It's Sunday...again! Welcome to Sunday Morning Coffee a look at some of the political news stories you may have seen, or missed, along with my personal commentary. Why? I dunno it just seems like the right thing to do each week while I wait for everybody to get up? OK then...let's go.
Liar in Chief
I have friends who are Republicans. No, really, I do. But what I do not understand is how they can listen to "45" lie every day - every single day - and just accept it. And it isn't just little lies. They are, daily, misrepresentations of the facts and when caught he shrugs it off and goes on to the next lie. And you people accept it? Or perhaps you are so in love with him "draining the swamp" that you forgive?
Let me give you one, just one example. The other day "45" said,"Everybody knows we need a wall. We have apprehended more people than we have in may years." But the truth is that the number of people trying to cross to southern border illegally has decreased from 1.6 million in 2000 to 400,00 in 2018. Somebody want to 'splain that?
One more? He also said about voter fraud, "...look what's happened in California with the votes, when I look at what happened, you know there was just a case where they found a million fraudulent votes."
Ah, nope. There is simply no evidence of voter fraud. Well, unless you look at what happened in North Carolina where the GOP congressional candidate hired folks to rig the election through ballot tampering.
But, you folks seem to love him. I remember a day when "conservatives" considered themselves the be the "moral majority". Another lie but hey...it's what they do.
The Latino Vote
There are growing concerns among some pollsters that "45" will pull out a victory in 2020 because Latinos will jump in to support him. I'm not making this up. Three recent polls show Latino support of "45" growing. A January NPR/PBS News Hour/Maris Poll showed that 29 percent of Latinos "strongly approve" of the president with another 22 percent "approve" giving "45" a +51%.
OK...why? Maybe it is because Latinos are growing weary of inaction among Democrats? For years Democrats have been crowing about DACA and "pathways to becoming legal" yet the party is focused on gun laws, abortion and investigating the president.
Of course the follow up question was about voting and 27% said they would definitely vote for him but a whopping 68% said, "No way". Still....
Taxes
Refunds, so far this year, are 17% lower than what they were in 2018. Mostly because Americans lost a basketful of deductions and did not increase their withholding to compensate. That is going to be an issue for the GOP as more and more working families come face to face with the reality that the 2017 Jobs and Tax Act really benefited the wealthy. But, I do love their answer to the issue: "People are getting more money in their paychecks so they can invest in the stock market. After all since January the Dow has gone up 11%."
Does anybody see that as a completely tone deaf response? Weary....
Bernie
Last week Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) announced he is, once again, taking a shot at a presidential bid. On cue the response from many was that he isn't a Democrat and "I'm only voting for a Democrat!" and "His policies have already been adopted by others..." and my favorite, "Just what we do not need an old guy running for office."
Of the three it is the last comment that is the most disrespectful.
To my friends who are under 40: There are cultures where age is given honor. Not simply because the people are older but because they have gained a lifetime of experience and wisdom. In our culture we give lip-service to older people but the moment we have the opportunity to hustle them off to a "care-center" or a "senior center" we're all over that.
I suspect that once Vice President Joe Biden announces we will hear that same tired line about age and not give a rats ass about wisdom and diplomacy. Something that, by the way, seems to be lacking in every announced candidate to this point. I don't hear much about foreign policy from the current slate of Democrats. But maybe that's because I'm old and my hearing isn't as good as it was I was 30 and knew...everything.
The Church
Dear Catholic Friends...you've got a major problem on your hands and I'm not sure there is an answer. The stories of child abuse coming out with a steady drip has got to be taking a toll on one of the worlds largest faith groups. And the recent story about the stated "policies" about what to do with priests who father children hasn't helped. So, one has to sit back and ask the question..."Why?".
What is it about the Catholic Church that leads to all of this? I could take a stab at it but I'm not a Catholic...not even a Christian so I'll let you mull that over but I'll give you a hint. It may have something to do with the natural order of humans...your turn...and let me know if you have an answer.
Black Unemployment
Maybe it's because I spend much of my day absorbing and then writing news content for the Business News Hour. That is the set-up for this: Last week I was in a conversation with a caucasian women about Black Entrepreneurship in Des Moines. I told her that I had recently gotten a call from an African-American friend to join a group who are wanting to put together a Black incubator where people could work on their business ideas. She looked at me and asked a very direct question, "Why you? You're not Black."
Very observant and a good question. So I answered her by talking about the serious issue of unemployment in the Black Community of Des Moines where up to 15% of the folks are out of work or severely under-employed. She was shocked. "What? in a city that has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation?"
Yes. And, maybe that was why I was asked to join the group. Because I know that stat and because I agree with the organizers that the only way to break the cycle of unemployment, under-employment and poverty is through economics. I'll let you know more in the weeks ahead but do know that I was honored to have been asked to attend.
Not Perfect Enough
It's interesting to watch the "circular firing squad" take form. It happens all the time. The moment a Democratic candidate announces his or her run for office out come the guns taking aim because the candidate isn't perfect enough. Stop it people...let's let this play out for a bit. If you folks want to learn something from our GOP friends it's that they stick together even if their candidate isn't "perfect". That is not to say we shouldn't look into records and votes but hold off a bit before you take aim. We've got a very long way to go and while I don't fault people for choosing sides and candidates but leave your knives at home. You can be assured that the Republicans will be out in force against any and all of them. We shouldn't be helping.
Partly Personal
I was bummed that I could not attend the event last night to hear Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) at a fund-raiser for the Iowa Black Democratic Caucus. I see, by posts on Facebook, it was a great event and congratulations!
Today, with the work for the broadcast done for News/Talk 1540 KXEL, I'll be heading to the Iowa Asian-Latino Coalition gathering to hear New York Mayor Bill de Blasio and maybe...just maybe...get some audio for the Business News Hour. Mayor de Blasio didn't have much to say to the media when he was in town for the Progress Iowa event. But, maybe this time as he explores a run for the White House?
Some loyal readers have suggested that I should turn Sunday Morning Coffee into a podcast. Hmmmmmmm let me think on that.
Daughter and grand-daughter have been really sick this weekend. It's that time of year...be careful out there.
That's it...have a great Sunday and thanks for reading!
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