SundayMorningCoffee

Sunday Morning Coffee 27 March 2022

He said what is on the minds of nearly everyone. Welcome to Sunday Morning Coffee where it's always news, politics, opinion and sometimes a dash of religion just to keep it interesting. As always, should you have a comment go ahead and launch in the comment section. Ready? Let's go!

The Nine Words

Yesterday, in Warsaw, following a speech about unity and support for Ukraine and NATO President Biden added nine, unscripted words to his address saying, "For God's sake, this man cannot remain in power". Of course the talking heads went into overdrive with the left stumbling over themselves saying he didn't mean anything like "regime change" and the right chanting in unison that the president has lost his mind and should not be the president.  

But...Biden said exactly what you have been thinking for weeks as you watch the carnage rain down on the people of Ukraine by the war criminal Vladimir Putin. The Russian army has been targeting civilians since the war began and all of it at the direction of the dictator Putin. I've been fortunate enough to have visited with Joe Biden many times over the years, mostly on a personal level, and those nine words came from the heart of a man who speaks truth...and you know it and you know he is right. (Photo NBC News)

Iowans Supporting Israel

Back in 2013 leading members of the Iowa Democratic Party and the Iowa Republican Party created the non-partisan group known as Iowans Supporting Israel (ISI). Over the years I've been to several of the lunches that have featured some high-powered political and thought leaders all dedicated to supporting the only democratically elected government in the Middle East and long time ally of the United States. This past week ISI held what they hope to be an annual gala and honored two of the founders of the organization: The late Ed Skinner and Bud Hockenberg. It was standing room only in the Prairie Meadows Ballroom as people from many faiths and political persuasions came to celebrate and to listen to the keynote speaker, Yinam Cohen Consul General of Israel to the Midwest. (Photo) It was quite the mix. I had the opportunity to visit with former Governor and Ambassador to China Terry Branstad about being back in Iowa and his family...if that gives you a taste of what this was like. Of course Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) was there as was Attorney General Tom Miller (D-IA), State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald (D-IA). It was an impressive list.  So, why am I sharing this with you?

Coming up there will be a luncheon featuring all four members of congress, Cindy Axne (D-IA), Randy Feenstra (R-IA), Ashley Hinson (R-IA) and Marinnette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) discussing issues that surround Israel and Iowa. If you are so moved you might consider becoming a member. It really is an interesting and enlightening group.

Iowa Unity with Ukraine

On Saturday there was a march to the statehouse, a presentation of a check and speeches in support of Ukraine.  There was also a call to end the war and urge the governor and the legislature to do more and welcome refugees and take a stand against the Russian aggression. This too was quite a mix of people. Former refugees from Liberia and Ukraine were there. Jews, Christians and Muslims attended and spoke.  And there was a check presentation of $2,500, a down payment on $10,000 pledged by a West Des Moines group known as Coffee FC made up, mostly, of Liberians. My good friend Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad (D-DSM) fired up the crowd with his pledge of support for both peace and power, "Because when the people have power we can push for peace!" There is so much going on....

A quick observation: I have the sense that the war in Ukraine may, in some way, galvanize our nation and cause us to unify this divided nation.  We can do so much more...together.

Meanwhile some students from Waukee and Des Moines Roosevelt are raising funds for Ukraine Relief. My friend Mike Draper and his crew at Raygun are selling t-shirts at cost with the profits going to these young people.  You can get yours here.

Partly Personal

Just half-a-cup of Sunday Morning Coffee today...sorry.  There are rumblings that the Windsor Heights Chamber of Commerce will no longer exist but be rolled into the Clive Chamber of Commerce. If that happens I fear my business community will suffer.  The Windsor Heights Chamber was founded back in 2004. Long time member and original founder of the Chamber, Kris Gregersen will tell you it was about, “having a seat at the table of the local government”.  The city had recently been “improving” University Avenue and some in the business community were concerned that there was a lack of representation.

Over the years the Windsor Heights Chamber has had a hand in many important aspects of our community. From fun adventures to working with our business members with our Shop Small Campaign to the serious work of spearheading the drive to, again, reconstruct University Avenue into the great showplace it is today to spending time and money to support the Local Option Sales Tax effort which passed by a wide margin.

When the next major effort comes about to improve Windsor Heights and our business community will the Clive Chamber show as much passion?

I've sent a letter to each member of the Windsor Heights Chamber asking them to reconsider and work with me to reignite this group. I hope they listen.  If you know of a local influencer I hope you'll reach out.

Thanks for reading and have a great 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 12 January 2020

Sunday Morning Coffee comes to you from Iowa. You know, the crossroads for politics. The new Iowa Poll commissioned by the Des Moines
 Register has four Democrats bunched at the top being led by Bernie Sanders, then Elizabeth Warren, Pete Buttigieg and Joe Biden round out the top four. Let's get going.

Iowa Split on Impeachment

According to the new Iowa Poll in the Des Moines Register 45% of Iowans disapprove of the impeachment of the president while 43% approve and 12% are "Not sure". The folks who are against the impeachment process continue to parrot the talking points of the president that it is a "witch hunt" and a "waste of time
and money". It looks like you can lie and cheat and 45% of Iowans don't much care. One of the stunning things is that while the House has passed over 400 bills dealing with everything from lowering drug prices to voter security there are still folks out there that contend the only thing on the minds of Democrats is impeachment. Not true but...who cares...right?

Action - Reaction

Sir Issac Newton, in his third law of of physics, said that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. That came to mind this past week as the United States killed off a terrorist, Iran (in response) launched missiles into Iraq targeting U.S forces. While Iran says 80 members of the U.S. military were killed the Pentagon says there were no casualties. But there were 176 innocent people who lost their lives when Iran shot down a Ukrainian commercial airline that had taken off from an airport in Tehran. You would think that would be enough. That both sides would stop, stand down and think about it all. 

But, no. As the week ended the White House announced further economic sanctions against Iran. We need some adults in the room...and quickly. 

Protests in Iran

When the news broke that the government of Iran shot down the airliner protesters took to the streets of Tehran calling for  "death to liars" and "death to the dictator," reportedly referencing Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. How this will play out with a government that is not shy from killing protesters to quell demonstrations is anybody's guess. (Photo: Al Jazeera)

Six in Des Moines

Six candidates will appear on stage for the national debate on Tuesday evening. Qualifying are Biden, Buttigieg, Klobuchar, Sanders, Steyer and Warren. Candidates had until the end of day on Friday to make the more demanding qualifications of the Democratic National Committee. It looked like Tom Steyer would not make the cut but did as he registered high enough in two Fox News Polls, one in Nevada and the other in South Carolina. To date Steyer has spent millions of his own money wooing voters across the country and indicators are that it is having an impact.

Welcome to Des Moines - Let's Talk Poverty

On hand to welcome the candidates to the debate stage at Drake University will be representatives from The Poor People's Campaign - A National Call for a Moral Revival. The march from the First Christian Church to Drake University will start about 4:30PM on Tuesday as protestors demand the candidates face the issue of rising poverty in America and in Iowa. The group, last week, released a statement indicating that, in Iowa alone, 1.1 million people are living in poverty. That my friends is nearly a third of the states population. 

Then on Wednesday the 15th there will be a rally at First Christian Church featuring Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II and Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Theoharis the co-chairs of the organization. The event will take place starting at 7:00PM. Here is a link to that event.

I'll be at the Tuesday March but absent for Wednesday as I'm out of town on assignment. HOWEVER, if you want to hear more about what this is all about I did sit down for an extended conversation with the Iowa leadership and here is a link to that interview. (Photo: The Nation)

Tax Cuts - We Need Tax Cuts

I attended a legislative breakfast last week put on by the Clive (Iowa) Chamber of Commerce. It was a stark reminder of how much has changed and how much has stayed the same. Sitting at the head table were four legislators. Three Democrats: Sen. Claire Celsi (D-WDM), Rep. Jennifer Konfrst (D-Windsor Heights) and Rep. Kenan Judge (D-Waukee) were there with the lone Republican Sen. Charles Schneider (R-WDM). 

It wasn't that long ago that all of those seats belonged to the GOP but lately the party has been getting beat, especially in the suburbs, as demographics are changing.

The take-a-way on some key issues and the response:

• We need to fix the workforce draught; (4 out of the 4 legislators agreed it's got to be done)
• We need to fix access to mental health; (Again 4 out of 4 said we've gotta do this)
• We need to cut taxes; (Uhm...one out of four on that one)
• We need to do more to support public education;(Three out of four think that's a good idea)
• We need to fix the Medicaid System in Iowa; (Three out of four said they agree)

There were lots of other issues but while everybody seemed to play nice and say that we need to do more there is one glaring problem. We ain't got no money.  Well, we do and Chuck crowed about how fantastic the budget is and that we've got a $400 million surplus, but if the goal of the GOP this session is going to be another round of tax cuts...how we gonna pay for...anything?

I dunno...you? The session kicks off this week. Should be fun to watch.

Partly Personal

It's been a busy weekend, already. On Friday I traveled to Mason City for services there and on Saturday held our Torah Study with a big crowd at the synagogue. Not to get all religious on you but in this Torah Portion (Gen. 37:28 - 50:26) we learned that as Jacob was blessing his children and making decisions about future leadership he said that the tribe of Reuben (the first born) should not be in a leadership role because, "a leader must think through his decisions and reckon their consequences". Something that lacked in the eldest son. Go ahead...read it and then think about our own "leadership".

A couple of years ago I was at a business "garden party" where about 60 folks came together to celebrate relationships and the start of fall. The Iowa legislature, under the leadership of the Iowa Republican Party, had just decided to make a stab at voter suppression. The GOP doesn't much care for lots of people voting. It cramps their style. On hand for the party was my opponent in the November 2020 election. I stood toe to toe with Chuck Schneider and told him to his face that I would fight him at every opportunity should the legislature enact suppression of the vote.

Well they did and I am. That is only one of many reasons I'm out to Chuck Chuck in 2020. If you would like to help in that effort, here is a link to my campaign website and its donation page.  Thank you, in advance!

Thanks for reading and have a fantastic Sunday.

Sunday Morning Coffee 5 January 2020

Welcome back to a new year of Sunday Morning Coffee! I've been getting up early on Sunday and writing my thoughts about politics (and sometimes a dash of religion) for over a decade. It's the news you've seen or, perhaps missed, all laced with my commentary. Why not... Much to share so let's go! 

Stopping a War

The president says that the killing of a top Iranian military commander, General Qassem Soleimani, was carried out to. "stop a war". However not he, nor his Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have shared any information that would back up that statement. While it is true that Soleimani has been a bad actor the question that must be asked is, "What are the plans going forward?" That seems to be in question as the administration, known for "flying by the seat of their pants" struggles to connect the dots. 

True to form this appears to be another decision by this president that has no start nor end game. And, to be fair, it reminds me of when, in December of 1987, President Clinton on the eve of an impeachment vote authorized four days of heavy bombardment of Iraq. The next day the U.S. House laid aside an impeachment vote. 

The bottom line here is that there is no sustained and thoughtful foreign policy from this president and that, my friends, is the real danger.

What We Don't Get

The Middle East is a confusing and dangerous place. You would think the United States would have that figured out by now. While I am no expert on that region it seems to be that top leaders in this administration don't have a clue. It all starts with two very divided factions of Islam. It is the oldest internal struggle of that faith group. While they have co-existed for centuries they differ in doctrine, ritual, law, theology and religious organisation. And they have been fighting each other for generations.

The bulk of the Arab States adhere to the Sunni tradition. The name "Sunni" is derived from the phrase "Ahl al-Sunnah", or "People of the Tradition". The tradition in this case refers to practices based on what the Prophet Muhammad said, did, agreed to or condemned.

Meanwhile about 10% of the world's Muslims adhere to the Shia tradition. In the Middle East Iran is the most populous Shia nation. Shia, by the way, means literally "Shiat Ali" or the "Party of Ali". They claimed that Ali was the rightful successor to the Prophet Muhammad who died in 632. as leader (imam) of the Muslim community following his death in 632.

OK, here is where it gets interesting: In countries which have been governed by Sunnis, Shia tend to make up the poorest sections of society. They often see themselves as victims of discrimination and oppression. Sunni extremists frequently denounce Shia as heretics who should be killed.

Iraq sits between Shia Iran and the majority Sunni nations which surround it. And, to complicate the issue Iraq has a mixture of Shia and Sunni who, once again, have been active in killing each other for centuries. 

And we want in on this? It's a boiling cauldron of religious, economic and political issues few understand and we fail at our peril.

The Iowa Caucus

Some are predicting that this will be the final year of Iowa being first in the nation. The exit of former Secretary Julian Castro from the presidential race heightened that sentiment. The rub is that Iowa is not representative of the rest of the nation so it, and New Hampshire, have no business in their outsized role of picking winners and losers.

But, my friends, it's more than that. And the uninitiated can't figure it out.

I came to Iowa in 1979 and attended my first Democratic Caucus in 1980. I thought the entire process was, in a word, weird. I mean where is it that people show up on a specific night, talk politics and policy and then wrangle votes and support among those in attendance for their prefered candidate? It's messy and personal and it is far more impactful that walking into a private booth to cast a secret vote.

The reason? Iowa is a place where organization follows message. While the message is always critical it takes an organization of people to carry that to voters. And, the voters in Iowa follow these things carefully. When candidates are asked questions they are never surprised at the depth of understanding the questioner brings to the discussion. Those that are surprised often fail here.

While the media may grumble Iowans listen and learn and they become some of the most informed voters in this nation. Rare is it that on caucus night you'll find folks that are simply "hanging on". (Photo: NPR)

Finally Iowa, and New Hampshire, make sense because they are small states where message and organization can be tested and perfected and not cost a boat load of cash. The winners in Iowa often do not carry the day but...and this is big...they are able to bring to the table their ideas and policy perspectives that impact and hone the message going forward for the eventual nominee. 

My opinion...but then, again, this entire piece is...yep, my opinion.

The Iowa Legislature

The 2020 effort to roll back citizen rights starts later this month. The Republicans that have held a stranglehold on both chambers as well as the governor's office will gavel to order what will be the last hurrah for many in the GOP. For a very long time Republicans have championed local control only to then pass laws that outlaw local control. They will, once again. come together to see how much money they can shovel into the coffers of already successful businesses as they commit education, infrastructure, health care, voter rights, equal rights, reproductive rights, worker rights, land and water action and public assistance services into a dung pile.

We have had enough and your time is over. 

Some may sense the discontent of Iowans and offer fig leaves to the Democrats but do not be fooled. This crowd is an insidious bunch who are not motivated by doing the most good but by doing evil for their masters the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) the Iowa Farm Bureau and the corporate shills that suck the life blood out of our great state.

They are not concerned that mothers and fathers can not find affordable day care. They are not concerned that workers get a good wage so they can spend time with family rather than working two or three jobs. They are not concerned with issues of affordable housing. They care not that Iowa continues to lag other states in education. They care not that even, as their faith demands, that workers be allowed and encouraged to collectively bargain for wages and benefits. They do not...care. They have theirs and screw the rest of you.

The battle is full on. Elections have consequences. It's time to change.

Partly Personal

We've had a flurry of activity going into the New Year. On the business side of things it's been an interesting couple of days. It's like people woke up on January 2nd and said, "Crap, I've not thought about business since the 20th of December! It's time to get busy!" My office phone rang more on the final two days of last week than it had for three weeks prior. And, of course, everybody wants everything done...like yesterday.  Focus people...focus.

It's been "A-Holes & Elbows" around here. Which, I believe, is a phrase my Father z"l used to say. I think it comes from his time in the Navy when folks were always scrubbing the deck. "All I wanna see is a-holes and elbows!" meaning....get busy.  Which is what we've been doing getting a room ready for a campaign staffer who will be with us in the coming days. I thought it would be OK to clean up a room, put the furniture in and be done. But nope...Georgie has a much different idea so it's a ceiling to floor adjustment.  Yikes...and one more day to go.

I was with several hundred at a Joe Biden event last evening. I believe it was his fifth of the day. This was held at McKinley School on the East Side of Des Moines. It had been moved from a facility in the East Village because of space. They should have moved it again to even a larger venue. With many standing in line outside prior to 7:00PM. And once inside the gym was packed. The Vice President along with Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (D-IA), a recent endorsement, and Bonnie Campbell didn't arrive until after 8:30PM and the event was still going on when we left at 9:30.  I honestly don't know how he does it. It is truly remarkable. Good times in Iowa and 29 days away from the caucus.

Tomorrow at 4:00PM my friend Congresswoman Cindy Axne (D-IA) is holding at Town Hall at Smokey Row in Des Moines. The GOP have already sent out a notice to their members asking them to show up and disrupt the event. It's what they do...fear and lies. I would be there but I'm conducting a funeral in Mason City. If YOU have time to go and support Cindy...please do!

Finally, thank you! Last week I included a link to my campaign for the Iowa State Senate donation page and many of you responded. This is going to be a hell of a fight picking off the president of the Iowa State Senate...and I can not do it alone. If you are so motivated to help a life long progressive Democrat who has been in the trenches working on behalf of working families in Iowa for decades, I'd ask for your support. Thanks so much, in advance!  The note cards are going out today!

Thanks for reading and have a great Sunday!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday Morning Coffee 17 November 2019

Sitting here writing this long before the sun comes up on a November morning. It's Sunday Morning Coffee with the political news you may have seen, or missed, all laced with my commentary. It's what I get to do before the house comes alive on a Sunday Morning...

Impeachment

It's no secret. I loath our current president. Clearly unfit to have been elected he has continued to abuse his power and bring disgrace to the Oval Office by his constant lies and his demeaning of others. None of it is "presidential". The man can not be trusted, unless you wish to place your trust in evil. He has surrounded himself with others equally evil...think Stephen Miller...and the American people are now being treated to the unvarnished truth of what he has done and how he has tried to conceal his acts. If he were in the military, rather than its Commander in Chief, he would have been drummed out of the service long ago.

Whatever comes from this impeachment effort one thing is certain. The Democrats will not face the backlash that they had once feared. Why? This isn't about a president who perjured himself over an encounter with a White House aide this is about how the President of the United States pressured another government and held back vital military aid in an attempt to feather his own political nest. While both are wrong one is sexy and the other clearly an abuse of power and an impeachable offence. (Image: U.S. Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch at the Friday hearing from CNN)

It is telling, in this instance, that the president did not act alone but was assisted by others, not only in the demand, but also in the coverup. While the Democrats may not get a single Republican to join them in the vote for impeachment the GOP will be led into the 2020 election by a mortally wounded politician at the top of the ticket. Bring it on.

Oh yeah...Roger Stone is going to jail. How many does that make my friends? "Lock him up!" 

Louisiana

While you were sleeping another one of 45's minions went down in defeat. Gov. John Bel Edwards (D-LA) defeated Eddie Rispone in a close election. 45 had made two trips to Louisiana in support of Rispone who fawned over the president at every turn. Edwards is now the second Democrat to defeat a Republican who was closely tied to the president. And, both won in southern states that went heavy for 45 in 2016. To be clear, Edwards isn't my "flavor" of a Democrat but last night in his victory speech he promised to increase workforce training, invest more in education, including early childhood education, work to improve health care, raise the minimum wage and advance major infrastructure projects. (Image: John Bel Edwards victory speech from L.A. TImes)

Iowa is Diminished

As word spread of the untimely death of Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Cady people of faith and values struggled to come to grips with the fact a true champion of thoughtful and compassionate justice is gone. We are all diminished to have lost such a fine person. I knew Justice Cady long before he went to the Supreme Court from our time together in Fort Dodge, Iowa. We often met at like minded events that championed justice and equality. It was no surprise that he wrote the decisions of the Court on gay marriage and abortion rights. Justice Cady was a person who truly felt equal means equal and believed that it was wrong to foster social conservative religious beliefs onto others. We last spoke at a holiday party where the conversation was not on legal matters but on family and the future of Iowa. He will be missed.

Now we will face yet another gut check as Gov. Kim Reynolds (D-IA) a champion of "45" and Rep. Steve King (R-IA) will move to replace Justice Cady.

The Death Penalty

Capital punishment has been banned in Iowa since Gov. Harold Hughes (D-IA) signed a bill that abolished the death penalty in 1965. Yesterday during a meeting of the West Des Moines Democrats attorney Ivan Webber told the group about the non-partisan, Iowans Against the Death Penalty and offered a warning that even though many do not remember a time when the death penalty was enforced there are still people in the Iowa Legislature that are more than willing to bring it back.  (Image: Gov. Harold Hughes from the Des Moines Register)

It is, my friends. a chilling reminder that elections do have consequences. It would serve us well to keep informed and to fight any attempt to bring the death penalty back. I get it that it's not top of mind right now...but we should be prepared.

Gun Violence in Iowa

Here is another issue for you to chew on. Over the years I have attended more than my share of vigils commemorating the deaths of people who were gunned down in mass shootings. Each time the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa called for people of faith and various backgrounds to come together and stand against gun violence be it mass shootings or domestic shootings or suicide. In answer to the latest round of mass killings Connie Ryan from the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa met with others including Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad (D-DSM) and made the decision that while vigils are important...action must replace the activity of prayer and supplication. Over the past several months people have been gathering to work together on economic and political answers to stem gun violence. 

I recently sat down with Connie and recorded this interview which will air later today on News/Talk 1540 KXEL and is part of our Radio Blog. Again, if you want to listen, just click the player:

Partly Personal

I truly believe that life does not consist of haphazard coincidences but that things happen for a reason. This past week I had several personal interactions with people who enriched my life. One of those dealt with what was supposed to be a business conversation that turned into a heartwarming discussion of faith, family and friendship. I think the message here is to always be mindful and responsive to those seemingly random events that can put us in touch with others and allow us to grow.

Suspect you realize that you'll be hearing more and more about my campaign to represent you in the Iowa State Senate District 22 (Clive, Waukee, West Des Moines & Windsor Heights). It's what consumes a great deal of my time. I'd like to thank the Iowa Landlord Association and the West Des Moines Democrats for allowing me to speak this past week. More of those events will happen on a regular basis. If you would like to learn more about what this campaign is about I'd invite you to drift past the campaign website: LibbieForIowa.com and if you are compelled to help a guy who is "Working for Working Families" let's visit and perhaps you might consider a donation to the campaign.

My thanks to Cityview's Business Journal for naming me one of the "19 People Who Made a Difference in 2019" the award event was held over a week ago but I failed to mention it last week. If you would like to see the list of people with whom I shared this honor with here is a link to the article in the most recent issue.

Finally (gosh this section is getting sorta long!) I'll be a guest tomorrow morning in the 8:00AM hour on Iowa Live which can be seen online and on CW-Iowa 23. I'll be chatting with Michele, Lou and Jackie about a host of items including how podcasting has become a "go to" media of choice for many who are time starved. And, how Insight on Business the News Hour came to be and how it continues to grow.

Thanks for reading and have a wonderful Sunday!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday Morning Coffee 10 November 2019

Hey and good morning! Sit a spell as I get to share some stories you may have seen or missed but all laced with my commentary. It's what I get to do early each Sunday Morning while the rest of the world sleeps. Welcome to Sunday Morning Coffee all hot and fresh. Let's go!

Virginia & Kentucky

Well now...THAT was interesting. "45" was handed a couple of defeats last week...or so it seems. Now that the Virginia legislature has turned blue Gov. Ralph Northam (D-VA) will propose, what he is calling, "Eight common sense gun laws" that when the legislature was in GOP hands received a full 90 minutes of debate before they tanked the bills. Asked if he expected any Republican to cross over and vote for them Gov. Northam was doubtful. "You would think they would listen to the voters rather than the NRA. We'll see." 

This is no small deal and one to watch carefully. My bet is that the bills will pass and become a model for other states. BTW Northam is a gun owner...as am I...but we recognize some basic facts that will help keep people safe and start to stem the tide of gun violence. 

Meanwhile in Kentucky it's no surprise that Gov. Matt Bevin (R-KY) and a huge supporter of "45", is doing exactly what his "Dear Leader" would want him to do. Telling the world that the election was rigged and there was "election fraud". Even Republicans are urging Bevin to prove it or step aside. Weary.  BTW elected to become the next Attorney General in Kentucky is Danial Cameron. He is the first African-American to be elected to that post. He is also a Republican and calls Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) his mentor. "Moscow Mitch" is pretty pumped and Cameron may well run for the U.S. Senate...in time.

Isn't That Nice...

Last week the Iowa Republicans held their annual dinner and "packed" a room with about 600 people. Isn't that nice?  Meanwhile the prior Friday say nearly 14,000 engaged Democrats who are eager to turn this state blue in 2020.

On hand for the "big" GOP event was Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) who offered up all sorts of "raw meat" to the adoring fans of hate and bigotry. Lindsey has flipped so often his nickname should be "Pancake".

Oh, one other thing: Proof that sexual orientation does not mean you will represent the people of your state equally is right here. Exhibit A: Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA). (Photo - Iowa Starting Line)

Let's Get Local 

Yesterday during a Polk County Democrats Leadership Meeting it was reported that prior to the Tuesday election about 37% of the municipal office holders in the county were Democrats. At the close of the election on Tuesday make that 60%. Seats were flipped all over the county. An interesting note, the Polk County Democrats really did have a hand in that. We not only knocked doors but sent out mailings and made over 10,000 phone calls, chased absentee ballots and more.

There were Democrats on the ballot that did not wish to participate in our efforts. They...lost.

Meanwhile the Polk County GOP is fuming. And come 2020 they will remember our efforts. As in the words of our County Chair, Sean Bagniewski, "Bless their hearts."

Final interesting item for you to ponder. Here is a look at the Polk County Democrats website.

Here, in contrast, is a look at the Polk County Republican website.

Notice that the Polk County GOP is STILL selling tickets to an event that was held in August. Yep, this is the party that wants to always take us back...way...back. They make me giggle...just a bit.

Outreach

One of the things we discussed during our leadership meeting are ways to reach out to other communities, not only in Polk County but in other parts of the state to see if we can be of some assistance with organization and GOTV. Not to take over but to help in some way. As Iowans know, it's all about organization and follow through. Just a thought. And, yes, we'll remain focused on Polk County as we've got some places where we believe we can help local candidates continue to flip seats and build on our values.

Work For Welfare

Here is something that will make you sit up straight. GOP political hack Todd Blodgett has an opinion piece in the Des Moines Register this morning that uses all the dog whistles available to argue that requiring welfare recipients to work is really good for Iowa.  He talks about how work will,  "...make folks too tired to make babies they can't afford and lack the ability to properly raise." And he gins up the old stories of people on food stamps buying steak while hard working Iowans purchase "bread, beans and hamburger". (Photo - Globe Gazette)

But it gets worse.

"...beneficiaries of Medicaid and other programs are lazy, irresponsible, entitled and ignorant."

Or this bit of crazy talk: "Electrical power like that created by wind turbines throughout Iowa can be produced, even by illiterate Medicaid recipients; they can jog or walk on treadmills, and/or stationary bicycles which are wired to inverters...so they can send electricity to the power grid." 

Bat-Shit Crazy....

But then again Blodgett is from Clear Lake, Iowa...in the heart of Rep. Steve King (R-IA) country so it all figures.

Here is where Blodgett is dead wrong. Most recipients of Medicaid are children and the elderly. Others are working two and three low-wage jobs just to get by. You want to talk about being "tired" Todd?  How the hell does that make a strong family.

And who...Todd...is responsible for your reprehensible screed? Your GOP allies who have created a low wage state and who fawn over those that have and seek to punish those that have not.  But I get it. You and your kind fear and loath those who are different than you. 

Dog whistles Todd...and I hear them.

Partly Personal

I'm about to roll out seven listening posts as I continue my campaign to "Chuck Chuck in 2020". The first will be in December and will focus on guns and gun violence. My goal is to listen to the people of Iowa Senate District 22 about their concerns for safety including suicide, family gun violence, high capacity magazines, and "red flag" laws.

Watch this space and my campaign website for details. I'll be holding one each month for the next seven months. They will center on mental illness, the for-profit managed care issue, voting rights, affordable housing, education, jobs and small business issues. It should be fun and informative.

My goal is to become the legislator that actually works for working families in Iowa. And that, my friends, will make a difference.

Tomorrow is Veterans Day...the reality of those two words are compelling. May the memory of those who died in defence of our nation be bound up and may we recognize their sacrifice...and never forget. 

Thanks for reading and have a great Sunday! 

 

Sunday Morning Coffee 29 September 2019

Thanks for clicking into Sunday Morning Coffee my weekly look at some of the news stories you may have seen or missed and all laced with some brief commentary. It's been quite the week, let's get started.

Impeachment 

Finally, after months of waiting the House has initiated a formal impeachment inquiry into "45" based on the most recent issue with Ukraine. The Democrats are emboldened following the whistleblower news that the president pressured the Ukrainian president to look into dealings Hunter Biden has in that nation's gas company. Of course all the allegations are part of a wide conspiracy theory that "45" seems to buy into but the American people seem to be able to grasp this scandle much easier than the Russia probe. In a poll released this morning more than 60% of Americans say say it is a serious problem that "45" asked the leader of Ukraine to investigate 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his son. 

The latest survey also found that most Americans are unsurprised by the president's move to encourage the leader of a foreign power to investigate a political opponent. Just 17 percent of respondents said that they are surprised to hear "45" called on Zelensky to investigate Biden. Eighty-three percent said that they are not surprised. 

Pretty sad...yes?

Tax Returns

Meanwhile on another front the court battles are continuing in the attempt to get to the tax returns of the current president. Today there are no less than six cases. Battles in congress, New York and California are causing even more issues for the administration. It's pretty clear that not in our recent memory has a White House been under so much pressure from so many different angles. 

Gay Teachers Beware

And, there is this: The  administration filed a “statement of interest” supporting an Indiana Catholic School being sued by a former teacher who was fired for being in a same-sex marriage.

Joshua Payne-Elliot filed a lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Indianapolis in July alleging that it “illegally interfered with his contractual and employment relationship” with Cathedral High School after the school fired him in June. 

The Justice Department announced in a news release last Friday that it filed the statement of interest in the case, alleging that “the First Amendment protects the right of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Indianapolis to interpret and apply Catholic doctrine".

Right...

Mental Health in Iowa

Yesterday I was visiting with an emergency room physician who was telling me what we already know. The lack of mental health care and treatment in Iowa is abysmal. He told me that his ER has had patients come in with severe mental health issues only to be sent away after a few hours or days because there isn't anybody to see them. "I see a revolving door that stops at my emergency room and then the county jail and than back in society and back into our hospital." This physician also spent some time as the "house doctor" for the Polk County Jail and told me how mental health issues there are a constant. "It's awful what is happening in our state."

So, what should we do? How about funding mental health care? That would be a start. Currently there is a dollar cap on the property tax levy issued by counties in Iowa if that were removed and all counties in Iowa levied the same amount or what they realize is needed in their county. And then have the state come in and "buy down" the levy with state dollars. Which would assuage the fear of higher property taxes.  Why? Because Iowa has put several mandates in place but failed to fund them. In other words passing bills and signing them into law makes for good talking points but if there isn't dollars behind them.... So, what is the projected figure of state assistance?  Experts say about $30 million dollars which, if we are properly treating mental illness, would be an investment rather than an expense. 

Of course the Iowa GOP will tell you we don't have the money.  And the reason? How about because we shell out millions to already successful companies, pay millions in fines for workplace discrimination and sexual harassment cases, give millions of dollars to the for-profit MCO's and pass a corporate tax cut that did nothing for the working families in Iowa. 

Our priorities are...screwed up.

Partly Personal

This is pretty short today. Much to do as we prepare for Rosh Hashanah the Jewish New Year which begins at sundown tonight. That event ushers in the "Ten Days of Repentance" that ends on Yom Kippur or the "Day of Atonement". It's a big deal in my faith.   For those of you familiar with the holidays of Christmas and Easter when your church  is full of folks you may not see at any other time of the year...yeah...that here too. If you are celebrating...have a wonderful holiday.

Yesterday I spent the morning volunteering at the NAMI-Iowa walk. Hundreds of people raised over $117,000 dollars at the Des Moines Metro walk. Nationwide there were 109 NAMI Walks which raised in excess of $11 million. Today on the broadcast on News/Talk 1540 KXEL I'll spend some time with Connie Grunder of Ankeny as we talk about her son Zach, his suicide and her work in the student program called "Ending the Silence".  That will air today about 2:45pm and I'll have it on our Podcast this week.

The afternoon was spent watching our granddaughter play softball where her team won both games. They were back at it this morning at 8am...and they won that as well. Nice huh?

I was up at 4 this morning...trying to get a start on the day...yikes! 

Finally there is this video that was released this week following my announcement as a candidate for the Iowa State Senate. In the coming months look for more information about the campaign and what I hope to take to the incumbent who has over-stayed his welcome. It's Senate District 22 which includes Clive, Waukee, West Des Moines and Windsor Heights.  

Thanks for reading and have a wonderful Sunday! 

Sunday Morning Coffee 8 September 2019

Sunday Morning Coffee is about the political (and sometimes religious) news stories you may have seen...or missed...all laced with my commentary. Why? I've got nothing better to do at 6am on a Sunday?  This should be pretty short because, after all, there isn't all that much going on....  Right.

The United Kingdom

Ain't so united. Proving, once again, that major decisions, like leaving the European Union, shouldn't be made by the electorate especially if they get wrong and/or misleading information. That's what happened as voters there decided, by a slim margin, to leave the EU. Trouble is, nobody knows how to make that work. Then an unelected wild card (sound familiar?) assumes power and attempts to bully his way to a Brexit Crash. So glad that only they have such political upheaval and not us...

Well, Not So Fast...

Last week "45" announced that soon we would be leaving Afghanistan and bring some 14,000 troops home from our longest war ever. The buzz was that the United States and our crack diplomatic corps had secured an agreement with the Taliban and all that was left was to put ink to paper and....we're out!  Then another terror attack by the Taliban killed eleven citizens and an American soldier. The president, yesterday, said he cancelled a "secret meeting" with Taliban leaders that were supposed to gather today at Camp David.

Who knew that this governing and winning could be so...complicated. Weary.

Meanwhile In Other Third-World News

One of the hallmarks of third-world nations is that they routinely cancel elections. I mean, who in the hell would want people making decisions regarding leadership...so the folks in power just decide to scrap the vote. That's what they do in places that the president says are "sh*thole countries".

Fast forward to the thriving beacon of liberty...South Carolina where yesterday the Republican Party cancelled any plans to hold a primary in that state. They are a bit concerned that former Governor and Congressman Mark "I Was Just Out Hiking" Sanford (R-SC) might challenge "45" there. Meanwhile the same story in the pro-democracy state of Kansas. "No need to hold a primary, our dear leader is firmly in control."  Two other states are also considering the same move.

Free and fair elections? Not on the GOP watch....

Rearranging the Deck Chairs

This week, in Iowa, we learned that Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-IA) has decided that it is better to rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic of Managed Health Care rather than stick a fork in it.  You all know the story: Just before former Gov. Terry Branstad (R-IA) took a slow boat to China he, on his own, moved the Iowa Medicaid program from state control into the hands of several for-profit health care management companies. The results have been a disaster for not only the companies but also the patients and the providers. However Iowa has done everything it can to assuage at least the corporate concerns by giving them an 8.6% raise this year...on top of another hefty raise last year. 

But, I digress...

This week the governor appointed Kelly Kennedy Garcia to head the Iowa Department of Human Services. Kelly hits Iowa following a rocky road in Texas when it comes to their for-profit managed care program that has, according to published reports, also denied health care to patients.

Perhaps little known by Iowans, who gaze at the newest import, is the fact that Kelly Kennedy Garcia worked for the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission, which studies whether state agencies should be abolished. Wanna read that again?

Bottom line is that these folks all hate government so the theory is to starve government offices and then transfer those duties to private-for profit groups. We see it all the time. The result...be it health care or prisons...that the bottom line is all that matters and damn the workers and the people who they are to serve.  Grover and the bunch at ALEC are proud of the work you are doing on behalf of the corporations that are here to care for us... Weary.

Worst Job in America?

Last week I aired a story that might scare the hell out of you. There are, in the United States, roughly 2.5 million home health care aides. That is a 150% increase over the past ten years. It's no wonder as America ages and our health care gets worse somebody has to be there to care for folks. Trouble is the average rate of pay for these folks is $11.52 an hour. Not only is the job one of the lowest paid jobs in the nation the physical and emotional toll of being a part-time social worker, cook, cleaner and diaper changer catches up with them.

Why is this such a low-pay job? Experts say that it's because most of these workers are immigrants and women of color.  Who in the hell cares about them...right?

Partly Personal

My goal is to always get this out by 9am on Sunday. I've failed in that task over the past couple of weeks. Holidays and "stuff going on". So, I'm going to put a fork in this edition in just a couple of minutes. But first...

I was in Jefferson, Iowa yesterday covering a story that could very well be part of an answer to the recovery of Rural America as civic leaders, educators and corporations gathered for the grand opening of The Forge. I'll have the story out on Monday or Tuesday on Insight on Business the News Hour but it's about how technology can open up the future for people in so many parts of the country. It's a great story and it's happening in Iowa. 

After announcing for my Iowa State Senate run in 2020 we've been a bit busy...now I'm hoping that somebody in Senate District 10 will jump in. Currently that seat is held by Jake "Never Saw a Gun I Didn't Like" Chapman (R-Adel). I know there is somebody out there that must be willing to take this guy on. His voting record, like that of Sen. Chuck "I Hate Puppies" Schneider (R-WDM) stinks. Knock, knock...anybody?

Finally I'll be speaking Tuesday to the Carlisle Chamber of Commerce over lunch. I know, out of my district but I'm here for Iowans no matter where they are. Then on Tuesday evening at a business gathering in Urbandale (NOT my district either) but it is home to Mayor Bob Andewig who yesterday, according to a Twitter post by Polk County Democratic Chair Sean Bagniewski, joined the Democratic Party and became the campaign chair for Rep. John Forbes (D-Urbandale). I've known Mayor Bob for a very long time and he has always been a stand-up guy.  Welcome!  Later on Tuesday I get to speak to the Clive Democrats at their regular monthly meeting.

There is a movement happening my friends...you're invited to come along.

Thanks for reading and have a great Sunday!  

Sunday Morning Coffee 18 August 2019

It's the final day of the Iowa State Fair where, according to the count of corn kernels placed in mason jars outside the local NBC affiliate the current occupant of the White House has an approval of 49.2%. Within striking distance of a lock on a second term. Just in case you've run out of stuff to worry about. Welcome to Sunday Morning Coffee! You know what we do here so...let's go!

"It's Like a Fire Hose!"

Those are the words to describe the political news cycle. "45" and his gang of swamp-dwellers feed us so much crap that it's hard to keep up and make no mistake this is a thought out strategy. If you drown people in wacky stuff 24/7 enough people will believe some of the lies (just enough) and others will tune it out.

Already I've seen this among some pretty well informed people who have told me, "I'm out. The news is way to depressing. The lies and the hate and the trampling of the Office of President is more than I can take. I just don't watch, read or listen much anymore and my life is much happier."

Have you ever read "Mein Kampf"? Perhaps you should...it is a blue-print for much of what we see today.

(Photo Credit - Scot Duke Marketing)

The Ultimate Hypocrisy

Last week "45" traveled to Pennsylvania for, what was supposed to be, a major policy address on jobs. It was really just another campaign rally that more resembled the 1940 Rheinmetall-Borsig Works Speech where the then leader of Germany attacked everybody from the media to his political opponents and laid blame of the Second World War on the British. Oh...the lies.

Seems that workers at the Royal Dutch Shell petrochemical plant were told to show up and if they didn't attend they had to use paid time off or go without pay. A memo obtained by CNN from a worker laid out the issue. Of course Shell is denying that. The White House has no  comment but this is what was said by the Union: "This is just what Shell wanted to do, and we went along with it," Ken Broadbent, business manager for Steamfitters Local 449. (Photo Credit - Daily Sound)

So the guy who leads the party that has made every effort to strangle organized labor gets labor to say, "...we went along with it". Where is the guts?

BTW this plant does employ lots of people....and when they are finished with the construction the giant factory will turn out tons and tons of...wait for it...PLASTIC. Just exactly what we need.

Remember: Money Talks - Principal Takes a Back-Seat.

Wind and Cancer

Last week Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-IA), a day after she was at the Iowa State Fair touting wind energy, told the media that she needed time to gather together, "...stakeholders to take that information and then try to confirm or deny or whatever we need to do with it going forward.” 

She was talking about the Madison County (Iowa) Board of Supervisors who swallowed, in total, the fraud sputed by "45" that windmills cause cancer. Earlier this year Reynolds declined to say that "45" was wrong. Meanwhile Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) said the president's statement was "idiotic".  Well, there is that.

Speaking of Energy

As you know farmers LOVE "45". They voted in massive numbers to elect the man who has been called the "most dishonest person ever to occupy the office" given his passion for lying about nearly everything. Now what is so interesting to watch is how this president has "played" our friends in agriculture. Just this week the administration more wavers to oil companies to avoid blending billions of gallons of ethanol into their products. (Photo Credit - Washington Examiner)

The wavers were to have been directed to small oil refineries however "45" and his cronies in the EPA have been granting massive numbers of exemptions to large companies which will contribute, even more, to the hollowing out of Rural Iowa. Farmers are already under pressure from the tit-for-tat trade war with China and by China finding other sources for communities. This is just another knife in the back. You can not trust...ONE WORD.

Hates Puppies

I think it is important for you to know that Chuck Schneider (R-WDM) the current president of the Iowa State Senate refused to allow a bill that would protect companion animals to come up for a vote in the Iowa Senate. Why does Chuck hate puppies? I dunno...maybe because his "minders" have some sort of twisted logic that dogs and cats are somehow tied to pigs and cattle? This is a photo of our rescue dog, Yofi, who had boiling water poured on her when she was just 8 weeks old. That's why no hair on one side of her body and a lack of an ear...yeah...that. 

The GOP loves to use the "slippery slope" argument. You know, "If we allow the government to mandate seat-belts it's a slippery slope to other regulations that will cause  automakers to go out of business." Yeah...that logic. And I was there...from Detroit...remember?

It's this sort of "logic" that is so out of touch with the values of Iowans. Just like Jake Chapman (R-Adel) representing Senate District 10 out of Adel, Iowa who never met a gun he didn't love even though the vast amount of people in our state want to see some restrictions.

From hating puppies, education and working families to loving guns this crowd has got to go. They do not represent us.

Voting...matters.

Partly Personal

I was at a couple of political events this past week. There was a fund-raiser with the Southeast Polk County Democrats in Waukee, the selection process of which 2020 hopeful to support going forward for the Asian Latino Coalition...Congratulations Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA), the West Des Moines Democrats monthly meeting, the fund raiser for Congresswoman Cindy Axne (D-IA) the Clive Democrats monthly meeting, the Urbandale Democrats Fearless Fighter Women's Award Event and another presidential town hall last evening for 2020 hopeful Admiral Joe Sestak which was held at Fox Brewery in West Des Moines.

It's what one does I guess....I don't play golf.

My friend Jerry Uhlman who travels to nearly every Democratic Event in Polk County took this photo of our eleven year-old granddaughter Jovie as she was listening to Admiral Sestak. She is not only a beautiful young lady her heart is also full of love. Thank you Jerry!

When people ask me why I would run for the Iowa State Senate and put myself out there...this is the reason. It is all about making sure families...all families...have a shot at a better life. If we, as a state, don't start to put families first we'll continue to see a decline in our our values. That has got to stop.

Thanks for reading and have a great Sunday and final day of the Iowa State Fair!   

Sunday Morning Coffee 11 August 2019

Like they say, "It ain't the heat, it's the humidity!" and we've got plenty of that this morning! Time for politics and religion the two things that, more than others, impact our life and I get to share that each week here with Sunday Morning Coffee. So much going on...let's get started.

Me, Me, Me

The petulant child that serves at the 45th president was at it again. On trips to Dayton and El Paso it wasn't about comfort and caring...it was all, and always is, about him. He whined when the public talked truth to power and commented about the photo of him and FLOTUS with a newly orphaned child giving "thumbs up". He was angry when word got out that many who were injured in the shootings didn't want to see him. And after conciliatory remarks by the mayor of Dayton, Ohio he shot out an angry tweet that did not, in any way, resemble the comments by the mayor. Tired of winning yet? I am so very done with this guy...but that is nothing new. (Photo Credit - CNN)

Speaking of Orphans

Last week Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) rounded up 680 workers at chicken processing plants in Mississippi. It was the largest single raid since the Agriprocessors raid in Postville, Iowa back in
2008 where ICE arrested 400 workers. However, there seems to be a major difference. In Postville the Agriprocessors manager, Rabbi Shalom Rubashkin was also arrested, tried and spent time in prison. That ain't gonna happen in Mississippi. Why? Could it be because none of the owners or managers there appear to be Jewish? 

It's unlikely that any of the people that actually hire undocumented workers will ever be charged in the Mississippi raid. It's just not done. How do we know? A study by Syracuse University looked at the number of prosecutions against employers and they found that from April 28 to March 29 of 2019 only 11 individuals, not companies, were prosecuted for hiring undocumented workers. At the same time during that period more than 120,000 undocumented immigrants were charged for illegal entry or illegal reentry.

Other than the fact that employers face little punishment when they hire undocumented workers what's the reason they do so? Simple: economics.

Undocumented workers can be paid less and employers know they won't complain so the "Chicken Gang" in Mississippi gets cheap labor from folks who are not going to complain and profits go up. Pretty simple... Sort of like Mississippi in 1859.

Workers Wanted!

Dear disgruntled men and women who feel that the reason you can not get a piece of the pie because brown people are taking away your jobs. I happen to know of 680 open positions available...right now. You would have to relocate to Mississippi but I hear it's really pretty there.

Wall Street & Guns

It was a lousy week on Wall Street. But, what the hell do we care, most of us don't care seeing how we're not loaded down with "blue chips". However one segment of the market did well. Ready? Companies that manufacture guns did pretty well last week. They always do after a mass murder by domestic terrorists. The reason? Folks will buy more guns because they fear there will be restrictions. But, not to worry, that ain't gonna happen and the stocks will realign. See what you learn here?

Thoughts and Prayers vs. Action

Last week I was invited to attend a gathering hosted by the Iowa Interfaith Alliance that was held at the First Christian Church in the Drake University area. I was a bit hesitant. What I didn't want to do was go to yet another gathering where we would hear words of comfort, sing a couple of songs, offer up prayer and leave feeling better about ourselves. 

Imagine my surprise when the nearly 200 people did not meet in the sanctuary but in the social hall. It was standing room only as Connie Ryan from the Iowa Interfaith Alliance and Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad (D-Des Moines) led the group in creating several action plans to deal with gun violence in Iowa. It was refreshing. Some of the final points included:

• Work to defeat pro-gun legislators who continue to defy public opinion on gun legislation and in fact continue to loosen gun restrictions;
• Support legislation that restricts the sale of military style rifles and high capacity magazines;
• Work on informing the general public as to the importance of "common sense gun legislation;
• Unite with marginalized citizens to build coalitions that uphold basic human rights.

It was time well spent. Now the challenge is to continue to mobilize and get stuff done. I know I signed up.

Time to "Shuck Chapman"

This weekend was the Annual Adel Sweetcorn Festival. Thousands of folks descended on the small town just west of Des Moines to take in music, a huge parade and eat...sweetcorn. But one thing was missing. What Democrat in Senate District 10 will be willing to take on the pro-gun state senator there Sen. Jake Chapman (R-Adel). Who, just this past week, voiced his opposition to any sort of "red-flag" legislation where friends and family members can alert authorities about specific behaviors that might lead to gun violence. Ya know, sort of like the grandmother in Lubbock, Texas who alerted authorities about her grandson and the weapons he was collecting. They arrested him.

But, Jake doesn't want that sort of thing to come to Iowa. I figure it's time to "Shuck Chapman". I reached out to Bryce Smith the Chair of the Dallas County Democrats who told me there is an individual that is "considering" a run against Chapman.  I've just given you a campaign slogan.  You are welcome. (Photo Credit - Des Moines Register)

Speaking of Gun Violence

There was something very special that happened in Clear Lake, Iowa on Friday. Campaigns were in town for the Annual Democratic Wing Ding. Before the event Beto O'Rourke, who skipped the event to stay with his community in El Paso, asked Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad (D-Des Moines) to lead a moment of silence. Candidates and campaigns came together for this emotionally charged event. If you have not seen the video you must...here is a link to the Twitter account of Beto O'Rourke. They have pinned that video to the top of their page. But, promise to come back.  

The Great Iowa State Fair

I've been going to this celebration for years and part of the adventure has always been to volunteer at the Iowa Democratic Booth in the Varied Industries Building. Usually only a couple of folks show up, we're doing voter registration on some paper and talking up candidates in what was a pretty bland booth.

That has all changed. Dozens of volunteers sporting shirts saying, "Democrats Have 20/20 Vision" were signing up voters at a frenzied pace. The booth is a testimony of positive messages welcoming immigrants, people of color, people of diversity...people. It was a charged atmosphere.

I hear that the Iowa Democratic Party may just offer these shirts as a fund-raising opportunity in the near future. Stay tuned. 

Public Policy Time

Time for working families to catch a break. If you are still with me let's talk, for a moment, about the horrible idea of "Right to Work" legislation. It's time that Iowa overturn what has become a baseball bat used against employees. The GOP does a great job in naming things to make you think something is in your benefit. Sort of like the "Jobs and Tax Cut Bill" that awarded the mighty with more money. The same is true of "Right to Work" it is not "just employment" it is one-sided employment. It means that you have zero rights in the workplace. It means that your boss can fire you for reason...or no reason at all. It limits your right to organize and it removes your opportunity to make more money.

I know there are more workers and employees than there are employers. It's time we end this hurtful policy and create a more even field moving forward. It once was common that employers held to three basic principals: 1) Profit, 2) Community and 3) Employees. We've seen what happens when companies focus on only one of those issues. It's time for real wins for families. That is something I'll work toward over the next year and I hope you'll join me.

Partly Personal

Last week, during the Great Iowa State Fair, a lovely young lady by the name of Brianna stopped me in the Varied Industries Building and said, "My I ask you a question?" Being the sort of person who attempts to be helpful and open to folks I said I'd be happy to answer. She said, "Are you going to heaven?" I looked at her in the eye and answered calmly answered "Yes."

She said, "That is so wonderful that you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal Savior!" My answer was, "Well, Brianna, I've not. I'm Jewish and we've got a slightly different take on that subject."

What ensued was a fifteen minute, rather respectful, conversation about the Torah her Bible and people of other faiths. While she accused me, and the Jews, of going against "The Word" and said Buddhists were idol worshipers and denied any knowledge of the Orah Torah or what exactly Isaiah was talking about when he railed against the Hellenized Jews of his day it was a fun interaction. We parted with a handshake and I wished her well as she worked the crowd trying to find "true believers".

Such is life.

Thanks for reading and have a great Sunday!