Bill Maske for U.S. Congress

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2010-10-30T22:05:00.000-05:00

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Bill Maske Answers 40 Key Questions

2010-10-25T20:49:00.001-05:00

JOBS AND THE ECONOMY
What's the best way for the federal government to encourage job creation?
From the beginning, the American people have pursued their dreams through innovation, perseverance, and hard work. We must now re-awaken the entrepreneurial spirit of our people with entrepreneur grants and mentoring partnerships. We must give our economy a strong foundation through low interest loans and tax incentives for small businesses. We need a serious and aggressive investment in renewable energy to create an economic boom in Iowa which will create thousands of new jobs. We need a federal works program which brings people out of the unemployment lines and employs them in rebuilding the infrastructure of our nation.

Do you think the government bailout of large financial institutions, approved in October 2008, was a good idea or a bad idea?
The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of October 2008 was a bad idea. While there was justification to be concerned about the nation’s largest financial institutions, the idea of being too big to fail is a bad prospect for society. Bad decisions regarding lending occurred between 2000 and 2008 which put the financial stability of the nation at risk. Yes, something needed to be done, however, the EESA kept the old guard in place. Unfortunately, this legislation denied opportunities for highly intelligent and capable people to emerge and reinvigorate these institutions and the economy. As a result, very little has changed.

Do you think passage of the February 2009 stimulus legislation, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, was a good or bad idea?
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was a good idea because it focused on creating or saving jobs, investing in long term growth, and establishing transparency in government spending. The ARRA saved thousands of jobs in education and public safety. This act created jobs for rebuilding roads and bridges. This act invested in the development of renewable energy. On the downside, a lot of these funds have been slow to rollout to the public. Another pitfall is these are one time funds. So if they fail to jump start the economy, we may soon be facing the same dilemma again.

Do you think the federal government has taken sufficient action to prevent another financial crisis like the one we faced in 2008?
No! We need a vision combined with action for long term economic health. To avoid another financial crisis, we must 1) Put people to work to create revenue, 2) Strengthen Labor Laws, 3) End the Bush tax breaks for the wealthy, 4) New tax breaks to strengthen the middle class, 5) Implement 28% investment income tax on the wealthy, 6) Enact smarter trade policies, 7) Get out of Afghanistan, 8) Maintain a balanced budget, 9) Create the Line Item Veto, 10) Establish and enforce strict regulation and oversight of Big Corporations and Wall Street, 11) Reduce the deficit.

Do you think the agencies currently in place adequately protect Americans from lending abuses by financial companies?
No - With the passage of the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, we have regained a certain amount of protection which previously existed under Glass-Steagall which should have never been repealed in 1999. There are two important questions: First, will the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau as an independent agency have the muscle to ensure protection. I believe this agency will have that muscle if the Treasury and Justice Departments back them up on enforcement. Second, how long will it be before human nature allows greed to re-emerge as the underlying problem?

What changes would you make to the U.S. approach to trade policy, whether to encourage more exports, protect American jobs, or other steps?
We need to insist on fair and balanced trade agreements that protect the working men and women in the United States and around the world. Our trade agreements need to be tied to environmental standards which prevent exploitation and are enforceable with other countries. Our agreements must address unfair trade practices such as currency manipulation. We must eliminate the tax breaks and tax havens for multinational corporations that serve as incentives for taking jobs out of this country. We must be about protecting American jobs. We must also use trade agreements to advance worker rights in other countries.

Do you favor any change in the federal minimum wage?
Absolutely! A 40 hour work week for the entire 52 weeks of the year at the minimum wage of $7.25 yields a total $15,080.00 before taxes. While this is $4,250.00 above the poverty line of $10,830.00 for one person, it is $6,970.00 below the poverty line of $22,050.00 for a family of four. Considering expenses, we are talking about real subsistence living at these levels. In our country, 16.7 million children live in poverty. We can and we must do better. I favor raising the minimum wage to $10.00 per hour and let’s put people to work.

Do you favor making it easier for workers to unionize, allowing them to sign a card rather than voting in a formal election?
Yes! We have spent the last thirty years or more undermining labor in this country. It is time to reverse that trend. It is past time to pass the Employee Free Choice Act and give workers a choice in forming a union. We need stronger labor laws and enforcement which close loopholes that allow companies to avoid paying benefits and taxes. There must be a balance of power between labor and management which provides labor with the basis from which to work for and protect the wages, benefits, and rights of workers.

TAXES AND SPENDING
What are specific federal activities you would reduce or eliminate to reduce the deficit?
I would eliminate or modify the following:
• Eliminate Bush Tax Cut for the wealthiest 2%
• End Combat troops in Afghanistan
• Eliminate ear marks unless they are directly linked to a particular piece of legislation and fall within the scope of that particular budget item.
• Eliminate existing tax breaks on investment income tax on the wealthy and restore these taxes to 28%.
• Restructure the Farm Subsidy Program to bring it in line with its original intent.
• Eliminate tax incentives and sweet deals for oil companies.
• Revise Congressional Pensions

Do you favor reducing or increasing defense spending or keeping it about the same?
Reduce Defense Spending - We need a strategic global plan and a defense budget to support the implementation of that plan. This plan must be built upon our moral authority and ability to lead by the strength of our example. It must be a plan in which we engage the rest of the world in the process of building a world community based on mutual consideration and the peaceful resolution of differences. With careful planning, we should be able to modernize our defense systems and reduce our defense spending while maintaining the military strength to protect our nation.

Do you favor any changes in the federal tax system?
Yes, too much of the tax burden falls on the backs of hard working men and women. We need a simpler and fairer tax code which makes it impossible for the wealthy and big corporations to shirk their responsibility. Our tax code must be fair to those who are at the lower end of the income ladder and allow them to keep a greater share of the income from their hard work. On the other hand, the wealthy need to pay their fair share. Unto those who much is given, much is expected.

Do you favor any changes to ensure the financial viability of Social Security?
Yes, the government should eliminate the cap on social security contributions, and devise a scale by which social security payments are based on lifetime contributions and retirement need.

Do you favor any changes to ensure the financial viability of Medicare?
The change that I favor involves an aggressive campaign by the Justice Department to reduce and eliminate Medicare Fraud. Medicare fraud which occurs primarily through false billing results in an estimated loss of $60 billion annually. Out of a $456 billion Medicare budget, this loss due to fraud equals 13% of the total budget. Furthermore, we need to allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices and permit the safe importation of prescription drugs from Canada to reduce the financial burden prescription drugs have placed on Medicare. Health Care Reform must drive down medical costs which is also financially beneficial to Medicare.

Should farm subsidies be further limited?
Yes - The 2008 Farm Bill continued farm subsidy payments regardless the condition of the farm economy. Direct payments of approximately $5 billion per year are paid regardless the farm economy. Counter-Cyclical Payments are paid if farm prices fall below a certain level. Market-loss payment decreases when crop prices are high and increases when prices are low. Federal Crop Insurance increases as crop prices increase. Farm subsidy practices give rise to agriculturally unfriendly corporate farms. We could strengthen our family farms, promote sustainable agriculture, and contribute to our rural economy and communities by restructuring farm subsidies.

EDUCATION
What role should the federal government play to ensure America's high school graduates are ready to succeed in college, the workplace and civic life?
Education is at the very core of my life. As a professional educator of 34 years, I am resolute about the role education must play in the sustaining and advancement of Democracy and society. We must first rescind No Child Left Behind as poor public policy. The federal government must work collaboratively with the states to provide funding and establish criteria for world class high schools. Every high school graduate must possess and be able to demonstrate the prerequisite knowledge and skills necessary for post-high school success. It is the federal government’s role to help make this happen.

Should the federal government establish rigorous national standards and matching exams at various grade levels, so state-by-state results can be compared?
No! Educational standards should be established by each state with the federal government acting as a national clearinghouse for this information. Assessment should be the role and responsibility of each state. The federal government should collaborate with the states to promote a reliable and valid assessment process. We must move away from objective assessments with limited scope to an authentic assessment which measures the application of a student’s knowledge and skill competency. State by state comparison and ranking are of little value. Our goal must be World Class Schools for all students!

Should parents who choose to educate their children in private or religious schools or at home receive vouchers or tax breaks?
No! Each state runs a system of public financed schools. These schools are available to all members of society at the tax payer’s expense. For this reason, if a person chooses to educate their child in a private or religious school, that should be their free choice. However, it is a free choice with which there should be no application of public funds.

Should the federal government further expand Pell Grants, offer new tax credits or take other steps to expand access to college?
Absolutely! As we reform high school to ensure all graduates possess the prerequisite knowledge and skills necessary to move into post-high school life, we should provide the opportunity for these graduates to continue their free public education through grade 14 at one of the state’s public institutions. However, if they choose to attend a private college, they could pursue financial benefits through existing grants and loans. Education is the gateway to a strong economy and secure democracy. The funds we expend on education are an investment in the future of our children and society.

Should the federal government expand support for post-secondary training at trade schools or community colleges?
Absolutely! The Iowa model for post-secondary enrollment is a good model for such a transition. However, we must reach a point where all high school graduates are afforded the opportunity to pursue two additional years of training or schooling at public trade schools, community colleges, public colleges or universities as duel credit during high school, or as a part of their post-high school education.

What changes should Congress make when it reauthorizes the No Child Left Behind Act, if any?
The No Child Left Behind Act needs to be rescinded. This act was unveiled in an unfunded and corrosive manner which undermined the credibility of the law with educators and parents. This law bases student and school assessment on standardized measures rooted in the industrial model which are not compatible with the concept of a 21st Century education. The federal government needs to reach out to states as a collaborative partner with available funding and services valued by educators and the states as they strive to fulfill their responsibility of providing ALL children with a World Class education.

HEALTH CARE
Do you think passage of the new federal health care bill was a good or bad idea?
The federal health care bill was a good idea, however, the process that unfolded during debate and passage reflected the worst in partisanship. This bill was a good step in the right direction. The following are much needed changes which have the most immediate impact on people:
• Eliminating denial of coverage based on pre-existing conditions,
• Protecting against denial of coverage based on the expense of an illness,
• Baring a lifetime cap on coverage,
• Requiring insurance companies to keep children on their parent’s policy until age 26.
These all represent positive developments in health care reform.

What do you think are the one or two best ideas included in the new federal health care law?
There are several good ideas in the new federal health care law. I feel the elimination of pre-existing conditions as a reason to be denied insurance is long overdue. I feel the elimination of an insurance company’s ability to drop a person’s insurance coverage because they have become too expensive is long overdue. Insurance companies have been far too powerful for far too long. It is time the government intervene and protect the American people from inappropriate practices that are counter to the best interest of the American public.

What else should the federal government do to rein in the rising cost of health care?
The federal government needs to create a competitive market place by implementing a public option plan. Medicare must be allowed to negotiate drug prices. We must open up the northern border and allow the importation of prescription drugs from Canada. We must make wellness activities a part of insurance coverage. By engaging wellness activities, we focus on the prevention of illness and disease which will drive down health care costs. We need a better system for the maintenance and sharing of medical records for the patient’s benefit. By sharing records we could avoid duplication, improve care and reduce cost.

What else should the federal government do to improve the quality of health care?
We must see the current health care reform as the first step toward the attainment of universal coverage under a single payer plan.

ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY
Do you believe man-made climate change is real and should be addressed?
Man-made climate change is real and must be addressed. Global warming due to the emission of greenhouse gases is evident at the polar caps, the Great Himalayan Glacier Basin, and other large ice masses around the world. The shrinking of the polar caps is causing the oceans to rise and changing the water temperature which impacts climate around the world. The shrinking of the Great Himalayan Glacier Basin which serves as a primary water source for the major tributaries from China to India holds the potential for serious geo-political ramifications. We must reverse global warming!

What specific steps, if any, should the federal government take to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and encourage development of cleaner and/or renewable energy sources?
First, let’s move away from Cap and Trade which is a financial boondoggle for Wall Street and will compromise the achievement of emission reduction. We must implement firm caps that will allow us to reduce green house gas emission by 80% by 2050. We must have a national commitment to the development of renewable and clean energy similar to our commitment to win World War II and put a man on the moon. We must end our dependence on foreign oil by 2050 and make fossil fuels a thing of the past by the end of the 21st Century.

Should the federal government open new areas for oil and gas exploration?
As we move away for our dependence on foreign oil and transition from our dependence on fossil fuels, we will need to increase domestic exploration for oil and gas. However, there should be a firm moratorium on any new offshore drilling with a long range plan to phase out current offshore operations. We also must not open up environmentally sensitive lands for oil and gas exploration. Research suggests there are ample oil and gas reserves available in the continental United States to meet our oil and gas needs during our transition to renewable, clean, and safe energy and fuel.

SOCIAL ISSUES
Do you believe in equal marriage rights for same-sex couples?
Yes! It should not be the business of government to tell people who they can love and with whom they can make their lives. This is a civil rights issue, and the rights of these individuals must be recognized.

Do you favor allowing homosexuals to serve openly in the military?
Yes! This again is a matter of civil rights. Homophobes need to recognize that they are acting on prejudice and bigotry. A person’s sexual preference is nobody else’s business unless that preference infringes upon the rights of another person. Homosexuals can serve their country with the same honor, distinction, and valor as anyone else.

Do you favor any changes in federal abortion laws?
No, I believe the current laws protect a woman’s right to choose.

Do you favor any changes in federal gun laws?
No, I believe the 2nd Amendment to the United States Constitution needs to be protected.

Do you favor continuing to allow the death penalty for some federal crimes?
No, I oppose the death penalty.

FOREIGN RELATIONS
Do you agree with current U.S. policy regarding military involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan?
No, and I am pleased to see we are withdrawing our combat forces from Iraq. We need to do the same thing in Afghanistan. We need to base our foreign relations on a new strategic plan that will restore our leadership around the world.

Is the amount of military or economic aid sent to foreign countries too much, too little, or about right?
This answer is dependent upon the prevailing situation. It is preferable if we could send less military aid to foreign countries, however, this aid might be necessary to establish a balance of power critical to maintaining the peace. Our goal should be to pursue diplomatically those things which would make a reduction in military aid possible. I believe we should maintain a level of economic aid to foreign countries which is necessary to promote self-reliance. Our goal should be to help countries develop an economy and social system which promotes a quality of life for their families and children.

Under what circumstances would you support military action against another country or group?
The sign of a great nation is when military action is only used as a last resort. We must never use military action until we have exhausted all diplomatic options for resolving a dispute. Before engaging military action, we should consult with our allies and seek to bring the world community to our side. Then, when there is no other option available, and we have a strategic plan for action, we must act decisively and without reservation. We must never again base military action on presumptions and misguided ideology.

What one or two countries do you perceive pose the greatest threat against U.S. national security?
Walt Kelly’s quote, “We have met the enemy and he is us” just about sums it up. This is not to say the world is without danger. We live in a world of nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons. Any race that can justify the existence of these types of weapons is always at risk. However, the quote does express the notion that it is our response to other countries and situations that may pose the greatest threat. As the greatest and most powerful nation on earth, we must be about leadership which seeks to create a civil community of nations.

IMMIGRATION
What changes do you favor to current immigration laws?
We must first deal with all of the undocumented workers in the United States by giving them a pathway to legal status in this country. This is not amnesty, but a process to allow them to come out of the shadows and join society. We need to use local, state, and federal officials under the direction of the federal government to tighten border security. Any person or company hiring undocumented workers must face criminal prosecution and punishment. We must open our immigration program to provide a legal avenue for unskilled workers to enter this country for temporary or permanent purposes.

Do you favor creating a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who have committed no crimes other than immigration violations, if they pay a penalty and learn English?
Yes!

In general do you favor increasing levels of legal immigration, decreasing them or leaving them about the same?
I favor increasing the levels of legal immigration. I also feel it is important to open the doors to unskilled as well as skilled workers. Immigration can be a source of economic development. Immigrants not only bring a work force, but consumers and taxpayers. Immigrants can be a source of innovation, cultural development, and social advancement. We must never forget that this, the greatest nation on earth exists because we are a nation of immigrants. We are not a melting pot as much as we are a grand tapestry of diverse beauty.

MISCELLANEOUS
Do you favor any changes to how the federal government approaches protecting civil liberties while also protecting security?
Civil liberties must be protected at all costs. Our liberties are our greatest security, and when we diminish liberty we in turn diminish security. Benjamin Franklin said, “Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.” Thomas Jefferson counseled by saying, “Educate and inform the whole mass of the people. . . They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty.” With the words of Franklin and Jefferson, we find the answer to our dilemma.

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2010-10-24T20:38:00.000-05:00

9/11 Message: Remember and Honor

2010-09-11T08:24:00.001-05:00

Nine years ago, an infamous event took place which shook the foundation of our nation and put to test the very character of who we are as a people. Still today, we struggle in our effort to reconcile this event with our vision for the future. It is a struggle that brings out the best and at times the worst in us.

We are a diverse culture of people representing every aspect of the human experience. We are a people united by a common belief in the ideals of liberty, justice, equality, and opportunity. We are a nation tempered by the fire of intolerance and steeled by the understanding that an injustice against one is in fact an injustice against all.

And so, on September 11, 2001, the injustice inflicted on this nation by acts of hatred caused a reaction which has led us on a journey of national rediscovery. Who are we as a people and society? What are our hopes and dreams for the future?

We must remember and honor all those who perished on 9/11. We thought healing could be attained by seeking retribution in Iraq and Afghanistan. We thought healing could be attained by turning the ashes of the Twin Towers into a national memorial. We thought healing would come with time.

Yet, there are those among us who do not want to be healed, and they do not want the rest of us to be healed either. They, like the perpetrators of 9-11, are consumed with hate. And hate, begets hate.

We are better than this as a people and a society. Yes, perpetrators must be held responsible for the consequences of their actions. But we do not condemn a people or a religion for the actions of a few, lest we too want to be condemned. We must lead as always by showing the world that the United States is strong through its compassion and commitment to peace.

We face many and serious issues today. We must have a vision of leadership for the future that pursues economic and social justice here at home while reaching out to create a community of nations around the world. We must be about preparing a better world for our children and grandchildren. This is the legacy we must seek.

We must never forget 9/11. We must remember the lessons learned about the fruits of hatred. We must then honor those who perished on that sad and tragic day by moving on with the unfinished work of building a great nation and a peaceful world.

~ Bill

Labor Day Message

2010-09-05T18:31:00.001-05:00

As we turn to Labor Day on Monday, September 6, we must take time to consider the American worker and the manner in which labor has created this magnificent nation we all enjoy. It is through labor that the United States achieved the highest standard of living in the world. It was the labor movement that took the lead in advancing the cause of economic and social justice. It is labor that serves as the backbone of our country.

Abraham Lincoln said of labor, “Labor is prior to, and independent of, capital. Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first existed. Labor is the superior of capital, and deserves much the higher consideration.” Yet, despite Lincoln’s wisdom, we have allowed a society to emerge where capital controls labor.

Labor Day should be a time to reflect on the importance of action. For over thirty years, the tide has run against the forces of labor. Deregulation and the weakening of labor laws have reduced labor unions to little more than a shadow of their once towering figure. While the power brokers of capital have seen their stature increase many fold, labor has gained little and in many cases lost everything.

The great labor struggles of the past are merely a reflection of the things to come. The great divide between the haves and the have not’s will be bridged when working men and women once again rise up and demand an equal seat at the table of this nations bounty. It is not about wanting more, but about wanting and deserving a fair share.

Working men and women have a right to organize as a means of protecting their vital interests through fair wages, benefits, and working conditions. Working men and women have a right to demand that trade agreements protect the best interest of all workers, consumers, and society. Working men and women have the right to strike as a means of redressing their grievances.

For far too long the scales of economic and social justice have been tilted in favor of the wealthy and privileged class in our society. It is time for these scales to be recalibrated to provide economic and social justice for all. It is time that we in this country demand that a rising tide lift all boats.

On September 6, let us all remember that Labor Day is not about a day off from labor, it is about a day to celebrate the magnificence of labor. It is a day to honor all of those hard working men and women who have and continue to work in the foundries, factories, and fields to make this nation great. It is a day to rededicate ourselves to the task of giving labor “the higher consideration” it so justly deserves.

~ Bill

Independence Day Message: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness

2010-07-01T21:34:00.003-05:00

On this 234th birthday of our great nation, it is only fitting to take time and ponder the real significance of the sacred charter known as the Declaration of Independence. This document crafted during the times that tried men’s souls is the very foundation upon which our free and democratic society is built. It is a living and breathing document every bit as significant today as it was over two-hundred years ago.

Crafted from ideas which sprung forth during the Age of Enlightenment, the Declaration of Independence not only gave birth to a new nation, but to the cause of justice for all. This sacred document bears the signatures of fifty-seven men representing the unanimous agreement of the thirteen colonies as they pledged to each other their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. This document, and more importantly the high principles for which it stands, has been consecrated over the past 234 years by the toil, sacrifice, and blood of millions of devoted patriots.

As Americans, it is our duty and obligation to seek out the meaning of this document as it applies to contemporary times. It is nothing less than our sacred trust to maintain a vision for the future firmly rooted in the realization of this sacred charter for all members of our society.

There can be no better time for such serious reflection than amidst the grand celebrations which surround Independence Day. Upon the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, John Adams predicted that this would be an event celebrated by grand parades and festivities for as long as the Republic endured. But more importantly, this document would be the living, breathing force behind this incredible nation.

During the 19th Century, Fourth of July Celebrations were complete with fireworks, bands playing, orations, and the reading of the Declaration of Independence. While the nature of our celebrations have changed over the years, the purpose and meaning of the celebrations are ageless.

While the Declaration of Independence is saturated with phrases of deep meaning, none are as profound and compelling as “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." Herein is the essence and soul of this great nation. And, while this document refers to men, there can be no doubt that our enlightened founders intended this reference to be all inclusive.

As the foundation of our great society, it is our role and responsibility as citizens of this great nation to pursue the high ideals reflected in the Declaration of Independence. What does an unalienable right of life mean? Does it simply mean you have a right to live? Are there preconditions to this right? Is the unalienable right of life for the poor different than the unalienable right of life for the rich? What is the implied role of government in securing this unalienable right?

What about the unalienable right of liberty? Just what is the definition of liberty? Should liberty be the same for all people, or is it something that is different depending on religion, race, ethnicity, gender, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, and other factors? What should be the role of government in securing this unalienable right?

The most interesting of unalienable rights is the pursuit of happiness. The key word in this statement is pursuit. If a person is without the wherewithal to pursue happiness, is this unalienable right possible? What are the prerequisite conditions for the pursuit of happiness? Or, is it to be suggested that anyone, regardless of their situation and condition, can pursue happiness? If this be the case, why would the founding fathers find it important to put this unalienable right in such an important document as the Declaration of Independence?

Another interesting point about the Declaration of Independence is the lead into the unalienable rights which says, “[T]hat among these are...” These four words suggest that there are other unalienable rights not delineated in the Declaration. It is as if the door was left open to the future. Our founders were incredibly visionary leaders. They knew from their knowledge and experience that society would change. They saw significant change in their own lifetime, so it was not a stretch for them to believe change would be constant. Their intent with the Declaration as is evident throughout the text was to make it a living, breathing, and dynamic document to sustain the growth and survival of this great experiment in democratic government.

During the first half of the nineteenth century, American statesman and Senator Henry Clay said that the Declaration of Independence established the personal, civil, and religious equality of men. Later, Abraham Lincoln said that all his beliefs about what America was and should be arose from his consideration of the Declaration of Independence.

I love the 4th of July because it is a symbol and reminder of our amazing beginning and evolution as a nation. We have come a long way in the attainment of the high ideals of the Declaration of Independence. It is a journey without end. With every new generation, there will emerge new challenges for bringing the Declaration to life. We are so fortunate to live in this nation of unlimited promise.

Have a wonderful and safe 4th of July. Happy Independence Day!

~ Bill

Statement on General McChrystal

2010-06-23T21:23:00.004-05:00

Under the Constitution of the United States, the President is the Commander-in-Chief. General McChrystal's comments and behavior were insubordinate and undignified. If he had problems with the White House, he should have shown the class and courage to take these issues up directly with the President. President Obama's decision to fire General McChrystal is entirely justifiable and necessary. The naming of General David Petraeus to assume the role and responsibility overseeing the war in Afghanistan is a good move. General Petraeus will provide a smooth and consistent transition in leadership.

~ Bill

Memorial Day Message: In Remembrance

2010-05-28T08:47:00.001-05:00

Vividly etched on my mind are the memories of Memorial Day in the small rural Iowa town of Peterson. I recall the flags unfurled at homes and on Main Street. I remember the paper Poppies that decorated everyone’s lapel. I recall with reverence the solemn feeling which prevailed in the days leading up to Memorial Day. As a young person, I knew something very sacred was about to occur.

As children in the Post-World War II era, most of our fathers and some mothers had been to war. Those who had not experienced the war themselves had experienced it on the home front in a very real way. They all knew or were closely related to someone who did not return from that war. Thus, Memorial Day was a significant community event of remembrance.

In Peterson, Memorial Day always began with a formal service at the Legion Hall on the south side of Highway 10, a block east of Main Street. In those days, the Legion Hall seemed like a rather big building. On Memorial Day morning, it was filled with people paying their respects to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country. Everyone was dressed in their finest, because that was one way you showed your respect back then. When the time arrived for the program to begin, the colors were advanced by the honor guard. Everyone stood in silence and either saluted (if you had served) or placed their hand over their heart. It was the respectful thing to do. The advancement of the colors would be followed by the National Anthem which was followed by the invocation. In those days, the honor of reading “In Flanders Field” belonged to the senior student who had won the Bar Association Award. It was a treasured honor, and I imagine every student who ever read that poem remembers doing so quite clearly. Following the reading of the poem, a special speaker would deliver the Memorial Day address. I always thought those were magical words about bravery, valor, sacrifice, and service to country. It seemed as if at that moment, those who had died in the service of our country marched together as a legion of exalted patriots. Sometime during the service the high school band played a patriotic song, and those in attendance always sang “America the Beautiful” with a fever of conviction to the great promise of this wonderful land. Following the benediction, the colors were retired in the same silent and solemn manner in which they had been advanced.

As everyone exited the Legion Hall, they moved quietly to their vehicles for the trip to the hilltop cemetery just north of Peterson. The cemetery is positioned among the naturally wooded hilltop. At any season of the year, this cemetery is a beautiful and peaceful place. However, on Memorial Day, it was decked out in all of its finest patriotic glory. All of the graves of fallen patriots were decorated with small flags, white crosses, and flowers. Rising above the graves was the avenue of the flags, which engulfed the entire cemetery in red, white, and blue under the natural canopy of large Maple trees. It was a sight to behold, and you knew, without a doubt, you were entering sacred ground. As people arrived, they parked on the cemetery roadways and walked carefully through the grave yard to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the very center of the ground. At the tomb, under the fluttering stars and stripes, an abbreviated ceremony similar to that at the Legion Hall took place. This was truly one of the most moving experiences of my youth. Standing there amongst the graves and amidst the generation that came of age during the great World War humbled my heart and inspired my mind to dream of things that never were. My eyes transfixed on the honor guard reflected their patriotic pride. As I glanced about the graves and the flags, I came to the realization that the greatness of this country is found in individuals willing to make sacrifices for the greater good. On this day, it was about those individuals willing to make the ultimate sacrifice.

The ceremony came to a climatic conclusion when the Honor Guard’s salute rang through the hills and valleys which rolled away to the south of the cemetery. Then came taps, that haunting melody that reaches out to the dead and the living in a powerful call for peace and serenity. From this hilltop cemetery, the taps echoed across the valley and then returned in a softer and even more haunting refrain.

Following the ceremony at the cemetery, there came the annual tossing of the wreath into the Little Sioux River from the south and west bridges. At each bridge, prayers would be offered, a song would be sung, the Honor Guard would fire their salute, and taps would be played once more. When this was finally done, people returned to the Legion Hall where Memorial Day lunch was served.

We have so much to be thankful for in this country. Our greatness is found in the people that fill our towns, farms, and cities. This country sprang forth from the desire for individual freedom and the ability to pursue our dreams as a free people. Our Democracy has come at a mighty price of the bloodshed by so many brave patriots so this country would have the opportunity to reach the fullness of our ideals as found in the Declaration of Independence and Constitution of the United States.

Memorial Day, which was previously called Decoration Day, sprang forth from the Civil War. Its original intent was to honor the dead of both the North and the South as a way of binding the wounds of that awful conflict. Over the years there have been too many wars and too many dead. Memorial Day is a national day for paying respect to those dead who gave the last full measure of their lives so that the rest of us would have the opportunity to live ours. It is only proper and fitting that each of us should take time to respect and honor those ultimate sacrifices. God love them and embrace them in the tender arms of mercy forever.

As for the rest of us, the greatest honor and respect we can give to those who have died is to ensure that their death has not been in vain. They died to ensure that this country of, for, and by the people should not perish. As Americans, we need to reflect on the meaning of this. Our country is not about something tangible, it is about ideals - the highest and loftiest of ideals. It is about each one of us having the right and opportunity to realize the fullness of our own lives. It is about opening doors of opportunity to all members of our society. It is about all those noble words written and spoken that elevate the human experience for all people. To hold high these ideals and strive to ensure the blessing of liberty for ourselves, each other, and posterity is the greatest tribute we can pay to those who died valiantly defending this very blessing.

~ Bill

Statement on Don Dye's receipt of Regis and Kelly's Top Teacher Award

2010-05-24T18:29:00.000-05:00

CONGRATULATIONS TO DON DYE for this absolutely most-deserving award! During my four years at Belmond-Klemme, I truly enjoyed working with Don. It was easy to tell he was an incredible teacher simply by listening to his students! Also Congratulations to Belmond-Klemme for providing an educational climate and environment in which an outstanding teacher like Don could truly practice his craft and be an inspiration to so many students.

~ Bill

Statement on the Death of Joshua Davis

2010-05-16T11:17:00.000-05:00

It is with great sadness that I recognize that Lance Corporal Joshua Davis died in the service of his country. Joshua, a 2009 graduate of Perry High School represented the great promise of the United States. His desire to serve his country stands as a shining example for all of us to carry on in our pursuit of the American Dream. I offer my most humble and sincere sympathy to Joshua’s parents and family.

As for those such as the Westboro Baptist Church, I say, “Shame on you.” It is one thing to act in accordance with your conscience, and it is another thing to behave in such a callous and thoughtless manner. Your Christian values alone should tell you how wrong it is to protest in the face of another person’s grief.

The United States of America is a great country. We are great country because of young men and women such as Lance Corporal Joshua Davis. Let us all remember that Joshua died for the high values and purposes of this country as found in our sacred documents the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America. Let us commit our lives to these high ideals and principles for which Joshua gave his life.

__________________________________________________________________

There was no shortage of American Pride inside the H.S. gymnasium of Perry High School on Saturday, May 15, 2010. There were also no shortage of tears. Lance Corporal Joshua Michael Davis was killed in combat on May 7, 2010, in Afghanistan. Stories were told of a young man who was a hard worker, big dreamer, and - most of all - a patriot.

There was a story about when he was 16 and working, he was such a hard worker that the bosses wanted to give him a raise. This presented a problem since there were guys there who had seniority over him and they were not getting raises. So in order to give Josh a raise, everybody got a raise.

This hero was shot multiple times while doing what he was trained to do, doing what he was compelled to do, doing what he loved to do. Joshua was a machine gunner who was charged with engaging the enemy when they made themselves known. Without thought of his own safety he was laying cover for his brothers so they could get into position. He gave his life for those other men, for his family, and for his country.

Just before his funeral, there was a small protest across the street. This protest was made up of 4 adults and 2 children. The protesters held up signs that read, “God hates the USA," "God Hates Fags," "God Laughs at your dead soldiers," and “Thank God for Dead Soldiers.” On the other side of the street was a counter protest that was made up of about 30 people of all ages who met the opposition's chants and songs with chants and songs of their own. While the Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) group tried to antagonize everyone else with their hateful message and their desecration of the Flag of the United States, people drove past to enter the funeral. While the WBC succeeded in antagonizing a few people into shouting vulgarities their way, most people kept to their songs that they learned in Sunday School. The Perry Police, Iowa State Patrol, and the Dallas County Sherriff were also on hand to monitor the groups and to keep the peace. You see, WBC are well within their rights to protest these military funerals, they are well within their rights to make these sickening statements, and yes, they are within their rights to stand on, dance on, and even blow their nose on the American Flag. The police made it clear that they were not within their rights to incite violence or impede on others' rights. The WBC are well-versed in what they are doing; they are well-practiced in protesting funerals. This is a hate group, much like the KKK or the Aryan Nation, that misrepresents religion. While it isn’t funny what they do, it is refreshing to see the group that is five times larger standing up for the fallen soldier across the street, and it is a true testament to the pride and the appreciation that we have for our soldiers when there is a group that is 50 times larger inside the gymnasium paying their respect to the young man who was defending his country and defending those six people who have so much hate in their hearts across the street.

It was said that in a conversation with his family after he joined the Marines, the WBC came up. Joshua stated that he was going to fight for their rights as free people to protest and say those hateful things.

The WBC didn’t affect the hero’s sendoff that Joshua received on May 15, 2010, they actually intensified it.

Freedom of speech is a protection for the speech we don’t like.

~ Bill

Immigration, Off-shore Drilling, and the President's Address at Michigan

2010-05-04T22:03:00.000-05:00

IMMIGRATION:

Before passing judgment on State of Arizona Senate Bill 1070, I took time to read the bill in its entirety. While reading this bill, I found a number of items of concern, but I am going to address three things that are at the heart of this issue.

Article 8. Enforcement of Immigration Laws is an addition to Sec. 2. Title 11. Chapter 7. The two items of greatest concern in this addition is B, which deals with “Reasonable Suspicion” as a justification for determining if a person is an alien who is unlawfully present in the United States; and E, which involves the use of “Probable Cause” as a justification for arresting a person if it is believed the person has committed any public offense that makes the person removable from the United States.

My third item of greatest concern is found under Sec. 4 Smuggling: classification: definitions. Item E reads, “Notwithstanding any other law, a peace officer may lawfully stop any person who is operating a motor vehicle if the officer has reasonable suspicion to believe the person is in violation of any civil traffic law and this section.”

The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”

A huge problem with the Arizona State Senate Bill 1070 arises from the provisions regarding “Reasonable Suspicion” and “Probable Cause.” Reasonable suspicion is a very loose concept with a great deal of room for interpretation. Reasonable suspicion must be more than a hunch, but does not require a preponderance of evidence. Under SB 1070, reasonable suspicion could be based on a person’s ethnicity. Probable cause requires a higher degree of justification, but under SB 1070, it is the sinister partner of reasonable suspicion.

As currently written, this bill is fertile ground for abuse by law enforcement officers armed with the tools of reasonable suspicion and probable cause. Under this bill, reasonable suspicion can be based on a person’s ethnicity. Since the primary concern regarding illegal immigrants involves individuals of Hispanic heritage, the law represents a blatant legalization of profiling. Once a person has been stopped based on the grounds of reasonable suspicion, the next step is to determine if there is any probably cause for further action.

While a rational person would question the legitimacy of this law based on the 4th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, there are a number of court cases which would suggest SB 1070 will result in unconstitutional behavior on the part of Arizona Law Enforcement. The one case I will cite is Ornelas v United States. In an 8-1 decision, the court established that the principal components of a determination of reasonable suspicion or probable cause will be the events which occurred leading up to the stop or search, and then the decision whether these historical facts, viewed from the standpoint of an objectively reasonable police officer, amount to reasonable suspicion or probable cause.

The fact-of-the-matter is SB 1070 represents very bad legislation. It arouses a great deal of concern within a specific population of our society, and Americans as a whole. There is every reason to believe it will be the basis for wholesale profiling.

One of the reasons given for this legislation is the lack of resolve on the part of the federal government to act on the issue of illegal immigration. We cannot wait any longer. The United States House of Representatives and Senate need to pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform which protects our borders and includes a pathway to legalization. Of all the options for dealing with the issue of immigration, Comprehensive Immigration Reform makes the most sense for strengthening our economy and adhering to our proud history of immigration.

ENVIRONMENT AND OIL:

When are we going to realize that there are certain human activities that just do not go well with nature? Off-shore drilling for oil and associated functions is one of those activities. The catastrophic events associated with the current oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is a grim reminder of what is actually taking place on a much smaller scale a whole lot more frequently than we might like to think.

What we are experiencing with this current accident is an intense and prolonged hydrocarbon gushing. This accident will take a long time to resolve because the pressure in the drilling zone is so intense that it can only be resolved by the drilling of what is called a lean hole to stop the blowout. While this type of accident is unusual, the other type of accident which goes mostly unnoticed by the public involves routine episodes of hydrocarbon spills and blowouts which can be resolved in hours or days. However, despite the lack of public attention these lesser episodes attract, their ecological hazard and environmental risk can be considerable on the marine environment.

The current oil spill in the Gulf is huge and growing. It is anticipated that this situation will result in as much as 200,000 gallons of hyrdrocarbon gushing into the Gulf each and every day for some time to come. This oil spill not only threatens the marine environment, but as it comes ashore, it threatens wildlife, the fishing industry, and the tourist industry for the entire Gulf Coast region.

BP and Transocean must be held accountable for this accident. The United States Attorney General should file an injunction against BP and Transocean prohibiting them from activities in which they may seek to extort small fisheries and sole proprietors to sign a release. The Attorney General acting on behalf of the entire region should mount a full scale investigation which seeks to determine fair restitution for all those impacted by this awful ecological tragedy.

While it would be difficult to undo all of the off-shore drilling that is currently in place, the President and Congress should act to ensure no new off-shore drilling. Furthermore, steps must be taken to hold current drilling operations to a much higher standard of construction and safety. Our sympathy must go to the families of those who lost their lives during this terrible accident.

What needs to occur in this country is a massive commitment to and investment in biotechnology and renewable fuels. We are on the cusp of a biotechnology revolution which will allow us to go a long way down the road towards renewable and clean fuels. We need to see a serious and long term commitment to research and development centers such as the Bioeconomy Institute at Iowa State University. We need to invest in emerging technologies now and be prepared to evolve with the science in achieving an energy policy in this country that is compatible with our environment.

PRESIDENT OBAMA'S UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN COMMENCEMENT SPEECH:

I had the privilege to watch the President’s Commencement speech at the University of Michigan on Saturday, May 1. I was quickly reminded why I feel so strongly about President Obama. His words are words that inspire and cause others to aspire to greatness. His words set a tone of leadership that calls out to others to join in a journey to a better day.

During his address, the President reached back into our history to help build an understanding that politics is not for the faint of heart. In fact, politics requires courage, determination, and a firm resolve to overcome those who would oppose change. In 2008, the people of this country said loud and clear that they wanted change. Change must occur because society changes, times change, generations change, and our nation must change as well. It has been happening for over 200 years, and it must continue if we are going to remain a great Democracy.

President Obama reminded us that past Presidents such as Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, and Lyndon Johnson believed that the role of government was to act on behalf of the people. In fact, Lincoln said, “The role of government is to do for the people what they cannot do better for themselves.” The President went on to identify many of the ways government functions to provide all people with a better life.

President Obama spoke to the importance of public and civil discourse. He talked about the abundance of information that is available to all citizens, and how it is our responsibility to seek out information that is accurate. He said, “That is why we need an educated citizenry.” In fact, Thomas Jefferson called an “educated citizenry” the greatest defense of Democracy.

If you want the real impact of this great speech, the text is easy to find on the Internet as is plenty of commentary. What I recommend is you read the speech for yourself and then make up your own mind. As for me, I am with the President, and I believe we can and must do better!

~ Bill

Even Now, Latham Continues to Howl Into the Wind

2010-03-28T19:28:00.000-05:00

Tom Latham’s comments in the Des Moines Register on the passage of the Health Care Bill makes Iowans sound petty and self-serving. At what point does Tom Latham realize that Iowans are intelligent and compassionate people who understand the issues? The Health Care Bill will lead to lower health care costs, and it expands access to health care while protecting consumers from the abuses of the insurance industry.

Tom Latham’s attempt to distort the truth and play on people’s emotions won’t work with Iowans. He needs to get a grip, he was and is wrong. Latham is going to have to explain to his insurance industry friends that despite all their money, he was just not able to stop what is in the people's best interest. The people triumphed on this one!

As for Latham’s continued Washington bashing, he needs to stop the crap. He is a career Washington politician, so he needs to understand that when he points his finger at Washington, three are pointing back at him. Besides, Iowans need and deserve a representative who can think and speak for himself, not a John Boehner want-to-be.

As for the Health Care Bill, thank you to our fine Iowa Delegation who stood strong on behalf of the people of Iowa and the nation. To Leonard Boswell, Bruce Braley, Dave Loebsack, and Tom Harkin, I offer my heartfelt gratitude for a job well done!

~ Bill

Latham's New Agenda

2010-03-21T11:33:00.000-05:00

The other morning, I received an e-mail for immediate release from Tom Latham’s Office. As I read through this narrative entitled “Latham Restores the Concept of - We the People - to Form New Agenda For America’s Future,” I wondered what he has been doing all these years. This guy has been in Washington for the past 16 years, and he is now pretending to have discovered the concept of “We the People?”

From the beginning of the narrative, Tom Latham suggests he wants Iowans to share their ideas with him to form a new national agenda. What a novel idea, soliciting ideas from constituents! But to think that Tom Latham, the utmost follower of the far right, is interested in listening to anything his constituents have to say is a far stretch. He will listen - but only if you agree with him. The idea of a “new national agenda” is a buzz phrase for actually saying the agenda of the far conservative right. The new agenda is actually the same old agenda of George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, Karl Rove, John Boehner, Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Sarah Palin, and Steve King. If you doubt this, just check Latham’s voting record, it speaks for itself.

Tom Latham states, “It’s become obvious that Washington isn’t listening to the citizens of our country during one of the most difficult economic periods in memory.” Evidently Latham’s memory fails him, and he has forgotten that he is an embedded Washington politician. He has been in Washington longer than just about two-thirds of the members of the House of Representatives, and just exactly what does he have to show for all these years of service? Sixteen years of ignoring the best interest of hard working men, women, and their families, and now he wants to listen. After being part of the government (don’t forget the eight years he supported Bush) that created this economic mess, he wants you to help him clean it up.

Tom Latham calls this initiative to listen to his constituents a unique effort. Well, it probably is unique for him, but it is far from unique for true public servants who desire to serve the people. I find Tom Latham’s populist act disingenuous and insulting to Iowan’s intelligence. If Tom Latham truly wanted to listen to and serve the best interests of hard working men, women, and their families, his votes on critical issues such as jobs, education, energy, the environment, health care, equal pay, and other issues involving social and economic justice would have been different. Again, just check the record to see the truth about Tom Latham. Actions are far more important than words.

The key to this entire ruse being put forth by Tom Latham is found in the last sentence of the third paragraph of this press release, which says, “Congressman Latham intends to compile the ideas into a cohesive agenda that includes common-sense solutions for the country’s most pressing challenges that will not increase the size or cost of government.” This sentence is loaded with weasel words and phrases which will allow him to continue to do what he has always done, which is support the far right agenda and his special interest cronies. The “cohesive agenda” is the agenda of the far right. “Common-sense solutions” will be those that support Latham’s beliefs, not yours. The most pressing challenges are his to determine. The final disclaimer rests in pure Latham logic used for opposing everything, which is also found in his statement from the Des Moines Register of January 31, “He will not support anything that will increase the size or cost of government.” This is hypocrisy and lying at its best. Tom Latham was part of the largest increase in the size and cost of government in our history during the eight years he helped rubber-stamp the growth of government under George W. Bush. The suggestion that he is now the champion of frugality and small government is more manure than gets spread on all of Iowa’s crop land.

In the final paragraph of this press release, Tom Latham says, “If we act together, we can make a difference and start moving our country forward again.” What Tom Latham fails to understand is that in 2008, the mandate was for this country to move forward away from the awful leadership of the previous eight years. What he is suggesting has nothing to do with moving forward, but in actuality moving backward. I ask you, who wants to return to the eight years between 2001 and 2009?

The press release announces that a letter will be coming to outline this special project. Are you really impressed with a legislator who has taken 16 years to come up with this so-called novel idea? Do you really believe Tom Latham is looking to use your ideas, or is he looking to gather those ideas which agree with his already predetermined agenda? Why doesn’t Tom Latham have the courage to tell you what he really believes? Why is there such a difference between the things he says and the votes he casts?

There exists a great deal of concern over the state of politics in Washington. There is too much manipulation, conniving, and lying all for personal and party purposes. If you believe this, you cannot exonerate Tom Latham. A comparison of the things he says and the votes he cast will convince you that he is part of the problem. The process Tom Latham is proposing is just another smoke screen to keep the people at bay. The people of the 4th Congressional District deserve far better.

It is time the 4th Congressional District have a representative to the Congress of the United States who possesses the courage and integrity needed to be honest with the people. The people have a right to know just exactly what their representative believes, and they have a right to know that there is consistency between their representative’s words and actions. This consistency requires moral and political courage. It requires a representative who truly sees public service as a higher calling. I offer the people of the 4th Congressional District my service.

Don’t let your current representative take you for granted. Support my candidacy and work for real change in Washington. Together, we can and will do better!

~ Bill

Almost Laughable, but Shameless

2010-02-25T19:43:00.000-06:00

How can you tell the 2010 election is drawing near? How do you know that Tom Latham realizes he has a Democratic challenger with the courage and determination to fight in defense of hard working men, women, and their families? You know this because he is rapidly pretending to move to the middle. This political chameleon is changing color every day as he performs his election year ritual in the attempt to convince the people of the 4th Congressional District that he is something other than the far-right-conservative, narrow-minded, special-interest-catering, career politician who fails to represent the real interests of his constituents.

If it were not so shameless, it would be almost humorous. Tom Latham adheres to the philosophy that the voters don’t really pay much attention to what is going on, so when it comes time for the election, he can sell just about any bill of goods. In the old days, it was called “snake oil!”

In the last three weeks, Tom Latham has said, “I welcome the calls for bipartisan cooperation coming from the administration.” Seriously, what does this really mean coming from a congressman whose voting record is nearly 100% opposite from the current administration? Just watch, Latham will have some excuse for defaulting on this statement.

Tom Latham goes on to say, “What we need to do is pursue a positive agenda of jobs.” It takes a great deal of chutzpa to make this statement when you voted against the stimulus package that saved thousands of jobs in the state of Iowa.

Another interesting thing about Latham’s vote against the stimulus package involves the various projects in that package which are beneficial to the 4th Congressional District. In his usual underhanded manner, Latham will step forward to claim credit for projects that he voted against. We all know people like this - those who won’t do the hard work, but always show up for the picture.
Tom Latham’s recent proclamation about health care is blatant deception and classic double speak. Read the record up to this point, Tom Latham has been and clearly remains against a plan to bring quality health care to all Americans. But now, he thinks it is not too late. He even has a plan. Of course, his plan focuses more on the health care provider than the recipient of health care. He wants a bipartisan approach, but his plan involves a host of weasel words and phrases that make it possible for him to claim credit for success, or be exonerated from failure.

So now it all begins. The election season is upon us and the time is rapidly approaching when the voters of the 4th Congressional District must hold the incumbent accountable and the challenger to account. Tom Latham knows the voters are frustrated and angry with incumbents and especially career politicians. He knows that after all these years in Congress, he is as responsible as anyone for a broken government. However, he is counting on the voters of the 4th Congressional District to not check his voting record, which is the real test of any elected official. He is hoping all that matters are sound bites and election time rhetoric. The process is already underway as he quietly pretends to slide to the middle and claim innocence, trying to pull the wool over our eyes.

As we enter this election season, I encourage people to seek out the truth. Do a web search of Tom Latham’s voting record and look for sites that offer factual and objective information. I believe wholeheartedly in the ability of the people to make good decisions when given the facts. Let the facts speak for themselves and then answer the question, “Who is the real Tom Latham?”

~Bill

These Are the Times That Try Men's Souls

2010-02-24T21:11:00.000-06:00

Thomas Paine, one of the most illustrious and celebrated of Revolutionary War philosophers is well known for his works "Common Sense", but he is perhaps less well known for his wartime pamphlet, "The Crisis". History records this pamphlet as perhaps the glue which held the Revolutionary Army together during the early and darkest part of the war. I find Paine’s words transcending the years as a bold call to duty and action. "These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; ‘Tis dearness only that gives everything its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as Freedom should not be highly rated."

The other morning, I shuddered at General Petraeus’ revelation that our troops in Afghanistan faced a protracted and escalating war in which increased American lives will be lost. The General said the loss of lives in this new offensive against the Taliban could be comparable to those seen after the 2007 surge in Iraq. During the Iraq surge which lasted nineteen months, the United States lost 1,125 lives at a rate of 59 deaths per month. The scenario painted by General Petraeus is grim.

I have seriously mixed emotions about Afghanistan, but these are our sons and daughters fighting a war so far from home. These are our modern day patriots, and they face this awful endeavor with courage and devotion to country. While they are there fighting on behalf of freedom for the Afghan people, we must offer them our full support.

One way we can offer our full support is to insist that the government which has sent them into harm’s way is providing them with the very best equipment and supplies needed to achieve success. These young soldiers represent the promise of their generation, and their generation represents the future of this great country. Until our country has altered its course in Afghanistan, there can be no room for the summer soldier or the sunshine patriot. We must stand with firm resolve behind those who endure this arduous conflict.

The essence of Freedom is found in the openness of the debate. Even during the American Revolution, the Civil War, World War II, or any other conflict, debate brought focus to the righteousness of the action. Without the debate, Freedom does not exist, and therein lies the dilemma. We must support our troops with unwavering resolve, and yet, we must consider our actions at all times. If our rationale for being in Afghanistan is acceptable, then we must consider the question, "Where do our soldiers go next?"

The important thing is "he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman." This phrase speaks to the debt a nation owes all its veterans. Our history as a nation does not speak well to the manner in which we have honored, loved, and thanked our veterans. As a nation, we must make sure that our veterans who have given unselfishly to their country find opportunities for education, housing, employment, and health care awaiting them upon their return home.

Why we must have war is an ageless question. Winston Churchill said of war, "Never, never, never believe any war will be smooth and easy, or that anyone who embarks on the strange voyage can measure the tides and hurricanes he will encounter. The statesman who yields to war fever must realize that once the signal is given, he is no longer the master of policy but the slave of unforeseeable and uncontrollable events." Let’s pray the head of U.S. Central Command in Afghanistan knows what he is doing, for "these are the times that try men’s souls."

~Bill

Tom Latham's Identity Crisis

2010-02-16T18:33:00.000-06:00

The current representative from the Fourth Congressional District seems to be having a bit of an identity crisis. He cannot seem to decide what image he wants to project to the voters in 2010, so he is taking a smorgasbord approach. By projecting the image that he is everything, he can then portray himself as anything. It's an interesting strategy, to say the least.

Here are three examples within the past couple of weeks that illustrate Tom Latham’s identity problem:

In response to the State of the Union address, he said, “I will not support increasing taxes or the size of government.” That is certainly consistent and a standard Latham response to just about every topic. It is the basis for his “NO” votes, and they are many.

In the Sunday, January 31, Des Moines Register, he said in response to the current voter mood, “The anti-incumbent mood is more palpable now than it was in 1994... The intensity is far greater today, with the disgust that there is with how Washington D.C. has been operating for this last year.” Let’s see, is he a long-tenured incumbent who is blaming himself, or is he passing the buck?

Also in the Sunday, January 31, Des Moines Register, Tom Latham offered these thoughts on 2010, “I think now going forward with the change in Massachusetts, there is hope, and it seems like there’s going to be an effort to do things more bipartisan. What we need to do is pursue a positive agenda of jobs, spending and health care reform, and accomplish what people expect.” Whoa, when has Tom Latham ever been bipartisan?

It is this comment on jobs, spending, health care reform, and accomplishing what the people expect that is really puzzling. In this sentence, he obviously wants to be a Democrat. It seems that maybe Tom Latham is considering crossing party lines and shunning his voting history. In that case, we will have a primary. Come on Tom, the sooner the better!

~Bill

State of the Union Response

2010-01-28T20:53:00.000-06:00

During the campaign of 2008, we were looking for a leader. Tonight, in the State of the Union we witnessed a real leader in action. President Obama, standing front and center, called out to Congress and the American people to rise above petty politics and recognize the struggles of so many of our citizens. He did this with courage and without deference to anyone. He did this because it was the right and necessary thing to do. I am proud of our President!

Since entering the race for the United States House of Representatives from the 4th Congressional District, I have been speaking out about so many things contained in the President’s State of the Union. We must change as a nation. We can and we must do better.

We must restore our economy. This is only possible if we reel in the runaway behavior of Wall Street and corporate America. While maintaining the integrity of big corporations and big money, we must implement regulations and oversight on the conduct of these institutions and protect the American consumer from abuse, scams, and loose business practices. These regulations must also impact bonuses that lead to greed and abuse. The American people must reign over these mega-institutions, not the other way around.

Job creation must be a top priority. We must put Americans back to work. This does not happen from a trickle-down economic approach. We have all seen far too well how nothing seems to trickle. This time the job creation must occur through small businesses, small farms, and small local banks. A government works program aimed at the restoration of our infrastructure and national parks/monuments should also be instituted to put people back to work and strengthen our nation. Putting people back to work is the single most powerful way to restore health to the economy.

We must end tax breaks for big business and people who have an income of $250,000. Furthermore, we must end tax breaks for corporations that take jobs overseas. These companies should be forced to pay huge fines and face stiff import fees for enhancing their bottom line at the expense of American workers. We need to create and keep jobs in the United States of America.

The United States must be aggressive in pursuit of a world-class education for each and every one of our students. We should all want for every child the same education that we would want for our own. Education is without a doubt the gateway to a better life. Education is the greatest defense of a democratic and free society. The idea of revitalizing our community colleges resonates with opportunity for all students. The idea of increased funds for students with a maximum of ten percent payback from a student’s income following graduation is a good one. I would take it a step further and say that all students in this country should have a right to two years of free post-secondary education before incurring any debt.

The President’s position on the environment is clear. The facts are the facts, and our national and global environment is at risk. We cannot afford to play fast and loose with our environment. We have gone far too long with doing far too little. We need a national commitment to clean energy. We also need to repeal cap and trade so that the law only involves a cap. The trade aspect of that legislation only creates a game that puts lots of money in the pockets of those financial companies (which includes Goldman-Sachs) brokering the trade. There needs to be a cap, and companies must meet the standard, or pay a fine.

The President’s message extolled the greatness of the United States. Throughout the 20th Century we were the leader of the world. President Obama is not about to see our position in the world fall into second place. He called for us to seek new markets to create new jobs and remain on the cutting edge of progress. He called for a doubling of exports over the next five years and the creation of two million new jobs. I would call for a whole new approach to trade agreements in which the position of the American worker is paramount in the consideration of all trade deals.

I was proud of the President for standing his ground on Health Care. This required real moral and political courage. The President understands that forty-five million people in this country are without health care. He understands that people live in fear of their medical bills resulting in financial ruin. He understands that insurance companies engage in unethical and abusive practices at the detriment of their clients. He also knows that the Insurance Company Lobby has spent billions of dollars to spread falsehoods and discredit any attempt at Health Care Reform. I appreciate his stance on this issue. However, this issue will not be resolved until there is comprehensive and universal health care for all Americans as a human right.

When addressing the federal deficit, the President noted that this remains a growing problem. However, by creating jobs and eliminating unnecessary tax breaks for big corporations and the rich, we can begin to bring down the deficit. The President also promised a freeze on discretionary spending which makes up a large part of the federal budget.

President Obama appealed to the best nature of those in Congress to restore the trust of the American people in their government. He said that the American people deserve a good government, a responsive government. He called for limits on lobbyists to the point of full disclosure of their activity within the executive and legislative branches of government. He called for Campaign Finance Reform to overturn the absolutely horrible ruling by the Supreme Court which unleashes the forces of powerful corporations – including those that are foreign-based – on federal campaigns. He called for earmark reform which would require that all earmarks (pork) within legislation be posted online before the legislation was considered by either house of Congress. The American people deserve better.

The self-serving political games being played in Congress must stop. Saying “no” is not leadership. The people of this country are cynical about the government. The people of this nation are losing faith because politicians are playing it safe, avoiding the truth, and pointing fingers. I was riveted throughout the President’s State of the Union. His moral and political courage reached out and said “We can and must do better!”

~ Bill

Celebrating the Life and Meaning of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

2010-01-17T22:19:00.000-06:00

For those of us who reached adulthood during the 1960s, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. remains a vivid and inspiring memory of leadership and change. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke of a dream, and taught us how to have a dream of our own. He represented through his words and actions the highest ideals of the human character. He spoke of equality and justice for all. He acted with conviction and unselfish sacrifice in an effort to make a difference for the disenfranchised in our society.

Martin Luther King, Jr. saw many inequities and injustices in our society. He agonized over the plight of minorities, the poor, and the disadvantaged. His firm voice and willingness to act gave hope and courage to millions of people. He preached love and civil disobedience as the gateway to change. As a result, he led a movement that tore down walls of oppression and opened up doors of opportunity.

Since the days of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we have grown as a nation of liberty and justice. Because of Martin Luther King, Jr., discrimination was dealt a might blow, and the social fabric of our nation changed forever. However, the journey is far from complete.

While honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a national holiday, our greatest tribute is found in our determination to continue the journey toward a nation of liberty and justice for ALL. In 2010, there remain miles to go in this journey. Too many of our fellow citizens do not share in the promise of the American dream. Social and economic injustice are far too common, and too little is being done. We can and we must do better.

If we are going to honor the life and meaning of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we must commit ourselves to the difficult work of pursuing social and economic justice for all. Dr. King spoke eloquently of a dream, it is a dream we should all embrace.

~ Bill

Haiti Earthquake Message

2010-01-14T21:48:00.000-06:00

Our hearts and prayers go out to the people of Haiti following the devastating earthquake. Their situation is dire, and they are in need of help. It is once again time for the unselfish and humanitarian nature of the American people and the United States government to step forward and do what is necessary to help the people of Haiti. May the people of this country find comfort and relief in the helping hand of a caring neighbor.

Let all nations reach out a helping hand to Haiti so we can all share in the human bond of compassion. By acting together to help those in need, we discover within ourselves the common threads of humanity.

~ Bill

Positions and Viewpoints: The Economy

2010-01-13T20:07:00.000-06:00

The most pressing issue facing the United States today is the economic crisis in which we find ourselves embroiled in conjunction with massive deficits pressing in and limiting our economic options. In combating rising unemployment, government spending and tax decreases are usually the applied remedy. In this case, the problem is that such actions would contribute to a massive and ever-increasing public debt that threatens to erode the foundations of prosperity in the United States. What then are we to do about this incredible challenge? The answer, to be put bluntly, is short-term deficit spending on infrastructural goals and public works programs coupled with a long-term commitment to reducing public debt.

Americans are hurting. While we wait for this great recession to fade as a result of an economic turnaround, the impact of this economic crisis impacts common Americans every day. Home foreclosures and crushing personal debt limit the spending power of hard working men and women. Unemployment caused by this recession is inhibiting those affected from consumption, and the mere threat of continued unemployment is hampering the spending decisions of even those that do remain employed. The remedy to this situation was initiated with the passage and implementation of the stimulus bill at the beginning of 2009. However effective a job it has done at rescuing the American economy as a whole, its effects have been less than impressive on improving employment. The latest economic report highlighted unemployment at over 10%, the largest figure in nearly 20 years. True economic recovery and stability can come only when Americans are gainfully employed and secure in their jobs. With this expectation in doubt, it is the role of the government to use its overwhelming ability to inject cash into the economy to further stimulate watershed industries, such as renewable energy, regional planning projects, and smart-grid technology. The government must also invest in brick-and-mortar economic activities, such as repairing roads, bridges, damns, and other decaying infrastructure that has become unreliable over the past half-century of use and lack of repair. Furthermore, the federal government could put Americans to work repairing and improving our treasured national monuments and national parks. These programs will create jobs, while also providing the United States a stable foundation of infrastructure which is so important to our national vitality. By putting people to work, we are investing in people and their families while generating increased tax revenue critical to debt reduction.

The price tag of this venture will be significant. An increase in the public debt erodes confidence in the government of the United States to pay its bills, which in turn devalues the dollar. While a deflationary fiscal policy can help to alleviate this issue, and is something the Federal Reserve is in prime position to do considering the status of interest rates are near-zero, a long-term commitment to debt reduction is both economically and politically astute. Once the economy is properly stimulated and stable growth begins to occur, the government must show fiscal restraint with the newfound revenues from this economic growth. It cannot be treated as found money and used to fund new entitlements or pet projects. Such a disciplined maneuver would address public concerns about the debt, which are substantial, and begin to reduce the foreign debt of the country, which is a real source of economic concern. Its political results would be worthwhile; it would begin to restore the Democratic Party to recognition as the party of fiscal discipline — a well-earned recognition during the heavy-spending Bush years, it would appeal to the pragmatism of the American people, and it would set the United States on a path toward monetary solvency all while continuing to contribute to a robust and functional economy.

It is imperative that the government spend what it must now to alleviate the suffering of the American people, and then tighten our collective belt during boom years to help pay down the debt and reduce the possibility of future economic bubbles rising to destabilize the economy. This path is sensible, it is pragmatic, it is suitably clear to the average American, and it appeals to the best within ourselves and our nation.

As we build a strong economy, we must consider other actions critical to sustaining an economy of prosperity for all Americans. The following are a few things that need to be done:

Our current tax code unfairly places the burden on working men and women while allowing big corporations and wealthy individuals special tax breaks. We could generate a whole new source of revenue for our country by requiring those with the most to pay their fair share by ending tax breaks and closing loop holes.

One of the great principles of our free society involves social and economic mobility. We must put in place a system that levels the playing field for competition and gives small businesses a chance to compete with big business. We must also make it possible for our young people to return to the land if that is their desire. Programs must be put in place that opens doors for small farmers to compete and succeed.

We must stop American Corporations from exporting jobs to other countries. When a plant is shut down, putting hundreds of Americans out of work in order to open the same plant in some other country, that company must face penalties and taxes commensurate with the anticipated savings. We must never allow putting Americans out of work to be a corporate benefit.

As we make hard decisions about the economy, we must keep our eye on the federal deficit. The deficit has topped $12 trillion dollars --- the equivalent of a $40,000 debt for every American citizen. A significant amount of our tax dollar goes to paying interest on this deficit. This incurred deficit will be a burden for many generations to come. It is not enough to generate budget surpluses from year to year, we must engage a plan to pay down the debt and restore fiscal health to our country.

We can have a healthy economy and a robust society. We can implement all of the programs necessary to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity. It is all within our grasp. WE CAN AND WE MUST DO BETTER!

~ Bill

Positions and Viewpoints: Net Neutrality

2010-01-03T20:29:00.000-06:00

To understand net neutrality, it is important to know the history of the Internet. Therefore, I am offering a brief historical review to set the stage for dealing with this important issue.

The entire concept of the Internet evolved out of the government’s need to create a secure communication system for military purposes. This work began as early as 1957, and resulted in the first physical network in 1969. By 1973, Vinton Cerf from Stanford and Bob Kahn from the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) had developed the TCP/IP protocol, which led them to refer to this network as the Internet.

In 1983, the Internet Activities Board (IAB) was created. This same year, the University of Wisconsin created Domain Name System (DNS). By 1985, the National Science Foundation began deploying new T1 lines. With the completion of the T1 backbone in 1988, Internet traffic began to increase to the point that ongoing upgrades were necessary. In 1992, a T3 backbone was completed, the Internet Society was chartered, and the Corporation for Research and Educational Networking released the World-Wide Web (www).

With 1994 came the use of the Internet as a medium for commerce, and in 1995, the National Science Foundation contracted with four companies to serve as providers of access to the backbone. In 1999, wireless technology (Wi-Fi) arrived as a built-in feature for portable computers and handheld devices. In 2005, the Netbooks became popular as portable computing devices. The recent emergence of multi-touch technology adds a whole new dimension to connectivity.

A new technology recommendation called IPv6 is slated to replace the current IPv4 which allows for fewer than 4.3 billion directly connected internet devices. With IPv6, the Internet could sustain as many as 13 billion directly-connected Internet devices. With a world population of over 6.5 billion, the IPv6 should do for a while.

The entire purpose for this walk through time is to illustrate the Internet as public property. This incredible medium of communication resulted from and has been sustained by publically-funded initiatives. The Internet has evolved into an indispensible component of our social, commercial, civic, and national life. Over the past several years, the Internet has been proven to be an instrument of innovation and creativity, and one which has brought the people of our nation and the world together in so many positive ways.

Net neutrality seeks to keep the Internet open. FCC Chairman Genachowski supports net neutrality and is working to maintain an open Internet for economic growth and democratic participation. An open Internet will maximize investment and innovation in an environment of competition where entrepreneurs realize universal benefit. Anything less than net neutrality will result in a power struggle for control of content via regulated access.

The challenge for net neutrality is the same challenge that has been going on since 1969, which is the challenge of providing an ever expanding pipe through which an ever expanding range of communication may occur.

At the moment, there is an unwritten rule regulating the Internet which says “give broadband users whatever service, applications, and devices, as long as they don’t harm the network." However, this unwritten rule needs to be formalized along with two additional rules: 1) No discrimination against services or applications by slowing them down; and 2) Broadband providers must reveal how they manage the network when it is congested. Both of these rules are aimed at curbing broadband control of Internet traffic. These rules are critical to regulating broadband power in the areas of competition and choice.

Once again, this is an issue of good government. From the perspective of the public interest, the Internet must be regulated by the Federal Communication Commission and not the industry. Under net neutrality, the Internet remains open to voice over Internet protocol, video conferencing, gaming, sharing, and all uses as covered by the established rules.

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) claim that net neutrality rules proposed by the FCC violate their First and Fifth Amendment rights. This is a total stretch on the part of the ISPs. In fact, the opposite is actually true. The threat of the ISPs to regulate traffic over the Internet is in essence a form of blocking and controlling speech. As for the Fifth Amendment, the property argument holds no weight in lieu of the developmental history of the Internet. The Internet and regulation thereof should now and always be a matter of public policy.

Net neutrality is pro-speech, pro-innovation, and good foreign policy. As the moral leader of the world, the United States must stand firm in the defense of Internet freedom. The Internet offers a gateway to all people of the world. It offers the people of other countries to see how a democratic and free country deals with issues of access. Anything less than net neutrality would provide the wrong example. Therefore, net neutrality is our obligation if we are going to be ambassadors for democracy around the world in the 21st Century.

~Bill

Positions and Viewpoints: Banks

2009-12-30T19:32:00.000-06:00

Since the early days of the Republic, the people of the United States have been wary of the aristocracy. The colonists fought the American Revolution to win their freedom from a European aristocracy which abused power and took advantage of colonial commerce for their own personal gain. From the beginning of this great democratic government, a struggle for power has ensued in which those of great wealth have sought and succeeded at dominating and controlling commerce. Our history offers many illustrations of wealth being used for political and personal gain to the detriment of the people.

The consolidation of power in the form of banks is not a new idea. A quick study of history will reveal that President Andrew Jackson (for all his shortcomings) opposed big banks, especially the Second Bank of the United States. Jackson felt that big banks consolidated too much power with the ability to control and corrupt. Jackson also felt that easy money created a false economy that could be manipulated by those controlling the banks. Despite warnings that his actions would cause serious economic problems, Jackson used his executive power to break up the Second Bank of the United States and distribute assets to twenty-three (23) state banks.

Throughout his presidency, Andrew Jackson waged a battle with the Second Bank of the United States and the American aristocracy. He felt big money led to corruption, selfishness, scandal, and mismanagement that sought to influence elections, pay off lawmakers, and control the nation’s economy. Jackson believed what history has too often confirmed, big money leads to the marshalling of power and influence by a few institutions and interests seeking to profit without regard for the people or the nation.

Today, we operate from an archaic set of principles. Our laws governing monopolies and trusts fall far short of the laws needed to protect the interests of hard working men and women in this country. Big banks such as Citicorp/Citibank, Chase, Bank of America, and J.P. Morgan are out of control. These megabanks have the power to manipulate the market - which is far from a free enterprise system and leads to corruption and abuse.

The “too-big-to-fail” banks represent a tyranny of the indispensable. These institutions have created a network of banks that provide services involving hedge funds, pension funds, mutual funds, and every imaginable pool of money. This interconnectedness caused the feeling that they needed to be bailed out for fear that a failure of one would cause a chain reaction of failures which would irreparably damage the economy.

The problem with the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) is that while it shored up these megabanks, it did not cause these institutions to change their abusive practices. During 2008, the companies that received bailout money spent $114 million on lobbying and campaign contributions. These companies received $295 billion in bailout money. Sheila Krumholz, executive director of The Center for Responsive Politics, said of this information, “Even in the best economic times, you won’t find an investment with a greater payoff than what these companies have been getting.”

On top of this, TARP did not resolve unemployment, strengthen the economy, restore consumer confidence, or result in a miracle recovery. Banks that received bailout money paid their top executives nearly $1.6 billion in salaries, bonuses, and other benefits in 2007. Even though it has been promised that a cap is set on executive pay at companies that received bailout money, these companies are simply deferring compensation for unlimited stock options. And so, the big banks just get bigger, the CEO compensation remains obscene, and things remain the same.

A society that allows financial institutions to become “too big to fail” runs the risk of becoming enslaved to those institutions. Instead of a democracy, our government becomes - in essence - an oligarchy. In such a system, the elected officials become beholden to the big money interests because they rely on them for campaign finance and resources. In attempting to address the financial issues and concerns of the public, the elected officials appoint experts from the banking and financial world to make recommendations regarding their own existence. This is tantamount to putting the fox in charge of the hen house.

What needs to occur is a two-phase approach to the banking dilemma faced by this country. The first phase needs to involve strict oversight and regulations that create an environment in which banks and mega-corporations are required to downsize according to established size limits. These size limits must be based on establishing a level playing field that serves the best interest of the people. The second phase involves the creation of a Consumer Protection Regulatory Agency with far-ranging authority of enforcement impacting banks and mega-corporations in bringing about and maintaining a competitive marketplace.

While the focus must always be on the idea of a free marketplace, we must recognize the fact that the current instability of the system is the result of deregulation. History supports the belief that megabanks and mega-corporations result in corruption, abuse, and excessive profiteering at the expense of the people. The purpose of regulation must be to level the playing field to foster competition, establish consumer fairness, and eliminate greed and fraud.

Megabanks are just the beginning. Our government must take steps to break up mega-corporations and establish national consortiums that allow small businesses to purchase goods at the same price as larger competitors. These actions on the part of the government will cause a resurgence of small business ventures in small communities across this country. This resurgence of small business ventures will lead to jobs and a reemergence our smaller communities. This approach will effectively strengthen the economy from the bottom-up.

It is the people of this great nation - not the social elites - that must be the force in our government! It is naïve and foolish to believe that social and economic elites will look after the best interest of hard working men, women, and their families. We must insist that our government of, for, and by the people act in the best interest of the people. We can do this by remembering that nothing can prevail against the resistance of public opinion.

~Bill

Video: My Announcement Speech

2009-12-29T19:36:00.000-06:00

I had a great time during my recent announcement tour. I had the pleasure of meeting many energized, dedicated people throughout my 13-stop tour of the 4th District. A video of my speech from our stop in Ames on December 18th has just been uploaded to YouTube.com.

You can view the video in two parts:
-- To see Part 1, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFwBAoz5Kcc
-- To see Part 2, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7BSIeJCijc

~Bill

The Greatest Gifts

2009-12-20T18:48:00.000-06:00

In a world where the winner is too often defined as the person with the most toys, it is refreshing to enter the season where others are supposed to be more important than ourselves, and the dawning of a new year brings hope for tomorrow. This is the most wonderful time of the year. It is the season for giving!

As I consider the spirit and magic of this time of year, my thoughts always turn to the children. In the innocence of children, we find the beauty and promise that the world can be a better place for us all. Through our own children, and the children of our community, we can instill the qualities that make for healthy, happy, and prosperous lives. It is the gifts we give our children that make the difference in the lives they lead.

As we consider this season of giving, we need to ask, “What gifts can make a difference for our children?” The gifts that mean the most to our children are available to us all. They are gifts that too often get overlooked because we become consumed by a world of pressures, demands, and timelines. Too often it is easy to lose sight of what really matters in life.

From the moment a young life comes into the world we need to surround it with the gifts of unconditional love, patience, understanding, confirmation, guidance, and our time. These are gifts we can all offer our children everyday of the year. These are gifts whose value increases as a child grows older, and they are gifts that instill a strong sense of identity, purpose, and ability in our children. These are gifts that can transform the way people feel about themselves, relate to each other, and choose to deal with the world around them.

The most valuable gift we can give our children is the knowledge and understanding that the greatest characteristics of being human are the ability of redemption and reconciliation. Too often children feel that poor judgment or failure on their part is a reflection of their inability and lack of worth. When this occurs, and if our children do not understand the power of redemption and reconciliation, they may feel inept and incapable of success and happiness. This should never be the case. As human beings, time allows us the opportunity to redeem and reconcile the state of our lives. A knowledge and understanding of these two powerful characteristics is the gift of perpetual hope.

As you prepare for this holiday season, keep in mind the greatest gifts you can give your children now and throughout the year. We only pass this way once, and our true legacy is found in the gifts we give.

From me and my family, BEST WISHES for a BLESSED HOLIDAY SEASON and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Best regards,

~Bill

My Announcement Tour Schedule

2009-12-13T22:49:00.000-06:00

Beginning this coming Wednesday, December 16, I will be touring the 4th District to make a formal announcement of my candidacy. My announcement tour involves thirteen stops throughout the district in a span of three days; the tour schedule is as follows:

Wednesday, December 16
-- 8:00 a.m., Waukee - Waukee Public Library (950 Warrior Lane)
-- 10:30 a.m., Fort Dodge - Democratic Party Headquarters (29 N. 12th St.)
-- 1:00 p.m., Estherville - Mother Nature's (1027 East Central Ave.)
-- 4:00 p.m., Algona - The Pizza Ranch (1325 Hwy 169 N.)

Thursday, December 17
-- 9:00 a.m., Mason City - Borealis (316 N Federal Ave.)
-- 12:00 noon, Decorah - Magpie Coffee Shop (118 Winnebago St.)
-- 1:30 p.m., Waukon - Gus and Tony's Pizza and Steakhouse (508 W Main St.)
-- 3:15 p.m., Postville - Postville Response Coalition (105 South Lawler)
-- 5:30 p.m., Charles City - Charles City Press Office (801 Riverside Dr.)

Friday, December 18
-- 10:00 a.m., Ames - Youth and Shelter Services Inc. (420 Kellogg Ave.)
-- 1:30 p.m., Indianola - Supervisors Board Room at the Administration Bldg. (301 N. Buxton)
-- 3:00 p.m., Winterset - North Side Cafe (61 Jefferson Street)
-- 6:00 p.m., Marshalltown - The Home of Bert & Carole Permar (106 College View Ln.)

I hope to see you somewhere along the way!

~ Bill

Positions and Viewpoints

2009-12-04T20:17:00.000-06:00

THE UNITED STATES AND ASIA:
President Obama’s recent trip to Asia is an important step in maintaining and developing a positive and beneficial relationship with this part of the world.

China’s population of 1.3 billion people is four times greater than the population of the United States. This means China should be a fertile market for our products.

China holds $800 billion of the United States' debt. We need to find a remedy to this situation. The United States and China share a number of mutual interests, and a rebalancing of trade must be one of them. As the leading power in the world, the United States must act now to leverage influence that will reduce our debt, increase our trade, and strengthen our relationship.

While China has become intensely capitalistic and competitive, it remains a communist and autocratic system. The Chinese people continue to suffer human rights violations at the hands of the government. The Chinese Government must know and understand that the United States will not do business as normal with a government that ignores the basic human rights of people.

UNEMPLOYMENT:
There are currently 15 million people jobless in the United States. It is unacceptable for our government to sit back and wait for the economy to correct itself. The government must act now to create a New Deal of programs that will put millions of people back to work rebuilding our infrastructure as well as repairing and improving our national monuments and national parks.

There is more than enough work to do, let us put the jobless to work doing it. We will not only stimulate our economy from the bottom up, but we will restore vitality to our infrastructure and national treasures.

HEALTH CARE:
With 43 million people in the United States without health care, this issue must be successfully resolved. We need universal health care for everyone. The plan should not be that difficult. If you have health care now, and you like your provider and service, then you should be allowed to keep your plan. If you do not have health care, then we need to create a National Health Insurance Exchange which includes a public option. A National Health Insurance Exchange along with a public option will increase competition, offer more choice, and drive health care costs down. People who can not afford health care or full coverage need help. It is part of our obligation to each other as one nation to see that all citizens of our great country have access to quality health care. Our goal must be universal health care based on a wellness program that will improve the quality of life for all our people.

AFGHANISTAN:
Recently, President Obama committed 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan. I admire the President, but this is a bad idea. If President Kennedy were alive today, he would surely have advised the President to avoid being overly influenced by his military leaders. General McChrystal has wanted more troops for some time now. McChrystal has also said that the United States could be in Afghanistan until 2013 or longer. This is all unacceptable! We can and must protect our homeland without these military ventures that are so costly in the lives of our precious young soldiers, national treasures, and image as a global leader.

AGRICULTURE:
Our agrarian culture is the bedrock of our society. Yet today, modern equipment and technology have made farming a thing of the past unless you were fortunate enough to inherit the farm or you have become an employee of a corporate farm. We need an agricultural policy that supports and sustains our family farmers. We also need an agricultural policy that provides opportunity for young men and women to return to the farm.

We must halt the rise of corporate farms. We have seen all too clearly the destructive force of an unbridled corporate America. Our small towns and small businesses have all but vanished due to the impact of large corporations and big business. If we do not act now, farming will only occur as a feudal enterprise. This all has huge ramifications for our land, environment, and agrarian way of life.

We need an agricultural policy that provides a support system for new and emerging farmers. This support system must provide low interest loans for the purchase of land. This support system must provide a program for the cooping of equipment to work the land. This support system must encourage the establishment of small livestock herds. We must create a marketing safety net for a return on investment to assure food production and the success of new and emerging farmers. This is an investment in our small towns and rural way of life. An increase in young farmers will revitalize our small towns and small businesses so important to sustaining rural values and the agrarian way of life. We can and must do better!

~ Bill

Jefferson-Jackson Dinner Recap

2009-11-23T18:16:00.000-06:00

On November 21, I began my morning with a trip to Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines, the site of the Iowa Democratic Party’s Jefferson-Jackson Dinner. The purpose of the trip included setting up an information table in the lobby area leading to the dining hall as well as placing a two-sided flyer on each chair inside the huge dining hall. As the morning progressed toward noon, a number of candidates and workers added flyers so that each chair contained information representing a talented slate of Democratic candidates.

That morning, Hy-Vee Hall buzzed with preparation as the final details received consideration and deliberation. The centrally-located stage required attention to every detail as the guest speakers - including the Vice President of the United States - would be addressing hundreds of Iowa Democrats. The banners of many candidates were being displayed along a full wall of the dining hall. The testing of a large screen projection system displayed slides from the Iowa Democratic Party and its candidates.

Out in the entrance area, we hung one of my campaign banners on the wall behind our table. On the table we arranged literature representative of me as a candidate. All around us, other candidates were busy attending to the same task. As we departed just before noon, all the arrangements for a successful event seemed to be in place.

My advance group of Jeremy, Tiffany, and Steve arrived at 4:00 p.m. to make sure everything was in place and ready to go. Carole and I arrived at approximately 4:45 p.m. From the time of our arrival, I enjoyed the pleasure of meeting and greeting many wonderful Democrats from across the state of Iowa. Tiffany volunteered to get “Maske for Congress” stickers on everyone as they arrived. Jeremy and Steve stayed near the table to distribute literature, answer questions, and recruit volunteers for the campaign ahead.

One of my great pleasures was meeting former Congressman Berkley Bedell. I always admired Congressman Bedell for his honorable service in the United States Congress. I had met him once before many years ago. It was truly good to see him again.

At 5:30 p.m., Carole and I joined others in the Jackson Reception. I moved from group to group enjoying the conversation and appreciating the passion of Democrats for good government. Democrats want to see government work to improve the quality of life for all people, not just those of privilege. If Democrats will convert their passion into action, we will win the 4 th District in November 2010.

At 7:00 p.m., Jeremy, Tiffany, Steve, Carole, and I entered the dining hall for the main event. After reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, the Bridges 2 Harmony Choir from Roosevelt High School offered a stirring performance of the National Anthem. Rev. Cheryl R. Thomas’ invocation declared the strength of our faith and called upon God to bless America.

We heard great speeches by Congressman Braley, who called on us to stand strong against those who peddle fear in our country today; Congressman Boswell, who reminded us of the progress we have made in ten short months; Lt. Governor Judge, who is proud to serve Iowans alongside Governor Culver; Governor Culver, as he shared the progress we have made in Iowa and assured us that our best days still lie ahead; and Senator Harkin, appearing via satellite to proclaim a great senate vote on health care.

The highlight of the evening came with a rousing speech by Vice President Joe Biden. In his speech, the Vice President recited a litany of accomplishments that have occurred in the first ten months of the Obama Presidency. He advised all Democrats to stand tall and strong as we prepare for the 2010 election. He called on Democrats to be more active than ever to ensure and secure democratic leadership in the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate. The Vice President declared that this administration is not about incremental change, but about real and significant change. He warned that Republicans will do everything possible to obstruct the march of progress. We must not let this happen. The 21 st Century requires our vision of progress if we are truly going to secure the future for all people.

At the conclusion of the dinner, many moved into the adjoining room for the Victory 2010 After-Party, which featured the U.S. Senate candidates. I look forward to campaigning with all our fine Senate candidates over the course of the next year.

As the evening came to a close, I reflected on what it means to be a candidate. It means that I am asking you for an opportunity to serve. It means that I want the opportunity to be devoted to making this government of, for, and by the people - a true reflection of the sacred principles found in the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. This democracy is a grand endeavor in securing liberty and justice for all. We can and must do better!

~ Bill

A Blessed Time of Year

2009-11-20T19:35:00.000-06:00

My smile nearly split my lips this morning as I encountered a preschool student wearing his Pilgrim Hat in preparation for the annual Thanksgiving Feast. All the preschool children decked out as pilgrims, Native Americans, and turkeys speaks volumes about the role education plays in sustaining our cherished national holidays. Through these school celebrations, our young children learn important lessons about our history, culture, and national character.

The event of the original Thanksgiving dates back to the early sixteen hundreds when some of the first immigrants to the new world offered thanks for the blessings they had received despite many hardships. The fact that they shared their feast with others of a different culture serves as a wonderful example of how people of diverse backgrounds should reach out to each other in friendship.

Thanksgiving was again declared by the Continental Congress during the Revolutionary War. This declaration of thanksgiving served as a testament to the blessings of a free people and the promise of an emerging nation. A nation founded on the truth that all men are created equal.

President Abraham Lincoln found it necessary to call for a national day of thanksgiving during the Civil War at a time when the war was turning in favor of the Union Army. Lincoln was a magnanimous leader who understood the power of humility and grace.

Throughout our history there have been many times when our country could give thanks for the blessings bestowed upon this great nation. Over the years, the United States has become a marvelous tapestry of people from all corners of the earth. We have proven that in diversity there is indeed strength. We demonstrate to the world each and every day that people of diversity can live as one in a land of opportunity.
We are the bastion of freedom and liberty. We are the United States.

This Thanksgiving, may you, your family, and friends gather together to remember and give thanks for the rich and precious heritage that makes up the United States. Give thanks that we are a country always striving to live up to the promise of a better life for all. This is a blessed time of year. Happy Thanksgiving!

~ Bill

Remembering...

2009-11-17T21:03:00.000-06:00

I remember with vivid clarity the early afternoon on November 22, 1963 as Mrs. Brown silently slipped into our eighth grade English classroom with large tear drops rolling down her cheeks as she turned on the intercom so we could hear the radio broadcast. Overwhelmed with emotion, she could say nothing. The unspeakable began to unfold before our very ears. With no televisions in school, the radio offered us the closest link to history as the intercom crackled with bewildering and confusing news. Something awful had happened in Dallas. Someone in the presidential motorcade had been shot, but who?

We all sat there in disbelief. Assassination was something we read about in our history books far removed from our own lives. The confusion of the radio report told us that in our nation of freedom and liberty something horrific was unfolding in Dallas. The radio announcer, obviously stunned beyond belief only added to our own anxiety. Who had been shot, and were they dead.

It is all part of this surreal Friday. I recall walking alone down Ash Street from the Peterson School just two blocks from my home. At thirteen years of age, there were a host of things running through my mind. Everything from the early dismissal of school to the cancellation of the night’s basketball games to the event in far away Dallas spun uncontrollably through my head.

Upon arriving home, I remember going to the living room and sitting in front of the black and white television. I remember watching and listening. I do not remember ever leaving the images or sounds of the television over the course of the next few days. Not until the muffled drums marching down Pennsylvania Avenue were silent, and the President laid to rest under the eternal flame at Arlington did I turn away. And as I turned away, even at thirteen, I knew things would never be the same.

The only thing that saddens me more than the assassination of John F. Kennedy is the manner in which so many people have tried to discredit his name over the past forty-six years since he sacrificed his life for this nation. John F. Kennedy believed in the United States of America. He had a vision for a great nation and a world at peace. He believed that the strength of our nation was found in the tapestry of differences that bound us together in a common fabric of liberty and justice. John F. Kennedy believed that this nation represented the great hope of the world. He knew this nation must be the beacon to light the way for a better world.

Forty-six years ago, we lost a young leader with vision and courage. In nineteen-eighty, Edward Kennedy reminded us why we must remember when he said, “the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die.” As for me, I shall always remember!

~ Bill