Running with scissors, bungy-jumping, lion-training don’t hold a candle to these two items…
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Republicans appear to be doing well, very well, scary well. So what’s to be done about it? Republicans need to work harder, get more engaged, get more yard signs up, knock on more doors!
Why, you may ask, would I think that?
Because early poll successes:
Are deceiving. In Politics, scientific polling lacks integrity because there are so many factors and inconsistencies, including the fact that they reflect a point in time, which is not election day
Are open to interpretation. The complexities and meaning behind poll answers can be interpreted multiple ways… sometimes the answers mean something different than what we think.
Can lead to complacency. Accepting that your candidate is going to win hands down can lead to voter apathy and before you know it, everyone that said they were going to vote decides to stay home election day or just forgets to vote.
It’s great to feel good about these polls… I’m very enthused about our prospects here in Iowa. But polling can cause us to take our eye off the ball… we need to stay focused on the message, on getting it delivered to the people that need to hear it most, and make sure we get everyone out to vote come election day.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Did you think that maybe ObamaCare wouldn’t impact you directly for a while? Think again.
New rules from the IRS issued earlier this month, based on the Affordable Care Act now require that those who pay for over-the-counter (OTC) medications (such as Claritan, Robitussin, etc.) FSAs or HRAs, beginning January 1, 2011, to get a prescription for these medications to get the reimbursements. Flexible Spending Account (FSAs) Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRAs) setup for medical expenses not normally covered by insurance, using untaxed dollars. On top of this, patients will have to submit the prescription information along with the receipt to their account program adminstration instead of using the more convenient (and appropriate) debit cards most of these accounts now provide.
It may seem like a small thing, but doctors don’t typically hand out prescriptions of any kind without a visit, which will cost the patient and/or their insurance provider. Add to that the new paperwork burden, and you’ve impacted many Americans enough that they will (rightfully so) choose to abandon the use of the untaxed (or pretaxed) dollars and instead reduce their FSA/HRA use (or eliminate it) and just pay for these medications with taxed dollars.
Yes this is for real, and yes I think it’s stupid. This is the result of just a small piece of the gargantuan legislation passed by a Congress bent on making us miserable. I’m convinced of that now. Give them 2 more years and they will find a way to ensure that the Government will simply pay for these medications (with an appropriate prescription) instead of just going back to a system that worked fine, therefore making us even more dependent on the government.
And the best part is, you can still use these accounts like you always did for any other medical supplies that don’t require a prescription. You will have to get a prescription to get a, frankly small, tax advantage.
Government savings, none… I can pretty much guarantee that the new taxes recovered will barely pay for the paper used to print this stupid bill. More likely we will see substantive costs go up, either in government or for insurance companies, to support this idiotic requirement.
Sometimes it just seems dangerous to get up in the morning.
Where: The Varsity Theatre
1207 25th Street, Des Moines
Cost: Free! But you must get your free ticket at this link!
(A free-will offering will be taken at the event)
Printing services provided by Image Transform
[wp-youtube]NEPPHjKIZps[/wp-youtube]
Two versions of the American dream now stand in sharp contrast. One views the money you earned as yours and best allocated by you. It champions the traditional American dream, which has played out millions of times through generations of Americans, of improving one’s lot in life and the entrepreneurial spirit of daring to dream and to build big. The other believes that the federal government, using taxpayers’ money, should play a major role in leveling out the nation’s wealth to guarantee outcomes to all, regardless of effort. How America chooses between these two views of the role of government, at this crucial juncture, will have everything to do with the future we and our children and our children’s children will enjoy.
President Barack Obama clearly believes in the larger government view. In his Inaugural Address, he said, “Now there are some who question the scale of our ambitions – who suggest our system cannot tolerate big plans…The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works—whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified.†With a federal deficit of nearly one and a half trillion dollars for 2009 and deficit projections of not less than a half a trillion dollars over the next ten years, the question of whether government is too big or too small is very relevant, even vital to the future of the nation.
Join filmmaker Ray Griggs in this documentary film I Want Your Money as he contrasts the two paths the United States can take using the words and actions of Barack Obama and Ronald Reagan. The film uses interviews from well-known public figures, experts, movie clips, dramatic portrayals, music, graphics and even comedic animation to tell the story in the plainest terms of the choice between the Obama and the Reagan views of the role of the federal government in our society. It also examines how these big government programs have been tried in the past at great moral and financial cost to the nation. California is offered as a case-in-point in understanding what economic challenges might face the nation, if we choose the larger government path. Finally, I Want Your Money is a call to action for those who care about the future of the United States.
Note from Art Smith: As the Communications Director for the Polk County Republican Party here in Iowa, I have had the privilege of watching an extraordinary group of leaders build an organization that has been engaging for the party activists in Polk County, has brought itself into the eyes of the community, has succeeded in hosting several high-value events featuring nationally-known speakers, and most importantly, has provided a valuable support mechanism for our candidates.
The following is a letter from the leaders of Polk County Republicans, Chairman John Bloom and Co-chair Will Rogers.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
As you may be already aware, this election year could be one of the biggest landslide victories for Republican candidates in over 15 years, including right here in Polk County. And it is our belief that Polk County Republicans has never been in a better position to help our candidates achieve victory.
Since 1948, the Democrat Party has been in control of Polk County government. In that time period, we have seen the Democrat Party and its candidates raise millions of dollars from Special Interest Groups and Political Action Committees. And under their leadership, we have seen our property taxes go up, spending go up, our debt go up, and a continued exodus of jobs from Polk County.
This is why the Democrats rely on the support of lobbyists, trial lawyers, unions, and out-of-state corporations. Simply put, Polk County Democrats represent all that is wrong with government.
But we are ready to change all of that.
Since early last year, we have been focused on rebuilding a strong grassroots organization. And the results are beginning to show. So far this year alone we have accomplished the following:
25 Republican candidates on the fall’s ballot – the largest number in the last 40 years.
Polk County Central Committee Members and Activists have been instrumental in making tens of thousands of voter identification calls to Republicans and Independent voters.
Sponsored Voter Registration and Outreach booths at the Asian Heritage Festival, Latino Heritage Festival, and the Juneteenth Observation Festival
Participated in the State Fair Parade and parades in the following communities: West Des Moines, Grimes, Johnston, Ankeny, Beaverdale, Urbandale, Pleasant Hill, and Mitchellville.
Identified over 500 volunteers and activists to help our Republican candidates with door knocking, lit dropping, making phone calls, walking in parades, and Get-Out-The-Vote Activities.
Helped distribute and put up over 1,000 campaign yard signs for our Republican candidates.
And with this level of organization, combined with just a few thousand dollars more, we can help get our candidates message of responsible government, better jobs, reduced spending and lower taxes out to voters from across the county.
But in order to have a chance at taking back our government, we are going to need your help.
Your gift of $25, $50, $100, $250, $500 or more, will help with the cost of flyers, direct mail, yard signs, and Get-Out-The-Vote activities.
Contributions can be mailed to the Polk County Republican Party, 621 East 9th St., Des Moines, IA 50309 or on line at www.polkgop.com
or…
Please take a moment to make your contribution today.
Thanks in advance for your encouragement and generous support.
Sincerely Yours,
John Bloom
Chairman
Will Rogers
Co-chair
P.S. Please help us make this Election Year one of the best ever!
What a great evening! Kathie Obradovich pointed out that it’s like being in an airplane hanger here at Hy-Vee Hall, but we have a great crowd, a lot of great Republicans and big group of press (75 registered), including a number of national names.
The theme of those speaking is what this crowd expects to hear: Reid and Pelosi are bringing the country down, killing jobs, killing the economy, stepping on the Constitution. What the country needs is smaller government, stronger jobs and economic growth, and greater fiscal responsibility, and Republicans can deliver.
Speakers included Republican Party of Iowa Co-chair Jim Kurtenbach, Representatives Steve King and Tom Latham, Senator Chuck Grassley, Former Governor and Candidate Terry Branstad, and Republican Party of Iowa Chair Matt Strawn.
Terry’s speech was the most heavily targeted at his opponent (Governor Chet Culver), hitting on all of the same issues we’ve heard on the campaign trail and in this week’s debate. Of the warm-up speeches his was probably the longest. Terry was very warmly received by this crowd, and he also took the time to mention all of the state constitutional office candidates.
A nice video tribute to the late President Ronald Reagan was part of the program, which included highlights from some of his best speeches over the years.
Matt Strawn gave a great talk on the importance of stepping up now and making sure we get as many principled conservative Republicans elected this fall as we can, as he introduced Sarah Palin.
So, what did Sarah have to say?
Sarah complimented Iowa, complimented Terry Branstad, then talked about staying focused on the 2010 election and not the 2012 election, meaning she wasn’t going to talk about whether she is running for President in 2012 or not.
She talked about the need to elect leaders who respect “We the People”, like Senator Grassley, Tom Latham, Steve King, and then mentioned her endorsement of Brenna Findley.
What does “We the People” mean, anyway? Sometimes this term is being used lately in a context that sounds like it is equivalent to “We the Conservatives”. Sorry for the tangent.
Sarah went on to talk about how competition (in primaries) is good, but that it is now time to unite. If we want to stop Obama, Pelosi and Reid, then now is the time to unite. She talked about the need to move on now after having lost primaries. And the Need to set aside internal power struggles for the sake of the party. The need is great going into the mid-term elections.
Sarah then went into an extended criticism of the Press and emphasis on the importance of holding the Press accountable when they are telling untruths. She even Called some of the media “cowards”. She made a number of suggestions about what she thought party leadership should be doing right now.
I think she’s running for RNC Chair.
sarah said that Voters and patriots will restore America. Our (Republican) candidates will bring back constitutional government. She agrees with Obama that there are better days ahead… starting on November 2.
Sarah went on to provide a list of the problems with the current administration and Congress. Culminating with the President’s “foolish” attempts to run a conciliatory foreign policy with our enemies, in stark contrast to Reagan’s strong support of allies and strong confrontational hold against our enemies.
She believes that Principles and People will help hold our nation together, and that it’s time for a national rediscovery and renewal.
Overall, her speech was very pro-business, pro-individual, pro-radical renewal, and very contrary to current federal policies.
And finally the biggest philosophical dichotomy we struggle with against Democrats today: we don’t need to fundamentally transform America, we need to restore America. Great line, strongly received.
Although I agree with much of what Sarah had to say tonight, I will say I feel like I’ve been riding on a bullet train as she dropped a lot of already well-worn (literally word for word what I hear day after day from a variety of conservative sources) sound bytes as I passed by. She basically covered much of what conservatives are frustrated with in our current government and many of the principles that conservatives are anxious to see drive what our government does (and does not do).
Nothing that she shared tonight compelled me to hold her up (despite my support of her two years ago) as a strong candidate for President. But I do think she can continue to be a strong voice for the movement, the party, and for people who feel they are not being heard.
And many of those people may think this gives her credibility as a Presidential candidate. That’s okay… but I don’t agree. At least not yet. As I said before, she states a lot of what I agree with at a very high level, but I want to see some meat in the form of detailed policy statements. My friend Shane Vander Hart tells me I need to read some of her recent writings, which I will do.
Anyhow, it was very encouraging to see so many Republicans gathered to celebrate our history of strong conservative values, and to get enthused for the campaign we are fighting this year. Hats off to the Republican Party of Iowa for an awesome job with this event! And thanks to Danielle Plogmann (RPI Communications Director) for doing a great job providing for the press and bloggers!
Art Smith (“From The Right”) will be live chatting along with Conner Anderson (“From The Left”) at The Des Moines Register’s web site on September 14, 2010 from 7:00 to 8:00 PM. Come and follow the conversation!
Matt Strawn, Chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa (RPI), announced today that Sarah Palin will be the Party’s special guest at their upcoming fall dinner. The Reagan Dinner: A Salute to Freedom will be held on Friday, September 17 in the evening, at a location and time that are yet to be determined.
“The Iowa GOP is pleased that Gov. Palin is traveling to Iowa to join the battle to return principled, conservative leadership to Iowa,†said Chairman Strawn. “Our economic and personal freedoms are under attack in Washington, DC and Des Moines. I know Iowa Republicans will be energized and motivated by Gov. Palin to stand up and fight for these principles all the way to Election Day and beyond.â€
As noted by Craig Robinson at The Iowa Republican (TIR), the former Alaska governor and Vice-Presidential candidate has not been in Iowa since a book signing last December. Although she trails in a recent TIR poll behind three other candidates for the Republican nomination for President in 2012, she continues to be a favorite among many conservatives.
Strawn noted that while Palin is popular among Iowans, the current economy is challenging for many Iowa families who may wish to attend. That is why the Iowa GOP is offering Iowans an opportunity to volunteer through any of its ten statewide Victory Centers in exchange for a ticket to the Ronald Reagan “Salute to Freedom†Dinner. For additional details regarding volunteer opportunities, Iowans should contact their local Iowa GOP Victory Center (locations and contacts listed below) in: Ames, Cedar Falls, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Iowa City, Cedar Rapids (Marion), Mason City, Ottumwa, Sioux City and Urbandale.
Tickets will be $100 each, or $1,000 for a table of eight, and can be reserved by emailing [email protected] or by calling 515-282-8105.
The following was released by the Polk County Republican Party:
The Polk County Republican Party commissioned a poll in Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District that shows Republican Brad Zaun leading by 7.3% points in a head to head match-up with incumbent Leonard Boswell.
“These numbers are very encouraging for Senator Zaun and Republicans across the board. Â It is clear voters in central Iowa are looking for new, principled leadership,” said Chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa Matt Strawn.
Other highlights in the survey include:
Zaun beats Boswell in Polk County, 46.5% to 38.4%
Among Independent voters, Zaun again leads Boswell, 41.3% to 31.7%
Boswell hard re-elect is only at 24.7% with a total re-elect of 34%, but 51.3% of voters say it’s time for a new person
25.4% of Democrats say it’s ‘definitely time’ for a new person
Zaun earns support from 26.2% of Democrats
“Polk County Republicans are more organized and energized than ever before. These numbers confirm what we’re seeing on the ground.  We’re going to do our part to support candidates like Brad Zaun both financially and organizationally and help them to victory in November,” concluded Chairman of the Polk County Republican Party John Bloom.
The survey consisted of 300 likely general election voters and has a margin of error of +/- 5.6%.  The 300 completes were comprised of 21% independent voters, 42% Democrats and 37% Republicans with 66% of the respondents being from Polk and the rest geographically proportioned from the remainder of the 3rd District. The survey was conducted by Victory Enterprises out of Davenport, Iowa.
The Labor Department reported this morning that nonfarm payrolls fell by 131,000 in the month of July. Even more discouraging was that June’s revised payroll number was revised downward to a negative 221,000. This is huge. Initial jobless claims estimates released Thursday was 479,000, and was an increase from the previous week’s 460,000. The two statistics, nonfarm payrolls and initial jobless claims, are suggesting the same thing–employers are not hiring, and are, in fact, laying off workers, and we may very well be headed into a “double dip” recession.
That’s the report. Here’s the analysis. As suggested some months ago, the past predicts the future. As Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes, there is nothing new under the sun. There will be no new net growth in employment until new jobless claims fall below 400,000. Hiring cannot and will not happen until employers are confident that they have sustainable business prospects, that their expenses will be stable (like health insurance premiums) and that their taxes will be stable. Again, we’ve seen this scenario before. It was called the Carter Administration.
Right now, President Obama and his staff are crafting a spin that would suggest this is all the Bush Administration’s fault. That somehow, the last 18 months didn’t happen and they are not responsible for any of the anemic economic growth evident currently. The reality is, they could blame the Bush Administration for anything that happened in the first six months of the current administration. All economic activity since August 2009 is due to Obama Administration policies.
It’s time for the President to put his big boy pants on. No one wants to hear his whining anymore. Nor do we want to see solutions that will expand the national debt and budget deficit. And while I feel for all of the 6.6 million people that have been out of work for six months or more, it’s laughable to watch the arrogance of liberal Democrats defend their failed policies. The Democrats are imploding, again, something I predicted in November 2008. They violated economic principles. They thought they were smarter than that, and that, somehow, because the sun rose and set on Barack Obama, it would be different for them. This is a hard lesson to learn. The longer this lasts, the more seats the Republicans will gain in the November elections. By all means, they should continue their rhetoric. It’s fun to watch.
Yesterday on CBS Sunday Morning, President Barack Obama was being interviewed by Harry Smith. This seems to be this President’s primary function. I can just see his job description now–Item 1, must interview with the media incessantly. Never mind running the country. We’ll leave that to Pelosi and Reid. And, who can blame him? It’s more attractive to meet with adherents to your policies, glowing supporters and people who will fawn over you than with the other 80%, the rabble, the people who just don’t get it. Bring on The View! They love me! Everyone must love me too!
Anyway, Mr. Smith asked the President if he thought the criticism leveled at him and his administration was “undeserved”. “Yes”, the President replied, “it is undeserved”. He went on to suggest that the future will be kinder to him and his administration once people begin to understand all that he has had to endure and reform in the first 18 months of his administration–that is, the recession, bailouts, health care reform, financial reform, etc.
What? Is the President delusional? Politics, particularly modern politics, has always been about the mastery of spin, and this administration is clearly good at it. But the American people are tired of it, and for the last six to nine months, have begun to see it for what it is–nonsense.
First, President Obama needs to understand–deeply understand–that the stimulus, bailouts, deficit spending, health care reform, and now financial reform, have run counter to the will of the majority of Americans. Not the people in the la-la land of Obama and cronies, but the folks who do the tax-paying, hiring, spending and bill-paying. The President’s agenda of wealth redistribution is not what they signed up for.
Second, President Obama needs to understand that there are deep concerns about the economy that transcend stimulus and the expiration of the “Bush tax cuts”. Last week’s release of economic statistics are a perfect example. The housing industry is in severe recession still, and no amount of home-buyer incentives will work any longer. Consumer confidence is low and durable goods orders are soft. New claims for unemployment benefits were 457,000 in the previous week, suggesting that companies continue to lay off workers. Finally, preliminary GDP estimates say the economy grew at a 2.4% rate in the second quarter, a mediocre reading at best.
The President is clearly out of touch with his constituents. Nervous companies are not hiring. Nervous consumers aren’t spending money (at least, the ones who are working). And until they are confident that the government is going to stop spending money and that their taxes are going to remain stable, they will not spend or invest, or do anything but sit on their cash. At least, until the government takes it…
Is the criticism deserved? You bet! But we’ve seen this movie before. We know how it ends. It was called the Carter Administration and it ended with the resurgence of conservatism and Ronald Reagan. As long as the current Administration continues to ignore the people and continue down the road they’ve set before them, they can continue to expect criticism. They are self-destructing. How I love a happy ending!
Running with scissors, bungy-jumping, lion-training don’t hold a candle to these two items…
Two versions of the American dream now stand in sharp contrast. One views the money you earned as yours and best allocated by you. It champions the traditional American dream, which has played out millions of times through generations of Americans, of improving one’s lot in life and the entrepreneurial spirit of daring to dream and to build big. The other believes that the federal government, using taxpayers’ money, should play a major role in leveling out the nation’s wealth to guarantee outcomes to all, regardless of effort. How America chooses between these two views of the role of government, at this crucial juncture, will have everything to do with the future we and our children and our children’s children will enjoy.
