By Suzia van Swol-University of New Mexico-Talk Radio News Service
Congressman Steve King (R-Iowa) talks with TRNS correspondent Suzia van Swol at the 2009 House Republican Radio Row about the impacts that the U.S. will face by borrowing money from China. He says that if you borrow money, you have to pay it back , and “we’re either going to pay for it with inflated dollars, or it’ll be our children and our grandchildren paying this debt.” (1:01)

 

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By Kayleigh Harvey – Talk Radio News Service

Senator Tom Harkins (D-Iowa) and Congressman George Miller (D-Ca) held a press conference to discuss the progress of the “Employment Free Choice Act: Strengthening the Middle Class.”

Senator Harkin’s said: “We are introducing legislation that puts the power back into the hands of the people who are truly the backbone of our country. Today, Congressman Miller and I along with our co-sponsors are introducing the Employment Free Choice Act and we intend to pass this act not in a matter of years, but in weeks or months.”

Senator Harkin’s added: “In 2004 the average CEO made 431 times that of the average worker.

Congressman Miller said: “Under this bill the employees can choose to organize either through the National Labor Relations Board Election Process or through a majority sign up. Under the current law the CEO can veto employees choice when they use majority sign up. Under this bill the employee’s choice will be respected.”

The two said that from discussions they anticipated that the Senate would be first to vote on the Act and Senator Harkin’s said that by the time the vote comes he “believes” that there will be the 60 votes required for the legislation to pass.

The vote in the Senate is expected to take place after Easter recess.

“The reality is that Sen. McCain (R-Ariz.) can visit oil rigs and do photo ops all he wants, but it is pretty clear from the policies he is advocating that he is literally over the barrel when it comes to the oil industry,” said former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack. He spoke on a conference call to discuss Senator McCain’s opposition to a bipartisan energy compromise due to its rollback of tax breaks for oil companies.

Vilsack also said that McCain’s opposition to the compromise shows that he has chosen the side of oil companies over the American people, and that he is only open to policies that will help these organizations. Conversely, Vilsack says that Sen. Barack Obama’s (D-Ill.) plan would roll back these tax breaks and give this money to the middle class in order to assist them with sky-high energy costs.

Vilsack said that by instituting policies that push renewable energy, he was able to create more jobs and stimulate the economy for the state of Iowa, as well as make more money available to schools and other programs. He also challenged McCain’s image as a ‘maverick’ who fights corrupt businesses and said, “I think it’s time for McCain to be accountable for the decisions he is making.”

Craig Harwood, an engineer at Rockwell-Collins, discusses the massive waters that flowed through downtown Cedar Rapids.  (0:50)

 

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Craig Harwood of Cedar Rapids discusses how the community came together to help each other during the floods. (2:26)

 

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The floods of Eastern Iowa caused an estimated $1 billion of damage to crops, and another $350 million damage to personal property.  Often unreported is the damage to the cultural institutions to Iowa.  The bohemian neighborhood of Czech village was destroyed, many museums suffered significant damage, the library lost much of it’s stacks, and the legendary and historic Paramount Theatre was gutted.  The Paramount, built in 1928, was home to the symphony orchestra, plays, and two historic Wurlitzer pianos.  These pianos, as old as the building itself, were destroyed in the floods.  (2:15)

 

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Cedar Rapids, Iowa resident Craig Harwood discusses the lengthy clean-up efforts in the city and surrounding areas.  (10:00)

 

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Standing in devastated downtown Cedar Rapids, two local business owners discuss flood clean-up and recovery. (2:52)

 

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Like everyone in Iowa, Cedar Rapids commedian “Bustin’ Dustin“  was seriously affected by the recent floods.  Dan Patterson met Dustin while the commedian helped a friend clean-up in downtown Cedar Rapids.  Dustin talked about the effectiveness of humor in recovering from tragedy.  (1:31)

 

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Dan Patterson reports from his hometown of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He says it is estimated a volume of water equal to the Mississippi River flowed through Cedar Rapids. The town is devastated, but the people are determined to rebuild. (2:05)

 

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