Just as I have been able to heal Iowans, I will partner with you to bring forth your concerns and make this our time to heal Congress. 

Jump to an issue:

1. Realign Health Care
2. Reform Social Security
3. Revitalize GI Bill
4. Reconstruct Tax Code
5. Security, Energy, Environment, Economy

Our younger generation has legitimate concerns regarding social insecurity.  They realize they are paying for today's seniors' lifestyle (even though seniors contributed to social security) because numerous politicians permitted the squandering of these funds. There are some simple changes that could be made to extend the viability of the present program.

• Increasing the FICA tax to all earned income would diminish the desirability of entrepreneurs and small businesses to take risks in starting new ventures, which are the major source of job growth.
• A personal account would prevent government sources from accessing that small portion, and therefore, it could grow substantially over time through compounded interest.
• Additionally, previous experience indicates that the growth obtained in personal funds reduces the overall withdrawal from the pooled amount thus increasing its' longevity.

The GI Bill presently does not serve our returning war veterans very well.  For those who have sacrificed for our nation and removed that burden from the rest of us, they should be rewarded with assurance that we will assist them with tuition for trade school, college or even graduate school. The current GI Bill covers very little of the cost of tuition and only after the veteran has paid the bill are they reimbursed for their expenses.

Additionally, when the Clinton administration reduced overall force strength on active duty with the remainder to be drawn from the Reserves and National Guard, there were no provisions for these soldiers to access the GI Bill when they were taken off active duty in the war theatre and placed back into reserve status. These men and women should be given the opportunity to obtain a college degree because they have earned it and our gratitude.

Too many precious hours are utilized attempting to prepare tax returns and comply with the voluminous IRS regulations.  Most importantly, our current system invites corruption by special interests and lobbyists.  Certainly, the tax code could be simplified and strong consideration for either a flat tax or fair tax implemented.

I group these issues together because they are all integrated, interconnected and independent but interrelated. By developing an industry of energy we can address environmental concerns, enhance our economic opportunities and productivity, and bolster our national security.

District 2 is uniquely positioned to become an industry of energy.  We already have two wind turbine and blade manufacturing concerns, one in Cedar Rapids and one in Burlington.  Federal and state government policy should address the necessary transmission access lines that provide the capacity to expand wind-generated energy from remote high wind resource areas to urban high-energy consumptive areas.  High voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission lines are expensive and a cost-benefit analysis must be undertaken with the consideration of intangibles such as the environmental friendliness of wind energy, and effect on national security.

There is also tremendous success in landfill waste management and manure that produces fuel sources.  Newer technologies that utilize our progressing knowledge of bio-genetics or biotechnologies are creating a breed of algae that can produce oil.  We have these resources both privately and publicly in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids such as the University of Iowa’s Centers of Enterprise, Asoyia, BFC Gas & Electric (waste management), Clipper Industries as well as Alliant and Mid-American Energy production and utilization of wind generated power.  We should be able to access the capacity of the Mississippi River while being environmentally conscious utilizing both wave generated wind and hydroelectric energy where feasible.

While ethanol and bio-diesel are the most commonly known of alternative fuel sources, one has to be concerned about the impact on food prices, wildlife habitat when previously set aside acreage is turned into productive cropland and the utilization of water resources.  Ethanol and bio-diesel is only a singular facet of alternative energy sources.  Further wind energy could be developed by farmers, sold back to utility companies, and would not severely impact the acreage in production. Farmers are some of the most environmentally friendly individuals in Iowa as their livelihood depends on this valuable resource--cropland.

We are of course the environmental stewards of the planet and efforts to conserve, utilize, and develop alternative energy sources such as outlined above are necessary and desirable.  A new generation of electric vehicles that use linked capacitors rather than the traditional battery could go up to 250 miles without recharging and be recharged from wind generated electricity.  We have not discussed modern nuclear energy, which is safe, has minimal residue if fuel rods can be re-charged, and has zero carbon emissions.

How does any of this impact national security?  It is not a long stretch to envision that we maintain our sovereignty and economic viability when we do not depend on large imports of oil from other countries.  Even we import the majority of our oil from friendly countries such as Canada and Mexico, we can reduce our trade deficit by generating more of our energy needs locally.  This also creates jobs and a new economy that is difficult to outsource to other countries.  Wind turbines alone that can generate 2 megawatts of electricity are several hundred tons in weight.  Since oil is sold in dollars, would reduced U.S., consumption and greater U.S. production and refinery capacity bolster the sagging dollar?

Ultimately, we need federal and state government policies that promote the educational, entrepreneurial and commercial development of our unlimited potential to create a better environment, a sound energy economy and a more secure nation.