Politics and Religion two of my favorite topics...mostly because my Mother told said,"Never talk about politics or religion!" Why? Because most folks know squat about the subjects and make up their mind based on emotion rather than intellect so when you question their politics or religion it is an attack on their emotion and folks tend to get angry. Silly...no? Welcome to Sunday Morning Coffee...a shortened version today because "they" are making me tired.
Deportations and Being King
No, not Steve King (R-IA) but King Trump who has yet to figure out that there are actually three branches that make up our republic. Let's review fifth grade civics: There is the Executive Branch of which Mr. Trump is the "Supreme Leader". There is the Legislative Branch which is controlled by "wack-jobs" who seem intent on trashing liberty and the Constitution because they want, so badly, to get along with the "Supreme Leader". There is the Judiciary which may be our only hope for sanity.
Which gets me to Deportations. It was bad enough under the Obama Administration as ICE carried out thousands of round-ups. Today the Trump Administration has stepped up their efforts to rid the United States of dangerous mothers and fathers who came to this nation in search of a better life for their family and, to get a job, used a phony social security number. Really? This is keeping America safe? Weary... Oh, and "The Wall" just came in at $6.7 billion more than forecast. See you are tired too...right?
Decisions, Decisions
This past week the United States Senate (see above) had a tough job on their hands. They had to choose a leader for the Justice Department and for the Education Department. Actually the "Supreme Leader" had already made the choice in a former friend of the KKK and a person who knows squat about public education. But, never fear the "lock-step" GOP fell into line and confirmed both Jeff Sessions and Betsy DeVos. I am fortunate enough NOT to come from Alabama, that beacon of racial equality, so I can't speak directly to the life and times of Mr. Sessions. However, I am from Detroit, Michigan and have a long history with the DeVos ( Amway and The John Birch Society) Family. What a train-wreck. The "Supreme Leader" went out to find the individuals who have little to no experience in protecting the public and put them in charge. Please... (Cartoon - Tim Lloyd)
Meanwhile In Iowa
The working class people who ran to the polls to elect Terry Branstad are being rewarded. Isn't it grand? Gutting of unions, taking away local control of governments, taking away health care, slashing mental health care, killing public education...it's a full throat attack on the people of Iowa. In the meantime you can count on more and bigger gifts to already successful businesses and continued attacks on "working folk". Elections have consequences and you are about to find out just how much Iowa will be more like Kansas. But, hey, you voted for it. Weary...
Jack Hatch
Some of you know that I do a daily (M-F) business news broadcast in the Des Moines Metro. In the three and a half years we've been on the air I have prided myself in, largely, staying clear of politics. I leave the "toxic talk" to those blithering idiots who get big ratings by filling your head with lies and deception. But, hey, it's America! No, we stick to business. But, sometimes something from the world of politics comes along that we feel has merit for a broad discussion. Enter former State Senator Jack Hatch (D-Des Moines) who has written a book, "No Surrender - Building a Progressive Agenda for Iowa with the Five Securities". You can buy it here. The book, in the words of some long-time Democratic Party activists, has "pissed lots of people off". For me...that would be a good thing. I invited Jack to the broadcast for a conversation. Have a listen:
Partly Personal
Sunday Morning Coffee is a bit late, and short, today. Need a little "down time". You see, once a month I head to Mason City, Iowa where I conduct services, do a bible study for the Jewish (and Christian) Community of Adas Israel and visit folks in the hospital and nursing homes.
BTW Adas Israel is one of only 13 active synagogues in Iowa. In case you were wondering. Got home last night and my Bride had plans for hooking up stuff she purchased. It was a long day.
But, more important is the fact that today is our granddaughter's Birthday Brunch, Taylor is now eight and smart and beautiful and wonderful! So it's up early to get things done around the Libbie Compound and off to Brunch. I hope you understand.
Have a great week and thanks for reading!
You're a good man, Libbie.
Posted by: Michael Devine | 02/13/2017 at 08:46 AM