I just can’t get this series of statements from Brit Hume out of my head: http://politicer.com/brit-hume-giving-health-insurance-to-sick-people-defeats-the-core-ethic-values-of-this-country/ Hume’s comment: “Obamacare was designed to help the poorest and sickest citizens out there. However, as noble as that sounds, the consequence of such logic is the fact that it neglects the core ethic values that were embedded in…
Category: Gary Kroeger
Sullied by every breath
When I was 10 years old my family took a vacation to the east coast to visit Colonial Williamsburg, Monticello, Mount Vernon, and our nation’s capital. Like so many others of my generation, my consciousness was awakened 5 years earlier by the assassination of President John F Kennedy and I became obsessed with everything that…
“And freedom tastes of reality”
Do you know that I can find out what you’re driving, what you pay every month, and when your lease expires? Do you own your car? I knew that already and I know what your trade-in totaled and what bank you got a loan from and at what interest rate. I know your house payment…
In Public Education We Trust
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is expected to offer details about the Trump administration’s vision for a federal investment in school choice in a major policy speech. The School Choice and Charter School initiative she and the administration supports is based on the idea that they will create a competitive market and thereby improve all schools.…
What We Pray For
Two years ago I was in the Democratic primary to unseat Representative Rod Blum in Iowa’s 1st district. Along with businessman Ravi Patel and Cedar Rapids city council member Monica Vernon, I ran on progressive values and we strengthened each other’s resolve by engaging every single day with constituents and with each other. By late…
Fiscally Full of S#!t
People hate being labeled. Or at least being labelled by others. Every one of us bristles when we are summarized within restricting parameters, especially when those parameters are defined by someone from the “other side.” Yesterday I was called a “far left liberal.” I countered, “Far left of what? I just try to be right.” (pun intended). I…
Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood
Allow me to show you a classic example of disingenuous political rhetoric. Known also as “mumbo jumbo” or more precisely as “lying.” It is language cleverly designed to appear as thoughtful, truthful, even generous. In reality, however, it is a dishonest form of communication because often a sinister objective has been disguised as compassionate, and…
The Mayor of Cedar Falls
I just read the news that Jon Crews has died from cancer. Jon Crews, the mayor’s mayor; the heartbeat of one of America’s finest small towns. Condolences framed by sweet memories and tears will go from house to house today and for many days to come. I first met Jon Crews in 1971. I was…
A Tax on Your House!
Taxes. The ugly step child of our Republic. Both political sides share parenting and are responsible for its well-being, but no one wants to admit that taxes are part of either gene pool. The line between what is the right amount of tax and what is too much is as blurry and contested as the…
One Fish Two Fish…
Americans love numbers. We especially love big numbers because big numbers means there can be no argument against whatever point we are using the big numbers for…because they are so BIG. Here’s a big one—The National Debt clock at this very moment is $19,856,689,020,596. It is higher right now as you read this from what…