Voice For Liberty

Category: Politics

  • Kansas news digest

    News from alternative media around Kansas for November 30, 2009.

    Parkinson balances budget as promised, but now gearing up for tax hike

    (Kansas Liberty premium article) Analysis of the governor’s budget cuts, with a look forward: “Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson released a column yesterday illustrating how Monday’s cuts have devastated various state agencies. Parkinson argued that any possible inefficiency within state agencies has been eliminated through the latest round of allotments. … Parkinson, in addition to some legislators, have already started to lay the foundation for tax increases and so-called ‘revenue enhancements.’”

    Also from Kansas Liberty see Agencies react to governor’s cuts.

    Kansas legislators butt heads on K-12 funding cuts

    (Kansas Liberty) “Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson cut K-12 funding by $36 million yesterday, placing schools at the same level of funding they received in 2006. The federal government requires that states continue to fund their schools no lower than the 2006 level to maintain stimulus funding.”

    Moore’s retirement spurs Republican interest in Third District race

    (Kansas Liberty) “The Republican Party demonstrated a renewed interest in the Third District congressional race today after Rep. Dennis Moore, a Democrat, announced he would not be seeking re-election. Within hours of Moore’s announcement, the list of possible and probable Republican candidates more than doubled in size.” Mentioned in this article: 2008 challenger Nick Jordan, House Appropriations Chair Kevin Yoder R-Overland Park, Kansas senators Karin Brownlee, R-Olathe and Jeff Colyer, R-Overland Park, and Charlotte O’Hara.

    Letter from the Newsroom — KPERS Edition

    (State of the State, Kansas) “Later this week we focus on the the health of the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System. The Center for Applied Economics at Kansas University recently issued a report questioning the sustainability of the pension system and we speak with people at the heart of the debate including one of the co-authors of the study, Art Hall. These stories will be posted later this week so check back as we post them.”

    Parkinson: No easy budget answers

    (Kansas Watchdog) “Gov. Mark Parkinson said $258.9 million in spending cuts he made to balance the state’s 2010 budget will touch every agency and department. ‘This is the most challenging time in Kansas state budget history,’ Parkinson said Monday during the announcement. He said the state is dealing with an unprecedented fourth year of revenue decline, 2008 through 2011.”

    Is Governor Parkinson Setting the Table for a Tax Increase?

    (Kansas Watchdog) “Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson and others in his administration are loath to publicly say they want a tax increase to address the state’s budget challenges. Parkinson promised House Republicans he would make spending cuts, if needed after the 2009 Legislative session, in exchange for less contention over the budget at the end of the session. True to his word, Parkinson made the cuts. But take a look at some recent comments and consider what’s between the lines.”

    Kansas Ethics Commission to ask legislature for law changes

    (Kansas Watchdog) “‘Issue advocacy’ rules and less openness by some universities are among recommendations for new laws to be sent to the legislature by the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission. One new law would require those involved with ‘issue advocacy’ to file contribution and expenditure reports like candidates and PACs if they spend $300 or more to engage in communications with voters 30 days before a primary election, or 60 days before a general election.”

    2009 Annual Report from Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission

    (Kansas Watchdog) “At their recent meeting the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission discussed proposals for the Kansas legislature to consider in 2010.”

  • Moore decision not to run causes waves

    The news that Kansas third district congressman Dennis Moore has decided not to seek reelection is a week old now, but the ramifications will take a while to shake out. As Martin Hawver put it in a recent Capitol Rail: “We don’t know who, but we’re imagining, somewhere in Johnson County, there is a poor, embarrassed and sullen Republican who isn’t yet on the list of someone’s exploratory committee for the 3rd District congressional seat.”

    I imagine there are both Democrat and Republican candidates who have already declared for statewide office that would like to be able to have a re-do on their decision. In hindsight, of course.

    Michael Barone is a seasoned political analyst. His take on this district from the Washington Examiner is at Are Democrats exiting the sinking ship?

  • Jim Anderson stump speech received enthusiastically

    To an appreciative Saturday evening audience, candidate for the Republican party nomination for United States House of Representatives from the fourth district of Kansas Jim Anderson laid out in detail his political positions and his plans for Congress.

    Anderson spoke as part of a series of events featuring Alan Keyes, who spoke after Anderson.

    Anderson told the audience that he is “working hard to earn your support to become your representative, not a politician.” He said that he is “a man of the people, a Reagan conservative, who possesses the God-given gift of plain old common sense, which is clearly absent in Washington today.”

    Tracing some of the history of the United States, Anderson expressed his concern that our country is moving towards socialism, a system that he said is “intrinsically bad” and immoral. 2010, he said, is our time to change the direction of the country.

    Originally, individuals were empowered, but that has changed. Anderson’s conservative platform includes liberty, freedom, free markets, limited taxation through the Fair Tax, limited government with rights retained at the local level by states and citizens, strong national defense, and family values. These are the same values of the founding fathers, he said, and he supports legislation restoring these.

    A strong economy is needed, Anderson said. This includes a complete overhaul of the tax system, a return to federal spending discipline, balancing the budget, and reducing the size of government. Entitlements need to be brought under control, and eventually privatized.

    Taxes, he said, drive a wedge between those who wish to transact, and therefore reduces economic activity. The cost of complying with our present tax system is huge, too. The progressive income tax system places a large burden on high earners, while 50% don’t pay any income taxes.

    Anderson said that he will fight to lower taxes, and that tax reform is needed now. He supports the Fair Tax, which would replace the income tax with a consumption tax. He would also eliminate the death or inheritance tax, and taxes on capital gains.

    Another tax Anderson said must be defeated is climate change legislation. Man-made global warming is not a foregone conclusion, he said, and the radical left uses global warming to reduce the prosperity of global economic powers. Cap-and-trade would be a huge tax increase that would kill jobs across the country and in our district.

    Anderson said that our national debt is a problem, leaving a burden on future generations. The present national debt is $120,000 per family, with the debt forecast to increase over the next decade. “We should not expect future generations to live under a shadow of debt through socialism,” he said.

    Concerning the federal stimulus efforts, Anderson criticized the high cost of each job saved or created, and the high per-cost of the cash for clunkers program, which has been estimated at as much as $24,000 per car sold, when considering marginal effects.

    Anderson said he would oppose new government spending that isn’t offset by spending cuts elsewhere, and he would eliminate all earmarks.

    The Federal Reserve, Anderson said, has “been running the printing presses at record levels” to enable government overspending, and mask the structural problems in our country. He supports H.R. 1207, which calls for an audit of the Federal Reserve.

    Existing entitlement programs are ticking time bombs, Anderson said, and must be made solvent. For those nearing retirement age, he would keep the existing benefits, but for others, the benefits would be gradually reduced.

    Anderson said that free markets are the “most efficient mechanism,” and can provide the answer to several problem areas. On health care, he said we need to enable consumer choice, enact tort reform, and reject a government-run health care system. The move towards a government-run system is more about “control of every facet of our lives” rather than health. More freedom and markets is the solution to health care, he said.

    On education, Anderson said that we spend more money on education than any other nation, but we continue to fall farther behind. He supports less federal and state control over education, and also the voucher system. Competition will improve performance by giving parents a choice. Good teachers have not received the compensation they deserve, and markets will allow good teachers to earn what they deserve. Standards need to be strengthened, too.

    On energy issues, Anderson said that renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power are not consistent, and we’re going to be relying on hydrocarbons as a source of energy for some time to come. Taxpayers should not continue to subsidize energy sources with no viable economic future. We need to expand our use of coal and nuclear power, and increase our drilling efforts, he said.

    It makes no sense to pay farmers not to grow, so agriculture subsidies should be eliminated, Anderson said. Farmers should be able to farm the way they see best.

    Progressive liberals, Anderson said, have an agenda to fully transform our society. Their attack on capitalism — capitalism being the source of improvement in our living standards, he said — leads them to criticize those who purchase private airplanes at the expense of local communities like Wichita.

    Anderson said he would defend our morality, “which is core to the goodness of our society.” Progressives say that conservatives are not compassionate, but conservatives are the ones who care most about real America as did the founding fathers. Conservatives want to “remove the handcuffs of dependence” in exchange for freedom, liberty, and opportunity.

    Anderson spoke of his admiration for Ronald Reagan, quoting him saying “We the people, not the government, make this country great.”

    Our problems, Anderson said, come from drifting away from the constitution, capitalism, and individualism. Quoting Reagan again, he said that “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.”

    Although the outlook may be bleak, there have been movements such as the tea parties and town hall meetings, by ordinary men and women, that have sent a message to Washington that “enough is enough, and we will not be fooled again.”

    The 2010 elections are possibly the most important Congressional elections, he said, as we may not have another opportunity to take back our country. He said it’s become too hard to tell the Democrats from the Republicans. Too many Republicans have become more interested in reelection and party loyalty than representing their constituents. Being seen as bi-partisan, he said, is more important to them than upholding the conservative principles that were established by the founding fathers. “I am one of you, not one of them,” he said.

    Anderson said he would sign the proposed term limits amendment. He said he would hold regular town hall meetings with his constituents.

    He said would fight to keep government out of our homes, to protect the sanctity of life and the rights of the unborn, and keep marriage between one man and women.

    Analysis

    Anderson’s conservative message based on free markets, limited government, and Christian conservatism played well to the audience of about 200, being interrupted many times by applause. His grassroots-style campaign, staffed by volunteers in red shirts, should appeal to those who desire a candidate from outside the usual political establishment, although he is not the only candidate in the race from outside that realm.

    His criticism of Washington politics and the Republican Party may not earn him the support of the party regulars and establishment, but he seems to have the ability to tap into the frustration expressed by the tea party movement. Republicans in the Kansas fourth district have several conservative candidates to select from. Many have overlapping positions that make it difficult for candidates to distinguish themselves.

  • Articles of interest

    Education, health care, Kansas school funding, unintended consequences.

    Charter schools: Two studies, two conclusions

    This Washington Post article looks at two recent studies of charter schools to try and determine whether they perform better or worse than regular public schools. Kansas, in effect, has no charter schools. They’re allowed by state law, but local boards of education must approve them. Few are approved, as the education establishment, including the teachers union, is firmly opposed to charter schools. Most charter schools operate on a much lower budget than regular public schools. As Kansas tries to work its way out of a tight budget, charter schools could provide a way to create diverse educational opportunities at lower cost.

    Health Care is Not a Right

    (Competitive Enterprise Institute) A discussion of why there is no right to health care, at least not in a country that understands the true meanings of rights. “Whereas genuine rights protect citizens from state coercion, the ‘right to health care’ serves to justify state coercion against a particular part of the population: those who pay taxes. Moreover, by their very nature, such positive demands cannot be clearly defined and hence are capable of infinite expansions. As one need is satisfied, others arise.”

    School Districts: Extra Funds Cannot Replace Legislative Budget Cuts

    A story from KAKE Television about Kansas State Board of Education member Walt Chappell and the huge fund balances that Kansas schools are holding. Chappell says that some of the money in these funds could provide a way to get through a year of reduced funding from the state. The Kansas Association of School Boards, a group that advocates for more school spending and tax increases to support it, disagrees.

    Bush Was a Big-Government Disaster

    A Reason Magazine editorial took a look backwards at the George W. Bush presidency: “Bush’s legacy is thus a bizarro version of Ronald Reagan’s. Reagan entered office declaring that government was not the solution to our problems, it was the problem. Ironically, he demonstrated that government could do some important things right—he helped tame inflation and masterfully drew the Cold War to a nonviolent triumph for the Free World. By contrast, Bush has massively expanded the government along with the sense that government is incompetent.”

    The Henry Ford of Heart Surgery

    The Wall Street Journal article The Henry Ford of Heart Surgery: In India, a Factory Model for Hospitals Is Cutting Costs and Yielding Profits reports on a new model for reducing health care costs: economies of scale. “By driving huge volumes, even of procedures as sophisticated, delicate and dangerous as heart surgery, Dr. Shetty has managed to drive down the cost of health care in his nation of one billion. His model offers insights for countries worldwide that are struggling with soaring medical costs, including the U.S. as it debates major health-care overhaul.”

    Cash for Clubbers

    An example of unintended consequences at work: The Wall Street Journal found that the cash for clunkers program worked for something else, too: “We thought cash for clunkers was the ultimate waste of taxpayer money, but as usual we were too optimistic. Thanks to the federal tax credit to buy high-mileage cars that was part of President Obama’s stimulus plan, Uncle Sam is now paying Americans to buy that great necessity of modern life, the golf cart. … This golf-cart fiasco perfectly illustrates tax policy in the age of Obama, when politicians dole out credits and loopholes for everything from plug-in cars to fuel efficient appliances, home insulation and vitamins. Democrats then insist that to pay for these absurdities they have no choice but to raise tax rates on other things — like work and investment — that aren’t politically in vogue. If this keeps up, it’ll soon make more sense to retire and play golf than work for living.”

  • Solution to drug problem to be presented in Wichita

    Illegal drug use and the accompanying war on drugs is a huge human problem in the United States. It’s time, according to some, for a radical rethinking of this situation. A group of current and former warriors from the frontlines of the war on drugs has such a perspective, and their solution is not what you might expect.

    Jack A. Cole, executive director of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), makes a compelling case for the legalization of drugs as the way to end the war on drugs. It’s not because he favors drug use, but because he wants to end the tremendous human toll of the war and its many unintended, but harmful, consequences.

    Cole has plenty of experience as a drug warrior, having spent 26 years with the New Jersey State Police, with 12 years working as an undercover narcotics officer. His investigations spanned the spectrum of cases from street-level dealers to billion-dollar drug trafficking rings.

    Cole will be in Wichita to speak at two events. I spoke with him by telephone to get a preview of his message. I started by asking about a common problem that those who advocate legalization of drugs face: “I also favor the legalization of all drugs, and sometimes people accuse me of promoting drug use because of this position. Is that the case with you?”

    Cole said that isn’t the case with him and his organization, as everyone at LEAP has spent their careers fighting drug abuse. “We don’t want to see one additional drug abuser in the world.”

    How, then, would legalizing drugs lead to less abuse, I asked. The experience in other countries that have loosened their drug laws provides valuable lessons for the United States, he said.

    “Every county that has done this has experienced success in alleviating their problems,” Cole said. In the Netherlands, where marijuana has been decriminalized for 33 years, 28% of tenth graders have tried that drug. In the United States, where marijuana is illegal, 41% of tenth graders have tried it. Per capita use in the Netherlands is just one-half of that in the U.S. So it’s not only lower numbers of people trying the drug, but also lower usage, too.

    Per capita use of hard drugs — cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine — is just one-fourth of that in the U.S. Cole says that drug abuse in many countries such as the Netherlands is treated as a health problem, not a criminal problem.

    The prohibition of drugs in the U.S. leads to economic incentives that create hard drug addicts. In countries where marijuana is legal, it’s simply sold, in a setting such as a coffeehouse, to those who want to use it. But here, to purchase marijuana, one must visit criminals who have incentives to get their customers addicted to hard drugs, so that they have steady and long-term customers.

    “So they have an economic motive to produce addicts, not just casual users,” I asked. Exactly, replied Cole.

    Experience in other countries shows that decriminalization of drugs leads to lower drug use. The effect is more pronounced in young people, which is the opposite of what people might expect.

    The profits from selling illegal drugs plays a large role in understanding the problem with the war on drugs. The vast majority of revenue of street gangs comes from the fact that drugs are illegal and that profit margins are huge. So when drug dealers are arrested and taken off the street, Cole said that someone else steps up to take their place.

    Decriminalization alone won’t end the violence associated with the illegal drug trade, Cole said, as that affects only the user. As long as drugs are illegal, there will still be huge profits to be earned.

    I asked about a position that some people hold, that we should legalize “soft” drugs like marijuana, but “hard” drugs like heroin and methamphetamine should remain illegal. Would this be of any benefit? Cole said no: “Just figure out which drug you’d like to have 13-year old kids selling on the street corner, and that’s the one we will keep illegal.”

    The illegality of drugs here prevents addicts from getting the help they might want. In countries where drug addiction is treated as a health problem, addicts are treated, and then can return to the community as productive citizens. In the U.S. drug addicts are likely to be arrested and convicted of crimes, and as a result, have difficulty getting jobs after cleaning up.

    The cost of the war on drugs is huge, about $70 billion per year, Cole said, with about $1.5 trillion spent over the past 40 years. Everything is “far, far worse now” than at the beginning of the war on drugs, he added.

    Cole will speak at the Wichita Pachyderm Club on Friday, December 4. All are welcome to attend. For more information on this event, see Jack Cole of LEAP to address Pachyderms. He will also speak at a meeting of the Libertarians of South Central Kansas (LSOCK) on Tuesday, December 1. More information about that event is here.

  • Jack Cole of LEAP to address Pachyderms

    On Friday December 4, the Wichita Pachyderm Club presents Jack A. Cole. Cole is executive director of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP). My interview with Cole is at Solution to drug problem to be presented in Wichita.

    Here’s some information about LEAP from its website:

    Founded on March 16, 2002, LEAP is made up of current and former members of law enforcement who believe the existing drug policies have failed in their intended goals of addressing the problems of crime, drug abuse, addiction, juvenile drug use, stopping the flow of illegal drugs into this country and the internal sale and use of illegal drugs. By fighting a war on drugs the government has increased the problems of society and made them far worse. A system of regulation rather than prohibition is a less harmful, more ethical and a more effective public policy.

    The mission of LEAP is to reduce the multitude of unintended harmful consequences resulting from fighting the war on drugs and to lessen the incidence of death, disease, crime, and addiction by ultimately ending drug prohibition.

    All are welcome to attend Pachyderm club meetings. The program costs $10, which includes a delicious buffet lunch including salad, soup, two main dishes, and ice tea and coffee. The meeting starts at noon, although it’s recommended to arrive ten minutes early to get your lunch before the program starts.

    The Wichita Petroleum Club is on the ninth floor of the Bank of America Building at 100 N. Broadway (north side of Douglas between Topeka and Broadway) in Wichita, Kansas (click for a map and directions). Park in the garage just across Broadway and use the sky walk to enter the Bank of America building. Bring your parking garage ticket to be stamped and your parking fee will be only $1.00. There is usually some metered and free street parking nearby.

  • At Pachyderm, Pompeo pleases the audience

    Mike Pompeo at Wichita Pachyderm Club 2009-11-20Mike Pompeo at Wichita Pachyderm Club

    Yesterday, Kansas fourth district congressional candidate Mike Pompeo addressed members and guests of the Wichita Pachyderm Club. His conservative message was well-received by the overflow audience.

    Aaron Jack, Pompeo’s campaign manager, introduced Pompeo, pointing out that Pompeo has successfully run companies in two of our largest local industries: aviation and oil and gas. Pompeo also served as trustee of the Flint Hills Center for Public Policy (now the Kansas Policy Institute), helping to formulate public policy in Kansas.

    As he has before, Pompeo presented the bottom line as to why he’s running for Congress: “Our federal elected officials have fundamentally lost their way, have become disconnected from our United States Constitution, and frankly don’t understand the challenges we face in the fourth district of Kansas.” He said he has the experiences, work ethic, integrity, and willingness to fight hard for Kansas.

    He said that we’re approaching a point in our history where there’s not much turning back. We may soon have people going to the polls in sufficient numbers who are dependent on the federal government for their well-being. Not enough people are willing to work hard and produce, and once we reach this point, getting our civilization back would be a real challenge.

    Pompeo spoke of a few “simple things” that illustrate his principles.

    We cannot spend more money than we have, he said. It becomes unsustainable. He said this is the primary fight going on in Washington.

    On earmarks, Pompeo said that they are a small piece of the total federal budget, but they are “incredibly important” in a symbolic way. Pompeo pledged never to support legislation that contains earmarks. Using earmarks corrupts the system, he said. When getting re-elected becomes the goal of elected officials, the “battle is over.”

    “My faith is incredibly important to me,” Pompeo said as another simple fact.

    Referring to his experience as commander of a unit that patrolled the East German/Czechoslovakian border, he said he appreciates national security issues. They’ve been “taken off the front page” because of economic issues, but there are still people that want to do us harm. If we send our armed forces into harm’s way, the commitment must be total, he said. “Half steps don’t work.”

    His experience at Thayer Aerospace — the reason he came to Wichita — made him appreciate “what an enormous job-killer our federal government is.” We have a good workforce in America, but we have a terrible tax policy, and we may be getting a bad health care policy. “Capital will go where it gets the best return.” Our federal government needs to get out of the way of business, he said.

    If a politician running for election says he’s going to Washington to create jobs, Pompeo said we should realize that’s not possible. The jobs government creates are bureaucratic jobs that aren’t in the competitive environment that grows America. Instead, Pompeo said that government should protect property and contract rights, and then go away and leave us alone.

    The potential of cap-and-trade legislation will cost many jobs in the Kansas fourth district and across the country. North American oil and gas production will “drop to zero” if this bill will pass. It will also hurt agriculture, causing food prices to rise, he said.

    On health care, Pompeo asked why this issue is at the top of the agenda. We have a health care system that is imperfect and needs work, but we have more important issues such as unemployment to tackle first. He said that it is not likely that a federal takeover of health care will reduce costs.

    Pompeo’s prepared remarks were relatively brief, leaving time for many questions from the Pachyderm Club members and guests.

    In response to a question, Pompeo said that we need to stand behind our commitment to Israel. In Afghanistan, he said that Generals Petraeus and McChrystal have it about right: “let’s get the troops in there.”

    On education, Pompeo said that the federal government’s role should be minimal, to applause from the audience. Teacher tenure and lack of competition are not good for education, he said. There are many good teachers in the public schools, but the system is problematic and dysfunctional.

    On the Federal Reserve system, Pompeo said that it is a “co-conspirator in the current economic challenge,” providing the interest rates and the backdrop for the housing crisis.

    A question asked what Pompeo could do to create real steps for creating jobs, such as providing tax write-offs for consumer purchases. Pompeo said that some of these things sound like “cash for clunkers,” where government tries to pick and subsidize winners. He said he should not do that. Instead, he preferrs a broad tax base with low tax rates, letting competition decide who are the winners.

    On term limits, Pompeo said he would like to see a constitutional amendment for term limits, but he would not make a personal pledge to limit his own service.

    On right-to-life issues, Pompeo said he believes that human life begins at conception. He would fight federal funding of abortion.

    On immigration, Pompeo said that we need to control our borders, and we need to know who is entering and leaving our country. We can’t have an intelligent discussion on immigration until we control our borders, he said.

    On alternative tax systems like the Fair Tax, Pompeo said he supports it, although not being wedded to any one particular system. The real problem, he said, is spending, which must be brought under control.

    On the rule of law and the free enterprise system, Pompeo said that these are core issues. People aren’t investing and taking risk, because presently there is no certainty about the rule of law and property rights. With the price of oil at $80, people should be investing in oil, but with the government causing so much uncertainty in regulation and law, investors are hesitant.

    Analysis

    The Pachyderm audience, largely composed of conservative Republicans, was appreciative of Pompeo and his message. Several times his remarks drew enthusiastic applause. Other candidates for the same position Pompeo is campaigning for have been positively received by this audience, too. This is indicative of the fact that there are a number of good, quality people seeking this Congressional office.

    On term limits, while he appreciates their benefit, Pompeo’s position of not limiting his own service without a national law is reasonable.

    Pompeo’s pledge to not vote for earmarks may be difficult to fulfill in the current Washington climate. Even Ron Paul votes for earmarks.

    Additional coverage of this speech is at State of the State Kansas.

  • Sarah Palin and Walt Chappell: fellow political travelers?

    Who knew?

    Here’s today’s Capitol Flash from Martin Hawver, describing the lineup for a meeting of the Kansas House Appropriations Committee on Monday: “Queued up for that presentation … rogue State Board of Education member Walt Chappell, a Democrat from Wichita.”

    In case you haven’t heard, Palin’s book, just out this week, is Going Rogue: An American Life .

  • Kansans for Liberty features Alan Keyes, Oathkeepers

    Tomorrow, the monthly meeting of Kansans for Liberty features national conservative figure Alan Keyes and a presentation about Oathkeepers.

    Keyes is in Wichita to endorse the candidacy of Jim Anderson for the Kansas fourth district congressional position. A preview of Keyes’ appearance by Wichita Eagle reporter Dion Lefler is at Alan Keyes to stump for Jim Anderson in Wichita.

    The meeting takes place at noon on Saturday November 21, at Mike’s Steakhouse, 2131 S. Broadway (316-265-8122) in Wichita. This meeting will be in the large room with capacity for 100 people. A Thanksgiving-themed buffet lunch will be served for $7.99.