washington DC. Our financial crisis today is certainly rooted in our tax policy. As an employer, I actually pay the government before I pay my employee through income tax withholding and other tax deductions.

The Tuesday, November 18, 2008 edition of The Wall Street Journal features an article titled A new assertiveness on economy. For more on economic policy read Limits: A prescription for economic health.

peace

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."

peace

The Gazette endorses John McCain for November 4th

Why did The Gazette endorse John McCain for President?
‘It’s the economy, stupid” taking from the political phase from 1992 campaign of President Bill Clinton.

"The United States and the world are on the brink of a major economic
recession. Our nation also is troubled by unending war against terrorism,
immigration laws in desperate need of reform and spiraling health care
costs." - The Gazette

However, at the top of "the mountain" is the Economy.

"Comparing the two major presidential candidates, Sen. John McCain’s
approach is best aligned to spur economic recovery. This is the overriding
reason The Gazette Editorial Board endorses the Republican Arizona senator over
Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill." - The Gazette

Neither candidate is an expert on economics. However, The Gazette says the following on McCain...

"McCain, like Obama, is no expert in economics. But his proposals to retain
most of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts make sense for businesses that are struggling
to survive and Americans who need jobs. McCain also wants to cut the corporate
tax rate to help U.S. businesses compete in the increasingly global marketplace.
His estate tax revisions would help family businesses avoid being swallowed by
corporate giants."

"Growing business here means more jobs for more Americans. That is the
single-best way to get our economy back on track."

John McCain was right on S. 190 [109th]: Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Reform Act of 2005 (GovTrack.us). As the following tracking blog mentions of McCain's call for more oversight of Freddie and Fannie. It is important to have checks and balances in our governement.But, the Democrats controlled by Congress were against more oversight.

"Certainly, business leaders who take irresponsible or illegal
actions
should be held accountable through fair, effective government
oversight
instead of expecting taxpayer-backed bailouts." - The
Gazette

The support for John McCain on the Economy is due to Tax Policy of the
two candidates. The Gazette wrote...

That said, higher taxes won’t fix our shameful national debt of $10
trillion. The marketplace must not be shackled. It must prosper responsibly,
which in the long run will increase tax revenue faster than slapping a higher
tax rate on all but the very smallest businesses, as Obama has proposed.
“Spread opportunity,” McCain has said. He’s right.

Support for John McCain by The Gazette goes beyond his economic policies...

"His 20 years of military service, including heroism as a prisoner of war and
a quarter-century serving in Congress provide perspective that Obama cannot
match."

The Gazette went on to discuss the following strengths for John McCain.

• Understanding of international issues and how to learn from mistakes and balance our interests with the world’s.
• McCain’s record demonstrates he will cross his own party, even the president...
• His energy plan is pragmatic and forward-looking...

The Gazette did reflect on "compelling reasons to consider Obama for president."

"His intellect, oratory and ability to inspire people from various walks of
life are extraordinary. He has re-engaged much of the younger generation into
politics. His message of healing our nation’s divisions resonates. He has our
respect."

Like with any endorsement, The Gazette does have a reservation on McCain. For John McCain, it is his selection of Sarah Palin. The Gazette talked about reservations of Barack Obama and Joe Biden, as well.

"But Obama has offered no clear plan to deal with our country’s staggering
debt. His tax plan could stifle the economic rebound we desperately need. His
lack of experience with international issues is troubling. And running mate Sen.
Joe Biden’s frequent gaffes don’t inspire confidence." The Gazette

On Saturday Night Live last night, John McCain suggested that Barack Obama certainly has a future ahead of him. Mr. Obama is 47 years old. Hopefully, the public will take a pause before Election Day, and really question the timing of a selection of Mr. Obama at this time. As the Gazette closed it's endorsement of John McCain...

"Critics of McCain say he’s “lost his way,” and he’s not the candidate he
was in 2000."

"We believe the real McCain is alive and well. The McCain who is a proven
defender of his country. The McCain who knows how to reach across the political
aisle and international borders to find common ground. The McCain whose
rock-solid commitment to this country can reinvigorate our economy, maintain our
security and revive the world’s respect for America and how we play our critical
leadership role."

While I was writing this blog post, I was watching the local program Ethical Prospectives on KCRG-TV, the ABC affiliate here in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The program is a community affairs program drawing from people within the community.

The program focused on Economics and the Role of Government during difficult times. One highlight from the program was the fact that government typically doesn't reduce its size in good economic times. Typically, once a government program is created... it isn't sunset or eliminated. This is quite alarming, due to the overall size of government today. Further, the impact of international investment in our debt.

Don't forget to vote on Election Day - November 4, 2008!

peace

Business Travel: More Stressful than ever?

The Economist is reporting that Business Travel is more stressful due to the environment today.

It is stressful these days with the Global financial crisis, but maybe we all need to step back and take a deep breath. Yes, we need to relax a little and don't let the blues get us down.

Life has its share of peeks and valleys. Heck, it is a tough year, if you follow a lot of sports teams... look at the Chicago Cubs, for example.

I guess we can always look back at the '80s, don't worry, be happy now!

peace

November 4 - Good, Bad and the Ugly

November 4 -

The Good -

After eight years of President George W. Bush, the United States will be getting a new President. While President Bush has led us through a very difficult time, with 9/11 and terrorism, much of his economic and bi-partisan approach to government that Bush was successful as Governor of Texas hasn't been delivered as President.

A renewed push for Limited Government and reduction of the size of government. Government isn't the solution for every thing. But, change alone doesn't guarantee that things will get better in Washington DC, Des Moines or even locally.

The Bad -

A lack of candidates for November 4th.

The two party system we have doesn't always field candidates for every race or strong candidates for those that have races.

The Flood of 2008 and the change in the form of government locally have clearly lead to leadership being stuck in a vacuum.

Sometimes a decision is better than waiting for the best answer.

The Ugly -

The future is cloudy at best.

The majority is likely to remain in power. Congress has lowest ratings ever, but is likely going to remain the same. How ironic.

The mess is on both sides of the aisle. Budgets in Washington DC are expanding, expanding and expanding... both sides have lacked restraint.

Des Moines appears to have a budget shortfall. So, the majority has some problems in the State of Iowa too... Mediacaid and shortfall.

Don't forget to Vote on November 4, 2008. The candidates we choose may have a major impact on our pocket book and way of life.

peace

We have a Finanacial Crisis, not an Economic Crisis for now

Where will the public go for leadership in 2008? We have an important presidential election in 2008, as well as important local, state and federal races.

The fundamentals of the economy are strong. But, we clearly have a financial crisis.

We are clearly in difficult times.

But, economically, we do have positive indicators in the economy...

• Worker productivity
• Trade balance is moving favorably the right direction
• Unemployment

However, if we don't resolve the financial crisis properly, we will impact negatively our economy.

The Subprime mortgage financial crisis is a serious problem. We are in difficult times and the government is making important moves to protect our financial system.

Business ethics is alarming.

Lobbying and ethics in government continue to be out of control.

Our tax system has created a burden and has moved the Fortune 500 companies is the wrong direction.

Increasing in the size of the Federal Government is the wrong direction for this country to take. But, are we going to move towards socialism in the near future? The upcoming presidential election certainly is in play for our country to do so.

We need to wake up America. Who we elect at all levels of government do directly impact our lives. Look locally, the concerns we are facing right now. The impact is due to our own votes and those we have representing us today.

We voted to change our Form of Government in Cedar Rapids. We voted to elect the leadership we have at the local and state level. We elect our representatives who go to Washington DC to represent us. We do it at all levels, from school boards to legislative bodies.

The future of our governance is in our hands every two, four and six years. If there is a time in our history, when it is vital for the public to get to the polls, it is 2008.

A Limited Government is vital to the success of our democracy. Get informed and vote...

peace

Back from Las Vegas and the Hawkeye Game

It was an interesting week of business in Las Vegas. No question, we are suffering from a eight year presidential cycle economically.

Iowa beats Iowa State 17-5 at Kinnick on Saturday to take the Cy-Hawk Trophy in football for 2008.

The real races will soon begin. Nationally, statewide, locally and of course in-conference on the football field.

On Iowa!

peace

Alaska's Governor Sarah Palin for GOP's John McCain's Running Mate

Republican Presidential candidate John McCain selects Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate.

Welcome to the national stage Mrs. Palin.

We look forward to learning more about you and how a McCain-Palin ticket can help move the United States of America forward in public policy globally.

From one forty-four year old to another, it will be interesting to discuss various issues, including the following:

• Energy Policy


• Environmental Policy


• Government Reform


• States Rights


• The Economy

I always prefer a Governor for the office of the president, so when names were thrown out as candidates for both president and vice president this year. Mrs. Palin's got my attention as a candidate for vice president. We certainly have had Vice Presidents before in my lifetime with less of a resume.

A women, a reformer in her state, a mother of a son who serves her nation in our armed forces and a person with executive experience as a Governor; it will be interesting to learn more about John McCain's choice as his running mate.

peace