Golden Rule Living

Thank you to the kind folks in Larchwood today who put up with hearing from another "politician".  I do mean what I told them today and as I have told others in the past.  My experiences of working at some of the lowliest jobs, and a good return to that now and then, help to keep my common sense tank from running down to empty.  If that common sense and humility tank ever seem to be running low in my life then help me out with an adjustment.  No man is more important than another.  Each of us can contribute in our own way with whatever we have.  There are no experiences to any of us that haven't happened to someone else before.  So, if you believe in golden rule living then I will rely on good, guiding advice from time to time.  To all of the observations, viewpoints, advice and wisdom that I have heard from each of you in the communities I have visited so far, thank you.  Hope to see you tomorrow in Lester and Rock Rapids!

Dickinson County Republican Women Event

Thank you to the Dickinson County Republican Women for the chance to meet together and share ideas last evening.  It was great to put faces on some of the people we work with or read about and hear some of their stories.  The most uplifting moments for me were when I could see ideas connecting to others in the room.  This shows me that people here can still agree on the basics.  In my travels around the state I find the same common threads of beliefs, so take encouragement from this night that we can unite and advance once we renew our foundations.  I hope to see all of you again, I learned a lot about the wide range of career backgrounds and the vast knowledge and skills that abound.  So much talent at our fingertips if we just remember to work together and use it!
I departed quickly and I apologize to those that wanted to talk more.  Last night was my 6th grade daughter's vocal and band concert and the tradition for that grade where they display infant and current pictures.  (This is the last year that all students are required to take vocal music in our school, so it is the last year for them to present on stage and sing together).  I did get to see her play in the instrumental part of the concert and they performed very well.
Thanks again for a very informative and uplifting evening!

Doon, Alvord and Inwood Visits

Thank you to everyone I spoke with in Doon, Alvord and Inwood today.  Your warm and open reception along with your kind words and encouragement mean a lot to me.  Sometimes I wonder if anyone is really listening to anything except the routine of daily life.  Then there are days like today when I find that so many are actually thinking about the future of our area, state and country.  Experiences like today renew my excitement level for the positive that we can achieve.  Stay focused and on target.  Thanks!  Kevin

We can get things done when we work together.

Happy Tax Freedom Day!

I forgot to wish everyone a Happy Tax Freedom Day!  In Iowa we have finally worked enough to pay our federal and state and local sales and income taxes on April 13!  That is, if we worked everyday from January 1!  On the average it takes us about 38 days worth of work to pay just the state and local taxes.  Woo-hoo, now we can eat!  I think the government coined the phrase: "What's in your wallet?"

Small Towns, Big Difference

Kind of late but wanted to get this out yet tonight.  Stopped at Little Rock Fire and Rescue steak feed fundraiser.  Saw lots of people that I don't get to see often enough.  Remember to put on your calendars, their feed is always on the Saturday before Easter.  Every year.  Easy to remember, right?  The point is  that this small town group follows Teddy's advice (see above) and they get it done.  Shouldn't this be the way communities operate?  Together?

No matter the task, the person,  the town, the district, the cause or purpose, you are never too small to succeed.  Saw it tonight.

Goodnight!

Ethics by Government

I am amused when I attend a State required ethics course for my occupation.  I don't know how the course is presented to other professions where attendance is mandatory but I know the general outline in the ones that Realtors must attend.  The courses I have attended sometimes start with a story with a moral dilemma and the instructor will ask us what we would do.  Then, all of them make sure to tell us that we are here today to learn a little bit about ethics and how to recognize what they are and how to develop them.  They tell us that each person must develop their own ethics because no one can impose their standards on anyone else.  So, we are there to learn how to identify ethics and moral standards in our businesses (in case we don't have any of our own).  This is something of a feel good regulation.  I am guessing that the requirement was put in place because of some poor ethics or maybe no ethics.  Maybe those people did not know how to identify what their ethics were, but the public can now feel much better because we officially have ethics classes.  Sounds so good.

This is where some of the problems that we have with government making law and regulation starts.  Professional politicians see a winning situation here, an act of caring for the public to show they are really mad about bad business practices, make sure they pass something or at least talk about it, and then let everyone know what was done because of their outrage (and don't forget about asking for a reward for caring, a vote).  They must be politically correct also, can't tell anyone how to live their lives.  So in the end we get either confusion or emptiness.  We can feel good though, because we made all of these professional people attend ethics classes.

There are studies and statistics that say church attendance continues to decline.  I have trouble believing everything presented to me because I realize that the information can be skewed for a specific result.  But let's say that is true.  Is it because we have learned (from example) to be cautious about what we say or do so we don't offend?  Are we putting practices and procedures in place to feel good or so that everyone feels good about themselves and our groups and our communities?  Good possibility.  So, what can be done?  The simple answer is to better instruct young AND old between right and wrong, but it starts at home.  Next to your home should be additional help from your individual church, family and friends.  All of these choices you make influence everything around you and in your daily lives.

Maybe we are frustrated in this part of the world.  We want the state and world to know and practice the simpler truths we find to be self-evident in our corner of the world.  However, we have a duty to remain on guard that our frustration does not set precedent for imposition of empty morality standards.  Political solutions and career politicians will forever be looking for ways to please people for the wrong reasons.  We end up with confusion or emptiness.  Be careful on what is promoted as government cures for all ills (morally or legally).  You might only feel good for a while until the next crisis (or opportunity) arises.

Focus and Keep Aiming

Someone sent this to  my wife earlier today and it is a good perspective to think about our lives, our area, state and country.  It was a few years ago when the girls were little that we shut off the TV in  our house.   I mean shut off as in no cable, no antenna, no nothing.  We had trouble getting them to focus on chores around the house and schoolwork.  There was a short time of withdrawal, but they quickly got through that.  From then on we played games, read books, got our  work done and had fun together.  We did not worry about what the latest bad news on TV was or what the latest fads were.  That lasted between five and six years.  I think we caved in and got some TV back in our house again when some of the more severe storms came through the area and we wanted to be a bit better informed for safety.

Well Kevin, what does this quote or your story have to do with anything?  I thought you were running for the office of representative for the State of Iowa, not some inspirational speaker.  True, but they do relate to each other.

Let's look at our daily lives.  How often do you hear any of these phrases: "My boss is a jerk!  I hope that little car that cut me off crashes.  I spilled food on my clothes right before an appointment.  Oh great, now comes another speeding ticket!  My dog ate my homework! I stepped in a dog's pile right before coming in the house!" If you let excuses or anger take over you will most likely fail because none of your efforts are looking ahead at what positives can be attained from these experiences.

Now take a look at the news, particularly government.  How often do you hear any of these phrases: "Taxes to rise again soon.  Budget shortfall predicted.  New law keeps loophole open for worst offenses.  No hope seen in latest negotiations. Officials indicted.  Favors for cronies."

Again, if all we do is listen to the worst we will probably all give up and pull the blankets over our heads and hide waiting for the end to come.  OR we can experience, learn and focus on how these situations can be used to make changes for the better.  Sure, there is some short term withdrawal symptoms, or pain or anger.  It is really easy to stew in our own anger, but let's launch forward together into the great area and state that we can become.

Our district has about 25,000 people.  We fight and fuss and feud with each other while getting all of the bad news on top of it from our government.  We don't think we can change things, or we think there is some system to solve all of our problems so we don't have to worry about it.  This is where the greatest opportunity is missed.  Don't be a complainer, but actively think and work toward solutions while realizing the possible good that came from the bad.  Our district can look at the problems that our state government has either contributed to or ignored here.  If we take the perspective that we have a sprawling community of 25,000, maybe we can work better together to solve our own issues locally.  When circumstances drag you back, when government drags you back, keep focused, take aim and expect greatness.  Take aim at the problems and stay straight and true to the course.

Pennies make dollars

I had a great uncle that told my sister and me one bit of advice every time we visited.  "Pennies make dollars kids" and sometimes he would add "That applies to everything else as well."  We knew deep down that the advice was sincere and sound, but we thought it was kind of strange that this was the same thing over and over.  I did not realize until later in life how true that statement does apply to every aspect of our lives, not only business.  When you take care of the small things the big things take care of themselves either more easily or even as a surprise bonus.  But let's focus on the business aspect only for this discussion.

In my experience of appraising, buying, selling and analysis of businesses in Iowa and the bordering states, I have learned that you can't beat the basics.  No matter how anyone presents fancy numbers about a business or business asset, it all boils down to dollars and cents, profit and loss, rate of return.  I have seen people move from our area to South Dakota to establish residency because they have no state income tax.  I see people moving business assets from one state to another, again mostly because of tax.  I see other state residents buying a few selected products in Iowa and transporting them across their state lines because of sales taxes.  Partnerships are sometimes formed to shield from liability, but there can be tax reasons as well.  Corporations are formed to capitalize on tax rates and tax benefits.  After a certain amount of time some corporations are run into the ground while the assets are moved to another corporation.  Everyone wants to earn as much as they can for themselves and their families.  I applaud everyone who honestly earns their livings and each deserves our thanks for helping to make our state and country strong.  They are all reacting to the systems that have been created in each state to maximize benefits to themselves.

My experience reveals to me that the next new frontier in maximizing benefits will be not for profit groups.  If we take an objective step back from being too busy in our lives we can see that there are many businesses that have formed or have become over time not for profit.  I did not notice all of the aspects of this until I studied the business plan a bit closer.  What a great system.  The business can earn as much as it wants and it pays the top employees or shareholders very well.  The everyday working employees can be told the company line at any discussion of wages, "Don't you know that we are a not for profit business?  Why do you want more wages when it will only hurt all of the good things that we do for everyone else?  How can you be so greedy?"  The earnings here can be tremendous.  Why?  No tax.  Genius.  All we have to do is pay something in for our declared charitable goal and we have beat the system beyond belief.  Right now this is the domain of the largest organizations because of a perceived risk of audit.  Over time and as tax rates continue to rise I believe there will be a larger flow of businesses that are organized in this system.

Is this all we have to show for playing politics with our tax laws?  We have created citizens who hire experts in finding loopholes to keep up their bottom line.  Those that don't take advantage of every loophole are the poor schmucks that get to pay the taxes.  If you are a regular working man or woman, what hope is there to fight the not for profit for wages and then not have the ability to shield it from tax?  Our pennies seem to make the dollars that the state spends and their collection of our pennies seems to amount to real dollars.  There are better systems than this.  Open and honest systems that reward earning money through hard work, risk and investment and saving.  Fighting through the politicians to change this will only be one fight in a large battle.  The other battle will be with the businesses that have already formed into whichever partnership, LLC, corporation or not for profit that they have already become.  They want to protect their bottom line.

My goal is to work at changing the tax system in Iowa so that every man, woman, child, partnership, corporation, LLC and not for profit group is back on a level playing field.  If we have more money in each individual pocket to save, spend or waste at the individual level there will be more opportunity for real business growth and employment in our state.  Iowa alone can't change national tax policy, but maybe if we are a good example, other states or our nation will follow our lead.  My great uncle will be proud of us all at that point for remembering his advice: "Pennies make dollars!"

Consistency

Thank you to my wife for posting the update to the weekend archery competition and her college mixer event with Hannah.  I am learning more about these technological social skills (not about holding out my pinky finger when I drink tea) but could not manage those things as quickly as she and the girls can.  Congratulations to all including middle daughter Ellie who has now won two of the three state titles for her age group!  She wants to try for the third one in early May!

Archery target shooting is not something many people do and that is not what this post is about.  It has taught our family many important lessons that we have all learned together.I would like to focus on one of those lessons:  Consistency,  a key discipline to learn in archery and something that I would like to see practiced in government.  In archery the main goal is to discipline yourself to set each part of your body and stance in the same position for each and every shot.   Not in any position, but there is a correct position to be the most effective.  Then you can adjust your equipment to your body position for the most effective and consistent results.  When there are several hundred people shooting at one time you must stay focused to remain consistent and not be thrown off by the commotion all around you.  You must have follow-through motion at the end of the shot to be consistent, even a small stray movement from your discipline can ruin performance.  When you have practiced this motion and position for many times you can then count on consistent results.

We have learned this all together as a family.  We find that it is true in all of the other aspects of our lives.  If we keep true to our form, relying on the foundation principles of our lives, we can consistently work, grow, achieve, and attain satisfaction and success.  When we stray from the path, even a little, there are consequences.  Depending upon how far we stray from that path, the consequences can grow.  Returning to our foundation as quickly as possible, with no personal excuses for the error, is the quickest path back to consistently fulfilling lives.

This is the consistency that I want to see in how government effects our lives.  There are basics from the national level to the state level to the local level that sometimes our leadership seems to stray from.  There are lots of excuses at times on how to explain why we are ignoring our foundation.  It seems no one in government or politics wants to admit a mistake but finds lots of ways to justify what was done.  Time to change that and relearn as a people, district and state, that consistent governance may not give you everything that you want whenever you want it.  We have to think about the longer term and the larger good, not just what we can get for today.  Local decisions, even though controversial or painful, are best for everyone.  Follow-through is making sure that when actions are taken they are consistent with the basic foundation.  Admitting mistakes earlier is better than later.  Consistency will not only grow a family, but a unified people, district, state and country.

Taking Time for Family

I am happy to write this entry for my husband, Kevin, and to share a little about our family.

As any parent knows, sometimes your kids are involved in things and you have to go in different directions.   We have 3 daughters, Hannah (18), Ellie (17) and Natalie (12).  This weekend Kevin took Ellie and Natalie (and our nephew Chad) to Detroit Lakes, MN for an archery tournament.   They got involved in archery a couple of years ago and have learned so much and I think found a sport they will enjoy for years.  Kevin caught the archery bug and decided to learn also.  He was trained to be a JOAD (Junior Olympic Archery Development) instructor which gave him the opportunity to work with youth this past year.

Ellie accepts a first place finish based on type of bow and age.

Natalie is shown on the line competing.

I stayed home with Hannah so we could attend the Jackrabbit Reception in Sioux Falls, SD.  Hannah will be attending SDSU this fall with plans to pursue studies in Psychology.  It was great to listen to the panel of students today answer questions on anything from campus involvement to  getting involved in study groups.

Hannah and I pose with the Jackrabbit!

Kevin has always said that he loves his work, whether it is helping a family through real estate decisions or spending long days getting a crop planted or harvested.  We have always encouraged our daughters to try new things.  They developed a love for horses about 5 years ago and got involved in showing in area horse shows as well as Iowa High School Rodeo.  Kevin loves spending time with them on the road as they have traveled all over the state for High School Rodeos.  We have been able to meet so many people through archery and horses and made many new friends along the way.  

We feel our family has been so blessed with the opportunities that we have been able to be involved in with our daughters.  It is the "stuff" that helps to hold families together and makes them strong.  Something important that we have learned is the importance of taking time for family, it just isn't something that you can put on hold.

There Oughta Be a Law!

Have you ever heard that?  I think we all have.  And it is usually against something, not very often do we have a law that is for something.  But is that what we really need, more laws, ordinances, statutes, regulations, rules and guidelines?  How can anyone know what all of the official laws of one state (not to mention federal and local) are AND understand and conform to them.  No average person can keep up with all of the old and new laws written.  Add on top of that the regulations that carry the same weight as law but are not really on the books as passed law.  Most legal codes are now online but the last published set of laws only for the State of Iowa was nearly 10,000 pages long.  Whew, our legislators have been busy.
We all want some measure of achievement.  What is my profit?  How much did my crop yield?  How much work did I produce?  Did I run a race faster than the week before?  It boils down to how can we chart that achievement to attract numbers (people) and money?  This includes politicians, they want some sort of achievement to show their town, district, state or country what they have done.  I think this is the wrong approach and that same theme I wrote about earlier is true here also, less is more.
I can imagine someone spitting on the sidewalk and passerby saying in disgust "Yuk, there oughta be a law against that!"  The opportunistic politician jumps out from behind the bushes with the immediate idea to make voters happy and be against something disgusting that most of them will also find disgusting.  Pretty soon the idea catches on as politicians from other areas see the wisdom of getting voters behind them in stopping this disgusting act.  A law is passed.  Parades and celebrations are held.  Euphoria!  Until someone who has a medical problem with spitting sues the State, wins on medical grounds, and then the law must be changed or amended.  Now we start to get more complicated with more sub-rules from the original.
Did there really need to be a law?  Is this the only way or measurement a politician can justify their continued existence?  I think that someone who wants to truly improve the lives of those around them would attempt to make life and law simpler, easier to understand and not more complicated.  Not more expensive.  Not more intrusive.
When any politician promises at any level to pass another law I am already uneasy and asking where in this 10,000 pages of stuff is this not covered?  My hope is that a new generation of those put in place to watch out for our public trust can begin to inform people that they have reduced or simplified the number of rules by 10 pages, or 20 pages, or 2 laws, or 5 rules.  That will be the best measure of progress, simpler for everyone to understand, and a freer life for all of us.