Damn you Netflix and Prime Video! Back in the day I would get up at 5AM, write Sunday Morning Coffee and have it out by 9AM. Now that 
I've discovered what is being offered by streaming I'm up until after 11PM so this is...late. I know "A little self control, Michael..." Grumble. Welcome to the late edition of Sunday Morning Coffee...let's go!
A Failure
The Beltway Media is already calling President Biden a failure. "Mounting Issues Plague Biden" is the latest headline. Meanwhile my friends on "the far left" are ready to abandon ship and form some new party rather than work with the Democrats. Gosh we are a fickle bunch. Yes, there are problems. Ready?
- Getting a vaccination is more about politics than the nations health;
- Gun violence is out of control but weak politicians do nothing;
- Getting voting rights for Americans stalls;
- Climate Change is baking the globe;
- Russia is a hideout for crooks;
- There are more jobs than people.
Each of those issues are real but none are a reason to ditch working with the president. Every one of those issues demand that Democrats stick together and do the hard work. Of course if I were president I would have had a serious meeting with the likes of Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) and let them know about the reduction in federal dollars to their states until they got in line. Weary...
Meanwhile The Middle Class 
It may have gone undetected but last week President Biden, by executive order, touched the lives of every middle class American in a very positive manner. President Biden signed an executive order on Friday aimed at promoting competition across the U.S. economy — including measures that target big tech companies, aim to lower prices for consumers and call for greater scrutiny of mergers across industries.
The order contains 72 initiatives by more than a dozen federal agencies and establishes a White House Competition Council to monitor the agencies' progress. Like what things?
- Non-Compete Agreements - He wants those gone because it hampers people from better jobs and higher pay;
- Big Tech Companies - Rein them in because they are doing serious damage to small businesses;
- Reducing Drug Prices - Ordering the government to work with states and tribes to import drugs from Canada;
- Rural Hospitals - Review merger agreements that have resulted low quality of care in Rural America;
- Help for Farmers - Orders the USDA to assist farmers who are being crushed by "Big Ag";
- Right to Repair - Giving farm equipment owners the ability to repair their own equipment;
- Hearing Aids - Reducing the cost from thousands to hundreds of dollars giving more people access.
And those are just several of the high points. But, maybe you were not paying attention? Of course the U.S. Chamber of Commerce came out and condemned the order. You know they would they care not for you, your family or Main Street. Awful people...awful.
Speaking of Awful
Ever hear of J.D. Vance? He's kind of a big deal, wrote the book "Hillbilly Elegy" and was the featured speaker at the Greater Des Moines Partnership Annual Dinner in 2019 where he was lauded as being fiercely independent. Well, that only goes so far. He is now running for the GOP Senate seat currently occupied by Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) and in order to do that he has gone full MAGA. But I digress... The reason he was lauded as being "fiercely independent" was because he became a very vocal critic of "45" during the 2016 cycle and after. He was not shy about calling "45" a disgrace and railing against him on everything from banning Muslims to standing in the way of immigration to questioning his moral compass. But...all of that is now gone because he is now fawning over the GOP base. Yet another simply awful human. And is there really any reason to think that "45" is not in total control of the Republican Party? (Photo - Time Magazine)
Speaking of Republicans
Ever hear of a guy by the name of Eddie Andrews? If you're not from Central Iowa that name might have escaped you. Eddie is now Rep. Eddie Andrews (R-Johnston/Grimes) after beating Rep. Karen Derry, a Democrat, by 415 votes in November 2020. Eddie is, 
perhaps, the best politician I've known. While he was running for office he didn't identify as a Republican while he was out knocking doors. He was simply a "nice guy" who wanted to do the right thing for Iowa. While the Iowa Democratic Party forbid door knocking during the pandemic the GOP, because COVID19 is a hoax, encouraged door to door campaigning. Hell, Eddie even knocked on the doors of Democrats and many, because they don't pay attention, allowed him to place yard signs right next to Biden signs. Once elected Eddie fell right into line with the party leadership and helped pass voting restrictions, more guns on the streets, lower taxes for the wealthy, give tax dollars to charter schools...you know the drill. Well, Eddie is up for re-election in 2022 and this time he has a record and you can believe the Democrats in Johnston and Grimes will be reminding voter who Eddie Andrews really is... (Photo - Bleeding Heartland)
Speaking of Republicans Part Two
Ever hear of a guy by the name of Russ Trimble? If you don't live in West Des Moines that name might not be familiar. However if you are a member of the Iowa Republican Legislature you are very aware of Russ. But...I digress. Russ is a City Councilman in West Des Moines and is on his way to becoming the next mayor of that fair city. It seems, even though Democrats outnumber GOP voters in West Des Moines the Dems are having a hard time coming up with a candidate. They should. You see, Russ is yet another "nice guy" who is keenly aware of the draconian laws passed by the Republican controlled Iowa State Senate. How? Well, Russ just happens to be a Legislative Analyst for the Iowa Senate Republican Caucus. Yep...but keep that on the down-low because he's running for Mayor and you wouldn't want to taint the water. Come on West Des Moines Democrats why are you giving up?
Partly Personal
OK, that's it. Sorry to ramble on but so much to visit with you about. I've got to get back to work. As you know I get to take Saturday 
off...for the most part...it's that Jewish thing. But today is another work day and my Bride is off exploring a campground in Northwest Iowa so I get to tweak some recording equipment in the studio, do some writing and more.
Oh...one more thingy...writing about writing. Have you heard about the Okoboji Writers Retreat happening in September? No? You should...in fact you should really go. No matter if you write for business or pleasure this is something that you should not miss. My friend Julie Gammack has put together an amazing event with world-class journalists, fiction and non-fiction writers and even literary agents. Here, once again, is the LINK to that website. Hope you will join us!
Thanks for reading and have a great Sunday!
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