Emernation

Iowa's Taxes Are Outpacing Its' Livability

Iowans, now is the time to take the reigns on this runaway stagecoach of taxation and stupidity. Today the Iowa House is holding a Public Hearing to discuss the possibility of repealing the deduct-ability of federal taxes on your Iowa income tax. Do not pay taxes on income that never makes it into your wallet! Paycheck withholding is theft and one of the biggest hoodwinks in the history of this nation. What young Iowa college graduate with any sense would pay taxes on wages that they will never touch?

This has just been a bizarre year. Is there enough here to keep you if you have to pay taxes on money you will never see? Why are you paying taxes on income that is taken away from you before you even see it? Are you aware that the statehouse is also exploring the possibility of allowing counties, townships and municipalities to levy taxes on your income this session? Do you remember that last year, the legislature implemented a uniform state wide tax increase to 6% to "help poorer rural communities that aren't benefiting from local option sales taxes."

Yes there is a very real possibility that within one-year that Iowa will have implemented a sales-tax increase, repealed federal deduct-ability from your income taxes, and allow your local city or county to levy direct taxes on your income.

My visit to Milwaukee last weekend was the first time I had my eyes opened to just how expensive things have become in Iowa. Everything in Milwaukee was inexpensive, the food, the lodging and the adult beverages and sports entertainment. Wisconsin on the whole has professional sports, great recreation and parks and a lot more to offer younger people like myself.

What makes Iowa such an irresistible place to call home? Year-round golf? Our internationally acclaimed parks? Deep-sea fishing? The 2020 Summer Olympics in Newton? What exactly are the benefits of living in Iowa if these proposed tax increases go through?

Well, unfortunately the answers of sweet corn, old people and slightly above average schools for my yet-to-be born children are not enough to keep me interested.

Greetings from Miwuakee

After a long day of traveling on Amtrak's California Zephyr and Hiawatha we arrived at about 6PM last night in the city of beer. I am visiting Milwaukee this weekend with my friends Matt Reinhardt, Ryan Oleson and Greg Bovee and my brother Chris for a weekend of sports. We will be going to the AF2 Barnstomers season opener against the Milwaukee Iron and a Iowa Chops game against the Admirals both at the Bradley Center here in Milwaukee this weekend.

Last night we ventured across the street to the parent hotel to Envoy to watch some basketball and partake in some locally brewed beers. I was really impressed with the art deco hotel and lounge, tuna micro-burger and exceptional New Glarus beers available on tap.

Plans for the duration of the trip include visits to Sabor a Brazilian barbeque and the Safe House a famous spy-themed restaurant and bar.

The trip so far has been pretty easy and has proven to be the only time that the train through Iowa was running on schedule.

We checked in to the Ambassador Inn and it is a really nice little hotel. The rooms are clean and modern and it has shown to be a great value for what we paid on Hotwire.

I will make an effort to continue updates and photos from the games and our exploits up here. Have a great weekend everyone!

I unlocked 5 Steam achievements on Portal! http://ping.fm/N6elK

Story City potential site for wind turbine repair operation

Some  exciting news in my new hometown of Story City, Iowa.   A large scale  plant that repairs wind turbines (the ones that generate green  electric energy) has been greenlighted by the Story City City  Council.   This is a huge development for our area for several reasons.

Story City lost the Pella Windows plant almost a year ago.  Now I  understand that this new proposed wind turbine maintenance facility  wouldn't create a large number of jobs and offset the loss, but I  believe that it's a good step in the right direction in helping to  establish this part of the state and the nation as an area of  environmentally friendly energy development.   The project is  anticipated to create 23 new jobs.  Story City is a great little town  and I think this sounds a powerful message to the community about the  move toward new lucrative careers and technology right here in our town.

For the uninitiated, Story County is the newfound home of a NextEra  Energy large wind farm in eastern portion of the county, about 10  miles east of where I live here in Story City.  This would provide a  viable repair operation for the growing wind farm.

I began investing in the parent company of NextEra Energy Florida  Power & Light during the construction of the wind farm last year.   They are company who has invested heavily in our area and is helping  to bring progressive and forward-thinking industry to our area.   I  would strongly encourage Story Citians and Story County citizens to  invest in those who are investing in our community, and make sure to  consider Florida Power & Light (FPL NYSE) in your portfolios.   It's  good for the community, it's good for the environment and I strongly  believe that it will be good for your investments down the road.

More details here from the Ames Tribune:

Story City reviews wind turbine repair shop plan

Remembering March 1st

DSC00169
Originally uploaded by Brood_wich

Yesterday was the beginning of March. It's amazing how quickly this year has built a head of steam. We are rolling right in to spring.

This past Sunday would have been my grandmother and good friend Vera Emerson's 86th birthday celebration. She passed away this past December after a very storied and interesting life. My grandmother was a very influential person in my life who helped me become the man that I am.

Vera was the matriarch of our family she brought us together, she brought us to a higher standard of conduct, discipline and character. I miss her very much. She was much more than a grandmother to me, she was a very good friend whom I spent long hours discussing current events, politics and the matters of the day.

Happy Birthday Grandma, we miss you very much.

Chops Win Over Admirals!

Chops Win!
Originally uploaded by Brood_wich

Well thank God. The streak is over. The Chops won last night for the first time since, well, I can remember. (According to the Des Moines Register it was Feb. 7) Quite frankly I believe that the fans have earned it. And the best part is that it's over the division leading Admirals.

This weekend was a collective sigh of relief for me about the health of the AHL franchise here in Des Moines. There were back-to-back nights of crowds of 10,000 fans at Wells-Fargo Arena, and it has been a slow but steady climb since the beginning of the year to these new attendance records for hockey in central Iowa. The front office earned this W, the fans have earned this win, and David Leneveu earned this win. Fireworks, balloon rockets flames shooting out of the scoreboard and finally an appropriate win.

The play has been a stark contrast from how the season began. And I hope that they can continue to be as successful for the rest of the season through April as they were last night and secure a play-off spot.