Author Archives: bfiachadthompson

DM Register: Overhaul the VA?

Posted on July 14, 2005 by bfiachadthompson

DM Register: Overhaul the VA? Yesterday's Des Moines Register featured an editorial promoting the elimination of the VA Hospital system. I'll point out the motivation behind the article: The Department of Veterans Affairs underestimated the cost of veterans' health care … Continue reading →

Posted in Big Government, Health Care & Medicare, Main Page, National News | 3 Comments

Can Iowa Compete in A Science-based Economy?

Posted on July 12, 2005 by bfiachadthompson

Can Iowa Compete in A Science-based Economy? This is a topic that I definitely have more to speak about, but this will be fairly short today. Fred Dorr, a former West Des Moines School Board Member penned an editorial promoting … Continue reading →

Posted in Corporate Greed, Education, Iowa in the News, Jobs, Main Page | 4 Comments

Will Abortion Cloud Iowa Governor’s Race?

Posted on July 7, 2005 by bfiachadthompson

Will Abortion Cloud Iowa Governor's Race? There was a David Yepsen editorial in the Des Moines Register today that I think is worth a little discussion. The title: “Will Abortion Cloud Blouin's Run For Governor?” By most normal measurements, Mike … Continue reading →

Posted in Choice, Iowa in the News, Main Page | 3 Comments

CAFTA: Where Do We Stand?

Posted on July 6, 2005 by bfiachadthompson

CAFTA: Where Do We Stand? Following up from yesterday's post – there have been many items written about CAFTA, and why “The Democrats” seem to be taking different positions with regard to free trade. The Washington Post writes CAFTA Reflects … Continue reading →

Posted in Farming, Jobs, Main Page | Comments Off

CAFTA: Killing Iowa’s Ethanol Industry

Posted on July 5, 2005 by bfiachadthompson

CAFTA: Killing Iowa's Ethanol Industry Just before the holiday break (I hope everyone enjoyed a relaxing and celebratory 4th!), the Senate passed their version of the Central American Free Trade Agreement. Iowa's vote went both ways. Tom Harkin: “Many corporations … Continue reading →

Posted in Farming, Main Page | Comments Off

Iowa Cities Shrinking, Suburbs Expanding

Posted on June 30, 2005 by bfiachadthompson

Iowa Cities Shrinking, Suburbs Expanding The U.S. Census Bureau released population estimates for Iowa towns and muncipalities, as reported in the Des Moines Register. While these are estimates, they do indicate that the Des Moines Metro, at least, is undergoing … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa in the News, Main Page | Comments Off

Vilsack To Chair DLC

Posted on June 28, 2005 by bfiachadthompson

Vilsack To Chair DLC The Des Moines Register is reporting today that Tom Vilsack has been chosen to become chairman of the Democratic Leadership Council. The interesting item in the story, however, was the backing that Tom Vilsack is receiving … Continue reading →

Posted in Big Government, Corporate Greed, Iowa in the News, Main Page | 3 Comments

Justices Uphold Taking Property for Development

Posted on June 24, 2005 by bfiachadthompson

Justices Uphold Taking Property for Development Yesterday, the United States Supreme Court handed down a decision which allows local governments the right to use eminent domain to appropriate private property for commercial development purposes. The 5-to-4 decision cleared the way … Continue reading →

Posted in Big Government, Corporate Greed, Jobs, Main Page | Comments Off

“Drill, Drill, Drill”

Posted on June 22, 2005 by bfiachadthompson

“Drill, Drill, Drill” As we've noted a few times, the issue of “local control” to control business or agricultural issues is something that Iowa counties are struggling with. However, it's not just in Iowa. Western states are also struggling to … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Farming, Main Page | Comments Off

Issues of the Day

Posted on June 21, 2005 by bfiachadthompson

Issues of the Day Over at TPMCafe, Rep. Bernie Sanders of Vermont is guest-blogging, where he writes “The Decline of the American Middle Class Is THE Issue”. The reality today is that for the vast majority of Americans their standard … Continue reading →

Posted in Big Government, Corporate Greed, Environment, Farming, Iowa in the News, Jobs, Main Page | Comments Off