Hawkeye Review

A unifying moment...

We are a country that votes much like a pendulum swings...

 It's a fascinating study for political junkies and over many years and election cycles, the process continues to amaze and befuddle the experts who live for the rare moment of successfully predicting "future behaviors" of the electorate.  Last November saw enormous movement in the political pendulum and it continues to swing...back towards conservatism.

My unscientific proof was a brief conversation on Thanksgiving in a room that was very mixed in its political affiliation.  There was rare agreement until the issue of spending restraint came to the forefront and suddenly there was near silence, who would dare to step forward and "defend" the massive spending by states and our federal government?  Even the lifelong liberal Democrats were in agreement that spending is out of control and much like a plane in a tail-spin, we need to immediately pull back this behavior and save our country from the fiscal abyss.

This is not the time for purity tests...It's time for sanity exams!

Should we focus our messaging on fiscal restraint, identify a "10 point plan" to reduce spending...and then actually keep our promises... the Republican party stands to engage a new generation of voters who will stay home with the party as long as we continue to live up to our commitments.

I'm somewhat surprised at the recent Des Moines register poll, which echoes my own sentiments about the pendulum swinging back towards conservative values.  My first impression? This story is a product of the sales and marketing department, since the Register has been bleeding away readership at alarming rates over the past few years.  We didn't need 800 Iowans to tell us what we intuitively already knew, Iowa is in large measure a conservative state. When we stay consistent in our message and our behavior, we will be rewarded with voters "coming home" to support conservative candidates.

Give our leadership credit too. Vaudt, McKinley and Paulsen have been sounding the warning bells for over two years now.  Press releases from the IDP are sounding more and more defensive these days and the worst is yet to come. 

Next month, when the Revenue Estimating Conference (REC) announces it's latest adjustment to state revenues, this already bleak scenario may turn into a 5 alarm budget crisis before the legislature gavels in to attempt "triage" on our state's budget wounds. 

Then, Culver delivers his opening address to the legislature in January.  Should he dare to point fingers and make excuses, be assured Iowans (and even his own party) will take decisive action.

Aside from rallying our country after 9/11, this is quite possibly the most unifying issue of our generation.  Let's show wisdom in our message, restraint in our dialog and get this right.

 

Be Thankful If You Have A Good Job!

As I've written on many previous occasions, there are two major barometers to watch that will in large measure, pre-determine the outcome of the next 2 election cycles.  The first is unemployment and the second is the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) or in simpler terms, your 401-K statement.

In the video clip above, you can see with your own eyes the far reaching impact unemployment is having in our country.  I observed with great interest the "lag" that Iowa experienced in unemployment as opposed to our neighboring states.  As much as Governor Culver would like to take credit for this, I think a potential future Governor probably had it right when he wrote on this very site a thoughtful analysis about Iowa's economy and how our own unemployment and any resulting recessions would "lag" behind the US economy.

Now that his predictions are unfolding before our very eyes, (and pocketbooks) it might be worth another look.  You can find the article here, and the entire archieve of Christian Fong's articles here.

On this Thanksgiving day, I hope you are all surrounded by family and loved ones who are in good health and in our own ways and traditions, celebrate with thankful hearts the great abundance we often take for granted in this blessed country.

The MSM vs The Palin Teenager...

Some things just make me smile.

This video clip is one of them.  In spite of a flawed education system that provides years of indoctrination, some kids still get it "right."

You see, the constitution stands triumphant, in spite of Nora O'Donnell's best efforts to the contrary.

Nora had no idea she had just handed the mic to a 17 year-old bloggger.  In fact, it is my pleasure to introduce you to her site at this link.  The Weekly Standard has a great article here.

What I find humorous as well, is after our teenage heroine (Jackie) completes her thoughtful statement, Nora takes the mic back to our full grown adult (Joe) and his comment is basically...."yea, it's the constitution."

Folks, there's still hope.  A new generation awaits to reclaim our constitution!

 

The State of Education...

I have many friends and clients over in the state of Illinois and this weekend, they were all pretty fired up about a speech given by NEA General Council Bob Chanin.  It seems the speech has found a new life on You-Tube. Below is a revealing quote from his "swan song" speech:

"This is not to say that the concern of NEA and its affiliates with closing achievement gaps, reducing dropout rates, improving teacher quality and the like are unimportant or inappropriate. To the contrary. These are the goals that guide the work we do. But they need not and must not be achieved at the expense of due process, employee rights and collective bargaining. That simply is too high a price to pay."

A Democrat State Senator, James Meeks has confronted the NEA and specifically, the Chicago teachers union.  This once private quarrel has now been blasted onto the front pages of the Chicago Tribune for the rest of us to observe.

I salute the refreshing actions of Senator Meeks, who when threatened with a withdrawal of any future financial support, promptly wrote a check for every dime every sent him by the NEA and sent it back.

I suggest you watch the video above and read the link from the Tribune...if this doesn't open your eyes then I don't know what will.

Trial of the Century...Politics or Justice?

"Failure is not an option."

Attorney General Eric Holder

The top law enforcement officer of the United States Government opines after "careful and agonizing study," the constitutional considerations of the KSM trial. 

He is sure about that?  Listen to the clip above where Senator Graham leaves him speechless after posing a simple question.  (Don't let the length deter you, the "money shot" occurs in the first 25 seconds although the entire clip is a fascinating study of incompetence regarding our AG). Again, I've said many times I'm not a lawyer, but isn't due process built upon the premise of innocence until guilt is judged and rendered by the people?

Now to make matters worse, we have a constitutional law professor (he calls himself a "constitutional scholar") who went on the record with the following comments...

There are some who predict KSM has already been given "his free pass" to acquittal due to these reckless comments and decisions from the Justice Department and the White House.

Charles Krauthammer writes a hard-hitting essay on this topic and is worth your time to read here.

Culver, Campaigns and Commercials...

What do each of the aforementioned have in common? 

They over-promise and under-deliver!

Here are some unscientific but "highly relatable" examples for you to review.  In the Broadview Security commercial above, note how quickly the telephone rings from the time the door's kicked in. Count the seconds and then ask yourself, real world or complete fabrication? Is this a "truthful representation" of a service or is the (1) Candidate, (2) Campaign, (3) Commercial telling us "a whopper?"

Speaking of Whoppers...check out the difference between the "promise and the product."

Here's the promise:

Here's the product...

You be the judge. (With apologies to Patty)

Of course, I was being entirely unfair to Burger King...right?  Well, let's try this again...

Maybe they'll deliver the deal with a cheeseburger?

Once again, here's the promise...

Here's the product....

As I sat in the Burger King dining room just last night with my two youngest daughters, you can probably appreciate the fact that I was completely disgusted with the food we had just opened.  Then the thought entered my mind:

 "We should have gone to Culver's" and viola, you now know the inspiration for this post!

If this could get any worse, consider this meal was served in a brand new restaurant that had just opened only days ago.  Great new restaurant, clean and sparkling, but the food speaks for itself.

Doesn't that summarize many politicians?  Today, we'll take a look at Chet Culver. Let's go back a few years to the "promise."

Fast forward a few years.  For those who live in flood ravaged Eastern Iowa, shooting this commercial in a driving rain was in hindsight, so ironic it almost makes ones stomach ill to watch this!

Here's the "updated" version...

Thanks to Chris Jones and the producers at KGAN CBS Channel 2 in Cedar Rapids, we have a local station who isn't afraid to take on the conventional wisdom espoused by the MSM. Click on the previous link to watch the truth unfold as Culver attempts once again to over-promise to the voters of Iowa.

This time, polls and surveys show that Iowan's know better. 

Can we ask for a "refund?"

The Morning Roost...

Good morning HR readers!  Grab your cup O'Joe and enjoy your morning dose of news and conservative commentary.

Is America at war, or not?  Patrick J. Buchanan

New Des Moines Register Poll: 4 out of 5 Iowans have little or no confidence that state government officials are making "wise decisions" when cutting the budget.

Question of the day: Should Governor Culver object to terrorists transferred to the Thompson Correctional Facility?  Gazette story here. Don't hold your breath, labor unions and Illinois Democrats all with close ties to Culver are behind this atrocity!

Whispered...but not heard.  HR has learned from a trusted source that John Smith, CEO of CRST International in Cedar Rapids has agreed to serve as Governor Terry Branstad's Honorary Treasurer and fund raiser. Smith has been a formidable fund raiser for other candidates in the past and his involvement is certainly a boost for the Branstad campaign.  That leads me to one conclusion however and it's this: Chris has every right to "Rant" lately as he reportedly learned just days ago that Branstad has already made an unofficial campaign promise to a Winnishiek county voter that he would raise the gas tax here in Iowa.  Story reported here at The Iowa Republican.  One may wonder how John Smith reconciles with this "rumored policy" as it would certainly impact his bottom line. I wouldn't begin to know how many millions of gallons of gasoline CRST consumes each year, but the total must be staggering...expect a press release before you dine on your Thanksgiving turkey!

Todays Quote: 

 "And in the end it's not the years in your life that count...

It's the life in your years."

President Abraham Lincoln

 

Obama's unique greeting to the Emperor of Japan...

Well done College Republicans at UConn!  Here's a photo essay that makes it abundantly clear, "A picture's worth a thousand words!"

Fong: "Leave No County Behind"

By Gubernatorial Candidate Christian Fong...

I went to Ringgold County to see how small-town Iowa can thrive. Iowa’s small towns are pillars in my economic development plan and my 2020 Vision plan for Iowa.

As Governor, I’d fight relentlessly for their future.

Redding, Iowa is barely four miles from Missouri, and might as well be a million miles from the power lunches and elite circles of the big city. Common sense and homegrown Iowa values are the core of people’s character. Last Wednesday, Tracee and Steve Knapp were gracious hosts for the evening house party, after being my tour guides through Mount Ayr in the afternoon.

This is first-name sort of country. So to Russ, who heads up the school district, and to Gordon, the hospital administrator, and to Larry and Todd, who are building a wind-energy business that will soon employ 100-150 people, I say thank you. Thank you for tours of facilities and for showing how small towns work best. Thank you for collaborating together to create such a dynamic town.

Mount Ayr, the county seat of Ringgold County, the second smallest population county in Iowa, will make it. If state leadership in Des Moines will stop getting in the way, that is.

In Mount Ayr, local businesspeople, having been turned down by Des Moines’ economic development bureaucrats said, "Who needs them? We’re going to build a business anyhow." Kudos to Heartland Energy, which through determination and technical innovation, refused to believe they would lose. This up-and-coming company will soon employ 100-150 people.

The schools are wireless, accommodating the "1-to-1" plan where every middle schooler gets a laptop. Superintendent Russ Reiter’s kids have closed the digital divide and are trained to win in the Internet age. The elementary school is putting the finishing touches on a dedicated science lab, which will host kids from around the region, showing how great resources can be shared, rather than duplicated. The best and brightest kids in the world are coming from Iowa due to these efforts.

The new Ringgold County Hospital will open in December as a state-of-the-art facility that will draw patients from both southern Iowa and northern Missouri. The facility is not a monument to ego or unnecessary spending. Gordon Winkler made sure every design aspect, from the rounded corners in patient rooms (easier to keep germ free) to the location of nurses stations (to be able to see down multiple hallways) are focused on community health and efficiency. Mount Ayr is ensuring great rural access to medical care, so that people don’t have to drive to Des Moines, Iowa City or Kansas City. Fortunately, it was built to easily expand to new wings. I believe that sort of optimism is self-fulfilling.

A town needs more than services and jobs. It needs a soul. Emotional hooks that keep kids from moving on. Mount Ayr has a thriving square with upbeat restaurants and stores. The Princess Theater, right on the square, is beautifully renovated and runs the newest movies. Or for $100, you can rent it for the evening and show your own home movies to 120 best friends. The new Lucky Lanes Bowling Alley with 6 lanes sits near Sweet Escapes Salon, where chairs were filled by clients and the air filled by friendly chatter about statewide events. It all left me wondering if I could bring my family to for a day.

Mount Ayr is a great town. It, and Ringgold County, are going to make it.

"Leave No County Behind."

Let me share some thoughts about Iowa’s small towns:

· Of Iowa’s 99 counties, just 14 have grown since 1980. 85 counties have been left behind by an economic development policy that rewards large cities at the expense of smaller towns. I am committed to turning that around. By the year 2020, we can see every county grow in jobs and population.

I call it my "Leave No County Behind" plan.

· ISU found that the number one predictor of small-town growth is new business creation. Let’s revamp our economic development system! Picking winners and losers from Des Moines simply does not work, and is the sort of "central planning" philosophy that failed in communist countries, and caused their economic collapse. In Mount Ayr, Heartland Energy was turned down by those central planners, but is going on to succeed! I have proposed that we replace the tax credit-driven system with a low-tax, level playing field that rewards Iowa-based companies, and especially our entrepreneurs. The centerpiece is my proposal that by 2020 we eliminate the state personal income tax.

· Schools and hospitals are being nickel and dimed to death by regulation, at Iowans’ expense. I’ve heard countless examples of rules that are not needed, often don’t work or simply are at odds with existing rules. Sure, it is only $5000 here, or $10,000 there. But in 30 seconds, a superintendent described to me a handful of unnecessary regulations that had cost him a classroom teacher. It makes no sense, and is bad for Iowa. It is why I have proposed that we conduct a full and on-going review of mandates, to simplify, streamline and "de-clutter" regulations. This will return the authority, responsibility and resources to the local level.

· We have to give our kids a reason to stay. Mount Ayr’s schools give them workplace ready skills. Businesses give them career opportunities. And the town itself gives a quality of life that allows both financial and emotional roots to grow deep. By 2020, my goal is to reverse the Brain Drain from both the state and our small towns, so that our kids can stay with us, and Iowa can be a magnet for the next generation.

Iowa needs a Governor who sees why we need strong small towns. Iowa needs a Governor who sees how to reverse the decline of our outer counties. Iowa needs a Governor who can make sure the Iowa Dream is attainable in every part of Iowa.

I believe in rural Iowa, and I want to be that Governor.

A travesty of justice...

Only on Friday the 13th...

Attorney General Eric Holder held a press conference this morning to announce the criminal trial of 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four other high level detainees currently held at Guantanamo Bay.

I won't focus this post on any of the legal issues related to this trial, however providing a civil proceeding as opposed to a military tribunal brings several "risks" into play.

Can you imagine the potential for terror to occur in the big apple once these trials begin?

The Obama justice department just painted a large bullseye for every radical terrorist to attack and I shudder to think any more American blood would be spilled on our homeland, much less in the very footprint of the former world trade center! 

This is akin to spitting on the graves of the victims of 9/11 and will only serve to open up old wounds and complicate the lives of those families who still struggle eight years after that tragic September morning.

Even my untrained legal mind recognizes that potential for catastrophic legal ramifications.  Can you really expect a fair trial only blocks from ground zero?  The jury pool and local press are two reasons alone to move these proceedings to another jurisdiction. 

The Obama administration in it's own attempt to avoid "politics" has quite possibly just set the table for a series of regrettable developments.  There's more downside to this announcement than meets the naked eye.

Should more innocent Americans lose their lives in New York City during these trials, an outraged public will first look to the blood-stained hands of our own President and hold him and his administration personally responsible for inviting the terrorists to strike anew.

Even then, they will refuse to call this what it really is..."The war on terror."