2008 DeKam Family Weekend Part I

These are posted on YouTube and I have them on my facebook page too. Hope you enjoy a look into one of our most treasured summertime activities.

2008 DeKam Family Weekend Part II

Part II of II

We have lost sight of what it means to be "A Conservative Republic”

I'm no longer on the left or the right on this deal, nor should anyone else be, but I am good and nervous about our economy and have a fair amount of respect for Pat Buchanan. I don't agree with everything he shouts from the mountain, but this article points out some very good (bad) things. It's time to circle the waggons boys, get back to what really matters in this country and start taking care of our own. Shed the debt and stop living with our heads in the sand.

The Party's Over: By Patrick J. Buchanan

Just what someone else thinks, they could be wrong.

I stumbled onto this fantastic article today and would like to pass it along. It sums up a ton of frustrations I have had with both our presidential candidates. The source is pretty fantastic, I would encourage all of my readers to peruse it's content. Enjoy the article.

McBama vs. America
by Craig Biddle

To all of you who have been to the Sutliff Bridge with us, I thought you would appreciate this.

A Tribute to the Sutliff Bridge

You can see pictures, other videos, and more at: KCRG.com

How Spoiled are we?

This week has been crazy. The AIG bailout, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, WaMu, Lehman-Barclays, Morgan/Wachovia, and don’t think it’s over yet.

Headline CNN:
12th bank failure of the year announced!
Detroit wants its bailout too
Why the Fed pulled the trigger on AIG

At the end of the week, the DOW off just 33 points… the S&P up 13.

Is anyone else a little embarrassed? I almost feel a little ashamed. I have been talking to my friends for the past several years about the continued growth of the US and asking the question, how can it continue? I’m not the smartest cookie in the jar and I went to school for all the wrong reasons, but I’ve spent a few years trying to fill in the alcohol soaked, blank learning years of my youth. After a bit on contemplation, I think our expectations might be a bit exorbitant.

How Spoiled are we?

How big is big enough? This is an article about a home in Connecticut that boasts 33,500 square feet of space. Are you kidding me? Does anyone in this country still wonder why every other country in the world thinks we are fat, arrogant, ego driven, bigger is better, oil gorging, energy sucking, money grubbing, gas guzzling, we are the greatest country in the world… Americans?

Now don’t get me wrong, I still love this country and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else… yet. The question I can’t stop asking myself is when is enough enough? How much money do we have to have? How big do our homes have to be? How much does a company have to grow every year? How much do earnings have to go up every year to satisfy the stockholders? When do we get to a point where doing as well as we did last year is satisfactory? Admittedly, I’m not an actuary; economist or historian, so I lack the ability, faculties, or education to speak intelligently about any of this. I do, however, have the ability to be self aware and see what is going on around me. We are spoiled. We as a county need to simmer down, take a good dose of humility, let go of some of our SUV driving, bigger is better attitude and simply be happy with everything we have.

Has anyone else started to ask themselves what happened to the days when people saved, (Remember that words, for those of you who may have never heard of this word, it is defined as: to set aside money for later use, often adding to the sum periodically) their money to buy something “before” they purchased it? Ok, in this scenario I get to be the pot and you (the reader) can be the kettle. Of course I’m as guilty as anyone on this note, I’m just admitting its wrong and we should address it. Everyone who has a household income of 75K a year feels it’s normal and sensible that they should be able to live in a 300K dollar home. Not only is it crazy that people feel this should be ok, but it’s even crazier that there are banks, mortgage brokers and lenders who would allow it. Maybe what this country, and all the people in it really need is a good strong dose of reality and a good swift kick in the ass. Just what I think, I could be wrong.

For those of you who loved the Sutliff Bridge…

Little tribute to the Cedar River

Little tribute to the Sutliff Bridge

We Live In A Great City... Cedar Rapids

So tonight I went to the Cedar Rapids Citizen Feedback meeting sponsored by the City of Cedar Rapids. I have to tell you, I left feeling pretty damn great about being a citizen of Cedar Rapids. When you consider what this community has been through in the past several months, with the flood and all the devastation that has taken place. To have a city manager, staff and city council that has persevered through this and is still willing to take personal time to sit down with citizens and listen to feedback should make every citizen stand up and consider what a great community we live in.

I can't help but reflect on how strong a community we live in. For anyone doing random searches about Cedar Rapids, or considering moving to this great community there are definitely things you should consider before moving here. You may be doing your "Pros" and "Con's" SWAT list of qualities to determine if Cedar Rapids is a community you would want to move your family to. You will be considering things like schools, entertainment, and local attractions. One thing you simply cannot demonstrate to those who have never lived here is how genuinely good the people are in this city. No, not every person and no, not every day. But when the chips are down and times get rough, this community will be there to care for those in need. Businesses will rally around those in need and decisions will get made in an effort to manufacture results, make mistakes, move things forward and make more decisions. As much as this community will accept help from organizations like the state and federal government, you can rest assured it will not wait for handouts or complain that what they do receive isn't enough. I sincerely believe that if there had been zero dollars given to Cedar Rapids, this community would have recovered from this disaster within five years to a point where evidence of the flood would be difficult to find.

I wish there was a way to demonstrate to those unfamiliar with Cedar Rapids what a great place this can be to call home. It's true, different strokes for different folks, and if skiing, deep sea fishing, scuba diving, or mountain climbing happen to be your hobbies of choice, you may be setting yourself up for a dose of culture shock. However, if wholesome living amongst generally honest, hardworking decent people where the accidental leaving of ones laptop computer on the passenger seat of an unlocked car won't lead to a police report in the morning is what you're after, I recommend you come visit our fair city and meet some of the people here. You won't be disappointed. If you'd like a personal guided tour, give me a call or drop me some feedback here and I'd be happy to help in any way I can. You should also take time to check out these sites: The Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce or The City of Cedar Rapids Website.