On Friday, Congressman Ron Paul spoke before an overflow crowd at Iowa State University. The enthusiastic crowd of 500 standing-room-only in the auditorium was joined by an additional 500 people who tuned in to Paul’s speech by closed circuit television at a nearby location.

Today, Dr. Paul hosted a fundraiser for State Rep. Kent Sorenson and spoke to a additional crowd of 500 donors at a breakfast event at the Holiday Inn in Des Moines.

This event comes after Congressman Paul’s speech before a crowd of over a thousand listeners at the University of South Carolina earlier this week.

Iowa Campaign for Liberty and the Iowa State University chapter of Young Americans for Liberty sponsored the event.

For more information, visit: www.CampaignForLiberty.com

Source: Campaign for Liberty

Technorati Tags: Politics

Obama’s Use of Social Media: Less Than Adequate?

“They welcomed feedback from their audience, but never seemed to integrate much of it into their operation, suggesting they simply knew better than the wisdom of the crowds. And maybe they did — the Obama campaign knew what was needed to win and they did that. They found some creative and effective ways to use the tools available today, and got a lot of credit for revolutionizing politics (though I say it really hasn’t changed at all).”

Technorati Tags: Barack Obama, engagement, innovation, Internet, Leadership, mccain, obama, political, Politics, Social Media, Social Responsibility, Technology

They’re coming for your 401(k). Congressional Democrats want to end their tax deductibility, take it away, and control it.
» WSJ: Eyeing Your Pension — Are 401(k)s Safe from Congressional Democrats?

Eyeing Your Pension

Are 401(k)s safe from congressional Democrats?

If you have a 401(k) or equivalent retirement plan, you’ve probably been watching nervously the past few weeks as your nest egg has shrunken owing to the current turmoil in the markets.

Well, it could be worse. But don’t take heart, for what we mean is it could get worse. The market turmoil has some politicians on Capitol Hill eyeing the end of the 401(k) as we know it. Workforce Management reports on a hearing of the House Education and Labor Committee earlier this month:

A plan by Teresa Ghilarducci, professor of economic-policy analysis at the New School for Social Research in New York, contains elements that are being considered. .

Read more here:  Best of the Web Today – WSJ.com

Congressional Democrats Want to Take Away Your 401K

If you think they can’t or won’t do it, remember what they did to tax policy back around 1987 and how long it took the economy to recover from that foolish escapde.

Technorati Tags: 401K, Congress, Congressional Democrats, Congressional Democrats Want to Take Away Your 401K, Pensions, Tax Policy

Joins leaders from across the state in urging rejection of fake-reform measure

PHOENIX – Governor Janet Napolitano today voiced her opposition to Proposition 200 and the payday lending industry by officially endorsing the No on 200 Campaign.

“In today’s economy, the last thing we need is to force working families further into debt. Please join me in voting NO on Proposition 200,” said Gov. Napolitano.

The payday loan industry was given an exemption to the Consumer Loan Act by the Arizona Legislature in 2000, allowing them to charge over 400% interest on short term loans.  Payday lenders have been reaping the benefits of the exemption since 2000.  However, that could become a fond memory for the industry as the exemption will sunset in July 2010.  Payday lenders will then have to abide by the Consumer Loan Act and cap their interest rates at 36%, like other lenders.

While the payday loan industry has been fighting the sunset in the Legislature and now with Proposition 200, the Governor has made clear that should Prop 200 not pass, she would not step in to help payday lenders and would therefore allow the exemption to sunset as scheduled on July 1, 2010.

“Our campaign is thrilled to have the support of Governor Napolitano, a leader who has always been a friend to both the businesses and consumers of Arizona,” said Ken Clark, manager for the No on 200 campaign.

Proposition 200 is a payday industry-funded initiative claiming to be a reform of the industry – but it would in fact give the industry more power.  Not only would they be authorized to charge 400% interest rates forever; Prop 200 would also give them electronic access to borrowers’ checking accounts, worsening the debt trap.

A less obvious but enormous advantage for the industry if Prop 200 were to pass is that they will have been authorized to write their own regulations.  In this economy, that is truly a dangerous precedent; Arizonans should not set it.

www.200isNoReform.com

Technorati Tags: Initiative, Payday Loans, Proposition 200

Download the Arizona Technology Council 2008 Vote TechSmart Guide

Arizona Legislative District 30

State Senate:
Jonathan Paton (R) is a current Representative in D-30 and is running for the Senate. He scored a 100% on the tech report card by voting for the entire tech agenda in 2008. He is a friend of technology and will continue his support as a Senator.
House of Representatives:
Frank Antenori (R) works in the field of aerospace. If elected he would like to make Arizona a more business friendly state by reducing taxes and investing in R&D.
Sharon Collins (R) works for the Arizona Department of Education. She believes in tax credits to attract business, and understands the need for education in order to compete in a global economy.
Doug Sposito (R) is a small business owner and general contractor. He believes we need a venture capital system in Arizona, and that a highly educated workforce in engineering and science will help attract technology companies to the Valley.

Arizona Technology Council

2008 VOTE TECHSMART – If you care about the Technology Related Voting Record of the Arizona State Senators and Legislators in your Legislative District, Download the Guide and read these endorsements.

Vote TechSmart is a resource produced by the Arizona Technology Council to give our members a better understanding of the Arizona legislative candidates who are running for political office in the 2008 Arizona election.
The report includes incumbents’ past voting records on technology issues and the results of both a survey and/or interviews of both incumbent and non-incumbent candidates. We hope this information is useful as you make your choices on Election Day.

Technorati Tags: Arizona, smart, tech, tech smart, Technology, techsmart, vote, vote smart, vote techsmart, voting

Download the Arizona Technology Council 2008 Vote TechSmart Guide

Arizona Legislative District 29

State Senate:
Linda Lopez (D) is a current Representative in D-29 and is running unopposed for the Senate. She has been supportive of R&D tax credits, Science Foundation Arizona and e-learning initiatives.
House of Representatives:
Pat Kilburn (R) works in the arena of defense. He believes we need more math and science requirements and that broadband is essential to a technology state.
Daniel Patterson (D) is an ecologist. He wants to diversify the Arizona economy, improve public education and invest in solar energy.

Arizona Technology Council

2008 VOTE TECHSMART – If you care about the Technology Related Voting Record of the Arizona State Senators and Legislators in your Legislative District, Download the Guide and read these endorsements.

Vote TechSmart is a resource produced by the Arizona Technology Council to give our members a better understanding of the Arizona legislative candidates who are running for political office in the 2008 Arizona election.
The report includes incumbents’ past voting records on technology issues and the results of both a survey and/or interviews of both incumbent and non-incumbent candidates. We hope this information is useful as you make your choices on Election Day.

Technorati Tags: Arizona, smart, tech, tech smart, Technology, techsmart, vote, vote smart, vote techsmart, voting

Download the Arizona Technology Council 2008 Vote TechSmart Guide

Arizona Legislative District 28

State Senate:
Paula Aboud (D) is the current Senator in D-28. She supported e-learning and the job training program in the 2007-08 legislative sessions.
House of Representatives:
David Bradley (D) is a current Representative in D-28. He supported the majority of our agenda by voting for R&D, job training, Science Foundation Arizona and e-learning.
Steve Farley (D) is a current Representative in D-28. He supported e-learning, Science Foundation Arizona and the job training program.

Arizona Technology Council

2008 VOTE TECHSMART – If you care about the Technology Related Voting Record of the Arizona State Senators and Legislators in your Legislative District, Download the Guide and read these endorsements.

Vote TechSmart is a resource produced by the Arizona Technology Council to give our members a better understanding of the Arizona legislative candidates who are running for political office in the 2008 Arizona election.
The report includes incumbents’ past voting records on technology issues and the results of both a survey and/or interviews of both incumbent and non-incumbent candidates. We hope this information is useful as you make your choices on Election Day.

Technorati Tags: Arizona, smart, tech, tech smart, Technology, techsmart, vote, vote smart, vote techsmart, voting

Download the Arizona Technology Council 2008 Vote TechSmart Guide

Arizona Legislative District 27

State Senate:
No endorsement made.
House of Representatives:
Olivia Cajero Bedford (D) is a current Representative in D-27. She supported the entire 2007 legislative agenda: supporting R&D tax credits, Science Foundation Arizona and e-learning.
Phil Lopes (D) is a current Representative in D-27. He supported Science Foundation Arizona, e-learning and the job training program. He received a “B” on our report card.

Arizona Technology Council

2008 VOTE TECHSMART – If you care about the Technology Related Voting Record of the Arizona State Senators and Legislators in your Legislative District, Download the Guide and read these endorsements.

Vote TechSmart is a resource produced by the Arizona Technology Council to give our members a better understanding of the Arizona legislative candidates who are running for political office in the 2008 Arizona election.
The report includes incumbents’ past voting records on technology issues and the results of both a survey and/or interviews of both incumbent and non-incumbent candidates. We hope this information is useful as you make your choices on Election Day.

Technorati Tags: Arizona, smart, tech, tech smart, Technology, techsmart, vote, vote smart, vote techsmart, voting

Download the Arizona Technology Council 2008 Vote TechSmart Guide

Arizona Legislative District 26

State Senate:
Pete Hershberger (R) is the current Representative in D-26 and is running for the Senate. He has been a friend of the technology industry supporting the majority of our agenda. He played a tremendous role in the passage of the R&D tax credit bill.
House of Representatives:
Donald Jorgensen (D) would support the tech agenda if elected. He is a proponent of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), workforce development and clean energy.
Nancy Young Wright (D) is a current Representative in D-26. She supported R&D, e-learning and Science Foundation Arizona.

Arizona Technology Council

2008 VOTE TECHSMART – If you care about the Technology Related Voting Record of the Arizona State Senators and Legislators in your Legislative District, Download the Guide and read these endorsements.

Vote TechSmart is a resource produced by the Arizona Technology Council to give our members a better understanding of the Arizona legislative candidates who are running for political office in the 2008 Arizona election.
The report includes incumbents’ past voting records on technology issues and the results of both a survey and/or interviews of both incumbent and non-incumbent candidates. We hope this information is useful as you make your choices on Election Day.

Technorati Tags: Arizona, smart, tech, tech smart, Technology, techsmart, vote, vote smart, vote techsmart, voting

Download the Arizona Technology Council 2008 Vote TechSmart Guide

Arizona Legislative District 25

State Senate:
Manny Alvarez (D) is the current Representative for D-25 and is running for the Senate. He supported e-learning, Science Foundation Arizona and the job training program.
House of Representatives:
No endorsements made.

Arizona Technology Council

2008 VOTE TECHSMART – If you care about the Technology Related Voting Record of the Arizona State Senators and Legislators in your Legislative District, Download the Guide and read these endorsements.

Vote TechSmart is a resource produced by the Arizona Technology Council to give our members a better understanding of the Arizona legislative candidates who are running for political office in the 2008 Arizona election.
The report includes incumbents’ past voting records on technology issues and the results of both a survey and/or interviews of both incumbent and non-incumbent candidates. We hope this information is useful as you make your choices on Election Day.

Technorati Tags: Arizona, smart, tech, tech smart, Technology, techsmart, vote, vote smart, vote techsmart, voting