SundayMorningCoffee

Sunday Morning Coffee 23 February 2020

The headlines late last night declared Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) crushed the Democratic Field in Nevada. Welcome to Sunday Morning Coffee. Some politics with a dash of religion and now coming at you for over 12 years. You may agree or disagree with my opinions. That's OK they are simply my opinions. As always I'd love to hear your thoughts. So, enough already...let's get started!

Nevada

Let me play this one out for you. Sen. Sanders wins with 47% of the vote. Joe Biden is second with 18% and the rest of the pack lag a bit. Then Mayor Pete uses his post Nevada Caucus address to skewer Sanders. Ladies and Gentlemen if you would please gather around because it is now time to form the Circular Firing Squad.

It's what we do.

I was having this conversation just yesterday with a lobbyist. Here is what was said, "You know, the Democrats really do have some great ideas for moving Iowa forward but it seems that, too often, egos or turf gets in the way and people that should be on the same page start throwing grenades at each other. You don't see that among the Republicans. For example, if the Farm Bureau says XYZ is good for agriculture or the economy the GOP falls into line." It's not the same with us. We like to say we have a "Big Tent" but if that tent does not survive the storm...

I know democrats who, right now no matter how bad "45" has been for this nation, say they will not vote for the eventual nominee because it is not THEIR nominee. Be very careful at what you wish for.

Russia

Well now it looks like the Russians really, really want "45" to win a second term and, according to U.S. intelligence, the effort is on. The question is "Why?" and the answer is that, other than Putin being the man love of this president, Russia wins when we are fighting each other. The news is also out that Russia really likes Sanders. Why? Because of the same reason discontent among the electorate. So if a foreign government wants Candidate X or Candidate Y to win...interesting eh?

Socialism

One final thought. Americans elected a socialist president to four terms in office. We were in the midst of the Great Depression and voters turned to Franklin D. Roosevelt a wealthy guy from New York who led this country out of economic chaos and out of a world war. In doing so President Roosevelt passed sweeping socialist changes to the fabric of this nation. In the end those rights and privileges that went to the working families created the most admired country on the planet. So successful that when WWII ended rather than punish our enemies we actually went to work with the Marshall Plan to build back their economies. 

Well before Iowa the knives were out equating socialism with communism. It's what a dumbed-down electorate does. They are not the same thing and never have been. Yet watch, you will hear more about how evil socialism is...mostly because we have a very short memory of what good it did for so many.

Joe Biden

With all of that said one might think that I've switched horses and climbed on the Bernie Bandwagon. I have not. I still like Joe for many, many reasons most of them have to do with leadership, compassion and a record of actually doing what many are suggesting. When I made this decision I did so with the input of several people I admire. Being a candidate you don't want everybody else angry with your decision and I could have stayed out. However the best advice I received was from a former governor of Iowa who said, "Michael, Iowans are good people and they would rather have a senator who tells them the truth rather than tell them what they want to hear." I'll go with it.

Funnel Week in Iowa

It's always a flurry of activity. Years ago I took vacation time to head to the Iowa State Senate to hang out with my mentor Sen. Joe Coleman (D-Claire). That was in the day when members of both parties ate together, played cards together and...yes...had a few drinks together. Security was not like today and because I was attached to the "Dean of the Senate" I pretty much had the freedom to go wherever. Great times with some really interesting folks.

Funnel Week today, with both houses controlled by the GOP, becomes a playground against working families and for corporations and those with a narrow view of what is right and fair.  

True the "Religious Freedom" bill didn't advance but it doesn't mean it is dead. The Republican Party has an issue with folks from the LGBTQ Community and they will bring it back. .

Something that did survive also touched on that icky thing about sex. The Sexual Abuse Statue of Limitations (SSB 3032) survived. Surprising in the fact that it is the GOP who have been busy spending your tax money paying impressive legal fees and penalties for abuse under the Golden Dome. You might have thought they wished to bury that one.

Of course the GOP continues their assault on the rights of women. From abortion facilities licensing to an amendment to the Constitution that reverses a 2018 Iowa Supreme Court ruling that found women have a constitutional right to an abortion to "Fetal Death Certificates" to warnings about medical abortion (suggesting it can be reversed when there is no medical evidence that is possible). 

And of course guns. SF 2224 says people with nonprofessional permits to carry can bring concealed pistols or revolvers into a school district driveway or parking lot.  Remember you can also carry into the Statehouse. But...if you have a pocket knife it will be taken away. Oy....

There are lots and lots of things here and one of the more egregious is the failure of the Iowa State Legislature to help protect residents who live in mobile home parks. Iowa has been awash with reports of out-of-state owners hiking rental rates and kicking people out of their homes. Yet, in true GOP style, the legislature wishes to shield corporations from "over-reaching legislation" rather than protecting Iowans who may not be among the rich and powerful.

And, never mind what they have in store for public education. November 2020 can not come soon enough.

Partly Personal

Sorry for the long rant. Lots of stuff going on.  

If one reads or sees the news one would believe that the only things that comes out of the African American Community are drug deals, homicides, welfare issues and abject poverty. The positive stories rarely make the news and that's too bad. Last night there was a celebration of positive news and education as the Zeta Kappa Lambda Educational Foundation presented scholarships to several amazing young people who are determined do good. 

Scholarships were given to students from Ankeny Centennial High School, Hoover High School, Lincoln High School, Roosevelt High School and Valley High School. And the speeches by the students were amazing. Active in their school, community and organizations that lift up the good
in all people is truly something to celebrate. My thanks to my friend Sam Reed who is on the Black & Gold committee and to the people of the Foundation that make dreams come true.  The image is just some of the winners of valuable scholarships last night.

OK...oh one last thing. Georgie worked the Bike World Warehouse Sale yesterday (and today) so she was not going to be able to attend the Black & Gold Ball with me. So I had to find another date.

I think it worked out all right. As I was saying to friends last night, "But remember she is only eleven and in sixth grade." Yikes!

Finally, if you have a mind to help. Here is my campaign website. Support and donations are always very, very welcome!

Thanks for reading and have a wonderful Sunday!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

Sunday Morning Coffee 16 February 2020

Welcome back to Sunday Morning Coffee my weekly blog on politics, religion and other stuff that make folks nervous. The news you've seen or, perhaps, missed all laced with my commentary.  It's been a hell of a week.  Let's GO!

The King

Just about the time when you think "45" couldn't get more out of control comes his Tweet...just before jetting off for a weekend of golf. The president was bemoaning his impeachment and wrote: "When you strike at the king you must kill him." The quote is from writer Ralph Waldo Emerson except the president changed it a bit.  You see Emerson wrote: "When you strike at a king you must kill him." Is "45" saying he is "the king"? Seems that way. The point is that the president was gloating that the House did not strike a fatal blow to his presidency because the spineless GOP Senate kicked the can. Of course the Twitter reaction was swift. But no matter we now know who thinks he is the king. Was there ever any doubt?

Farting

It would have been commonplace for a junior high-school student to re-tweet fart sounds but the President of the United States? Last week "45" could not contain himself and re-tweeted the audio of a city council person, who had forgotten to take off his microphone and  went to the restroom. Yes, there was farting...and yes the president was just entertaining his base. Weary...

Bill "The Fixer" Barr

There are no words. Take a cup of Attorney General Bill Barr and a dash of Rudy Giuliani, a pinch of Roger Stone and a heaping helping of Michael Flynn and you've got one giant crap cupcake. (Speaking of farting sounds...) The more these "swamp creatures" do the more at risk our nation is into falling off the cliff and descending into anarchy. And, it seems this is just fine with about 39% of the American public. 

Iowa and Religious Freedom

I get a kick out of these clowns who make up the Iowa GOP and work so very hard at shredding the standards of church and state separation. You might remember the "voucher program" that would take public money away from public education and shovel it to private (often) religious schools. That was just dandy until I (and others) applauded the move and indicated that finally religious schools affiliated with Jewish synagogues and Islamic mosques could catch a break and get public funding. "Well, ah, no...ah that's not exactly what we have in mind." I was told.

Now comes the dangerous "Religious Freedom Bill" that says if you have a religious conviction against...oh, gee, let's say a same sex marriage...you can tell "Sally and Joan" to buzz off and take their heathen lifestyle someplace else. But, let's say a Christian walks into a Muslim owned coffee shop (sounds like the start of a great joke...right?) and because the Christian is an infidel the owner refuses to serve him/her and demands that the customer leave.  Or how about the Rastafari who believes that white people are inferior to black people and refuses service?

Silly? Well perhaps but...just like there is no "War on Christmas" this bill would do more to divide us than unite us. But, then again...that is the mission of Governor Kim and her ilk.

Speaking of Governor Kim

Recently I was speaking to a person who has some high-level interaction with the Governor and her staff.  This is what I was told, "When she was first elected I thought, perhaps, she might be a bit less partisan and govern by reaching across to the Democrats. That, in my view isn't what she and her staff see as their job. She has surrounded herself with people who are in election mode and not governing mode. They are clear supporters of the president and his divisive policies. She, sadly, is cut from the same cloth."

I wish I could spill the beans but I promised to not ID. However we have seen this played out in front of us time and time again. Yet another reason to work to remove the GOP majority in the House and Senate.  We can do this people....

Michael Bloomberg

Ah, no.

How Do You Feel?

This weekend I made my monthly trip to Mason City to conduct services for Adas Israel and then yesterday held what is called a Midrash or a study session focusing on the Torah Portion of the week. In case you are interested it's Exodus 18 - 20 and it's full of big time stuff. Following the 2 hour class I asked the twenty or so people there how they felt about the current political climate. The group is made up of pastors, MBA's, PhD's, engineers, and bible scholars from many different faith backgrounds.  Oh, and we have a couple of Jews with us as well. The resounding response was, "Scared", "Frightened", "Worried about our standing on the world stage." and "I'm concerned that if people fail to correct our course we will fail as a nation."  Now, to be sure we do not often talk about politics. However in this Torah Portion there is a line about leadership that may work well into our current situation.

Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, is giving his son-in-law some pointers about leadership and choosing what qualities he should look for when it comes to appointing judges. "And you shall discern from among the entire people, men of accomplishment, G-d fearing people, men of truth, people who despise money, and you shall appoint them leaders..." (Ex. 18:21). 

I'll leave it there...

Partly Personal

Hope you had a fantastic Valentines Day and date night was superior. I get it for some this is a non-holiday of sorts. Sort of like tomorrow and President's Day. Both are used to sell us stuff. Candy, flowers, cards and dinners on Valentines Day and mattresses on President's Day. But, hey I'm counting on you to boost the economy. Which, by the way is starting to sputter a bit because, if you are listening later today to News/Talk 1450 KXEL at 2PM I've got a story as to why and it has to do with consumers (us) not spending as much and having our credit cards maxed out.  Just in case you've run out of stuff to worry about it is the U.S. consumer that accounts for nearly 70% of our economic growth.

Our granddaughter is working to raise money for the American Heart Association and their "Jump Rope for Heart" program. Each year she raises hundreds both walking door-to-door and online. I think she's up to about $500 in cash and checks including her online donations. Just in case you are interested.

Finally I enjoyed visiting with the Dallas County Democrats this past week. I attended their Central Committee Meeting and they have come so far. I remember back in 2012 when I was working with my friend Desmund Adams in his bid for the Iowa State Senate and they Dallas County Dems were....well struggling a bit. Today they are sitting on a pile of cash and they are ready to assist Democrats taking back the Iowa State Senate. I'm so pleased that Warren Varley has jumped in the race to oppose the really awful Sen. Jake Chapman (R-Adel) who is no friend to the working families of this state. Welcome to the race my friend.  Let's do this!

And, finally, thank you to the folks who have stepped up and donated to my campaign for the Iowa State Senate. When I'm out in the district I hear from so many that are so very willing to stop the evil that is going on under the "Golden Dome". It seems that with every passing day there is another horror story coming out of the GOP controlled House and Senate. We must, must turn that state-house blue to uphold the Iowa values we all treasure. If you are so moved to donate to this campaign here is a link to my website.  Thank you to the people outside of my district who have donated and thank you, in advance, for your future support!

Have a wonderful Sunday...and thanks for reading! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday Morning Coffee 2 February 2020

Good Morning and I'll be brief. It's the day before the Iowa Caucus and there is much to be done.  Welcome to an abbreviated version of Sunday Morning Coffee.  Let's go:

Killing Cows

Last week "45" was in Des Moines at Drake University. Poor Drake...  In his 90 minute ramble he offered some interesting thoughts...as always.  One, in particular, was when he was talking about The Green New Deal and said, "They are killing your cows...and you're next." It's that kind of unhinged rhetoric that is not only dangerous but reminds those of us who have a memory of history about another madman who in the 1930's harangued about a boatload of lies. It was all his followers needed to begin the effort to exterminate any opposition.

We MUST defeat this person in November.

And, yes, what happened in the U.S. Senate last week will long be remembered.

Montana

Meanwhile in Montana State Representative Rodney Garcia (R-MT) said, during a meeting that he believes the United States Constitution calls for the jailing and shooting of "socialists". I'm not making this up.

Garcia said he was concerned about socialists “entering our government” and socialists “everywhere” in Billings, before saying the Constitution says to either shoot socialists or put them in jail.

On Saturday, a reporter asked Garcia to clarify his remarks. “So actually in the Constitution of the United States (if) they are found guilty of being a socialist member you either go to prison or are shot,” Garcia said.

Garcia could not to point to where in the Constitution it says socialists could be shot or jailed.  Here is a link to the story if you wish.

So, there is...that.

Partly Personal

Told you this would be short. I've got loads to do between now and 5:30PM tomorrow...work would be one of those things.

It's no secret that I've endorsed and have been working on behalf of Vice President Joe Biden. For me the decision was personal and I believe that, because of his experience he will be able to, on day one, go to work to repair our nation. I believe that his standing on the world stage will benefit what "45" has broken. I believe that his commitment to repair the Affordable Care Act is something that a vast majority of people want.

A shout-out to Rep. Cindy Axne (D-IA) who was the latest to endorse Joe and is having an event later today on the East Side of Des Moines.

All of that does not throw shade on any other candidate. I've had the opportunity to go and see, talk to and listen to each and at the end of the day my decision was one that was made for those reasons and because he will beat "45" in November. That is what is critically important.  I realize that I've got many friends backing other candidates and that's great. We all, come our national convention, will line up behind whom our party nominates. 

Thank you all for your hard work and efforts to push forward a progressive agenda to repair our nation.  Good luck tomorrow...

Thanks for reading and have a great Sunday!