Get Out the Vote Edition - 4 November 2018

Fall back you know...but not here we're moving forward!  Welcome to Sunday Morning Coffee my early morning look at politics (everything is you know) laced with my commentary. It's what I get to do while you catch that extra hour of sleep. Starting thought: This is not about persuasion it is about turning out the vote. I'll share why in just a moment. So, take a seat, grab a cup and let's go!

Thirteen Dead

In one week we witnessed thirteen people murdered in the United States of America because they were not white Christians. Let that sink in for just a moment. Thirteen people killed; eleven in a house of worship, "All Jews must die!" and two at a grocery store, "White people don't kill white people."

This is the legacy you are passing on to your children and it is being fueled by people like Congressman Steve King (R-IA) and the 45th president of the United States. And we are willing to give them a pass.  Why?  Because we are afraid. Fear is a great motivator and when leaders spew hate toward individuals who are not like the majority population. Some will take action. From raiding a pizza parlor to gunning down Jews, African-Americans, Sikhs and Muslims in their houses of worship...or at a grocery store.

This election is not about persuasion because those who follow individuals like King and "45" don't care. They are afraid. This election is about getting people who are sick and tired of the crap we're being fed by hate-mongers to get off their butts and vote. Don't let this continue.

Race Baiting

Consider this: Thirty years ago Al Campanis, the then general manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, was asked by Ted Koppel (ABC News - Nightline Host) why there were so few black managers and no black general managers in baseball. Campanis responded, "...they may not have some of the necessities to be, let's say, a field manager, or, perhaps, a general manager". Campanis was fired less than 48 hours later. 

Black people are not...qualified.

Now consider what "45" said this weekend in Florida as he spoke about Andrew Gillum who is running to become the first black governor of that state, "Andrew Gillum is not equipped to be your governor. He’s just not equipped. It’s not for him. It’s not for him."

And people still support him and his tribe...people like King in Iowa's 4th District, people like Rep. David Young (R-IA) in Iowa's Third District and Rep. Rob Blum (R-iA) in Iowa's First Congressional District.

Go...vote.

Why It Does Not Matter

Followers of the current administration are simply delusional. This weekend "45" told a crowd that, "Congress has already spent $5 billion for the wall and it is being built!" Except it isn't true. But, ask those who line up with every word "45" says...and they say the media is lying. This is not about persuasion...this is about getting out the vote.

Even in Great Britain

Maybe I'm just a bit too sensitive on this antisemitism thing but, I found this interesting. Last week a branch of the Labour Party in Great Britain voted down a resolution to condemn the murders of eleven Jews at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. Why? Because the majority of those voting objected to there being too much, "antisemitism this and antisemitism that" in the wording of the resolution.

Weary. Isn't it nice to know that many Americans do not stand alone?

Your Paycheck

It was big news on Friday as the Labor Department announced that in October the U.S. added 250,000 jobs. But what was not covered is the average work week for non-farm employees is 34.1 hours and the average work week for production and non-supervisory employees remained at 33.7 hours. 

Yes, we are hiring people...but for full time jobs that pay well?  Not so much.

Finally let's talk about your paycheck. Everybody was so excited on Friday that wages grew year over year by 3.1%. That is the largest increase in wage growth since 2009. But, wait just one second. Inflation or the Cost of Living is now pegged at 2.3%. When you do the math wages over inflation rose by just .8%.  I know boring pesky numbers...but here is the kicker:

Corporate Profits & Employees

You would think that with the huge corporate tax cuts passed by the GOP in December that corporations would be sharing some of that wealth with their workers. They...are...not. 

Corporate tax cuts have enabled companies to boost profitability. But companies are spending a lot of their extra cash on stock buybacks and dividends, leaving only a little extra for workers.

It’s part of a long-term trend. Workers no longer get the same “piece of the pie” as they did from the 1950s up to the 1990s. Labor’s share of business income has declined steadily since 2001 and fell sharply during the Great Recession. While corporate profits have rebounded since then and hit new highs. Doubt me? Just look at the markets. Over 80% of the corporations reporting profits for the S&P 500 have beat profit expectations.

What's in your paycheck?

Vote and Support Unions.

It's All Bullshit

Sit down to watch television and you are slapped across the face with more lies from the GOP then I can remember. You would think that Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) was hiding under every bush in the nation...waiting to spring her "liberal agenda" on unsuspecting poor white folk. Oy!

And, when it's not "The Evil One" of Congresswoman Pelosi it's just made up bullshit. Kenan Judge is running for the Iowa House in District 44. There are some pretty smart people living in parts of Clive, Waukee and West Des Moines so they could not be fooled by the crap that is running all over local television linking Kenan to State Sen. Nate Boulton (D-DSM) and fuzzy, made up, words about sexual harassment. How low does Bergman and her cronies go?  Kenan has four daughters and, really?  Really?

 

It's all crap.  This is why you must vote. It is not about persuading your nutty uncle who clings to fear. This is about getting out the vote.

Same goes for Karin Derry. The attack ads against her are just crap.

Same goes for Heather Matson...more junk.

And, that ad for Rep. Peter Cownie (R-WDM) with four women (bad actors by the way) talking over a cup of coffee that says "government run health care will result in a massive tax increase" is just...BULLSHIT. It's an attack ad on Kristin Sunde in House District 42 in West Des Moines and it is bogus. 

The reality is that total health care spending by the federal government would come in $303 billion less by 2032 than if we keep in place the same, awful by the way, health care system we have in place today. Here is just one, of many, articles and Business Insider is not known as a "liberal rag". Please... 

And, on top of that, YOU would be paying far less in healthcare costs then you do today and you would have better access.

But...fear and lies from the GOP just may work IF you fail to get out the vote.

Partly Personal

OK, I've calmed down. Sorry for the rant and, yes, I've already voted and worked the phones and knocked on doors and will do more of the same between now and the end of Tuesday voting. It is what we've got to do in the face of so many lies and dishonest tactics. We really do deserve better. Don't you think?

Final thought about the election: I have known Fred and Charlotte Hubbell for years. Been to his home a number of times and visited with him often. Fred and Charlotte are really wonderful, thoughtful people who, I believe, will work for all Iowans. His plans on government accountability, fiscal responsibility, health care and education will help move Iowa forward. Forward so we can reclaim our spot as a truly great place to live and work and build an educational system that is the envy of America. 

But, he can not do it alone. He is going to require your vote and he is going to require you to flip the Iowa House and...with lots of luck the Iowa Senate. Do not let fear and lies win the day. We are better than that. Join me in forging a new path forward.

Hey, thanks for reading. Have a great Sunday...and VOTE!  

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Joe Burklund]

If you do not vote, you are not allowed to comment, ever! Or at least until the next election.

[Jan]

Thank you!

[Joe Raetz]

I just shake my head at the Kenan Judge ads linking him with Nate Bolton. These are the same people standing in solidarity with President Pussy Grabber. Too stupid to see their own hypocrisy.