Caffeinated Thoughts |
- Tom Latham: Happy Fourth of July–Remembering Why We Celebrate
- Our Declaration of Independence
- Everyone’s Talking Bankruptcy
- Steve King: Remember the Source of Our Freedom
- Counter Argument to Spanking Linked to Mental Illness
- Republicans Have Significant Voter Advantage in Iowa’s 4th Congressional District
- North Carolina Defunds Planned Parenthood
| Tom Latham: Happy Fourth of July–Remembering Why We Celebrate Posted: 03 Jul 2012 11:00 PM PDT
Our great experiment in liberty and independence turns a year older this week, but the freedoms we celebrate remain as timeless and universal as they were in 1776 when our Founding Fathers approved the Declaration of Independence. As you get ready to enjoy some time with family and friends, parades, barbecue and fireworks over the Fourth of July holiday, I hope you'll take a moment or two to think about why we celebrate – and to thank those who have sacrificed the most to safeguard our freedoms. "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." It's difficult to think of another statement that so concisely sums up the core principles of what we believe in as Americans. The sentiments expressed in that single sentence from the Declaration of Independence have motivated ordinary Americans to accomplish great things and make tremendous sacrifices, all in an effort to make sure that future generations of Americans have the freedom to determine their own path. The Founders passed down to us a heritage of liberty and democracy, and there's no doubt that we should celebrate that heritage with displays of patriotism. But I hope that we won't lose sight of the profound importance of our freedom in all the fireworks and parades. And I hope that we also recognize and thank the men and women who have given the most to protect our freedom. No one has done more to advance the cause of liberty than our veterans and those who are currently serving in the military. On a day when we celebrate our independence and our freedom, it's fitting that we would also remember the incredible sacrifices they have made. The Fourth of July is a time for patriotism, and there are no greater patriots than those who have served in the armed forces. I wish you a happy, safe and fun Fourth of July. Enjoy the celebrations and time with friends, family and neighbors. But let's also remember why we celebrate. Let's remind ourselves that we must cherish and protect our freedoms. And let's remember to thank those who have sacrificed to defend our liberty. Congressman Tom Latham (R-IA) represents Iowa's 4th Congressional District. Due to redistricting he is challenging incumbent Congressman Leonard Boswell (R-IA) in the newly drawn Iowa 3rd Congressional District. Link to this post! | ||||||||||||||||
| Our Declaration of Independence Posted: 03 Jul 2012 10:00 PM PDT
We at Caffeinated Thoughts would like to wish you a Happy Independence Day! We can't think of any better way to mark the occasion than to publish the document that sent shockwaves around the world as a scrappy band of 13 colonies declared their independence from one of the greatest military powers in the world at that time. IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776. The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.–Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world. He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good. He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them. He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only. He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures. He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within. He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands. He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers. He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries. He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance. He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures. He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power. He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation: For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us: For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States: For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world: For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent: For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury: For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies: For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments: For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever. He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us. He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people. He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands. He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions. In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people. Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends. We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor. Link to this post! | ||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 03 Jul 2012 03:15 PM PDT
The financial status of state governments is also of concern. Fortunately, state governments – by law – must officially balance their budgets. Though some states use a variety of budgeting and accounting gimmicks to do so, the Governors and Legislatures are hopefully more accountable. The Public Notice Project recently released a report titled "Bankrupting America," which summarizes key state budget, tax, and economic information.[1] Iowa is doing better than many, but not as well as some. Several of our neighboring states are in fiscal trouble. Encouragingly, the Iowa budget deficit numbers are trending significantly lower. In FY 2011 the deficit was just over $1 billion. In contrast, the FY 2012 projected deficit is only $149 million dollars, ranking 41st lowest in the country.[2] As retiring House Majority Leader Pro Tem Jeff Kaufmann said on June 4, "Getting our budget under control and ending the practice of funding continuing state expenses with one-time, federal, money is the accomplishment I'm most proud of."[3] The amount of federal tax money returned to Iowa, after being funneled through Washington, D.C., bureaucrats (most of whom make significantly more than the taxpayers providing the money) was $6.2 billion in FY 2010. The amount of "stimulus" money sent our way was $2.2 billion.[4] This money is the one-time funding that Representative Kaufmann was referring to. In a regional comparison, South Dakota has a lower budget deficit at only $127 million, while Illinois continues to run one of the highest deficits in the nation at $5.3 billion. Additionally, the Illinois State employee pension fund is the worst in the country, with only 51 percent of the long-term liability actually funded. The unfunded pension liability in Wisconsin, at over $79 million, is also significantly higher that that of Iowa. Iowa's unfunded liability – while not the best in the nation – is less than $27 million.[5] Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker (Republican) was elected, and then re-elected, based on his campaign promise to take strong actions in dealing with the unfunded pension liability and government-union demands. Of the six states surrounding Iowa – Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wisconsin – most of the per person state government expenditures are in the $4,200 to $5,700 range. Wisconsin has one of the highest levels of expenditures per person at $7,051 for each of its 5.6 million residents.[6] This is in addition to the high pension liabilities. Wisconsin is clearly a negative regional outlier. The economic growth seen in Iowa over the last two years is second highest in the region, at 3.1 percent. Only Minnesota, at 3.2 percent, has seen more economic growth coming out of the recession. For example, the Minnesota Gross Domestic Product is now almost twice as high as our $129 billion, at almost $250 billion.[7] Though the U.S. is officially out of the 2008 recession, housing and home foreclosures remain of concern. The highest regional foreclosure rate is 1 of every 383 houses in Illinois. On the other end of the scale, only 1 in every 4,000 houses has been foreclosed on in South Dakota. The Iowa rate is 1 in 804: not great, but not as bad as either Illinois or Wisconsin (1 in 578).[8] State governments can avoid bankruptcy by cutting current and future spending and/or increasing taxes. If all else fails, homeowners can declare bankruptcy and let the house be foreclosed on. Students, however, don't have that option with college loans. Seventy-two percent of the students graduating from colleges and universities in Iowa have student loan debt. Additionally, they have the third highest amount of student loan debt in the country, with an average of almost $30,000 each.[9] The biggest negative for Iowa in the "Bankrupting America" report is that our top state income tax rate of 8.98 percent is the highest in the region and our state and local sales tax rate is 7 percent.[10] Lower rates in both areas would potentially make the state more competitive. It is good that Iowa State government is not on the verge of bankruptcy, and our economic growth has been recovering. The state budget has also been brought under control. Now it would be smart if the State House and State Senate could see their way clear to reducing the income tax and commercial property tax rates. And it would be smarter still if the Regent schools would end tuition set-asides and reduce tuition rates so that our workers, families, and students do not end up in bankruptcy court – yet still have huge student loan debts to pay. Endnotes Link to this post! | ||||||||||||||||
| Steve King: Remember the Source of Our Freedom Posted: 03 Jul 2012 02:00 PM PDT
Washington, DC- Congressman Steve King (R-IA) released the following statement to commemorate the 236th birthday of our nation:
“Tomorrow as celebrations of Independence Day light up our great nation, may we remember the sacrifices of those who have fought to protect our Liberty,” said King. “Let us also look forward to the great future in store for our country. In our words and deeds, we can honor our Founding Fathers by showing our personal allegiance. With God given Liberty as its foundation, I strive to uphold the Constitution in my daily dealings in Congress, and I pray that the American people will remember the source of our freedom on this day, and every day.” Link to this post! | ||||||||||||||||
| Counter Argument to Spanking Linked to Mental Illness Posted: 03 Jul 2012 12:46 PM PDT
The aim of the study was to investigate a possible link between harsh punishment and mental disorders, such as, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, substance abuse/dependence, and personality disorders. The result of harsh punishment, defined by the study as “pushing, grabbing, shoving, slapping, hitting” was increased odds of having an Axis I or Axis II disorder. The following is a description of these type of disorders found in the DSM-IV.
According to a 2005 study, conducted by Ronald Kessler and his colleagues, it was found that “between 25 percent and 30 percent of Americans suffer from anxiety disorders such as phobias, about 20 percent suffer from mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder, and about 15 percent suffer from substance-abuse disorders such as alcoholism.” The survey also revealed that there are “important gender differences in the prevalence of some mental disorders, as well as some notable race differences found is specific psychopathologies such as post traumatic stress syndrome and alcoholism.” The American Academy of Pediatrics findings of “possible link and increased odds” states that 2% to 5% of Axis I and 4% to 7% of Axis II disorders reported experiencing harsh physical punishment. In context of the numbers found in Kessler’s report of 25-30% Americans who sufferer from these disorders, the results are very small. To conclude that “These findings inform the ongoing debate around the use of physical punishment and provide evidence that harsh physical punishment independent of child maltreatment is related to mental disorders” is misleading and erroneous. To make the leap that spanking is the cause of these disorders is also an egregious error, with an obvious agenda tainting the findings of the report. Many have argued, including the American Association of Pediatrics that spanking should not be practiced and they utilize any evidence that helps support their claim. However there are a great many people who have properly and sparingly used spanking as a way of discipline and have children who model the very essence of a well brought up child, secure in the love of his parents and able to live well in society. Child abuse is heinous. No child should ever endure harsh physical, emotional or mental punishment. Children need love and consistency in their lives to grow into well adjusted citizens. Children also need discipline, wise and loving guidance that many times include penalties for behavior that is unacceptable. Chip Ingram, pastor and author says, “The discipline should fit the misbehavior and the age and understanding of the child. Sometimes, spanking does come into use, but only in a calm and loving manner, after a clear warning to help lead the child away from danger and a clear understanding that the action was not a mistake, but a case of disobedience. The discipline of spanking should always include these seven steps, or it should not be used.”
If the goal of the study, "Physical Punishment and Mental Disorders: Results From a Nationally Representative U.S. Sample," was to help those with mental disorders live a well rounded life, or even to determine how actual child abuse can be prevented in these types of living situations and scenarios, then the findings could lead to better ways in which to help this percentage of the population. But the desire and driving motivation came with an agenda and a misinterpretation of the findings. In the authors own words, the reduction of physical punishment and therefore spanking is the desired end.
Once again, all forms of abuse are never acceptable. We should be looking for ways in which to help those with mental disorders. But for the scientific community to make a connection between a possible link and the increased odds of mental illness as related to harsh physical punishment, while manipulating the terms and statistics to push an agenda, is insincere. Spanking has not been proved to be linked to mental illness in this report, but rather the facts were manipulated with the intent to build a case for opponents of spanking. When a child misleads his parents he or she is taught not to lie. When a scientific community misleads the public they too should be reprimanded. Perhaps a spanking is what is needed.
Link to this post! | ||||||||||||||||
| Republicans Have Significant Voter Advantage in Iowa’s 4th Congressional District Posted: 03 Jul 2012 11:00 AM PDT
"Voters in the 4th Congressional District are standing with Congressman King and Republicans' belief in balancing our federal budget, creating certainty in Washington to give businesses the predictability and stability to grow, repealing ObamaCare and harnessing American energy," said King for Congress Campaign Manager Jake Ketzner. "Christie Vilsack's rejection of a Balanced Budget Amendment to reign in Washington spending, flip-flopping on ObamaCare, support of massive tax hikes on hard-working Iowa families and strategy of ducking questions is clearly costing her and her party in the 4th District." The active voter registration numbers are as follows in the 4th Congressional District:
Republicans in Iowa's old 5th Congressional District held a 54,840 voter registration advantage over Democrats at last calculation on January 3, 2012. Republicans in Iowa's new 4th Congressional District now hold a voter registration advantage of 53,214 over Democrats. Link to this post! | ||||||||||||||||
| North Carolina Defunds Planned Parenthood Posted: 03 Jul 2012 10:15 AM PDT
"Planned Parenthood is an abortion-centered, profit-driven business, not the caring health provider for women and girls they purport to be. They neither need nor deserve taxpayer dollars," said Marjorie Dannenfelser, President of the Susan B. Anthony List. "This budget adjustment does not cut a dime of family planning funding. It does protect the consciences of pro-life taxpayers by sending funds to county health departments which do not perform abortions.
"In the last year Planned Parenthood was exposed as a willing ally of alleged human traffickers, culpable of the waste, abuse, and potential fraud of millions of taxpayer dollars, and most recently as a facilitator of sex-selective abortions. Despite these scandals, President Obama has refused to allow a single tax dollar to be cut from Planned Parenthood at the federal level. As he fights to protect Planned Parenthood's taxpayer-funded bottom line, Americans nationwide are firmly resolved to defund big abortion and protect the conscience rights of taxpayers. North Carolina legislators will not be the last to take action.”
Last year pro-life legislators in the North Carolina General Assembly voted to strip Planned Parenthood of roughly$434,000 in the budget. Governor Bev Purdue vetoed the budget, which was overridden by the legislature. The provision specifically named Planned Parenthood, and a legal challenge by the abortion business resulted in a preliminary injunction. The language passed in this year's budget revision does not specifically target Planned Parenthood.
The SBA List has led the charge to defund Planned Parenthood in the states following last year's Congressional battle, offering state groups and legislators model legislation, expert testimony and grassroots muscle. In 2011, eight states successfully defunded Planned Parenthood of more than $61.7 million. This year, with the help of the SBA List, Arizona, Ohio, Iowa, New Hampshire and Oklahoma have taken on Planned Parenthood's tax funding. Link to this post! |
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