DSM Free Press » Archive
Terry Branstad: Hero of Civil Libertarians?
Terry Branstad may be trying to prevent the need for a Libertarian nominee in the 2014 gubernatorial race. Governor Branstad recently said that he would be glad to sign legislation that outlaws hidden traffic cams designed to pick up speeders and presumably create more revenue for states and municipalities. The hidden cams have drawn the ire of many groups across the state. The cameras are being used in cities such as Des Moines and Cedar Rapids. The movement and the conversation to ban these cameras were advanced by twenty four Republican legislators. A person who wants to follow the legislation can look at House File 248 and decide whether they think the legislation will actually get to the Governor’s desk. Several people have begun to … Read entire article »
Filed under: Uncategorized
Gas Tax Increase On The Way?
Will there be an increase in gas tax in the state of Iowa in 2012? This Magic 8 Ball says no. There are a couple of key people in both caucuses such as Tom Reilly (D-Oskaloosa) and Dave Tjepkes (R-Gowrie). I think that the gas tax increase would largely be opposed by both industry (trucking, shipping) and anti-poverty groups that represent the working class and poor Iowans. I am also working off information from my State Representative Jerry Kearns who says he does not see a gas tax increase passing this year. Jerry and others are probably going to spend most of their energy and time debating things like commercial property tax reform. The Democratic caucus thus far does not sound like they are too pleased … Read entire article »
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Should Christian Fong Run For Governor In 2014?
Christian Fong should consider running for Governor in 2014. There is no doubt that Republicans want to provide a young, upbeat ideas oriented candidate in the state of Iowa. If Governor Branstad decided not to run again, many people would assume that he would hand the keys over to Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds. Would Kim Reynolds have the field to herself or would people seek a definite alternative. I think you could probably write off Bob Vander Plaats as a serious gubernatorial candidate, his fixation with many social issues of the day I personally feel makes him a better fit for federal office. I think an individual like Fong is more likely to think outside of the box when it comes to matters dealing with education. … Read entire article »
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Huntsman Offering Reasonable Tax Structure Unlike Rick Perry?
Jon Huntsman is a person who has struggled to get attention during his bid for the Republican nomination for President of the United States. Huntsman is a man who has gotten credit for his ideas when it comes to the tax. Huntsman should also get credit for passing a flat tax proposal through the Utah legislature, sometimes it does not matter how “conservative” the overall makeup of a legislative body is; they still often look for ways to increase taxes and spending. Rick Perry is someone who deserves credit for not authorizing an income tax in the state of Texas. The voters there certainly would not support this proposal and you have to ask whether Perry is a true fiscal conservative in comparison to Huntsman. Perry’s twenty … Read entire article »
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Bob Vander Plaats Endorses Santorum, Disses Bachmann?
Former United States Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania has received the endorsement of socially conservative activist Bob Vander Plaats. Bob Vander Plaats is someone who has run for office numerous times in the state of Iowa. Vander Plaats has consistently argued that the protection of marriage is something that will be central to protecting our life in the state of Iowa. The rumors of BVP seeking money for his endorsement are something that we can all stay away from so we don’t get ensnared in any sort of controversy. The juicer story and frankly less harmful story is that BVP is rumored to have asked Michelle Bachmann to drop out of the race. Bachmann for her part stayed away from the BVP story and conversation at a … Read entire article »
Filed under: 2012 Presidential Race, Politics, Uncategorized
Rick Santorum’s Tax Plan: A Brief Outline
Rick Santorum is the GOP presidential candidate who has been making the most appearances around the entire state of Iowa. I think it is appropriate to at least give people information on Rick Santorum’s tax/economic plans. Santorum’s efforts traveling around the state is something that should be noted regardless of what someone may think of the man’s politics. Santorum has talked about zeroing out corporate income taxes on manufacturers. He has basically stated that he does not care if some people believe that this is a way that people are picking winners and losers and thus end up creating a form of crony capitalism. The Tax Foundation has been highly critical of Rick Santorum’s tax plan, saying that the plan basically does not eliminate the complexities that … Read entire article »
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Iowa Hawkeyes Still Have Growing Pains
Fran McCaffrey admits that he is still in a rebuilding process with the University of Iowa men’s basketball team. There are a lot of people who can benefit from the work of Aaron White on the inside. White is only six eight, but he is playing a definite role for the team. The Iowa Hawkeyes have not really had a traditional back to the basket kind of guy in a number of years, they certainly did not have that kind of option during the Todd Lickliter era. As I write this, the Iowa Hawkeyes are 6-5 on the season and they tend to be really struggling against the better teams on their schedule, this is a very cut and dry analysis of their current situation. The loss against … Read entire article »
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Schultz Endorses Santorum
This morning, Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz endorsed Rick Santorum’s Presidential campaign. In 2008, Schultz endorsed Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney for President. Senator Santorum said: “I am honored to receive Secretary of State Schultz’s endorsement today. Matt is a rising conservative star, not just in Iowa but for the entire nation. Matt built his own campaign for Secretary of State through grassroots campaigning and exciting activists – not through TV ads and occasional rallies in Des Moines. Matt went door-to-door, coffee shop to coffee shop and won over the people of Iowa. I learned from Matt Schultz how Iowa campaigns are run, and I am thrilled to have his vote of confidence today. I am excited to work with Matt over … Read entire article »
Filed under: Politics
Iowa Senate District 42 Race Heats Up
The Iowa Senate District 42 race is beginning to heat up. The district which covers Lee and parts of Henry and Washington counties is one that still leans Democratic, but could swing to the GOP under the right dynamics. The GOP already has a top notch candidate in Larry Kruse running for the seat. Larry Kruse currently serves on the Lee County Board of Supervisors and is a well respected farmer in the community. He worked for many years for a petrochemical company and is a member of the Lee County Farm Bureau. There are currently three announced candidates on the Democratic side of the aisle who are vying for the seat previously held by Senator Gene Fraise. The most well … Read entire article »
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The Issues That Really Should Have Ended Cain’s Campaign
By Jake Porter Sunday, December 4, 2011 Herman Cain is finally ending his Presidential campaign after a series of allegations including sexual harassment and adultery. A case can be made that adultery would have little to nothing to do with Cain’s ability to govern; however, I think most reasonable and prudent Americans would agree we do not want sexual harassment to take place in the White House. That being said, allegations are just that, allegations. Many of those in the so called mainstream media continued to ignore the real and verifiable reasons Herman Cain was unqualified to be President and when they had a sensational story to end his campaign they used and focused on the sensational story … Read entire article »
Filed under: Columnists, Jake Porter