Coralville Courier

Memorial Day Thoughts

Memorial Day commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service.  We can't give enough thanks to those who put themselves in harm's way and paid the ultimate sacrifice.  The man who most profoundly spoke to the value of this day best, was Abraham Lincoln, in his historic Gettysburg Address in 1863.

It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us - that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain - that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom - and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

Former Hawkeye great and NBA player, Acie Earl endorses Rob Gettemy

Former college and professional athlete now local Iowa City entrepreneur

Former University of Iowa basketball player, Acie Earl has endorsed Rob Gettemy in his run for the Republican nomination for Congress in Iowa’s Second District.

In a statement issued today, Acie Earl, now a successful real estate professional in the Iowa City area said this about his former teacher at the University of Iowa:

“I have known Mr. Gettemy for about a year. His knowledge of how to create successful businesses as well as his integrity is what impresses me the most.  He can relate to people of all backgrounds and ages.  He would be an outstanding representative in the Congress as he understands what needs to be done—and will do it with class and professionalism.”

Acie Earl, a graduate of Moline High School, played basketball at the University of Iowa from 1988-1992, being named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year his senior year.  He then played professional basketball in the NBA.  He is currently the boys’ freshman basketball coach at Solon High School, Solon IA. He works as a real estate professional in the Iowa City area in addition to managing his own rental properties.

In response to Acie Earl’s endorsement, Rob Gettemy stated, “I am honored to have Acie’s endorsement and to count him among our growing number of supporters. The buzzer on America’s future is about to go off.  On June 8, put the ball in my hands, and will take the shot!”

Rob Gettemy, Republican candidate for Congress in the Second District,  is an entrepreneur having started three businesses, one of which he still owns with his family, after a successful career as Vice-President of Sales and Marketing for Parsons Technology in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  He is also an instructor of entrepreneurship and business innovation at the University of Iowa Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center at the Tippie College of Business.   

74% Have Favorable Opinion of U.S. Military

This Memorial Day, nearly three-out-of-four Americans (74%) have a favorable opinion of the U.S. military, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just 12% hold an unfavorable opinion, and 13% are not sure.

McKinley’s Memos - May 28, 2010

Senate Republican Leader Paul McKinley

 

Iowans received more sobering news on the economy late last week. Unemployment ticked up to 6.9 percent with 116,800 Iowans out of work – an increase of 2,600 from the month before.

 

This news comes as Governor Culver is traveling the state touting his $1.7 billion dollar I-JOBS program that he promised would create 30,000 jobs and spur an economic revitalization of Iowa’s economy. But since unveiling his I-JOBS idea during the Condition of the State address in January 2009, Iowa has actually lost over 30,000 jobs while nearly $1.7 billion has been added to the state’s credit card.

 

Based on employment numbers from Iowa Workforce Development, the graph below illustrates the month by month unemployment numbers since Governor Culver announced his temporary work program.

 

 

 

Clearly, Culver’s expensive program has failed. Government cannot create jobs – it’s the private sector and small business that is the engine of job growth.

 

That’s why we need a new direction for Iowa – one that actually puts the focus on private sector job creation and puts Iowans back into good paying jobs in every county and community in this state.

 

Senate Republicans have a better plan.

 

Instead of empowering government bureaucrats to pick winners as is the direction taken by Governor Culver and legislative Democrats, Senate Republicans believe we must give entrepreneurs, employers and small business owners the tools they need to not only succeed today – but into the future as well. 

 

Our detailed three point plan involves providing an immediate jolt of adrenaline to Iowa’s economy by offering aggressive tax incentives for hiring more Iowans while also cultivating good ideas and encouraging entrepreneurs to come forward to develop or expand their venture right here in Iowa.

 

In addition, our plan includes putting together an extensive volunteer commission of business leaders and entrepreneurs from around that state that will be tasked with identifying the onerous barriers and regulations that are holding back growth, development, expansion and job creation in Iowa. The Legislature and governor will need to act on these citizen suggestions.

 

When Governor Culver took office and legislative Democrats took over both chambers of the Legislature in January of 2007, Iowa’s unemployment was at 3.6 percent.  Today it is on the verge of 7 percent.

 

Last year, Iowa lost 222 factories and two-thirds of Iowa’s counties lost population because of a lack of jobs. Today we remain 49^th in the nation in friendliness to job creators according to US News & World Report and 41^st according to the very reputable Small Business Survival Index.

 

We have now seen four years of sky high property taxes, irresponsible spending and generational debt. Year after year, Democrats have discussed and in some instances passed damaging anti-jobs legislation like gutting Iowa’s Right to Work status, decimating our worker’s compensation system, fundamentally altering our collective bargaining methods and implementing a property tax increasing prevailing wage.

 

We can and must do better.  The status quo in Iowa cannot continue. 

 

Senate Republicans know we can experience a 99 county resurgence. Iowa is filled with promise because we have wonderful people in welcoming communities who have a burning passion to build a better Iowa for their families, friends and neighbors.

 

We must begin to change direction, reignite the entrepreneurial spirit of the private sector and welcome the new economy of tomorrow. Let us again put our faith in the people to move Iowa forward instead of allowing government to hold us back.

 

As always, I welcome hearing from you and can be reached by phone at 515-281-3560 or by e-mail at paul.mckinley@legis.state.ia.us

 

Paul McKinley

Senate Republican Leader

www.mckinleyforiowa.com

www.facebook.com/paulmckinley

www.twitter.com/mckinleyforiowa

Miller-Meeks not a person of her word

By Mike Thayer

In 2008, Moderette Miller-Meeks filled out a Project Vote Smart Political Courage Test.  It should be noted that she refused to provide voters with information for 2010. 

Hmmmm......

An outfit that gathers information on candidates, the Project Vote Smart test covered all the various hot button topics, to include campaign finance.   

Campaign Finance and Government Reform Issues

The test asked:  Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding campaign finance and government reform.  (Editor's Note: a 'X' indicates support)

In responding to issue stance 'e' in the Campaign Finance and Government Reform Issues category, Miller-Meeks put a 'X' next to:  "Support prohibiting ads containing candidates' name that are paid for by third parties from airing 60 days before a primary and 30 days before a general election.

So with that in mind, you would think that Miller-Meeks would object to the recently released attack ad against fellow Republican and U.S Congressional candidate Steve Rathje and his stance on abortion.  The Coralville Courier exposed that fraudulent ad in an article published earlier today. 

That ad was made by an outfit called Coalition For Iowa Values, in other words, a third party airing a commercial containing a candidate's name, clearly violating the 60 day window for a primary.....  something Miller-Meeks supposedly objects to.

So based on MMM's supposed stance highlighted above and if she truly means what she says, you would THINK that Miller-Meeks would condemn the ad in being consistent with her response to the Project Vote Smart test. 

But she hasn't done so, she hasn't said boo.  In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Miller-Meeks was well aware of this unwarranted and baseless attack ad being created.  Alleged creator Jeff Patch, (who hasn't responded to our inquiries) has past and friendly ties to Miller-Meeks.  There were similar style attack ads issued in the 2008 primary against Peter Teahen and then again in the general election against Dave Loebsack.  Is Miller-Meeks only pretending to be taking the high road, using third parties to do her dirty work for her?

In contrast, Steve "Tells it like it is" Rathje came out recently with an ad that addresses a very valid voter concern, questioning the wisdom of voting a second time for Miller-Meeks, who lost badly to Loebsack in 2008, 57-38%, a 19 point whipping.

The ad is direct, straight-forward and upfront from the Rathje campaign, it's not some third party buddy contracted to do dirty work, the Rathje ad is based in factual information, it's based in reality - THE TRUTH - and to repeat, addresses a very valid concern.

Miller-Meeks responded to that Rathje ad by calling it “a deceitful, deceptive attack by someone going into a last minute panic.”

So Rathje telling it like it is and using facts to do so, is deceitful and deceptive?  And looking the other way despite your publicly made stance and perhaps being a part of a third party attack ad or at the very least possibly having knowledge of a falsely conceived ad and failing to speak out against it - isn't?

Do you see what's going on here folks?  I mean who is kidding who?  It seems Miller-Meeks is not a person of her word and has a problem with the truth.  If she's really high road, she would have EAGERLY jumped on the Coalition For Iowa Values (cough) ad and denounced it, telling voters that's the kind of stuff she'll put a stop to if sent to Washington.

But she didn't do that....  She didn't stay true to her word....  She's silent....  Very telling......

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Obama isn't a do'er, he's a pronouncer

"After the success of Obama's 'Plug the damn hole!' to stop the oil spill, we can expect a new strategy for Afghanistan: 'Just win the damn war!' and immigration policy: 'Just build the damn fence!' and fiscal responsibility:  'Just stop the damn deficits!'  That's all it takes: pronouncements from Obama." - Rush Limbaugh

Coalition For Iowa Values goes liberal with hit piece video aimed at Rathje

By Mike Thayer

Can you say, "Complete fabrication?"

Yes you can!  That's what the Coaltion For Iowa Values is guilty of in their recently released hit piece video against Republican candidate for U.S. Congress Steve Rathje. 

The video they 'created' is a blatant piece of manipulation and misinformation, it's not at all based in the truth, it's without honor, it's lowroad and the stuff of liberal camps.  It's NOT the stuff of Iowa values.

The Coalition's misinformation piece leads off with images and quotes from high profile pro-abortion figures like Senator John Kerry and then senator Barack Obama.  The video then puts up a snipped ten-second Rathje response to the abortion question, spinning things to look like Rathje is a pro-abortion guy. 

What the Coaltion for Iowa Values did was completely dishonest and indefensible.

Rathje has been pro-life for as long as the Coralville Courier has followed his campaign, he's consistent in his beliefs.  He hasn't changed his stance depending on the audience he's speaking to or the county he's in like one of his opponents has. 

For those of you who don't know, here is the Rathje stance on abortion, which can be reviewed at his campaign website:

He is pro-life, from conception to natural death.  There is, however, only one exception -- and that is whereby the doctor has determined that the mother will not physically survive the pregnancy.  Then it becomes an issue between the parents, their doctor and God.  He believes that life should be protected at all stages.

"As a pro-life parent and grandparent, I will always strive to protect the life of the unborn and will be diligent in protecting all children from those who seek to do them harm.   I will not, under any circumstances, approve Federal funding for abortions.  Period!" ~ Steve Rathje 

Here's the video in question, just look at the manipulation in it, note how Rathje continues to speak but the video 'creators' abruptly cut off the rest of Rathje's response, which conveys his consistent belief and stance,  "...whereby the doctor has determined that the mother will not physically survive the pregnancy." (Gee, I wonder who the favorite candidate of the Coaltion is?  Could it be Moderette Miller-Meeks?)  

Alleged to have had a hand in putting this complete fabrication of an ad together and also with ties to Mariannette Miller-Meeks - Jeff Patch - did not respond to our inquiries.

BREAKING NEWS: Hit piece video aimed at Rathje is manipulated video

Video takes ten second snippet of a Rathje response regarding his stance on abortion and manipulates it into a pro-abortion stance, a blatantly false and dishonorable video to produce.....

This story is developing.....

King Obama doesn't have time for the military

Barack Obama has demonstrated time and time again his dislike for the U.S. military.

This weekend, the Commander In Chief will skip Memorial Day services at Arlington National Cemetery - a time honored presidential tradition - and instead he will take his family to Chicago for rest and relaxation.

As president, Obama's treatment of the military has been morale busting.  In 2008 he gave a Memorial Day weekend speech with the theme of ’serving your country,’ but focused on things wrong within the military community as opposed to a focus on honoring fallen military heroes and recognizing their sacrifice in fighting for this country.  In fact made the following gaffe:

“On this Memorial Day, as our nation honors its unbroken line of fallen heroes – and I see many of them in the audience here today…”

His budget proposals have attempted to reduce defense spending to pre-9/11 levels.  Obama's administration is uncomfortable with reality in using the term ‘war on terror.’ The fight against terrorism is a primary motivation for many young men and women to join the military in this day and age, those young, patriotic Americans are willing to put their lives on the line to protect the American way of life.

This is not a president who is a friend of the military.  His record below is quite telling:

January 2009: US Presidential First: Obama Blew Off ‘Heroes Ball’ Honoring Our Military, Rubbed Elbows with Hollywood Elite Instead

March 2009: Obama Wants to Save $540 Million – By Charging Wounded Troops for Their Own Medical Treatment

April 2009: Anti-Military Leftist Rosa Brooks Obama’s Choice to be a top advisor in the Defense Department

April 2009: Twisted DHS Report Assaults US Military Veterans, Why OKC Bomber McVeigh Only Person Addressed by Name

May 2009: Obama's Democrats Pass ‘Hate Crime’ Protection Bill for Pedophiles, Refuse to Consider Same for Our Military Veterans

Thomas L. Cardella & Associates Named Fastest Growing Company

Thomas L. Cardella & Associates Named Fastest Growing Company by the Corridor Business Journal

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA. -- Thomas L. Cardella & Associates today announced that the company was named the Fastest Growing Company by the Corridor Business Journal.  The Corridor’s Fastest Growing Companies is a program designed to identify the region’s most dynamic companies that have made significant contributions to the strength of the local economy.

To be eligible, companies had to earn a set amount annually and were ranked based on the percentage increase in revenue experienced from 2007 to 2009. Businesses submitted tax forms or audit statements to participate and Honkamp Krueger & Co., evaluated the entries.

Over the past three years, Thomas L. Cardella & Associates experienced a 919 percent growth rate. The growth established a new record for this annual award.

“This award is significant for our entire organization.  For the past three years, our entire team has worked hard to bring over 800 jobs back into the state of Iowa,” said Thomas L. Cardella, President and CEO.

“Tom Cardella is a shining example of a serial entrepreneur. He has created another bright spot in our regional economy with Thomas L. Cardella & Associates. He continues to inspire entrepreneurs and would-be entrepreneurs everywhere – particularly ones here in the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Corridor. The tremendous growth his firm has achieved over the past three years is simply amazing considering it overcame a serious recession and a region devastated by flooding. It really speaks to Tom’s strong planning, execution and leadership,” said John F. Lohman, publisher of the Corridor Business Journal.

This recognition comes on the heels of the company’s recent ranking as one of the nation’s Top 50 largest providers of inbound and outbound call center services.

For more information on employment at Thomas L. Cardella & Associates, please contact the Cedar Rapids location at (319) 393-1511 or visit www.tlcassociates.com

About Thomas L. Cardella & Associates Founded in April of 2007, Thomas L. Cardella & Associates is ranked as one of the fastest growing contact center companies in the United States. In just over three years, the company has grown to four locations in the state of Iowa: Cedar Rapids, Coralville, Keokuk, and Marshalltown, with more than 800 employees. In June of 2009, Thomas L. Cardella & Associates won two prestigious Excellence Awards during the 10th Annual IQPC Call Center Week. The company was honored with the top award in the Best in Class Call Center (Over 200 Employees), and Thomas Cardella was named first runner-up for Call Center Leader of the Year award. 

Thomas L. Cardella & Associates focuses on the direct marketing needs of Fortune 500 clients in the financial services, insurance, publication, technology, telecom, entertainment, utilities, and travel industries.  The company is an outsourced provider of solutions such as Inbound Customer Service, Outbound Teleservices, Email Management, Webchat, and Customer Support services. For more information about Thomas L. Cardella & Associates, please visit www.tlcassociates.com.