Summertime Politics
School is out and summer begins. It’s typically a slow time for
politics. However, enough is going on out there to keep things hopping.
Hundreds of mayors and city council members are up for election
this year, and while it’s too early to be doing much campaigning
in a public way, it’s not too early to be gearing up behind the
scenes with campaign plans, fundraising, developing voter target
lists, and mobilizing opinion leader support.
Were I a mayoral or city council candidate right now I would be
identifying all the political activists and opinion leaders in my
city or district and I’d be visiting them individually, telling
them why I’m running or seeking re-election, describing my priorities
for the city, and asking for their support.
Other political activities, including Gov. Huntsman’s summits
on economic development and transportation, in addition to some
fascinating legislative work ahead in the Health Care and Tax Reform
task forces, will keep the political community busy.
Economic Development Approach
As Gov. Huntsman continues to build his economic development
plans, it’s interesting to look at how other localities are dealing
with economic development. A friend from the Seattle area sent me
this Web
site link that describes an initiative in the Puget Sound region
called the Prosperity Partnership. The group intends to create 100,000
new jobs by 2010 above normal job growth. It’s a pretty impressive
operation. Like Utah, they are focusing on certain industry “clusters”
where they think they have an advantage.
European Malaise
Interesting observation
by David Brooks, columnist for the New York Times: “Forgive
me for making a blunt and obvious point, but events in Western Europe
are slowly discrediting large swaths of American liberalism. Most
of the policy ideas advocated by American liberals have already
been enacted in Europe: generous welfare measures, ample labor protections,
highly progressive tax rates, single-payer health care systems,
zoning restrictions to limit big retailers, and cradle-to-grave
middle-class subsidies supporting everything from child care to
pension security. And yet far from thriving, continental Europe
has endured a lost decade of relative decline.”
End the Junk Food
MedPageToday.com
reports that Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt
gave the opening remarks Wednesday at a two-day conference called
Environmental Solutions to Obesity in America's Youth. Leavitt spoke
of an estimated "nine million children who are at an increased risk
for chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, and asthma."
Meanwhile, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute is talking
about "whoa," "go," and "slow" foods as part of $2.6 million We
Can! initiative, designed to change the eating habits of eight-
to 13-year-olds. Obesity in children is certainly a problem and
we like the MedPage Today Actions Points, but we’re inclined to
believe a simple, three-step process would cure most forms of childhood
obesity without government involvement: (1) turn off the tube and
video games; (2) give kids some meaningful chores; (3) quit buying
them junk food! More tips
on getting kids to eat better.
Headlines of the Obvious
"Poll: Most Americans Want a Summer Vacation" --Associated Press
"Compliments Make a Woman Feel Better, Study Concludes" --Knight
Ridder Tribune
"Experts Say Be Sensible With Pocket Pets" --Associated Press
"Experts Say Wormholes, Time Machines Unreliable"
--Space.com
"Army Wants Soldiers to Get Used to Guns"
--The State (Columbia, S.C.)
"Caffeinated Cola May Make Kids Hyperactive"
--WebMD.com
(Source: The Federalist Patriot)
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