| Way Out With Walt Pregler, Democratic Activist. |
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Issue
20:
May 11, 2008 (Mother's Day) |
Now that the Legislature has adjourned for 2008,
the many “newspapers” in the State have taken it
upon themselves to critique the session and the
leadership of both parties. Some have used their
first amendment privileges as a bully pulpit.
The ban on smoking became a passionate subject
during the session. A great deal of money was spent
on lobbying. Big tobacco and the gaming industry
dominated the statehouse during the session,
twisting arms to get their wishes. A compromise was
struck, and like it or not, those places the average
person frequents has been legislated as smoke free.
This writer has not and does not frequent casinos,
let alone the gaming rooms. However, I do appreciate
having restaurants, meeting halls etc. kept smoke
free. It is a incontrovertible fact. Smoking causes
major sickness in humans, and at a terrific cost.
Like non regulation of firearms, if certain controls
are not in place, innocent people suffer. Humanity
won on that issue.
Critical care hospitals is another issue bandied
around the journalistic world. Has anyone in the
emergency medical field ever educated the media
about the golden hour in cases of trauma, and the
four minute rule in heart emergencies? Also, with
our system of checks and balances, a community could
not build such a facility without following the
precepts previously laid out by our forefathers.
Subdivisions of government cannot incur a debt or
bond without securing authorization from the
electorate. Where is the hurt? This law enables
communities to approach the subject easier. Unlike
Finley Hospital which, through its trustees
abrogated its responsibility by allowing Iowa Health
Systems to operate the facility. What kind of a
hornet’s nest did that stir up?
Talk about abrogating responsibility. A group of
loose cannons under the 527 cloak of calling
themselves the IOWA PROGRESS PROJECT, purchased
several full page ads in local papers to admonish
the legislative leadership for adopting HF 2645. The
ad is ambagious to say the least. It says that the
bill guts Iowa’s “bi-partisan labor laws.” What an
oxymoron. The Iowa Democrat party has always been
very much in favor of union’s right to collective
bargaining.
Big unions are accused of teaming with Democrats to
rush this bill through. Wake up folks. Unions have
traditionally been members of the Democrat Party for
centuries. They petitioned for justice, and HF 2645
enables that. Remember checks and balances. The real
protesters are the $100,000 + a year school supt.’s
who usually don’t negotiate contracts. They hire big
gun legal experts to do it for them. Teachers play a
big role in forming the minds of our children. Why
are we reducing them to a class below other
divisions of organized labor. They have the right to
redress in instances of discipline and working
conditions.
Last but not least. The clause in the Medicaid bill
that exempts Finley hospital from the bonus
reimbursement is not revenge. It covers all
hospitals participating in Medicare in Iowa. One is
being lead to believe that Finley is squeaky clean.
No way folks. Remember the vice president of their
union. She was fired because she was interviewed by
the press. Another was disciplined for complaining
about an electrical short in a piece of equipment.
Another was fired because she did some nursing in
private homes on her off duty hours. Several
patients have legitimate complaints about
substandard care. Upon observing this, Speaker
Murphy included redress in the Medicaid bill that
would address this kind of situation. Some call it
revenge, I call it leadership.
Several years ago, I complained to our City Council
about the traffic on my street. My neighbors
supported this complaint. After listening to this
problem, the City Council ordered speed limit signs
installed and monitored the traffic for some time.
That is what the First Amendment provides. We can
petition our government for redress to grievances.
It works and Pat Murphy should not be admonished for
it.
You may be the next patient to experience a bad time
at an ER. At least there would be a small incentive
for hospitals to be more alert.
Public hearings in the Legislature are not easily
accessible by the average voter. Des Moines is 180
miles away and most of the sessions are in the
winter. Travel can be questionable. Also it takes
more than 60 votes to pass any bill. Are all of
those who voted in favor guilty of a rush rush job?
If we are using our editorial prowess to draw
attention to legislation, lets take a look at our
Congressional contingent.
Iowa is third from the bottom in Medicare
reimbursements. Every citizen enrolled in the
Medicare program across the 50 states pays the same
premium. Why such an inequity?
Sen. Charles Grassley, and Rep. Jim Nussle were in
the drivers seat as Senate Finance chair. And House
Budget chair. when the Medicare Modernization Act
was enacted. In previous years Chuck and Jim voted
to increase reimbursement to large states like New
York, leaving Iowa at the bottom. Physician talent
is leaving Iowa because of this. Iowa City had to
cut its budget causing a few expert surgeons to
leave Iowa. Where were the editorials then. To add
insult to injury, Grassley and Nussle had a majority
from their party controlling Congress, and their
President in the White House. Things have regressed
so bad, that a group of Iowa physicians has filed a
law suit, against the Center For Medicare Services
for equity in the situation.
It is obvious that BIG BUSINESS has endeavored to
squelch middle class Americans to the point of
poverty.
Don’t blame the so called big unions. What union was
involved in Enron, Arthur Anderson, or most recently
Bear Stearns? If a union does it, is it corrupt? If
a chamber of commerce does it, is it ok? Your vote
in November can start the change. Think about it.
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Issue 19:
November 29, 2007 |
I had the
pleasure of attending the UAW Community Action Conference
this past month in Dubuque. A great deal was learned at this
event.
Allen
Reuther, the union’s legislative lobbyist in Washington told
us of a little known effort by sen. Charles Grassley, our
beloved senior senator. Chuck has offered an amendment to a
non controversial bill, that would extend “Fast Track”.
If you are
unfamiliar with Fast Track, it is a trade related law that
gives the president the power to negotiate a trade deal,
send it to the senate for ratification, and it is law. One
big glitch in this law. The trade pact cannot be amended,
nor can it be debated. Only voted up or down. This
particular law gave birth to NAFTA and CAFTA.
Locally,
here in Dubuque, several jobs went south of the border from
the John Deere plant. The engine division and several
hundred good paying jobs with good benefits went with it.
This division was recognized by the Deere chain as one of
the best for its reliability and quality. However, cheap
Mexican labor was too much to pass up.
Write
Grassley and let him know of your feelings on free trade and
Fast Track.
On another
note, on November 16, 2007 one of Bush’s neo-cons here in
Dubuque published some more of his journalistic barf.
He blames
an un-named political party for the deaths of 4000 unborn
babies a week. WOW.
Digress a
bit and take a long look at Roe vs. Wade. It was a decision
that was made by the Supreme Court of the United States by
justices appointed by Eisenhower and Nixon, during Nixon’s
tenure. In later years, Ronald Reagan appointed Sandra Day
O’Connor to the court. She was adamant in her support of
reproductive rights. More republican moves. Then gramps Bush
appoints Clarence Thomas, and emperor Bush jr. appoints two
more to the court. He has a majority in the house and
senate, his cracker jack atty. general is Gonzales, and he
has fiver out of nine justices who are Roman Catholics. He
didn’t do squat to reverse Roe vs Wade. But you can bet your
life it will be a major issue in 2008.
Abortion
is not a political issue. If it is anything at all, it is a
CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUE. To end abortion upon demand, we
must either REVERSE THE SUPREME COURTS DECISION - OR
AMEND THE CONSTITUTION.
To tie
this to political campaigns is like a dog chasing its tail.
All of Congress can vote to end it, but the courts will
sustain it.
Fellow Democrats. We have had the privilege to host Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in Dubuque. I am proud of the attendance of the Dubuque citizens for the wonderful turnout at both events.
Hillary showed us that her expertise is not superficial, but from a great deal of experience. Especially in the field of healthcare. Remember back in 1994 when Sen. Bob Dole took her to the woodshed, after Pres. Clinton commissioned her to analyze the problem and create a solution. The republican party then launched a multi-million dollar investigation to discredit both she and the President.
Barack gave us a fine sample of his expertise and fibre too. He had some great perspectives on Saddam and the Iraq war. Not only did he explain the humongous cost of the war in dollars and cents, he also reminded us that much of the equipment used over there will need to be replaced when hostilities end. Both he and Hillary were emphatic on one thing. U.S. troops over there are unnecessary, and should be brought home as soon as possible. As long as the Iraqis want to kill each other, we should not be involved. Among his closing remarks, Sen. Obama chided the crowd to do one thing. VOTE IN 2008. We cannot afford to sit this one out. A very important and profound statement.
I do not want to offend the John Edwards Supporters either. Sen Edwards was very keen on universal health care, unemployment and illegal immigration. All three of the candidates know the importance of getting support in Dubuque, and I am sure they will be visiting us again before the January caucuses. It is important for us to show up in numbers, as this gives them encouragement, and perhaps after the election they won’t forget us, and we will be able to retain the first in the nation caucus. The late Sen. Harold Hughes once told Pres. Richard Nixon; “You are the President of the United States, and commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, But you are not the chief of police of the world.” I want a president like that. Perhaps we can find that person in the candidates that are visiting with us.
The opinions are my own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Dubuque County Democratic Party.
I had my car in for service the other day, and in the bay next to my car, was a car with a bumper sticker on it which read: “ Vote for freedom “ vote Jim Nussle”
Geez, I got kind of emotional. After all, I thought, look at all the freedom we lost, when Jim locked on to Bush.
Remember when you could stroll through the Courthouse, and you didn’t have to remove your belt, empty your pockets and pass through a detector, before you could gain entrance. And a retired law enforcement officer was there supervising the procedure.
Remember back when you could go to the airport, purchase a ticket, and load your luggage without being interrogated, and showing a valid I.D.
Remember when your mail to your Congressman went directly to his office, and didn’t have to be x-rayed first.
Now Jim boasts about the creation of new jobs. Of course. All of the security freedoms he screwed up, created many jobs, at our expense.
Jim voted against education over 60 times in his congressional career. Wait till your kids endeavor to enroll in a college. Little or no substantive aid is available. Teachers are retiring early due to the decline in pay and benefits.
If your mail is late in being delivered, look at the billions Jim as budget guru diverted from the postal service to finance the Bush folly in Iraq.
Remember when your union was more concerned in negotiations about wages opposed to health insurance that is devastating business and industry today.
Now the catch word of this fall will be the donut hole in medicare part D prescription drug assistance. Thousands of seniors will hit the $2500 limit and will be required to pay for full price for prescriptions, and still have to pay the medicare drug premium until they pass the prescribed amount which is around $5000. Bummer.
If you like all of these failings, you’ll really like it if Jim becomes Governor of Iowa.
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Two things have happened this week that have resounding effects on the gubernatorial race in Iowa.
Jim Nussle was endorsed by the infamous and notorious “Iowans For Tax Relief”. If you are not familiar with this organization, just think back a few years. In the early 2000's we were sent to the polls to vote on two constitutional amendment. These amendment were designed by this organization to constitutionally require a vote of the people before a legislated tax increase could take effect. This foolishness indeed did little but strip the legislature and gov. of their right to govern.
Iowans for Tax Relief was founded by former State Senator David Stanley of Muscatine. Mr. Stanley, heir apparent of Stanley Engineering, and former candidate for U.S. Senate, is not far right, but as journalists call it, looney right.
He is against minimum wage, unions,
welfare and anything that elevates the
middle class. His cohort in mischievinousness, is non other than Goldwaterite, Ed Failor. Ed is a former Municipal Court Judge from Dubuque, and deposed Director of Mines from the Nixon Adm. They are very much in favor of controlling the lives of the populous by restricting the freedoms we used to enjoy, until Bush got elected.
The second thing was Jim Nussle’s vote against stem cell research. He sides with emperor Bush, that it is immoral
to destroy living cells for medical research.. Are they going to put those existing embryos back into the ovaries from whence they came, or are they going to let them shrivel to death in cryogenic freezers? Where is the morality in that.
Just another looney right wing attempt to by-pass the constitution, the will of the majority and to frame an issue they will cultivate come election time.
Jim truly can be framed as in league with the devil himself.
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Now that all the required meetings are over, the conventions convened and adjourned, the candidates can focus on some serious campaigning . The primary election is June 6.
Let’s put personalities aside for a change and concentrate on the sacrifices our candidates are making on our behalf. We have four good men running for a seat in congress. We have four qualified and good men running for Governor. Several counties have primary elections for County Supervisor. The field is large, and the candidates are all first rate.
Give them the due they deserve. They have left good positions of employment, ostensibly to serve you, and return to good and honest government. Backbiting, name calling and other obstreperous remarks from the electorate are uncalled for. Quite frankly, these kinds of statements cause good qualified citizens to shy away from public office. When you back bite and slander candidates, you not only askew them, but you also cause injury and hurt to their families.
The best thing we can do for the candidate of our choice is to “vote” for them. If you want to help them campaign, request information from their staff. And best of all, donations of cash are always appreciated.
Remember – “BAD PUBLIC OFFICIALS ARE ELECTED BY GOOD CITIZENS WHO DON’T VOTE.”
Your vote counts. Remember:
In 1645, one vote gave Oliver Cromwell control of England.
In 1649, one vote caused Charles I of England to be executed.
In 1776, one vote gave America the English language instead of German.
In 1845, one vote brought Texas into the union.
In 1868, one vote saved President Andrew Johnson from impeachment.
In 1875, one vote changed France from a monarchy to a republic.
So honor your candidate and your country, register and vote in the June 6, primary. So you have to declare yourself a Democrat, that’s better than being a Republican. Look what they have done to the country.
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| Issue 14: February 23, 2006
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The proper term is MONKEY SEE - MONKEY DO
This week Cong. Jim Nussle and hopeful VanderPlaats announced that they will join forces and VanderPlaats will become Nussle’s running mate.
This way they avoid a nasty primary and save lots of money, hopefully to bash the democrat candidate for Governor.
This brings the advocate of a small minimum wage and a congressional expert in marketing big government together to strap Iowa with lousy government.
Jim Nussle sold out to the drug manufacturers and Wall Street moguls while in Congress. Think of what he can do to Iowa’s senior citizens.
Since one Democrat announced an alliance with another to form a team for the Governor’s mansion, Jim followed suit. This move could prove lethal for Jim.
We don’t need more tax cuts, but we need some legislators who understand economics. It is obvious that the team of Sen. Lamberti and Speaker Rants are uneducated in taxation and its effect on the economy. They need replacement.
Our best efforts between now and the June primaries is to find and register voters favorable to the Democratic Party.
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| Issue 13: January 31, 2006
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VETERANS DESCEND ON STATE CAPITOL;
On Wednesday JAN. 18, 2006, veterans from all over Iowa met at the State Capitol to lobby for increased benefits. According to news reports, they had some success. I congratulate them. Our great country does a great disservice to its veterans when government limits care for veterans. Especially those who have service connected disabilities. Surely we can afford their care and upkeep in a first class manner.
Richard “George Goebel was among the leaders who ushered a group by bus from Dubuque. However in a press interview before leaving Dubuque, Mr. Goebel lamented that in talking to legislators, all they talked about was education.
We in the administrative arena of education have been decimated by both the Stat of Iowa and the Congress.
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| Issue 12: January 3, 2006
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Our dear friend Sen. Charles Grassley was tauted in the Telegraph Herald on Jan. 2, 2006 for discovering and moving to eliminate a loophole in the IRS tax code.
The loophole allowed big game hunters to donate their mounted trophies to museums and deduct the cost of the safari or hunting trip from their taxes.
Gee whiz. What geek included a deduction like that in the first place.
Also, why isn’t Grassley monitoring priorities like Medicare, No Child Left Behind, and the problems of family farming instead.
His political party gave us debacles like No Child Left Behind, Freedom to Farm and the epitome of health care reform, the Medicare Modernization Act. Sen. Grassley was one of the chief architects of the health reform.
Take note of Medicare Part D. Prescription Drug Assistance.
It has a formula like this. Take the product of the square root of your zip code, add the number of pills you take a day, divide this by twelve, then add $35.00 x 12 to the forementioned. This will give you the amount of drug aid you receive until you reach $2500. You are on your own then until you spend a total of $5000.
If this is confusing, welcome to the club.
Freedom to farm nearly eliminated the family farm. No Child Left Behind has a bunch of unfunded mandates and is disproportionately underfunded. Medicare Modernization has Iowa 47th for reimbursements. Iowa hospitals are struggling to meet the demands of service for the underinsured or un-insured. Getting one of the smallest amounts of reimbursement is pathetic and will eventually cripple small town hospitals. Doctors try to avoid Iowa. A surgeon can earn 35% more in Illinois for the same procedure he performs in Iowa. If Met Life paid out that way, they would be out of business by now.
Sen. Chuck is really representing Iowans.
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| Issue 11: December 3, 2005
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The Holiday season is approaching for Christians and Jews. We have many things to ponder as we count our meager blessings of 2005.
First of all, if you are tiring of telemarketing calls, you can access the government database to be on the "Do not call registry." The # is 1-888-382- 1222.
Should we give thanks to Congressman Nussle and Sen. Grassley for all they have done for Medicare Modernization? Iowa is close to last in reimbursements. Prescription drug plans on Part D is so confusing that even Einstein can't figure it out. And in the end, it will cost people more, than it will save them.
From the White House, to the RNC Hq. to Congress, greed and corruption thrives. From Cheney, to Frist, to DeLay to Cunningham. Whom do you trust?
Katrina has devastated the Gulf Coast, and FEMA and crew are stymied. Clean up is at a snails pace, the Administration can't cope, and we take vacations in Crawford for the Holidays.
Grassley and Nussle are groping and grappling with budget reconciliation plans, that penalize the rest of the nation for a natural disaster, that the Congress and Administration cannot comprehend.
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| Issue 10: November 8, 2005
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Jim and Chuck are up to it again:
The Budget Reconciliation Act, now before the House, and developed by the Senate Finance Committee, will cut 38 BILLION from this years budget. Our Republican wizards in Congress say this is necessary to send assistance to the Gulf Coast for rebuilding after the hurricanes.
I’ll bet you can guess what is getting cut. All the entitlement programs that sustain the entire country.
Medicare, Medicaid, Food Stamps, Veterans’ Programs etc.
Two wrongs don’t make a right.
First of all, the Feds were caught with their pants down, when Katrina hit. Now in order to compensate for it, seniors, veterans and widows are taking another hit.
FEMA is spending like a drunken sailor, and people are still waiting for housing, water, electricity etc. Remember Katrina hit the Gulf region in late August. This is November.
I’m damn glad G.W. Bush wasn’t president on Dec. 7, 1941.
Call Nussle & Grassley and register your disgust.
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| Issue 9: October 21, 2005
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Here it comes again folks. The Grassley machine in the U.S. Senate. 11 billion dollars in cuts to Medicare and Medicaid. Sen. Charles Grassley announced the Senate Finance Committee’s proposal for this fall. It calls for significant reductions in Medicare reimbursement and cuts in Medicaid to pharmacies. Who do you think will get hurt the most on this one? The proposal will give physicians a hike in benefits. What a lousepoop Sen. Chuck turned out to be. His own beloved Iowa, [that’s us folks] is 47th in reimbursement now. Hospitals and nursing homes are struggling to keep going, Medicaid cuts will certainly harm them. Reimbursing physicians more will amplify the disparity and give them more incentive to leave Iowa.
Where is Sen. Grassley’s conscience anyway?
On a different note. If natural gas was in short supply, why dosen’t Congress move to ration it so everybody will have enough to heat their homes this winter. Increasing the cost just don’t ensure equity in distribution, or provide an adequate supply. Petroleum products also. If Katrina & Rita damaged the process of refining that much, why aren’t service stations closing, and the White House rationing the supply?
Wake up, folks, the R’s are pulling your leg.
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Sexual Orientation, the bugaboo of the 2005 City Council election. Should this be included in the Dubuque Human Rights Ordinance? I signed the first Human Rights Ordinance into “Law” in 1966. It was only the right thing to do.
Here is what the “sexual orientation” clause won’t do.
1. It will not make Dubuque a safe haven for gays & lesbians.
2. It will not attract more of them to Dubuque
3. It won’t obligate citizens to accommodate them, as Federal Law already does.
4. It will not create weird places to congregate. Bricktown has generated more trouble than any gay or lesbian bar that might be in the area.
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| Issue 7: September 21, 2005
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Sen. Charles Grassley is at it again. He is calling for across the board cuts in Federal spending, to replace the monies appropriated to cover the destruction of hurricane Katrina. A normal nincompoopish move by the senator from Iowa.
For years, many officials from the Dubuque area have been lobbying to get the funding necessary to complete our 1970's transportation plan for the Tri-State area. Now Grassley is stupidly willing to cut those funds to cover a disaster, that is in part the fault of for Congress not properly funding requests from the Corps of Engineers to bolster already failing levees on Lake Ponchartrain. |
Issue 6: September 11, 2005
HOW IMPORTANT IS ONE VOTE?
In 1645, one vote gave Oliver Cromwell control of England.
In 1649, one vote caused Charles I of England to be executed.
In 1776, one vote gave America the English language instead of German.
In 1845, one vote brought Texas into the Union.
In 1868, one vote saved President Andrew Johnson from impeachment.
In 1875, one vote changed France from a monarchy to a republic.
So you see, your ONE vote does count.
On Tuesday, September 13 we have a spirited School Board election.
Do your civic duty or someone else may do it for you.
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Issue 5: September 1st 2005
LABOR DAY - NO PICNIC IN 2005
Lets look at the record for Labor Day 2005 in Iowa. Iowa’s workforce has shrunk by several thousand since 2000. Dubuque lost a great deal from 1980 to 2005. Deere is down by 6000, the Pack by a little over 3000, Flexsteel is moving jobs offshore and to the east Coast.
As we travel around Dubuque, we are reminded of the old slogan in the Dubuque Leader. “What Dubuque Makes - Makes Dubuque.”
Remember Farley & Loetscher, Caradco, Dubuque Packing Co., H.B. Glover Co. Metz Mfg. Co., Hurd Most Co., Sorbeau Mfg. Co. Eska, Janlin Plastics. All of these are employers who were or are native Dubuquers who had real businesses going, and then closed, moved or just quit, leaving their workforce out in the street with next to nothing.
In Thursday’s TH,
Geo. Will
editorialized on the
boycott of Cindy
Sheehan. Some of his
language was less
than gentlemanly,
and his hypocritical
attitude came
through very
clearly. George [S[Will
really epitomized
his avaristic
character.
I guess it’s ok for
a President to send
you condolences via
a Xeroxed form
letter when your
child is killed in
combat. Especially
in a war that makes
no sense whatsoever.
Also this week,
George’s illegimate
brother, Pat
Robertson, called
for the
assassination of
Pres. Chavez of
Venezuela. The man
who decryed abortion
during the 92, 96
and 2000 general
presidential
elections.
Shakesphere had it
right on the money
when he wrote in
Hamlet: “what fools
these mortals be.”
On the darker side. Sen.
Charles Grassley writes
glowing words about the
benefits of CAFTA-DR. He
states that Iowa will
benefit from an
opportunity to export
volumes of soybeans,
corn and agricultural
implements. He didn’t
elaborate on the
inhumane child labor
that is rampant in
Central America, or the
horrible wages without
benefits in the Domican
Republic. After all,
NAFTA to day has only
generated a 50
BILLION DOLLAR TRADE
DEFICIT.
Our next serious
problem comes up in the
fall session of Congress
when Grassley and his
band of gunsels pushes
for a free Thialand
trade agreement. Three
things are exported
enmasse from Thailand.
They are sugar, rice and
pickup trucks.
Currently, all pickup
trucks imported from
Asia have an import tax
attached. The agreement
would repeal that
tariff. It is estimated
that the big three auto
makers would eliminate
27,000 jobs in this
country if that happens.
This does not count the
impact on the sugarbeet
and rice production in
the U.S.
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| Issue 3: August 17 2005
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How to be asinine, ignorant and arrogant. Just watch Pres. Geo. W. Bush, while he vacations at his ranch in Crawford, Texas. If he had any intelligence at all, he would have invited Cindy Sheehan on to the ranch, served her lunch and expressed his sympathy for the loss of her son Casey. Instead, like an arrogant nitwit, he allows her efforts to escalate into a major debacle. He just doesn’t give a dam about the American people. A Saudi King who is gouging us poor for oil gets the red carpet, we get the green weenie. Impeachment is in order.
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Congressman Jim Nussle made it official . He intends to seek the Republican nomination for Governor of Iowa in 2006.
He called for more vision and leadership, as well as co-operation as keys to a successful campaign. He made the initial announcement in his adopted town of Manchester. Beside him were his new wife, his children and his campaign manager.
Jim needs a little shot of hindsight.
Fourteen years ago, he needled the Democrats about term limits. He thought they were necessary to refresh govt. He forgot that pledge.
Jim berated Dave Nagel on the check scandal in the House of Representatives Bank. He scolded the members of the House for not knowing how to manage finances, and if they couldn't keep their own personal affairs straight, how could they direct a government. Prophetic isn't it, and yet sadly ironic.
As chairman of the House Budget Committee, Jim has guided our nation into a debt of monumental, and historic proportions. And at the same time, he engineered some of the largest tax cuts for the wealthy that U. S.history has ever witnessed
As chair of the House Budget Committee, Jim along with Iowa Senator Grassley, chair of the Senate Finance Committee, wrote the Medicare Modernization Act. We as Iowans are victims of this legislation. Iowa is the 47th State in Medicare Reimbursements. Yep, 3rd from the bottom. Yet we pay the same premiums as the top 46.
This has caused several very skilled surgeons in Iowa City to relocate, and some in Dubuque will be doing so too. We suffer.
The infamous Deere deal with Finley Hospital is a direct result of poor reimbursements. If we in Iowa received our fair share, hospitals and insurance companies would not be in the crisis they face now.
Jim just didn't have the horses to get Iowa reimbursed, commensurate with the quality of medicine we used to have.
Jim's marriage to Newt Gringrich, was a failure, and his marriage to Tom Delay is even worse. Iowa was pushed backwards in several areas. In medicine and Medicare, in the Freedom to Farm Act, in the No Child Left Behind Act.
Now he knocks Gov. Vilsack.
Democrats have always moved Iowa forward. Under the 30 years of Robert Ray and Terry Branstad, Iowa suffered from "dry rot".
Jim has called Iowa's economic gains a result of the national economy. He claims Gov. Vilsacks Vision Iowa program is a crap shoot.
Jim has called for more tax cuts for business as an elixir to a better economy.
Jim you tried this after Clinton left office {with a surplus} and immediately immersed our country into a horrific national debt, the largest in our nation's history.
If you want to give the real troops a break Jim, repeal the federal taxes on my phone bill. There are several thousand phones in Dubuque County. The extra $5 0r $6 added to the economy per phone line would put several hundred thousand dollars into the economy each month. Wouldn't that be better, giving the common man more spending power?
Walt Pregler
Democratic Activist
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The nomination and possible confirmation of Judge Roberts poses a real threat to the 2006 political campaign.
President Bush has professed to be pro-life period.
Therefore, we can expect an effort to overturn Roe vs Wade before the campaign begins.
If the effort is unsuccessful, the status quo remains the same.
If the effort meets with success, a new and bitter war will start. Both camps are in training already, and a battery of experts on both sides will layout battle strategy.
Cardinal William H. Keeler wrote in the Columbia magazine issue of March 2005; “The fact is that Roe vs Wade amended the U.S. Constitution without the participation or the consent of the people.”
Cardinal Keeler of Baltimore is chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Pro-Life Activities committee.
We can look forward to this group and many, many others to put forth a vigorous fight to overturn the Supreme Court ruling.
If this does happen, the abortion question may go directly to State Legislatures as to whether each State might allow abortion or will ban it altogether.
A second question, Will Roman Catholics, holding public office, fight to oppose abortion, or acquiesce to public demand? Catholic governors like Tom Vilsack will face a genuine moral delimma if this is the case. It could boil down to signing a law your faith regards as immoral, or facing excommunication by the Bishops of their respective State. Give it some serious thought.
Walt Pregler
Active Democrat
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