SundayMorningCoffee

Sunday Morning Coffee - The Victim Edition 7 October 2018

Well, that was quite a week. Republican senators said that Dr. Christine Blasey Ford was "creditable" in her assertion that Judge Brett Kavanaugh assaulted her some 35 years ago. The senators also said they feel badly for women who are treated in such a fashion. The senators also said "their guy" was the victim of a "smear campaign" by Democrats.

Finally we now know what the real problem in America is! It is not that black men are disproportionately incarcerated and that black teens have an unemployment rate of near 20%. It is not that Latinos are paid less than their white or black fellow workers. It is not the fact that one in five women in the United States will be raped in their lifetime. It has nothing to do with the fact that 67% of women murdered by men are in an intimate relationship with their killer. None of that. The real issue that confronts us is that white men are victims.  Welcome to Sunday Morning Coffee...let's go.

Defending the Real Victims

No doubt you are feeling much more at ease now that the eleven men on the Judicial Committee have thrown off their oppression and pointed out who the real victims are. White men are under attack and it has come down to "45" and his minions to protect and defend them. To help them through their troubles and reassert their dominance in society. Just like Christians are under attack so too are white males. The next time you see a white male in public please...show a little more respect. Show some compassion for crying out loud. If not how can this nation survive? 

Never mind that men are paid close to 20% more than female workers for the same job. The reason is clear: We are victims and it takes more of our hard-earned money to gain respect and dignity. 

Word up: This is real and "45" has weaponized the idea of white male victim-hood and the base is responding in a major way. So much so that there is real doubt of any "blue wave" in November. Write that down someplace too.  

Meanwhile in Maine

Just because I am interested I looked it up. There are more Democrats in Maine than Republicans.  Why does that matter?  Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) offered a passionate speech from the floor of the U.S. Senate. For over 40 minutes she attempted to put her party and her gender aside and offer her support and compassion for Judge Kavanaugh. It was never in doubt. She watched and listened to women who told her amazing stories of abuse as dozens of women descended on her Washington D.C. office. She, mindful of a potential over-turning of Roe v. Wade, understood the women who told horror stories and sympathized with them. But in the end she sided with the real victim.  It wasn't long after her speech that Sen. Collins started to rack up some formidable opposition to her 2020 race. One of the most intriguing names floated is Ambassador Susan Rice. Whoever the yet-undetermined Democratic is he/she will hit the ground running with a war chest of more than $2.9 million.  

The sums raised so far should make an impact in the 2020 election. Collins’ last opponent, Democrat Shenna Bellows, raised about $2.35 million total in 2014, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Collins raised about $6.23 million in the same election. Meanwhile her office has cast the fund raising effort as a "bribery attempt". We'll see if the passion continues past the Saturday vote.

Thirty Days

Democrats have thirty days to turn back decades of oppression aimed at the workers in Iowa a state where "right to work" really means right to steal. The right to steal your time and talent. The right to fire you for nonsense reasons. The right to impoverish generations of hard working Iowans. One of the first things Gov. Fred Hubbell and the new Democratic Iowa House should do is take on "right to work" and abolish this worker/slave act. Non-Right to Work states have higher incomes, lower poverty rates and fewer on-the-job worker injuries. It is time to put working families ahead of corporate profits.

Oh Wait, Vote Tomorrow

Here is Iowa we can vote starting tomorrow. Early voting opens up here and if you've turned in a request for an absentee ballot the county auditor will be mailing those ballots out tomorrow.(Actually tomorrow is a federal holiday so no postal service.) You can then fill it out and mail it back or head into your county auditor office and vote there. Me? I requested a ballot the first week of September and I see, by tracking it, it is to be mailed tomorrow. I'm in. You? 

BTW, don't let that link to the current Secretary of State's office get to you. Vote for Deidre DeJear...starting tomorrow.

Rob Sand for State Auditor

Down ballot races don't get much notice. However, democratic candidate for State Auditor, Rob Sand, is attempting to change that. He has visited all 99 counties and has done countless campaign appearances. He, last week did an interview on WHO Radio with Jeff Angelo and this week he is slated to go on the show of the realtor turned radio guy Simon Conway. That should be good. Meanwhile Rob has a message for Iowans about the mess that is the for-profit managed health care system here. Governor Kim Reynolds and the GOP will do everything they can to make sure he is defeated because he has promised to "Wake Up the Watchdog" and subpoena the records of the managed care companies who have been unable and unwilling to come clean with Iowa taxpayers. Make it happen. Rob will also be a guest on the Business News Hour this week. Watch our Facebook Page or Twitter @IOB_NewsHour for more. 

Partly Personal

Speaking of the Business News Hour last week I interviewed Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA) about Amazon and the move to increase their minimum wage to $15 an hour. Congressman Khanna represents Silicon Valley and he teamed up with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) to put pressure on Jeff Bezos to, "do the right thing" and raise wages at a company that is work a trillion dollars. While investors didn't much like that (they never seem to be in favor of paying people because it detracts from the profit line) Amazon did raise the wage but, the very next day took back a benefit to "pay for the wage increase". If you are interested in that brief conversation here is the link to the interview.

Speaking of interviews that tend political...this week I'll visit with Congressman John Delaney (D-MD) about his presidential run and that should run on Wednesday. Congressman Delaney has an interesting story and was so very impressive in his speech last week to the Polk County Democrats. It will be great to visit with him about business and public policy.

I didn't make it to the Iowa Democratic Party Fall Gala last night and I'm kicking myself today. With everything going on I simply missed out. I understand Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) hit it out of the park. We'll, no doubt, be seeing more of Senator Booker in the coming months. He's not hiding the fact he is eyeing a 2020 presidential bid. 

It is going to be a crowded field.

Thanks for coming by and have a wonderful Sunday!  

 

 

Sunday Morning Coffee - The Unfit Edition 30 September 2018

When sitting down to write you this morning one word kept coming back to me..."Unfit". It is a word that has been used over and over about the current president, his cabinet, his advisers and now the, clearly, Republican Hack who wishes to have a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court. Unfit. Round peg, square hole...unfit. Doubt and lies...unfit. I think you get it. Grab a cup and let's go:

The Spectacle

It was unprecedented and the world watched with mixed parts sympathy and horror as our system of
constitutional government was put on display this past Thursday. A senate committee so partisan the members could barely contain their contempt for each other. A woman who came forward and recounted a period in her life that was believable and sincere. A judge so tainted that rather than sit calmly and declare his innocence took the offensive and was angry, belligerent and partisan. A senior senator shouting, pointing and damning. And, finally, the senior senator from Iowa and chair of this spectacle who just two years ago played politics with a Supreme Court nominee continued to deflect and obfuscate the truth. This was America on display and it was not our finest or our best. It was raw politics. Politics at it's very worst. This is the America that has been wrought by the sitting president and whatever happens our history is tainted. We are better than this...or are we? (Cartoon - Tim Lloyd)

Two Women

Then the dramatic moment, captured on camera, of Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) caught in an elevator with two women demanding that the senator look at them when they recounted their own pain of sexual harassment and begged Flake to consider what his vote of support for Kavanaugh would mean for our nation. Ana Maria Archila, the executive director of the Center for Popular Democracy in New York and Maria Gallagher told their story as Flake, giving the appearance of conflicted guilt, remained trapped in the elevator.

It was stunning and it may have...just may have given America and this senator pause. 

“I was sexually assaulted and nobody believed me. I didn’t tell anyone and you’re telling all women that they don’t matter. That they should just stay quiet, because if they tell you what happened to them you’re going to ignore them. That’s what happened to me, and that’s what you’re telling all women in America,” Gallagher said. (Photo - USA Today)

“Look at me when I’m talking to you,” Gallagher continued. “You’re telling me that my assault doesn’t matter and that you’re going to let people who do these things into power … that you’ll let people like that go to the highest court in the land and tell everyone what they can do to their bodies.”

“Thank you, thank you,” Flake responded, as they asked if he believed Kavanaugh was telling the truth.

“Thank you is not an answer. This is about the future of our country, sir,” Archila said.

Speaking truth to power. And it is time. It is time to roll back the unequal standing of women. It is way past time. And, looking at the number of women seeking office this November we may have a good start.

Good Advice

Late yesterday afternoon people standing in the cold rain at Water Works Park in Des Moines received some good advice from Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad (D-Des Moines). It was the close of the Polk County Steak Fry and Abdul-Samad was "the closer". After getting people to come forward and getting them involved with a bit of audience participation he said, "I want to give you some advice. Stop talking about Trump. Stop talking about all the mean and cruel things he says and does. Replace that with work. With knocking doors, with phone calling with getting out the vote. Save your energy and speak about giving voters reasons to vote for Democrats rather than just voting against the president."  He followed up with, "You have the power!"

Good advice which leads to this:

We've Got Work to Do

Before several hundred took to the soggy field at Water Works Park for the Polk County Steak Fry there was a gathering in a tiny store-front office in Valley Junction of West Des Moines. There Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), on his fifth trip to Iowa, spoke to a group of about twenty-five people who were getting ready to go out and knock doors on behalf of Democratic House candidates Jennifer Konfrst and Kristin Sunde. I bring that up because rather than go out and hob-knob with friends and party regulars Jennifer and Kristin made the decision to go out and meet with voters. Sure it would have been nice, and safe, to spend the day at a rally but, as Jennifer told me, "We've got work to do". 

That's what we're talking about!

Fred Hubbell

So, let's say you've got the opportunity to ask the candidate for governor of Iowa a question. I was there as reporters gathered under a tent to do just that. The softballs were thrown by the young people who were sent out to do the story.  Fred and running mate Sen. Rita Hart (D-Charles City) talked about how important the election was, how great it was to connect with Iowans, the rain... None of it made it to the evening news. There was one question that got a pointed response. It was about the $127 million budget surplus that was breathlessly released by the governor. The question was, "Mr. Hubbell, what is your response to the report that Iowa suddenly has increased it's surplus by some 90 million dollars?" The answer, "I don't think the people who put together the budget know what they are doing. Iowa continues to send Iowa tax dollars out of state to for-profit managed care companies and at the same time telling Iowans there isn't enough money for education or health care."  Spot on Mr. Hubbell.  Sort of like home. If the bills come in and you don't pay them...you've got more cash in the bank. Smoke and mirrors friends. Kim Reynolds is simply...unfit.

Partly Personal

Last week was a "day off" from Sunday Morning Coffee. Thinking back, some twelve years, I'm not sure that has ever happened. But being in Lanesboro, MN without Internet was to blame. But, it really was a good trip and thanks for being patient.

Living in Iowa is like magic when it comes to politics. The access to candidates on the national stage here is without parallel. Yesterday I had the chance to interview Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) for extended conversations. We'll put those up on the Radio Blog for the Business News Hour later this week. But, that is not just the media it is for everybody. Access to these people who are working on behalf of our national and state direction is pretty simple. Just walk up and ask the question. When explaining that to friends living in other places they are amazed. If you are into politics...living in Iowa is pretty damn cool.

Last year the Polk County Democratic Steak Fry was held on Yom Kippur. I get it. When you have ONE open date you book and, believe me, there was lots and lots of "I am so sorry!" coming from the leadership. This year the event missed the holiest day on the Jewish Calendar and (maybe to make up?) invited a rabbi to give the invocation. Of all the speeches during the day Rabbi David Kaufman, in his opening remarks, focused on people...all people. Folks that are unheard, removed from the debate, forgotten. He spoke of humanity and fairness and openness and love and respect. It was not only an uplifting prayer the message was very, very clear. Represent my friend. 

Thanks for reading. Have a great Sunday...we're off to a grand-daughters softball game!   Oh...and tonight is the end of Sukkot and the start of Simchat Torah...just in case you are celebrating! 

 

Sunday Morning Coffee 16 September 2018

Doesn't feel like September does it? Temps in Iowa hitting 92 yesterday...but it was quite a football game in Iowa City. Welcome to Sunday Morning Coffee and that's about all the pop-culture you're going to get today. We've got political stories to share. Some you may have seen others, not so much...but all laced with my commentary. You are welcome...now: Grab a cup!

It's The Economy Stupid

Last week, as "45" said the number of deaths from the hurricanes in Puerto Rico were "made up by Democrats" meanwhile there was another lie being told but this time by GOP House members. They are telling America that there will be no "Blue Wave" because the economy is surging and people have so much more money in their paychecks. Who in the hell are they kidding? It is true that "Help Wanted" signs are everywhere. It is true that if you have lots of cash in the stock market you've seen some great returns. But hold on...inflation is eating up any wage growth and you know it. The only thing that is saving our economy right now is low gasoline prices. If that were to change...

The reality is this: Wages are up, year over year, to at 2.9% but INFLATION is up, year over year, to 2.7%. If it feels like you are treading water...you are. 

But, it gets worse. Teachers in America are paid 18.1% less than comparable professions. You have got to be freakin' kidding me! Why the hell all teachers don't, tomorrow, go on strike is stunning. Sure it's "against the law" in many states but there are not enough jail cells.

Nothing changes until something changes and in November YOU have the opportunity to start that change.

The Supreme Court

This is stunning. There has never before been a person nominated to the United States Supreme Court that is in as much trouble as Judge Brett Kavanaugh yet Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) continues to push for a vote on getting his name out of committee and to the full senate. For those of us living in Iowa Chuck Grassley is an embarrassment. He has gone "Full Monty" on being a partisan hack rather than a senior senator with honorable intentions. Sad...I knew him when he wasn't.

The Trend

Notice something about the television commercials for Republican candidates? Actually, they are not "for" anything but rather against their challenger.

Over and over we hear that the electorate (you) want to know WHAT the HELL the candidate is going to DO. But the ads coming out from Rep. David Young (R-IA) and Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-IA) are not about what they are going to do positive it's all about creating a sense of fear and distrust about their opponents. But, emotion rules and so too does fear. 

That's why I'm waiting for Cindy Axne to use her "sharp elbows" and tell voters in Iowa's 3rd Congressional District about the failure of the policies of Congressman Young and highlight what she will do in Congress to change that. It ain't hard but when you are paying attention to the DCCC and not your gut you get...Iowa Nice and that ain't gonna get the job done.  Sorry...

Same goes for Fred Hubbell. We have, sitting in the office of Governor of Iowa the most inept person outside of "45" that there could be. She has trashed education, trashed health care, trashed pay opportunities, trashed collective bargaining, trashed protection of seniors and she stands there and smiles. Meanwhile Democrats are, once again, playing "Iowa Nice". Please...voters are looking for a solid and vocal difference. End of rant...what the hell do I know...right?

Hillary Clinton & Nancy Pelosi

If there is anything the GOP is good about it is their ability to create pariahs out of women. Think about it for a bit. Still, today, thousands of people shout "Lock her up!" when there is the mention of Hillary Clinton. A women who has more experience and ability than the dolt in the Oval Office but people hate her.  The same with Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). Every single GOP candidate for congress uses the same hate message about the evil Nancy Pelosi... 

What is the common thread?  Well, both are women (which in America can be a problem). Both are capable leaders (another big problem). And, both are moderate democrats...which is a problem for a faction of the party. Oh...and Rep. Pelosi is from California...which is more progressive than 49 of the other states and that causes folks a bit of jealousy.

Weary...

Jill and Joe Biden

This weekend it was Jill Biden who made the news when she spoke about bullies. Here is what she said as she was introducing her husband (who is, many say, considering a run for president in 2020), “There is nothing that makes either of us more angry than a bully. There’s nothing that’s more unfair or unjust than people using their power to try to make other people feel small, to tell them who they are or what they are capable of, to say their identity doesn’t belong.”

Gosh, who might she be talking about?  And she continued by saying she and her husband want to "pick a fight" with bullies.

Go...Joe and Jill!

Bridging the Gap

This is getting really, really local...sorry friends outside of Des Moines!  Tomorrow at the Des Moines Central Library the Des Moines Civil and Human Rights Commission will reveal nine items designed to "Bridge the Gap" with regard to education, policing and equality in the capital city.

Last week I went "Out to Lunch" with the director of the DSM Civil and Human Rights Commission Joshua V. Barr and talked about the effort that has been going on for months as he and his staff gather input from thought leaders, civic leaders, educators, faith leaders, police department leaders and more. If you are into such a thing, CLICK ON THIS LINK to visit my Radio Blog. Enjoy. I'm looking forward the the free event starting at 6pm...with food...hope you can join us.

 

Partly Personal

Today is Game Day! Our grand-daughter has two softball game this afternoon. Should be fun...

The Asian-Latino Coalition is, perhaps, has become on of the most influential non-profit groups in Iowa. While based in Des Moines the coalition has many members outside of the capital city. So, why do I mention them? Because of their ability to garner some of the biggest names in politics to come and speak. This month there is a reception with Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA). Congresswoman Jayapal is an outspoken progressive who represents the Seattle area. This is just the latest guest to come before the Iowa Asian-Latino Coalition that has so much to say about the direction of our county. Here is the Facebook Page for the group. You should join.

NHL coming to Des Moines! Yes, this is exciting. The Minnesota Wild will welcome the St. Louis Blues to the Wells Fargo Arena on Wednesday evening with the puck dropping at 7:00pm. I understand there are just a few tickets left which means it is going to be a sold out event. Who says Iowa isn't a hockey state? For me there is one drawback. Wednesday is Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish faith, and I'll be in Mason City for services. However...I might be able to make the final minutes of the 3rd period...we'll see. For more information about the game and for tickets...here is that link.

OK...thanks for reading and have a fantastic Sunday! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday Morning Coffee - 9 September 2018

This is what I do at 6am on Sunday Morning!  Yikes, right?  Welcome to Sunday Morning Coffee my weekly look at some of the political stories you may have seen or some you might have missed. All laced with my commentary. Why? Now, THAT is a good question. Maybe by the end of this I'll have that figured out. In the meantime...grab a cup.

Boone County Democrats

Yesterday morning there was a parade in Boone, Iowa for the Annual Pufferbilly Days Festival.  I was not there but I did watch a brief video posted on their Facebook Page. I counted nine Democratic entries...nine in Boone, Iowa. We are 58 days away from Election Day and it is beginning to feel like 2008 again. Not that we have a dynamic contender like Barack Obama in the race...but we do have engagement. Momentum has been building for months and organizers have been hard at work getting people signed up for the voting process. And, it shows.
Congratulations Boone County for showing the way!

Speaking of President Obama

Silence is not, in this case, golden. We have wondered where and when Obama would start to speak out and last week it finally happened. In a speech in Illinois he said he had been trying, as has been the precedent, to stay out of politics and allow his successor to govern. But, now, he too has called on Americans to become better than what we have seen coming out of the White House. He asked that we reclaim our sense of goodness and dignity and turn back the meanness that has become standard fare from the current president. We truly are better than that... (Photo - Urbandale 2012)

Oh, The White House

Who do you believe? "45" says things at the palace are going really, really well. And, if it were not for his enemies, like the media, men, women, Democrats, the clergy, Bob Woodward, Canada, Europe, China...everything would be just ducky. Oh, wait. It seems "somebody" in the White House is also working against "45". So, who is the mole? Who did write that piece published by the New York Times? Or was it "fake news" designed to cast our
attention away from something else? The times we are living in are extraordinary. (Cartoon - Tim Lloyd)

Meanwhile it looks like the hand-picked conservative judge nominated for a life-time appointment to the Supreme Court has some problems. We have now learned, thanks to leaked emails from Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), (Who, by the way, will headline the Iowa Democrats Fall Gala on October 6th) that Judge Brett Kavanaugh has issues when it comes to minorities and that he, in fact, lied to Congress when he was confirmed as a federal judge.  

That is not all. The Democrats know they don't have enough votes to defeat Kavanaugh but if they can swing Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) on the issue of treatment of Native Americans and abortion as well as Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) the nomination is dead. The Democrats know that and they have been working it...hard. Now we watch to see if it has worked.

Cory Booker

Just a quick follow up. Here is what Sen. Booker said after he was threatened by Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) the number two leader of that chamber,  "A senior senator who is in leadership, I think he's the number two in leadership has, in effect, called for my expulsion from the United States Senate and and again I just say, 'Bring it.' If he wants to go through that process I fully accept responsibility for what I have done, and again I'm new in this place. This senator has been around a long time. He's in leadership. I think he was just like a lot of bullies are, a lot of talk and no action. And so let's see what he does. I'm willing to accept responsibility for my actions, but I don't know what, I don't know what that senior senator will do." 

Read that again: "Bring it...I think he was just like a lot of bullies are, a lot of talk and no action." Yikes! (Photo - AP)

Booker knows that he can not "play nice" with this crowd and he is willing to buck the system. Democrats are looking to not "play nice" but want a fighter. How do we know? Just look at Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez rather than Joe Crowley. Andrew Gillum rather than Gwen Graham. Ayanna Pressley instead of Michael Capuano. They want someone who will take the fight to Republicans -- and to "45" in particular. Someone who will stand toe-to-toe with "45" and tell him, to his face, why he deserves to be impeached. Someone not afraid and meek. 

Bring it.

Iowa and November

Which brings us to the governors race here in Iowa. In every interview, at every stump speech Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-IA) brings up the fact that U.S. News and World Report said that Iowa is the number one state in the nation in which to live. She hammers that home at every opportunity. Yet she ignores the fact that 37% of Iowans can't afford the basic costs of living. In 2016 that number was 31%. She ignores the fact that we have more job postings then we do people. She supports giving less funding for public education which has caused teachers to abandon their jobs in search for better pay. She supports giving already wealthy corporations more and more tax incentives even in the face of reduced services. She applauds a broken Medicaid system and shovels more money to private for-profit insurance managers.

Meanwhile where is the fight from Fred Hubbell? I dunno. We've got 58 days to call out the failures of this governor and her lackey legislature. It's clear that playing nice ain't gonna get the job done. We "played nice" in 2016 and we all know what that got us.

Partly Personal

Yesterday I got to watch my grand-daughter Jovie play softball. It was early in the morning, we were all wearing jackets and she...rocked as catcher and batter. She had several base hits, drove in a couple of runs. Two games and it was cool. Her reward was a taco. She didn't ask for much...right?

Watched the Iowa/Iowa State game yesterday. Yikes...what a show. Kirk and the gang didn't make it easy but we'll take the win. So much for the vaunted Iowa State offence. Didn't show yesterday. But what a defensive game. If you love low scoring this was a treat. In the end the Hawks won 13 - 3 and advance 2 - 0.

Tonight at sundown begins Rosh Hashanah the Jewish New Year. No fireworks, no champagne, no party hats...just prayer that the year 5779 is sweet. I'll be off to Mason City and Adas Israel later today. If you are celebrating...l'shana tova...  Happy New Year and thanks for reading. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday Morning Coffee - Labor Day Edition 2018

Unions work. Among full-time wage and salary workers, union members had median usual weekly earnings of $1,041 in 2017, while those
who were not union members had median weekly earnings of $829. Read that again...yet union workers continue to be attacked in states like Iowa where "right to work" means "right to pay you less". But, I get ahead of myself. Welcome to Sunday Morning Coffee my weekly look at some of the stories you've seen and other you may have missed. All laced with my commentary. Sometimes fun...often not so much. Ready?  Let's go.

Senator John McCain

The chorus of hate coming from followers of "45" was amazing. Not going there. However statesmanship is something "45" doesn't and will not ever understand. However it was clearly on display during a week of mourning. It would be educational for the president to be schooled by his predecessors yet we know that is not...ever...going to happen. It is a shame and it tarnishes the richness of our nation.

Meanwhile in Florida 

It was a stunning win by the mayor of Tallahassee. Andrew Gillum won a three-way race to take his popular message to the voters this fall in Florida's gubernatorial election. And, it wasn't long before racists there, and across the nation, decided they didn't want nobody "like him" as governor. Just days after the primary voters in Florida were hit with a 78 second robocall narrated by a man speaking in a caricature of a black dialect with cartoonish jungle noises in the background. It ends with a disclaimer that it was paid for by The Road to Power, a white supremacist and anti-Semitic video podcast hosted by Scott Rhodes of Idaho. This is the same group that is behind robocalls to Iowans following the death of Mollie Tibbitts. 

Welcome to America where you have the right to be an ass-hat. Add to that the "monkey" line coming from the GOP in Florida and there you have it. Tell me again why you vote Republican?   Thank you Tim Lloyd for the cartoon!  It's great to have you back.

Meanwhile in Texas

He really should have no shot at all but Beto O'Rourke is gaining on Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and "45" is being mocked for saying he is going to hold a rally in Texas for Cruz whom he famously called, "Lyin' Ted Cruz". Polls show O'Rourke 4 points behind Cruz and money says he has out raised the incumbent. Texas has been "deep red" for decades but time there are changing as Latino voter numbers continue to swell. The three-term congressman is working hard in the Latino community and has the street cred to do it. Born and raised in El Paso O'Rourke connects and understands the dusty border towns along the Rio Grande. And, he has visited all 254 counties in the state, something most Democrats have never done. No matter the outcome of the election Beto O'Rourke will be a name that will crop up in Iowa....watch. 

Speaking of Iowa

It's really too bad that Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-IA) made the decision to link the death of Mollie Tibbitts to immigration. It's sullied her and her campaign. Even the father of Mollie has asked that people not "hijack" her name in fighting something that she supported. Meanwhile the governor keeps her silence refusing to hold regular press conferences. I've visited with others in the media and they too say this is a mistake. But, it worked for Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) so maybe that's the ticket to winning. Speaking of Sen. Ernst...she is divorcing her husband. That's too bad. Sources say this will be the second divorce for her husband. The first was when he divorced his wife, Ingrid to marry Joni. Gosh...how traditional.

Growing Old in Iowa

It's not a pretty picture. Last week for our "Out to Lunch" segment for Insight on Business the News Hour I sat down with John Hale, an advocate on aging issues and care giving. (If you would like to hear that segment this is that link.) What is stunning about our conversation are the numbers of aging Iowans and the lack of care givers today and in the future. And there is the clear lack of leadership on the state level to address them. And, sadly, Iowa is not alone. It's a national trend. What is truly sad is that years ago Rep. Claude Pepper (D-FL) authored the Pepper Report out of congress that spoke to the issue of aging, care giving and the need to address the issue with legislation and money. However...

This touches every family in Iowa and the United States. If I were running for an office you can bet this would be a major issue because it clearly crosses party lines. You tuning in Fred?

OK, Let's Talk Unions

After all this is the Labor Day Edition of Sunday Morning Coffee. In 1983 union membership for hourly and salaried workers stood at 20.1% today that number is 10.7% the lowest it has ever been. If we look at union households fifty years ago the numbers are even more stunning. Over 30% of workers, then, belonged to a union. And while union membership in the public sector (government) has been rather steady (something "45" and his minions hate) union membership in the private sector is, today, only 6.5%.  Meanwhile public support for unions currently stands at 61% in a recent poll by Gallup.

Lot of data there so go back and read it again.

So what? So, you wonder why your paycheck can not keep up with inflation? You wonder why it's harder and harder to make ends meet? You wonder why it is that your boss can fire your ass for wearing the wrong color socks? The reason, and the voters in Missouri had the sense to deny the measure, is "Right to Work". Iowa is a "right to work" state that really means employers have the "right" to pay less, make you work harder, longer and in more difficult situations than those represented by a union or in states like...yes Missouri.

That is why every pro-business group from the Iowa Association of Business and Industry to the United States Chamber of Commerce love "right to work" and despise unions. More money for them...and less for you. What the hell are you thinking?  

Tomorrow is Labor Day and I will proudly join my friends from the Iowa Federation of Labor AFL/CIO for the Annual Labor Day Parade that starts at the Iowa Capital at 11:00am and goes to the Iowa State Fairgrounds. If you are not in the Des Moines area but are in Iowa here is a LIST OF EVENTS from the Iowa Federation of Labor AFL/CIO.  Go and march for a better life for you and your family and then get active in the vote this November. It all...matters.

Partly Personal

This is what was going on yesterday. A birthday party for our granddaughter. Thirteen young girls at the messiest birthday party...evah. Jovie and her "crew" had a great time and her Mom...just caused other birthday parties to be...in a word...dull? Congratulations and what an event! The "young ladies" were from the neighborhood and from her softball team. Fun times! 

Speaking of Events TODAY is FlashDineDSM, yes you can go to the Facebook Page. It happens each year on the Sunday before Labor Day. Folks to to, what was until this morning, a secret location bringing their food, wine and table decor to the party. It's going to be epic and if you are in the mood...join us. See you at the brand new Sherwood Events Center in Sherwood Forest, Windsor Heights. This is the first time (I think) it has been held indoors but with all the rain the area that had been picked would have been way too soggy. 

Thanks for reading and have a wonderful weekend. 

 

Sunday Morning Coffee - 12 August 2018

Welcome to Sunday Morning Coffee my weekly look at the crazy and often numbing world of politics and public policy. My name is Michael Libbie and this is what I do...early on Sunday Morning. Let's get started.

Kasich, "Stop the Chaos"

This morning Governor John Kasich (R-OH) said the big take-a-way from the close congressional special election in Ohio where a Democrat came within a cat's hair of winning a solid GOP (gerrymandered) district is, "Stop the chaos!".

Kasich said on NBC's "Meet the Press" that last Tuesday was not a good night for Republicans even though Troy Balderson (R) is clinging to a narrow lead in Ohio's 12th Congressional District. Republicans have held the district for decades. So, what constitutes chaos?

• Attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act that has shoved millions off of health care;
• Increasing health care costs that are not affordable for many families;
• Ripping children out of the arms of their parents and placing them in "detention centers";
• Overseeing an economy that only widens the gap between those who have and those who have not;
• The global trade war with China which will raise the prices of everything from cars to electronics.

How is that for just a start. However, his words will fall on deaf ears because "45" and the cowards who follow him will keep it up. It plays well with their voters even as it hurts them. He didn't mention...Russia however.

Oh But Wait...There's More

When, in your lifetime, has the President of the United States said that a boycott of an American company is "Great"? Returning to chaos for a moment that is exactly what "45" tweeted early today saying the decision of some Harley Davidson consumers to boycott the company and its motorcycles should it start some overseas production is "Great!". Never mind that the reason HD says they must move production is because of the wacko trade war started by "45" and his minions. Weary.....

Conservative Review Television

Not sure about you but lately I've been seeing more and more CRTV shares on my Facebook Feed. To be clear, CRTV is propaganda disguised as news. The company is headed by right-wing blow torch Mark Levin who has, along for the ride, Michelle Makin, Steve Deace (remember him?) and Duck Dynasty wacko Phil Robertson. They make it look good but the recent piece on LaBron James "Running out of Bounds to Slam President Trump" was so over the top it made me want to find out who in the hell is behind the stuff. Sharing this with you as a public service. You are welcome.

Space Force

If you didn't see the bit about supporters of "45" and Space Force from the Daily Show with Trevor Noah it is worth a view. No, really spend the four-and-a-half minutes and see what Space Force is (in the minds of the believers). It will make you want to remove voting rights for people who can't articulate what they don't know...or think they know but don't. 

 

Which brings to mind Tim Lloyd is back with this week's cartoon. We've missed Tim and he brings us to another timely topic:

Charlottesville

A year ago today hate was on full display in Charlottesville. Today that hate moves to Washington D.C. No, Mr. President there are no "good people" on that side of the fence. I know how badly you wish to stoke the flames of bigotry and hate (and you've done a damn good job of it) because it serves you well. You and the cowards like Rep. Steve King (R-IA) believe in your heart that America would be better off without "those people" many of whom were forced into slavery for the welfare of the white majority. People are scared because they are coming face to face with the fact that white folks will be in the minority in just a few decades. That is real fear and that is what drives...crazy.

Welcome back Tim Lloyd!

Let's Talk Unions

Last week we had a story about American workers and unions. In 2017 less than 11% of workers belonged to a Union. Twenty-five years ago that number was 22%. Fifty years ago nearly 35% of workers belonged to a union. What has the war on workers produced? Stagnate wages, reduced benefits and a loss of the American Dream. 

Thankfully voters in Missouri last week turned back a "Right to Work" law that would have made that state more like Iowa where wages have not kept pace with inflation and more and more people are turning to some type of assistance be it government or charity. 

But, it's not only here. What does Des Moines, Iowa have in common with London? If you want to read further here is a piece from Bloomberg that speaks to reduced income and increasing poor people. The same as we have in the capital of Iowa.

Just One Example

Let's take retail workers. Name it, grocery stores, shopping malls and let's take a look at wages and benefits of union vs. non-union. Just blocks from where I live is a West Des Moines based grocery store that is paying $12 dollars an hour for their workers. Nearby the worlds largest retailer WalMart is paying the same rate. BTW - The hourly rate has not gone up because of the kindness of the company but
because it's so hard to find people. 

Now, let's look at what is happening at a union grocery store. I have a friend who shared this data with me and it is striking: Five years ago...yes, five years ago...she started as a cashier at $10 an hour. In time she received regular raises and now makes $20.50 an hour. But, that's not all. Thanks to the United Food and Commercial Workers Union she also has and this is her quote: "I pay just $5 a week for my insurance and it is pretty standard. I have an annual deductible and the usual copays. My annual physical, flu shot and mammogram are fully covered. I have great dental coverage that includes 2 cleanings a year and often pays a large percentage of other procedures. Really, just $5 a week. My union dues are $12.38/week."

And, she has protection. Her employer can't simply fire her because they don't like the color of her socks.

Endangered Species

I went to the Iowa State Fair the other day to capture images of endangered species. What was striking is the GOP booth that takes a swipe at Fred Hubbell and his time at Younkers. Of course most of it is false and way out to sync with what actually went on but to Gov. Kim Reynolds and her lying tribe it doesn't matter. Here is the fact check from The Gazette. They think you'll focus on this rather than her failed economic policies, failed health care policies, failed education policies, failed family policies...failed....failed....failed. 

Maybe THAT is what we should focus on and list to what Fred Hubbell says is WILL do rather than listen to a failed administration that has squandered away millions of dollars shoving it out to already successful companies.

Maybe....

Partly Personal

It is the Iowa State Fair!  Welcome to our state and have a great time. 

Last week, before the Iowa Wing Ding held in Clear Lake I had the chance to sit down with Andrew Yang an announced candidate for president in 2020. Mr. Yang is a business person, entrepreneur, and author. He was kind enough to give me his book, "The War on Normal People - The Truth About America's Disappearing Jobs and Why Universal Basic Income Is Our Future".

I conducted my interview near a food truck (The Greek House) during the Farmer's Market in the Historic Valley Junction and before setting up asked the owner if it would be OK if we used a table and promised him we would buy something following our conversation. The man said, "Is he a Democrat or a Republican?" When I answered that Mr. Yang is a Democrat the owner said, "You better sit someplace else we are all Republicans here!" After the interview I went back to the Greek House and purchased a lemonade.

If you would like to meet Mr. Yang and hear his thoughts on the economy, jobs, rural economic recovery, broadband and the Universal Basic Income...click the link below. 

IOB 10 August 2018 Andrew Yang

 

Thanks for reading and listening!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday Morning Coffee - Fear & Anger Edition - 5 August 2018

Hello and welcome to Sunday Morning Coffee the political blog I've been writing for the past twelve years or so. My name is Michael Libbie and thanks for stumbling in for a fresh cup. So much going on that, I get it, it's hard to keep up. So here are some snippets to amuse or horrify...your choice.

Fear & Anger

To powerful emotions. The constant drumbeat of hate that spews from "45" is totally unprecedented. When you reflect on the personal attacks this man makes on a daily basis it is stunning. And when you realize this vitriol is coming from the President of the United States it is not only embarrassing but also horrific. As a nation we are better than this. Or should be. Yet what he says or tweets resonates with some because they too are angry and fearful...just like their leader. We'll dive into a couple of those stories...just for kicks.

Quicksand

One of the constants about the support for "45" is that his fans will say, "I like him because he tells it like it is!" Except he doesn't. He and his followers (Here in Iowa it would be Gov. Kim Reynolds) will tell you it is raining when actually they are pissing on your head. For example when the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) hit 4.1% growth a couple of days ago the Republicans were quick to jump on that as "...proof the tax cuts and deregulation was working for all Americans!" Except it is not.

Workers in America, many who voted and still support "45", are in financial quicksand. They are working harder but not making it. Case in point: The Labor Department released the Jobs Report on Friday. Employers added 157,000 jobs in July well off the mark that had been pegged at 190,000. But the REAL story was that wages, year over year are up 2.7%. Meanwhile inflation is currently at 2.9%. In other words, Americans are working harder but not gaining any traction. It is real-world financial quicksand.

How can this be? "45" and Reynolds are telling us everything is just fine. It is not and it is going to get worse...want proof?

Workers & Unions

There are three compelling reasons why wages are flat and you are not gaining traction. The first is the lack of protection by organized labor. There is a reason union jobs pay better and that is because they have some say in pay and benefits. However union participation is at it's lowest point...ever. In 2017 the percentage of union workers in the United States was 10.7% in 1983 that number was 20.1%. In Iowa, in 1964 27.7% of workers were in a union, today it is less than 11%. "Right to Work" really means "Right to Steal" your future. And the attack on unions only continues. Often by the very people who would benefit from them. The GOP and their cronies have convinced you to vote against your own interests. They are...you got it...pissing on you. Wanna fact check it? Here you go. 

Car Prices

Hold on to your old car and bypass the car dealer. Why? Also on Friday Toyota said that if the auto tariffs are enacted the average increase for their cars made in the United States would go up by $1,800 and those vehicles made in Japan will increase in cost by $6,000. That, my friends, is the real-world impact of these crazy tariffs. And now "45" has directed his trade department consider increasing the tariff on $200 billion dollars of goods from China from 10% to 25%. Who will pay for that? You! For crying out loud. You are working harder, not getting paid more, benefits continue to shrink while, "Everything is just fine...." They are pissing on you.

The Media

You are being told, every day, that the media is the "enemy of the people". This is not a new tactic. It has been employed by dictators in every autocratic society since Rome.  It is shouted at every masturbatory rally held in honor of Der Fuhrer. And it is becoming more violent. Once again you are being sold a lie. Do media people have some bias? Sure every person has some personal bias but, if it is your career to report the news as news reporters go to great lengths to not allow that personal bias to shine through. Is it tough? Sure it is but in the end the job of the media is to share the facts. Do those facts often come with some bias? Yes but it is your job, as a citizen, to dig through the story and learn what is real. That is YOUR JOB. But, again, it is much easier to sit on the couch and let somebody else do the work. 

Shameless Plug

Later today during Insight on Business the News Hour - Week in Review on News/Talk 1540 KXEL I'll have a conversation with Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA) about jobs, technology, public policy and business. The important thing to know is that Congressman Khanna represents Silicon Valley...you know eBay, Apple, Google...Here is just a touch of what you'll hear in the 2:00pm hour. And, yes the station does stream its content. Here is that link for the stream.  If you want to hear just a taste click on the audio file below. 

Ro Khanna GDP Wages Working People

Parades and People

I was visiting with a long time leader in the Iowa Democratic Party about a parade in her community. She said that during the event Democratic Candidate for Governor, Fred Hubbell, who was in the parade, received a warm welcome. That was until the parade turned and went through what might be considered a part of town where home values are lower and there are more rental houses. There the welcome for Mr. Hubbell was not as welcome. Once again, it would seem, people are voting against their own interests.

Speaking of parades this image was floating around on Facebook the other day. I'm not sure who took the photo but it is attributed to a recent parade in Albia, Iowa. I have no independent confirmation as to the if this was altered but...it looks like it was not. Maybe there just wasn't room for the "Y" in her name? And, in front of a library...

You can't...or maybe you can...make this stuff up.

Public Information

Last week Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-IA) (yes...there IS a "Y" in her name) announced she was cancelling her regular Monday press briefings. Why? It seems she wants to spend less time being asked difficult questions and would prefer going out campaigning. Last week she even kicked out a bunch of reporters who had gathered to what was listed as a "public event" in her schedule. You have to hand it to her she is taking a page right out of the president's playbook. Anyway, if I had ANYTHING to do with the Fred Hubbell campaign I would start, on Monday, to hold regular press briefings about what he wants to do for Iowans and what he will do for Iowans. I hear the media has some extra time on their hands.

The Wing-Ding in Clear Lake

We're about 4 days out from the Annual Iowa Democratic Wing Ding which is held in Clear Lake, Iowa. Home, by the way, of Iowa House Leader and enemy of the people (hey, I thought I'd try it out!) Linda Upmeyer (R-Clear Lake). The headliner for the event is attorney Michael Avenatti along with Congressman John Delaney (D-MD), Congressman Tim Ryan (D-OH) and Andrew Yang Candidate for President.

Just so you know...tickets are still available.

Partly Personal

We get to celebrate a birthday tomorrow. My Bride doesn't want a big deal made out of it but...celebrate we will. I tell folks that I remember the date of her birthday...but not the year. Figure that doesn't much matter as long as I don't forget the day. Anyway, I clearly married up. Happy Birthday and thank you for all you do! Most of all, thank you for putting up with me!  Yikes!!!

Thanks for reading and have a great Sunday!

Careful of the..."rain". 

 

 

 

 

   

Sunday Morning Coffee - The Dehumanizing Edition 8 July 2018

My name is Michael Libbie and welcome to Sunday Morning Coffee something that I've had the pleasure of writing for well over a decade. Every Sunday I get to write about the political and religious issues that impact each of us. You may not agree, in fact, I bet you will not. But, if you do then feel free to share. I'm not going to spend much of your time hashing out ALL of the hideous things going on in our nation but I do want to address a couple of specifics. So..grab a cup and let's go!

Auschwitz - Tornillo

Last week, due to the flooding and subsequent power outages, I was unable to write Sunday Morning Coffee but did post this photo on my personal Facebook Page. The sign came from the Facebook Page of my friend and fellow Jew and progressive, Jodi Sussman Stanfield who attended a rally and protest the day before at the Capital here in Iowa.

The resulting backlash that she experienced was only magnified on my page. The comments and name calling were really out of control. It's often what happens when people are unable to confront the truth. Or their understanding of the truth.

Here I hope to connect the dots between Auschwitz and Tornillo for you because there is an historical link which is being played out right in front of us all. It is called dehumanization. It is this tactic that led millions to be interned and in the end murdered. How could a country as advanced and as Christian as Germany and its partner nations become complicit in this horror? There is a process...and that same process is being played out here in America right now.

Germany didn't just leap into the Holocaust it took years to get there. As you read about these four steps consider the words and actions of the current administration:

Prejudice

The Nazi government, just as our own, fostered prejudice. Prejudice is defined as, "unreasonable feelings, opinions, or attitudes, especially of a hostile nature, regarding an ethnic, racial, social or religious group.” The current occupant of the White House has gone out of his way to foster a hostile attitude toward Latinos. We have heard them called "rapists", "killers", "drug dealers" a "danger to our national security". All of this from the President of the United States.

Scapegoating 

Similar to today, for many in the United States, the economy in Germany after the Great War sucked. It had to be the fault of somebody. The next step from prejudice is bigotry and blaming. In Germany it was the Jews that were to be blamed in the United States it is the Latino population that is "taking jobs" away from Americans. And, we must "hire Americans and buy American" or so the story goes. If it were not for millions of "illegals" the "forgotten Americans" would prosper.

Discrimination

Once Germany had a target, the Jews, the government there went to work on official acts of discrimination. Calling for the arrest of people who employed Jews, housed Jews or served Jews. Consider what we have done in the United States. Deportations and detentions for even minor infractions. Calls to punish those who hire people without papers.

Persecution

This is not a new issue. We have seen the persecution of minorities for hundreds of years. Yet, in Germany it was systematic and effective. Bank accounts, homes, synagogues and personal property were confiscated and the Jews were rounded up and housed in ghettos. Walls were built, children were separated from their parents and people were housed in concentration camps...internment camps if you will. Sound familiar? 

Those four truths are the link between Auschwitz and Tornillo. It is not he end result of torture, gassing, shooting and burning but the steps in how we get there. To deny these four truths is to deny the Holocaust. I'll leave it there.

Edna Griffin Legacy Awards Dinner

There is a published study that suggests Des Moines, Iowa is an awful place to live and work if you are black. Wages pale (excuse the obvious) when compared to Caucasian, Asian and Latino workers. Unemployment remains in double digits for African-Americans. Housing, food security and access are all, according to the study, substandard.

It must have been much like that in 1948 when Edna Griffin a veteran of WWII made the decision to request service at the segregated lunch counter at the Katz Drugstore. Segregation in 1948 was illegal. The Iowa Supreme Court had said so long, long before yet the business community turned a blind eye to what was happening right in front of them. In the end Edna Griffin won a judgement against Katz and the civil rights movement found it's first hero years before Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama.

You would think the 70th Anniversary of such a monumental event would have garnered some press. Yet, it did not. The Des Moines Register in it's Sunday Edition printed not one word of the celebration of civil rights but gave hundreds of words to the fact "Stormy Daniels" was stripping at Big Earls. And, while there might have been some television coverage I saw no cameras or reporters at the event. After all...a bigger story was brewing across town...at Big Earls.

The obvious is right in front of us.

There were hundreds of civic leaders from politics, to business to education at Drake University last night. We were entertained with music, poems and acting. We were on our feet clapping and singing and shouting words of encouragement to keynote speaker Joshua V. Barr the director of the Des Moines Civil and Human Rights Commission who pointed out the fact that "...we have a problem". There were tears and there was laughter and there was a resolve to get up and MOVE as voiced by the Honorable Odell McGhee and the Honorable Romonda Belcher. 

Yet there were no cameras...no reporters...no...news.

"We have a problem."

Partly Personal

I spent much of yesterday with my brother. He, like many in Des Moines is currently displaced. His home was ravaged by flood waters last week so he's staying with us until his place is fixed up and habitual. We celebrated Shabbat on Friday night with candles, and wine and food and Torah. On Saturday we were off to a training session with the Polk County Democrats in their new headquarters. Last evening it was off the the Edna Griffin Legacy Awards Dinner. We were up until 2am talking about the day. He said to me, "I have not been this motivated in decades. It was a great day!". And...it was.

Thanks for reading and have a superior Sunday.  

 

  

 

 

 

Flags & Eid al-Fitr - Sunday Morning Coffee 10 June 2018

The coffee has been brewing all week and now, in many places across the country, we begin the march toward November. Welcome to Sunday Morning Coffee my weekly (some say weakly) look at politics all laced with personal commentary. This week, I should remind you we have two holidays on Thursday. The first is Flag Day in the United States. In our community on each national holiday the fire department delivers flags and flag poles placed at the curb. A slight annual charge gets the flag in front of your home. Then on Thursday evening begins Eid al-Fitr the end of fasting for the holy month of Ramadan. World wide Muslims fast during the daylight hours and this holiday breaks that fast. Enjoy.  OK, let's get to it!

Our National Nightmare Continues

The conference in Canada was to have been about equality. Equal rights for women, minorities and the LGBTQ Community. Also on the docket was dealing with climate change. Much of that changed when "45" decided, just a day in advance of the G7 Conference, he wanted to lay down more economic sanctions (tariffs) against our allies. So, once again, things were derailed. For those of you applauding this "America First" agenda please understand it is going to cost you thousands. But, I get it...you don't care if what you are buying costs more. "It's all about America first!" I get it, if you are a farmer and can't find a buyer for soybeans, apples, pork that's OK because we'll eat it all ourselves and it is "America First". Or let's say you make Jack Daniels and you've been slapped with a 20% tariff for product going to Mexico into a market that in one quarter had seen a 15% bump up in sales. Forget about it. Lay some of those people in Tennessee off...it's "America First"! 

It's just economics kids...just economics.

In Late Out Early

I found this interesting and totally on point. It seems that as late as Thursday "45" was asking his staff if it was really necessary for him to attend the G7 Conference in Canada. They pressed him, it is reported, that it was sorta important. So he went...but like the total self-absorbed person he is...arrived late. Then suggested that his buddy in Russia should once again become a member state at the conference (Russia was kicked out of the G7 when they invaded and annexed Crimea.) and then left early before the conversation on climate change. Why? This was simply economics and equality in business. Something that this president has no time for. There are bigger headlines in Singapore. Oh and "45" said the U.S. would not sign off on the official communique coming out of G7 and then insulted Justin Trudeau by calling him "weak".

Meanwhile Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) delivered this stinging rebuke of "45" and these crazy policies tweeting late on Saturday, "To our allies: bipartisan majorities of Americans remain pro-free trade, pro-globalization & supportive of alliances based on 70 years of shared values. Americans stand with you, even if our president doesn't." 

Canada

I grew up next door to Canada. Detroit was just minutes away from Windsor, Ontario and our family would visit often. I remember the fear so many in America had when Canada decided in 1965 to change their flag. I'm not making this up. Many saw this flag change as a symbol of support for the Soviet Union...those "dirty commie bastards!" "After all," the conspiracy theory went, "the primary color is RED and we all know what THAT means!" 

And you think things today are crazy. You should have been around then when we were practicing ducking under school desks during drills in fear of an atomic bomb attack.

Canada is a proud and beautiful country. It is clearly more progressive than the United States unless you venture "out west" where things get a bit more conservative. The point is that while Canada protects its dairy farmers (just like the U.S. does with minimum price controls) this president feels empowered to insult their leader and their nation. In substance Justin Trudeau runs circles around "45" and because of that the "Bully in Chief" thinks it is necessary to degrade one of our strongest allies.  Our next president is going to have to make the rounds in a "Forgiveness Tour".

Want a Cake and Eat it Too?

Last week the Supreme Court sided with Colorado baker Jack Phillips who denied a same sex couple a wedding cake saying it was against his deeply religious belief to support, in any way, a same sex wedding. Meanwhile this is the same court that finds against, what are called, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity laws...you know...bathroom bills and the like. So the question must be asked, "Does the SCOTUS want their cake and eat it too?" Thinking that is going to become a problem moving forward.

Kidnapping in the United States

And it continues. The "Zero-Tolerance" program of "45" and his crowd where children are removed from their parents and sent to camps in far-flung parts of the United States should be an outrage for us all. But it's not. Sure there are some, but very few, that are pointing out this human rights violation. Just this weekend Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash) spent hours at a detention center near Seattle with women who have "no idea" where their children are being kept. “A huge number of them are mothers whose children were taken away from them when they were apprehended at the border or when they turned themselves in,” Jayapal said. “They literally never had a chance to say goodbye to their children. Some of the children are as young as 6, perhaps younger. These women have no idea, in the vast majority of these cases, where their children are,” she added.

The image is of Rep. Jayapal getting arrested during a protest of civil disobedience in Seattle. Imagine...somebody that truly gets involved...

Meanwhile those of you who voted for "45" see no problem with this and besides, "Who in the hell is this Pramila Jayapal? She don't sound American!"

Ahhhh....America.

Meanwhile in Iowa

The stage is set and the voters have spoken. Early on the race for the Democratic nomination for Governor was pretty clear. The fear that the decision would go to convention turned out to be baseless. In the end Fred Hubbell received the overwhelming support of the majority of the voters. Some, who had voted for Nate Boulton, would, perhaps, have liked to have their early vote back. But, now it is time to gear up for a bruising campaign. Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-IA) and her ilk will double down on her "likability factor" while ignoring how fiscally incompetent she and her party are. Nobody will dare bring up the past dalliances or the deaf ear of this current governor...or will they? You can bet the GOP will attempt to paint Fred as "out of touch" with rural voters however the numbers from the primary tell a different story.

Needless to say I'm all in...let's go. To fail to elect Fred and a Democratic legislature would be devastating to the vast majority of Iowans no matter how "likable" you find the current occupant of Terrace Hill.

Juneteenth 

It's nearly here. Coming up on Thursday evening the 14th will be the Iowa Juneteenth Community Builders Appreciation Banquet with keynote speaker Soledad O'Brien. The event will be held at the Olmsted Center at Drake University. Tickets are $50 and you can get your ticket here.  See you on Thursday evening as we celebrate and engage and work to build a better community for us all.

Partly Personal

Several years ago when I started to become more active in politics in and around the Greater Des Moines Metro I was told that Urbandale was a "no go zone" when it comes to Democrats. After all the vast majority of political leaders in that community are Republicans. But, over the years things have been changing. It started when State Rep. John Forbes (D-Urbandale) was elected to the Iowa House. John, a former president of the Urbandale Chamber of Commerce and business owner would "seem" to be cut from the GOP cloth. But his sense of business, fairness and progressive values won the day. Much of that boosted the emerging group of activists now known as the Urbandale Democrats. Their numbers have swelled, as have the number of Democratic Neighborhood Groups across the Metro. 

So, why the buildup?

Today the Urbandale Democrats are holding their Annual Flag Day Event and I'm hoping you'll join me there. There will be food and fun, candidates and an interesting guest. The Metro will welcome Congressman Joaquin Castro (D-TX) to Iowa. I've had the opportunity to meet both he and his older brother (by a minute) Julian Castro the former mayor of San Antonio and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under the Obama Administration. 

This will be the first large gathering in the Metro post primary. Tickets are just $20 and you can get yours at the door. Hope to see you later this afternoon at the UAW Local 450 Hall starting at 4PM. BTW - Tickets are FREE for Veterans. 

Thanks for reading and have a great Sunday!