Beginning Friday, Jan. 31, ALDI, the nation's low-price grocery leader*, will offer grocery shoppers a smarter alternative as it opens its newest Iowa City store, located at 760 Ruppert Road.

Council Bluffs, IA - The largest progressive group of veterans in America, with over 360,000 supporters, VoteVets.org, is today continuing its campaign of powerful new television ads in Iowa and Nebraska, aimed at protecting the bipartisan Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).  The ad buy is nearly $115,000 for one week of time in Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, and Omaha Nebraska, as well as in Washington, D.C., where it will be seen by decision makers on the issue.  Previously, the group ran a $110,000 television ad buy in Des Moines and Washington, DC on the issue.

Today's ads both feature an Iraq War Veteran, Michael Connolly, making the case that gutting the Renewable Fuel Standard would allow for a greater flow of oil dollars to our enemies, who use that money for weaponry that has targeted our troops.  Connolly, who served in Iraq from 2007 to 2008, lived in Glenwood, Iowa from 2010 to 2012, and now lives just across the border, in Nebraska.

NEW AD IN IOWA

The ad in Cedar Rapids and Council Bluffs begins with a massive explosion in front of a military convoy.  Connolly says, "I did two tours in the Middle-East...and let me tell you, I saw a heck of a lot, like how billions in oil profits found their way to some of the same terrorists we were fighting against. Investing in renewable energy like the kind here in Iowa can help stop that.  It means more American jobs and less oil money going to enemies who threaten our national security. Tell the EPA to stand up to Big Oil...don't cut the Renewable Fuel Standard."

The full script of the ad is below.  The ad can be viewed here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVWgaewyu7U .

NEW AD IN NEBRASKA

The ad in Omaha opens with a massive explosion in front of a military convoy. Connolly says, "War is dangerous. I know. I was there.  Now, people ask me all the time how they can support the troops." Holding a yellow ribbon, Connolly says, "By putting one of these on your car?  Sure..." And then in front of an ethanol gas pump, "By putting this in your tank?  Even better... More renewable fuels, like the kind grown here in Nebraska, means we use less foreign oil. And that means less money for our enemies.  But the oil companies are trying to kill renewable fuels."

The full script is below.  The ad can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vskA8OCaMiI .

The facts back up Connolly's words.  Although the United States often does not directly buy oil from hostile nations, like Iran, America's dependence on oil drives up demand, and prices of oil on the world market, which benefits all oil-rich nations.  Those oil dollars allowed Iran, for instance, to produce and ship Explosively Formed Penetrators (EFPs) to Iraqi insurgents, who used them to target our troops.¹

Additionally, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates for every one billion gallons of ethanol produced, 10,000 to 20,000 jobs are added to our domestic economy.²

According to the Iowa Corn Growers Association, the ethanol Industry supports around 55,000 jobs in Iowa, and accounts for $5.4 billion of Iowa's GDP.³ Gutting the RFS would threaten the development of next generation biofuels, including cellulosic ethanol plants in Iowa scheduled to start operation next year.  Rather than using kernels of corn, these advanced plants will make the fuel from the "biomass" of various low-value plant material including corn stalks and wood chips.³

According to the Nebraska Corn Board, "a typical 100 million gallon ethanol plant adds on average 50 jobs in the community where it is located, purchases about 37 million bushels of corn from local farmers and produces about 320,000 tons of distillers grains (dried equivalent). It also generates nearly $4.5 million in tax revenue."⁴

VoteVets.org is one of the groups leading the way in calling for the EPA to protect the RFS, and is urging its members and supporters to, as well.  Along with a coalition of groups, VoteVets.org is collecting petition signatures from everyday Americans who want to see us reduce our dependence on foreign oil, protect our troops, and create jobs.

Founded in 2006,  and backed by over 360,000 supporters, the mission of VoteVets.org is to use public issue campaigns and direct outreach to lawmakers to ensure that troops abroad have what they need to complete their missions, and receive the care they deserve when they get home. VoteVets.org also recognizes veterans as a vital part of the fabric of our country and will work to protect veterans' interests in their day-to-day lives. VoteVets.org is committed to the destruction of terror networks around the world - with force when necessary - to protect America.  While non-partisan, the group is the largest progressive organization of veterans in America.

Sources:

¹ http://www.cbsnews.com/news/

² http://www.growthenergy.org/

³ http://www.iowacorn.org/en/

⁴ http://www.nebraskacorn.org/internally-linked-pages/ethanol/

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SPRINGFIELD, IL (01/15/2014)(readMedia)-- The last of the approximately 35 Illinois National Guardsmen who assisted the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and other state agencies completed state active duty Jan. 14 following a snow storm that dropped up to 17 inches of snow in some parts of the state.

"Not only am I glad we can help out, but it's a great learning experience," said Sgt. Eric Thrasher of Clinton, Ill., a mechanic with Company B, 634th Brigade Support Battalion (BSB) in Champaign, Ill. "We get to understand their operation and work on non-military equipment and vehicles."

Approximately 400 vehicles were stranded on three different Illinois roads. The Illinois National Guard recovered eight vehicles, allowing more than 200 stranded motorists to exit the roadway.

"Hundreds were rescued thanks to the dedicated Illinois National Guard Soldiers who worked day and night to help stranded motorists," said Ann L. Schneider, IDOT Secretary. "These individuals went above and beyond the call of duty to provide critical services and assistance in some of the most difficult conditions imaginable."

Soldiers from Company B, 634th BSB in Champaign; Company D, 634th BSB in Galva; Company E, 634th BSB in Joliet; Company G, 634th in Crestwood; 3625th Maintenance Company in North Riverside and 3637th Maintenance Company in Springfield; Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 33rd BSTB in Machesney Park; 631st Engineer Company in Lawrenceville; and the 766th Engineer Battalion in Decatur were mobilized to assist in 14 separate locations throughout the state. The Soldiers performed wrecker and maintenance operations of IDOT equipment damaged and stranded during snow removal operations. Wrecker operations concluded on Jan. 8 and maintenance operations concluded Jan. 14.

In all, the Illinois National Guard recovered one IDOT vehicle and repaired 65 IDOT trucks and pieces of equipment. Additionally, 30 trucks were serviced by Illinois National Guard Soldiers.

"There is definitely a need for us here," said 1st Sgt. Corey Heath of Mahomet, Ill., a mechanic with Company B, 634th Brigade Support Battalion in Champaign, Ill. "We have kept busy with plenty of mechanical work and saved them many work hours."

This was Heath's second state active duty. His first was Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

This is the second time in less than two months Illinois National Guard service members have assisted their community. In November, several service members assisted following the deadly tornado in Washington, Ill.

"While defending our nation in Iraq and Afghanistan, some may not have recognized what our National Guardsmen continually do for their communities," said Brig. Gen. Daniel M. Krumrei of Springfield, the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard. "From snow and freezing temperatures to flooding and tornados or any emergency, our citizen-Soldiers are here to help their neighbors and protect their community."

If current trends continue, 2014 will be the year of mega lottery jackpots and generous (if not millionaire-making) inheritances, says Ted Bernstein, (www.lifeinsuranceconcepts.com), a longtime life insurance consumer advocate.

Five of the top six biggest lottery jackpots in the United States occurred in 2013 - from  No. 2, the $648 million Mega Millions jackpot before Christmas,to No. 6, a $399.4 million Powerball pot.

Talk about striking it rich!

Odds are slightly better that you'll claim a nice inheritance, whether it's an estate or life insurance benefits, Bernstein says.

"American retirees plan to leave their beneficiaries some of the biggest estates in the world," he says, citing a recent HSBC survey, the Future of Retirement Report. "A fifth of those polled will leave legacies of more than $390,000."

Most who strike it richin the lottery - 98 percent, according to some experts - opt for a lump-sum cash payout versus guaranteed checks over 30 years, Bernstein says.

"Those who receive life insurance benefits almost always opt for the big cash up front, too," he says. "But in both cases, you're almost always better off financially if you choose the payout over the lump sum."

Here's why:

• An estimated 70 percent of people who experience a sudden financial windfall are broke within a few years. That's according to the non-profit National Endowment for Financial Education, Bernstein says. "First, you have the unexpected emotions that go along with suddenly having more money than you ever expected," he says. "People react in unpredictable ways - and that leads to a lot of bad decision-making.

"Second, people want control of the money, even if they have zero experience managing large finances. That's a recipe for disaster!"

Having a guaranteed check from a life insurance company provides valuable safeguards, he says.

• Generally, you'll get more money if it's paid to you over time. "If lottery and life insurance benefits are paid over time or by installment, they will pay more as the money is allowed time to grow," Bernstein says.

For a $400 million win, you'd get only $223.6 million if you took the lump sum option. You'll get the full $400 million only if you choose deferred payments, he says.

If you own a life insurance policy, you can now opt to purchase a policy that instructs the insurance company to pay the proceeds over time, and your beneficiaries may get more because of guaranteed interest, he says.

"Since the insurance company knows it will have more time to pay, you can either choose to pay a lower premium or get up to 50 percent more in face value for the same premium."

• The tax hit - lump sum versus checks over time. In most cases, for a huge lottery jackpot, you can expect to pay the highest federal income tax rate, which is 39.6 percent in 2014 after the first $450,000 or so for a married couple filing jointly.

"On the $400 million jackpot, you'll have a net $135.1 million after federal income taxes," Bernstein says. "If you take the win in checks over 30 years, you'll have $242.9 million after federal taxes."

With life insurance benefits, there are some caveats, but generally you won't pay taxes on the lump sum. "If you take the benefit over time, you won't pay tax on the life insurance portion, but you will on the excess interest. You still come out ahead because you'll have more money over time!" he says.

Almost any way you slice it, if you have a choice of taking your windfall in a lump sum versus deferred payment, you're safer and potentially better off opting for the latter, Bernstein says.

"If the payments are spread over time, you don't have to worry that it won't be there 20 years from now," he says. "It's not like the stock market - the payments are guaranteed."

About Ted Bernstein

Ted Bernstein is a third-generation life insurance specialist with decades of speaking out and advocating for changes on behalf of consumers. He was the first to introduce life insurance without commissions, or "no-load" life insurance, in the mid-1980s and developed the Installment Life Option in response to concerns expressed by his clients. Bernstein is a nationally recognized expert in alternative distribution strategies and life insurance product development. In the late 1980s, he launched the first fee-based Life Insurance Policy Audit and Review service for Trust companies and life insurance fiduciaries.  He is a member of the Association for Advanced Life Underwriting.