SundayMorningCoffee

Sunday Morning Coffee 5 September 2021 - Labor Day

It's the Labor Day Weekend...the time that was created for mattress sales. It is supposed to be about celebrating the efforts of labor
unions who have made the lives better for millions of Americans but, for some reason you have allowed corporations to dictate and in many places ceded our right to organize. Congratulations. Jeff Bezos wins and you...don't. Welcome to Sunday Morning Coffee...warning, I'm in a mood today.

FreeDumb

And it continues as millions of people deny the rights of the majority and demand their FreeDumb from vaccination efforts. It's September and soon we'll head back inside there will be Halloween Parties, Thanksgiving Dinners, Christmas Gatherings and funerals. It makes no sense...none. Meanwhile businesses are starting to get the hint that vaccinated people contribute more to the economy than dead people so they are doubling down on vaccine mandates. Some are even hiking insurance premiums for those who are unvaccinated. Good for them. You want your FreeDumb from vaccination?  Pay up.

Ya gotta wonder how long it will be before Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) or Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-IA) ban that practice...right?

Speaking of Texas

This is interesting. The Texas anti-abortion bill is causing all sorts of issues…one of the latest involves Uber and Lyft.

Lyft executives plan to create a legal-defense fund for drivers in response to a Texas law that severely restricts abortions, and rival Uber Technologies is doing the same. Lyft CEO Logan Green made the announcement on Twitter adding that the ride-hailing company would also donate $1 million to Planned Parenthood.

Less than two hours later Uber released a statement that they too were starting a legal fund for drivers.

They Cheered

Recently Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) was in Iowa stumping for the 45th president. He's the guy who talks to "45" often but can't remember if he spoke to him or how many time he spoke to him on the 6th of January. Anyway, he was in the Hawkeye State for a GOP event and when he said that he believed "45" will mount another campaign for president the people cheered. So, nope, like COVID it ain't over. Weary...

Oh yeah...guess who introduced Jordan?  Dan Gable...I wish I had better news.... (Image: KCCI TV8)

Unemployment & Jobs

Very soon lots (millions) of people will lose their enhanced unemployment benefits. It's the way we force people to get off their lazy butts and get a job. Except it doesn't seem to be working that way. In the states that have already stopped benefits the job numbers are about the same as the states that did not. In other words that stick ain't workin'.

On Friday the Labor Department released the August Jobs Report and the U.S. added only 235,000 jobs last month…well off the mark set by Wall Street economists…they had predicted the creation of 720,000 jobs.  Getting the blame in all of this is the rising cases of the Delta Variant of COVID19 as employees and employers continue to register concern about getting back to normal.

Meanwhile record numbers of Americans are voluntary quitting their jobs. Why? Because they have had it with low wages, lousy working conditions, crappy benefits...what they should be doing is organizing. (Image: Yahoo News) 

Nursing Home Training

Back in the day I was taken to task by the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals because they saw me delivering food trays to people in the long term care facility where I held the license. Actually, it was more than that.  They witnessed me actually feeding a resident who could not help herself. They took me aside and said, "You can not do that you are not a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)." No, but it's my name on the administrators license... No matter, rules are rules.  "You have to be trained to do direct patient care."  You see, the State of Iowa requires 75 hours of training time, including 30 hours of clinical work. CNAs must then take and successfully pass the CNA competency exams.

Except now you don't. 

The nursing home industry has successfully, for years, been guilty of underpaying staff and running their facilities with fewer and fewer CNA's. Now, rather than actually pay the people more they have convinced the state that folks don't need that mandated education to do direct patient care...so it's been scrapped. So if you're tired of cutting up meat at the packing plant head on over to the nursing home. You're still an "essential worker" who will be  paid...squat.

House District 37

Hello Ankeny...we're talking about YOU!  Friday night saw folks flocking to the stadium as Ankeny took on Ankeny Centennial in a football game. Centennial won 14 - 7. Lots of folks turned out for this the first head to head local match up.  They were, shall we say, motivated.

In my time knocking doors for Andrea Phillips, who is running for an open seat in the Iowa Legislature there, I was (not) surprised at how many people had no idea there is a special election on September 14. But there is...and we've got a great chance of flipping that seat. Andrea has name recognition, she's a seasoned campaigner and she has veteran organizer Mary McAdams running the show there.  The issue is not lack of "want" the issue is a lack of motivation...or maybe people just do not...care.

I do...and so should you. We've seen what happens when the state puts their future in the hands of the back-sliding Republican group who is in the majority in both the House and Senate. Iowa moves in a very bad direction from health care to voting, to education. You can make a difference Ankeny.  You. Here is the website for Andrea Phillips...go...volunteer. 

Partly Personal

Later today it's Flash Dine Des Moines. My Bride and her friend Carla Pope have been up to their necks in planning the event. It's not a huge crowd and everyone is expected to be in their "pod". Last year the event was cancelled...this year it's on.  Perhaps we'll see you? Rules are pretty simple: 1) Everybody wears white; 2) You bring your own table, chairs, decorations; 3) You bring your own food and drink and we're out of there by 8PM.  Where is it going to be held?  You need to head to FlashDineDSM on Facebook.

Heading to Mason City tomorrow for Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. And, nope there will not be hats and horns. It is the start of the ten days that leads up to Yom Kippur the Day of Atonement and the most holy day on the Jewish Calendar. We did not meet last year and this year social distancing and vaccinations are required.  Sorry governor. 

Have a great Sunday and let's try to remember what Labor Day really means.  Thanks for reading.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday Morning Coffee 29 August 2021

Politics and Opinion...it's what I get to do each Sunday Morning.  Welcome to Sunday Morning Coffee with some of the news you've seen or, perhaps, missed all laced with my commentary. Why?  Why not...right?  Let's go!

Super Spreaders All

Well the Iowa State Fair is over...nearly one-million folks decided to chance it as hospitals in the area are filling. Meanwhile we're seeing that South Dakota held the Sturgis event that brought several hundred thousand people to the community. Masks? Nah! Testing? Nah! Vaccines? "Nah, I'd rather get a tattoo!" Meanwhile it's college football season where thousands of fans will flock to games in states with lousy vaccine numbers. It's going to be an interesting September.

Waste Water

Here is something special. The City of Des Moines, Iowa has been conducting tests of the waste water to detect levels of the coronavirus. And...gosh...guess what?  The sample taken two weeks ago had double the amount of virus than in the sample four weeks ago and nine times that of a sample taken in early July. Congratulations to "My Body - My Choice" folks! The most selfish people on the planet. Not only are you contributing to the spread you are also contributing to hospitals becoming full and not being able to care for people who have other serious medical conditions. "I just worry about the long term effects of the vaccine..." Have you seen the long term effects of COVID? Please....

California Recall Election

What a goofy idea. Gov. Gavin Newsome (D-CA) may lose a recall election. The law says that people can vote "Yes" or "No" if the governor should be recalled. If they vote "No" they are done. If they vote "Yes" they get to choose from over three dozen candidates on the ballot. The one that gets the most votes becomes governor.  So, follow this:  52% of the voters say that Newsome should be recalled. Then the candidate that gets the most votes...wins the election. Even if only 15% of the people vote for him/her.  How is that democracy?  The leading candidate projected to win....if Newsome loses the recall...is a far right radio talk-show host who is Black and who is also a "White Supremacist".  Wrap your head around that...  

Afghanistan

I know you Monday Morning Quarterbacks are at it. Polls show that President Biden is floundering and below the red-line of 50% approval. Some, even from his own party, are calling for him to resign. Are you all crazy?  Well, yes...I know you are. It's really easy to throw rocks when you're not the one making decisions.  So, I suspect you are all in for expending more American lives fighting an unending and unwinnable war?  Twenty years people and if there is a failure it is our own failure for believing we could transform that messy nation into a democracy. Hell, we're trying our best to destroy this democracy.  Weary....

Partly Personal

I know...really short today. It's been a busy weekend already. I was in Mason City tending to the congregation there and what a great experience that was. We held an in person service and then yesterday a two hour session on the Torah Reading of the week. Always enlightening and interesting. Only those vaccinated were welcome and we did social distance.

Running for public office is tough. Been there...done that. Today I'm off to Ankeny to knock doors for Andrea Phillips who is running for the Iowa House. The special election is September 14 and it could very well be a pick-up for the Democrats in Polk County. People from all over the state have come to Ankeny to help out.  If you are able here is her website.  If you can help in any way...please do.  It matters.

Thanks for reading and have a great Sunday.  

 

 

Sunday Morning Coffee 15 August 2021

About a week ago a steaming, hot cup of Sunday Morning Coffee needed some ice as morning temps were in the high 70's. This morning we're looking at 58. Welcome to Iowa...right? Stuff is happening and let's do some politics and opinion to help you warm up a bit.

Afghanistan

Before the U.S. blundered into our longest war it was the Soviet Union that got their butts beat. We followed into a war that, I believe, we don't much understand. It's sort of like the Vietnam of this generation. With all our technology, with all our advanced ability it's tough to defeat an enemy that has more time than money. While I think pulling out is the right thing the fact that we left so many allies behind and didn't do a proper job in getting them out shows how very little we knew and know about Afghanistan and the Taliban victors.  We knew we were going to get out...we should have, when we had a bigger military presence, gotten those folks out. Welcome to Saigon 2.0. 

The Biggest Traitor

It was a scathing article in The New Republic authored by Mary Trump, niece of "45" who described Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) as, "the most dangerous Republican enabler" of her uncle.

She added even more spice when she wrote that McConnell is "...the greatest traitor to this country since Confederate Army General Robert E. Lee."  The only difference between McConnell and Lee is that the Kentucky Senator is that, "...he has been trying to take our country down from within". 

And he is doing it all with...cover: "And yet - whether it was denying Merrick Garland a hearing, pushing through Amy Coney Barrett's confirmation, or ending the filibuster as it applied to Supreme Court nominees but employing it to block legislation that would expand voting rights - his anti-democratic maneuvers have been  performed within the bounds of the system".

Yep..

The U.S. Census

Last week many white folks learned that their biggest fear is becoming reality. It is the same fear "45" so well played and continues to play. What might that be? According to the new Census numbers white people are swiftly becoming the minority population as our nation becomes more diverse and it scares the hell out of some. Here you go:

People of color now represent 43% of the population; up from 34% just ten years ago. The non-Hispanic White share of the US population fell to 57% in 2020, shrinking by six percentage points since 2010, the largest decrease of any race or ethnicity. The share of those who identified as Hispanic or Latino or as multiracial grew the most.

And, as we look to the future: Non-White US residents younger than 18 now make up 53% of the population among minors, up from 47% in 2010.

Now you know why Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) and his puppet Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-IA) are screaming, "Everything that is bad is happening because those brown people are in our country!"  And, white people are afraid and they are fighting back...want proof?

Hiding in Plain Sight

Just hours ago officers of the Los Angeles Police Department stood by as members of the white nationalist Proud Boys beat up on journalists and bystanders at an anti-vax/mask event outside of the LA City Hall. What might have been their response had it been a group of black or brown folks swinging at journalists or bystanders? The dogs and clubs would roll like thunder and there wouldn't have been enough handcuffs to go around.

We already know of several police officers from around the country that took part in the violent insurrection on January 6. Many of those have been fired. However, what a perfect place for white nationalists to hang out...in plain sight.  Some clearly think that "Protect & Serve" is something that ain't equal. (Photo: LA Times)

See You At The Fair!

Ugh...another year of missing the Great Iowa State Fair. Nope...ain't going. It's not that I'm not vaccinated against COVID it's just that I don't trust you are. And, while my risk is low I'm too damn busy to be sidelined by even a mild case of Delta...if I were so lucky. So, nope. Enjoy your funnel cakes and corndogs. I'll miss hanging around with friends at Stockman's chasing down a burger with a beer or six. Meanwhile my friend Brian Duffy distributed this cartoon in advance of "fair-time". It fits...and hey, take your chances.

The 51st State

I am constantly amazed at the work my friend Tamyra Harrison does when it comes to Iowan's For D.C. Statehood. While RAGBRAI 2021 is a memory the memory of what she was able to accomplish in just one day is pretty amazing. Tamyra set up a booth along the route and garnered signups from 28 different states, the District of Columbia and even from folks in Europe. What?  She tells me that the excitement of seeing, in the middle of the nation, a group of people supporting statehood for D.C. was, for many overwhelming. Gaining signatures and handing out "51 State Cookies" is a labor of love for Tamyra and I love her for doing this work!  Well done my friend and YOU can help out by heading to that website and signing up. Come on...let's do this!

Ankeny For The Win

Also in the "Let's Do This" department: Andrea Phillips is running for the Iowa House out of Ankeny. Look, this will be a pick-up for the Democrats and a start a rolling back the draconian policies of Reynolds and her lemmings. Not only is Andrea an outstanding candidate she is also living in a community that is trending blue. To get this done we need you to step up. So, as long as you're getting involved with Iowan's for DC Statehood...click here for AndreaForIowa and let's do this as well!  Do it now...the election is September 14. 

Partly Personal

I gotta go. Promised I'd head to the softball field early today. Then get back to cut some video of a class I'm teaching at NIACC this next month on the Jewish Faith. I'll share that video with you as well. Who knows...it will be virtual and if you want to come along for the class love to have you.

Have a Great Sunday and thanks for reading! 

Sunday Morning Coffee 8 August 2021

I think today is the final day for the 2020 Olympics. "I think" because I've not seen a minute of the games this year. Not to say I don't enjoy sport and I do get the news highlights.  Looks like I'm not alone. Last Sunday’s NBC audience of 13 million was down 51% from the 26.7 million who watched the corresponding night in Rio.  It's been that way from the start. Let's move on....

Infrastructure Week

Looks like this is it. 18 members of the GOP Senate voted with Democrats to end debate and more on to a vote. Trouble is there are still some outliers. Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN) he is against speeding up the vote because of the dollars this adds to the deficit. He was the U.S. Ambassador to Japan when the 2017 Tax and Jobs Act was passed that cut taxes and added trillions to the deficit. Didn't make a peep.  Can't trust them...not one bit.

Should this roll through, and I think it will, we've got a real chance at building back our country from rural to urban. This will mean great jobs for so many people and just what we need. It's a big deal folks.  Next up: Much needed help for working families. (Image: Engineering News Report)

Black Unemployment

The U.S. added nearly one million jobs back in July said the Labor Department on Friday. Champaign corks were popping all over. But, there is a but.  Black unemployment numbers are still terrible. Stay with me on this because it matters.

Nearly 250,000 African Americans left the workforce and the total number employed fell by 12,000 - a measure that rose solidly for whites, Hispanics and Asians.

The numbers indicate the drop in the Black unemployment rate was driven not by more people finding jobs, but by a rise in the number of people setting their job searches aside. The share of Black people either working or looking for work, known as the labor force participation rate, also fell 0.8 point last month to 60.8%. 

Equal opportunity remains...unequal. (Image: Brookings Institute) 

No Shot, No Service

We’ve all seen the signs…No Shoes, No Shirt…No Service.  Well, you can now add something else to that well known sign:  No Shot…No Service.

It’s becoming more popular all across the United States but the question is…how do you “prove” you are vaccinated?

You can carry around one of those flimsy CDC pieces of paper but, what if you lose it or leave it at home?  Here is a quick tip. Take a photo of it with your smart phone and then keep it in your favorite file. That was, if you lose it, you can go back to the clinic or department and request a new one. And, in these early days of providing proof many businesses are accepting the image. But...some may not. There are apps out there one is VaxYes.com and here is the link. Please know that I get nothing for that suggestion...just passing it along. (Image - Atlanta Journal-Constitution) 

Richard Trumka

Last week we lost a giant in the battle for working families and a fair shake at work. Richard Trumka the AFL/CIO President died suddenly of a heart attack while camping with his family. He was 72. Trumka rose through the ranks of the labor movement the "old school" way. He worked and worked to defend organized labor no matter what group. I remember watching him beam in to several Iowa AFL/CIO meetings where he could not attend in person. What happens next? Stay tuned.

Schools in Iowa

School starts soon. Good luck with that as Iowa continues to see higher infection rates of the Delta variant. But, don't expect Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-IA) to adjust her wishes that despite science we should allow school districts to use their best judgement. It ain't gonna happen unless Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) tells her to do it. Who, by the way, has a mess on his hands regarding immigration. But it does make one wonder what really goes on at those governor conferences....

The Great Iowa State Fair

On the show Friday we were talking about the Iowa State Fair, something that I truly love, and I was asked if I was going this year. The answer is a clear...nope. Not gonna do it. As much as I would love to hang around the cattle barn and have a beer or three at Stockman's just can't bring myself to mix and mingle that much. Besides the fair is installing metal detectors at the entrances. What about my pocket knife and.... Have a great time sorry to miss out again this year. 

Flipping Ankeny!

We've got a real shot come September 14. Recently John Landon (R-Ankeny) died in office from what I'm told has been a long battle with cancer. The governor has set September 14 as a special election day for the Ankeny, Iowa seat. And, we've got a great candidate ready to roll. Andrea Phillips who raised all kinds of cash in her 2020 bid is back and she needs all of our help. Doesn't matter where you live you can make calls, knock doors, chip in. We can flip this seat and Andrea is the person to do that. Don't put this off, we've only got a month.  Go now to AndreaForIowa.com and sign up. It's critical my friends. 

Partly Personal

I have a hand-held Sony voice recorder that has been with me for years. I had a bit of time last week and plugged it in to my computer and up popped dozens of interviews I'd done going as far back as 2014. Among them was then Vice President Joe Biden as he rode into Des Moines with the Nuns on the Bus. Remember?  What a hoot as he explained why he said yes for making the trip. The clip below is just three minutes long. Enjoy.

Joe Biden September 2014 DSM Nuns on the Bus

Gotta go. I hear my Bride has a long list of projects.

Have a great Sunday and remember...Andrea for Iowa!

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday Morning Coffee 7 July 2019

Trying to figure out what to blame this very late edition of Sunday Morning Coffee on...  I've got it.!  Independence Day! Yeah...a holiday in the middle of the week tossed up everything. Actually my Bride and I were up late enjoying a perfect Iowa night.  So gotta blame this on...the weather.  Not to worry, it can handle it!

The Military and "45"

So many things to say about the efforts by "45" to embrace the military on the 4th of July. But let's just leave it at this. There are two reasons why the president spent your tax dollars to do his Salute to America honoring the very military that he dodged out of because of "bone spurs". 1) His base LOVES the military and the might. Just like they love the concentration camps that now are in every state in the union. It's all about power and might makes right. That is not to say others do not appreciate how the military protects and defends but with "45'" there is a deep desire to bow to his base...besides who might take him on for this.  It was a win/win for him. 2) He controls the military. That is the bottom line about this president...he loves controlling others. Be it the military, people he sues, his business deals or people seeking asylum from the horrors of their own nation. Control kids...control.

Jews Arrested in Rhode Island

Last week while we, in Iowa, were watching or walking in parades hundreds of Jews descended on an immigrant concentration camp in Central Falls, Rhode Island and staged a peaceful protest. "Outside the Donald W. Wyatt detention center inmates can be heard from the street...banging on the windows and walls. The mass of people  protesting called out, 'We hear you!"

That was the scene as the Jewish group, Never Again is Now staged, along with others all over the country, peaceful protests against the abusive conditions for migrants and asylum seekers. Saying they could not stand by as the necessary ingredients for an American Holocaust emerge.

Liza Burkin a 30-year-old urban planner from Providence said, "I am Jewish, and I refuse to be a good German." She and 17 others were taken into police custody for refusing to move away from an entry zone for the detention center. As she was led away she said, "We are focused way too much on the end of the Holocaust and not as much on the beginning and this is directly comparable."

It has come to this...

The Marshall Plan

What we are doing with regard to migrants and asylum seekers is evil and it is costing the United States millions and millions of dollars. Much of that money going to private contractors who are in bed with "45" and his cronies. It is a scam of monumental proportions and we are fighting the wrong war. What this rich nation should be doing is invoking a Marshall Plan for Central America.

A little history: The Marshall Plan was an American initiative passed in 1948 to aid Western Europe in rebuilding their economies after World War II. The U.S. gave over $12 billion (roughly $100 billion in 2019 dollars) to help create the thriving economy that is now Europe.

Imagine, for a moment, if we took that road with Central America. If the United States really wants to shut down the flow of migrants and asylum seekers we need to look at the root cause for them coming here. It's economics kids. If only we had the guts to admit it.

Meet Andrea Love

Last week the West Des Moines Democrats held a massive picnic and fund-raiser. On hand were presidential candidates Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA), Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and her husband John as well as former congressman and Navy Admiral Joe Sestak.  It was a big deal...as other candidates came to speak which included home-town Congresswoman Cindy Axne (D-IA) who is seeking re-election in Iowa's Third Congressional District. 

Months before the WDM Dems contracted with Hy-Vee, a chain of grocery stores based in West Des Moines, to handle the food. When it was exposed that Hy-Vee gave $25,000 to the Republican Party of Iowa Victor Dutchuk of the WDM Dems met with others and the decision was to move away from that agreement and find another source to handle the food prep and service. That is where Andrea Love and her business Dinner Delights came in. Spend just a minute with Andrea here: (Just click the audio link)

Andrea Love Dinner Delights July 2019

There are more than a couple of ways to resist and do good at the same time.

Partly Personal

It was a heck of a week. Along with the West Des Moines Democrats picnic I helped out a fellow Democrat get to meet other Democrats in Central Iowa. Former Navy Admiral and Pennsylvania congressman Joe Sestak announced his candidacy for president just two weeks ago after learning that his daughter had, once again, beaten brain cancer. With no staff, or much knowledge of Iowa, he dove in and asked if I'd offer some help.  So, and while I'm not working for Joe, I felt it was important for people to get to know him. So we did the WDM Picnic and then he went on to march in the parade there. On the 4th I walked with him in the, very long and HOT, Urbandale Parade and then peeled off to do Windsor Heights Parade on behalf of the Windsor Heights Democrats. Did I do one selfe of any of that?  Nope! Oh my! But do want to thank my friend Dylan Funk for taking loads of shots on Wednesday during the WDM event.  Thank you my friend.

Then it was on to a great evening of music by Abby Normal at Nights in the Heights.  Yep, slept very well on Thursday night.

I was honored to have been asked to sit for a photo with a candidate for the Urbandale City Council Larry McBurney. Things are changing in Urbandale as Democrats compete in partisan and non-partisan elections. For many, many years Urbandale was considered a safe haven for the GOP. Not any longer and the same is happening in other communities as neighborhood groups associated with the Polk County Democrats continue to grow and become major activists. It's always about organizing. If you need proof...be in Ankeny this coming weekend. 

Finally...it happened again. "Daisy" is a mascot of the Polk County Democrats and she has been making the rounds at various functions. My friend, Wendell Eck created a float for "Daisy" and she's been in several parades. A couple of weeks ago she fell from her perch and broke her leg. I picked her up the day before the Windsor Heights Parade...took her to the event. After the parade and on the way back to the staging area one of the straps that held her down came loose and...yes, "Daisy" fell once again.  So, it's back in the repair shop and finding a better way to anchor her.

And, yes, I feel lousy that it happened on my watch.

Thanks for reading and have a great Sunday! 

 

Sunday Morning Coffee 2 December 2018

It's called a "cooling off period". Last night in a highly watched dinner between the United States and China the two countries agreed to a 90 day truce. That means that the 25% tariff on $200 billion of Chinese made goods will not take effect on January 1. Sorry, not what you expected from Sunday Morning Coffee but, it is big news.  OK, we're in December let's get into it!

Creeping Closer & Closer

There is new found energy following the guilty plea of Michael "The Fixer" Cohen. The admission by Cohen that he lied about his efforts to help "45" build a swanky high-rise tower in Moscow contributes to a growing body of evidence that people in the highest places of the campaign were in bed with Russia. And house members are now wanting Cohen back to face congress.

Congressman Adam Schiff (Calif.), the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said that in addition to wanting Cohen to testify again, this recent development warrants further scrutiny of Russia probe-related congressional testimony from other witnesses. And, those "other witnesses" include just about everybody connected to "45" and his campaign...including family. This will now get even more interesting.

President George H.W. Bush

Time heals. For those of us who have been around awhile we remember the 1988 GOP presidential primaries. It was nasty. There were eight candidates including the sitting Vice President George H.W. Bush. Of course Bush went on to win but that primary season was electric with televangelist Pat Robertson taking second place in the Iowa Caucus behind Senate Minority Leader Bob Dole (R-KS). 

President Bush, who died last week at the age of 94, leaves a, mostly, fond recollection of his one term in the Oval Office. A war that was in and out. A tax increase that wiped out a staggering deficit and created a surplus. The Berlin Wall came down, NAFTA was signed into law and he had Sen. Dan Quayle (R-IN) as his Vice President.

I'll not go into all the successes and failures of Mr. Bush. But, one thing does stand out, especially in light of where we find ourselves now. President Bush was a good human and the public reacted to that giving him, in 2008, an approval rating of 60%. In 2016 President Bush said that he had voted for Hillary Clinton.

A National Day of Mourning will take place this week on Wednesday, 5 December.

Get Ready Iowa

For those of us lucky enough to live in Iowa and enjoy politics it's about to get very, very busy. Already Democratic Presidential campaigns are hand-picking Iowans to work in and on Iowa voters leading into the 2020 Iowa Caucus. 

In addition sightings of presidential contenders will begin to multiply over the next several months. Already at least three campaigns have staff on the ground in Iowa with more on the way.

What is neat, if you are into this sort of thing, is that here we actually get a chance to talk with the people asking for our support. Tell that to folks living in California, Michigan or New York and they think it is a fantasy. Here we get to talk policy over a cup of coffee or a beer at a local watering hole. OK, so I'm a geek.

Polk County Democrats

Yesterday I was in a leadership meeting of the Polk County, Iowa Democrats. What was to have been the final, and quick, Community Leaders Meeting lasted nearly 2.5 hours as we discussed what worked in November and what needed work. The most stunning report came from Mary McAdams of the Ankey Area Democrats who went into detail about how that community group organized a very successful voter turnout which resulted in the election of Heather Matson to the Iowa House.

For those of you not "in the loop" Ankeny, a suburb just north of Des Moines, is supposed to be a very, very Republican area. Where, for years, GOP candidates faced little to no opposition in elections both partisan to non-partisan. That has changed and much of the success is HOW the democrats there organized and got the work done. While McAdams credits others it is clear that the strategy she employed resulted in more people becoming involved and working on behalf of the candidates. At the same time the people who became volunteers have continued to meet and plan moving forward.

This is happening in community groups all across Polk County and that is being noticed by county leaders in other parts of the state. Look for a general "blueprint" at some point in the future. And, believe me...this is not something that is being pushed by anybody. It is, however, something that can be of great help in organizational efforts across Iowa.

Partly Personal

This is going to be short...but I wanted to share with you a personal reflection of President George H.W. Bush. It was in the fall of 1987 and for some reason, and I can not remember exactly why I was there, I attended an event at the then convention center in Des Moines. Back stage was Vice President Bush. He was talking to a group of people he was traveling with. Being a shy sort of guy I walked up to the group, waited for an opening and introduced myself. Mr. Bush was not in a good mood. After a short interaction Mr. Bush looked at me, his hand on my shoulder and said, "Let me tell you something. Pat Robertson is a no-good son of a bitch!" There were several other expletives thrown in. I was shocked...no, really. Here this very mild mannered New England guy who, if you remember, had kind of a weak voice suddenly became like a real person. He was angry yet very determined. 

My impression of him changed in that short exchange and I watched as the primary season unfolded and he won the nomination. That's what I mean by being an Iowan who gets to have these exchanges with candidates and in the most unlikely of places.

Thanks for reading and if you are celebrating...Happy Chanukah!  We light the first candle tonight.

Blowing Up Everything - SMC 9 April 2017

This past week we blew up lots of stuff. We blew up an airfield in Syria, we blew up the United States Senate with the "nuclear option" and we've blown through millions of dollars here in Iowa. All this stuff blew up under Republican control. Nice job gang! Welcome to Sunday Morning Coffee where I get to share some thoughts on stories you've seen and some you may have missed. For me it's therapy. For you? Hey, if it gives you food for thought or a chuckle...it's working. Grab a cup and let's go!

While President Xi Shook Hands

It was to have been the most important economic meeting in the early days of President Trump reign as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (We call him "President" because it sounds better than 'Commie".) visited Mar a Lago. But right in the middle of the conversation we sent $90 million in missiles to an airfield in Syria. Nice start. Anyway there was no "showdown" in Trumptown between the two leaders and the damage inflicted in Syria wasn't enough to keep the air force of Bashar al-Assad on the ground. The next day jets took back to the air to continue the war there. But, it was a nice distraction.

Blowing Up the Senate

Congratulations we now have a new Supreme Court Justice. It's pretty exciting to see how well the U.S. Senate works when they want to. Sen. McConnell (R-KY) halted any vote on one candidate and then pulled the nuclear option to get Gorsuch confirmed. How cool is that? Elections do have consequences. Now we move on to some other stuff like what Democrats want out of the massive $1 trillion dollar infrastructure bill. Mr. Trump is desperate to get a congressional win following the blow up of the health care package. We shall see if the Democrats will go along with the budget buster. (Cartoon - Tim Lloyd)

Blowing Up The Budget

Republicans have been in control of the Iowa House for seven years. Republicans have been in control of the Governor's Office for six years and the Republicans have been in control of the Iowa Senate since winning the majority of seats there in 2016. During this time period Iowa has burned through a surplus of $900 million. Today Iowa has a $136 million deficit. Wait!! Can't be! Republicans are budget hawks! Republicans are conservatives! How can it be that guys like Sen. Charles Schneider (R-West Des Moines) Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, can drain our state coffers with such impunity? When you had out $500 million in corporate tax cuts and another $300 million in corporate property tax cuts it doesn't take long to "drain the swamp". Nice going guys.  Of course the GOP answer to all of this is to cut everything other than corporate gifts. This is so fun...

Smartest People In The Room

I had the opportunity to hear an answer to a question posed to Rep. Bruce Hunter (D-Des Moines) the other day. A person asked him where all of these draconian bills passed by the GOP are coming from. He said, "Among the Republicans there really isn't anybody bright enough to write this stuff so I'd say that 80% of what we've seen come out of their caucus was written by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)."  How nice. We all know where Sen. Charles Schneider (R-West Des Moines) gets his marching orders as he is not only the Appropriations Committee Chair he is also, along with Rep. Rob Taylor (R-Waukee), the State Chair of ALEC. NOW we know who the smartest people in the room...really are.

Abby for Congress?

This past Friday Rep. Abby Finkenauer (D-Dubuque) filed paperwork to become a candidate in Iowa's 1st District. If she does run, and it is expected she will, Abby will face two term Republician Rep. Rod Blum in the 2018 election. Finkenauer, by the way is 28 years old in in her second term as a state legislator. You want young, fresh faces in the Iowa Democratic Party?  Bam! (Photo - Iowa Starting Line)

Nate Boulton for Governor?

This week the talk around the table was if Sen. Nate Boulton (D-Des Moines) would run for governor in 2018. The person said, "I think he's too young. After all, he was just elected to the State Senate in November." Another person in the room said, "Wait, I thought you were all about attracting young dynamic leadership into the Iowa Democrats?" Bam! While it's true that Nate is young (36) and fresh to the Iowa Senate...have you seen him in action? Articulate, commands a room and has a long history of working for Iowans. We could do much worse.

Ankeny Democrats

There is a rising power in this northern suburb of Des Moines. The Ankeny Area Democrats reported at a Polk County Democratic Leadership Meeting they have over $6,000 in the bank and have set a goal to raise $20,000 over the next year. Why? Gary Schmidt the groups chair said, "We want to bring voice to the people and elect a series of Democrats to office in our community." In a community that once was known as a GOP stronghold this group of dedicated Dems is fun to watch. Meanwhile the Polk County Democratic Party is running on fumes and needs to focus like a laser on fundraising. That was exactly the point of conversation we had with new Polk County Chair Sean Bagniewski who, at the same meeting, announced plans for a Spring Democratic Event coming in May. Stay tuned.

Iowans for Public Education

Here is something that you might be interested in. My friend Claire Celsi is following up on her recent campaign for the Iowa House with a new mission. Proof that even in a loss you can build a coalition and make a difference. Iowans For Public Education launched early this year and has been picking up steam and support from all across the state. Now that the Iowa State Education Association is headed to court over the new collective bargaining law word is getting out. One of the stunning things Clare told me last week is that her group has found that about 80% of the male spouses of teachers voted GOP last election. Some folks need to take care of their house...first.

Partly Personal

There is a flurry of activity at our home this weekend with Passover starting tomorrow evening lots to be done. If you are celebrating enjoy the Festival of Freedom. Here's a quick video from my friends at Aish:

Courtesy of Aish.com

Happy Passover, thanks for reading and have a great week!

 

 

Politics, Religion & Gossip - SMC 7 August 2016

Three things you should never discuss is what Sunday Morning Coffee is all about. Some political stories, you may have (or may not) have seen. We'll have a coordinated attack on religion because, as everybody knows, Christianity is being attacked from all sides. And for balance I'll also attack Jews, Muslims and maybe a Taoist. Oy! And gossip? I'll just make something up and see if it sticks. Seems to work for Donald Trump.  Welcome to Sunday Morning Coffee!

It's All About the Iowa Caucus

Iowa tends to be a place of moderation. Unless, of course, you happen to live in Northwest Iowa (The 4th Congressional District) where people there seem to love the craziness of Rep. Steve King (R-IA). (Side note. If you have not read "Steve King Could Use the N-Word Daily and Still Get Elected Here" by Douglas Burns of Carroll...it's worth the trip.) Anyway, back to being moderate. Gov. Terry Branstad is well liked. Nearly 6 years ago the Iowa Republician Party dusted Gov. Branstad off and ran him against Gov. Chet Culver because they couldn't find anybody else. He was elected in a landslide because many people think of him as sane. However he full body embrace of Donald Trump has some wondering what the hell is going on? Now we know. It is the Iowa Caucus. Gov. Branstad and the Iowa GOP are not leaving anything to chance and want to cozy up to The Donald should he win and declare Iowa finished with it's first in the nation status.  Now we get it.

Let's Go Deeper

I referenced the article by Douglas Burns from The Daily Times Herald. If you did not go check it out you missed the sub heading about Rep. King being a "mirror" of the population. He is right. Don't think so? Ask your white neighbor while you quaff a PBR. "So, Hank, what do you think about them niggers?" See what happens. I'll tell you what will happen...nothing your friend "Hank" will look at you and smile. The gig is up friends. Why is it that in 2016 white politicians can get away with code words to outright bigoted references to minorities, religious or skin color, and not be called out? Because they are saying out loud what many white people would only say to their best friend over a beer in their kitchen. If you deny that you are denying reality and you should be ashamed. As my friend Desmund Adams says, "We can do better!"

Social Media & Claire Celsi

I have a friend who is attempting to oust Iowa House Member Peter Cownie (R-West Des Moines). Claire Celsi is a gritty, no nonsense candidate who has come up with, what I think, is a great use of social media (Facebook) to forward her campaign. Cownie has a bit over $115,000 cash on hand while Claire has a little over $30,000. That 4:1 ratio doesn't leave much room for big spends so Claire has been posting daily, long form encounters she has with voters as she knocks doors in House District 42. They are wonderfully written accounts of voter interaction. And, no, she does not win each voter over to her side but, I promise, it is an interesting read. Go ahead join up with Claire or...better yet send her a donation!

So About Ankeny and Heather Matson

A couple of weeks ago I met Heather Matson at a fund raising event. She is one of several Democratic Women working to turn the Iowa House Blue in November and she's doing a great job in fund-raising. (And I really like her campaign logo!). Thanks to the Iowa Starting Line and friend Patrick Rynard we got a peek into her finances and those of her opponent Kevin Koester who has a really outdated website...  In fact the entire article is an excellent view of dollars donated in Iowa.

Iowa State Representative Kevin Koester my latest "Just Like Trump" candidate in the spotlight this week.

Speaking of Trump

This week Mr. Trump held an unimpressive campaign event in Des Moines. Those who were present said he read, mostly, from prepared text, the crowd was small and didn't much match what we've seen in other parts of the nation. Are Iowa Republicans failing to unite with their party leader?  Not Gov. Branstad who crowed, "Now is the time for all Iowa Republicans to unite behind Donald Trump!" Weary...but then there are those caucuses.

And just how crazy is it that Trump has decided to pick a fight with the parents of a deceased American? If you were paying attention to the media this past week the attacks on Khizr Khan and his wife continued. One wonders that if the Khan family were Christians if the attacks would have continued. Of course they would not. Why? Because Mr. Trump is just saying what so many think, or say, over that PBR. We now know that Mr. Trump is not running against Hillary Clinton he is running against reality and using xenophobia as his running mate. 

Damn Labor Unions

So, how was your raise this past year? Anything close to getting a 22% bump? More than likely not. However that is exactly what the unions representing more than 30,000 American Airlines employees receive when the airline settled a contract with the Transport Workers Union and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers last week. The raises, by the way, go into effect immediately. 

The next thing you know these damn unions will demand that children are no longer employed long hours in coal mines...

400 Million Dollars

By now you know that President Obama ordered $400 million dollars in cash to be put on an airplane and sent to Iran. You know that because Fox News beat it into the ground for days. It was all presented as a ransom payment. A nefarious deal between President Obama and them Muslims. Even Mr. Trump said he saw video of the evil event. Except he didn't. But, no matter, those loyal to crazy embraced the story and ran with it. Except it isn't a new story. The White House held a briefing, back in January, on the $400 million, what was really already Iranian money, that was being returned to the country as part of the negotiated nuclear settlement that ended the Iranian threat. If you want to read the story you may do so here.

Imagine The Outrage

I had a friend suggest to me how outraged the citizens of this nation would have been had then Sen. Barack Obama took to the DNC stage back in 2008 with five children from a combined three wives. Let that sink in for a minute. You know you would have been...outraged.

Partly Personal

Last week we celebrated the birthday of my bride... Folks ask me how old she is or when she was born. The simple answer is, "I don't know" and I really don't. I have it written down someplace along with her social security number. The important thing is that I remember the date in August. If I forgot that I would be in real trouble.

Last week I attended a party thrown by my friend Beau Fodor. It was to be a Disco Party Against Discrimination and we were encouraged to come in costume. The event was called One Love, One Hope, One Iowa and we had a great time! Lots of like minded people came by proud to show their support for our LGBT Community and others where hate seems to be the common thread of conversation.

The one thing that didn't happen was that state wide One Iowa didn't help support or reference or share. I don't get the politics of organizations...as Sec. Clinton likes to suggest we are Stronger Together.

Thanks for reading and have a great week!!