Those making over $700,000 a year are booking travel, purchasing homes and buying accessories for their pets, because at tax time they are looking at a boost of $13,600. But they are the only ones holding up the economy now. more

Things to do this month: more

This week in Washington, D.C., Representative Marionnette Miller-Meeks made some remarkable claims. “The ACA subsidies that came from the ‘Unaffordable Care Act’, they are not expiring, they were not cut,” she said. “The majority of people, which is well over 65%, will see some changes in their premiums, about an average of $50.  So there is no change. That is a myth or a lie perpetuated by the Democrats in order to face something that they themselves did not think it was important enough to do.” more

I shot a gun for the first time last week. A .22 pistol, 25 rounds. more

We keep hearing calls to “encourage thoughtful discourse” and “discourage violent rhetoric.” That’s true, and I have. One political party keeps crossing the line, pretending both parties are equally responsible. In fact, the recent surge in political violence is coming overwhelmingly from the left. If leaders want to promote civility, they need to start with the truth. The truth is that the left has a violence problem. more

Why can’t we all just get along? This country is subjected to enough political violence every year to make any sane nation reach a breaking point. We can’t stand idly by as killings and terror become normal in America. Each and every one of us should be doing something to bring Americans together as fellow Americans. more

Economists are now saying that the cost of the government shutdown is about 15 billion dollars a week. The cost of extending the ACA tax credits for one year is  $35 billion dollars. Simple math tells us then if the GOP had negotiated with the Democrats early on, the tax credits could have been renewed for the next two and half years for the same amount of money that has been wasted since then, about 90 billion dollars. more

Hello West Liberty and surrounding Townships! more

Governor Reynolds has provided $1 million dollars to replace SNAP benefits if it is matched by donations from you and me. more

As the days grow shorter and the stunning colors of fall sweep across Iowa, our thoughts turn to the warmth of family, the comfort of tradition, and the joy of a shared meal. For many of our local families and elderly neighbors facing food insecurity, the approaching holiday season brings a chill of worry, not comfort. more

We’re at turning point in our country. People are realizing that the courts and Congress aren’t keeping the president in check as required by our Constitution more

What color is October? more

This past week, I had the honor of participating in Iowa City’s Latino Cultural Week, a vibrant celebration of art and heritage. When Miriam Alarcón Ávila- a photographer, multimedia artist, and visual storyteller, invited me to host a workshop, I was both humbled and excited. We’d first crossed paths years ago at the Iowa Writers’ House, while I was working on my piece for We the Interwoven, a literary series highlighting first- and second-generation immigrant voices. Though we connected on social media, life, as it often does, pulled us in different directions, until now. more

Why are Democrats allowing a government shutdown over enhanced tax credits that will directly affect only 7% of Americans? more