It's not enough that citizens in multiple states are having to deal with such natural disasters they also have to deal with a crowd that decry government but when the chips are down they turn to government for help. Hi, my name is Michael Libbie and welcome to Sunday Morning Coffee where I look at some of the political stories you've seen and some you may have missed and add my commentary. Sometimes fun, often serious, it's what I do early on Sunday morning. Grab a cup and let's go: (And if you click on the images...they come up full size.)
Hurricanes and Social Welfare
Former Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill (D-MA) is often credited with the saying, "All politics is local" and while that may be true we have a newfound and nasty way of dealing with people in trouble who are not "like us". Take for example Texas a state that prides itself on low taxes, electing renegade lawmakers like Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) or Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) who denounce the federal government, rail against welfare and then when a disaster strikes take credit for getting the federal government to fund the rebuilding of their communities. This isn't a cheap shot but a long memory. It was Cruz who, in 2012, famously voted against $50 billion in disaster funding for citizens of New Jersey and New York following Hurricane Sandy. I'm not suggesting that all of us should not help those in need but when we pick and choose who...that's a problem especially among Republicans who fail to understand that government is here for the greater good. Politicians like Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) who last week voted against the bill to raise the debt ceiling. She just can't do it.
Climate Change and "45"
Meanwhile, in the face of weather related natural disasters, the likes we have never seen before, "45" packs his administration with climate change deniers. Even as leading scientists, environmentalists and most Democrats accept research that shows climate change accelerating — and as some see it contributing to the two mammoth hurricanes that have threatened the United States this year — some in "45's" administration have openly raised doubts. The EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt who sued the EPA dozens of times now rides herd there. The EPA has taken actions to minimize even the words "climate change" and publication of science, including removing its climate science website and putting a political appointee in charge of reviewing grants. Pruitt has surrounded himself with like-minded officials, including his August appointment of Cathy Stepp to be a principal deputy regional administrator for the Midwest. Stepp questioned humans’ role in climate change during her tenure as a regulator in Wisconsin. Never mind...I get it. The goal is to confuse the hell out of the 35% of the people who still believe in "45". Let's move on...
Tim Lloyd Comic
Our contributing author and cartoonist Tim Lloyd is out this week...drat. He is working with folks from Irma. He is a good man.
Iowa to DC
Former head of the Iowa Department of Transportation Paul Trombino has been picked to be the administrator of the Federal Highway Administration. Trombino served the Iowa DOT for five years before quitting in November to take a job with McClure Engenering of Clive this past January. It was a nice pick up for my old friend (and Fort Dodger) Terry Lutz but it didn't last long. However with friends in the Federal Highway Administration...it's a win.
Labor Day
Hope you had a nice day off. I took the day and spent it with my friends who support and work for working Iowans. I've walked with the Democrats and the Labor Unions during the Des Moines Labor Day Parade for several years. Last year as we made our way to the front gate of the Iowa State Fairgrounds we were met with several people shouting "Trump!" as we passed their homes. This year...nobody uttered the name of "45"...nobody. Many of these people, if they voted, voted against Clinton and for Trump because "He tells it like it is..." or so they thought. Today it's a different game as they see what has happened to their future.
On the day? The picnic at Labor Park was a blow-out. Hundreds of people came to celebrate, along with their families and union friends, Labor Day at Union Park. The kids had fun, the food was great (Yes, even Hebrew National hot dogs!!!!) and the spirits were high even as the Iowa Legislature continues to beat down organized labor and working Iowans.
Staffing A Congressional Candidate
Last time I helped a congressional candidate was just a year ago when I worked with Desmund Adams as he sought the nomination in Iowa's Third Congressional District. It was a great opportunity to travel the 16 counties, meet with hundreds of people and speak on behalf of Desmund. And, nope...I was not paid. I did it for the experience and for the love of my brother and what he stood for.
On Labor Day my friend Theresa Greenfield asked if I'd spend some time with her at the Labor Day Picnic at Labor Park. We had a great time visiting with labor leaders, working families and listening to their concerns about their jobs and their future. Theresa brings a unique perspective to the campaign in that it's the first time she has run for anything, she is a businesswomen overseeing millions of dollars of real estate, has a strong tie to unions and comes from a family farm. In other words she can listen, learn and talk on a number of subjects that impact the United States, Iowa and the Third District. You really should get to know her...you will like what you hear. And, yes she worked the grill thanks to our friends at the IBEW!
Workers and Wages
Last week we had a story on the Business News Hour about health workers and wages. It seems like everybody is looking for employees and often we hear that the health profession is the ticket to a great job. Or is it? Here is the text from our story this past Friday:
"A recent analysis by the National Employment Law Project estimates that the number of jobs, mostly tied to hospitals, will rise 21 percent in the decade ending 2024. That contrasts with a projected 7 percent decline in manufacturing.
But…there is a problem with…pay: Nationwide according to the National Employment Law Project, 70 percent of hospital service workers make less than $15 an hour…In the Midwest, it's 71 percent.
And, over the past ten years…even highly skilled health workers haven’ t seen much of a raise in pay… Median hourly wages, after inflation is factored in, rose 75 cents over the decade. That amounts to a rise of only 3.2 percent over 10 years."
It should not surprise you that many in the health field are not supported by a union. Maybe it's time?
If You Don't Vote You Vote "No"
One of the - several - mindless things the most recent GOP controlled Iowa Legislature did before they scurried off to their loving minions was to make sure that teachers had to re-certify representation by the Iowa State Education Association. Sounds fair...right? Except that if teachers fail to vote or if their ballots get lost or if they just don't get a ballot and they do not vote the State will count their "non-vote" as a "No Vote". I am not making this up. Imagine if that idea carried through to our election process. It would mean that every person who does not vote gets counted as voting "No" on any measure. That would mean NOTHING would get done. No legislature, county sheriff no city council...NADA! There are 14 school districts voting this month and the rest next month. If you are a teacher, if you know a teacher, encourage them to vote. As a "heads up" we'll have ISEA President Tammy Wawro on the Business News Hour this coming Monday.
School Board Elections
On Tuesday citizens in Iowa will NOT flock to the polls for the School Board Elections. And, that is sad. If you really, really think public education matters, if you really, really want the best for our students our teachers and our future you'll spend some time and learn about the candidates and then go VOTE on Tuesday. Last week on the Business News Hour we broke format (because education does impact business) and held a discussion with two of the three candidates for the Des Moines Public Schools. Here is that link to the conversation. And, yes, Des Moines is the largest school district in the state...but one of only hundreds holding elections on Tuesday...go...VOTE!
Partly Personal
Today is the Annual Progress Iowa Sweet Corn Feed! Always a great time, and if you have not gotten your ticket...here is that link. We'll gather today starting at 1:00PM at the Simon Estes Amphitheater in Downtown Des Moines. Speakers this year include Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Rep. Dave Loebsack (D-IA), South Bend Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Center for American Progress Action Fund CEO Neera Tanden. I've been asked to voice that event and happy to do so. And, if you are going and you are from Windsor Heights...let me know I'll have my nomination papers with me.
Tomorrow it becomes official. Several times over the past couple of years I've been asked to run for office. I have declined each time because I felt I could do more by helping others in their campaign. So, I've worked in city, state and national races as, always, a volunteer...never getting paid for my personal time. This year I made the decision to run for City Council in Windsor Heights, Iowa. I'm doing that because I believe I can help move the ball forward for this tiny community in the middle of the Des Moines Metro. I believe we have three choices for this land-locked city: 1) Give up and become annexed by Urbandale or Clive; 2) Continue to raise taxes and make Windsor Heights the most expensive city in the Metro in which to live - driving out young and older people or 3) Get serious about progressive economic development that builds for future generations and adds to our tax base. Me? I'm all in for a strong, secure, safe and progressive Windsor Heights. I hope you are as well. I turn in my Nomination Papers tomorrow...if you've got a desire to help my DIRECT phone number is 515-331-3207 my cell is 515-570-2220 and/or shoot me an email MPLibbie@gmail.com.
Tomorrow...we remember 9/11. We will always remember....
That's it! Have a great Sunday...and if you are downtown today let's connect at the Progress Iowa Corn Feed...tickets here.
Thanks for reading and VOTE on TUESDAY!
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According to http://www.beckershospitalreview.com/compensation-issues/rn-average-hourly-wage-salary-for-all-50-states-calif-tops-the-list-at-101k.html Iowa nurses are paid an average of $55,040 per year - $26.46 per hour. That was good for DEAD LAST in the nation! The highest paid nurses were in California, and are paid almost twice as much. This is from a Sept 2016 article.
Posted by: George Ensley | 09/10/2017 at 10:16 AM
But it has been that way for years. About 5 years ago I saw in the Boone DMACC nursing wing that out of 51 states and territories (Puerto Rico was included) ...... Iowa was ranked 50th, beating Puerto Rico. Small wonder why low wage Iowa loses trained people (think nurses and also teachers) to other states. No wonder why Iowa's population growth is stagnant.
Posted by: George Ensley | 09/10/2017 at 10:33 AM