Sunday Morning Coffee is our break from the world of business and our look at the steamy side of politics, gossip, pop-culture all laced with my opinion. And, because I get to take ownership (no hiding kids) my name is Michael P. Libbie and (if you want) we can connect here with a comment or on Twitter it's @MichaelLibbie and this is the location of my personal Facebook Page. OK now...let's get on with the sad state of affairs for this week.
Did Somebody Say...Nancy?
Speaking of sad affairs (this just will not go away) Nancy Sebring was back in the news along with a gaggle of attorneys at a hearing last week in front of Judge Robert Hanson. She is attempting to keep any more of her emails from being released. Ain't gonna happen and no doubt there is more "kink" coming. But, more intriguing is the plea from her "lover" who said in an affidavit, "Releasing my name will forever harm my family and professional career." Proof friends that when it comes to sex people lose their minds. As Mom said in response, "He should have thought about that before he typed the first letter."At 92 Mom continues to offer up sage advice. Albeit a bit too late for the "lover".
Health Care & Branstad
It just keeps getting worse. Last week during an interview with the Des Moines Register Gov. Terry Branstad (R-IA) talked about how Iowa needs to insure our own people and damned "Obamacare". Yawn... What's ironic about all of this is that Gov. Branstad, at one time, was the president of Des Moines University a college of medicine. His comments were more political than they were sound medical advice for an ailing system. Combine that with the fact the Governor wants Iowa to insure "our own". Oh really? Iowa will now provide health care and take up the slack when an insurance company puts a cap on costs? Iowa will deliver low cost prescriptions to the 46,000 people now taking advantage of these savings. And, Iowa will cover the 18,000 students until age 26? Wanna...bet?
Told You So...
When Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI) survived the recall election I told you it would be just a matter of time before Gov. Branstad moved against teachers, the police, fire-fighters and other government workers. It took a week and Gov. Branstad is saying he was "inspired" by Wisconsin and says government workers should pony up for their health care. Never mind that government workers are generally paid less than those in the public sector. (Apples to Apples - Iowa Policy Project) Beyond that it is amazing to me how this governor and many citizens demonize government employees who tend to be middle class workers serving their fellow citizens.
Business & Government - Not the Same
Often, and it happened during the GOP State Convention this weekend, we hear "government should work more like a business". However the problem is that the two entities are vastly different in their root reason for existence. Business exists for one reason...to make a profit for owners/share holders. Government exists for one reason...to provide services to citizens. While both set the cost for what they produce; government has a broad (very broad) list of services that it's citizens expect...all it's citizens. In business there is a "market segment" to which the business markets it's goods or services. They don't serve "all the people". Simply put...they are not the same and to demand they be the same is just...silly.
Jobs and Iowa
Last week Governor Terry Branstad rolled out his "jobs idea" for creating a public/private sector internship program called the Skilled Iowa Initiative. Some heavy hitters put in $250,000 to help pay for the program administered by Iowa Workforce Development. It's...crap. What Governor Branstad should do is listen to Desmund Adams a Clive businessman and Iowa Senate Candidate who, for the past year, has been talking about his job training program that partners small to medium size businesses with unemployed/under-employed Iowans with unemployment compensation already being paid. The Adams Plan does not cost the state any more money nor does it cost the business any more funding. And his effort, modeled after Georgia Works, would be much more broad; reaching into main street rather than big business. But, hey...that would require Gov. Branstad to use "thought leadership" rather than empty rhetoric. Oh...and listen to a Democrat. That would never work.
On The Right Path...
Last week President Obama announced the United States would stop the extradition of some undocumented residents, something that really riled up Congressman Steve King (R-IA) who said he was going to file suit to stop the executive order. Yes, some people can now...breath. But, it is even better for agri-business, the hospitality industry and construction where thousands of undocumented people currently work and there was a fear that if people like Cong. King had his way...costs would skyrocket. Oh...and don't give me this crap about "favoring illegal immigrants over unemployed Americans". I know of a business in Urbandale, Iowa who is looking for 147 workers...and they can't fill the jobs. Step up. For further reading: Here is the Iowa Reaction from our friends at Bleeding Heartland.
Notice Something Missing?
For several years I've been sharing stories and background with you and then linking to the Des Moines Register. However, now that they have a pay-wall up I don't want you to get upset if you can't access the background story. Sooooo...we'll have to use some alternate sources. OK?
The "Uber-GOP" Oops
Uhm...seems that Bruce Rastetter "blurred the line" when it came to his public/private work with the Iowa Board of Regents. When you have so much money and power you sometimes think you become...invisible. Not so here. Our friends from Bleeding Heartland have a great story and follow up on a "land grab" that involved way too many folks. It's good...very.
Porn & Lindsay Lohan
I promised some "pop culture" and this is pretty hot...even for our troubled friend Lindsay Lohan. Her co-star in the upcoming film The Canyons is porn star and "boy next door" James Deen. Wait...how do you go from "boy next door" and link that with...porn? I dunno...which is why I'd rather write about the porn in politics than pop culture. But, a promise is a promise. Here's the story from our friends at CNN.
Partly Personal
A group of our family and friends gathered last week to help celebrate my Mother's 92nd birthday. She moved to Iowa last fall allowed me to assume more responsibility in her daily life. She lives on her own and...is pretty feisty...at all things. Here's a group photo with five of her six great-grandchildren. A couple of the kids couldn't make it because of work...but some fantastic friends helped balance the day. Thank you all and a special thanks to my Bride...Georgie was in charge of everything. My job was to simply say, "Yes, dear".
Have a wonderful Sunday...and yes, Happy Father's Day! There is not a day that goes by that I don't think of mine... I'm grateful for the memories and am really fond of this photo taken when Dad was...maybe 27 at a bar he managed. Note the union sign...runs deep huh?
Comments