The Health Care Debate (3 of 3)
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Consumers need more responsibility, not less.
Although I acknowledged some challenges with our current health care system in my previous posts, I also disagreed with the mainstream talking point currently circulating that our health care system is broken. I also reinforced the idea that the federal government really isn't the entity that should be charged with 'fixing' the system if indeed it really was broken.
So what would I do about health care? What would Jason do as the health care czar?
I'll admit that I have not come up with a plan to provide every American and every non citizen living within our boarders highest quality, most affordable, low deductible, low co-pay health care. It simply is not possible, and I am not willing to pretend that it is. But I can tell you the steps that I have taken to reduce health care costs in my household.
As the health care czar of the Hutcheson household, I own an HSA policy. My employer's plan was too expensive, so I purchased an individual (non-group) policy with a $1,700 deductible. The difference between what I am paying now in premiums and what I would have been paying on the group plan is now funneled into a Health Savings Account. While my family is young, it's my plan to bank those dollars until I need them in old age.
In addition, I now pay the first $1,700 of health care 'out of pocket' so to speak. When I go to the doctor, I have to write a check for the entire costs of the visit (less the PPO discount, of course). Because I see the full cost of the service, I ask more questions. When I only paid $10 for an office visit- why would I care if they run test A, B, or even C. Under the rules of the policy, the office visit would cost the same whether the true cost was $100 or $500. Now, when I write a check for the full cost of the visit, I know exactly how much each test costs. Are all of these tests really necessary or are they being used as a 'cover-your-tail' paper trail in case the physician is taken to court?
The bottom line is that when the consumer is given true responsibility, they make better choices. I don't buy anything without knowing the price ahead of time. Why should health care be any different?
This topic was originally only going to be 3 parts, but I just have more to say. Stay tuned....
The Branstad Factor
Friday, August 14, 2009
Speculation, Suspense, and Enthusiasm Are Good for the Party.
James Lynch ran a piece today entitled, "GOP Candidates in Limbo Until Branstad Decides"
Lynch did contact me and wondered what effect Branstad's gubernatorial consideration would have on the field of candidates. Although I don't agree that the speculation puts all of the candidates in limbo, I did agree with many of the other comments in the story. The full text of my comments is below:
Certainly, Gov. Branstad's thoughtful consideration of the potential candidacy creates some suspense and fuels even more interest in the primary race.
It is every candidate's dream to lock up the volunteers and donors before other candidates enter the race. Our activists are loyal, and they tend to stick with their favored candidate. All of our candidates to date have enjoyed success in recruiting volunteers and supporters and many have secured donors and are continuing conversations with potential donors.
Speculation surrounding any potential candidacy with good name ID, including Branstad's, could give reason for potential volunteers to delay picking a favored candidate. Some activists like to see the entire field of candidates before throwing unwavering support to any one.
We are certainly very early in the process, and the good line-up of candidates and speculation regarding other candidates is good for our party. We should have thoughtful debate on key issues, and I'm confident that a spirited primary will help us pick the best candidate to challenge the incumbent.
The Health Care Debate (2 of 3)
Monday, August 10, 2009
Was is it that the federal government does right?
Because I certainly don't want to be labeled 'un-American' let's assume for just a moment that Congressman Loebsack is right and that our health care system is in shambles. Let's assume that the private market has failed and that our entire medical system needs an overhaul. Even if it were true, should the federal government be charged with taking it over?
Let's look at the track record of big government:
-Social Security is scheduled to be bankrupt by 2037.
-Medicare policies are hurting rural hospitals.
-Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac imploded themselves during this latest financial crisis.
-FEMA gave a less than lackluster performance during Katrina and the Upper Mississippi floods of 2008.
Let's face it. Government wasn't designed to be so big. It was designed to provide us with a strong national defense. And that- it does well. However, it doesn't do any of these other big things very well. What in the world makes people think it will do any better at running health care?
It can not possibly do better. It isn't flexible, responsive, proactive, creative, entrepreneurial or efficient, but rather, it politicizes everything and has an insatiable appetite for control. That is not a system I want running my health care.
You may contact Grassley, Harkin, and Loebsack here, here, and here.
The Health Care Debate (1 of 3)
Sunday, August 9, 2009
First of all, I'm not convinced the system is broken.
Today is my first in a series about the current health care debate. You've heard me mention before that I am more in tune with Iowa issues than with national issues. There are some things that seem so basic, however, that I feel I must comment on. I know that I am not an expert on all the issues, but I also know a bad idea when I see one.
First of all, there are a great number of people out there that believe our health care system and the way we pay for it is broken. I absolutely disagree with that notion. Last year, I hosted a gentleman from Europe here in Iowa for several days. As we were discussing health care, he told me how bad our system was. As an example, he told me about an illness that had recently landed him in the hospital for over a week. "It was all free," he said. "Your system is not good," he later commented.
Further into the conversation, he told me about his chronic back pain. It was recommended that he have surgery to alleviate the pain. There was no way, however, that he would do the surgery in Europe. If he were to ever get serious about the surgery, he would travel to the US. "The doctors are not good," he said. "They are not trained to do surgery in the proper way. Here in the US, the procedure is rather routine."
Wow. I promise you that I can't make this stuff up.
Sure, our system is quite expensive. Businesses of all types struggle with insurance costs. Double-digit premium increases are becoming the norm. It is getting more and more expensive for the average worker to maintain top-of-the-line, low copay, low deductible insurance. But the system is working. We have great health care. In fact, it has been so good for so long that we take it for granted. Some believe great health care is a universal right, but if you travel to other parts of the world, it certainly isn't universal.
Are there issues that need resolved? Yes. Do some patients receive better treatment than others? Of course. Can health care costs continue to skyrocket each and every year? No.
Some changes need to occur to strengthen the health care system we take for granted. Should the federal government be the one implement the changes? Tune in tomorrow.
Neutrality in the Primary
Saturday, August 8, 2009
I certainly have my own opinions, but they are best kept with me.
There is a lot of speculation within the party activists at the moment. With multiple gubernatorial candidates, potentially multiple congressional candidates, and a lot of interest in the state legislative races, it is a lot of fun to see the excitement and anticipation build within the party. People will often ask me, "So what do you think about so and so...."
Certainly, I have my own opinions. In general, I tend to lean towards more conservative candidates. I also like to unite behind a leader who inspires a broad base of citizens. It also helps if the candidate is somewhat primed and polished for a general election. So, do I have a favorite in any of these races? If I did, I wouldn't tell you anyway.
There are no official rules as it comes to state central committee members endorsing certain candidates. In fact, during the last political season, state co-chair Leon Mosley publicly endorsed and campaigned for Steve Rathje- a congressional candidate in the 2nd district. However, in general, I believe it is inappropriate for a member of the state central committee to make endorsements- especially this early in the cycle. There are always exceptions, but I believe the frequent practice should be frowned upon. There are several reasons (in no particular order):
1. State Central Committee members are there to support and enhance the party infrastructure. All candidates should have fair access to that infrastructure, and all should be able to feel confident that the system isn't corrupted.
2. The vetting process is an important one. The first candidate in the ring always hopes to lock in all the donors and volunteers so no other candidates have a chance. I believe that properly vetting candidates is essential to picking one that can win in a general election. General elections aren't easy and a candidate for a major office needs to prove him/herself in the field.
3. I don't always know best. My wife will tell you that I am wrong more often than I admit. It isn't my job to tell the grassroots who our candidate should be. It works exactly the other way around. I work for you all.
4. Someone will win the primary, and that candidate needs our support. Over the years, I have supported many candidates in primaries that lost. In fact, most of time my preferred candidates lose in the primary. Historically, there are some nominees that I have quickly supported and others that I have reluctantly supported. As a political party in our system, however, it is vital for our activists support the winning candidate. As a leader in the party, it is my job to do just that. Had I endorsed another candidate in the primary, it would be difficult to mend that relationship quickly.
Please note that there is a difference between political parties and interest groups. For example, I wouldn't expect the pro-life groups to get behind a pro-choice Republican nor would I expect the Christian groups to blindly support a gubernatorial candidate weak on marriage. But as a party, it is our job to support the nominee.
So what does being neutral mean? To me, it means that I don't join a bunch of facebook groups that could be taken out of context. I don't travel with specific candidates nor do I talk to county committees about any one candidate over another. However, it does mean that I would meet with and offer suggestions to any gubernatorial or congressional candidate that might ask to do so. Any advice would be fairly given and intended to enhance a candidacy. It also means that I will continue to publicize the primary races and draw as much attention to our candidates as possible.
I do have opinions, and I certainly believe that some candidates are stronger than others. But Republican voters, you tell me who our party should nominate. After the primary, I'll do all I can to help that person get elected. If I couldn't do exactly that, I should have no business being in the leadership of the party.
The Chairman comes to SE iowa
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Strawn makes it a point to leave Des Moines.
RPI Chairman Matt Strawn spent much of the day in SE Iowa today. He has made it a point to travel across the state, and today was no exception. A portion of the day was spent visiting with potential donors, but several media spots were made as well. I had the luxury of traveling with him as he explained the steps RPI has taken to strengthen the party infrastructure and control the debate on issues.
SE Iowa folks appreciated seeing him. Most have never been able to sit down individually with the party's chairman. His presence helped reconnect these folks to the issues and improved the credibility of the state party.
I don't expect that this will be the last time we see Matt in SE Iowa.
Culver's 'Fuzzy Math'
Monday, August 3, 2009
Confusion is one thing. Deception is another.
Today, during my daily news read, I saw the following headline: Culver Welcomes Surprising Tax Revenue Figure. The short article and the press release put out by the governor's office basically say that the state's revenues are $4.7 million ahead of the same time period last year. Gov. Culver, of course, credits the I-Jobs initiative for some of the increase. In addition, he leads the reader to believe that Iowa is on its way to an economic recovery.
I must admit, I was a bit shocked. My attitude has been quite pessimistic about the economy. Was I really wrong?
As it turns out, the governor is dealing in some fuzzy math. Yes, it is true, the state did collect more revenue this year than last. But here are the facts:
-Personal income taxes were down 6.1%
-Corporate income taxes were down 42.1%
-Refunds were down $10.7 million
In addition, the reason that the state collected more money overall is because the Local Option School Infrastructure Tax (SILO) became a mandatory state-wide tax last year. Of course revenues are going to increase- taxes went up!
Being governor is tough. It is especially tough during an economic downturn. It is important to maintain an optimistic attitude if one can. However, deceiving the general public is shameful. People are out of work, and the false hope that the economy in Iowa has suddenly improved is disingenuous.
I hope the press fully vets Culver's claims.
Kudos to the College Republicans
Friday, July 31, 2009
These college kids aren't slacking off.
This weekend, the Iowa Federation of College Republicans and the Wisconsin College Republicans are holding a joint summit at the Maquoketa Caves. I will have the pleasure of speaking to them on behalf of the Republican Party of Iowa.
In a non-election year, it would be easy to take a summer break and then ramp activity back up in the fall. However, Chairman Dane Nealson isn't much of a slacker. The summit is designed to motivate campus leaders and provide them with useful tips for building chapters, fundraising, and utilizing technology. More than fifteen speakers are planned for the event, and they expect up to 50 CRs from five states to attend. They have even brought in the chair and co-chair of the College Republican National Committee.
Kudos to the Iowa Federation of College Republicans. Events such as these are great for networking, sharing ideas, and building momentum. They also help keep Iowa on the forefront of the national political scene.
I look forward to joining you tomorrow.
Recessions End
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
It is a good reminder during these tough times.
Someone told me recently that in the St. Louis area, there is a billboard that simply reads: Recessions End.
We all know that- but we don't always acknowledge that fact. It is certainly a difficult time, and many are currently unemployed or underemployed. Lots of people have lost a lot of money. But we do know that the economy will come back.
Governments are called upon to act when the economy sours. More often than not, its actions extend or deepen the recession. But even then, the recession will end eventually.
Pence Delivers Solid Message in Linn County
Friday, July 24, 2009
This guy is now on my radar.
Six county Republican central committees joined forces to host an event in Linn County this evening. It was a great evening in the Palisades State Park. The bad weather held off, there was a great turnout, and the message of the evening was quite appropriate.
That message was delivered by Congressman Mike Pence. Pence is a fifth term congressman from Indiana and considers himself a Christian, a conservative, and a Republican- in that order. I wasn't very familiar with the Congressman until tonight. Now, I think he is someone to watch.
Pence's short message had a couple of key concepts that I will attempt to outline below:
1. Republicans really should act like Republicans- and not just when it is convenient. To back that up, Pence detailed his continued opposition to the various bailouts.
2. He reminded us that freedom can be lost in a single generation. He recited Reagan's famous "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction" quote.
3. It's okay to pray- even in Washington.
Beyond the theme of the message, however, was something even more important. Congressman Pence criticized Republicans for abandoning principles. He talked about his bill to eliminate government funding of Planned Parenthood. He also mentioned America's role in preserving freedom across the globe. But he said all of these things in such a way that even democrats would have found themselves nodding.
There was something special about his tone. Yes, he stood for his convictions. But his remarks were also appealing to moderates. He has a style of presentation that captures attention, makes one think, and then drives home a point that is difficult to counter. This is exactly the type of candidate that can do well in both a primary and a general election. A candidate such as Pence never compromises his core values, but the candidate also present his case in a way that is attractive and appealing to the no party voters alienated by both parties.
Keep your eye on this Congressman from Indiana. If nothing else, we can learn a lot about presentation, style, and tone.
Opportunity in Iowa House District 90
Thursday, July 23, 2009
It's time to put your money where your mouth is.
This evening, I had the pleasure of attending a special convention in Iowa House District 90 where Republicans from that district nominated Steve Burgmeier to run on the ballot in a special election to be held on September 1st. The press release is below.
For those that have complained about the direction of the state, this is your opportunity to make a difference. Checks can be sent to:
Stephen Burgmeier for Iowa
2213 Wintergreen Blvd
Lockridge, IA 52635
Let's pick up a seat in the Iowa House. I can tell you that the Republicans in that area believe they can win. So do I. That would be one more for the good guys.
Stephen Burgmeier receives Republican nomination in Special Election
Iowa GOP’s Strawn: “We are in it to win it”
Des Moines, IA – Republican Party of Iowa State Chairman Matt Strawn tonight welcomed Stephen Burgmeier as the Republican candidate in the Special Election to fill the vacancy in Iowa House District 90. Strawn said, “Stephen Burgmeier is an outstanding candidate and my pledge as State Party Chairman to him is that we are in it to win it.
“This is clearly a lean Democrat district and presents a big challenge for Iowa Republicans. President Obama carried it by nearly 1,400 votes and Democrats hold an advantage in voter registration. However, we are going to carry the fight and the Republican message to all corners of Iowa and a victory here begins the process of bringing fiscal sanity back to our state, giving Iowans the opportunity to vote on marriage, and recognizing that private individuals, not more debt spending by the state, creates jobs in Iowa,” said Strawn.
The Special Election in Iowa House District 90 will be held on September 1, 2009 and was made necessary by the resignation of John Whitaker (D-Hillsboro) to accept a position with the federal government. The District contains all of Van Buren County and significant portions of both Jefferson and Wapello Counties.
“Anyone who knows Stephen Burgmeier understands how hard he works for the people of Jefferson County. I know he will continue that commitment as the state representative for the people of Wapello, Jefferson and Van Buren Counties,” said House Republican Leader Kraig Paulsen. “The House Republican caucus looks forward to a successful election and welcoming him to our ranks in September.”
Burgmeier received the Republican nomination for this seat at a Special Nominating Convention held tonight in Fairfield and will begin his campaign immediately.
He and his wife, Betty, reside in Lockridge and are partners in the Hooter Lane Farms sow farm, and farm over 300 acres of land. Burgmeier is a three time elected Jefferson County Supervisor, currently serving as chairman, a past district director of the Iowa Pork Producers, an appointed delegate of the Pork Act boards, and a Jefferson County Farm Bureau board member.
Strawn concluded, “Stephen Burgmeier and his campaign will have the full and active support of the Republican Party of Iowa and I expect Republicans from all across the state will travel to this pivotal district and provide statewide support for this important election. Republicans are ready to work and ready to win.”
Further Look at ISEA PAC Shows $321,788.59 in 'Unitemized Contributions' for 2008
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Does this violate the spirit of campaign finance laws?
We already know that the ISEA PAC collects hundreds of thousands of dollars in contributions right from payroll deduction in our public schools. But did you know that contributors aren't identified? Rather than listing each of the contributors, the disclosure reports simply state 'Unitemized Contributions During Reporting Period Payroll Deduction.'
Iowa campaign finance laws do not require contributors with annual aggregate contributions under $25 per person per year to be disclosed. If a hat is passed at a county meeting, and it raises $200, there is no big deal. Unitemized contributions are permitted in that case. But should we allow the ISEA PAC to simply state 'Unitemized' on more than $320,000 in annual contributions? Surely that violates the spirit of campaign disclosure.
If you believe the Ethics & Campaign Disclosure Board should should take a second look at this practice, feel free to contact them.
The Iowa State Education Association (ISEA) PAC Raised $205,000 in First 6 months of year
Friday, July 17, 2009
The ISEA now has cash in the bank and an appetite for influence.
By now, you know that I have been pretty hard on the ISEA. You can read about the details here, but essentially, the ISEA injected $340,000 into Iowa legislative races last year. And yes, I do believe there was a direct link between this influence and proposed 'fair share' legislation.
If you look at the most recent ISEA PAC ethics report, if appears a bit deceiving at first. There are essentially 11 pages of itemized contributions from all over the state ranging in amounts of around $16 to $59. On the final page, a large bundle of cash is reported as "Unitemized Contributions During Reporting Period Payroll Deduction." That amount: $199,335.22. Cash in the bank as of July 14th: $196,107.69.
Please assume that $197,00 has already been raised for the Democratic Legislative Majority Fund for use in the 2010 election cycle because that is exactly what this money will go towards. Most Republican candidates for 2010 legislative races haven't even announced yet- and they are already $197,000 behind.
There are several points I would like to make:
1. The ISEA had drained its coffers at the end of last year's election cycle. The PAC had less than $10,000 in the bank at that time. Clearly, the ISEA spent every dime available to influence the elections knowing that labor issues would stand a better chance with clear majorities. That bank account has now fully recovered.
2. The 'unitemized contributions' are running nearly $30,000 ahead of the same period in 2007. Either the ISEA has allocated more to its PAC as a percentage of dues, or ISEA paid dues memberships have increased by 17.6% in two years. Please draw your own conclusion.
3. Should the Iowa Ethics Board really allow any PAC to report 'unitemized contributions' in the amount of nearly $200,000? Where is the accountability in that? If we are going to have full disclosure, let's have full disclosure.
4. Of the $516 annually that it costs to be a member of the teacher's union, about $356 of that stays within Iowa and the other $160 goes to the national level. A portion of that $356 goes directly to the PAC. However, according to the ISEA website, that political contribution is voluntary:
Your voluntary contribution to our political action arm, ISEA-PAC, gives us the strength and political influence we need to make a difference for students and public education in Iowa.
5. If a Republican chooses to become a member of the ISEA, that is a personal choice that I won't automatically condemn you for. However, every Republican and even every voter registered as No Party should 'opt out' of the PAC contribution.
6. Republican legislative candidates need a sugar-daddy like the ISEA PAC. We must match this $200,000 in 'unitemized contributions' dollar for dollar.
The more I look into the money trail and the ISEA, the more fired up I become. This is sure to dominate my blog space over the next few days.
Iowa PAC Finance Reports Due
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Studying the reports is worth the investment.
Iowa PACs must file disclosure reports by July 19th with the Iowa Ethics & Campaign Disclosure Board. Over the course of the next few days, I will be highlighting several of the reports.
This disclosure period will be particularly interesting because many PACs drained their coffers last fall in an all-out push to increase democratic majorities. How have they fared over the first six months of the year?
Although I am not a big fan of campaign contribution limits, I do believe if full disclosure. I find these reports fascinating because following the money can tell you a lot. In particular, it can tell you which interest groups plan to be major players in the 2010 elections. Will labor continue blindly backing democrats? Will fiscally conservative groups accumulate a war chest to oust Debt Culver?
Check back over the next week. You'll enjoy it!
The $1,000,000,000,000 Dollar Deficit
Monday, July 13, 2009
Let's use actual zeros when talking about the deficit.
The US Treasury reported today that our national deficit has climbed to a whopping $1,080,000,000,000 so far this year. The article that I read simply stated that the budget deficit is $1.08 trillion. The article further states that the Obama administration expects the deficit to climb to as high as $1.84 trillion for the fiscal year. A mere $1.84 trillion doesn't really seem like that much, does it?
I would like to call upon the print, broadcast, and internet news mediums to use actual zeros instead of simply saying 'trillion' when referring to the deficit. You see, the reader feels an entirely different set of emotions when they see $1,840,000,000,000 instead of $1.84 trillion. To the reader, the word 'trillion' is simply 'billion' with with a little more umph. In reality, however, I can hardly remember the number of zeros in a trillion. A trillion is not just a super sized billion.
So, from now on, use $1,000,000,000,000 instead of $1 trillion, please.
Louisa County Republican Fundraiser
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Annual event planned for August 29th.
Louisa County Republicans are gearing up for their annual fundraiser to be held on Saturday, August 29th. The social time will begin at 6:00 PM with dinner to be served at 6:30. The cost to attend will be $20/person or $10/student. All of the congressional and gubernatorial candidates are invited to attend and meet with the county activists.
As a change of venue, the event will take place in the new ambulance barn on Hwy 61 South in Wapello. Should you have any questions or wish to purchase tickets, please contact me.
Mocking Marriage
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Society continues to devalue marriage.
My family recently spent a wonderful evening at an outdoor concert. It was a fantastic evening for the event, and it was also a great way to spend time with my family.
Unfortunately, the music director couldn't help but mock marriage. The symphony played a piece commonly known as The Wedding March. Prior to the beginning of the piece, the director said the following (and I am paraphrasing because I was there for enjoyment not to be politically challenged):
"..We were going to play this in celebration of Iowa's new stance on gay marriage.."
He then invited people to come to the front and 'walk the aisle' during the piece. Although I couldn't see down that far, several kids must have walked down the aisle during the selection. After the music ended, the director again said:
"Thank you for indoctrinating your children into straight marriage."
I don't know if the director was trying to simply be amusing or if he was using the microphone for political grandstanding. Either way, it really ruined what otherwise would have been a fantastic evening.
But it isn't just this single event. Society as a whole is devaluing marriage. According to Focus on the Family, marriages formed today have a 41 to 43% chance in ending in divorce. Experts will argue over whether or not that number is getting better, but seriously, 4 in 10?
There are certainly reasons for divorce, and I am not judging or casting a stone at those that have dissolved their marriages. That can not be a pleasant situation, and I believe people make those decisions after careful thought and consideration. But I would suggest that, as a whole, our society is devaluing marriage. Just look at Hollywood's infatuation with weddings, divorces, and infidelity. And it's not just Hollywood. Think about those around you.
My larger point is that, in Iowa, we currently have a lot of lip service regarding gay marriage. Civil debate on an issue is healthy. Mocking marriage to advance a political agenda is not.
Vacancy in the Second District
Friday, July 10, 2009
The Resignation of David Chung.
Many of you are familiar with the news of David Chung resigning from his post on the State Central Committee (SCC) to endorse Christian Fong.
Some of you have asked me questions on how the 2nd district will go about filling his now open seat. Official documentation will be sent out next week. However, I can tell you that, in general, the procedure to fill the vacancy is as follows:
-A special election will be held within 60 days of the resignation
-Members of the congressional district's executive committee will meet to fill the election
-That committee is made up of the county chairs and co-chairs from within the district, as well as extra representatives for those counties with a population in excess of 50,000
-Nominations will be made and Republicans of 2nd District residency may be nominated
Official notice of the special election will be sent to the executive committee within 10 days of the resignation. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
I will miss serving with David. He is certainly a man of integrity and a man with good insight that I respected. I look forward to working with his replacement.