A Heapin' Plate of Conservative Politics and Religion

by Tom Quiner

A Heapin' Plate of Conservative Politics & Religion

by Tom Quiner

What is the truth?

By Tom Quiner | April 20, 2010

As seen in the Des Moines Register April 18, 2010 Is truth absolute or relative? Americans disagree.  The question needs a healthy airing in light of an upcoming nomination battle this summer to select a new member of the Supreme Court.  After all, our Justices have to determine what is the truth from a legal point of view.  Their decisions have had a profound affect on the fabric of our…

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My Tea Party Introduction

By Tom Quiner | April 19, 2010

I attended the Tea Party rally at the State Capital in Des Moines last Friday, my first.  I had three specific things I was looking for: What is the single biggest issue of concern to this movement? How many people would show up? Are the people in this movement normal? Let me answer these questions in reverse order.  Yes, the people in attendance were normal.  I wanted to see for…

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ELTON JOHN VISITS IOWA

By Tom Quiner | April 19, 2010

ELTON JOHN AT THE IOWA EVENT CENTER April 16, 2010 I had the pleasure of attending my seventh Elton John concert last Friday night at Wells Fargo Arena. Read more about it on the music page.

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THE NATIONAL CREED IS UNDER ATTACK

By Tom Quiner | April 17, 2010

What is the glue that holds this great nation together? Think about it.  The foundation of any family or nation is its shared value system. America has stood united throughout its history because, despite differences in political beliefs, race and religion, we have a shared set of values.  The belief system was stated beautifully by Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence in what became known as the “National Creed.” …

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FEDERAL SPENDING FOR DUMMIES, Part One

By Tom Quiner | April 17, 2010

As seen in the Des Moines Register, January 24, 2010 “I am confident we can get government off our backs and out of our pockets …” Ronald Reagan, November 3, 1980 “Read my lips, no new taxes.” George H. W. Bush, August 18, 1988 “The era of big government is over.” William Jefferson Clinton, January 27, 1996 “We must balance the federal budget.” George W. Bush, January 23, 2007 “That’s…

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FEDERAL SPENDING FOR DUMMIES, Part 2

By Tom Quiner | April 14, 2010

As seen in the Des Moines Register, February 21, 2010 “Federal deficits were caused by Bush’s tax cuts for the rich.” That was a typical response I got to last month’s column, “Federal Spending for Dummies.” It struck me as a legitimate reaction.  After all, President Bush and a Republican-controlled Congress cut income tax rates for all workers in 2001.  Specifically, they reduced the top marginal income tax rate from…

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