Hello and welcome back to Sunday Morning Coffee a look at some of the news stories you've seen, or perhaps missed, all laced with my commentary. It's what I get to do...let's go!
Must Be Awful
It must be awful to be a Republican. With the leader of your party more concerned with conspiracy theories than reality and your elected officials cowering because they fear his wrath. More willing to look the other way when sympatric domestic terrorists attempted to destroy our democratic system of government. How do you sleep at night? Or maybe you don't as you lay awake thinking of the next way you and your friends can tear down this nation. Where is your soul? Oh, never mind...we know and it is wrapped up in Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA).
Bye-Bye
Yesterday the legal team that was hired by the former president quit to represent him in the senate impeachment trial quit. They had been on the job for just a couple of days and had to listen to their client rail about how the election was stolen from him rather than mount a defense for what is indefensible...the open act of treason. Get the popcorn ready...
American Rescue Plan Part Two
Ten GOP senators have signed a letter to President Biden saying they want to work with in in crafting legislation that will address the economic and medical disaster that is COVID19. They say they have a "framework" for bipartisan legislation that will give $160 billion for vaccine development and distribution, testing and tracing and treatment and supplies. They say the framework also includes $4 billion to bolster behavioral health and substance abuse. It would also include a new round of direct payments for "families who need assistance the most" and extend enhanced federal unemployment benefits at the current level. The Biden Administration says they have received the letter and will respond. Meanwhile the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan is moving forward without GOP support which can be accomplished with a budget reconciliation move that requires just 51 senate votes rather than the 60 usually necessary. Stay tuned because, as always, the devil is in the details.
The Ruin of Iowa
And the hits keep coming. While the State of Iowa continues to drown in COVID19 deaths Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-IA) and her party are doing little other than to address the crisis by stripping dollars away from the public school system, making sure you can buy and carry as many guns as you wish, demand that some businesses should be given support while others are kicked to the curb and promising even more tax cuts for the wealthy. From all the reports coming out of the statehouse it is awful to be a Democrat and be unable to push any meaningful legislation that will assist working families. But...hey it is Iowa and you voted for it.
Speaking of Iowa
Last week I heard Jaylen Cavil who is with the Black Liberation Movement speak and asked him to have a conversation for my program Insight on Business the News Hour. It all started with a list of legislative demands from the group. Six items the BLM tells me are critical to truly liberate people of color in Iowa. (Click on the image to enlarge and read....)
If you would like to listen to the who, what and why of the Black Liberation Movement feel free to click the player:
Thanks for listening.
Partly Personal
It's been a rough weekend. Friday evening we learned that Mary Maloney the long serving Treasurer for Polk County died suddenly. It's really difficult to grasp. Mary, for those of you who don't know was a fixture in the Iowa Democratic Party. She served as Treasurer for 32 years. But, beyond that she was a wife and mother. Her husband, Peter Tarpey, is a long time dear friend and if there is anything that is important to him it is family. We speak about it in our phone calls as he shares stories about growing up in Chicago, his strong faith, the words of wisdom he received from both his mother and father. He is one of the kindest souls on the planet who never fails to ask about our family and even our dogs. I can not imagine the pain.
Mary was also a close personal friend of President Joe Biden and one of his biggest supporters in Iowa. Mary Maloney...may her memory be a blessing.
Thanks for reading....
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