Happy Sunday to you and pass the opioids it's time for Sunday Morning Coffee! Some of the news stories you may have seen others...maybe not. Each is laced with my personal thoughts. Sometimes serious sometimes fun. You decide. But, let us not waste time; drink up! Sunday Morning Coffee is served:
Health Care - Who Cares?
Memo to Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA): The death panel met on Saturday in Washington and things are moving forward very nicely. Oh sure they called it a governors conference but it turned out to be a sobering meeting regarding just how many American's will lose health care coverage once the Paul Ryan (R-WI) "new and improved" repeal of the Affordable Care Act takes place. Conservative (never thought you would see me actually write that word huh?) estimates by consulting firms Avalere Health and McKinsey & Co. suggest that health care coverage would be slashed by 51% in states that chose not to expand Medicaid and by 30% in those states that did expand Medicaid. Here is the full story from Bloomberg Politics. Bottom line is we win! Fewer sick people will go see doctors, hospitals will close and more folks will get to meet Jesus sooner. What could be wrong with that?
States Rights
One of the more interesting and insidious details of the Paul Ryan (R-WI) health care idea is that states, and not the federal government, will decide on what constitutes covered medical services. Currently the ACA sets out guidelines. But now with the new and improved GOP plan each state will decide what gets covered and what gets kicked to the curb. Here is Iowa, where there are zero mental health problems, we could once and for all declare the state free from the scourge of taking care of kooks and nut-jobs and proceed with for-profit prisons. That will be so much fun to market to business seeking a new home: I can see it now...our new business recruiting campaign: "Come to Iowa, We Ain't Crazy". We'll get right on that. I'm sure "Yet To Become" Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-IA) will climb on board.
The Democratic National Committee
And the hits just keep coming. It was a spirited contest that led to the crowning of the new "Fund-Raiser in Chief" for the DNC. The faithful went to Florida and former Labor Secretary Tom Perez was chosen to clean up the hot mess left by Debbie and Donna. My choice would have been Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) mostly because he doesn't have much to do in Washington these days and could have spent lots of time fixing stuff. But, in the end the DNC wished to give the Clinton Wing a victory...small as it is. I did really like the photo of Keith and Tom and Team Tom and wish him the very best. Maybe, just maybe he (unlike Debbie) will actually sit down for a focused interview when he comes to the Iowa State Fair this year. Iowa...it's that mental health free zone. Come see us!
He Ain't Goin'!
President Trump informed us this weekend he isn't going to attend the White House Corespondents Association Dinner. It's a good thing. Nobody would have any fun and with all the fake news being shared by these filthy media types you couldn't believe a word anyway.
Truth be told the president will be attending the other event that night where he will get a much warmer reception. The Alt-Right, Neo Nazi Banquet with MC Steve Bannon will be a big hit. If you are going stay for the ball. I understand the "Goose Step Polka" is hot this year.
The president did make an appearance at the Conservative Political Action Committee love fest this weekend. It was quite a sight with so many people waving those cute little Trump Flags. Our friend I.M. Stupid has some thoughts on that and Black History Month. Listen in to what our contributor Tim Lloyd has for us this week. (Cartoon - Tim Lloyd)
Click the mp3 below to listen:
Am I Too White?
Tuesday is the final day of Black History Month. Uhm...maybe it's because I've been way too busy or because I'm way too white but I don't recall much going on. Sure, I was at the 19th Annual I'll Make Me a World in Iowa celebration but, other than that, I just don't remember seeing much. OK...guilty I am a white guy but I should have been if there had been places and things to do. Or maybe...just maybe...with so much crap going on in the Iowa Legislature folks were overwhelmed.
Iowa To Fund Radical Islamic Madrassas
This just in and it is HOT! In an astounding move by Iowa Republicans we've learned they are planning to use your tax dollars to fund and promote Sharia Law which will be taught in Radical Islamic Schools (Midrasas). I know...right? I never would have seen this coming however I've been told that when the new school voucher bill hits the Iowa House they are "all in" for equality and religious teaching. For years I have thought the Iowa GOP to be a narrow minded bunch but this move by Rep. Chris Haganow (R-Windsor Heights) and Sen. Brad Zaun (R-Urbandale) and friends proves how truly inclusive they are. Stay tuned!
Voter Passion
Over the past several weeks we've seen attendance at your local chamber "Eggs and Issues" forums explode. For decades these little gatherings where legislators came to crow about the wonderful things they are doing for business and the people of Iowa were, mostly, attended by the same "suit and tie" folk. I know...I've been there as the lone Democrat in a sea of Republicans. Now, for some reason, the "unwashed" are being let into these public forums and it's hard to find anybody in a suit and tie (other than the GOP politicians). And these "common folk" are asking questions...pointed questions about stuff like health care and pensions and collective bargaining and wages and profits and taxes and education...oh my! Join me in helping restore boredom to the board room. If these "public forums" were meant to just be a "bitch session" with commoners we would have marketed them as such. Stay away! This ain't meant for you!
Partly Personal
Because I've run out of stuff to do I thought I'd try my hand as a bartender. No, really. It started on Valentine's Day Night when I learned my friends at Prime Land & Sea didn't have somebody behind the bar. I guess he/she was sick that night. I swung by and offered to volunteer to help out. Two days later I heard from Chef David Baruthio and Chef Nico they might like me to come back. So..what the heck...I get to do that on Saturday nights. Great food and excellent conversation in, what I think, is the sexiest restaurant in the Metro. Prime Land and Sea is open for dinner Tuesday - Saturday and it is...sexy.
Thanks for reading! Have a great Sunday and a fantastic week!
I especially REALLY liked your comments about "Iowa To Fund Radical Islamic Madrassas ". This is something that a lot more people should know about, including Repub legislators. They are putting so much crap out there it is hard to keep up ... but this one is a doozy!
Posted by: George Ensley | 02/26/2017 at 01:13 PM
George...shhhh...as soon as they figure that out they will alter the bill and then we'll have a constitutional crisis and then....wheeeeee... Thanks for reading and thanks for the comment! - Michael
Posted by: Michael Libbie | 02/26/2017 at 05:59 PM