SundayMorningCoffee

Sunday Morning Coffee 4 August 2019

When? When will it be your family that is impacted by home-grown terrorists killing at random? When will there be leaders with spine who will work to call an end to this carnage that is uniquely American? In Dayton, Ohio a terrorist killed 9 people and wounded 26 in less than a minute. Was this really what the framers of the Constitution wanted?  I think...not. It's a sobering Sunday Morning Coffee. And, if you're not up to bold ideas to fix what is wrong...move along. If you're as tired as I am...let's get started.

Doing Nothing About Terrorists

The government of the United States is complicit in the murder of hundreds of its citizens. Let's just call it like it is. While elected leaders on both sides of the political spectrum offer "thoughts and prayers" while Americans are being murdered by an increasing number of homegrown terrorists emboldened by the rhetoric coming from so many.

"There are good people on both sides." It's plain bullshit and you know it.

Consider this: After the Christchurch mosque shootings this year, legislation to restrict semi-automatic firearms and magazines with a capacity of more than 10 rounds, and provide an amnesty and buyback of such weapons was introduced and passed by the New Zealand parliament by 119 votes to one.  It took...six days to get that done.  Six...days.

That is...leadership. Here? Cowards.

Local Action Needed

So the federal government is not able to stop the carnage. Then it is up to the states. I'm tired of the Iowa Republicans who take their social agenda and use it to pass laws that are in direct conflict to our Iowa values. It's time for new leadership at the Iowa Statehouse and the only way we'll see meaningful action is to oust the GOP from the Iowa House and the Iowa Senate. Then we can get to work on making Iowa a better and more fair and more safe place in which to live and work.  So, let's set the stage right here in Iowa.

Gun Laws

Time to turn back the clock a bit. If the U.S. Congress is unwilling to work to protect us then it is up to each state to enact common sense laws regarding firearms. It can be done and, yes, it will be tough but enough is enough. We must appeal to the common sense of our citizens rather than the bought and paid for House and Senate Members that cow to their monied masters. 

Iowa Education

You may not be aware of it but Iowa is losing teachers and school administrators to Minnesota at an alarming rate. For years the Iowa GOP has said they value education but in the end starve school districts and make every attempt to make it harder for teachers to organize and demand better working conditions and wages. Teachers are headed to Minnesota because the pay is better and the union stronger. 

Yesterday I was working with the Salvation Army asking Iowans to purchase pencils, paper, glue, notebooks and a raft of various school supplies because so many students have so little. One person said to me, "This is a tragedy, it is time that we reclaim our schools. The people must rise up because our future is in enhanced public education." He was right. It is time to oust the GOP House and Senate Members who continue to strangle public education.

Iowa Health Care

Enough. Enough of propping up the for-profit companies that are failing to pay for and deliver medical care to Iowans who are on the Medicaid program. This debacle was created by one man and is being upheld by his lap-dog Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-IA). With a stroke of a pen former Governor Branstad (R-IA) created this mess and the Iowa Legislature has refused to rectify the situation even as more and more of your tax dollars go to propping up these organizations who are motivated not by creating a positive medical outcome but by creating profits for their company. We should all be ashamed. Just last month Governor Reynolds approved an 8.6% pay raise for these companies. Check your pay-stub. I'm sure you can point to that kind of raise last year...time to make some bold changes.

Iowa Harassment

Over the past couple of years over $8 million of your tax dollars has gone to pay out settlements and legal bills that have involved members of the Iowa Republican Legislature and a former GOP governor. We can't find money to pay teachers but we damn well can find money to settle sexual harassment claims, wrongful terminations and claims of discrimination. When are Iowa voters going to find their spine and oust this group. Your opportunity is coming in 2020 after what will be yet another legislative session that will spoil our Iowa values.  Time to make some bold changes.(Photo with Kirsten Anderson who not only was awarded the first of many settlements by the State of Iowa she also switched parties to become a Democrat.)

Right to Work

It is time to overturn this idea that has a friendly name but has been yet another tool to depress worker wages and their ability to demand better working conditions. In Iowa if an employer doesn't like the color of your socks he/she can fire you without giving any reason at all. So, is that right? Is that right that all the power moves up the chain to employers. Once upon a time companies and corporations felt responsible to three segments of our society. 1) The community as a whole; 2) The workers who produced products and services that provided a profit to the company and 3) the shareholders who invested in the business potential. That three-legged stool is now a monopod and corporations and their CEO's are concerned with only investors and profit at the cost of employees and community. It's time to take action and repeal right to work.

Iowa Wages

The call from business interests is, "Let the market decide on wages." I get it but if the market is interested in profit above people and paying their corporate executives two to five hundred percent more of what is being paid to their employees something is wrong. Yes, we have seen burger joints being forced to raise their wages from $7.25 to now a whopping $10 an hour. If those folks work a full 40 hour week (which they do not) they will make $20,800 a year...before taxes. At that level they must work two or three jobs to earn enough not to be on public assistance. In the end food service, healthcare, retail corporations are taking the money you pay for what they are selling and then taking the tax dollars you are paying to prop up the working poor. I don't know what the right number is but this insanity has got to end. No more waiting for crumbs to fall from the masters table...because it ain't happening. We should be working to strengthen employee unions rather than undercut them. And that will take a change in the Iowa House and Senate. You up for it?

There you go...several policy ideas that will make Families First in the coming years. But you must act. You must show support for making a change, not only at the federal level but right here in Iowa. It starts with your school board to your city council to our legislative members and the governor. No more bowing and scraping before the GOP masters. It's time for bold ideas and change and that will, in the end, be up to you.

Partly Personal

Yesterday I spent some time in Senate District 22 (Clive, West Des Moines and Windsor Heights) doing some work with the Salvation Army who were stationed at Walmart stores here in Polk County and in many locations around the nation. The goal was to collect donations of school supplies for kids that have none. From all reports it was a successful effort and I have my friend Tamyra Harrison to thank for getting me involved in the effort. I was moved by the words of Major Jason Poff who said, "This has more to do than just buying pencils. We're here to help kids who go to school look up rather than look down."  Part of my involvement was not only being there but also sharing the effort across several social media platforms...it's what I do.

So...why not have a day of action each week? What can I do to help. Let me know? You can find me on Facebook and while I can't be everywhere every week I want to be a servant to the people...folks who need the help. You can always hit me up on Facebook.

Finally, yesterday during my stint with the Salvation Army, a man walked up to us and began talking about his personal story. I wish we would have taped that so you could have heard...but here is a short piece I recorded with Salvation Army Major Jason Poff about the addiction recovery centers sponsored by his organization. To listen in, just click on the link below.

Salvation Army Clip Day of Action 3 August 2019

Thanks for reading and have a great Sunday...but don't get too comfortable, we've got work to do. 

 

Sunday Morning Coffee 5 May 2019

And...we keep on rolling!  Welcome to Sunday Morning Coffee and the news stories you may have seen or, perhaps, missed but each with my commentary.  Why? Because it's Sunday Morning and while you were sleeping...I couldn't. Let's go!

Maybe We Should...

Thinking it's looking more and more like the media should start their Attorney General coverage with, "Today President Trumps attorney William Barr..." That way we all know and don't have to guess.

Speaking of Mr. Barr...remember when he was up for conformation hearings and so many Democrats held out HOPE that he would be an Attorney General for America and not the attorney for the president. If you need one lesson as to why Democrats fail it's that we constantly hold out "hope" that a leopard will change his/her spots. It doesn't happen and the GOP knows so many will cave on the hope. Weary...

Back in 1973

"Congress already has everything they need. There is simply nothing here." So said President Richard Nixon as Congress was demanding that he turn over documents and tapes related to Watergate. Nope, nothing here. You can't see this stuff. You already have it. Sound familiar? Reliving history in 2019 as "45" will try everything in the playbook (that also failed for Nixon) to keep Congress from learning the truth.

We know how this ends...

Bill De Blasio

Look for the Mayor of New York City to announce his run for president this week. The Mayor was in town several weeks ago and I had the chance to sit down with him for an interview. If you would like to hear that conversation click here.

Anyway it was a good time and our own Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie was on hand to welcome De Blasio to Iowa. Before we all went our way a staffer snapped this photo.

See you on the trail Mayor De Blasio (D-NY)!

Congresswoman Cindy Axne

Iowa's Third District Congresswoman, Cindy Axne (D-IA) made it official last week that she will not run for the United States Senate
and challenge Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA). That, of course sets a bunch of things in motion and clears the field in a couple of areas. While Anxe already has a challenger out of the Council Bluffs area two other names are floating around. State Sen. Brad Zaun (R-Urbandale) who was robbed at a convention of his chance to run may be thinking about taking on Cindy. Then, last week, another interesting name surfaced...that of State Sen. Charles Schneider (R-WDM). If Chuck is looking at the numbers in Senate District 22 it might be a good idea for him to bolt for a run for Congress. The numbers in the Third favor a Republican but Axne will mount a significant campaign.

Ya gotta love politics.  Oh wait...there is more. My friend Eddie Muro has been traveling around Iowa with, what I believe to be, volunteer staff. Eddie lost in a primary to Axne in Iowa's Third District but has said that he would like to run for a federal office. In addition we've got J.D. Scholten who ran against Congressman Steve King (R-IA) last year but has said that he may take King on again in 2020. And then there is Theresa Greenfield who ran for the Third District but had to bow out due to her campaign manager fraudulently signing nomination forms. 

 

Impeach Or...Not

As "45" continues to defy congress and rack up points with Putin the liberal wing of the Democratic Party increases pressure on Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to start the impeachment process. The weird thing is that many top Republicans are also urging the move. Why? They see it as a political trap and a bolster to the reelection efforts of the president. Meanwhile on State Media several senior GOP House Members have actually said they hope the House brings on the impeachment efforts. Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA), the top Republican on the Judiciary panel, seemed to challenge Judicial Chairman Congressman Jerry Nadler (D-NY) to take that step, saying in a Fox News interview that Democrats “don't have the fortitude to actually bring an impeachment inquiry." Oh...my. 

More Pregnant Teens!

Iowa, for several years, has seen a population that has not grown as much as neighboring states. In fact many of our rural counties have seen some pretty heavy population decreases. Coming to the rescue is the Iowa Legislature and Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-IA) who just signed into law a measure that will shut down Planned Parenthood sex education efforts. Gone now is about $260,000 in federal funding for the Personal Responsibility Education Program and the Community Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention and Services program.

Way to step up Sen. Charles Schneider (R-WDM) and the GOP State Senate. Now if only you had a plan to actually educate and care for these children of our high school girls.

More Puppy Stabbings!

At least the Iowa State Senate showed some spine during the recent session and flipped off puppies. The Iowa House overwhelmingly passed the Iowa Voters for Companion Animals bill that would enact some penalties for acts of cruelty toward companion animals...you know puppies and kittens. But the bill failed to make it through the senate because, wait for it, the "slippery slope" argument. Our friends in the GOP that represent Rural Iowa feared that somehow a bill that never mentions farm critters but was explicit in dogs and cats would somehow be that "slippery slope" toward easing cruel measurers in production agriculture. 

The photo is our "puppy" Yofi who, according to the rescue agency, was subject to having boiling water poured on her when she was less than 6 months old. The result was that she lost fur on her left side and an ear because her original owner than failed to take her for care at a vet. Yeah...this shit happens but the Iowa State Senate could care less. BTW "Yofi" means beautiful in Hebrew.

"Mother May I?"

The Iowa Legislature also was able to pass the "Mother May I Bill". That's the new law that directs the Attorney General for the State of Iowa to first ask for permission from the governor if he/she can move forward with lawsuits that might...just might...be considered BY SOME to be political in nature. This is sure to head to the courts for a decision but it's another example of how one branch of government put restraints on another branch of government because...oh, let's see...politics? 

Transgender Surgery

The Iowa Legislature also banned Medicaid dollars that would pay for elective transgender surgery. Do you get the feeling the GOP is sort of fixated on sex? Anyway, I was watching some of the public comments on the news story and people who supported this measure were, to the person, saying "Why should I pay for something that is an elective surgery that somebody just wants?" That sort of thing. It got me to wonder if, in Iowa, Medicaid pays for breast reconstruction surgery following a mastectomy. And, guess what...it does and that is a good thing. But, using the logic of "Why should my tax dollars go for a procedure that somebody just wants?" also apply?  Just asking....

It Ain't True

One of the things that Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-IA) said was on her "wish list" was that the Iowa Legislature move toward a constitutional amendment to restore voting rights to felons who have completed their "debt to society". Don't fall for it. She could easily make it happen with an administrative ruling if she wanted to.  There is something else cooking in this effort to amend the Iowa Constitution...and because I don't trust her...I don't trust the effort.  Hey, maybe it's just me. 

Partly Personal

Yesterday I sat down to interview 2020 presidential candidate Marianne Williamson and what a delightful experience. We only had about 20 minutes but we could have talked for hours. I found her refreshing and bold. She doesn't seem to sit and think "How should I answer this question for this audience?" I'll air that interview later this week. Wait until you hear the answer to my question, "You seem so...nice. How does that play in this rough game of politics?" Oh...yeah. One other thing...she speaks to "compassionate capitalism" something to pay attention to. 

One other thing that comes to mind about campaigning for president is the grueling schedule. On Friday night Williamson was in Clinton County (Eastern Iowa) for an event that got over at 11:00pm. Got back to Des Moines close to 3:00am and then up for the opening of the Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market at 7am and then a full day of interviews, house parties, etc. These folks work it and rather than throwing stones we might do well to emulate their dedication. 

One other thing. Yesterday I was in a meeting where a prominent Democrat said they were seeking a quote for some insurance and reached out to Farm Bureau. Let that sink in for a moment. Yes, my head spun around....

OK...gotta go. Full day ahead.  Thanks for reading and have a great Sunday! 

 

 

Sunday Morning Coffee 7 April 2019

Back from New York and, from what it looks like, I missed all kinds of stuff here in Iowa. Welcome to Sunday Morning Coffee, politics and religion all wrapped up in one blog. Lucky you...right? No doubt you've seen some of these stories others, maybe not...  Let's go!

New York Press Association

Last week I traveled to Albany to address this massive organization that represents newspapers in New York. It was really interesting to talk to publishers and editors of, mostly, community based papers. Papers that represent their cities, towns and boroughs. While the dailies are shrinking their editorial staff, selling off property and facing ever shrinking circulation it seems these community based papers are doing pretty well and expanding.

On the political front it was hard pressed to find friends of "45". I never asked, but I was, many times, told how much they dislike this guy. Especially those who own papers in NYC. They may not write about their dislike, remember they are hyper-local, but the people that opened up about the guy were clearly not a fan.

Brooklyn

For my Iowa readers check this: Brooklyn, one of five boroughs in NYC, has close to 2.7 million residents. The land mass of Brooklyn is 69 square miles. Meanwhile Polk County, Iowa with a population of 498,000 represents 592 square miles. So, you could fit 8 "Brooklyns" in Polk County. No wonder there are no less than 12 newspapers serving Brooklyn alone. Wow....

Tax Returns

I see that it ain't gonna happen. Acting (no doubt because they all are and not doing a good job of it) White House chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney said this morning that Democrats will "never" see "45's" tak returns. Besides the only reason the Democrats want to see the president's tax returns is because they do not want a debate over "popular policy issues of this president". Huh? 

Yes! That's it. Democrats are trying to obscure any conversation about locking up kids, deporting innocent people, ending health care, continuing trade wars, putting farmers in bankruptcy, giving massive tax breaks to the wealthy, cutting off food for the poor. Yep, we are demanding tax returns so we don't have to talk about...policy. Weary...

Israel

Meanwhile "45" is telling, anybody that will listen, that the Democrats hate Israel and if it were not for him Democrats, "...very well would leave Israel out there on their own." Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) countered this morning by saying, “I hate to even dignify those remarks, but look, it’s not the Democratic Party that believes that there are good people on both sides of a Nazi rally. There’s just one party and one party leader who believes that, and that’s Donald Trump.” Schiff, by the way, is one of the highest-ranking Jewish members of Congress.

He went on,  “If there’s anything that is likely to cement the relationship between the Democratic Party and the Jewish community, it’s the presidency of Donald Trump. The lack of character and values that are certainly inconsistent with Jewish values, I think, are only consolidating support in the Jewish community and I think the president needs to look inward when it comes to the rise of anti-Semitism in the country and his own actions and his own words and how that may fuel some of the rise in hate that we see."

Yep...

Israel Two

Last week I attended a rather historic gathering. The Israeli Ambassador to the United States visited Iowa for the first time in the 70 year existence of the Jewish State. Ambassador Ron Dermer (born and raised in Miami) made a swing through Iowa meeting with elected officials, economic development folks, business leaders and the Jewish Community. He spoke for about 40 minutes and then took questions from the hundreds of invited guests. It was a very controlled environment. Security was tighter than anything I've been to in a very long time. Des Moines Police were clearly visible as were the two Shabak agents with him who, like Secret Service Agents in the U.S., faced the crowd, hands at the ready, watching movement.

Ambassador Dermer spoke about some hot-button items like recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the recognition of Israel annexation of the Golan Heights and the U.S. pulling out of the Iran Deal. You would have gotten the impression that "45" is the "best buddy" for Israel. But, while the Israeli government applauds those moves, it's a bit complicated among liberal Jews. But then again the liberal Jews I know do not have to seek shelter from rockets, knife wielding murders and others who wish only to drive Israel into the sea.

Voting Rights

I see that the GOP led Iowa Senate put a knife in the back of a constitutional amendment to extend voting rights to felons who have served their time. That, even though their leader, Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-IA) supports the move. But, let's be clear...she really doesn't. She could, at a stroke of the pen, restore voting rights just as her "dear leader" Gov. Terry Branstad (R-IA) took them away with an executive order. It's all BS.

Meanwhile my friend Sen. Chuck Schneider (R-Clive) and his group have cooked up a way to deny votes on college campuses. They now want to deny voting rights unless students sign some sort of goofy "pledge" they will remain in Iowa as residents following college. Even more BS. Weary...what are you people thinking about when you vote for these fools?  But it is in keeping with Chuck's policy. He hates voting no doubt because he has seen the numbers in his senate district. In fact, they are so bad that I often wonder if he will run in 2020.

Stay tuned...

The Iowa Death Penalty

I see that we're killing off lots of people at the Glenwood, Iowa Resource Center a state run institution that "cares" for 200 of the most disabled of our citizens. According to people employed at the center staffing is low, care is missing and 14 people have died since June of last year.  So, it would seem that Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-IA) is getting her wish to reimpose the death penalty in Iowa. But, your crime? Be one of the people who has a significant disability... The level of moral decay among the GOP is staggering.

Moral Decay Part Two

There are a bunch of Christians out there. In fact Christianity is the prefered or adopted religion of over 70 percent of Americans. So, tell me why (and you have the floor) so many "Christians" are opposed to paying a living wage and against unions?

I'll give you a moment to think about that.  Why are you, as a Christian, against unions and paying a living wage to Americans?

Because of greed? How would I know?  Because it can't be that your faith group opposes paying a living wage or that your faith group is opposed to the rights of workers to unionize.  How do I know?

I'm working on a story about that. The issue came up when my brother was talking about why there needs to be a union at Simpson College to protect educators and staff there from cuts to programs, cuts to wages, unfair labor practices...the list, he says, is pretty long. So he went looking at what the United Methodist Church says about living wages and unions. And....WHAT? The Book of Resolutions from the UMC says the church supports unions. In case you want to check it out...here is a link about the "Rights of Workers". 

So, what about the Catholics? What might the Holy See..say...about the issue? Oh...golly let's look... Why YES, the Catholic Church has decades of docturne about support of livable wages and the right to organize. I know...you want a peek. Here is a link.

OK...so much for a major protestant group and the Catholic folk. But what about them Baptists? After all the states that are most anti-union reside in the South the bedrock of Baptists.

Oh my...look what I found: In 1938 the Southern Baptist Convention passed a resolution on the rights of workers to unionize and to be paid a "fair and living wage".  I know...you want proof.  Here you go.

I'm still working on the rest of my Christian friends and what they have to say about living wages and workers rights to unionize. 

But...it's becoming pretty clear that there is a significant decay in the moral leadership of businesses and electeds who oppose the rights of workers to organize and receive a living wage. 

Go ahead...your turn. Tell me, again, why you are not supporting your Christian belief system...you have the floor. And this blog allows for your comment.

Partly Personal

I was waiting, in Chicago, to board a plane for New York when I spotted this young man who was wearing the robe of a Franciscan Friar. Because this issue of workers rights and a living wage was on my radar I decided to introduce myself and engage in a discussion. We talked for thirty minutes as we waited to board and then, on the plane, he was seated in front of me and to the right. Nobody else in his row or mine so we had the opportunity to further engage in a host of religious issues.

In the span of two hours Fr. Giles Gilbert, Parochial Vicar of Holy Family Catholic Church, Peoria and I made a lasting friendship. I was so moved by his devotion and his sense of duty to others. We spoke long about a homely he is giving today regarding the "Thirteen Attributes of Mercy" something key to the Jewish faith. You can find them in Exodus 34: 6-7.  He believes that in the story of Jesus writing in the sand when confronted by people who wish to stone a woman accused of committing adultery (John 8: 1-11) that Jesus was writing the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy. Not as a condemnation but as a reminder that if G-d can forgive following a major sin...shouldn't we?

I was completely blown away at his understanding of the Torah. 

Look, we can all agree to disagree about many things but shouldn't there be some reflection on what we are told to do...not by humans but by the G-d many worship? 

I gotta leave it there. This is already too long...go have a great Sunday.  Thanks for reading. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday Morning Coffee - Daylight Savings Time Edition

You too huh? THAT was a short night...Welcome to the 10th day of March! The coffee is on and much to share. Some of these stories you may have seen others perhaps you've missed but, not to worry, they are all laced with my commentary. Why? Because it's what I do...let's go!

The Iowa Poll

The guy who leads the pack of presidential hopefuls in the new Des Moines Register/CNN/Mediacom Iowa Poll isn't in the race and the guy who comes in second isn't a Democrat. Hey, but, it's Iowa and it's early. The poll conducted by the ever spot on Selzer & Co. finds that former Vice President Joe Biden, who people close to him say he is 95% sure to jump in the race, is favored by 27% of likely caucus goers. Meanwhile Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) comes in a close second at 25%.

Again, it's very early but a couple of things jumped out about the numbers. For all the talk about new, young, fresh faces in politics these two men are not any of those things. But, what they do have, as articulated by many of the respondents, is experience something that is sorely lacking in the White House today. 

And, for all the talk about choosing a female to run for president the ladies trail by a bunch with Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass) coming in 16 percentage points under Sanders at 9%.

The poll says Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) is in fourth place with 7%, Beto O'Rourke (who has also not announced but we hear it is coming this week) gained 5%. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) tie with 3%. No other candidate gets more than 1 percent including NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Congressman Eric Swalwell (D-CA) who were not named as a "first choice" by any respondent to the poll. 

Here is something else: Former Congressman John K. Delaney, who will be on CNN tonight and yes, I'm going to his "Watch Party" at the Star Bar this evening, polls at 1%. Even though he has been running ads for months, has a number of offices in the state and an aggressive staff Delaney has not budged from an earlier poll.

If you can get through the pay wall here is a link to the story.

And, remember...it's very early.

My God...SOCIALISM!!!

It's been a hoot to see how my Republican friends turn themselves into pretzels over the fact the nation seems to be moving further to the left. Every chance they get they shout "SOCIALISM" furthering the old and tired scare tactics they are so good at. Want to know why people are fed up with the way things are?

• A Failed Healthcare System - There is not another industrialized nation on the planet that has such a messed up system as ours. The for profit health care delivery system in the United States failing millions of people and our outcomes are worse than some emerging countries...and people know it. 
• Income Inequality - Last week the heiress of the Disney company said, "Not even Jesus Christ was worth 500 times that of his employees." OK, there is lots wrong with that but the fact is that when corporate CEOs are paid 700, 600 and 500 times that of the wages of their median employees something is very, very wrong...and people know it.
• Corporate Taxation - When the story broke that Amazon paid zero in taxes it sorta struck a nerve. While cities and states line up to throw your tax dollars at a company who doesn't pay a cent for the infrastructure they use every day it gets under our skin...just a bit.
• The Endless War - We're done...OK? People are tired of this government writing blank checks to fund a war that has been going on for nearly 20 years. Even the Russians wised up and got the hell out of Afghanistan. Funny thing that we can spend trillions on this endless war but we can't fund a decent health care system for our citizens. 

That is just four of, perhaps, ten reasons why this nation is casting an eye toward other countries who seem to have it figured out. 

Notice Something?

I'm over 700 words in and barely a swipe against "45". Know why? I'm done with him too. We can not believe one word the man says, he continues to embarrass this nation he is a crook a lier and a racist. Why waste space on covering what he says or does. Pointless and the faster the rest of the country comes to that conclusion and focuses on positive steps to replace the dignity of the office of the President of the United States the better off everybody is. Just think...reality TV...which is also phony.

Busy Turning The Clock Back

Even while the rest of the nation is moving further the left the Iowa Legislature, which is controlled by Republicans, are doing their very best to turn the clock back and help this state become a  shadow of what it could be. How?

• Tax Dollars for Private Schools - Really? Think about that for a moment. Why the hell would we give one penny to any religious or for profit school where they can pick and choose who goes to that institution? Proponents point to the fact that graduation numbers are higher at religious schools. Hell yes...the legislature has been methodically starving our public school system for years. Cleary they don't see the importance of education...at least not public;
• The Death Penalty - Really? Are you honestly so full of blood-lust that you think we need to become Texas or Alabama or Arkansas? Really?;
• Guns - Never mind you are. The Iowa GOP wants guns everywhere on everybody because you should be afraid...very, very afraid and besides the government is out to get you and you need protection against those "black helicopters". So very weary;
• The Judicial System - Chuck Schneider and his cronies in the Iowa Senate are still miffed that the judicial system in Iowa isn't like the clown courts of other states where the ruling party gets to play loose with the law. Again a solution in search of a problem;
• Abortion - Oh yes...that again. Now the Iowa Legislature wants to pass a constitutional amendment that would ban the right of a woman to have control over her body. Just stop it.

Elections have consequences and they are being played out every day under the golden dome...and not for the betterment of our state.

Just Settle The Case!

Anybody else think it is odd that just days before an attorney was going to file two harassment cases against the now ousted director of the Iowa Finance Authority, Dave Jamison, the state rushed in to settle at the tune $4.1 million? I wonder who didn't want Mr. Jamison on a witness stand? I wonder who didn't want to be compelled to sit down for depositions?  Never mind...it's nothing. 

Meanwhile published reports say there are several more harassment cases pending against department heads who have not yet been fired by the governor. We got us a mess kids...

Partly Personal

Daylight savings time is finally here and we can stop hibernating. By this time a couple of years ago I'd already put dozens of miles on my bike. Itching to get out there again...soon. However this ice ain't so safe especially with those skinny road bike tires.

Speaking of bicycles....

Yesterday there was a celebration at Bike World in Des Moines honoring John Karras the co-founder of RAGBRAI on his 89th birthday. In this short clip you'll hear Bike World owner Forrest Ridgway talk about how much RAGBRAI has meant to Iowa and then John has something to say: 

John Karras 89th Birthday March 2019

Photo: Forrest celebrating with friends at the event, John and the RAGBRAI executive director, TJ Juskiewicz and, of course the cake with images of the soon to be built statue that will be in Water Works Park which honors Donald Kaul and John Karras. For more about that and how you can help here is a link. You can click on the photo to enlarge. 

Thanks for reading and have a great Sunday! 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Sunday Morning Coffee 3 March 2019

Let's hope this business of "March coming in like a lion and going out like a lamb" holds up. Dang, it's cold this morning but, here, the coffee is HOT! Sunday Morning Coffee starts brewing long before the sun comes up, at least in the winter. It's my weekly look at the news stories you've maybe seen and some you may have missed all laced with my commentary. It's what I get to do.  Let's go!

CPAC

Yesterday in a profane laced address to the Conservative Political Action Committee "45" was on a roll for over two hours and largely off script. How is this...coming from the President of the United States of America, "You know, I don't know, maybe you know. You know, I'm totally off script right?" He went on, "This is how I get elected by being off script and if we don't go off script, our country is in big trouble, folks."

What the hell does THAT mean?

He went on to say the investigations of him are "bullshit", mocked his former Attorney General Jeff Sessions, said the Democrats "are socialists" said National House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Shiff (D-CA) is "Little Shifty" and "These people are sick. They're sick."

I'm old enough to remember when the office of the President was, at least in public, something that garnered respect. No longer, it seems.

One other observation: Over two hours of calling people names, making fun of energy solutions, saying "those people hate America". It reminds me of the 1930's when Adolf Hitler or Benito Mussolini would gather thousands of people who would stand for hours listening to the deranged "off script" speeches that also called people names, derided the opposition and spewed hate.  History has a way of repeating itself.

Oh, But There Is More

Last week Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) actually wanted to talk about the ballooning deficit that has been created under the Republicans by out of control spending and tax cuts that created more wealth for the wealthy. But, and we all knew this was coming, those things are not the problem. Nope, not at all. The real problem that has created the massive deficit are "runaway entitlements". You know the stuff that actually cares for people like Social Security, Medicare, college grants, Medicaid and SNAP (food stamps). 

And then out comes Alan Greenspan last week and, on cue, says the reason we have high deficits that will, in his words, "bring on rampant inflation" are...wait for it..."Democrats unwilling to rein in entitlements." 

There you have it. I promise you that the GOP will try to hammer home that if it were not for old, sick, out of work, under employed, unemployed lazy shiftless people in this country everybody would be living the high life. 

And you know what? Many will buy into that flawed logic. Especially lovers of the Grover Norquist Elixir. 

Michael Cohen

"He is a racist, he is a liar and he is a cheat." I think I'll leave it right there. But it does beg the question, "We all knew that, what else have you got?"

Walk Away

For weeks we had to endure the hype: "45" was headed to Vietnam to meet with the dictator of North Korea and it was going to be "massively successful" worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize. So the president flies halfway around the world and, in the end, doesn't even have lunch. 

Then at a press conference "45" says that North Korea wanted all the sanctions removed before they started their efforts to denuclearize their country. So he "walked away". Meanwhile North Korea held their own press conference and called the president a liar saying they only wanted "some of the sanctions removed" and the deal was they would start the process of tearing down their facilities.

Who do you believe?  Given the track record...ya gotta go with North Korea. (Photo: NBC News) 

I'm on my second pot of coffee...you?

Uncle Joe and Mike Pence

The fur is flying. Last week former Vice President Joe Biden said that current Vice President Mike Pence is "a decent guy". That brought out the long knives. Here is the quote, "The fact of the matter is it was followed on by a guy who's a decent guy, our vice president, who stood before this group of allies and leaders and said, 'I'm here on behalf of President Trump,' and there was dead silence. Dead silence."

Mr. Biden was referencing an event where Mr. Pence said that he brought greetings from the president of the United States and was met with stone cold silence. That, my friends is what international leaders think of "45". 

Clearly he was making reference to the lack of foreign policy and tried not to be too hard on the current VP. But he was taken to task by some folks for saying that this "decent guy" is an evil person when it comes to the LGBTQ community. 

Mr. Biden said he was sorry for saying "decent guy".

BTW: When "Uncle Joe" announces his candidacy this month...all the air will go out of the race. Watch my children...

Beto

I have it on good authority, as of yesterday, that former Congressman Beto O'Rourke (D-TX) will announce his candidacy for president and be in Iowa within two weeks. 

Book it.

That would make it three: Three candidates that could and would defeat "45" in 2020: Biden, O'Rourke or Sanders.

This is going to be fun to watch.

School Nurses

My state senator Charles Schneider (R-Clive/WDM/Windsor Heights) really, really wanted to get rid of school nurses. He and his GOP caucus thought, for a bit, that would be a great way to help our schools and our school children. And he was right. Push the responsibility of dispensing epipens, insulin and medical care to the school teachers. After all they don't do anything all day but infuse our precious kids with socialist propaganda. And, when you think about it every one of them are living on the backs of hardworking taxpayers. It's about time we make them work for a living... Weary. Thankfully somebody decided to  pull the draconian bill. Maybe it was...Chuck. 

Now to defeat this crazy idea of using taxpayer dollars for private schools. You wanna send your kid to a private school...pay for it.

Guns and Knives

There is an old saying, "Don't bring a knife to a gun fight."  That is a true saying and something that legislators in Iowa agree with. Suspect you know that you can pack a gun into the Statehouse if you have a permit but they will confiscate your pocket knife. I'm not making that up. It is good that the Iowa Legislature has adopted that old saying and put it into practice. Let that be a lesson for each of you. 

But Guns in Jails...

Seems a person headed to jail in Polk County, Iowa was that close to sneaking a gun into jail with him. This guy drives into a snowdrift, the police show up and arrest him for being drunk and having some "Mary Jane" with him. So. off to jail he goes where at the booking they find a .32 caliber handgun in his sweatshirt. Oops!  Seems the deputies that "patted him down" missed it...it was small.

Partly Personal

Last week our 10 year old granddaughter came to my office with a globe. She and my Bride go out to eat at an "ethnic" restaurant each month but...before going...Jovie has to research the food, the area where it comes from, the language of the people there and more. Then she gets to write a brief story about what she has learned. Pretty cool...huh?

So, she comes to me with this globe and says, "Zayde, where is Puerto Rico?" I said, "Look just south and east of Florida." She looks at me like I have a third eye and says she has no idea where Florida is. Stunned I ask her to point to the United States and she points to Russia. (well...that is profound when you think about it). I asked her if she learns geography in school. "Nope."

This sixty-seconds turned into a fifteen minute conversation about the world, the countries, the continents all winding up with pointing out where Puerto Rico is.

The next day was Parent/Teacher Conferences.  Lucky me...right?  I had to ask about geography...I mean...along with leftist propaganda do they teach it?

They do and I was relieved and Jovie said, "Oh, that! Sure we learn about that I just didn't know the word geography."

My bad...

Finally, I think it is a GO! Last week I mentioned that I had been invited to participate in an effort to help create a Black Business Incubator program in the Metro. We had our first meeting and we're moving forward. People from the community as well as the Iowa Workforce Development and the Small Business Administration met and are making plans to bring this together. I am so stoked. You see, I believe there is only one way to reduce the cycle of unemployment and under-employment and that is through economic development in a very broad sense. Stay tuned...

Thanks for reading and have a wonderful Sunday! 

 

 

 

Sunday Morning Coffee Strong Content Edition - 6 May 2018

I don't always "name" each weeks edition of Sunday Morning Coffee but today seemed different. Maybe it's because I think we need to look beyond the sensational headlines of the past week and come to the agreement that we're pretty much screwed if we fail to vote these bastards out of office in November. Sorry...see already strong. My name is Michael Libbie and I get to write this political blog each Sunday morning...it's a hobby? Let's go!

Different Shades of Truth

I do not trust a word that comes out of the mouth of the President of the United States and neither should you. This weekend I heard a commentator say, "It's not that the president is lying it's just that he sees different shades of the truth." I guess if we were talking about "Joe - The Guy Who Cuts My Hair" and his passion for mendacity that would be one thing. However, "45" is the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES and we, and other nations know that what ever he says it is a lie. That my friends is damaging to much more than just the kook who occupies 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. It is a question of national security. 

My good friend Desmund Adams once said about equality, "Equality is equality; there are no shades of being equal." Same goes with the truth.

Farmers & Soybeans

Last week in a financial impact statement we learned about the numbers that accompany a 25% tariff on soybeans. China, as we already know, is buying soybeans from Canada and Brazil forgoing the United States. The impact of that decision is stunning. Last year China purchased $14 billion in U.S. soybeans. This year the projection is a drop of $4.5 billion in sales because of the tariff. That should really help the rural economy that is already reeling from low commodity prices. Many of my farmer friends voted for "45" in 2016 because, "He tells it like it is!" I'm here to suggest that nothing could be further from the truth...and you are about to pay the price.

Wages & Inflation

Working hard? Can't seem to get ahead? Putting in more hours and failing to see the reward? There is a reason for that. Stick with me because this gets into the weeds. The U.S. added 164,000 jobs in April (lower than the 194,000 projected) and unemployment ticked down to 3.9% the lowest it has been in 18 years. Meanwhile, and this is IMPORTANT...wages in the U.S. rose by 0.1%.  This is NOT the way it normally works. Low Unemployment = Higher Wages...but it's not happening. And to put icing on the cake inflation is expected to increase by 2.45% in 2018. 

So?

So...annual wage growth year over year from 2017 is only 2.6%. This means wages are stuck even though corporations are sitting on trillions of dollars and about to receive even more money in light of the recent tax reductions.  Stay with me because it's about to get interesting and it impacts you and your quality of life.

Economists say there are two reasons wages are not moving higher while unemployment is at an 18 year low:

• Returning to the Workforce - There were so many people displaced during the Great Recession that many are still entering the workforce so employers don't have to pay more; 
• Technology Replacing Workers - Because there is more and more automation happening in nearly every line of work from legal to hamburgers business is finding they can do more, or the same, without increasing wages and off-shore to technology.

I'm calling "bullshit" on number one. But, hey that's just me.  Here is the real story. This is why wages are down and you are working more and can't get ahead.

In 1979 34% of the workers in the United States belonged to a labor union. That number, in 2017, shrank to just 10%. In two independent studies it was estimated that if the U.S. had the same labor union strength as in 1979 wages for non-college educated workers would be ten to twelve percent higher for union and NON-UNION workers then they are today.

Yet you continue to bash unions. You continue to elect union-busting politicians. You continue to vote against your own interests. You get...what you vote for.

One more thing. Just to drive it all home. The gas you put in your vehicle has increased in price...in just one year...by 20% and food is projected to increase by 2.4% this year.

Kiss your savings (if you have any) goodbye.

Odd Bedfellows

So the Governor of Iowa fires a department head in a split second due to allegations that he is sexually harassing women in the workplace. No independent study. No investigation. BAM...fired. For years rumors have been circulated about the two when they were county treasurers and had a "very close relationship". It's just odd....just odd. I would suspect nobody wants to talk about the past because it just might impact the future? 

The Wrecking Ball

The Iowa Legislature packed up and when home but not before they took a giant wrecking ball to our economy and to health care. And, there is more to come. Sen. Charles Schneider (R-WDM) said so in his closing remarks. Now that they have tanked the future of services in Iowa (and become the New Kansas) and decided that women should not call the shots when it comes to their reproductive rights and made it tougher to vote and to maintain a union they are not done. Look for school vouchers to be the first thing this bunch tees up next year. Further crippling our public school system. Look for them to come back and attempt to limit the rights of transgender citizens. Look for them to continue to policy of throwing major dollars toward already successful corporations. Look for them to further reduce support to community colleges and look for them to continue to stall when it comes to medical marijuana. 

That is unless you do your damn job and turn aside these masters at the wrecking ball. We've got a great list of candidates who have come out to challenge the Republicans that have turned this state from leading the nation to following Mississippi. But you must vote and move progressives into the statehouse. It's up to you.

Three Hours in Des Moines

I attended a meeting last week hosted by the Des Moines Human and Civil Rights Commission. Joshua Barr, the commissioner, assembled about 17 people representing various groups in the Metro. Chief Dana Wingert, DMPD, John Sarcone, Polk County Attorney, Wayne Ford, Izaah JB Knox, teachers, students and community leaders all to discuss and come up with workable solutions to violence in the Metro. The group came up with three action steps moving forward:

• Create a List - There are a stunning number of good things happening between the police and people of color yet we tend to focus on the negative...or at least that is what gets the headlines. The group is compiling a list of progressive work being done now and our goal is to share that with the entire community. Even if just to say, "We're working on it."
• Economic Security - The group came to the realization the only way to combat poverty is to increase the economic opportunity of our citizens. When the unemployment rate for in Polk County is 2.8% and the unemployment rate in the African-American Community is close to 14% we've got an issue that needs to be resolved;
• Education - The group believes that education with regard to bias needs to start much earlier than high school and they are working on a plan to engage social responsibility and tackle bias in our education system at a much earlier age.

Meet Karin Derry

Let's start here. I want to introduce you to Karin Derry (pronounced Dairy) a wife, mom and, up until 2016, pretty much out of the loop when it came to politics. That changed when she saw who was elected to the White House and packed some gear into a van and headed to Washington D.C. for the Woman's March. She is now running to replace one of the most obnoxious politicians in Iowa in House District 39 - Johnston, Urbandale, Grimes, Jefferson Township (Polk County). I caught up with Karin in West Des Moines at the Polk County Democrats Booth and asked her about...her. (Click the audio link for more)

Karin Derry 5 May 2018

Here is the deal. We have to fight evil and support those candidates, no matter where they are. Candidates who will reverse the Wrecking Ball the GOP has fostered on Iowa. We have 95 candidates seeing state office. Democrats are competing and going after 54 Republican legislators. We have done a great job in recruiting excellent people and it is up to YOU to make it happen. 

Partly Personal

My Bride and I attended a Kentucky Derby Party yesterday. It was a great adventure and the conversation was energizing. Business people, civic leaders, educators, physicians gathering to watch the race and engage in thoughtful dialogue. I am a mint julep virgin...until yesterday. I know shameful, right? I figured "When in Rome...." So, stepped up and the bartender created a masterpiece. No, really. I thought I would dislike it as I'm not a bourbon drinker but this was amazing. And, it knocked me on my ass. One drink and I was reduced to water for the rest of the evening. I have NO idea what the hell the deal was. Somebody suggested it was the mixture of sugar and booze. I dunno but whoa! Just a heads up for next year.

We did go out to the horses and I was able to capture Georgie in her Kentucky Derby dress and hat...  Hey it's the Derby.

Thanks for reading and have a great Sunday!   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday Morning Coffee - Mission Accomplished Edition 15 April 2018

What a week. And when you live in Iowa it feels like you are in the epicenter of politics. Some good some...not so much. Welcome to Sunday Morning Coffee a look at some of the political events you've seen or perhaps missed but all laced with my commentary. This isn't so much "news" as it is an opportunity for me to call out some odd realities of our time. OK, enough with the hype...let's go!

Feel Better Now?

On Friday we sent "fire and fury" (great name for a book...no?) to military targets in Syria. It was to be in response to an alleged chemical attack on his own people by Bashar "The Animal" al-Assad who has been the president of that country since 2000. While the entire event was carried out with pinpoint accuracy and the U.S., Britain and France did not suffer any causalities it also came on the day that "45" was a bit preoccupied. But, make no mistake, this had nothing at all to do with Russia, 2016, money laundering, strippers, peeing on a bed, James Comey or grabbing pussy. Absolutely nothing. This had everything to do with...uhm...ahhh... Let me get back to you on that?

RAID!

Odd, isn't it, that "45" is beside himself because the FBI raided the offices and two homes of his personal attorney Michael Cohen? He clearly is worried. Why? Oh, let's see...just what could Robert Mueller find there? More money exchanged between "45" and Russia? More payouts to strippers or Playboy Bunnies? Details of communication with Russia? Pee tapes? Evidence that Vlad has something big on "45"? Tax reports that have been denied to the American people? What is astounding about all of this is that Republican elected officials are also up in arms in defense of "45" rather than scattering like bugs in the Raid commercial...(Cartoon - Tim Lloyd)

Go on, play the ad...it will make you smile.

The fact is that nobody would have done this raid until they had some far-reaching reason and I'm betting the Mueller probe is now in very dangerous territory and this could have a grave impact on those folks like Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-IA), Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) and State Senator Charles Schneider (R-Clive) who are lock-step with the person, currently, occupying 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. At least Sen. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) had the guts to, this morning, uphold the fact that Mueller has every right and responsibility to get to the truth. Good for him...somebody in the GOP has the intestinal fortitude. 

One more juicy tidbit: Stormy Daniels will attend the court hearing tomorrow afternoon in New York where Michael Cohen will be asked about his business dealings. I'd buy a ticket to that...

Scooter Libby

This all happened so long ago that I'll bet many of you had to go look it up. But that name came forward this past week as "45" pardoned Mr. Libby for charges related to his leaking of the covert identity of a CIA officer, Valerie Plame. Now you remember? It was, as Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) said this morning, “I think the president is sending a message, basically I will use the pardon power to pardon people even that have been convicted of leaking or obstruction of justice,” Schiff said. “If you’re with me, I have your back.” Setting the stage. Brilliant but also it sets us up for a crisis like we have not seen since President Richard Nixon.  Watch and wait.

A Higher Loyalty

The book doesn't come out until tomorrow but advance copies have been widely circulated. On Sunday James Comey hit the news/talk shows with his story. Clearly, Mr. Comey has no love-loss for "45" and based on how savage the attacks from the president have been toward the former FBI chief might give us pause.

Meanwhile, and I'm not sure I've ever been witness to something like this. All but forgotten are the attacks this sitting president has been doing to Amazon and Jeff Bezos. Astounding isn't it that this guy will stop at nothing. How embarrassing for our nation.

Hey, Welfare Queen!

Your time is just about up. No more driving around in a tricked out Escalade, wearing cubic zarconia bling, sitting on your ass watching the tube, talking on your "Obama Phone" while eating chocolate purchased with your food stamps. The president has something in store for you it's called "Work to Eat" and he is done with your lazy booty. We also gonna drug test your ass!

What? Hold on...I'm getting a message in my ear. You mean you have to prove you are poor to be on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)? Yeah but you're still eating steak and lobster! What? You are telling me that every $5 spend on food stamps gets doubled in economic benefit to the community? What? Over 83% of SNAP/Food Stamp benefits go to households with a child, senior, or disabled person. And that most food stamp recipients are children and the elderly...

What? The average food stamp benefit is $133 a month per person?  And that SNAP spending accounts for 2% of our national spending yet we spend over 19% of our national budget on defense?

And...because in places like Iowa where the GOP controlled legislature has made it illegal for communities and counties to increase the minimum wage of $7.25 an hour many people have to work two and three jobs and yet they qualify for food stamps because they are paying over 45% of their income on rent?

Never mind...let me get back to you on this.

Tale of Two Cities

Speaking of...living. Last week Des Moines was ranked as the 4th best city in which to live by US News and World Report. Pretty keen huh? You can bet the folks at the Greater Des Moines Partnership were doing "high-fives" all around the table. Yet here in Polk County many of our citizens...too many...are on the "low down" of the economy. And, to make matters worse we're, mostly, ignoring the facts and taking little action. 

From The Des Moines Register report of last year:

The challenge is what a report calls “the tale of two cities”: white and black Des Moines. A yawning racial gap persists in education, employment, finances, business ownership, housing, leadership, health, criminal justice and other areas. For example:

• Iowa had the worst unemployment rate in the nation for African-Americans in 2015 — 14.8 percent — compared with the statewide unemployment rate of 3.9 percent, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• The median income for African-American households in Polk County was less than half of the county as a whole in 2014: $26,725, compared with $59,844.
• Twenty-five percent of black Des Moines residents are unbanked, compared with a rate of 4.5 percent statewide.
• African-Americans make up 65 percent of the “cost-burdened” renters (defined as spending more than 30 percent of their income on housing) in Des Moines.
• In 2005, 12.9 percent of black Polk County residents had less than a high school education. In 2014, that had risen to 17.1 percent.

 If you want to read the entire piece...here you go.  The statistics are not that much different if you are a Latino.

Speaking of Latinos

They, our Asian friends and all people of color are flexing their collective muscle. Last week the Asian/Latino Coalition of Iowa played host to three national figures Rep. John Delaney (D-MD), Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) and the mayor of Los Angeles, Eric Garcetti were all in Des Moines. I was at two of the three events. Make no mistake this group is powerful and getting more so.  And, no, you do not have to be a "person of color" to engage in the push-back of division that the GOP continues to mount.  Mitch Henry and all the board there is doing a great job! And the Polk County Democrats are on FIRE! 

I've gotta tell you, the conversation I had with Mayor Garcetti was all about inclusion, economic justice, small business and opportunity. If you would like to listen in...here you go: 

IOB 15 April 2018 Garcetti

Partly Personal

Last week I celebrated a birthday...number 68. Yeah...I know. I should be retired by now but still working...every day. I want to thank each of you for the kind and warm wishes directed my way last week. It was very nice and I was so overwhelmed. Thank you, again.

As you know we've recently launched the Business News Hour -Week in Review on News/Talk 1540 KXEL each Sunday afternoon starting at 2PM Central. And, if you want...you can listen to the stream. It's mostly business news but this week we're also visiting with Rob Sand who is running for Iowa State Auditor. Rob is from Decorah but his story about "being different" in St. Louis is striking....and an important part of why he is seeking this office. Here is that interview.

This week we welcomed another "voice" on the Business News Hour - Week in Review. Our daughter Hunter Pease opens the broadcast. It's her first "gig" as a voice talent. I may be partial but I think she's got a future.

Of course you can hear all the reports from Insight on Business the News Hour our daily program on our Radio Blog which is right here.

Thanks for reading and have a great Sunday!  

 

 

Sunday Morning Coffee - 18 March 2018

Remember, "back in the day" when news out of the White House or State House would be, maybe, a thirty-second clip once or twice a day. That has all changed. Every day, multiple times a day, my news alert goes off and before I even reach for my phone or computer mouse the first thought is, "What in the heck did this administration do now?" Welcome to Sunday Morning Coffee where I attempt to distill some of the stories you've seen and some you may have missed. However they are all laced with my commentary. Why? Because it's what I do early on Sunday morning while you rest.

White House Fatigue

You too? Maybe that's the goal. To, daily, do crap that defies normalcy and wear us down. I've heard from dozens of people who tell me, "News? I don't pay any attention to that. It's just too crazy." From hiring people to oversee agencies they once fought in court to cabinet secretaries who are so out of touch with reality (Yes Betsy DeVos we're looking at you) they have no clue of reality. The daily grind can get to you...and many have simply "tuned out". Again, perhaps that is the agenda. 

Let's Go To...

Recently "45" has found a new goal. Something that he, no doubt, hopes will turn aside questions about Russia, porn stars, birthers, nationalism, crotch groping, money laundering, abuse of power, trade wars and other "fake news" stories. What is it? "Let's go to Mars!" But what to do with the many supporters of "45" who say the 1969 Moon Landing was a hoax? (Key Alex Jones theme music.) "45" seeking to do something that will be "a really big deal" and something that would beat out the legacy of President Kennedy has been focusing on taking a trip to Mars.  News flash...the president is already in outer space.

In addition this effort now has Russia saying the the U.S. would be badly beaten in a race to Mars. All of this talk takes our attention away from crazy stuff like wall building and trade wars. Again...all planned? (Cartoon - Tim Lloyd)

Witch Hunt

In tweets on Saturday "45", just hours after his personal attorney John Dowd released a statement calling on Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who oversees Special Council Robert Mueller's investigation to shut it down, was at it again. Saying it was all fake and that the investigation was a "WITCH HUNT" and there was no collusion and that it was all because of "Crooked Hillary". Tired yet? Thought so... Every day I have to remind myself that this is the President of the United States of America. There has been no one who has done more damage to that office than this man. And it is so awful...

And then there is the firing of Andrew McCabe. Once upon a time the GOP was known as the "law and order" party. They loved the FBI and special councils and...well, you know. Now in a purely political move Attorney General Jeff Sessions fires the head of the FBI on "trumped up charges". Wanna talk about a "witch hunt"? This administration has done more to disgrace this country and our law enforcement in one year than we've ever before seen. Shocking.  But, immediately following the firing several democratic congresspeople offered McCabe a job in an effort to save his $60,000 a year pension. Tune in tomorrow.

Ivanka 

Speaking of tomorrow First Daughter Ivanka Trump will be in Waukee, Iowa. Following closely behind her will be Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-IA) further cementing her admiration for "45" and his policies. Ivanka will be here to "assess the job ready skills of high school students in a new public private partnership". And....people will step all over themselves to rub elbows with them. Maybe the governor is thinking that the Trump name will be helpful in 2018. Just like it was in Pennsylvania last week where a democrat edged out a "45" fan in a district that "45" won by 20 points in 2016. Bring it Kim...bring it.

Meet Eddie Moore

Last week I attended the 32nd Annual Symposium of the Des Moines Civil and Human Rights Commission called "Blueprint for Building Community". I was able to sit down with three people who I found to be truly amazing. Madison DeShay and her husband Richard Duncan are doing a documentary about Center Street. The four block area was a vibrant, thriving hub of African-American economic and cultural life. It was destroyed by urban renewal in the 1950's. We'll air that segment soon on The Business News Hour.

I also met Dr. Eddie Moore who has, for over 20 years, been writing and speaking on White Privilege in America. It is a powerful interview that cuts to the heart of "America's Original Sin" and offers up ways that we can begin to correct what is in the hearts and minds of so many. We'll also have that conversation on The Business News Hour in the very near future. But, just in case you want more here is the link to WhitePrivilegeConference.com Yes, there is such a thing..

Protecting a Serial Abuser

Meanwhile Iowa was buzzing about the former State Senator and leader of the Iowa Republican Senate Caucus Bill Dix (R-Shell Rock) who was caught knoodling (Gosh, I love that word...thank you for using it last week Kathie Obradovich...it was perfect!) with a young woman, not his wife, at a local watering hole that uses Red Solo Cups for glassware. Says a bunch...right? Rising to prominence were two men who have been protecting this guy for years. Sen. Jack Whitver (R-Ankeny) is the new leader of the GOP State Senate and Sen. Charles Schneider (R-Clive) becomes president of the senate. Least we forget about Sen. Amy Sinclair (R-Allerton) who championed the Iowa School Segregation Bill who also rose in the ranks. Are you catching a theme under the golden dome?

Meanwhile, I remembered what Kirsten Anderson (who won a $1.75 million sexual harassment lawsuit) told me during our visit at the Iowa State Fair when she officially switched parties and become a Democrat. "It was awful. The harassment, the stories, the jokes and the threats we had to put up with I would not wish on anybody." Who might you think she was talking about?  Yep...those same cronies who have been there all along. Enjoy it while you can...

Scrappy Farm Kid

Let us turn our attention to Theresa Greenfield who is running to oust Congressman David Young (R-IA) from his office representing Iowa's Third Congressional District. On Wednesday Theresa files with the Iowa Secretary of State papers to run in the district. Feeling pretty good about getting the 1,790 signatures in two days early were dashed on Thursday when her campaign manager Noah Wasserman disclosed that he had forged some of the signatures. Theresa fires him and then sets off on a 24 hour blitz to gather the required signatures from the 16 counties that make up the Third District saying that even if there was "one bad name on those petitions it was one too many". Other Democrats pitched in. Staffers from four gubernatorial campaigns, activists and even Pete D'Alessandro who is running against Theresa joined in the effort. I got the call from her about 1:30 on Friday afternoon asking for help but I was on my way to Mason City to conduct services at Adas Israel for the weekend. I made a couple of calls to friends whom I thought might help. By 5:00PM on Friday Theresa re-submitted the documents hoping that she had the right number of signatures. We'll not know until tomorrow if she made it. But WOW...what a movement. 

I have supported Theresa from the beginning and this only polished her brand. Should she make it on the ballot voters, I believe, will remember this effort and choose the "scrappy farm kid" as their standard barrier to take on the Blue Wave to Washington. I could not be more proud...

Partly Personal

Tomorrow our son has a birthday. I hope to, as we've done for years, go out to lunch and share stories. Every parent admires their kids and I am no different. Now, closer to 40 than 30 it will be a wonderful day...and I am so proud of he and his family.  I truly am blessed.

Then, on Tuesday, the First Day of Spring, I will mark the 4th anniversary of my Mother's death. Four years...and I think of her every day. 

Two monumental events in 24 hours. Again, I am truly blessed.

Thanks for reading and have a wonderful Sunday.

Sunday Morning Coffee 11 March 2018

This is feeling more like the Brunch Edition! Welcome to Sunday Morning Coffee, glad you came by. This is my, now in it's 10th (or maybe 11th) year, regular look at political stories you may have seen or some you missed all laced with my, often, sarcastic commentary. For those of you who don't like politics or religion (yeah, I often rail against that as well) this may make you feel uncomfortable. But, then again, try being a liberal. OK, enough with the introduction...let's go!

I Watched It!

It's been a long time since I've taken the time to watch "45" give a campaign speech. Last night I decided to see what the 2020 race would center on as "45" addressed a loving mass of his followers in
Pennsylvania. Let me offer up, for those of you who missed it, the major points of his speech:

• I am wonderful and you should be fortunate as hell that I am your president;
• Obama was bad, very bad;
• Hillary, while a woman, is bad...still very, very bad;
• Oprah is bad and I know her weakness;
• The Media is bad, very bad. Do not believe a word they say;
• Fox News is OK but you still have to watch them;
• I am going to North Korea and make a deal. You should feel fortunate;
• Women love me;
• I have done more for you than any president in the history of this country and you know it;
• Steel mills across the nation are putting people back to work. Right now they are reopening steel works here in Pennsylvania;
• I have created more jobs in this year alone than anybody;
• I am wonderful and you should be fortunate as hell that I am your president.

You are welcome...and now aren't you glad you didn't spend all that time and that I sacrificed for you? (Photo Credit - USA Today)

But, It's All Bullshit

But, you already know it. And as the "no-information voters" behind "45" shrieked and nodded their heads in agreement with every point he made he was...lying. The reality:

• No administration, ever, has been faced with more lawsuits in it's first 14 months in office...ever;
• No president has ever been faced with as many women coming forward to charge "sexual misconduct",
• No president, ever, has been outed by a porn star;
• No president, ever, had presided over a White House in such disarray;
• This administration has done more for the wealthy while kicking working families to the curb;
• How about the 522 jobs created in May of 2010 or the 326 jobs created in May of 2015 or the 351 jobs in October of 2015:
• And, finally...this guy is going to meet with North Korea?  That should end well...

A Storm Is Brewing...

For those of you in the know Stormy Daniels is coming back to Iowa. My friend Patrick Palmer, who has an interesting hobby of attending various porn star trade shows...and yes, I've seen the photos...reports that "45"'s former lover will be preforming at Big Earl's Gold Mine later this spring. It seems she had written off Iowa because she was "stiffed" (I know...right?) some money from a strip club operator in the Quad Cities and swore she would never again perform in the Hawkeye State. No, really, Patrick has the "inside" story on all of this. See what I did there? However, she has relented and will be here just months ahead of the 2018 elections. There is, as of yet, no confirmation that she will be invited to Terrace Hill for tea with Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-IA). We'll "stay on top" of Stormy, but may need a manual from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, as the date get closer. (Cartoon - Tim Lloyd)

Which Brings Me To...

Our governor got to cozy up to Vice President Mike Pence last week. Pence was in Council Bluffs touting the tax cuts and crowing about how much they have helped "regular Iowans". He did not mention how much they have helped the not so much "regular Iowans" who rake in the big bucks. Gov. Kim Reynolds was there saying that Mr. Pence is "...the best Vice President our nation has ever had". I'm not making that up. While it was nice that birds of a feather could flock together in Iowa it just goes to show you, once again, how completely out of touch this woman is with the people here. You all can make nice about her all you want...but she is not what this state needs...ever. Behind that "aw shucks" image is a cold, cold member of the GOP. Never forget it and she, too, will lie like hell.

Cut Them Damn Taxes!

My friends at the Greater Des Moines Partnership and the Iowa Association of Business and Industry and every pro-business group in the state has been lining up for years clamoring to lower corporate taxes in Iowa. They say, loudly and in their talking points, that Iowa must lower its corporate tax rate of 9.99 percent so that the state can be "more competitive" in attracting business and industry and jobs. Oh my! This too is...bullshit. That fact is even more pronounced when the state is lauded as "The Best State in the Nation" or when graphs like this emerge shouting "we're the best in manufacturing"...from the very people who are saying we are on the road to ruin if we fail to cut taxes. (Yep, you can click on the image to enlarge)

Meanwhile I am told that we can not attract physicians to Iowa because of our high taxes and that jobs are fleeing the state because of high taxes and that the reason our census is stagnate is because of high taxes. Hell, I suspect the next lie is going to be that it's the high taxes that keep the University of Iowa football team from winning a national championship.

So...Why?

Why would Iowa want to become Kansas and decimate our infrastructure, our education, our quality of life our ability to live in, often, safe communities? Why might Sen. Charles Schneider (R-Clive) and his pal Rep. Chris Hagenow (R-Windsor Heights) and Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa GOP and the GDMP and ABI all be lining up and telling this false story? Because they simply do not give a damn about the people living on the margins. "Go someplace else. We don't want you poor folks in our state!" They all hate government unless government is working for them. "Starve the beast (government) and you starve the people and get rid of the trash." That can be the only reason because not one corporation in Iowa pays that tax rate and if they do they are fools. Oh...and want a peek at what happened to the great tax experiment in Kansas? Here you go...  They are all lying to you and if you swallow it...we're all in trouble. Especially the 14.4% of Iowans who fall below the poverty line. (Photo Credit - NorthIowa Today)

Speaking of Taxes

The Local Option Sales & Service Tax (LOSST) lost last week and in the most unlikely places. West Des Moines voters said "yes" to the one penny sales tax increase so too did Windsor Heights and Des Moines. Voters there were all willing to pony up, like they did in Dallas County and Waukee, to increase the sales and service tax by 1% to pay for much needed infrastructure, property tax reduction and other quality of life programs. I broke with many of my friends in the Democratic Party who said, correctly, that a sales tax is a "regressive tax" that can hurt lower income individuals. Key word is..."can". My view was the "long game" where creation of infrastructure, a lowering of property taxes and building enjoyable communities was a shared responsibility of the many. Those efforts, I believe, would lift people rather than put pressure on them. Now we are looking at higher property taxes, cutting police and fire, slashing community events...it's going to get ugly. The interesting thing about the vote last week was that voters in high-wealth communities like Johnston, Urbandale and Clive voted the measure down. I know I took a personal interest in the effort by giving three public seminars on the topic. My question is...what did
leaders in Urbandale, Clive and Johnston do?  Answers???

Polk County Democrats Affirmative Action Committee

Last week the members of this committee met at Chucks Restaurant (if you have not been you MUST GO!) for some pizza, onion rings and conversation. The committee is headed by June Owens whom I have come to know and respect if not only her work pushing for inclusion but also her business sense. She also is involved in marketing and public relations and helping businesses cross over into minority markets. Good stuff.

On hand in this photo, among others is Polk County Auditor Jamie Fitzgerald whom I've known for as long as he has been alive, Mark Cooper the president of the South-Central Iowa Federation of Labor AFL/CIO, his bride Patty, (Ack...now I'm in trouble...because I failed to write down all the names!) standing just to the left of my grand-daughter Jovie (this is how you raise progressive leaders) is June, just behind June is my friend Claire Celsi who is running in Iowa Senate District 21. And, yes...I am supporting her. It was a great evening and thank you so much June for pulling this together. Those of you who missed it...missed it!

Partly Personal

Also last week I sat down with community activist Al Womble from West Des Moines and we had a great discussion about workers, worker safety, taxes, leadership, the Iowa Legislature and so much more. Al, in case you don't know, dedicates hours of his time to recording photographic history of events for the Polk County Democrats.  He's a "keeper" thanks so much for the visit!

Tomorrow I'm taking "The Show On the Road" and headed to Jefferson to speak to the Rotary Club there. My friend John Brunow from All Ability Cycles made the invitation and I'm looking forward to the conversation. While it will center mostly on business and my topic, "You Don't Know What You Don't Know" I may sprinkle some politics into the address. Just to keep things interesting. Like your Mother told you, "Never talk politics and religion..." What the heck...should be fun and I promise to be nice.

Gotta go...headed to a client meeting this afternoon and I am so sorry this is late!  Dang time change...right? 

Have a great Sunday and thank you for reading! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday Morning Coffee the Reckless Edition - 4 March 2018

Reckless...know what it means? It's a word people throw around but have you looked at the meaning? "Reckless (of a person or their actions) without thinking or caring about the consequences of an action." Welcome to Sunday Morning Coffee the Reckless Edition. Some of the stories you may have seen others, perhaps not. All are laced with my commentary. My name is Michael Libbie and thank you for reading. I'm sure something here will spur you on to thought or action without being...reckless.

Trade Wars - Reckless

I'm not sure what the hell is going on in the mind of "45"..if anything. Also, I'm not sure why he hates Canada so much. (Maybe because life there is a lot more stable than here?) Twice in the past six months "45" has enacted or said he would enact trade sanctions against Canada. Yeah, THAT Canada. The first was a import duty on Canadian lumber. That, according the the National Home Builders Association, has resulted in an average cost increase for a new home by $8,200. Now it's steel. To hear "45" talk, and he does a bunch of that, he is out to "punish poor trading partners and increase U.S. jobs". So, you might think he's talking about China. However China ranks 10th among the steel importing countries. Well below Canada, Brazil, South Korea and Mexico. But, don't take my word for it here is a link to Reuters and their "Factbox" study.

Impact of this idiotic and reckless move? More cost to U.S. Consumers that would be YOU. And, jobs? "45" lives in a fantasy world that has him thinking we are loaded with steel mills that employ millions of workers. Fact check: Those industry jobs have been shrinking for decades and today employ fewer than 200,000 people. Meanwhile the companies that buy steel and aluminum to make stuff employ more than 6.5 million workers. That from a Heritage Foundation analysis of Commerce Department data. 

I could go on and on...meanwhile this reckless act has car makers in Europe saying they will retaliate. Better buy your BMW before the sanctions kick in. Weary...

President for Life - Reckless 

Last week, on the heels of China altering their constitution allowing President Xi Jinping to essentially be "President for Life", our president said he thinks that's a great idea and added, "Maybe we'll try something like that here." Every time this clown opens his mouth it is a total embarrassment to our nation. 

Telling the Truth - Reckless

Last week we learned the punishment for telling the truth is losing your job. Hope Hicks, the longest serving official serving "45" quit mostly because she admitted to "telling white lies" about the administration. Hope Hicks, who by the way, has zero experience in government, zero experience in public relations, zero experience in communications and yet she was the Director of Communications for the White House. Well, she was a model...  Now the question is, Did Hicks tell "white lies" to the FBI in their investigation? Last time I checked that is a strict no-no. But, then again Hicks is a pretty...model. And, the government likes models just ask them about Melania who acquired an "Einstein Visa" in 2001. It's called that because it is reserved for "people with extraordinary ability" and, as everybody knows, it takes great ability to walk the cat walk.  (Cartoon: Tim Lloyd)

Telling Reckless Lies

I have some friends who are nuts about their guns and the idea that any attempt to deny them the opportunity to worship at the alter of these weapons of war send them into a frenzy...and tell baseless lies. Over the course of several days a couple of these folks posted to my Facebook Page images like the one here. Anytime you want to scare the hell out of a Jew post a photo of Hitler...right? Anyway it's not true. Did Hitler disarm people? Yes political enemies and Jews were not allowed guns. But, following WWI guns in Germany were severely restricted. When Hitler came to power his government actually loosened gun laws. That's right in 1938 Hitler, through the German Weapons Act, made it easier and lawful for Germans, other than Jews, to acquire rifles and all the ammunition they wanted. It also lowered the legal age to buy a gun from 20 to 18 and extended the permit of ownership from one year to three. So stop...stop being an idiot. It's simply...reckless.

Reckless Legislation

Let us now move on to stuff in Iowa. Last week the Iowa Senate passed one (if only it were just one) of the most reckless pieces of legislation in a week. The Iowa Tax Cut bill lowers taxes, immediately, by nearly $1 billion. Charles Schneider (R-Clive) is one of the most reckless individuals in the Iowa Legislature. Why? Charles is the chair of the Appropriations Committee and a lackey of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) those two groups are eager to do what? No, not make your life easier but to make it more difficult. What is the easiest way to reduce school funding, teacher pay, health care, mental health care, workers rights and any number of programs to ensure a higher quality of life? Starve them. That is the end game for Chuck and the minions in the GOP. I told him, to his face, that I would fight him on his Voter Suppression Bill that made it harder for folks to vote. He and his crowd used fear to get some to think our elections were being stolen by faceless and nameless people stuffing the ballot box. False and he knows it. Meanwhile he dishonors 80,000 Iowans who fought and died in the Civil War in their effort to protect and defend the Union against states rights as he lifts up the goofy idea of a Congress of the States. At least now "reckless" has a face.

Local Option Sales & Service Tax - Reckless?

I'm breaking with many of my friends in the Democratic Party and voting for the Local Option Sales & Service Tax on 6 March. (Remember to take your ID so you can show your "papers" to the officials waiting in jack-boots at your polling place.) Polk County is one of only two counties in Iowa that does not have this tax. Is it regressive? Yes. Is it necessary? Yes. Here is my rational, and you are invited to poke holes in it if you want. Our cities in the Des Moines Metro are being starved. In 2012 people in my party sided with the GOP in that massive tax shift which lowered commercial property taxes. They believed those reckless legislators that a reduction in commercial property taxes would reduce low income rents. Didn't happen. What did happen is less money flowed to our cities. That meant that cities had to increase property taxes on homeowners. This vote seeks, in many parts of the Des Moines Metro, to relieve property taxes and put more money to work on much needed infrastructure programs and quality of life programs that enhance living and working here. In addition, according to research, roughly a third of the taxes raised in Polk County will come from visitors to our area.  

I would much rather see a more measured approach in our giving massive tax breaks and incentives to already successful companies who, often, fail to create large numbers of well paying jobs. The job count vs. the huge tax breaks don't add up. And the current system is not sustainable. Once we take back the Senate, House and Terrace Hill we can roll back those disasters. But, in the meantime...

Leaving For An Easier Life - Not Reckless

It is welcome news. Rep. Chris Hagenow (R-Windsor Heights) has announced, as many of us suspected, that he is moving to pastures that are far more red. That means he'll not have to face Jennifer Konfrst in November...and get beat. While this is great news and I would suspect cements a win and a pick up for Democrats in the House we can not take anything for granted. 

Partly Personal

I had lots more to share with you but time is slipping by and the coffee needs to be served. Let me leave you with this story. Yesterday I went to Felix & Oscars for, what I had thought, was a meeting of the Polk County Democratic Leadership. Except is was...cancelled. I didn't get or didn't read the memo. I showed up along with an activist with the Urbandale Democrats, Joan Olson. Felix & Oscars had prepared a huge amount of food...seems they didn't get the memo either. After Joan and I had breakfast at $8 a plate...a bargain by the way...we asked what they were going to do with all the food. "I guess, we'll offer some to the employees and the rest we'll throw away." That didn't sound like a great idea to us and Joan offered to buy all of the food and donate it to a food kitchen. Felix & Oscars came back to our table and said, "The management doesn't think you can afford that cost...so we're giving it to you. No charge." Now you know why we meet there?  Anyway we boxed up the food and I took it to Creative Visions where they make about 200 meals a day for folks in need. Thank you F&O for the donation. We are all better off!

Thanks for reading and have a great Sunday!