In response to continued media enquiries Herman Cain released the following statement:

"I am no longer a candidate for elected office, nor have I been since suspending my campaign almost two weeks ago. Having millions of Americans supporting my candidacy and solutions for our country was humbling and immensely gratifying", said Herman Cain. "Though my candidacy has ended, I continue debating the appropriate role of government in society and fighting for more fiscal discipline and solutions to America's problems."

For More Information:
Mark Block, Chief of Staff to Herman Cain
caincos@gmail.com

(Washington, DC) - Today, Social Security Works unveiled a new guide which reveals that the top six Republican Presidential candidates agree: If they had their way, they would cut or do away with Social Security, America's most successful insurance program. The guide shows that when these Republican Presidential candidates say we need to "save" Social Security, what they really mean is we need to end Social Security.

"Iowa caucus-goers should know that the Republican candidates are out of touch on the issue of Social Security," said Nancy Altman, co-director of Social Security Works.  "Tea Partiers, mainstream Republicans, Democrats, and Independents all overwhelmingly support Social Security, oppose benefit cuts, including opposing raising the retirement age, and oppose trading the program's guaranteed retirement income for the gamble of the Wall Street 'casino.'  In contrast, as the guide reveals, the Republican candidates favor raising the retirement age and partially privatizing the program.  They outrageously defame Social Security by calling this trust, which holds workers' hard earned contributions, a Ponzi scheme, a fraud, or even, unconstitutional, notwithstanding that its constitutionality was upheld three-quarters of a century ago."

"The Republican candidates - all six of the front-runners - could not be more out of step with the American people!  Americans -- Democrats, Independents, and, yes, Republicans -- overwhelmingly support Social Security and oppose the kinds of radical cuts and changes the Republican candidates favor. They can't afford to have their benefits cut   and they do not want Wall Street bankers and other campaign contributors to steal their and their children's Social Security," said Eric Kingson, co-chair of the Strengthen Social Security Campaign.

Social Security provides benefits to nearly 600,000 Iowans, including more than 70,000 Iowa workers with disabilities.  With less than three weeks to go before the Iowa Caucuses, Social Security has a lot at stake on the caucus outcome.  The brief guide below includes such horrible gems as "fraud" and "privatization" language from Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, Rick Perry, Michelle Bachmann, and Rick Santorum.

Called Social Security A Fraud, Ponzi Scheme, or Unconstitutional

Wants to Raise the Social Security Retirement Age

Supports Some Form of Privatization

MICHELE
BACHMANN

[Social Security] "is a tremendous fraud. no company could get away with this, they'd be thrown in jail if they ever tried to do what the federal government did with people's Social Security money."

-Fox News, February 17, 2010

Voted to raise the Social Security retirement age to 70, which would cut benefits by up to 20 percent for new beneficiaries when fully phased in.

-Voted Yes on Republican Study Committee Budget, Roll call Vote 275, April 15, 2011

"But people that are younger than [10 years away from retirement], they need to have some options in their lives, so that going forward they can have an ownership of their own Social Security, their own retirement."

-Fox News, February 17, 2010

NEWT
GINGRICH

"it is a fraud and a lie the way that congress deals with Social Security."

-Cain-Gingrich Debate, november 5, 2011

No position stated.

"any candidate who is not prepared to give younger americans the right to choose [a private account] has no serious plan for Social Security."

-Cain-Gingrich Debate, November 5, 2011

RON
PAUL

"Technically, [Social Security is unconstitutional]. ...there's no authority [in the constitution for it]."

-(Fox News Sunday, May 15, 2011)

No direct position, but Paul sees it as irrelevant since he would dismantle the entire program and allow people to opt-out of Social Security.

-(MSNBC interview, April 27, 2011)

"But I want to privatize the retirement funds and put the responsibility on the individual."

-(CNN Situation Room interview, September 8, 2010)

RICK
PERRY

Social Security "is a Ponzi scheme for these young people. ...the idea that [young people] are working and paying into Social Security today, that the current program is going to be there for them... is a monstrous lie on this generation, and we can't do that to them."

-Iowa Caucus event at the Vine Coffeehouse,

8/27/11

"if you're a forty-five year-old or less, we're going to move that retirement age up to sixty-nine or seventy."

-Town Hall, 9/5/11

"if only the new Dealers had been kind enough to allow workers to make their own choice about whether to participate [in Social Security]. as we know from experience, individuals would have done better on their own [with private accounts]."

-Fed Up, 2010, page 61

MITT
ROMNEY

"There simply is no [trust] 'fund' safely invested somewhere... to put it in a nutshell, the American people have been effectively defrauded out of their Social Security. ... let's look at what would happen if someone in the private sector did a similar thing... They would go to jail. But what has happened to the people responsible for the looming bankruptcy of Social Security? They keep returning to congress every two years."

-No Apology, 2010, pp. 172-3

"Alternatively, we could gradually raise the retirement age. this does have a certain logic to it..."

-No Apology, 2010, p. 173

"One thing that [President Bush] proposed, and it's a good idea, is to take some of that money, or all of that surplus [Social Security] money and allow people to have a personal account."

-town hall, 6/5/2007

RICK
SANTORUM

No position stated.

"I proposed [raising the retirement age] back in 1994, and I think that's an option that has to be on the table."

-(Meet the Press, June 12, 2011)

"We're in the middle of a phase-up [in the retirement age] to age 67...We need to continue to do that."

-(Remarks at Lancaster, SC, September 13, 2011)

"Personal retirement accounts provide individuals?not the government?with control and ownership. and they hold the promise of a greater return for future generations than what they are promised by today's Social Security system."

-(the Hill, March 1, 2005)

###

Best bBell ringer had accident while volunteering in kitchen at Family Service Center

Quad Cities, USA: December 15, 2011 - The Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign has lost its most special bell ringer due to a fall. If you have been to NorthPark Mall near Younker's Court this season, you may have met Captain Ray in her old-fashioned Salvation Army bonnet. Captain Ray is an 89-years-old retired Salvation Army officer and follows Majors Gary and Karen Felton to their appointed community each Christmas to bell ring for the entire season. She will not be able to finish 2011, though, and the donations lost will be in the thousands of dollars.

Volunteer Bell Ringers are needed to help collect donations now more than ever. The sign up is easy at www.ringbells.org. You can choose the day, time and location of your choice.

You can get involved with The Salvation Army's Christmas programs to make your own Christmas even brighter by purchasing a toy for a child at a Wal-Mart Angel Tree - the Angel Tree program has been extended to Sunday, December 18th due to a 10% increase in need over 2010.

Captain Ray's fall occurred in the kitchen while she was volunteering at the Family Service Center. After a week of rest and still no recovery, a second x-ray showed a fractured hip and hip replacement surgery was scheduled immediately. She would appreciate your prayers for a speedy recovery. Get-well cards can be sent to: 301 W. 6th Street, Davenport, IA 52803. ###

You are personally invited to register early for our popular Daddy Daughter Dance.

We want to reserve your spot today.... What a great Gift!

Daddy Daughter Dance

An evening filled with charm, fun and dancing awaits you and your special girl at this special event. You will enjoy dancing, buffet dinner, prizes and more! "Daddy" can be an Uncle, Grandpa, or any special person. Daughters of all ages will enjoy the evening full of entertainment and take home a gift too.  *Pictures available on sight for an additional fee. This makes for a great gift.

 

Sunday, February 19th

from 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Event held at the River Center, Mississippi River Hall

136 E. Third, North Building, Davenport

PRE-REGISTRATION ONLY-NO TICKETS SOLD AT THE DOOR!!!

Couples will be admitted beginning at 5:30pm

FEE: $40.00 per couple

$20 for each additional child

 

Click here for more information and registration instructions.

WEST BRANCH, IOWA–Herbert Hoover National Historic Site will partner with the West Branch Public Library from January through April of 2012 to offer
literacy and educational programs.

A National Park Ranger from Herbert Hoover National Historic Site will lead "Pajama Storytime" activities on the first Tuesdays of each month from January through April. The West Branch Public Library welcomes pre-schoolers, their parents, and families to "Pajama Storytime" each Tuesday evening in the Library Children's Area from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Story time helps develop preschoolers' early literacy and socialization skills. A bedtime snack is provided.

"Get to Know Your National Parks" on the first and third Wednesdays of every month from January through April with a National Park Ranger from Herbert Hoover National Historic Site. Children of all ages can learn how National Parks preserve America's natural and historical heritage with a focus on a different national park each time. "Get to Know Your National Parks" meets at 2:00 p.m. in the Library Children's Area. The program will last about one hour.

The West Branch Public Library is at 300 North Downey Street in West Branch, Iowa. For more information about library programs, call Youth Librarian Becky Knoche at (319) 643-2633. Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum are in West Branch, Iowa at exit 254 off I-80. Both are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. Parking is limited so please allow extra time to find a parking space. For more information go online at www.nps.gov/heho or call (319) 643-2541.


Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
110 Parkside Drive
PO Box 607
West Branch, Iowa  52358
319 643-2541 phone
319 643-7864 fax
www.nps.gov/heho

WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley has asked the Obama administration to appeal a World Trade Organization panel decision that, while validating the U.S.'s authority to have Country Of Origin Labeling for meat products, strikes down the Country of Origin Labeling regulations which implement the law.  Grassley joined 18 senators to send a letter to Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk.

"Family farmers take pride in the fact that the crops they harvest make it to dinner tables around the world.  People want to know where the food on their tables comes from, and makes Country of Origin Labeling a no-brainer," Grassley said.  "Nearly all products sold in the United States show where the product was made.  In fact, other countries label where their meat originated.  It's completely legitimate for us to show if the meat we buy originated in the United States."

The senators wrote in their letter, "We request that your agencies take appropriate actions to appeal the DSP's ruling and to work to ensure that our COOL program both meets our international trade obligations while continuing to provide such information to consumers."

From here, the panel decision will either be adopted by the WTO Dispute Settlement Body or the decision can be appealed to the WTO Appellate Body.

Grassley joined senators Tim Johnson of South Dakota, Mike Enzi and John Barrasso of Wyoming, Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Jon Tester of Montana, Carl Levin of Michigan, Dianne Feinstein of California, Tom Udall of New Mexico, Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley of Oregon, Kent Conrad and John Hoeven of North Dakota, Claire McCaskill of Missouri, Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, Michael Bennet of Colorado, Tom Harkin of Iowa, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, and John Thune of South Dakota in signing the letter.

Here's a copy of the text of the letter.  A signed copy can be found here.

November 14, 2011

 

Secretary Tom Vilsack                        Ambassador Ron Kirk

U.S. Department of Agriculture                    Office of the U.S. Trade Representative

1400 Independence Ave., SW                             600 17th Street, NW

Washington, DC 20250                          Washington, DC 20508

 

Dear Secretary Vilsack and Ambassador Kirk:

 

We write regarding the November 18, 2011, World Trade Organization (WTO) Dispute Settlement Panel (DSP) finding affirming arguments made by Canada and Mexico over the implementation of the United States Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) law.  The DSP validated the statutory authority for the United States to require such labeling; however, the panel also found that the manner in which the program was implemented treats cattle and hogs from those countries less favorably than U.S.-origin livestock.  While we are pleased that the DSP affirmed our right to require such labeling, we are concerned about the impact that the DSP's ruling will have on our ability to continue providing such information to consumers.

 

As you are aware, included in the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Farm Bill) was a common sense plan for implementing a food labeling program to provide consumers with information about the origins of the food they purchase.  It was the intention of Congress in developing this provision that such labeling would be nondiscriminatory in its treatment of imported products by requiring the labeling of both domestic as well as imported products.

 

With that goal in mind, we appreciate the thoughtful rulemaking process undertaken by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and the Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) of USDA in developing the rule implementing COOL.  While we believe that improvements should have been made to the final rule, we believe that it appropriately establishes a labeling system which provides important and useful information to consumers while not placing an undue burden on the industry.  Additionally, we believe that the labeling system continues to provide the same opportunity for imported livestock to compete in the domestic marketplace as was the case prior to USDA's implementation of COOL.

 

We appreciate the work you have done in defending both the COOL statute and its implementation before the WTO's dispute settlement proceedings.  As you know, many of our major trading partners, including Canada and Mexico, themselves impose their own country of origin labeling requirements for imported meats.  As such, it is clear that it is within our authority under our WTO obligations to implement such a program.

 

We request that your agencies take appropriate actions to appeal the DSP's ruling and to work to ensure that our COOL program both meets our international trade obligations while continuing to provide such information to consumers.  We appreciate your attention to this matter, and we look forward to working with you moving forward.

Grants will help aid recovery from Iowa disasters

 

Washington, DC - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded a round of grants worth $2.8 million to help repair power lines damaged by flooding and prevent future flood threats.

The FEMA grants will help strengthen power lines that sustained damage in 2008 due to a series of severe storms, tornadoes and heavy rains.  Another grant will be used to help prevent the threat from future floods in Manchester.

"This funding will help improve power lines and diminish the threat from future flooding," Braley said.  "These grants are an insurance policy against future disasters and an investment in future economic growth across Iowa."

 

A list of grant beneficiaries follows:

 

FEMA Grant Funding Amount 

Recipient and Project Summary 

$1,828,141 

 

Central Iowa Power Cooperative is proposing to strengthen 17.5 miles of overhead electrical distribution lines.  The proposed activity completion timeframe is a total of 36 months.  On May 26, 2008, a federal disaster was declared due to a series of severe storms, tornadoes, and heavy rains. Public Assistance, Individual Assistance and the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program were authorized under this declaration. 

$1,058,025 

 

City of Manchester Acquisition
This project will acquire and demolish 10 residential properties and 2 commercial flood prone properties. The proposed activity completion timeframe is a total of 36 months. On March 2, 2010, a federal disaster was declared due to severe winter storms. Public Assistance and the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program were authorized under this declaration. 

 

# # #

DAVENPORT, IA–Household waste in the United States increases by more than 25 percent between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, creating an extra one million tons per week. But locally, not all of this waste has to end up in a landfill.

Throughout Scott County, many holiday-related items can be recycled through curbside and drop-off recycling programs. Examples include : boxes from electronics, toys, shoes & shirts, wrapping paper tubes, gift/shopping bags made of paper, tissue paper, greeting cards, envelopes, newspapers, advertisements, magazines, catalogs, #1 and #2 plastics, glass food and beverage containers, steel cans, popcorn and cookie tins, aluminum cans & pie plates.

However, not all holiday waste can be recycled. Items such as wrapping paper, bows, ribbons, Styrofoam, plastic film, artificial Christmas trees and Christmas lights are considered contaminants to the recycling process and should not be placed in curbside or drop-off recycling containers.

Christmas lights, along with computers, monitors, televisions, printers, digital cameras and video game systems are considered electronic waste, or e-waste. These items can be recycled weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Electronic Demanufacturing Facility, 1048 East 59th Street in Davenport. There is no charge to residents from Scott and Rock Island counties. However, fees apply for e-waste from businesses. Call (563) 823-0119 for more information. The cities of Bettendorf and Davenport collect large e-waste items (not Christmas lights) at the curb from residents on bulky waste/recycling day and deliver them to the Electronic Demanufacturing Facility for recycling.

For more information about recycling, please call (563) 386-9575 or visit www.wastecom.com.

# # #
Thursday, December 15, 2011

Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa is the author of legislation pending before the Senate to ban the chemicals used to make the dangerous drug known as "K2" or "Spice." As Judiciary Committee Ranking Member, Grassley advanced the legislation, named for a young Iowa man who took his own life after using the drug.  A fellow senator is objecting to Senate consideration of the legislation.  Grassley made the following comment on the legislation.

"A new survey out this week showed one in nine high school seniors reported using synthetic drugs last year.  That's terrible news.  These drugs are toxic and dangerous.  They caused a young Iowan to take his life.  Other deaths around the country are directly linked to synthetic drugs.  Their availability at the local mall or online does not make them safe.  Just because you can buy something in a shiny package with a cute name does not mean safety is assured.  Cynical manufacturers and sellers peddle these products either not knowing or not caring about their content or effects.

"The federal Drug Enforcement Administration has banned some of the chemicals used to make these drugs, but the ban is limited and temporary.  Congress needs to act to impose a permanent ban.  State bans aren't enough.  What's passed in one state might be different than what's passed in another state, so kids can go across the river to another state to find the drugs.  Many of the chemicals in these drugs are imported, especially from China.  States are very limited in capturing the drugs at U.S. ports of entry.

"One argument against a federal ban is that manufacturers constantly come up with new compounds to skirt the ban.  My colleagues and I have worked with the Justice Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration to broaden the language to capture more than 400 compounds that could possibly be created from the ones currently identified.  Although more compounds could be created in the future, the Controlled Substances Act allows for the prosecution of analogs to federally banned drugs, which can help land more prosecutions. The bill also increases the length of time the Drug Enforcement Administration has to temporarily ban any forthcoming dangerous drugs, including synthetics. This will be an effective tool against future compounds.

"Parents want this legislation.  Law enforcement wants this legislation.  Poison control centers want this legislation.  There's no compelling reason against it and every reason for it."

More information on Grassley's legislation is available here.

-30-
p { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }

December 23 OFFICE CLOSED

 

December 26 OFFICE CLOSED

 

January 2, 2012 OFFICE CLOSED

 

January 12, 2012 Private Pesticide Applicator CIC, Scott County Extension Office - 9:30 a.m.

Private Pesticide Applicator CIC, Scott County Extension Office - 1:30 p.m.

 

January 17, 2012 ISU Scott County Extension Council Meeting, Scott County Extension Office - 7:00 p.m.

 

February 8, 2012 Commercial Ag Weed, Insect, & Plant Disease CIC, Scott County Extension Office - 9:00a.m.

 

February 22, 2012 Seed Treatment CIC, Scott County Extension Office - 9:00 a.m.

 

February 28, 2012 ISU Scott County Extension Council Meeting, Scott County Extension Office - 7:00 p.m.

 

March 8, 2012 Ornamental & Turf Applicators CIC, Scott County Extension Office - 1:30 p.m.

 

March 14, 2012 Certified Handlers CIC, Scott County Extension Office - 9;00 a.m.

 

March 23, 2012 Women In Agriculture (Overall Women), I Wireless Center, Moline (More info to come)

 

March 30, 2012 Commercial & Private Pesticide Applicator Testing

Scott County Extension Office - 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Pages