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.