http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/ Policy and Commerce Research for effective and strategic development that benefit citizens and business. Research focus includes: issues like energy policy, tax policy, cyber-security, commerce trade, rights issues, health care, education, and budget issues. Sun, 29 Nov 2009 07:00:00 GMT en-us http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/research/PDF/limitsofCapitalismandGovernment.pdf http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/research/PDF/limitsofCapitalismandGovernment.pdf News In the recent debates and discussions, there has been a persistent suggestion that the business and capital markets are inherently better at serving the public than government. While capital markets and business can provide some efficiency, they have different objectives than government. At the same time, government cannot provide some services than private firms can. ... Fri, 27 Aug 2010 20:15:43 -0400 http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/research/PDF/ofexpectations.pdf http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/research/PDF/ofexpectations.pdf News After watching the news over the recent years, I am amazed at the expectations that people have and at how quickly opinions change. I remember within hours of Obama’s Inauguration, Fox News was reporting that a "silent majority" of Americans did not approve of his work (and all the First Couple did was dance). People have unrealistic expectations that the troubles would simply disappear under new magical leadership and, all, without needing to lift a finger to help. Critics and allies alike would watch while doing nothing. ... Wed, 07 Jul 2010 20:15:43 -0400 http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/research/PDF/oflanguage.pdf http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/research/PDF/oflanguage.pdf News I received a rather arrogant and rude email chain letter that basically placed Australia Prime Minister on a pedestal for publicly refusing to let Australian Muslims practice Sharia law. The email also denounced diverse languages in public discourse and denounced religions outside of supposed "normal American" Christian religion. The message argued that immigrants must adapt to host cultures. When one reads the arguments carefully, there are several implications expressed in the scornful tirade. ... Thu, 17 Jun 2010 20:15:43 -0400 http://www.wpstudios.net/data/KAM7/kam7.html http://www.wpstudios.net/data/KAM7/kam7.html Public Policy This study will heavily engage the traditional theories as to how they relate or explain capitalism, corporate power and expansion. Thus, the foundation of this literature review is a discussion about the theories presented by Schumpeter, Weber and, Bowman (1989). Each of these theories attempts to describe aspects political institutions in democracy and capitalist economies that impact the development of social and political structures through post modern society. These works present some clear opposing points, but they each provide a set of discussion points that, when reviewed together, can provide an analysis of the potential of capitalism in post modern society. ... Sun, 29 Nov 2009 20:15:43 -0400 http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/research/PDF/corpRunGovernment_HansenT.pdf http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/research/PDF/corpRunGovernment_HansenT.pdf Public Policy Why are Americans so willing to let large, gluttonous corporations run the country or willing to give those corporations incentives that small businesses do not get? The United States was founded upon principles of individual liberty and representative power. Yet, we implicitly protect the ability of companies to make decisions about our lives without them being accountable to those decisions or caring what the consequences are if we let them get too big. We are willing to give incentives to the largest of these in order to somehow generate business and presumably jobs. Yet, by giving these larger entities advantages over small businesses (e.g. tax breaks, build parking lots, or advertising their name on public arenas), we crowd out competition and virtually help to monopolize the market away from meaningful chances to have local businesses that can compete with these larger entities... Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:15:43 -0400 http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/research/HTML/viciousrancor_commentary1.jsp http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/research/HTML/viciousrancor_commentary1.jsp Public Policy The troubling about most of the rancor surrounding recent proposals around Washington is that for at least 8 years (perhaps since the late 1970s) we have waited in vain for real policies to move our economy into the future. We watched as people pillaged the US treasury to fund huge banks (as well as S&Ls), wars, and conglomerate corporation expansions in addition to building up the bank accounts of the upper echelon. We did all of this while doing nothing to protect taxpayers, nothing to protect the middle class investments (e.g. 401K, pensions, money markets), nothing to build sustainable energy, nothing to change health care costs, nothing to secure a better interdependent global future for everyone and nothing to improve our schools or society. We simply kept borrowing to consume more without any sense of what the consequences were or any practical consideration and we kept blaming some other guy for our problems... Wed, 22 Sep 2009 20:15:43 -0400 http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/research/PDF/sustainableEnergyToday.pdf http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/research/PDF/sustainableEnergyToday.pdf Sustainable Energy Policy The debates surrounding the energy initiatives are founded in fundamental resistance to change. People know the current system is weighted toward the energy companies (especially oil), but people are willing to tolerate business as usual. Meanwhile, we have supported dictatorships, seen rising costs, dwindling supply, aging technology, and this is the preferred system that we want? The problem with doing nothing substantially different than we are doing today is highly risky considering inevitable depletion will dramatically reverse any sense of affluence... Thu, 20 Aug 2009 20:15:43 -0400 http://www.wpstudios.net/data/KAM6/kam6.html http://www.wpstudios.net/data/KAM6/kam6.html Sustainable Energy Policy There are three major components that one must consider with respect to an organization’s ability to wield an effective change campaign: 1) power structure, 2) public opinion, and 3) leadership. The effective leader will understand and work these areas to the advantage of the mission. Reviewing ideas about power and agenda setting from Mills and Domhoff, successful public policy campaigns will have to consider how a policy might be perceived by higher strata people and whether they may work to subvert the campaign. As noted in previous discussions, public opinion is essential to gaining momentum on issues and pushing political change. There are various ideas (pandering or shirking) of how much public opinion actually impacts policy, but there are some successful strategies that have been employed by organizations to gain power elite support by using public opinion. Through incremental successes, engaging leadership and collaborations, organizations have built effective campaigns. These points will be critical to reviewing current energy policy alternatives. ... Thu, 20 Aug 2009 20:15:43 -0400 http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/research/PDF/DoingNothingTodayGoingtoCostinFuture_thansen.pdf http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/research/PDF/DoingNothingTodayGoingtoCostinFuture_thansen.pdf Health and Energy Policy The debates surrounding the health care initiatives as well as the energy initiatives are founded in fundamental change and resistance to change. People know the current systems are flawed, but people are willing to allow companies to continue business as usual. We have seen a general decline in coverages, rising premiums and rising costs, but these are the preferred systems that Americans want? The problem with doing nothing substantially different than we are doing today is highly risky... Sat, 18 Jul 2009 14:15:43 -0400 http://www.wpstudios.net/data/KAM5/ChallengesSustainableEnergyPolicyandRecommendations2.pdf http://www.wpstudios.net/data/KAM5/ChallengesSustainableEnergyPolicyandRecommendations2.pdf Energy Policy Democratic governance in terms of energy policy has been a complicated effort since World War II to manage supplies and price systems of energy generation and transmission. Several argue that energy is the most regulated sector of our economy primarily because the sector has such far reaching impacts upon the rest of the economy. Each power input (coal, natural gas, oil, nuclear and renewable sources) have had different levels of regulation changes, political fortunes and subsidies that have impacted their respective production, supply and market value. Recommendations here require scrutiny of business structure, government interventions, and logical analysis of energy resources... Sat, 23 May 2009 22:44:43 -0400 http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/research/PDF/ReactiontoApril3rdRuling.pdf http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/research/PDF/ReactiontoApril3rdRuling.pdf Equality and Marriage On a quiet day in April in Iowa, couples finally did not have to pretend that they were married or think that their relationship was always less than the neighbors’. Finally, couples did not have to hide their relationship to the law, to feel inherently unequal or to feel inferior to others around them in loving relationships. Further, no traditional or current marriage seemed to be on the edge of collapse or destruction because of the ruling. Hopefully, people can lower the veils of hatred and narrow mindsets to allow all people to continue their personal, loving and legal relationships. Where our relationships did not affect theirs, they should have the decency to not affect ours, and where we respect their intimate, private affairs as personal, so they should with us. Unfortunately, they have already proven that they will not show respect. ... Mon, 06 Apr 2009 22:44:43 -0400 http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/research/PDF/wantingToLearn_commentary.pdf http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/research/PDF/wantingToLearn_commentary.pdf Energy Diverse ways can impact the our actions and our growth if we want to allow ourselves to learn from various ways of thinking. From my perspective and my martial arts experience, people will choose to learn if they are willing to grow. People will seek to discover beyond simple designs. The main component of people's wilingness to shed stereotypes is their willingness to learn beyond what they already know and are comfortable. ... Sat, 14 Mar 2009 16:44:43 -0400 http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/energy/greenvillageRecovery_evaluationDesign_HansenTony.pdf http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/energy/greenvillageRecovery_evaluationDesign_HansenTony.pdf Energy This project is the first part of a four part energy initiative proposal that encourages innovation and intelligent energy practices for residential uses and the power utility industry. The village development proposal is intended to reconsider the use of current state funds like the Iowa Power Fund and Vision Iowa money to award builders and technology innovators while they help to rebuild storm damaged cities. This examination will discuss the evalution design for the proposed project including agency oversight, scope, goals, stakeholders, proposed logic models, research questions, and methodology that will be part of the project where implementation of the project may reveal more research opportunities ... Fri, 20 Feb 2009 07:30:43 -0400 http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/energy/greenVillageRecovery_MSCP_HansenT.pdf http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/energy/greenVillageRecovery_MSCP_HansenT.pdf Energy This project is the first part of a four part energy initiative proposal that encourages innovation and intelligent energy practices for residential uses and the power utility industry. The village development proposal is intended to reconsider the use of current state funds like the Iowa Power Fund and Vision Iowa money to award builders and technology innovators while they help to rebuild storm damaged cities. This examination will discuss the collaboration issues and recommendations for the proposed project including a brief review of agency oversight, scope, goals, stakeholders, proposed logic models, along with envisioned collaboration guidelines that will be part of the implementation ... Fri, 20 Feb 2009 07:15:43 -0400 http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/research/PDF/collaboration_criticalEssay_HansenT.pdf http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/research/PDF/collaboration_criticalEssay_HansenT.pdf Operations The ability to collaborate effectively is as important as running the operations of the organization. The public manager will need to prioritize the needs and gauge capabilities of organizations to make sure that a partnership is appropriate and mutually beneficial to the organization. Good use of technology can help organizations to communicate and to conduct business across distances, yet virtual communications should not substitute the physical interaction skills or open communication needs. Agencies can leverage government processes to build a message by participating in the process, but some organizations may be prohibited from taking certain actions where networking can use other organizations ability to take certain actions. Essentially, due diligence and communications are required to effectively leverage a network and should be considered prior to participating in a partnership. ... Sat, 31 Jan 2009 21:37:43 -0400 http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/research/PDF/carnegie_philanthropy_HansenT.pdf http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/research/PDF/carnegie_philanthropy_HansenT.pdf Philanthropy Andrew Carnegie speaks at length about the responsibility of wealthy individuals to give back to the community on the principle that the community was responsible for the success. Carnegies discusses the effect of being a good steward of the community and having the best affect upon the community by asking for plans to accomplish good from those that request grants. An NGO can not simply expect a gift when no plan has been issued. ... Wed, 21 Jan 2009 20:37:43 -0400 http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/research/PDF/hudAffect_disc_HansenTony.pdf http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/research/PDF/hudAffect_disc_HansenTony.pdf Housing and Urban Development Suppose that you have been asked to evaluate the effects of providing Section 8 housing voucher assistance to low-income families. The program, which will begin shortly, is meant to allow families to move to higher-cost areas that may be nearer employment centers, thereby encouraging self-sufficiency. Anecdotal evidence from other programs suggests that such moves may be the exception, rather than the rule, but that unplanned positive outcomes may occur (e.g., families may take advantage of the additional resources to go back to school, or to reduce their debt, rather than moving to ). If financial resources were not a major obstacles, what method or methods would you suggest using for assessing the impact of housing vouchers on families? ... Sun, 11 Jan 2009 13:00:43 -0400 http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/energy_project.jsp http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/energy_project.jsp Energy Energy Initiative Project is a project with four phases that will examine current policy and make recommendations for future public policy. This is a project that will involve the state of Iowa, its communities, its industries, and its schools. The project and legislative proposals are being developed as part of doctorial study at Walden University by Tony E. Hansen. The Executive Summary and Program description for part 1 are available for public scrutiny. ... Fri, 26 Dec 2008 05:00:43 -0400 http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/research/PDF/ReasonforHolidaySeason.pdf http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/research/PDF/ReasonforHolidaySeason.pdf Holiday,Christmas The seeming replacement of the holy meaning, echoed in a recent NPR commentary, in greeting cards is rather a mute point in the loud holiday season that we have today. Yet, Father Martins description addresses an important point about the holiday season and but misses an opportunity to address a theme that really diminishes the reason for the season. We have more things to celebrate for the holidays than commericalization. ... Thu, 18 Dec 2008 22:00:43 -0400 http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/research/PDF/sbsf8417_theoreticalrevolution_HansenT.pdf http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/research/PDF/sbsf8417_theoreticalrevolution_HansenT.pdf Political Theory The purpose of the study is to examine how the theories presented by Karl Marx presented an example of a theoretical revolution. First, we must examine what is a theoretical revolution and then determine if Karl Marx theories did qualify for this classification. Karl Marx did revolutionize traditional concepts of his time (such as classical liberalism and classical conservatism) about policy, power and property. While the theories have gained much criticism over the years, the theory proposed sweeping differences in political power, use of property and collective group motivations. This theory has affected public policy and discourse since the publishing of Marx’s work in various ways from whole institutions of governing to labor laws. Some countries have totally embraced Marxist theorists, some embraced parts of the theories, and yet, others have viewed the theory with considerable disdain. ... Wed, 10 Dec 2008 22:00:00 -0400 http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/research/PDF/litReview_HansenT_timeforAction.pdf http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/research/PDF/litReview_HansenT_timeforAction.pdf Education As the world becomes more interdependent, education is playing a significant role in how a generation will perceive the set of issues in our societies, and education will affect the future of HRM. This is a literature review of Hodson (2003) work Time for Action: Science Education for an Alternative Future, and this review discusses the issues, recommendations and basis used in his work. Since education and technology play a significant role in HRM, we can see how Hodson’s recommendation for a more participatory style of education can have some positive and some questionable results for students. ... Wed, 3 Dec 2008 05:00:43 -0400 http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/research/PDF/EqualityOfLove_HansenT.pdf http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/research/PDF/EqualityOfLove_HansenT.pdf Equality For years, the GLBT community has struggled to find equality at work, housing, and especially for marriage. For years, we have seen how groups have formed under the guise of principled religious freedom or “moral values” to cast hatred and to douse those freedoms of others. They would proclaim the Word of God and the Bible as cornerstones to this rejection of freedom. They have been able to bully GLBT into closets and concessions against one’s own interest. Today, we have an unprecedented situation in Iowa where the Iowa Supreme Court will be hearing arguments to potentially uphold a District Court ruling that Iowa’s DOMA is unconstitutional. There are a number of things that come to mind with this potential ruling. ... Wed, 26 Nov 2008 05:00:43 -0400 http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/research/PDF/HRMTrends_HansenT.pdf http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/research/PDF/HRMTrends_HansenT.pdf Management There are several trends that will impact human resource management over the next years and decades. Awareness of these trends will help human resource management (HRM) foresee potential changes in the work environment. This paper will focus upon four trends and discuss their implications ... Tue, 11 Nov 2008 05:00:43 -0400 http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/research/PDF/WhatisCommunityOrganizer_thansen.pdf http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/research/PDF/WhatisCommunityOrganizer_thansen.pdf Public Policy In August, the Republican convention raised the question of what is a community organizer. They were attempting to question the experience of Democratic nominee Barack Obama as a “community organizer”. So the question remained, never was quite answered, and has been raised again a few times. The simple answer is ... Thu, 30 Oct 2008 19:00:43 -0400 http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/research/PDF/IsObamaMuslimorArab.pdf http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/research/PDF/IsObamaMuslimorArab.pdf Public Policy Should this matter? Whether you are a Democrat or Republican, liberal or conservative, the point is whether a question is relevant. I have often asked the same question as Ms. Brown but she finally says what seems to be the missing point ... Tue, 28 Oct 2008 10:00:43 -0400 http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/research/PDF/blog_letter23Sep2008.pdf http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/research/PDF/blog_letter23Sep2008.pdf Public Policy In complete displeasure over the proposed bailout . The long term risk mitigation efforts are being thwarted, and those who endeavored to be conservative in their borrowing or financial picture are not being reward but instead being penalized by carrying the burden of this bailout... Tue, 23 Sep 2008 10:00:43 -0400 http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/research/PDF/HowWeGotintoThisMess_HansenT_commentary.pdf http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/research/PDF/HowWeGotintoThisMess_HansenT_commentary.pdf Public Policy I partially agree with Mr Beck on CNN.com that people and banks allowed the blotted investments to continue without restraint or mitigation of failures. Although, he is unwilling to point out ... Thu, 18 Sep 2008 10:00:43 -0400 http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/research/PDF/iowaPowerFund_HansenT.pdf http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/research/PDF/iowaPowerFund_HansenT.pdf Public Policy The global energy system faces significant strategic challenges through growing risk of disruption to energy supply, threat to environmental damage by energy production and energy poverty. Given these challenges to our future, we have to be ready to address the potential problems ... Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:00:43 -0400 http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/research/PDF/criticalDigest_ParadigmofEnergyDebate_HansenT.pdf http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/research/PDF/criticalDigest_ParadigmofEnergyDebate_HansenT.pdf Public Policy There are conflicting opinions about energy policy and consumption deterrence. The climate change issues and environmental impressions have impacted the views about energy policy as intertwined ... Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:00:43 -0400 http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/research/PDF/assn4_policyreport_HansenT_pppa8700-02.pdf http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/research/PDF/assn4_policyreport_HansenT_pppa8700-02.pdf Public Policy The public is well aware of the budget problems facing Congress. There are many reasons for the imbalance and potential effects of the imbalance project negative fortunes for the United States. The policy options for balancing a budget include tax policy changes, spending changes and discipline. Additionally, the budget has to examine current commitments for savings potentials and understand how economics plays into Federal revenues. The conditions set by proper fiscal and monetary policy will be able to flexibly handle economic swings and maintain fiscal management ... Thu, 13 Jun 2008 10:00:43 -0400