“Ideas that matter,
since 1965.”

Edition
Vol. 41, No. 4

A Note from the Chairman Emeritus

The issue is global trade. Over the past eight months, it has become increasingly obvious that trade has become less and less of a priority on Capitol Hill. Trade agreements reached with other countries have not been voted on, and the President’s Trade Promotion Authority has not been renewed.

By Ripon Society

The Coming Transition from Analog to Digital

In February of 2006, President George Bush signed into law legislation that designates midnight, February 17, 2009, as the date to complete the transition from analog to digital television broadcasting.

By Ripon Society

Keeping America’s Food Supply Safe and Secure

Although the United States has the safest food supply in the world, the American public is beginning to wonder whether or not they can trust the brands they buy and the food they eat.

By Ripon Society

DHS Report Card: The Good, The Bad and the Ugly

Earlier this year the House Committee on Homeland Security issued a report card on the department it oversees.

By Ripon Society

The President’s Vision for Global Trade

The United States Secretary of Commerce discusses what the Bush Administration is doing to improve America’s position with regard to trade around the world.

By Ripon Society

U.S. Trade Policy: Does it help or hinder U.S. business?

The former U.S. Trade Representative looks back on 60 years of trade policy and shares her thoughts on the challenges that lie ahead.

By Ripon Society

Doha Do or Die

The current round of multilateral trade negotiations have dragged on for nearly six years. Is time running out on the prospects of reaching an agreement?

By Ripon Society

What Trade Means to My State

The Governor of Minnesota talks about the importance of trade to residents of his state and what he is doing to strengthen things in that regard.

By Ripon Society

What Trade Means to the American People

From the coffee we drink in the morning to the iPods we listen to throughout the day, Americans have become accustomed to the benefits of global trade.

By Ripon Society

Dark Days Ahead?

A storm is brewing on Capitol Hill over the future of U.S. trade policy and the course our nation should take.

By Ripon Society

Reflections from the Perot Campaign of 1992

The common refrain among those of us who helped build the perot movement is, “If only we had him now.

By Ripon Society

Soft News, Hard Sell: Treating the audience as Consumers, not Citizens

The media seem to assume that the candidates’ positions on the issues are “old” news, hardly worthy of development.

By Ripon Society

Ripon Profile of Chuck Grassley

What the GOP must do to reclaim its congressional majority: Put forward a couple of new ideas, get back to our basic principles and convince the public that we’re going to stick to them this time.

By Ripon Society

Ripon Profile of Chuck Grassley

Name: Chuck Grassley

Hometown: New Hartford Iowa

Occupation: United States Senator, Family Farmer

Previous Jobs: Member of United States House of Representatives (1958-1975), Member of the Iowa House of Representatives (1975-1981), Assembly Line Worker (1961-1971), Sheet Metal Shearer (1959-1961)

Individual(s) who inspired me as a child: I give my mother a lot of credit for my interest in government and history. Both were always an active interest of hers. She talked about issues and encouraged us at home to pat attention, develop points of view and stand up for what believed in.

Historical figure(s) I would most like to meet: John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln

Issues facing America that no one is talking about: the solvency of social Security, Medicare and Medicaid

What the GOP must do to reclaim its congressional majority: Put forward a couple of new ideas, get back to our basic principles and convince the public that we’re going to stick to them this time.

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