CLINTONCOUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY NEWSLETTER
http://www.clintoncountydemocrats.org
April 4, 2005
RETURN to Home Page
COMING EVENTS
Saturday, April 9:   A Legislative Forum with our representatives to the State Legislature will be held at the Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce office.  Call Bob Soesbe or check the Clinton Herald for current information.
Tuesday, April 19:  The ClintonCounty Democratic Central
Committee will meet at 7:30 P.M. at Democratic Headquarters.
Saturday, April 23:    SOCIAL SECURITY UNDER ATTACK
This will be an interactive discussion lead by Dan Holub, Director of The University of Iowa Labor Center, held at Clinton Community College  2:00 P.M. - 3:30 P.M.  Please call Bob Krajnovich 563-242-4298 for more information.
Saturday, May 7:  The Clinton County Democrats' Hall of Fame Dinner   The executive board of the County Central Committee has been directed to select the Hall of Fame honorees from nominations that have been received from Clinton County Democrats. The award was developed to recognize long time efforts, work and skills of people in the Clinton County Democratic Party.  Membership in the Hall of Fame indicates significant contributions of time, talent, funds, leadership and support for the Democratic Party and its beliefs.
A PUBLIC FORUM
Last week we attended Congressman Jim Nussle's Public Forum. There were more then seventy-five citizens who attended leaving standing room only in the cafeteria of the CountyAdministrationBuilding. There were many Democrats who attended and provided information.  We have to give Mr. Nussle credit for opening the Forum to everybody and not limiting attendance to a select list of supporters as the President does at many of his Town Meetings.  Everyone had a chance to express their views.
This was an excellent example of democracy in action at the County level.  It would have been a wonderful opportunity for students from government classes and young Democrats'  clubs from area high schools and colleges to observe citizens peacefully discussing their various points of view.
Mr. Nussle's programs and beliefs sound good in a public forum, but one needs to examine the chasm between what he says and the way he works and votes in Washington. In his responding to people from the audience he was reserved and polite except to the young lady who asked about legislation affecting minority groups, especially Native Americans. He may believe that our Congressmen and Senators are sensitive to these issues, but they need to look at the results.   Policies aren't working at the grassroots level.  Rarely have we seen a time when vigilance of our government is more important than it is with the Bush Administration.
Here are a few of the concerns that were expressed:
Budget cuts have had a negative effect on veterans' health care.
Veterans should have priority status for training for jobs with Homeland Security.
Retirement security, long term care and the safety of pension programs are major concerns.  Private retirement plans should have government insurance protection and offer the same safety as public employee retirement systems.
The cap on Social Security contributionsshould be raised above the present $90,000.  (Mr. Nussle is opposed to making the rich pay their fair share of security for all Americans.) Raising the retirement age could be part of the solution. Privatization of Social Security taxes will hurt social security and drive up the national debt.
The shifting of money to new grant programs for education has worked a hardship on schools.  Programs that are underway have been discontinued and schools now have to apply for new grants under different guidelines.  We're cutting successful programs and starting new untested programs.
Medicare and Medicaid cuts have hurt the State of Iowa.  There should be a better system of delivering quality care.  One system doesn't  work in all States.
The environment and agriculture were not discussed.
The effect of the Iraqi War on the budget deficit and the threat of the huge national debt on the future of the United   States as a World power is a top priority item.
We need to reduce the number of jobs leaving the country and eliminate incentives that encourage companies to leave.
(Mr. Nussle stated that corporations are in business only for the purpose of making money.I disagree. Many corporations are concerned about the welfare of their workers and the communities in which they operate.)  
Mr. Nussle showed little sympathy for American workers. He tried to shift the blame for our trade deficit to American consumers.  He showed little grasp for the actual problem or an understanding of possible solutions.
The audience and Mr. Nussle were in agreement that we need to pursue energy independence by developing alternate sources of energy.  Mr. Nussle blamed environmental groups for our failure to build more coal fired and nuclear power plants.
RELATED EXCERPTS FROM OTHER SOURCES:
 "Our failed trade agreements have led to a loss of American jobs, record trade deficits and mounting unprecedented trade debt.  The Bush administration is pursuing the same mentality that has led to a 70% rise in our trade deficit since 2001.  Albert Einstein observed that  'The significant problems that we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them.'  What is required is an intelligent policy of fair, balanced and mutually beneficial trade to overcome our trade deficits.  We need creative thinking."  (Lou Dobbs in U.S. News and World Report 4-4-05)
 "Polling shows that 70% of Americans support a drastic increase in government spending on developing renewable energy sources.  Yet, next year the Bush Administration will phase out the $2000. tax credit for buying a hybid vehicle which may get over 50 miles per gallon, but will leave the $25,000. tax incentive for buying a Hummer which gets 10-12 miles per gallon.  By doing nothing to lower U.S, oil consumption we are financing both sides in the war on terrorism and strengthening the worst governments in the World."   (MollyIvinsQuadCity Times 3-31-05)