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Editorials

American students need room to grow

American students need to hit the books. According to the latest international data, the United States ranks 24th among 34 developed countries in math and science achievement -- well below countries like Slovenia, Vietnam, and the Czech Republic.Our dismal academic performance has real ...

The forgotten Alexander Hamilton

Instead of removing Alexander Hamilton from the $10 bill, it would be better for Americans to rediscover the principles and philosophy of one of our greatest Founding Fathers. Alexander Hamilton, who served as one of our nation's prominent Founding Fathers and first Secretary of the Treasury ...

The attacks on TABOR continue

Do Legislators have a Constitutional right to impose taxes on citizens and to deny citizens any veto power over those actions? A group of politicians in Colorado seems to think so, and are continuing their quest to overturn the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights, or TABOR, from the Colorado State ...

On the stump: Political notes 2015

Received on Oct. 2 by fax - yes fax, not email: Carol Torkko is announcing her candidacy for President of hte United States. A?California native, she now lives near Seattle and is seeking the Republican nomination. Torkko says "There are two main issues that threaten our nation's economy and ...

Have you thought about MCC?

"Have you thought about MCC?" Those were the words that one mother told me she asked her son as he was making his college decision. It led me to wonder how many others in our communities have said the same thing to their children, grandchildren, friends, and co-workers. If you haven't "thought" ...

“Police Body Camera Video: Who Gets to See?”

As police departments across the nation and in Iowa begin equipping their officers with body cameras, a central question has emerged: Who gets to see the footage?It's a question that has pitted privacy concerns against a desire for transparency, while government officials also grapple with how ...

What is a “Sin Tax”?

As a Director of the National Taxpayers Union, I am not that keen on any kind of tax, but as a Political Scientist, I know that "government is the price for civilization" and "taxes are the price for government." As a Political Economist, I much prefer taxes on consumption (FairTax, National ...

Widespread support for water quality improvements

The Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award was presented during a ceremony at the Iowa State Fair. Among the honorees were Mark Vernon Dengler of Dysart, Al and Ruth Schafbuch of Dysart and Chris Foss (Foss Farm Corporation) of La Porte City.The award recognizes the efforts of Iowa's farmers as ...

An economics lesson from President Warren G. Harding

The United States economy struggles to recover from the Great Recession. Economic growth remains slow, unemployment continues to be stubbornly high, the middle class is in decline, and the nation is being crushed by out-of-control government spending depicted by the $18 trillion national debt. ...

Make an impact in your community, vote this Tuesday

This Tuesday, September 8, important elections will take place in your community. The next leaders of your local school board and community colleges will be determined at the ballot box. Exercising your right to vote in these elections allows you to provide input into one of the most vital ...