Iowa Football: Season concludes in Tempe vs. Missouri on Tuesday Night in the Insight Bowl

It's been 100 years, since Iowa and Missouri squared off in a college football game.

The series resumes for game 13 in the Insight Bowl.

Iowa (7-5) vs. Missouri (10-2)

The Hawkeyes come into the game coming off a three game losing streak, while Missouri has won three straight. At one point in the season, both teams were 7-2, but the season comes down to one final game in the 22Nd Insight Bowl from Sun Devil Stadium on the campus of Arizona State University in Tempe.

Can Iowa finish and play 60 vs. Missouri?

Iowa Football has been competitive the past three seasons in each and every game. No Iowa opponent has beat Iowa by more than seven points, since the 2007 season. However, Iowa lost leads in each of the five losses in the 4Th quarter this season. The question on Tuesday is weather Iowa finish this game out and defeat Missouri in Tempe?

Why not, under coach Kirk Ferentz, Iowa is 5-3 in bowl games and should be ready to compete again for another bowl victory ...

Robin Tucker

Nice to welcome Winter officially here, with the weather we have enjoyed this December ...

It's December 21 already. I better get ready for Christmas ... 2010 has flown by this year!

Wishing all a safe and enjoyable Christmas 2010 ...

Robin Tucker

Update on the Lame-Duck Session of Congress from National Write Your Congressman ...

http://www.nwyc.com/
Vol. 14 No. 2-34
Monday, December 20, 2010

REVIEW

Congress is currently holding a lame-duck session which includes lawmakers who are not slated to continue to hold office.

Bush-era Tax Cuts: An $858 billion tax cut package that President Obama negotiated with Senate Republicans was signed by the president on Friday. The Senate passed the two-year extension of the Bush-era tax cuts earlier last week and sent the package to the House. In the House, a coalition of moderate House Democrats and Republicans passed the compromise package by a vote of 277-148, thereby avoiding widespread tax increases next year. The bill will extend unemployment benefits for 13 months, including making them retroactive to Nov. 30, when they expired. The legislation will reinstate the estate tax through 2012 at the rate of 35 percent with a $5 million exemption, and it will include a payroll tax holiday that will reduce employee payroll taxes in 2011 by 2 percentage points, from a 6.2 percent rate to a 4.2 percent rate. Employees making $50,000 a year will save about $1000 in payroll taxes under the new plan. (H.R.4853)

Omnibus Spending Bill: Senate Democrats abandoned efforts to pass a $1.108 trillion dollar omnibus spending bill last week, giving in to pressure from GOP members who criticized the measure. The catch-all spending package is almost 2,000 pages long and is said to contain an estimated $8 billion in earmarks. Congress is expected to pass a short-term continuing resolution to avoid a government shutdown. (H.R.3082)

Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START): Lawmakers in the Senate officially began debating the new arms control treaty with Russia last week. They could consider as many as 70 amendments, which makes a vote on the treaty during the lame duck session increasingly unlikely.

Anti-Spoofing: The House cleared a measure that would make it illegal to use so-called caller ID “spoofing” for fraudulent or other harmful purposes. It would set maximum civil and criminal fines at $10,000 for each violation or $30,000 daily for continuing violations. It goes next to the President’s desk to be signed into law. (S.30)

Food Safety Bill: The Senate passed a comprehensive food safety bill by voice vote on Sunday night, sending the measure back to the House to clear for the president's signature. (S.510)

Ethanol Provisions: A bloc of House Democrats is working to build support for changes to energy provisions included in the tax package the Senate recently passed. At least 30 Democrats signed a letter to party leaders calling for a reduction in ethanol subsidies and the elimination of incentives for coal-based transportation fuels in the package.

Defense Authorization: The House and Senate are completing a fiscal 2011 defense authorization bill stripped of its most controversial elements. A provision that would repeal the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” provision is gone. Also missing is a Senate Armed Services provision that would have allowed privately funded abortions to be performed in military hospitals. The final version of the measure neither endorses nor prevents additional spending on an alternative engine for F-35 fighters — a program that has divided lawmakers and triggered a veto threat. (H.R.6523)

Fraudulent Sales: The House cleared legislation that would ban an online sales practice, known as “data pass,” in which merchants share consumer information with certain third-party companies. The bill targets online sales practices in which third-party companies try to sell shoppers additional items while they are completing online purchases from the initial merchants. It goes next to the President’s desk.(S.3386)

PREVIEW

The Week Ahead: Lawmakers in the Senate will continue to work on the START treaty and could consider a defense authorization measure. They blocked the DREAM Act, an immigration measure (H.R.5281) that would provide a path to citizenship for adult children of illegal immigrants. Click here to voice your opinion on the DREAM Act.

Senate lawmakers also passed a stand-alone bill that would repeal the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law, the House also passed the measure. In the House, lawmakers are expected to pass a $725 billion stripped-down version of the fiscal 2011 defense authorization bill. The Senate could clear the bill for the President by unanimous consent soon thereafter. Go to http://www.nwyc.com/ to get the latest updates on these rapidly changing issues.

*** *** ***

To better help keep up on what is going on in Washington D.C., we have joined National Write Your Congressman. I first learned about nwyc.com back when I came back to Cedar Rapids from Omaha in 1988. My father was a member and suggested it to me. As a member, we get periodically, often every Monday, when Congress is in session, the R & P Report.

We are glad to see the so-called "Bush Tax Cuts" were extended. We would have preferred them to simply be made permanent, so that we could have moved on with future Federal public policy, rather than get stuck in the past arguments.

We want to wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and Season's Greetings. May the work of the upcoming 112Th Congress in 2011-12 be one that builds on the foundational of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness that the Founding Fathers spelled out. May our Country at all levels promote Limited Government and idea of free markets. We need to encourage of the things we think, say and do:

• FIRST: Is it the TRUTH?
• SECOND: Is it FAIR to all concerned?
• THIRD: Will it build GOODWILL & BETTER FRIENDSHIP?
• FOURTH: Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Robin Tucker

We want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Season's Greetings this Holiday Week ...

The Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids will celebrate our Club Holiday Party today during our regular meeting.

This year's program will feature the Washington High School Madrigal Singers. We caught them at the Cocoa and Carols concert that Washington High put on earlier this month, so it should be an entertaining Rotary Club celebration this year. The Madrigal Singers also performed at this year's Fire & Ice Festival in Cedar Rapids earlier this month.

Here's a taste of The Madrigal Singers performing at Rotary West's program earlier this year. Carole and I are looking forward to today's Rotary program.

Robin Tucker

It's Cold in the Midwest this December as we are less than a week from Christmas Day

It has been a long traveled weekend with trips to Cedar Falls and back twice, with stops in Waterloo, Cedar Falls and Shell Rock.

Our oldest daughter graduated on Saturday from the University of Northern Iowa, which is a great joy. She completed her work in three and a half years with a BA in Biology and a minor in Chemistry, making her family very proud.

Wow, Christmas is now less than a week away and there is plenty to get done.

Robin Tucker

Wonderful news on another Branstad-Reynolds team Appointment ...

Back in November 2009, Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks asked me to be a part of her campaign for U.S. Congress. In November 2010, her bid came up short in the race in the Second Congressional District. With defeat, often another door of opportunity opens and the Citizens of Iowa will benefit from Governor-elect Terry Branstad's latest appointment.

Miller-Meeks selected for Public Health post - The Gazette

It is a joy to see Governor-elect Branstad making outstanding appointments to various State positions in his fifth term of office serving the State of Iowa. His first four terms were from 1983 to 1999. Hooray, Terry is back and he is making some fine appointments in preparation for his fifth term.

Robin Tucker

An E-mail letter from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on the issue of extending the expiring tax cuts

Today at work, we received the following e-mail from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce about the extension of the expiring tax cuts or as many would say maintaining the current tax rates of 2010.

Robin,

Last night the President announced a bipartisan deal with
Congressional Republicans to extend the expiring tax cuts and protect all
Americans from a potential tax hike.

As the Wall Street Journal reports:

“Obama reached agreement with Republican leaders in Congress on a broad
tax package that would extend the Bush-era income tax cuts for two years, reduce
worker payroll taxes for one year and give more favorable treatment to business
investments.”

This deal would prevent tax increases on any income level
for the next two years.

Unfortunately, the “potential deal” still has a
long way to go and depends on the Congressional Democrats willingness to
compromise and support extending the tax cuts for all Americans. They need to
hear your support on this issue more than ever.

Congress, more than
ever, needs to hear that you support this deal.

Contact your members of
Congress now -- if they fail to pass this bipartisan agreement you could be hit
with the largest tax hike in American history.

Congress is scheduled to
meet today and discuss this agreement. Republicans and the White House have made
a commitment to protect American small businesses and thwart a major threat to
our economic recovery.

Raising taxes on any Americans in this fragile
economy could spell disaster.

Congress must approve this bipartisan
agreement to extend our current tax rates for all Americans -- and you can help
make that happen.

A bipartisan effort to protect American jobs is
exactly what Americans voted for in November.

It’s what we expect from
our leaders in Washington.

Thank you for helping to make it a reality.

Sincerely,

Bill Miller
Senior Vice President and National
Political Director
U.S. Chamber of Commerce

P.S. With Congress
discussing the deal today, they need to hear from you now.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

U.S. Chamber of Commerce 1615 H Street, NW Washington DC 20062-2000

In these tough economic times, raising taxes can have negative impacts on jobs and the economy. We need to reduce Federal, State and in many cases local spending. The increases of the Federal, State and local municipal budgets are steep over the past four years.

We need to ask our government officials to make wiser choices. We suggest limited government is the path our nation must return to. Both, Democrats and Republicans over the past twenty plus years have gotten off track. The growth in government is alarming.

As National Write Your Congressman encourages,

"Now that you have stepped outside the massive crowd of silent citizens
and taken a stand for your principles and your beliefs, you are working for a
better government. You are proving that ordinary citizens can influence their
lawmakers by communicating directly with their legislators, just as our Founding
Fathers intended."

Robin Tucker

R & P Report from National Write Your Congressman for Monday, December 6, 2010 ...

http://www.nwyc.com/
Vol. 14 No. 2-31
Monday, December 06, 2010

REVIEW

Congress is currently holding a lame-duck session which includes lawmakers who are not slated to continue to hold office.

GOP Senate Blockade: All 42 Senate Republicans have pledged to vote against bringing any legislation to the floor before the government has been funded for the current fiscal year and Congress deals with expiring 2001 and 2003 tax cuts. The move will effectively keep the Senate from acting on other matters because at least 60 votes are needed to overcome any filibuster against a motion to proceed to a bill.

Middle Class Tax Cuts: The Democrat-led House has voted to extend the Bush-era tax cuts for families making $250,000 or less - but not on incomes above that threshold. The bill would also extend the maximum $1,000 child tax credit and limits on the so-called marriage penalty. It would put a two year “patch” on the AMT and extend expensing rules for small businesses. The total 10-year cost of the measure would be $1.5 trillion. The bill is not expected to get the 60 votes it needs to break a GOP filibuster in the Senate that is now considering the bill. (H.R.4853) Click here to voice your opinion on this issue.

Child Nutrition: The House passed a sweeping child nutrition bill designed to promote better eating habits and giving the federal government more authority to set standards for food sold on school grounds. The bill passed 264-157, largely along party lines. It has already been approved by the Senate and now advances to the President's desk to be signed into law. (S.3307)

Food Safety: The Senate passed a food safety bill that will extend the powers of the FDA. Language was added to the bill that would exempt small farmers from most of the new regulations. It goes next to the House. (S.510)

Continuing Resolution (CR): The House and the Senate passed legislation to maintain federal appropriations through Dec. 18. The measure was sent to the President for a signature shortly before the last CR expired. Congress has yet to enact any of the

12 appropriations bills for fiscal 2011. Congress is considering options for extending the current funding levels into or through next year — or passing a fiscal 2011 omnibus spending bill.

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell: As the Armed Services Committee continues to hear testimony about the Pentagon’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” study, it remains unclear whether the measure will advance to the Senate floor. Marine, Air Force and Army chiefs have spoken out in opposition of a quick repeal of a ban on gays serving opening in the military. Most Democrats and the President want to lift the ban. Most Republicans do not, but some GOP votes are needed to pass the bill. Click here to voice your opinion on this issue.

Censuring Rangel: Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) was required to stand in the well of the House as Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) rebuked him for 11 instances of breaking House rules by submitting numerous inaccurate financial disclosure statements and running a campaign office from a property leased as a rent-stabilized residential apartment. The House vote was 333 - 79 in favor of censuring Rep. Rangel with 21 not voting.

Criminal Background Checks: The Senate passed a one-year extension of a program that allows certain volunteer programs to conduct criminal background checks on those who work with children. The program allows fingerprint and background checks for both employees and volunteers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. (S.3998)

PREVIEW

The Week Ahead: The Senate: is likely to take up the DREAM Act, a bill giving a route to legal status for illegal immigrants’ children who go to college or join the military for two years. Lawmakers will also consider funding measures, a compensation fund for clean-up victims of 9/11 and a bargaining rights bill for police and firefighters. As meetings continue, on the START treaty, it is not expected to be brought to the floor. The House: is expected to deal with constitutional problems with the food safety bill that the Senate passed. All revenue generating bills must originate in the House. The House may correct the problem by sending the measure back to the Senate on another legislative vehicle.

*** *** ***

In news out of Washington D.C. on Monday, CNN Breaking News reported -- Obama: Famework for bipartisan deal would extren all Bush-era tax cuts for two years and jobless benefits for 13 months.

Robin Tucker

Update on the Lame-Duck Session from National Write Your Congressman ...

http://www.nwyc.com/
Vol. 14 No. 2-30
Monday, November 22, 2010
REVIEW

R & P Report for the Lame-duck Session of the 111Th Congress

Lame-duck Session (includes lawmakers who are not slated to continue to hold office)

Earmarks Ban: House Republicans agreed by unanimous consent to extend an earmark moratorium through the 112th Congress. Although the ban only applies to House Republicans, it is expected to effectively end the practice for the entire House because the GOP will control the floor next year, and leaders have said they will not bring up bills that include earmarks.

Rep. Rangel Censured: The House Ethics Committee voted 9-1 to recommend that Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) be censured on 11 counts of breaking House rules and that he pay his unpaid taxes tied to his “financial misconduct.” If the entire House accepts the recommendation, the Harlem lawmaker will be required to stand in the well of the House chamber and receive a formal rebuke.

Medicare Payments: The Senate passed a one month extension of the current Medicare physician payment rates.

Energy Bill Postponed: Any possibility of an energy bill being passed this year, before the new Congress is seated, was eliminated when a vote on a bill to promote natural gas and electric cars was cancelled.

Unemployment Insurance: The House voted not to extend the rules and pass the bill that would extend beyond Nov. 30 a program providing the long-term unemployed with an additional 13 weekly checks. (H.R.6419)

Food safety: Lawmakers in the Senate have inserted language into a food safety bill that would allow small farms and processors to stay in business. The measure would allow the Food and Drug Administration to order food recalls and regulate imported food. (H.R.2749) (S. 510)

Sex Trafficking: Objections to the cost of the bill have stalled a measure in the Senate that would authorize $45 million over three years for grants in an effort to stop sex trafficking of minors. (S.2925)

Health Care Law Opt Out: A Republican and a Democratic senator introduced a draft bill that would move up the date allowing states to opt out of certain obligations in the new health care law - including the requirement that all people purchase health insurance. To be eligible for waivers, states would offer alternatives that federal regulators deem as effective and affordable as those the law requires.

Gender Gap Bill: Senators voted 58-41 against a motion that would have stopped debate and brought a bill aiming to narrow the gender gap in wages to the floor for a vote.

PREVIEW

The New Congress: The 112th Congress is scheduled to run from Jan.5, 2011 to Jan. 3, 2013, during what will be the third and fourth years of Barack Obama's presidency.

Middle Class Tax Cuts: House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) said the House would vote on an extension of middle class tax cuts for middle class families, but the country could not afford tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. (S.3793)

Dream Act: President Obama is urging Congress to pass during the lame–duck session an immigration measure giving a route to legal status for illegal immigrants’ young adult children who go to college or join the military for two years. An estimated 2.1 million fit the criteria. About 800,000 would be expected to complete the requirements. (H.R.1751) (S.3827)

Fiscal 2011 Appropriations: The stopgap appropriations measure funding the government expires Dec. 3. Congress is considering a continuing resolution.

Post-Thanksgiving: Congress is scheduled to be in session Nov.29 - Dec. 17. Both Houses: Will consider a continuing resolution to fund the government. The Senate: Is expected to address the defense authorization act along with the strategic arms reduction treaty (START) with Russia.

The House: The White House is urging the House to clear a Senate-passed child nutrition bill (S.3307), but objections over funding has stalled action

The 112Th Congress will take session in January 2011, as the R&P Report mentioned. All five congressmen in the State of Iowa were retained, as well as Senior Senator Chuck Grassley.

Robin Tucker

Iowa @ Indiana on Saturday in the Big Ten

Well, after two weeks of College Football at Kinnick Stadium, it's time for the home team to move on the road for a couple of weeks.

Iowa at Indiana on Saturday at 11 a.m. on the Big Ten Network. Direct TV channel 612 for our household.

Iowa needs to play a well rounded game to win on the road in this one. Special teams, defense and offense need to make plays and avoid mistakes, miscues and turnovers.

The Hawkeyes are an 18 point favorite, according to The Gazette this morning. Not sure Iowa will cover 18 points, but a 24-7 win would be nice in Bloomington to open up November in College Football.

Looking forward to seeing how the true freshmen step in for missing starters, who are out this week. Next Man In for Iowa, as well as another week, where the defense needs to step up and play Hawkeye Football.

On Iowa!

It's Senior Day for the Hoosiers and both head coaches are seeking a 100Th victory as a head coach.. Hopefully, it's Kirk Ferentz get to 100 today in Bloomington!

Robin Tucker

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

The long campaign trail that began on November 30, 2009 has been completed. It was a great experience and it was a fantastic trail meeting new people and building on relationships that already existed. Thank you for all that supported Mariannette Miller-Meeks. Congratulations to those people who won campaigns on November 2, 2010. peace - Robin Tucker

The State of Iowa sent some interesting messages on November 2, 2010 ...

• The three incumbents on the Democrat side of the aisle were retained. However, one of the candidates may win re-election, despite nearly 50% of the vote going to two other candidates, the Republican and the Libertarian.
• Iowans send a message to nation on this issue: Numbers leaning towards ousting justices - The Gazette
• Iowa City joins Lincoln and Champaign: 21-only ordinance will stay in Iowa City - The Gazette
• Sharp charge for Iowa House: flipped from Blue to Red: Iowa Legislature: GOP captures House, gains in Senate - The Gazette
• Impact on Seniors real? Linn County voters reject raising E-911 surcharge - The Gazette
• Republican party picks up another Supervisor making it 2 to 3: Palo mayor squeaks by 19-year Linn Supervisor Jim Houser - The Gazette
• Terry is now 12-0 in elections: Branstad takes back Terrace Hill - The Gazette
• Matt Shultz wins Sec. of State office - Omaha World-Herald - Andrew J. Nelson
  DES MOINES (AP) — Helped by a Republican voter surge from throughout Iowa, Matt Schultz of Council Bluffs claimed victory in the race to run the Secretary ...
  

Sadly, during the campaign trail, we saw some pretty negative advertisements. We saw some statements that simply were not true. Now, the real work begins on November 3Rd. We need to find a way to work together and build better public policy at the local, State and Federal levels.

Robin Tucker

Election Day 2010: Polls in Iowa are open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. ...

It occurs on the Tuesday after the first Monday of November ...

Voter Guide - The Gazette

If you need to find your polling place in the State of Iowa:

https://www.sos.state.ia.us/elections/voterreg/pollingplace/search.aspx

Have a great day everyone and make sure your voice is heard on November 2Nd!

Robin Tucker

Election Day Eve: November 1, 2010 ...

Join us in supporting Annette's daughter for Congress: Vote Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks for Congress in IA-02 on Tuesday, November 2, 2010 ...

• Pro Small Business


• Pro Small Government


• Pro Jobs


• Pro Family and Seniors


• Pro Second Amendment


• Pro Fiscal Responsibility

For more on the Issues that Miller-Meeks stands for, please visit her web site.

We the People of the United States of America, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. - The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States of America

Robin Tucker, member of NWYC

We the People are the voice of America.

Iowa won 37-6 on Saturday as we rejoice with Halloween on Sunday and Election Day on Tuesday ...

It was a great Saturday to be at Kinnick Stadium for a Big Ten football game. The fans were electric and the game turned out to be a Hawkeye ambush, which hasn't happened many times in recent years in the Iowa-MSU series. The Hawkeyes beat #5 Michigan State 37-6. The players enjoyed a better post game, than a week ago.

Iowa is now 6-2 overall and is the top two loss team in college football right now. The Hawkeyes are 3-1 in the Big Ten, with Wisconsin (7-1), and one game behind Michigan State (8-1) and Ohio State (8-1) in the win column, since they are both 4-1 in the Big Ten.

Congratulations to Iowa State (5-4) and Northern Iowa (5-3), who both won on Saturday, as well. Iowa State has a big game this Saturday with Nebraska coming to Ames!

Happy Halloween everyone! Trick or Treat ...

Halloween 2010 - The Gazette

Election Day is Tuesday, November 2Nd!

We hope you take the time to review your ballot and candidates and Vote on Election Day 2010!

In Linn and Johnson counties in Iowa - Here's where your voting locations are to vote on Tuesday! Polling times are 7 a. m. to 9 p. m.

For me - here's some names we are supporting in Election Day 2010. For U.S. Congress, we support Miller-Meeks for Congress.

As Tracy posted on her Facebook page ... "voted today for Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Senator Chuck Grassley, Governor Terry Branstad & Senator Kim Reynolds, Matt Schultz, Dave Jamison, Bill Northey, Brenna Findley, and Dave Vaudt!"

There is great list of candidates across the State of Iowa in 2010, as Tracie shared. But, don't forget the local candidates for State House, State Senate and County Offices. Here's an example of my ballot in CR-41. Also, there are Judicial Ballots on retention, the State Constitutional Amendments and in Linn County, we have a County Public Measure to determine.

Robin Tucker

Big Games and Important Campaigns, as Saturday and Election Day can only bring ...

Holy cow, Iowa is a -6.5 favorite over #5 Michigan State on Saturday at Kinnick Stadium. The Hawkeyes are 5-2 overall and 2-1 in the Big Ten, while the Spartans are 8-0 overall and 4-0 in the Big Ten leading the way. Is this right, Iowa a favorite vs. the Spartans on Saturday? Though, much of the media from ESPN to local media, are picking the Hawkeyes to win ...

Game Day: Television, Radio and More - University of Iowa
IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Will it be tricks or treats for the Iowa Hawkeyes on Blackout Saturday at Kinnick? The answer to that question begins at 2:30 p.m. Iowa time when the UI squares off against Michigan State in a game that will have significant say in the 2010 Big Ten Conference championship race ...

Iowa receives great news: defensive coordinator Norm Parker is back and will be up in the press box today vs. the Spartans. Norm has missed missing every game, since the season opener, due to complications from diabetes. Our thoughts and prayers are with Norm and his family as he recovers from removal of a limb, due to his diabetes.

On Election Day, we have some special choices to make. Here's a look at my voting ballot ...
We vote at Bethany Lutheran at CR-41.

Starting at the lowest race for Iowa House. Candidate by petition Jason Marshall has one of the better web page home pages that you will find, when you look at today's elections and spin. He is challenging an incumbent in the 38Th Iowa House District, Tyler Olson IA-D. I don't have the picture to show, but Tyler sent our daughter a nice postcard reminder of his campaign, during the campaign. Both Jason and Tyler have young families.

As everyone who visits my blog should know, we are supporting Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks for IA-02 for U.S. Congress. Last weekend, the following YouTube video was shot during Miller-Meeks tailgate during the Iowa-Wisconsin game. Like the Heartland Trophy Game, this race is very close heading into the final days ...



Will the Hawkeyes pull it out on Saturday, as we get closer to Halloween and Election Day? This series typically goes down to the wire? The 2007 game at Kinnick Stadium was a 2OT win for the Hawkeyes. The Spartans last win at Kinnick Stadium was in 1989.

I am not making a pick here. It will likely be very close, as is often the case in the Iowa-MSU series. I am headed to Kinnick Stadium today, with my friend, Brian, giving him an opportunity to redeem himself, since Iowa came up short last weekend. On Iowa!

It's Hawkeye Saturday, Halloween weekend and Election Day on Tuesday. Join us today rooting on the Hawkeyes, Cyclones and Panthers, then remember to go to the polls and vote on Tuesday. We are looking forward to seeing Iowa make history. Go Miller-Meeks Go, in IA-02 for U.S. Congress!

Robin Tucker

Friday, October 29, 2010: Only Four more days until Election Day ...

We received a nice E-mail from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce ...

Dear Robin,

We're in the final countdown to Election Day on November 2Nd. With only 4
days until the big day, take a moment to enjoy this weekend's festivities. The
real work starts on November 3rd.

Happy Halloween!



Thank you all for your continued support. Tuesday is
the day -- help make it happen. VOTE!

Sincerely,

Bill Miller
Senior Vice President and National Political Director
U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Here are some upcoming dates of note ...

• Halloween is Sunday, October 31, 2010


• All Saints Day is Monday, November 1, 2010


• Election Day is Tuesday, November 2, 2010 in Iowa and throughout the U.S.A.


• The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is right that the real work begins after the Election


• Daylight Savings Time Ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, November 7, 2010 (Clocks Fall Back)


• Veteran's Day (USA) and Remembrance Day (Canada) is Thursday, November 11, 2010


• Our offices will be closed for Thanksgiving Holiday November 25-28, 2010

tucker pole

Dreams Do Happen and We invite Iowa to Make History on November 2nd ...

We can make history in Iowa on November 2Nd...

Elect Miller-Meeks for Congress and let's send Iowa's first women to Capitol Hill in Washington D.C.

Robin Tucker

Linn County Chair for Miller-Meeks

"We need leaders on Capitol Hill who will help create opportunity and facilitate prospertity" ...

At work, we received the following e-mail from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce ...

Robin,

With one week to go in this midterm election,
it’s safe
to say a lot of new faces will be packing their bags for Capitol
Hill after next
Tuesday -- with plenty of offices set to change hands. In
the closing days of
this election, pay close attention to three of the most
crucial Senate races the
Chamber has invested vast resources into: PA, IL
and CA. Our candidates are
polling strong in the former two … and in
California -- a seat that has not been
competitive for years -- Carly
Fiorina is gaining momentum.

When we
launched our political program
earlier this year, we knew the stakes had never
been higher.

A recent article from Barron’s summarized what we
are up against:

“With an economic growth rate of 1.7%, the
country is in serious
trouble, [U.S. Chamber President & CEO] Donohue
says. He's right: Growth
will stay low until Congress begins to help
business instead of tying it down.
It's not too late for the president to
listen to Tom Donohue.”

Unemployment is still over 10% in many states
across the country.
Spending and taxes are on the rise, while jobs and
opportunity remain on the
decline. That needs to change.

We need
leaders on Capitol Hill who will
help create opportunity and facilitate
prosperity, leaders who will address the
uncertainty that has been
paralyzing the business community, leaders who will
remove the roadblocks to
economic reform and help employers grow their
businesses and put people back
to work.

Elections have consequences, and
this is one of the most
consequential elections in recent history. Your efforts
have continued to
impress us all at the U.S. Chamber. But the final week is the
most important
and there is still work to do. We have one week to close strong
and finish
what we started.

Your continued involvement over the next
seven days
CAN make the difference next Tuesday.

They asked for a donation and and Bill gave us his "profound thanks" for our efforts as an American small business.

Robin Tucker

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness

We the People can Vote on November 2, 2010

• In November of 2009, I had the pleasure of being asked by Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks to serve as her Linn Chair for her campaign. I, along with others throughout Linn County and the other 14 counties that serve the Second Congressional District of Iowa, have volunteered time and effort to help get out the vote for Miller-Meeks. Please join us in supporting Miller-Meeks for Congress on November 2ND or earlier, if you choose to vote before election day. The 99 county auditor's office will be open Saturday, October 30, 2010 for the final day of early voting in Iowa.

Miller-Meeks for Congress

Whould of, could of, should of: Iowa falls 30-31 to Badgers at Kinnick

Saturday in Iowa ...

It was a late night for me and a friend. We called it a night around 2 a.m., after a telephone call conversation we had. She is a fellow Miller-Meeks supporter and we had a long discussion on the upcoming election and the state of our community.

I began my Saturday morning in Cedar Rapids at home. I woke up and got ready for a business appointment in Marion, before heading to the Iowa-Wisconsin game.

It was my first time meeting a lovely family from Nebraska, who already lived in Cedar Rapids. We talked a little about Omaha and the Cornhuskers, since we had a little in common there. The wife had attended the same school as my wife, but at different times.

My wife Carole, is a native Omahan and my grandfather was a native Nebraskan. I lived nearly six years in Omaha going to Creighton and working in public accounting. The future customers are from North Omaha. Carole and I were married in North Omaha over 23 years ago now.

It was a great visit. I look forward to having them as a customer in the near future.

Late Friday, I learned from a friend that my wife wasn't wanting to head to Kinnick for the game, due to the rain in the forecast. Carole likely had thoughts of the Ball State we attended earlier in the season. So, my friend Brian was up for the Iowa-Wisconsin game. Like myself, Brian has is own local business and Carole had passed on her thoughts, which opened the door for Brian to attend.

Talked to Brian before my appointment in Marion and like myself, he wanted to get a little work done before heading to Iowa City and the Game!

After my appointment, I needed to get the tickets, since I had left them at home. So, I called Brian and he wasn't ready to go, so when I got home, I made several business calls related to another project at work I am working on.

Finally, time to pick up Brian and get down to Iowa City.

Actually, Brian asked me to help on a quick business stop. We stopped at the bank, picked up a snack (I needed something) and couple beverages for pregame.

Driving down to Kinnick was great. Traffic was perfect. We didn't have any rain, but we did talk a little about the possible weather in the forecast. Otherwise, it was conversation on business, politics and all things good ...

Brian suggested the spot to tailgate. And, there was a little business tied in, since the location was a customers. We ended up at the Old Gold Apartments to park and tailgate. Brian was happily with my pregame selection.

It was nice meeting Brian's customer. He was showing off his hospitality and his Man Cave!

We ran into a Iowa grad from Texas, who was up for the game, since his son is a communications major at Iowa. We talked about Iowa and Texas, since Brian had lived there for a decade. Nice conversation at the Old Gold on Saturday. Iowa State was up at the half at Austin 14-3. I attended the '05 ISU game in Austin.

Time to head over to Melrose ...

We enjoyed the walk over to Melrose talking, laughing and enjoying our friendship, as two married guys should. Brian was telling me about a great episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm he had just seen this past week.

The little things in life. Watching the humanity associated with College Football Saturday in a small Midwestern Big Ten community.

We got to Melrose and looked around and talked with some people as we walked. We ended up stopping and having a great conversation with Marshall Cotton and his brother in-law from North Dakota. His brother in-law is an ISU alum, so we enjoyed the good news developing in Austin.

We met up with some good Badger fans. The Badger fan told me I was the only Hawkeye fan that answered his question the following way: You were rooting for the Badgers last Saturday night right? I said "no" because I wanted Ohio State #1 and undefeated heading into Kinnick.

It was great running into some new people on Melrose. Great conversation and rivalry.

Headed over to Kinnick Stadium and we ran into a student who mentioned something to Brian about Iowa QB Ricky Stanzi or "Manzi" and Brian and I smiled a little. The point came up latter outside Kinnick with a couple of young coeds.

We ran into a couple of coeds as we walked to Kinnick and Brian commented about Stanzi to them. As a Hawkeye fan, it was interesting to hear one of them talk about Stanzi. She wasn't a Stanzi fan. I asked. Are you from Keokuk? Nope, I am from the Iowa City area. I had to admit my thoughts that I never thought Iowa would win last year in Columbus, if Stanzi was at QB. Though, I never expected the game James Vandenberg turned in at Ohio State either.

There was one moment on Saturday I wondered how Vandenberg could run the offense? Of course, at the same time, teams at Kinnick were running with no backs and 5 receivers spread across the field.

It was a good game on Saturday. As a good friend has talked about for many years. If you are in a position to win a game, the game is competitive at the finish, you can't be disappointed about it. Good football is about going down the wire.

Wisconsin is a top 3 team in the Big Ten, after all.

Iowa found every way to shoot themselves in the foot, especially on special teams. Stanzi had a great game statistically, but his experience didn't lead him to pulling out the game. Iowa's receivers made some mistakes too. Our tackling has been suspect at times this season. I was happy to see true freshman James Morris enter the game at MLB. It was something I noticed after Iowa took the lead in the fourth quarter.

Keys the game (loss, if you want to look at it that way):

• After the interception, Wisconsin holding Iowa to a FG, which made the game 30-24


• The most critical play was Iowa's failure to not call a "safe punt defense" as the Hawkeye fan, who I had never met asked me ... you mean the defense vs. PSU in '09


• Wisconsin's successful fake punt on the final drive for the Badgers that lead to the final go ahead TD


• Clock management by Iowa players and coaching staff


• Failure on special points did lead to four points not on the scoreboard for Iowa

In the end, it was a great game. The rain didn't damper the day. Though, my wife was right, it did rain. The fans in our section were great. The game was electric at times.

Iowa never played at the level many believe they are capable of. Our coaching staff needs to work on some things. We are young at spots this season.

After the game, we had a good walk back to our vehicle. It was nice visiting with some Hawkeye fans as the quiet crowd walked to their cars. Inside Kinnick, Badgers were likely enjoying the 5Th quarter tradition, there way on the road.

We got down to the Ped Mall and walked around. Brian and I were not in agreement for where we wanted to eat, but we had a nice chat and we finally went complete circle and settled on a couple of places for some food and continued conversation.

The lightning was noticeable as we ate. As we walked back to our vehicle, the rain was just about to start. We made it back and the rain began. It was a great day together building on our friendship and enjoying life ...

It wasn't a perfect Saturday, but it was nice to learn Iowa State and UNI won, as it was Homecoming for the Panthers. Brian and I had a great day spending time together. Friendship is more important than a single football game.

It was a long day, after a long week. After the long drive back to Cedar Rapids, with extremely heavy traffic with rain, I dropped off Brian and headed for home.

It was nice to see Carole, when I arrived home. She enjoyed a quiet day, since everyone else was gone. Our daughters at UNI were enjoying the Panther Homecoming weekend. Our youngest was working with a friend.

I picked up our youngest and called it a day by 10 p.m., which was a first for a very long time ...

It's Sunday, October 24Th,

and, there is plenty of work and more ahead ...

• Watched a little Sunday television ...


• Busy work week ahead for both Tommy Tucker Realty Co. and Tucker Manufacturing Co., Inc.


• Busy work on the Campaign Trail as we head into Election Day


• Prep Football Playoffs kick off mostly Wednesday night: Cedar Rapids Washington (6-3) at Dubuque Hempstead (7-2) - ironically, that is our friend Brian's old high school


• The Hawkeyes face the top Big Ten team next Saturday at Kinnick, when Michigan State comes to town ...

As my tweet this morning suggests:

Life is Good: promote Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness with your
friends, neighbors and all you encounter in the path of life ... - Robin Tucker

Please support Miller-Meeks for Congress in the Second District of Iowa now and on Election Day, Tuesday, November 2Nd ...

Who should we send to Congress for the Second Congressional District ...

May we suggest we elect and send Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks on November 2Nd to Washington D.C. ...

GOP Doctors Hope They Have Prescription to Win in November - Rollcall.com
Iowa ophthalmologist Mariannette Miller-Meeks had come to Washington, D.C., many times since 2000 to talk to members of her state’s Congressional delegation about health care. But during an April 2007 visit, she caught a fever for Capitol Hill ...

Absolutely not voting for Loebsack - Published in The Gazette on Monday by John McLaughlin of Cedar Rapids

Miller-Meeks respects, upholds Constitution - Lan Nowotny of Cedar Rapids to The Gazette

Loebsack needs to ‘prove it’ - Gary Sargent of Cedar Rapids to The Gazette

Dem ads against GOP not accurate on crux of FairTax proposal - The Hill
Democratic lawmakers struggling to find support from a skeptical electorate are using a Republican tactic to win votes by claiming their opponents will raise taxes if elected into office ...

We encourage you to vote now or on Election Day, Tuesday, November 2Nd for Miller-Meeks for Congress in Iowa's Second Congressional District.

As a business person, we received the following call to action from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce ...

Robin,

With your help, we are closing strong in the waning days of this
election.

We have helped make jobs and the economy issue #1, and we have
continued to hit the airwaves with innovative ads driving home the need for
common sense reforms to get our economy back on track.

We have just
concluded one of the most aggressive phases of our issue advocacy effort –
reloading in roughly thirty of the most important... most competitive Senate and
House races nationwide.

While extreme liberal groups like MoveOn.org –
propped up by extreme liberals on Capitol Hill – are attempting to derail our
progress with baseless, desperate, last-minute attacks... we have STAYED ON
MESSAGE.

Our message remains rooted in the need for economic progress
and job growth across America. Their message has devolved into petty attacks
rooted in the tired old politics-of-the-past.

A recent Wall Street Journal editorial put it best:

"Democrats are unleashing government power to silence their political
opponents. Instead of piling on, the press corps ought to blow the whistle on
this attempt to stifle political speech. This is one more liberal abuse of power
that voters should consider as they head to the polls."

With two weeks
to go, I hope you will continue to help us help candidates who will come to
Washington, put principle over politics, and stand up for pro-growth economic
policies that will lead to REAL ECONOMIC PROGRESS in the years ahead. With your
help, we can continue to launch an invigorated, all out economic offensive
driving home the need for change in the closing days of these midterm elections.

It’s been a long and ugly campaign season, filled with partisan attacks
and political squabbling. We are all tired--no doubt about it. But we are SO
CLOSE to bringing about historic change on Capitol Hill. The work we put in over
the next two weeks will have positive and profound economic implications for
YEARS TO COME in Washington.

We are two weeks from Election Day on Tuesday

Robin Tucker

Renewed our membership to National Write Your Congressman today ...

Meet with Gloria from Iowa City about National Write Your Congressman and our renewal. NWYC has been helping connect voters, taxpayers and Americans with Washington D.C. for now 52 years.

National Write Your Congressman's mission is ...

To encourage responsible Americans to use their influence in the government to

preserve the freedoms set forth by our Founding Fathers.

Robin Tucker

Thank you to Miller-Meeks supporters who attended pre-Debate Rally at Mt. Mercy University ...

We enjoyed attending the pre-Debate Rally at Mt. Mercy University tonight ahead of the IA-02 Debate sponsored by The Gazette and KCRG-TV9.

Photo album from The Gazette on the pre-Debate Rally. Miller-Meeks supporters were out 3 to 1 over Loebsack supporters. Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks pictured entering the Mt. Mercy University venue ahead of the Tuesday, October 12, 2010 debate for IA-02 ...

Loebsack, Miller-Meeks make their pitches at Mount Mercy debate - The Gazette
Rep. Dave Loebsack and Republican challenger Mariannette Miller-Meeks talked about Loebsack’s two terms in Congress tonight, and what Miller-Meeks would do differently if her second bid to unseat the two-term Democratic incumbent is successful ...

"She wants to see a conversation on the tax code and how it can be reformed, and
that's something I think business people in this country want to see as
well. It's an honest discussion that needs to take place." - Robin Tucker

Loebsack, Miller-Meeks spar over taxes and spending - IowaPolitics.com
CEDAR RAPIDS — Taxes were the biggest area of disagreement between U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack, D-Mount Vernon, and Republican challenger Mariannette Miller-Meeks during a cordial, civilized debate Tuesday night at Mount Mercy University, although they often disagreed more about what they've said on the issue rather than what they plan to do about it ...

2nd District Debate: Loebsack v Miller-Meeks Delayed Live-Blog ‎- Blog for Iowa (blog)
By Month By Year BFIA intended to live-blog the debate but couldn't gain ... Miller-Meeks: No one knows...difficult question...there could have been actions ...

Second District Candidates Clash on Healthcare, Flood Recovery ‎ - KCRG
AFL-CIO attacks Miller-Meeks, Zaun in two more mailers ‎ - Iowa Independent
Second district congressional candidates spar over flood recovery ‎ - Radio Iowa

2nd District Debate Tonight: Watch it! ‎- KCRG
This follows the rousing Thursday, Oct. 7, debate between Democratic Gov. ... Dave Loebsack and Republican challenger Mariannette Miller-Meeks will be at ...

We are supporting Miller-Meeks for Congress. We believe a new face in Washington D.C. is what Iowans in the 2Nd Congressional Distirct will benefit from in 2010.

Robin Tucker

National Write Your Congressman on Small Business: Federal Legislation ...

http://www.nwyc.com/
Monday, October 11, 2010

Major tax breaks and access to capital in new jobs bill
In an attempt to jumpstart business activity, a new small business jobs bill was passed that has several attention-getting provisions that add new twists to some old tax breaks. Also, this bill contains a $30 billion small business lending feature targeted to small and mid-sized community banks.

Substantial increase in popular business equipment write-off for 2010 and 2011
While certainly not new, the increase in the amount of this tax break is stunning. As you know, business asset purchases normally must be depreciated over a period of time. However, the tax code allows a business to elect to expense (immediately write-off) the purchases which yields an immediate tax deduction and large tax savings. In 2010, the ceiling on immediate write-off was $250,000, but, was scheduled to significantly decrease after 2010.
Small Business Jobs Act: The small business bill retroactively doubles the 2010 expensing amount to $500,000 of equipment purchases and applies to 2011 as well.

First time ever: tax break for certain real estate improvements
Effective immediately and retroactive to all of 2010 as well as 2011, and, for the first time ever, the first $250,000 of real property improvements to leased property, restaurant property and improvements to retail-business property can be applied against taxable income in the year the cost is incurred. (Typically, these costs are recouped using long depreciation periods.) This has never happened!

Back in play: large bonus depreciation
New life! Given up for dead with its expiration after 2009, this new legislation retroactively allows for “bonus depreciation” equal to 50% of the cost of equipment purchased in 2010 and 2011. Any cost left over after bonus depreciation can be deducted under the normal depreciation write-off rules. NOTE: Bonus depreciation is taken AFTER the equipment expensing election discussed above. This potentially allows the majority of the cost of equipment purchased in 2010 and 2011 to offset taxable income.

Sole proprietors can deduct health insurance on Schedule C in 2010
Small businesses that operate as unincorporated sole proprietors have never been able to deduct the cost of health insurance in calculating the 15.3% self employment tax. Instead, only one-half the insurance cost was deducted as an above the line deduction. The Small Business Jobs bill moves the deduction to Schedule C where it reduces self-employment tax.

Access to credit for small business
In an attempt to stimulate lending to the small business community, the bill creates a $30 billion Small Business Lending Fund that will make capital available solely for small business lending by local and mid-market community banks.

The interesting part of this program is that community banks have a huge incentive to loan the money because the banks repayment rate to the feds is tied to increased lending to small business. Participating banks can lower their rate by increasing small business lending by 10 percent over the previous year.

1099 reporting requirements failed to make the cut.
Included among the controversy of health care reform is expanded reporting requirements of all payments received from vendors beginning in 2012. It has been a major target of repeal by virtually all the small business sector. A repeal of the very unpopular expanded 1099 reporting requirements did not make it into this bill as two separate amendments were defeated.
NOTE: The battle over this issue is far from over and will receive major attention in virtually all proposed legislation in the coming year.

Expiring tax cuts: what’s the latest?
It’s looking more like the decision on expiring Bush-era tax breaks will occur after the November elections. There seems to be consensus on both sides that many of the tax breaks will be extended. The disagreement in Congress is on the tax breaks for upper-incomers: should they be extended or expire. Also included in this debate is what to do about the estate tax which is scheduled to increase in 2011 to significantly higher tax rates.

Tax Planning: Capital gain, dividend and income tax rates
Because we may not know until December whether these rates expire or not, you’ll want to have scenarios ready for stock sales, paying or deferring bonuses and expenditures so that you make the right choices as the tax rates become available.

The information contained herein is general in nature and is not intended as legal, accounting or tax advice or opinion as provided by National Write Your Congressman. The reader should seek professional guidance prior to taking any action based upon this information. National Write Your Congressman shall have no obligation to inform the reader of any changes in tax laws or others which may affect the information provided.

Thank you for being a responsible American; your voice is making a difference.

*** *** ***

The Governor's Debate was last week, now we turn to IA-02 for Congress.

It will be interesting on Tuesday, October 12Th at Mt. Mercy University to see the debate in IA-02. For more information on the debate:

Debate for Iowa’s 2Nd Congressional District in Cedar Rapids Oct. 12 - The Gazette

Next up, the race for Congress in Iowa — specifically, the state’s 2Nd Congressional District seat ...

Vote now or on Tuesday, November 2Nd in Iowa.

Robin Tucker

We are approaching 10:10 p.m. on 10/10/10 ...

As the old KCRG-TV news used to say before each newscast : it's 10 o'clock, in this case, 10:10 p.m., do you know where your children are?

Robin Tucker

Attended the Governor's Debate last night at Coe College here in Cedar Rapids ...

As a supporter of Terry Branstad, I attended the Governor's Debate held at Coe College here in Cedar Rapids. Mr. Branstad had spoke at our Rotary Club on Monday at Noon, so it was interesting to hear him during the debate.

It was a great turnout and it was nice to visit with neighbors and friends on both sides Others were outside promoting a particular issue, such as Education or Less Government. It was nice to invite a fellow businessman, as well, who was interested in the race.

I enjoyed a short visit with one of Mr. Culver's staff, as we were headed back to our cars, after the event at Coe College. Mr. Culver will hopefully only serve one term. Mr. Branstad brings more experience to the table, after serving as President of Des Moines University, most recently, after four terms as Governor of Iowa from 1983 to 1999.

Don't forget to vote now or on November 2, 2010.

On the Campus of Mt. Mercy University on Tuesday night, Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks will debate incumbent Dave Loebsack for the 2Nd Congressional District in Iowa. It's time for Iowa to send a new face to Congress. Dr. Miller-Meeks is a qualified person, and it would be nice to see our state send a lady to Washington D.C.

Robin Tucker

The R&P Report for Monday, October 4, 2010 ...

www.nwyc.com The R&P Report from National Write Your Congressman

Vol. 14 No. 2-29

Monday, October 4, 2010

REVIEW

Voting Day Reminder: midterm elections Nov. 2.

Small-Business Bill: The House cleared a small-business measure sending it to the Funding the Government: The House cleared a stopgap funding measure to ensure the federal government will keep running while Congress is out for the midterm elections recess. As the last major item on the agenda before lawmakers head for the campaign trail, the continuing resolution was sent to the President for a signature. (H.R.3081)

Federal Election Act: The House passed a measure to prohibit certain state election administration officials from actively participating in electoral campaigns. (H.R.512)

Plain Writing Act: The House passed a bill on to the White House that would require the federal government to write documents, such as tax returns, federal college aid applications, and Veterans Administration forms in simple easy-to-understand language. The bill’s final version passed the House by a vote of 341-82. Earlier last week, it received unanimous consent in the Senate. (H.R.946)

Expiring Tax Cuts: House Democrats punted a vote on extending the 2001 and 2003 (Bush) tax cuts until after the elections.

Financial Services Overhaul: In the first major legal challenge to the implementation of the financial services overhaul enacted this summer, two key business lobbies pressed a federal judge to overturn a new rule giving shareholders power to install or oust members of corporate boards of directors.

Child Nutrition: Despite the President’s push for action, the House put off consideration of a Senate-passed child nutrition bill until the lame-duck session. To help offset new spending on school nutrition programs, the bill taps $2.2 billion from a temporary boost in food stamp benefits scheduled in 2013. (S. 3307)

Water and Chemical Plant Security: For the third time in four years, lawmakers are set to extend the existing authority of the Department of Homeland Security to regulate chemical facilities that present high levels of risk. The provision is in the fiscal 2011 small-dollar stopgap spending bill and is the latest signal that lawmakers are struggling over how strictly the department should police the industry. (H.R.3081)

Minority Class Action Settlements: Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) blamed Republican opposition for blocking the Senate from ratifying settlements of longstanding legal claims by black farmers and American Indians. Fraud and lax oversight in awards made in past settlements were sighted as a reason for concern.

Cuba Travel: A House committee is expected to mark up a bill this year that would lift the U.S. ban on travel to Cuba. (H.R.4645)

Military Budget Cuts: Adm. Mike Mullen said the military was near a “tipping point” where reductions could make it unable to meet its requirements. “We need to fund the war we are in because I have people on the front line sacrificing their lives,” he said and urged lawmakers not to cut funds for weapons.

Fallen Soldiers’ Insurance: The House passed a bill that would require insurance companies to provide increased transparency when dealing with the families of fallen soldiers. The measure is in response to questions about how Prudential was explaining benefits available to families of deceased service members. Rather than giving them the opportunity to receive lump sum settlements, Prudential was automatically putting their money into “retained asset accounts,” where the company can earn interest on any money not drawn out of the account. (H.R.5993)

PREVIEW

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell: The military is now reviewing the results of surveys it requested from service members and their families about ending the ban on openly gay individuals serving in the military. Almost half a million military personnel were surveyed. Congress is expected to revisit the issue after the elections.

The Week Ahead: The House and the Senate are on recess until after the midterm elections. They are scheduled to return to Capitol Hill Nov. 15.

Click here to view the R&P Report as a PDF

Other News on the Campaign Trail ...

Voting has begun for the November 2Nd Midterm Election in Iowa!

Satellite voting begins today at the River of Life Church @ 3801 Blairs
Ferry RD NE. Hours are Noon to 6PM. - from http://twitter.com/lc_elections

October 4, 2010 WATCH LIVE: Branstad Meets With Editorial Board - The Gazette

The Gazette editorial board is meeting with Republican gubernatorial candidate Terry Branstad today, starting at 1:30 p.m...

Prior to meeting with the Gazette Editorial Board, Terry Branstad was the program at the Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids on Monday, October 4Th.

Miller-Meeks will work hard for Iowa‎ -Muscatine Journal
While Miller-Meeks has participated in telephone town halls, there is nothing like actually meeting people to gauge their sincerity and commitment. ...

"Mariannette Miller-Meeks has proven that she's ready to take on Democrat
incumbent Dave Loebsack, a Washington insider who has blindly supported his
party's failed agenda of job-killing policies and reckless spending.
Mariannette's campaign is a symbol of the growing momentum behind Republican
candidates in Iowa and across the country. As Democrats and their party bosses
continue to force their..." - NRCC Chariman Pete Sessions (R-TX)

Miller- Meeks Campaign: Mariannette Miller- Meeks advances to top level of ... - IowaPolitics.com (press release)
The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) announced today that Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-02) has reached 'Young Gun' status, the premiere ...

Robin Tucker

Good Day to You All: Monday, October 4, 2010 ...

Time to get started with the first full week of October 2010 ...

Looking forward to my Rotary Club meeting at Noon, where Terry Branstad (pictured on right), the Republican candidate for Governor will be speaking as today's program. Branstad served four terms previously in the 1980s and 90s. His Lt. Governor selection is State Senator Kim Reynolds (pictured to his left), who previously was a county treasurer, so she brings a strong amount of local government experience to the ticket.

Robin Tucker

Joe Paterno and Penn State are in town for a Homecoming Game for the University of Iowa and the kick off of the 2010 Big Ten season ...

Happy Homecoming weekend everyone! Here's to the quest for the Rose Bowl in 2010 for the Iowa Hawkeyes ...

We had a great Friday night with 12 Washington High School freshman and a lovely home dinner before the Homecoming dance. Thank you to the Ross family for hosting a wonderful dinner.

Now, it's Hawkeye Football and Homecoming weekend in Iowa City! #17 Iowa hosts #21 Penn State at Kinnick Stadium at 7 p.m. Central Time, also nationally on ESPN.

In 1974, I began attending Hawkeye football games at Kinnick Stadium with my mother and father. They were long-time ticket holders dating back to the "Fainting Irish" days at Kinnick Stadium. Actually, my first Hawkeye game, I ever attended was in West Lafayette, when Iowa traveled to play Purdue a couple of seasons before.

Iowa was 1-1 as Penn State came to town in 1974. Bob Commings was Iowa's head coach, in his first year, and Iowa was coming off a 21-10 win over Top 20 UCLA at Kinnick the previous week. It was a disappointing 0-27 game at Kinnick back in 1974.

Now, fast forward to 2010, and Joe Paterno is bringing his Penn State Nittany Lions back into Iowa City for now a Big Ten game between Iowa-Penn State. Iowa is going for eight win in nine games vs. the Nittany Lions and Joe Paterno in the Big Ten.

Will this be Joe Paterno's final visit as head coach of the Nittany Lions? He is in his remarkable 45Th season as head coach of the boys from Happy Valley. It's likely many Hawkeye fans and even Nittany Lion fans have asked that question before. The Gazette writer Marc Morehouse has a story headlined today in GameDay titled "Joe's last stand?"

I have enjoyed coach Joe Paterno, since the days of watching Joe Cappelletti run wild and win the Heisman Trophy at Penn State.

Here's to Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz continuing to hold Penn State's number and pulling off another exciting victory. Iowa's first win was in 1930 in Iowa City over Penn State. The series is tied 11-11, lifetime.

Here's to a win at Kinnick Stadium tonight. On Iowa!

Robin Tucker