BAILOUT GEORGE BAILEY!!!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

I was enjoying my annual viewing of, Its A Wonderful Life and something struck me. First let me say I own a DVD version of this movie first, because I purely love the movie, and second, I refuse to watch it on NBC with unlimited commercial interruption, and the entire NBC prime time lineup, telling us how much they love the film. The fact that it is a universally conservative film makes it even more sickening, when the liberal prime time stars rave about how much they love it. I wonder if it crosses their minds, this is a pro life film, Quote from Clarence: You see George, you really had a wonderful life! Don't you see what a mistake it was to just throw it away? There is no way the abortion on demand, NBC prime time star, who just told me how much they love this movie, could have seen it, with a line like that in it!!! There goes her NARAL membership!!

Now back to the title of the post, later in the film Uncle Billy loses the $8,000 bank deposit, and George is in trouble with the bank examiner. Keep in mind George and Billy didn't run the place into the ground and grab their large bonuses, and hit the street leaving the stock holders with the empty bag. Not at all, Uncle Billy left it in the rolled up newspaper, he gave back to Old Man Potter, after having a battle of words with him. Uncle Billy honestly misplaced the money, its as simple as that!!! Because of it George is going to jail for theft. WHAT?!!! Where is the bailout money when George needs it?!! If George goes out of business everyone in Bedford Falls will have to crawl to Potter for money. I would say George is too big to fail wouldn't you?
How can George be arrested for innocently losing money he was in charge of? Why didn't the government just print up some money for him so he wouldn't be in trouble?

Here in lies the difference between the world our grand parents lived in back then, and the way things are now. If you were in a position of trust back then, you payed for the betrayal of that trust, even if it was an honest mistake. The reason for that thinking was to promote caution with the people entrusted with the basic welfare of the people of the community, to get them to be prudent in their actions, and their decisions. When they exercised that prudence they were rewarded, with the prosperity they had helped the rest of the community earn. When the rest of the community failed they shared in that failure. That's Leadership!!!

So we will need to have a remake of Its A Wonderful Life, in it George will take over the old building in loan his father founded, negotiate a lucrative salary, with stock options at a guaranteed price. The company must pay that price, no matter what the current value of the stock is when George takes the option. He will then proceed to give out loans to the people of Bedford Falls, at 105% of value of their over inflated homes, the homes are over inflated in value, because the local government cant afford the decreased income, caused by deflated property values. Deflated property values caused by Sam Wainwright taking his plastics factory, with its high paying jobs to China. Meanwhile the remaining industries are receiving large economic incentives to move to Bedford Falls. They are bringing in illegal immigrants, that drive the wage base down so low, that no one can afford to pay for a mortgage. The resulting social services burden caused by jobs that don't pay benefits anymore, has bankrupted Bedford Falls, the housing market collapses, George cashes in his stock options, then negotiates a deal with the Mayor of Bedford Falls, to buy the building and loan, with yet to be collected tax dollars, that the children of Bedford Falls and their children will have to pay. George says he had nothing to do with the failure of the building and loan,during testamony in front a committee hearing, with the Bedford Falls City Council. Then he grabs Mary and they move to Dubai, or a tropical island they find at a bargain price.

ITS A WONDERFUL LIFE!! he says

MERRY XMAS!!!

MAGGIE TINSMAN'S HATE SPEECH

I was stunned by an opinion piece by Maggie Tinsman in the Quad City Times, seems she regards the social conservatives of the Republican Party with very little regard, and from the tone of the article, that disrespect seems to go into the area of hate. Funny thing Maggie, did you turn down any of the votes you got from social conservatives, when you ran for office in the past? How come your concern for the evil social conservatives seems to have shown up now, after you no longer hold office and are a(political consultant) in the same firm with Dick Durbins wife? Lets read this article and reflect on the total ignorance displayed in it:

Let tolerance move GOP back to the mainstream, By Maggie Tinsman | Monday, December 1, 2008 5:40 PM CST | (8) comments
As the Republican party examines the drift to a minority status in both the popular vote and an increasing minority in the Iowa Senate and the Iowa House, one finds the party has been heavily influenced by the religious right/social fundamentalists. The strong Republican core values of past years have been reduced to a lower level of importance. Indeed, Republicans are victims of change. Barriers have been built and litmus tests have been used that have restricted citizen participation and support and have diminished the number of Republicans.

For many years and before the infusion of social fundamentalism, the basic tenets that have carried the party have been:

I am a Republican because…..

n I believe that good government is based on the individual and that each person’s ability, dignity, freedom and responsibility must be honored and recognized.

n I believe in equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity for all regardless of race, creed, age, sex, national origin or disability.

n I believe that free enterprise and the encouragement of individual initiative have brought this nation opportunity, economic growth and prosperity.

n I believe government must practice fiscal responsibility and allow individuals to keep more of the money they earn.

n I believe that the proper role of government is to provide for the people those critical functions that cannot be performed by individuals or private organizations and that the best government is that which governs least.

n I believe that the most effective, responsible and responsive government is closest to the people.

n I believe we must retain the principles that have made us strong while developing new and innovative ideas to meet the challenges of changing times.

n I believe that Americans value and should preserve our national strength and pride while working to extend peace, freedom and human rights throughout the world.

Finally, I believe that the Republican Party is the best vehicle for translating these ideals into positive and successful principles of government. These principles incorporate mainstream Republicanism, concentrating on limited government, fiscal responsibility, strong defense, individual rights and a government that is conservative and tolerant to all.

Will we Republicans embrace good government for all, regardless of gender, minority group, age, or faith? We must appeal to all women, Hispanics and other minority groups, young people, working men and women, all income categories of families and retired citizens, many of whom have either left the Republican Party or have felt unwelcomed by the Republican Party. How will we expand and encourage new people, as well as former Republicans, to embrace the Republican Party?

Having served as both a Scott County supervisor and an Iowa state senator for almost 30 years, I care deeply about Iowa and about America. Growing up in the Quad-Cities and having been married for 50 years provides me with a strong family foundation and a realization of the vast opportunities available in this great nation. Hopefully, one day, my grandchildren will enjoy an equally satisfying adulthood. However, as a mother and grandmother, a retired elected official, a community volunteer, and political consultant, I am concerned about the problems and issues faced right here in the heartland. I want this area to hear a tolerant political philosophy. I believe in helping people help themselves within a budget, and I believe strongly in a limited government that protects individual rights and prevents government from intruding into our private lives. Those tenets include values that have guided my life and my public service. They stem from a Republican philosophy, consistent with the Constitution that many people have forgotten or have never known. Let us, Republicans, reach out to people with tolerance and understanding and recapture the broad base. The return of the traditional mainstream multi-faceted Republican Party is worth fighting for in order to address critical issues facing our state and our nation. Let us choose change at once!

Former state Sen. Maggie Tinsman serves on the Iowa State Board of Health. She lives in Bettendorf.

AMAZING!!!
First off the strong Republican core values you talk about Maggie are social values. They are the only thing that separates us, from the Democratic Party. Defending life, marriage, and the traditional American Family are the things we Republicans do best, and we win elections when defend them. Please explain to us the barriers, and litmus tests you have found the social conservatives of this party apply to determine whether one is a conservative or not!!! INTOLERANT!! Please!! We have tolerated allot from candidates for office, who latched on to Reagan's greatness, talked like he did but couldn't walk the talk when it came time to deliver. Back to the litmus tests, seems to me you have put a litmus test on people. Anyone who believes in the traditional social values of this country is being an intolerant bigot, in your view.
To make it even worse you seem to think that women, minorities, and other groups of people too numerous to mention, don't share the same values of the social conservatives of this party. Please explain to me in your professional political consultant, Dick Durbin loving way, how the marriage initiatives in states Barrack Obama won passed so largely, especially with the very groups you say we are driving away from the Republican Party? Finally don't bring up the constitution here, the same old liberal separation of church and state thing is dried up, and no one believes it. The constitution protects the rights of people of all faiths to participate the political process, there is no one in America who believes different other than atheists, and lawyers who enjoy collecting fees for suing public entities, over the separation of church and state clause.

You are guilty of the same intolerance, and insensitivity you accuse the social conservatives of. I took this article as an out and out hatred of me,and other people who think like me, by you and I am sure I am not alone. You know, when you and your friends were in the majority in this party, the social conservatives were good sports and supported you guys through the election process, now that the shoe is on the other foot, your coalition of moderates don't seem to show the same character, it is quite a shame. It is your way of thinking that squandered the legacy Reagan left you and this Party. If you and the rest of the moderates who might be socially conservative in your private life, but cant seem to come up with the courage to stand up for those principles publicly, maybe you need to look at the Democratic Party, If hanging out with us riff raff is unappealing to you. By the way I haven't been to church in years!! Don't think we cant replace you, there are plenty of disgruntled Republicans in the Constitution, and Libertarian Parties you, drove away, that would love to come back.

THE 8TH OF NOVEMBER !!!

Here it is the eighth of November and time for my tribute to Duncan Hunter and his old Brigade from Viet Nam the 173rd Airborne. The first night I met Duncan, I knew he was a veteran but I didn't know the background of the 173rd, and their service in Viet Nam. On further study it was really quite an eye opener, the battles they fought in are subjects of songs, and movies, and a moving story lest we never forget the price they paid. I don't do this to demean or say other units didn't do their part, not at all, Duncan would never allow that, and he is right. But when you look into the service of the Brigade in Viet Nam and the price they paid, for a country that really didn't appreciate it, at the time. it is quite touching. Here is a short history of the 173Rd's service in Viet Nam:

Vietnam War
On March 26, 1963, the 173rd Airborne Brigade (Separate) was assigned to the regular army and activated on Okinawa. Brigadier General Ellis W. Williamson took command of the unit,[7] which was chartered to serve as the quick reaction force for the Pacific Command.[1] Under Williamson, the unit trained extensively, making mass parachute jumps. They earned the nickname Tien Bien, or Sky Soldiers, from the Taiwanese paratroopers.[1][7] During their time in Okinawa, they prided themselves as the "toughest fighting men in Okinawa, if not the entire US Armed Forces".[7] They took their theme song from the television series Rawhide.[7]

The brigade's deployment in May 1965 made it the first major ground combat unit of the United States Army to serve in Vietnam.[8] Williamson boldly predicted on arrival that his men would defeat the Viet Cong quickly and that they "would be back in Okinawa by Christmas".[7] The brigade was the first unit sent into War Zone D to destroy enemy base camps, introducing the use of small Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols. On November 8, 1965, the 173rd took part in Operation Hump, just north of Bien Hoa on the outskirts of Saigon,[9] the capital of South Vietnam. They were ambushed by approximately 1,200 Viet Cong fighters, suffering 48 deaths. Throughout their six years in Vietnam, they served under the command of the II Field Force, Vietnam.[10] The unit fought in the Iron Triangle, a Viet Cong stronghold north of Saigon,[9][11] seeing many engagements with enemy forces during that time. They participated in Operation Crimp in 1966, a failed attempt to root out enemy forces from the Cu Chi tunnels.[12]


1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade soldiers battle for Hill 882, southwest of Dak To.
Specialist Six Lawrence Joel from the 173rd Brigade, receiving a Medal of HonorThe 1st and 2nd Battalions, 503rd Infantry were the first Army combat units from the 173rd sent to the South Vietnam, accompanied by the 3rd Battalion, 319th Artillery.[1] They were supported by the 173rd Support Battalion, 173rd Engineers, Troop E, 17th Cavalry and Company D, 16th Armor.[13] The 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment[9] and the 161st Field Battery of the Royal New Zealand Artillery were later attached to the brigade in 1965.[14] Late in August 1966, the 173rd received another infantry battalion, the 4th battalion, 503rd Infantry from Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The 3rd battalion, 503rd joined the brigade at Tuy Hoa Province in September 1967 following the former's reactivation and training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The 173rd was also assigned Company N, 75th Ranger Regiment. At its peak of its deployment in Vietnam, the 173rd Airborne Brigade (Separate) comprised nearly 3,000 soldiers.[7]

On February 22, 1967, the 173rd conducted Operation Junction City, the only combat parachute jump of the Vietnam War.[15][16] During the summer and fall of 1967, the unit blocked North Vietnamese Army incursions at Dak To during some of the bloodiest fighting of the war, culminating in the capture of Hill 875.[17] Elements of the brigade conducted an amphibious assault against North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong forces as part of an operation to clear the rice-growing lowlands along the Bong Song littoral.[1]

The intense fighting during the Battle of Dak To in November 1967 took a heavy human toll on the 173rd. While several of its units, including the 2/503rd and A/3/319th were ordered to Tuy Hoa to repair and refit,[17][18] the 173rd was transferred to the An Khe and Bong Son areas during 1968, seeing very little action while the combat ineffective elements of the brigade were rebuilt. The unit then served in An Khe until mid-1969, seeing little in the way of heavy fighting. From April 1969 until its withdrawal from Vietnam in 1971, the brigade served in Binh Dinh Province.[13] From April until August of 1971, the unit underwent the process of redeployment back to Fort Campbell, Kentucky.[1]

During more than six years of continuous combat, the brigade earned 14 campaign streamers and four unit citations. Sky Soldiers serving in Vietnam received 13 Medals of Honor, 32 Distinguished Service Crosses, 1,736 Silver Stars and more than 6,000 Purple Hearts.[1] The 173rd incurred 1,533 deaths and around 6,000 wounded.[19] The brigade was inactivated on January 14, 1972 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.[1] Assets from the brigade were used to form the 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, a parachute component within the helicopter-landed 101st. The 3rd Brigade went off jump status on April 1, 1974, the same date on which the Airmobile Badge (Air Assault as of October 4, 1974) was introduced.[6]

With the results of this election, it is now more important than ever to make sure what happened to the Viet Nam generation, don't happen to this generation of brave Americans. I am committed to that. Maybe President elect Obama got an awaking at the FBI Building yesterday, and will listen to young Hunter, as he takes over for dad in the House of Representatives, I am sure it was quite an eye opener for Obama, since he was unable to get security clearance before election,election because of his past associations.

I am sure if called upon, the Hunters will help, as they have repeatedly shown they know how to put America first. Well another year has gone by, don't forget your local veterans this Tuesday, without all of them where would we be? As for my friend, and hero Duncan Hunter, hanging out with you, is an honor and a privilege, you are truly a GREAT AMERICAN!!!

Here is a video about Duncan's old brigade, I don't believe it is about the Dak To battle Duncan was in, but it is a great tribute to one of Americas legendary Brigades, from Big @ Rich:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnsW82BFjsM

VOTE FOR CHUCK GRASSLEY!!!

So I am eating at a Pizza Ranch and they have KWWL-TV on their TVs, so the dinner time crowd can get the news. Hey Sara Palin visited Dubuque today, I was there lets see how the report looks!! A side note I walked up to the reporter and asked her if she was only covering the Palin story today, and if she was interested in any other stories. She paused for a little while not knowing what to say, "Is there some one else here today?" I said yes, Christopher Reed for Senate, and David Hartsuch for Congress, two candidates your viewers will be voting for tomorrow. "Oh well we only are covering Palin, if there is time for those two, we will come over and interview them" Now back to the 6:oo news and there is Sara on the TV, remember we are in the Pizza Ranch so the sound is on mute, all we have is the picture. So we are looking at a photo op here. Who is in the photo op? CHUCK GRASSLEY!! Whats that about? Is Chuck Grassley on the ballot Tuesday? Am I missing something here? There were at least 5 candidates for elective office at that rally. who could have used the face time on the 6:00 news and Chuck Grassley gets the photo op!! Please realize it is nothing personal Chuck, but you have been around awhile and the photo could have been given to some one else who is up for election!! How come victory or Chuck didn't think of that? Right then and there shows what has happened to us, we are not a team of selfless people working for the cause, its all about number one, and the rest can go to hell!!! If things turn out the way they are looking today, we have only one Party to blame. US!! We are so behind the times on how to campaign that its amazing we can get the old Model T going!! You need to have a theme and STICK TO IT!! You need to realize when there is an opportunity to do the right thing, to win an election and do it!! When we have no idea when some one is voting, because of the early voting rules, a strong consistent message will win every time. Since you have no idea when people will be voting the one size fits all campaigning, that doesn't respond to Joe the Plumber is out dated, yes i know it wasn't that many election cycles ago when it worked. Those were the good ole days!! You say we did respond to Joe the Plumber, yes indeed after the damage was done with the bailout vote. Did anyone think that maybe people are leaning Obama because they think he hasn't been in Washington long enough to screw up as much as McCain? We need to face facts the Democrats are more open to new ideas, and new people in the process than we are, they are organized and their organized lieing, is getting harder to beat with disorganized truth!!

MADNESS!!!

If you have ever seen the movie The Bridge On The River Kwaii, at the end the British officer looks at all of the devastation war has wrought and says: MADNESS!!!

Well I had my MADNESS MOMENT today. For two weeks around the lunch room at work I have listened to a younger worker rant and rave about the corruption of the bailout. I had a great time thinking this young man may have the makings of an up and coming conservative.

So here comes lunch today, and the young man announces he has voted absentee for Barack Obama, I point out Obama voted for the bailout, the young guy says, I know but he hasn't been there as long as McCain. So hoping this young firebrand knows his stuff I ask him how did you vote for the down ballot offices, I never followed those races!! He said. I voted straight Democrat!!!

I pointed out the Senator he voted for voted for the bailout, and co sponsored the rules that set up this economic problem, and that the Congressman he voted for voted for the bailout. I also pointed out their opponents already stated publicly and unabashedly they were against the bailout. Well he said it was easier to vote the straight ticket, the ballot was so long and by voting straight ticket I got out of there quicker.

MADNESS!! MADNESS!!

TOKYO TOM STRIKES AGAIN!!

A letter has just been brought to my attention that I find rather disturbing, Tokyo Tom Harkin has undermined our efforts to free the oppressed people of the middle east,from islamic extremists who have twisted their religion for their own purposes.

In a letter from Iowa State Daily,dated October 26th,2004 General Harkin believes that the war in Iraq is lost, and that President Bush will invoke the draft. Wow just in time for Halloween. Well Tokyo Tom was wrong he underestimated the resolve of the American Military, with the finest officers and troops the world has ever seen. General Petraus stepped in and the surge worked. Despite Tokyo Toms attempt to scare the American public, with another one of his Ghost Stories.

With a record like this one has to wonder what side Tokyo Tom is on, Americas or the rest of the world. We only get a chance to replace some one like this every six years.

If you look at what he has done, undermined the defense effort going back to his days with John Kerry with vets against the war, co sponsoring the law that led to the current economic slow down Senate bill s3283, telling us he is bringing back the bacon from DC to Iowa, and not owning up that we are still paying for it if it overdraws the federal budget, and then telling people there is going to be a draft, when there never was a plan for one. Can we really afford six more years of the crazy , inconsistent behavior this guy has exhibited? I SAY NO?

Here is the letter to Iowa State Daily, notice how he automatically assumes some one going to college wouldnt want to serve their country?

http://www.iowastatedaily.com/articles/2004/10/26/hot_topics/20041026-archive.txt#main

THANKS FOR CHOOSING LIFE!!

On September 25th at 2 pm my mother in law passed away, at 80 years and 7 months old, and it has taken this long to formulate a reflection about her life.
You know there are a lot of jokes out there about mothers in law, which, I never ran across one that applied to my mother in law. I respected her too much for that.She was always nice to me and everyone she came in contact with. I guess in my mind the greatest thing she ever did in her life was to choose to give life to her children. Without that one fundamental choice she made, my life wouldn't have been that good, and I probably would have ended up with a mother in law those jokes would have applied to. So thank you mom for bringing my wife into this world, the best thing that ever happened to me.

Leona's life affected many other lives also, she had 1 son and 3 daughters,13 grandchildren, and 22 great grand children!!! WOW!! All because a farm girl from western Iowa chose life!! What an impact on our society that must have made since Leona made that one fundamental choice.

No body made Leona do that she had a value that ran through her life that influenced her to do that. I think that fundamental value is something we as Americans need to defend, and promote, including making sure our elected representatives support that fundamental choice Leona made, and don't try to undermine it through such societal undermining, such as Roe vs. Wade, and separation of church and state.

I believe when you follow a pro life example you lead a happier life and it makes you more considerate to others. I know in my professional life it has made me a better servant to my customer because I now look at the customer as a person rather than a number. I also believe if our country has become more crass, inconsiderate, and more unsafe it is because of a lack of respect for life.

I guarantee you our government will be better when we have officials in it that fundamentally respect life, and make a stand for it!!!

So thanks mom for choosing life youmade an impact on this world that I am not sure you were even aware of, you did your part if things go bad from here it is my generations fault.

HARKIN-OBAMA LET WALL STREET SINK!!!!

While wall street was sinking what was Tom Harkin, and Barack Obama doing?
SAVING THE DELTA QUEEN!!!!

Let me say I believe the Delta Queen is OK, I don't have anything against it, but this illustrates the thinking behind a Senator who has been in Washington too long and has lost touch, and his protege who has lost touch very quickly.
I offer this as evidence:
Sen. George Voinovich introduces bill to save the Delta Queen
September 17, 2008
On September 16, Sen. George Voinovich has introduced a bill in the U.S. Senate (bill no. S. 3498) to save the Delta Queen by exempting her from 1966 Safety at Seat Law. Support comes from at least seven other Senators, both Republicans and Democrats, giving the Delta Queen a new chance for a bipartisan vote in favor of this unique historic steamboat.
Cosponsors of this promising bill so far are: Senators Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Thad Cochran (R-Mississippi), David Vitter (R-Louisiana), Barack Obama (D-Illinois), Evan Bayh (D-Indiana), and Richard Lugar (R-Indiana), but as Vicki Webster, one of the campaign leaders to save the Delta Queen says: "We need much more direct support from Senators all over the country, but especially from the ones coming from a river state".
Members of the Save the Delta Queen grassroots campaign are calling to action all Delta Queen fans and supporters. Campaign's co-leader Franz Neumeier says: "Get on the phone, go to your Senator's local offices, fire up your fax machines and urge your Senators to support this important bill to give the Delta Queen a chance to survive." Campaign leaders are also asking supporters to talk to their local newspapers and TV stations to report about what it means if the Delta Queen disappears forever. "And don't forget to point out that all this is not about safety, because the Delta Queen in fact is a very safe boat", says Neumeier. Detailed information about the Delta Queen's safety can be found at http://deltaqueen.wordpress.com/deltaqueensafety/.

OUR GOVERNMENT IN ACTION!!!

WHERE IS MICHELLE?

The MSNBC reporter made a mistake while covering the 911 ceremony. I see John McCain, I see Cindy McCain, and Barrack Obama. Where was Michelle? The MSNBC talking head said she had other events.

What events could be more important than attending the 911 memorial at ground zero?

Maybe she was studying all of the different ways she suddenly discovered she was proud of her country about. Maybe Oprah had a brunch going on, Oprah's 911 brunches are world famous.

Kudos goes out to the MSNBC anchor who asked the question: Where is Michelle? Enjoy your new posting at NBC Sports. Say isn't it getting crowded over there?

Here is the link of the video of Michelle standing behind her man at the 911 memorial:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzB3ujlfraU

I FOUND THIS INTERESTING!!!

This Is Our Land!
The Baldwin/Castle Doctrine
A Plan For Keeping America In The Hands Of Americans


IntroductionWe've heard about the Spanish company Centra holding the lease on the Trans Texas Corridor, the Indiana Tollway, etc., and many are probably aware that foreign companies are buying American infrastructure rapidly. Now the Sovereign Wealth funds which many countries hold are buying our foreclosed homes. Abu Dhabi has $875 billion, Norway $391 billion, Singapore $303 billion, Kuwait $264 billion in their funds to name a few. These countries are hiring American real estate companies to buy billions in foreclosed American real estate at bargain prices. This is intolerable, embarrassing and unacceptable for a Sovereign and once great nation to endure. We will soon be debtors in our homes to other nations who hold our debt. The dollar is so disrespected abroad that these countries want real American assets instead of worthless paper and as always, unfortunately, there are greedy individuals and corporations, more interested in profit than patriotism, who are willing to oblige. It is time for Americans to take a stand against the selling off of America! Chuck Baldwin and Darrell Castle are prepared to take the lead in keeping America for Americans and offer the Baldwin/Castle Doctrine as a solution to protect America from takeover by foreign interests. The Baldwin/Castle DoctrineNo foreign government or world government body or entity, not even an ally or neighbor of the US is allowed to own any portion of US roads, airports, homes, buildings, lands, waters, resources (oil, gas, precious metals, minerals, etc,), religious facilities (no matter what faith), stocks, bonds, US treasury notes, businesses, banks, military bases or military assets or manufacturing facilities in the US regardless of how much the foreign governments donate to the political campaigns or private fortunes of US officials, elected or bureaucratic, or even to the US treasury.
Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost." -- John Quincy Adams

THROW THE BUMS OUT?

Interesting results on the school board elections in Jackson County. Incumbents in Bellevue, East Central, and Andrew school districts all got defeated. In the one contested race in Maquoketa the incumbent won by only 83 votes.



PREVIEW OF NOVEMBER?



The following article reflects what has happened in Scott County and the Plain Blunt Truth is the education problems in this country will never be solved til we get more involvement from the community.



Scott County school board races attract few voters
By Sheena Dooley Thursday, September 11, 2008
For the most part, leaders in local Iowa school districts don’t see turnout for the most recent school board elections or the lack of candidates running in them as a cause for concern.However, it’s raising red flags for others in the state. They say the less than 1 percent of voters that showed up at the polls this week might be a sign that people’s satisfaction with their schools has turned into apathy, and it’s time for the community to have a discussion on how to create more interest and participation in school elections.For the first time, races across Scott County were uncontested this year, which could be one reason they also garnered the lowest level of voter participation in at least a decade, according to Richard Bauer, election supervisor for the Scott County Auditor’s Office. Those numbers reflect elections for seats in Davenport, Bettendorf, Pleasant Valley and North Scott school districts.“This is the first ever all races in all districts were unopposed,” Bauer said. “It’s just never happened. It was a phenomenon. Because of that, I kind of expected a low turnout. But I didn’t think it would be under 1 percent.”Most tie the low turnout to a lack of candidates, which means people have little choice in who oversees the direction of their schools, how millions of taxpayer dollars are spent and what programs are offered in the classroom. It also prevents input from differing viewpoints on the various issues affecting districts and a community dialogue, some said.“If people take the time to educate themselves about the issues and the candidates, (having more candidates) gives them a choice,” said Harrison Cass, Bettendorf interim superintendent. “It gives them a choice of the kind of people and quality of people they want when they go to vote. If there is only one candidate to fill the open seats, then you don’t have a choice really. Or you just stay at home and don’t vote.”The lack of candidates and voters in Scott County is nothing new. In the past five years, the number of residents showing up at the polls has declined. In the past two years, only one of 13 school board races has been contested.That compares with statewide figures that show six in 10 races are uncontested. However, those numbers are usually lower in urban and suburban areas, such as the Quad-Cities, said Lisa Bartusek, associate executive director of the Iowa Association of School Boards.Statewide, voter turnout averages 6 percent, she added.“The low voter turnout raises a big question for Scott County,” Bartusek said. “It would be a good thing for a community group and district to ask what more do we need to do to encourage people to run …“Our belief is the lack of people stepping forward can be a sign of satisfaction in the public schools. But it’s far too easy for satisfaction to move into apathy. If you have less than 1 percent voter turnout and uncontested races over time, that’s a cause for concern.”Scott County election numbers also fall far below of those in Rock Island County school elections, according to Richard Leibovitz, who oversees Rock Island County elections as the county clerk.Districts in Rock Island County, including Rock Island-Milan and Moline-Coal Valley, used to see 10 percent to 15 percent of voters turn out when they held separate elections similar to those in Iowa. However, turnout has increased somewhat after Illinois lawmakers combined school and city elections, which are now held once every two years in April.Leibovitz said one reason for the higher turnout in Illinois could be the visibility of races. In recent years, districts have seen an influx of candidates running for open seats. Because of the competition, candidates put up yard signs, hold debates and campaign door-to-door.“They have gotten with their friends and the people they work with to get more people out to vote and that turns into a higher percentage,” he said. “It’s not too unusual for us to get calls on some of these elections from people who see the signs and realize we are having an election, and they want to know what it’s for.”Kathy Weiman, president of the Moline-Coal Valley school board, said there hasn’t always been such an interest in vacancies on the board. When she first ran almost four years ago, there wasn’t much competition.During the last election more than a year ago, however, every open seat was contested. And when the board had a seat open this summer, 10 people applied.That compares with the two candidates the Pleasant Valley School District had to choose from last month when one of its board members resigned. And at least one of those candidates was recruited by current board members, said Deborah Dayman, Pleasant Valley board president.Weiman attributed the increase in interest to her district’s efforts to engage the community in what the district is doing through forums and newsletters that go out to every resident. The district is also in the middle of deciding what to do with its aging and underutilized schools, among other things.“Certainly, a community is the schools and the schools are the community,” Weiman said. “There is no greater connection than those two entities. (If you aren’t reaching into the community) you get your singular perspective. When you don’t get the broad perspective, then you are missing information. You are making decisions out of the context of the community where those decisions are going to make an impact. You operate in a vacuum.”Sheena Dooley can be contacted at(563) 383-2363 or sdooley@qctimes.com. Comment on this story at qctimes.com.

A TALE OF TWO SCHOOL DISTRICTS!!!

This blog is dedicated to preserving the Conservative way of life for future generations. To that end we will try to look at things with the Plain Blunt simplicity of a Senator of Ancient Greece, a Veteran who defend their society thinking only of preserving that which his fellow Countrymen paid for in blood.

School District A just added a building addition of over 1 million dollars, its enrollment is over 1,000 students. School District B has under 1,000 students enrolled, School B got a racing@ gaming grant and paid the book fees for every child in the district.

The thought crosses my mind if School A ever thought in the process of spending the 1 million dollars that maybe paying for their own students books would be a good idea!!!

JUST A THOUGHT!!