Danny’s RPI Conference Video
January 4, 2009 by Danny Carroll · Leave a Comment
Friends,
I was fortunate to get some video from the recent Republican Party of Iowa forum. Below are my opening remarks. Thanks to all who attended and to RPI for hosting the event.  -Danny
On Party Unity
January 2, 2009 by Danny Carroll · Leave a Comment
I read a letter to the editor in this morning’s Des Moines Register about Republican Party renewal or reorganization. The letter, by Chris Atchison from Iowa City, applauded Maggie Tinsman for her proposal of an agenda that is “open and inclusive”. Mr. Atchison laments those social conservatives that refuse to compromise their beliefs.
This ongoing tension within the party is perplexing because we all know that in order to advance any agenda we must be successful at the ballot box. At the same time we understand that party members are usually motivated by closely held beliefs and philosophies that allow for very little compromise. So what are we to do? How can we be united when we are so divided?
This problem is not unique to the Republican Party.  Almost all organizations are made up of individuals and small groups that are passionate about their cause. Those who are successful find a way to bring their members together as a team.
The answer I think has a lot to do with respect. As a member of the House Republican Majority Caucus for twelve years I worked with dozens of fellow Republicans that did not share my views on abortion, marriage, family, taxes, spending, health care, gun control, gambling and the list goes on. But we always knew that we had to come together in unity in order for any of us to advance the causes we cared about. We worked together whenever we could. When issues separated us we continued to show respect even if we were to be working and voting against each other. We knew another day would come when we were together on a different issue.
Mutual respect comes from trust. Trust comes from transparency, wisdom and consistency regardless of how often or how loud it is expressed. Respected leadership will bring unity and unity will advance our conservative agenda, broad and inclusive as it may be.
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Local Taxpayers Beware - Commentary on DSM Register piece
December 29, 2008 by Danny Carroll · Leave a Comment
“Plan Would Give Iowa Cities Power to Tax Incomes”
The Register’s Jason Clayworth writes, “Cities would have the power to tax Iowans’ incomes as a way to reduce the reliance on property taxes under a proposal that will be pitched to lawmakers next month.â€
Local taxpayers need to beware.
The latest suggestion to allow local governments to tax incomes in order to reduce the reliance on property taxes is troubling. I say troubling because I do not believe there will be any “reduced reliance on property tax”. Most likely the local taxpayer will continue to pay the same or higher property tax and an additional tax on income as well.
If the legislature wants to debate the idea of exchanging one tax for another so that the net impact on the taxpayer is neutral to positive then that is another matter.   The only way to protect against this result is to permanently remove from the Iowa Code a requirement for certain services to be paid for by the property tax. Any proposal to allow local governments to tax income should at least be coupled with the removal of an equal or greater property tax requirement. However, the nature of government is to only talk about reducing taxes and in the end the taxpayer finds out they end up paying more.
For the most part this discussion is not about reducing the reliance on any tax, it is about finding a way for government to take more out of the pocket of the taxpayer.
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…and the people shall decide
December 26, 2008 by Danny Carroll · Leave a Comment
- Image by programwitch via Flickr
I have been thinking about the debate about the Republican Party’s balance between the conservatives and moderates. Some say we need to broaden our message and focus and avoid being too conservative while others insist that Republicans need to move toward the middle.
I think the matter should be left up to the people.
That is a concept often forgotten in today’s focus on party leadership. If someone wants to see a focus on conservative issues they should either run for office or encourage someone who shares their views to do so. The people in a state or legislative district can then make their views known through the Primary Election process. That is the essence of self-government. If an elected official strays from the message they stood for prior to election the same people can certainly hold that person accountable in the next election cycle.
The same goes for the party platform. If the Republican Party platform is not to your liking plan to attend the 2010 Republican Caucus, county, district and state conventions and let your voice be heard. Our current platform was determined by the people in the past 2008 cycle.
Republican leaders should honor the choice of the people and help Republican candidates win in the General Election. Those leaders can certainly advocate for certain platform issues just like any other citizen. However, once the Primary is over it is time for all Republicans to come together and work for victory in the General Election. County and state leaders should set an example.
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