This week The US House of Representatives is set to vote on the misnamed "Farm Bill". This is not a farm bill; it's a food stamp bill. Food stamps make up roughly 80 percent of the bill. The 20 percent of the bill that is left is mostly handouts in the form of corporate welfare and other programs that benefit special interests.

Further, this "Farm Bill" is 56% MORE costly than the last. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projected the last farm bill, in 2008, to cost $604 billion. The new House farm bill is projected to cost a whopping $940 billion. This is 56 percent more than the 2008 farm bill. If this wasn't bad enough, the actual costs will likely be much greater, just like the actual costs of the 2008 bill

1.       This is not a farm bill; it's a food stamp bill.  Food stamps make up roughly 80 percent of the bill.  The 20 percent of the bill that is left is mostly handouts in the form of corporate welfare and other programs that benefit special interests.

2.      This "farm" bill is a textbook example of legislative logrolling.  The issues of food stamps and farming are far too important to be jammed together in a behemoth of a bill totaling a trillion dollars. When it comes to debating a bill with a price tag as large as this one, Congress owes it to the American taxpayers to engage in careful consideration of these programs.

3.      The farm bill is filled with favors for special interests.  One of the ways Congress can achieve reform that benefits taxpayers is by separating the "farm" bill into two components and consider each independently on its own merits.  The combination of food stamps and farm policy into a single bill holds us back from debating meaningful reforms in either area.

4.      The farming industry as a whole is enjoying record profits, yet  special interests continue to lobby Congress to  create new programs that not only help guarantee profit, but pad their already healthy bottom line.  Large corporate farms don't need and shouldn't receive massive subsidies from taxpayers, many of whom are struggling to make ends meet.

a.       In fact, about 75 percent of large farms receive subsidies compared to only 24 percent of small farms.  Consider that people like former President Jimmy Carter, the Rockefeller family and even some Members of Congress receive these taxpayer-funded subsidies.

5.      Ironically the exact policies crafted in the 1930's to help struggling farmers are the same ones that are now placing the smaller farms at a competitive disadvantage with the larger farms.  A lot has changed since the enactment of the first farm bill.  Congress shouldn't continue outdated policies simply to coddle this thriving, innovative industry that is led by business leaders who can manage risk as well anyone else.

6.      Both the House and Senate "farm" bills eliminate flawed programs only to create new programs that could turn out to be even worse. Despite claims of cutting spending some the House is projected to spend 56 percent more than the projected costs of the 2008 farm bill.  Additionally, taxpayers could be on the hook for millions more because Congress is assuming the cost of these programs will be much cheaper than what reality may prove.

7.      Spending on food stamps has doubled between 2008 and 2011, from approximately $40 billion to $80 billion respectively.  Today roughly one in seven Americans receive food stamps, and although we're seeing a slowly improving economy, there has not been a corresponding decrease in the number of individuals receiving food stamps.  Despite these realities, the spending cuts proposed in the House version of the farm bill are so minimal that they won't even cover the amount of fraud, waste and abuse plaguing the food-stamp program.

8.      The farm bill is central planning at its very worst.  If left on its current path, the farm bill will continue to roll right over taxpayers and leave any notion of fiscal responsibility in the dust. When politicians from both parties come together to irresponsibly spend taxpayer dollars and drive up the cost of food for families, Congress isn't working for the American people

Party with a Purpose Provides Holiday Food Baskets & Gifts for Quad Cities Seniors

 

The 5th Annual Holiday Hat Bash will be held on:

Thursday, November 21, 2013

5:30-9 p.m.

CASI 1035 W. Kimberly Road, Davenport, IA

 

The Center for Active Seniors, Inc. (CASI) is pleased to announce that Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS is joining forces with CASI to present the 5^th Annual Holiday Hat Bash which raises funds to make the holidays special for Quad Cities Seniors, by providing food baskets and gifts.

"Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS has over 150 years of community involvement history within our local cities and region. We are thrilled that they have agreed to be our presenting sponsor for the 5^th Annual Holiday Hat Bash. We are confident that with their support our goal of helping seniors in need will reach new heights." said Tom Bahls, CEO/ President of CASI.

"We have so many Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors agents and staff who are committed volunteers for CASI and the Hat Bash that it is a perfect fit for us to sponsor this event." Caroline Ruhl, President of Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS.

"The Hat Bash Steering Committee already has the ball rolling planning for this year's event. We are hoping to make this year's event even bigger." said Pat Johnson, Hat Bash Committee Chair

If you are interested in donating a raffle item towards this great cause, please contact Pat Johnson at 563-370-2962.

We can't wait to see you and your hat on November 21, 2013 at the 5^th Annual Holiday Hat Bash presented by Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS.

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HUNTINGTON, IN (06/17/2013)(readMedia)-- Huntington University has announced the students that were named to the Dean's List for the spring semester of the 2012-13 school year.

The Dean's List is published two times per year at Huntington University. The honor recognizes students for outstanding academic achievement during the previous semester. Honorees must be classified as regular students, be enrolled full-time with a load of 12 hours or more in graded courses, and must achieve a semester grade point average of at least 3.50 on a four-point scale.

The following students from your area were recognized:

• Hannah McNaught, of Moline, IL, was a junior Theatre Design and Technology major.

• Valerie Van Ee, of Eldridge, IA, was a senior Animation and Computer Science major.

Huntington University is a comprehensive Christian college of the liberal arts offering graduate and undergraduate programs in more than 70 academic concentrations. U.S. News & World Report ranks Huntington among the best colleges in the Midwest, and Forbes.com has listed the university as one of America's Best Colleges. Additionally, Princeton Review has named the institution to its "Best in the Midwest" list. Founded in 1897 by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, Huntington University is located on a contemporary, lakeside campus in northeast Indiana. The university is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU).

Q:        How would you rate the U.S. military's handling of sexual violence within its ranks?

A:        It's unacceptable.  The U.S. military gets a failing grade for prosecuting offenders and flunks its responsibility to protect innocent victims of sexual violence.  Called before Congress in May to account for its abysmal track record on this emotional issue, the top brass representing the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard was taken to the woodshed for failing to stop the spread of sexual violence among its ranks.  Public confidence in the military culture and its justice system has been shaken as sexual assaults within the U.S. Armed Forces have increased.  A recent Department of Defense Report reveals a 37 percent increase in cases of sexual assault or unwanted sexual contact, estimating 26,000 cases in fiscal year 2012.  That same report showed a nearly 10 percent drop in rates of reporting, with victims reporting only 3,374 incidents to military police or prosecutors.  Notably, less than one in 10 cases ended with a sexual assault conviction at court martial.  Talk about a chilling effect.  The low reporting rate signals a growing number of victims is either too embarrassed to come forward, too afraid of retaliation or resigned the offender won't be held accountable for the crime.  This is not an issue from which military leaders can retreat.  Sexual offenders must understand they will not get a pass from prosecution.  It's time for offenders and enablers to stand down and for those all along the chain of command to stand up for victims.

 

Q:        How can the U.S. military improve its efforts to prevent these crimes and hold offenders accountable?

A:        With decades of negligence under its belt, the top brass has lost credibility to fix this leadership failure.  The absence of valor among the uniformed chain of command is remarkably disappointing considering the U.S. military code of honor is based on integrity and fidelity to the rule of law.  Failing to crack down on a corrosive culture or on individuals who use sexual violence as a means of power will create lingering institutional problems that jeopardize morale and impact recruitment and retention of troops.  That's why I'm an original co-sponsor of bipartisan legislation that would remove prosecutorial decisions from the chain of command.  Instead, the offices of the military chiefs of staff would have authority and discretion to establish courts, empanel juries and choose judges to hear case in military courts.  This bipartisan bill - the Military Justice Improvement Act (S.967) sponsored by Senator Kirstin Gillibrand -- also would stop military authorities from granting clemency or a lesser offense to convicted offenders.  It removes the discretion of commanders to alter convictions.  It's time to reboot the U.S. military's failed approach towards sexual violence by reforming the military justice system, preventing sexual violence, empowering victims to come forward and prosecuting sex crimes.

Q:        Why is Congress getting involved in a military issue?

A:        Sexual assault is not a military issue.  It's a law enforcement issue.  Unfortunately, military commanders have a failed track record that stretches a country mile.  When young adults make the honorable commitment to serve their country in uniform and put themselves in harm's way to defend and protect America's freedoms, they deserve to know the U.S. military will stand up to protect their rights throughout their military service, including access to justice.  The bipartisan Military Justice Improvement Act would give members of the Armed Forces more confidence in the military system of justice, including protection from sexual violence and prosecution for those who violate the rule of law.

Monday, June 17, 2013