Another question for the weekend?

Does the free market corrode moral character?

RE: Whole Series James comment from 10/24/2008:

After 40 years of experience dealing one-on-one with criminals as both a
prosecuting attorney and criminal defense attorney, it is my humble opinion that
it is not the situation that causes the crime but the moral weakness of the
individual. It is the moral weakness or lack of morality that leads to the theft
or the robbery. I never saw a case where there was not another way, an
honorable, honest way to proceed. Even in cases of homicide, there was always
another honorable exit from the situation for the actor.

It is an interesting question and series. The above quote was from one of the many comments from those you have read parts of the series.

peace

4.2 percent tuition increase for Iowa Regents institutions proposed

The Board of Regents of Iowa's for three regent institutions in Iowa are proposing a 4.2 percent tuition increase for in-state undergraduate students attending a public university in the State of Iowa.

Time to put in some overtime...

peace

Watch your driving this weekend... you never no what you may see?

Found this on the internet and it was clearly good for a laugh.

It's nice to see Mr. Obama and Hillary having a good time together with Joe and Michelle!

After a long campaign... too long... it's nice to find something to provide a little humor.

Have a Great Weekend!

peace

Should health care coverage be tied to employment?

Is it time for a change?
Breaking the Tie That Binds Health Care and Employment

The current tax exemption for employer provided health care was developed
shortly after World War II when wage and price controls were in effect. The
controls are gone, but the exemption remains.

A missing link in our society is personal responsibility. However, shouldn't health care be in the hands of individuals, rather than government?

peace

How do Mr. McCain and Mr. Obama differ on healthcare?

A look at the health care policies of Mr. McCain and Mr. Obama.

peace

The Election nears... November 4, 2008...

Is there Hope for November 5, 2008 or will we just have to immediately turn around and get ready for the next election in November 2010... those exciting mid-term elections?

The media has screwed our lives up plenty in 2008. The nomination process was moved up and lengthened. The Presidential Campaign has lasted too long, actually beginning before 2008 by the media.

The negatives and the spin have reached epic proportion.

We have political ads that are mixing Federal issues with State candidates here in Iowa. We have candidates and parties looking to win at any cost. If the ends justify the means... it's certainly fair in love, war and politics... right?

Eighteen million voters supported the front runner's chief opponent in the primary. Heck, with super-delegates and the hot start in Iowa on January 3, 2008 we have unique situation on November 4, 2008.

What do the polls really tell us? Not much really, since we don't elect our President by popular vote. We elect our President through the Electoral College.

Stay tuned... who will graduate on November 4, 2008? Will it be the chosen one? Or will it be the right one? What type of grades will you be handing out in the Election?

Well, we should know something in time for Inauguration Day on January 20, 2009.

Have a great weekend... it's only 11 more days until November 4, 2008!

peace

Negative Advertising: Local Races

So, I tune in on the TV and I hear a political advertisement taking down a local candidate for Iowa State House District 37, on issues that relate to Federal government and Federal public policy and their apparent support for our President, George W. Bush.

I guess all is fair in love and way; and competing in two-party political races?

The local candidate sent me an e-mail stating the following:

The first one went up on Sunday. There was no truth to it. The ad tried to
connect me to Bush's "failed economic plans" and accused me of shipping jobs
overseas, causing the mortgage crisis, Prititizing social
security," etc. The attack was so bad that Senator Grassley called
out the Democrats on O Kay Henderson's blog http://learfield.typepad.com/radioiowa/2008/10/raising-social.html and
even Todd Dorman of the Gazette commented http://24hourdorman.wordpress.com/2008/10/21/grassley-and-i-confused/.

While the candidate is not in my Iowa House District, I have to agree that political campaigns have gotten negative and clearly have resorted to issues and scare tactics that have no relationship to Iowa House district that she is running in.

The candidate in the e-mail went on to say the following:

If anyone questions my positions, have them call me at 431-6150 or to to my
website http://www.reneeschulte.org/ where there is a link on the front page
with the truth.

We need to find a way to bring back the Douglas-Lincoln public conversations. While the Al Smith Foundation Dinner was great humor, it would have been interesting to watch Mr. McCain and Mr. Obama meet in Town Meetings through out the Presidential campaigns, rather than the media driven Presidential Debates.

Of course, lets make sure that we get out and vote. Where do I go to Vote in the State of Iowa on Election Day: November 4, 2008?

We encourage you to gather the information about the candidate and to Vote in the General Election on November 4th!

peace