SundayMorningCoffee

Sunday Morning Coffee 27 March 2022

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

The Nine Words

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

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

Iowans Supporting Israel

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

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

Iowa Unity with Ukraine

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

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

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

Partly Personal

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

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

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

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

Thanks for reading and have a great Sunday.

  

Sunday Morning Coffee 16 January 2022

Welcome to 2022...which seems a bunch like 2021 so far. It's Sunday Morning Coffee back in the saddle after a couple of weeks off. To tell the truth, the political news is so weird that I had to "duck and cover" for several Sundays. NOT that it's gotten any better...right. So, let's get into some opinion, politics and a dash of religion just to keep things interesting.

We're Defending What Exactly?

In December President Biden signed the $770 billion defense bill which was $20 billion more than the pentagon requested. It struck me that while we can't get our crap together to support a host of domestic issues say like...voting...what exactly are we defending? Without the right to vote and hold politicians accountable and move this nation to a "more perfect union" what the hell are we doing?  Nearly two dozen states have passed voter suppression legislation (I live in one) and people like Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) have just said "No!" to carving out a filibuster change to get voting rights passed. So there is that...

Got It Yet?

If one didn't know better one would think that we're living in some crack-pot third world country when it comes to COVID-19. We live in a nation that has a patchwork health care system, that leaves the states to figure out what to do because we have failed to have a clear national response to this plague. To make matters worse it seems that the people in charge alter their recommendations on a regular basis. For example now the CDC says a cloth mask isn't enough and that people should wear a "surgical mask" and also a cloth mask over that.

Meanwhile one in five Americans have yet to get their first shot of a vaccine. All of this is tragic and it extends the life of this awful 21st Century Plague.

Empty Shelves

Last week I saw a political pundit post a photo of some empty grocery store shelves and take it with, #EmptyShelvesBiden. Weary. Want to know why some shelves are empty? Let's start with COVID-19 taking hundreds of thousands of "essential workers" out of the workforce. National economists say that although a precise count of the number of employees who are out sick or quarantining is hard to come by, about 5 million Americans could be isolating due to COVID-19.

Meanwhile we are more than 80,000 truck drivers short of full employment. That means only two of every sixteen loads are being claimed. And there is the Supreme Court decision that vaccine mandates  are not legal and that OSHA overstepped in that call to have employers of 100 people or more get their staff vaccinated. Then there is Matt Whitaker (who we in Iowa know only too well) the former Acting U.S. Attorney General and rabid supporter of "45", in a tweet, said the decision was a "big win for federalism". Oh...please. (Photo: CNN)

And you wanna know why I needed a couple of weeks off?

The Flat Tax

Well now Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-IA) in yet another gift to the wealthy (who, by the way really make the rules) has just proposed a graduated Flat Tax System for this state. The proposal would get to a flat tax of 4% in several years. This has long been a goal of the rich and powerful as it would shift a larger tax burden to lower income individuals and Lord knows we don't need them to bog down progress.

In addition to gifting to the wealthy this would also, according to economists, lower state revenues which then allows the state to further restrict public education support. "Hey, look at our revenues. We can not continue to support public education in any meaningful way..." I can hear it now.

Work Force

And in another lofty proposal Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-IA) has also called for reducing unemployment benefits to force people back to work. Like they are lazy folks sucking down bon-bons while watching day-time soap operas. I'm not sure where this woman dreams up this stuff. This sort of hard-hearted response to a plague is typical of her and her minions. It's just...awful.

But Wait, There's More

Meanwhile on the opening day of the Iowa Legislature the State Senate President Jake Chapman (R-Adel) used his time to call out teachers and journalists for having a "sinister agenda" that is threating the safety of children. You know, the kind of rhetoric that resulted in a guy shooting up a pizza joint because he was convinced there was "child trafficking" going on there.

Well, Jake, I got news. Enjoy the limelight because your time in the Iowa Legislature will soon be coming to an end.

Exhibit A: Here is a recent photo of legislators taken at a West Side Chamber of Commerce Legislative Breakfast this past week. It was not that long ago that every legislator representing the suburbs of Des Moines where Republicans. Voters have finally come to the conclusion that those representing them were doing a lousy job and kicked the GOP to the curb. Legislating from a point of fear only goes so long. There is not a boogie man behind every tree and bush. While that playbook has worked in the past...the rational is getting mighty thin.  So, Jake get ready for a more quiet retirement as Sen. Sarah Trone-Garriott takes you on in your home turf. Know that thousands of us are working to that goal.  In the photo: Sen. Claire Celsi (D-WDM),  Sen. Sarah Trone-Garriott (D-Windsor Heights), Sen. Jake Chapman (R-Adel), Rep. Kenan Judge (D-Waukee) and Rep. Jennifer Konfrst (D-Windsor Heights). (Photo - Windsor Heights Chamber) 

Israel

It was a reminder of what once was. This past week I attended a luncheon put on by Iowans Supporting Israel a true bipartisan organization that seeks to strengthen ties between the two entities. It was a bit surreal as I sat next to the chair of the Grassley reelection committee and Attorney General Tom Miller (D-IA) and a host of people from both sides of the aisle who hold drastically different political beliefs all coming together in support of the State of Israel. The topic was the BDS Movement which seeks to Boycott, Disinvest and Sanction Israel saying that the nation's treatment of the Arab population is akin to apartheid in South Africa. The speaker was Jacob Millner from the Minneapolis office of the American Jewish Committee who shared the reality of the situation in Israel vs. what life was like in South Africa and other places that oppress minorities.  Thirty-three states, and Iowa is one of them, have passed anti BDS legislation that restricts investment in companies that support BDS. If you really want the full story...feel free to make contact with me. 

Partly Personal

We had to cancel services at my congregation Adas Israel of Mason City. Snow. But, if you want a peek at what we talk about each week in our Torah Study you can visit our Adas Israel Blog Post which looks a bunch like this blog posts...for obvious reasons. Yes, each week I get to do that...too.

It's will be my first City Council Meeting as a councilor. The Windsor Heights City Council meets on the first and third Monday. However because of the New Year Holiday we did not meet on January 3rd and we'll not meet tomorrow the 17th because of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. So...we're meeting on Tuesday. This morning I spent several hours going through the meeting packet...all 162 pages.

I'll be taking Insight on Business the News Hour on the road this week. Headed to Kansas City on business. Be looking for a long-form conversation over lunch with U.S. Senate Candidate Admiral Mike Franken. It was the return to my "Out to Lunch" segment that's been on hold during the pandemic. My thanks to managing partner Karl Wertzberger and his staff at Gilroy's Kitchen + Pub + Patio for hosting us.

Finally.....YES Mitch Henry I will be sending in my dues for the Iowa Unity Coalition...honest! 

Yikes this got long!  Thanks for reading and have a great Sunday...

 

 

 

Sunday Morning Coffee - The Chanukah Edition 28 November 2021

Maybe it's the holiday. I'm not feeling snarky this morning. Sunday Morning Coffee is all about being a bit snarky...right?  But, to stay with tradition let's dive into a couple of the top of mind items.

COVID

We ain't done yet and the news out of Europe is troubling. Austria goes into a lock-down, a new variant out of South Africa. Flying restrictions and nobody knows...nothin'. This way of life has been with us for nearly two years and I fear so many people are letting their guard down. That some still refuse to get the vaccine is awful and something I can not understand. Now that the weather is colder and folks are congregating inside...well, you get the drift. Get vaccinated, wear a mask when out and keep the hell away from other folks. You never know.

Whining 

Meanwhile Americans are back to whining. President Biden's approval rating is lower than it's ever been. Another thing I don't get. We've just gotten a major piece of legislation passed that will have a huge impact on our ability to use roads and bridges and get parts of our nation connected and people are...whining. The president wants you to get vaccinated and you are whining. You can't go out and buy the latest gizmo and you are whining. We just passed Thanksgiving and rather than being thankful...you are whining. Weary.

Elon & Lauren

It seems Mr. Musk and Rep. Boebert (R-CO) have something in common at least when it comes to rich people and taxes.

Musk and Boebert tweeted out their disapproval of the Biden administration's proposal to expand the Internal Revenue Service's number of employees under the Build Back Better agenda. Under the proposal, the IRS would hire nearly 87,000 new workers over the next decade in an effort to close the "tax gap" by collecting unpaid taxes owed by large corporations, partnerships, and wealthy individuals.

Musk paid no federal income tax in 2018, the same year he was the world's second-richest person.

According to a May report from the Department of Treasury, the tax gap — the difference between taxes owed to the government and what is actually paid — will rise to more than $7 trillion over the next decade, or roughly 15% of taxes owed. (Photo - New York Post)

The report went on to say, "These unpaid taxes come at a cost to American households and compliant taxpayers as policymakers choose rising deficits, lower spending on necessary priorities, or further tax increases to compensate for the lost revenue. The tax gap disproportionately benefits high earners who accrue more of their income from non-labor sources where misreporting is common."

And, I think his EV truck is silly looking...so there.

Partly Personal

Told you I just wasn't in the mood today.  Maybe it's Chanukah or the combination of Thanksgiving and Chanukah? So let me leave you with this:

Tonight we will light the first of eight candles on the Chanukah Menorah. It's a holiday that is not in the bible but it is a holiday that marks an important historical event. So let me leave you with this, which I wrote for my congregation in Mason City:

"No, it is not the Jewish Christmas..." That is what I tell students who have no relationship with the festival, which, by the way, is not something that is ordained in the Torah. Sure, Chanukah happens around the same time as the Christian celebration and yes, there are lights being lit and yes some gifts are given but that ends the similarity. The rest is...history.

In 167 BCE, the Syrian-Greek emperor, Antiochus, set out to destroy Judaism and incorporate the Land of Israel and its inhabitants into his empire. His soldiers attacked Jerusalem, massacring thousands of people and desecrating the city’s holy Second Temple by erecting an altar to Zeus and sacrificing pigs within its sacred walls.

However Antiochus knew that was not the way to destroy the Jewish faith. He had to work on destroying the entire structure of the Jew so he made studying and teaching the Torah illegal. Next, he issued a ban prohibiting the practice of three mitzvot: 1) Sabbath observance 2) sanctifying of the new month (establishing the first day of the month by testimony of witnesses who saw the new moon) 3) brit mila (entering the Covenant of Abraham through Torah-ordained circumcision).

He knew that by forcing the people to assimilate and be out of touch with their faith he could destroy the Jews once and for all.

Enter the Maccabees

A family of Jewish priests – Matityahu and his 5 sons, known as the Maccabees – would not have it. They started a revolt and three years later succeeded in evicting the oppressors. The victory was a true miracle – on the scale of present day Israel being able to defeat the combined forces of all of today’s super-powers. This also explains why the emblem of the State of Israel is a menorah.

Once the Jewish people regained control of the Temple in Jerusalem, they wanted to rededicate it immediately.

In order to do so, they needed ritually pure olive oil to re-light the menorah in the Temple, which was a part of the Temple’s nightly service. However, only a single cruse of oil was found, just enough to burn for one day though they needed oil for eight days – the time it would take for new ritually pure olive oil to be produced. A miracle occurred and the oil burned for eight days. Thus, the Temple was rededicated; in fact, Hanukah means “to dedicate” in Hebrew.

And so, starting on Sunday evening we will light the first candle in the nine-branch menorah. Why nine? One of the candles is a "servant" candle. It is used to light the other candles, adding one each night of the festival until all eight candles are burning...along with the servant candle.  Also each night we tell a story about Chanukah, play a game called dreidel and eat latkes...potato pancakes that are fried in oil. Yes, there is that oil connection again.

Even the dreidel game has a meaning. It's played with a "top" that has four sides. On each side is a Hebrew letter a nun, gimmel, hey, and shin. The first letters represent the phrase “nes gadol haya sham – a great miracle happened there.”

So, even in playing a game...we remember the miracle of Chanukah.

Happy Chanukah and thanks for reading!

 

 

 

Sunday Morning Coffee 8 March 2020

Welcome to Daylight Savings Time or "What the hell happened? All of my watches are wrong!" It's Sunday Morning Coffee my weekly look at the political stories you may have seen (or missed) and my running commentary. It's what I do rather than sleeping in. Let's go

Coronavirus

Two words, it's everywhere. And you know it must be a natural disaster of some type when the president shows up in the same outfit he was wearing when he visited Puerto Rico and passed out paper towels. I have it on high authority that the White House calls this clothing choice, "Casual Presidential Lying Gear".  When people die this guy shows up with paper towels or, like last week, shares with the world that he has a special "knack" for coronavirus.

As they said last night on Saturday Night Live, "We're all gonna die."

Coronavirus 2.0

Last week I gave you a long explanation about the economy and the impact this virus is having and will have on our economy. I'll not do that again this week however, when close to 70% of our economic growth is created by consumers and not major corporations and if all you're doing is raiding Costco for hand sanitizer and disinfectant but not going to events, traveling for business, eating out. Yeah, you get it. When they cancel SXSW and hold NCAA games without spectators.  You get the picture.

But, the president has it all under control. Comforting...huh?

Joni Ernst

This morning I read the Iowa Poll that indicates Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) is underwater when it comes to her approval rating which in this poll stands at 41%. Also that nobody seems to know the people who are lined up to run against her. (Does the word weary come to mind?) Image: Iowa Starting Line

But, that's not the most shocking thing the Des Moines Register has in the story. The quotes they picked up were, well... I'll let you decide:

Take, for example, Kerri Christian who is a registered Democrat lives in Cedar Point, is 62 and is open to voting for Ernst. From the article:

"She is looking for someone to show they can stand up to Trump, whom she believes will be re-elected in the fall." 'You have to get people in there who are willing to take him on,' she said. If that’s Joni, then that’s Joni.”

Go ahead, read that again...and pass a joint.

But, wait...there's more:

Blake McSarling, a 34-year-old Ottumwa resident, said he’s seen little about the Senate race so far but hopes Democrats nominate U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) for president. McSarling, a registered Democrat, voted for Trump in 2016 but now wonders if that was the right call.

“I’m looking for somebody down to earth,” he said of the Senate race. “Somebody who’s not been in politics forever — somebody who’s kind of outside of it, who has goals for regular people, not just for industry.”

Dear Mr. McSarling: None of the Democratic candidates have ever held a local or district or state-wide position. Hell, none of them have ever, to my knowledge, sat on a city council.

I've said this on more than one occasion. If I ever get in trouble with the law and I'm innocent I want a bench trial. If I'm guilty I'll take a jury... Yikes!

It would seem that the GOP cuts in education are working.

In case you were wondering, Iowa ranks 27th in the nation on per pupil school spending. Nice to be so...mediocre. Here are the stats. 

Elizabeth Warren

She made an appearance on Saturday Night Live. Great clip to view click here. I, like many others, was surprised at her poor showing on Super Tuesday. I have friends who worked hard on her campaign and, judging from the social media posts, many sat down and cried. At the same time I see disparaging remarks about Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and former Vice President Joe Biden with commentators and talking heads bemoaning the fact that there are "...just two old white guys still standing". 

It's called...voting. And when you look at the exit polling from Super Tuesday (Here are the results from FiveThirtyEight) you'll notice that women failed to vote for Sen. Warren. From the article:

"37 percent of white women were late deciders, more than any other group broken down by race and gender. As a whole, they made up 43 percent of late deciders, and 50 percent of them backed Biden. Though this was in line with the overall support for Biden among late deciders, the sheer number of white women (the single largest voting bloc on Super Tuesday) made it a key late-deciding group for Biden."

Thoughts?

Meanwhile Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) has announced that she will endorse Biden.

Jews and Iowa

My devout Christian friends were all over HF2504 which singled out anti-semitic talk as hate speech and in committee time after time indicated that "Jews were the chosen people..."  Oh please!  What a flawed piece of legislation. To my knowledge there was not one Jew called to discuss this in committee and if they had been I am sure they would have pointed out the discrimination and hate speech that goes on each day directed to Muslims. Let alone the vitriol that is spewed against other groups. But hey if the Family Leader, ALEC and the Ames Chamber are all for it.  BTW it did pass the house on a 51-45 vote.

Weary...  

Partly Personal

What time is it anyway?

I've got a puppy in my lap as I type...so there.

OK, gotta get this out. Much to get done today including attending the opening of an office for Congresswoman Cindy Axne (D-IA) in West Des Moines this evening at 5PM.

Another day of campaigning. In case you had not heard here is that website and should you be moved to help out and chip in here is that link.  Sure you can send a check.

Thanks for reading and have a great Sunday! 

 

Sunday Morning Coffee 3 November 2019

Hope you got to enjoy an extra hour of sleep this morning! Wish I could report that I did. Up at 2:30...I guess really 3:30 and headed to the office. So much going on these days it's great to get a jump on the day.  And to kick things off...grab your cup of Sunday Morning Coffee and let's roll.

The Liberty & Justice Dinner

 

There are few words other than tremendous to describe the Iowa Democratic Party Liberty & Justice Event/Dinner. Nearly 14,000 people packed Wells Fargo Arena. There were Democrats up to the rafters and the excitement was amazing. Sure it helps when there are 13 candidates and their supporters but...WOW!.  The optics were fantastic and the staging was amazing. While it cost plenty to do the event the party raised lots of money...money that will go toward electing Democrats up and down the ballot in November of 2020.

While I've heard each of these presidential candidates at some time during the past few months there were some surprises:

• Troy Price, Iowa Democratic Party Chair - I have never heard Troy speak with such passion. It's tough being the opening act on a stage that is being watched by millions but Troy nailed it. He started out talking about how the party, in 2017, asked Democrats to believe in our values and Democrats from across the state rose up and answered the call and in 2018 we elected Rep. Cindy Axne, Rep, Abby Finkenauer, State Auditor Rob Sand, picked up eight seats in the Iowa Legislature. It was done with the message about our shared values: Supporting Working Families, Supporting Education, Supporting Unions, Supporting Science on Climate Change, Supporting Planned Parenthood, Supporting Diversity, Supporting Refugees and being welcoming to all. BAM!
• Tom Perez, Democratic National Committee Chair - I had never heard Tom speak but he gave a stemwinder echoing the idea of values for all Americans and saying, "The worst fear for the GOP is our unity and, make no mistake we are united in this mission." People were on their feet and the arena reverberated with approval. Again...BAM! His final statement, "This is a defining moment in the history of our nation as we, Democrats, determine the fate of our great nation. It will be remembered and people will ask, 'What did you do?' And we will answer, 'We, together, did this!" Yeah....

If you were unable to make it you can see the entire, nearly five hours, of the event on CSPAN. Just Google "Iowa Liberty & Justice" and you can enjoy the afternoon.

One other interesting item: Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) opted out of bringing his nearly 1,600 supporters to the arena and instead gave the Iowa Democratic Party $20,000.  He held a rally prior to the speeches. I didn't make it buy my brother who is an avid supporter was there and he said it was "electric".

Beto Out

I was with the John Delaney camp when it flashed across the screen that former Congressman Beto O'Rourke bowed out of the 2020 race. The group of nearly 50 people were...stunned. After all there were scores of Beto volunteers all along the route to Wells Fargo Arena. He came into the race with so much promise and crashed out in a dramatic form as he told his supporters who had gathered just yards away from the event that he was done. It was stunning.

While there I ran into a couple of friends. Jared Bernstein and Chuck Offenburger were in the house. Jared was working with me on a project and Chuck has been a big supporter of John Delaney for some time.

Democratic Majority for Israel

My job, that afternoon, was to visit with as many presidential candidate supporters as possible and get them to commit to the group working to support the Democratic Majority for Israel. It was pretty simple really. Go from campaign to campaign and ask caucus goers if they would pledge their support for Israel and a two-state solution working toward peace. It was a great time and worthwhile.

Local Elections on Tuesday

By now you know that the Polk County Democrats have been working hard to turn out the vote for Democrats running for City Council and School Boards. Lot's of folks have asked me why we've taken a stand here and the simple answer is that Democrats have finally gotten smart and realize that for years the GOP has been packing school boards and city council chambers and it was time to work for the values we support. Meanwhile some long-time members of the GOP are telling voters they are Democrats. If you doubt that...you might ask Liz Cox who is running for the WDM School Board. We can't find any switch in her party. But, hey Liz...it's never too late.

Partly Personal

I am both honored and humbled to have been chosen as one of nineteen people "who have made a difference" by the Business Journal of Cityview Magazine. The event to honor the 19 folks who were nominated and then chosen by the publication will be on Thursday the 7th. I'm really a bit stunned...but grateful. 

I've gotta go!  Sorry for the "half-cup" but working on several items today including my race for the Iowa State Senate. Weekends are made for "Call Time" as well as policy statements and other campaign work. 

Finally, if you have a desire to help in this campaign here is a link to my website, LibbieForIowa.com. You know me. You know that I've been working for Democrats for decades. I'm not new to this effort and I'll not need any on the job training once we, together, "Chuck Chuck"  in November of 2020.

One more call out...here is a link to my fund raising site with Act Blue. Any donation is appreciated...and thank you!

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 24 March 2019

And, a GOOD Sunday Morning to YOU.  Welcome to Sunday Morning Coffee my weekly political news blog that also gets my commentary thrown in. It's what I do...

"He's Not Worth It"

Four words that, no doubt, will drive "45" over the top. Last week House Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said those words when asked about the House bringing Articles of Impeachment against the current occupant of the White House. She said that it was way too deviseve for the nation and besides, "He's just not worth it". To a person who thinks and acts the way our narcissistic president thinks and acts what a major "clap-back". Ya gotta love it.  He's not worth it....

The Report Is In

The nation held its collective breath on Friday as Robert Mueller delivered his report to the Justice Department. For nearly two years the special prosecutor has been turning over stones regarding the involvement of Russia in the 2016 election. Now Attorney General Robert Barr will have a look and decide what you and I can see. Meanwhile, without knowing what is in the report Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) is calling for the report to be released in its entirety because without doing so the nation will be left to wonder and the conspiracy theories will roll like the high-tide in Nebraska.

The Silence Was Deafening

This morning "45" ended his self-imposed 40 hour Twitter silence and tweeted out his campaign slogan and wished his followers a "great day". It was the first tweet since the Mueller report was delivered Friday. But, we can understand he was attending to important business at his resort in Florida. Golfing with Kid Rock is mighty heavy stuff.

New York, New York

Now the focus will shift to, what could be more damage to "45", as New York rolls through it's case against the president, his family, his business. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) is reportedly already carrying out a series of probes related to the president, including efforts focused on Trump's inaugural committee.

It is also overseeing an investigation into potential campaign finance violations tied to the president.

Trump and his allies are well aware of the investigations and the dangers of the New York prosecutors. Why, they are ruthless when it comes to sniffing out crime from mob bosses to celebrities. Then, of course, we've also got Virginia and D.C. cases to attend to.

You elect a crook...this is what you get.

Meanwhile in New Zealand

It's becoming more and more clear that New Zealand is topping the United States when it comes to being civilized. Today over 10,000 people attended a rally to mourn the 50 victims who were gunned down last week. Many women came with headscarves to show solidarity with Muslim women after the hashtag #HeadScarfForHarmony hit social media last week.

In the span of one week the leader of New Zealand didn't offer empty "thoughts and prayers" she went to work getting a ban on assault weapons, large capacity magazines and a host of other gun control measures. Of course those of you who are in love with your guns will note that in New Zealand, unlike in the United States, having a firearm is already regulated. To get a firearm there you must apply, have witnesses stand up for you and be willing to forfeit your weapon should you run counter to the law.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern also said a national remembrance service for the victims is scheduled for March 29. Meanwhile over 20,000 signatures have been gathered in support of her receiving the Nobel Peace Prize for her actions in the wake of the tragedy.

AIPAC

Today the annual policy conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) kicks off in Washington, D.C. and many Democrats are twisting themselves into pretzels trying to support but condemn the Jewish state. Some of the 2020 presidential contenders are skipping the event in the hope we'll forget all about them turning their back on the only democracy in the Middle East. Some are suggesting that if we show any allegiance to Israel it is somehow a crime. 

What horseshit.

I get it... and I'm about to lose my Liberal Card but here's the deal. If Iowa were surrounded by states that hate us (well, maybe that's not such a stretch) and were committed to the destruction of all three million of us what position might you take? Play "Iowa nice" as terrorists from Minnesota cross the border into Lansing and blow up the Methodist Church. (I know they have their own issues these days, right?)

No, you hate Israel because Bibi has a bromance with "45" and moved the embassy to Jerusalem and ended the Iran deal and...oh my goodness...moved to recognize Israels right to annex the Golan Heights. And you do that from the comfort of your Iowa Nice living room without a care. Please...

What is worse is that some of my liberal Jewish friends seem to swallow this anti AIPAC crap forgetting their brothers and sisters living in Israel have a target on their back. You want to debate this issue?  I can do it all day long. Rather than attack Israel why not demand that your Arab friends, who teach hate and destruction say, "We recognize that the State of Israel has a right to exist in peace."

If that were to happen, rather than rockets being fired into Ashkelon or people being run over on the streets or knifed in the back as they walk to synagogue we would have peace. But, hey, Jews are a much easier target...always have been.

Well, there goes the "Liberal Card"...

Privilege?

I'm going to share a story that I was told by the family of a young woman at the center of this tale:

A woman was driving the fifteen miles home from work with her six-month old child in the car seat. Not paying attention, she was stopped by a police officer for doing 86 mph in a 65 mph zone. The officer asked for her license (she didn't have it) her vehicle registration (she didn't have it) and her proof of insurance (nope, didn't have it).

Know what happened?

She got a ticket for going 5 mph over the speed limit. No citation for anything else, no arrest for child endangerment...nada.

I failed to mention the young mother is white. Imagine, for just a moment, if a person of color were driving that vehicle.

I rest my case.

Partly Personal

Last week the Festival of Purim was held (The Book of Esther) on the same day as the Hindu Festival of Holi. Both events are rooted in the notion of good and G-d triumphing over the darkness of evil.

I was discussing the similarities with my Hindu friend, Dinesh and asked him a personal question about prayer. "Dinesh, when you pray do you place a bindi (red dot) on your forehead?" I think he may have been surprised that I would ask the question but even more surprised that I knew about the adornment. (Thank you Parkash for the lesson!) He said, "Sometimes, but I take if off when in public because, well, because, I live in Iowa and people think it's odd. Besides, my dark skin and my accent is already different so I try to blend in as much as possible."

I get it. Fitting in is important. I remember when I wore a Kippah (yarmulke) and Tzitzit (fringes) in public...in Iowa...how some folks reacted. In New York, Miami or Israel...no big deal. But here it's a little odd. But what it does do is allow people to ask the question and that can be a teachable moment. It's how we can learn about each other. 

Have a fantastic Sunday and thanks for reading. 

 

 

Sunday Morning Coffee - 28 October 2018

I know, and you know, where the hate comes from. There are consequences to words especially when those words are uttered by people in positions of power. But, this isn't about the current occupant of the White House...this is, sadly, about you. Welcome to Sunday Morning Coffee, thanks for coming by.

Pastor John Pavlovitz

Not sure if you've every read him. But, early this morning a friend tweeted, "This isn't about Donald Trump, this is about you and it is so true." So I went to the link and read what Pavlovitz wrote back in April of this year.  It is stunning. Here is just part of what he says as he writes to a "Trump Supporting Friend" as he says, "This is about me, and you...

"It’s about my disbelief at your sudden tolerance for his infidelity, his cruelty, his intellectual ignorance, his immorality, his disrespect for the rule of law, his alliances with dictators—things you once claimed you could never abide in a leader.

It’s about my incredulity at your surprising resentment for marginalized people; for your inability to muster any compassion for those who are hurting or frightened or threatened."

And, there is more:

"It’s about my amazement at your capacity to make your faith so pliable, that you could amen a compulsive liar, a serial adulterer, a fear-mongering bully; a man in nearly every way antithetical to the Jesus you’ve always said was so dear to you.

It’s about my sickness seeing you excuse away his coddling of racists, his public attacks on the FBI, his impulsive firings of Cabinet members, his Tweet rants against individual citizens and American companies."

If you would like to read the entire piece here is a link.

Terror in America

It's been a tough week as two more home-grown American Terrorists took out their twisted logic of what America is, should be or has become and flooded the news cycle. Houses of worship have been a favorite target of these American Terrorists. Churches, a Sikh temple a Jewish synagogue a Muslim mosque... Next in line are schools, public gatherings...the list is long and getting longer each year, month, week.

While politicians focus on the flooding our minds about fearing minorities...minorities are murdered at alarming rates.  

Who is doing the killing? Terrorists who are Americans. While you're thinking about that what are you doing about it? Where is your courage to stand up and call out hate speech and hateful acts?

Just this month anti-Jewish leaflets were plastered all over Des Moines, Iowa.  Des Moines for cryin' out loud. One of the whitest most Christian places on the planet. And, while some business and civic leaders called out the terror for what it was. Others, too many others, were silent. 

Worse yet when a Christian Church, in a very white neighborhood, displays a sign that says, "Black Lives Matter" the spokesperson for the Des Moines Police Department takes offence and says the sign should read "All Lives Matter". Marginalizing the reality of the message that African Americans continue to be killed at an alarming rate...many at the hands of police officers.

Weary....

Nine Days

We are now nine days away from election day. Yet, many...so very many have already voted. Beyond the congressional elections it's most interesting to be "out in the field" talking to voters at their doors. What I've found is that most of the people I've come in contact with are weary of inaction and efforts to contain rather than free people to make choices.  This is what I'm hearing and no, it's not all from registered Democrats:

• Health Care - Families are sick and tired of being taken for a ride by the current healthcare system. A system that doesn't work, that costs too much and picks winners and losers. It is the most talked about issue as people realize that they are one serious sickness away from bankruptcy;
• Public Education - I have been told, countless times, about how terrible it is that government seems pleased by the fact that it is strangling our public schools. That passing budgets that fail to fund education is a stain on our past and future. Iowa once was a proud education state. Today, people realize that time has past;
• College Education - Many of the people I visit with were fortunate to go to collage when costs were much, much less and were able to get out of secondary education without crippling debt. There is so much interest in finding a way to reduce that debt and find ways to unleash the buying power of graduates rather than hold them hostage for decades;
• Mental Health Care - We talk a big game but when it comes to care and treatment we are failing. You would think that in a nation that is supposed to be so very wealthy would have put funds into what is clearly a national tragedy; 
• Sexual Harassment - It's been my experience, this cycle, that men don't want to talk about it. However, women do and they are vocal about workplace and public harassment. And, it doesn't help that many in powerful places give only lip-service to the issue. But, then again, many of the people in power are...men.

Yes there are other issues. Things like voting rights, equal protection for LGBTQ individuals, abortion and race relations. However, unless the people I am talking with are really into politics those issues don't rise to the top.  Just thought you should know...

Candidate Profiles and Conversations

If you are interested we've done a number of candidate profiles over the past several weeks. And, yes they are all Democrats. You see this election is not so much about persuasion of turning the hearts and minds of Republicans this is about getting out the vote. You can click on any highlighted name for that conversation: 

• Cindy Axne - We went "Out to Lunch" and took along our microphones;
• Andrew Yang - His idea is a guaranteed income stream for all Americans 18 to 64;
• John K. Delaney - The first announced Democrat for president in 2020;
• Rob Sand - He is running for Iowa's State Auditor and wants to "Wake up the Watchdog";
• Tim Gannon - A farmer whom the Farm Bureau is spending tons to defeat for Secretary of Agriculture.  Odd...no?
• Ro Kahana - He is a congressman from Silicon Valley with thoughts about Amazon and $15 an hour;
• Sen. Kamala Harris - She sits on the Judiciary Committee of the U.S. Senate and is from California;
• Karin Derry - She is running for the Iowa House from Johnston, Grimes and Jefferson Township;
• Tim Winter - He is running for the Iowa House representing Hamilton County, Boone County and part of Story County;
• David Weaver - He is a farmer running for the Iowa house in Boone County;
• Joaquin Castro - He is a congressman from Texas who made a swing through the Hawkeye State.
• Sen Amy Klobuchar - A senator from Minnesota who, by the way, was back in Iowa this weekend;
• Eric Garcetti - The Mayor of Los Angeles talking about immigration;
• Ruth Ann Gaines - She is seeking re-election to the Iowa House from NE Des Moines;
• Pramila Jayapal - A congresswoman from Washington State who was speaking about immigration and more;
• Eric Swalwell - He is a congressman from California and we talked business. 

Coming up over the next several days you'll hear from Iowa Senate candidate Amber Gustafson who is seeking to become one of the many women in Iowa running for the State House, Heather Matson running a tight race for the Iowa House from Ankeny, Gov. Martin O'Malley who has been in Iowa so many times I asked him if he had his drivers license here and Sen Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) who was back just this past week.

I really should have started these profiles a year ago...there are so many that I have missed but the focus of The Business News Hour isn't politics but...well, business.

Partly Personal

I have been honored to have had the opportunity, since 1986 to lead two Jewish congregations. Beth El in Fort Dodge, before it closed in 1996, and currently Adas Israel in Mason City...both in Iowa. I have also served as the president of the former Orthodox congregation Beth El Jacob in Des Moines. To be honest with you I have always feared what happened this past Shabbat (Sabbath) in Pittsburgh. Sure, during the holidays of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur we would have armed police at the door for Beth El Jacob...but that was only twice a year.

I think back to several incidents of anti Jewish events. Like the time, in Fort Dodge, when a ham was thrown against the front door of the synagogue with a note saying, "Get out of town you filthy Jews!". Or the threatening phone calls that were made to the president of the Mason City congregation just last year. Or the time when a board member of a client of mine said, "Had I known you were a Jew we wouldn't have hired you."

Yeah...that. Some of these events go back three decades. It's not something new but it is something that bubbles under our society and many others waiting for the opportunity to strike. 

So, I am grateful for the people who offer their support. To the dozens of multi-religions who just showed up at a Sabbath service in Mason City to express support for the Jews there. (Photo) For the Iowa Interfaith Alliance and Connie Ryan who has been an outspoken friend of all faith groups. To my friend Rep. Ako Abdul Samad who talks about unity and peace at every turn. To Dr. Mark Finkelstein of the Iowa Jewish Community Relations Commission for his efforts at bridging the gap between knowledge and ignorance. To Rabbi David Kaufman who has championed education and understanding among people of all faith groups. To Tom Henderson and Matt Strawn founders of Iowans Supporting Israel. And, yes, I know I'm leaving some out and I am sorry...there are many who rise up against hate and we are grateful.

At least we are trying.

Thank you for reading... 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday Morning Coffee - 14 January 2018

Where does one begin? It's been another wild week from DC to Hawaii. Welcome to Sunday Morning Coffee my weekly political blog with some of the stores I know you've seen and others you've perhaps missed; all laced with my, sometimes, acerbic commentary. Why? I dunno but I'mm sure glad you take the time to give it a quick read. Let's get started!

The Office of the President of the United States

At one time in my life I remember telling people who hated George W. Bush that is was not right to defame the president. That we can disagree with him but to cast hateful stones was not in keeping with honoring the office. All of that has changed over the past year. We now have a person who is a clear and present danger to our nation occupying the White House. His most recent "Shithole" comment should be enough for Republicans to disavow him but they do not. Why I do not know...they must be scared. However there is a line coming out of the GOP and this administration that could become useful for you any time someone asks you about why you hit somebody or why you make disparaging remarks to your boss or why you do anything that is inappropriate like grabbing someone by the genitals. Just make like Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) or Attorney General Jeff Sessions and say, "I have no recollection...." Fill in the blank. It's your "Get Outta Jail Free Card". You are welcome.

 

But you do have to love the First Amendment. The video above, complete with Poop Emojis was, last night, projected on the Trump Hotel in Washington, D.C.

We Need More White People!

Clearly that is what "45" meant when he offered up his comments about Haitians and the entire continent of Africa. "Bring us more white people, enough with all these colored folk. They are not the type of people we need in this country..." Is what he meant to say. And, where do we start? How about "Normay" (as the White House spells Norway) or how about Sweden? Those are countries where there are lots and lots of white people. Trouble is...Norwegians and Swedes wouldn't want to leave their highly developed nations to come here where a mad-man is living in the White House. 

Speaking of mental health how about this comment on ABC News this morning where mental health professional Dr. Allen Frances said about "45": "It's an insult to the mentally ill to say that the reason he shouldn't be in office is mental illness. He's a bad person, he's an ignorant person, he's impulsive. He's been like this his entire life." (Cartoon - Tim Lloyd)

Let's Make Some MORE Money!

Maybe you missed this one. Last week the Department of Education decided to hire two firms collect from you deadbeat people who owe student debt. It's a contract that could mean millions of dollars in profit. The funny thing is that one of the companies, Performant Financial Corporation is a company that Education Secretary Betsy DeVos invested in just prior to becoming the Secretary of Education for the United States of America. The contracts are worth an estimated $400 million bucks. See you chumps...THIS is how it's done. And you're working 50 and 60 hours a week. They are laughing at you.

Birther Joe is Back!

And there is this tidbit from Arizona where pardoned Birther Senate Candidate Joe Arpiao said about the error in Hawaii that sent out a warning of an incoming ballistic missile alert last week. He was pointing to the state and saying about the "fake birth certificate" of President Obama. "They can't even solve that case. There is something wrong with their (Hawaii) government." Gosh, maybe it's all them Asian looking people? 

Let's Go to White Iowa!

Yesterday Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) kicked off his traditional 99 County Tour. That is, for those of you reading from outside Iowa, what the Senator likes to say he does. Except that he really doesn't do public events in all 99 counties. He, for example, avoids Polk County (Des Moines) like the plague and holds invite only events there. But I digress... Sen. Grassley was in "Trumpland" where voters in Harrison County went for "45" by a 65% margin and where, yesterday, he was peppered by those good white Republicans with questions about the stability of the president as well as if Grassley was stonewalling the Russia investigation.  If you want to read about it here is a link to the story by Des Moines Register reporter Jason Noble. They be getting feisty out there even in the "safe" areas. (Photo: Des Moines Register)

Mental Health Part Two

Blah, blah, blah...it's just talk and talk is cheap here in Iowa where we rank 49th in the nation in the number of state mental health beds. Everybody is talking about it. Business groups hold panel discussions, advocacy groups hold town hall meetings and political forums where people gather and...talk. Blah, Blah...Blah. What? Put more money into caring for people with mental illness? Treat mental illness, as Dr. Andy McGuire says, "like the disease it is"? Nah, let's just talk about it. What the Iowa legislature should do is tomorrow carry forward legislation that puts money into care and treatment programs. But, nah... Let's continue to fill our jails and prisons with people who are sick but that's the only place we have for them. Makes total sense. Weary....

Partly Personal

Last week I was at an event put on by Iowans Supporting Israel. It is a non-partisan, non-profit, group put together by Democrats and Republicans who...well, support Israel and Iowa ties there, and here. The speaker was Steve Gar and while I had my audio equipment with me I failed to catch his entire presentation. Steve is what some have dubbed "The Jack Bauer of Israel". He is a counter terrorism specialist who is on call 24/7 to respond to terrorist attacks there. It was spellbinding. I was able to capture this short interview for the Business News Hour. If you listen you'll note that it comes to a very abrupt end.

Finally, if you have not yet picked up Promise Me, Dad by former Vice President Joe Biden...do it. It is an amazing read. 

Thanks for reading (and listening) and have a superior Sunday!

 

 

 

 

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Sunday Morning Coffee 19 November 2017

While you were sleeping the coffee was brewing. Welcome to Sunday Morning Coffee! My name is Michael Libbie and I get to write this political blog about stories you've seen or might have missed all laced with my commentary. Sometimes fun often serious but mostly meant to inform. Grab a cup and let's wade through what we know and what we can only suspect.

Elections and Spilled Milk

This weekend I was sitting with four people who voted for "45" in November. Shocking, no? I know this because they freely admitted to the act, mostly as if they were at confession. I know all four of these folks well. Two are retired with one on Medicaid and two are actively working at what might be called blue-collar jobs. The one thing they share is a deep faith in evangelical Christianity  When I asked "So, how is all of this working out for you?" I got the same answer, "I held my nose and voted for him because I didn't like Hillary." That was the common thread. The other was that they are disappointed in how "45" has conducted business. Would they vote for him again? "It depends on who is running against him." I then asked about Alabama and Roy Moore...

Distractions

My four friends said they are not sure if Moore, who was booted out of running the Alabama courts twice, is guilty or not of molesting children. One said they would offer him the benefit of the doubt the other three others said they didn't know enough about the case to offer an opinion. But they were quick to suggest that, "They are ALL guilty of something!" I hear this a bunch. When confronted about the failure of the GOP to deliver on anything other than Jesus (and they fail at that too) many who voted for "45" simply play the "AltGuilt" card rather than face the reality they actually voted against their own interests. When I asked about the tax cut plan being laid out in Washington they said it was not a good idea because it favored the rich over the working class. At least they got that right. (Cartoon: Tim Lloyd)

The Vote

Write this down someplace. Roy Moore will win in Alabama because he is running in Alabama.

The Vote Part Two

This weekend former president Bill Clinton said he doesn't think the public outing by former FBI Director James Comey about the re-opening of the email investigation on October 28th cost Hillary Clinton the election. The master of words did say it only made a difference because the public had been so ginned up by the story. "If the voters hadn't been told that the email...was the most important issue since the end of World War II, I doubt the FBI director could have flung the election at the end." He has a point. The GOP used that story over and over and over...remember "lock her up"? 

Family Values

It's pretty stunning that my friends in the Orthodox Jewish community support folks like "45" and Roy Moore. Oh, you didn't see the rabbi fawning over Moore last week at a rally? That was shocking...to a point. One of the things most folks don't know is there is a very strong bond between the Orthodox Jews and the Christian Right. The reasons? Abortion, Homosexuality and the strong tie between Israel and Jesus. You see, for the "Second Coming" to happen there must be an Israel. Which begs the question, Why would G-d need a second chance?  Anyway my friends seem to forget the rest of the Torah. You know, those pesky parts about caring for people, all people and that grabbing pussy isn't nice.

Which Brings to Mind Al Franken

Now it's one of ours. Are women to be...believed? It's an honest question. For centuries it has been suggested that women lack the ability to simply tell the truth while men, it is assumed, are always spot on. I'm not making this up. (More on that in a moment.) The #MeToo movement has heated up yet many deny the ability of women, who come forward to out their attackers, to tell the truth. There are "doubts". Unless you have "proof". Why is it that we fail to believe women who, at great risk, come out and share their stories about these sexual attacks? Could it be the same inbred hostility that denied women the right to vote because they would never be able to understand the complexities of politics? It's not a stretch. Here is an amazing article from The Atlantic that details centuries of doubting women because...well...because they are...women. Al, sorry pal, you blew it. And, of course, "45" could not help himself...

Mental Health & Iowa

Last month I had a long conversation with Polk County Sheriff Bill McCarthy about his jail. We talked about how it has become the first stop for the vast majority of people who have been involved in crime and suffer from mental illness. NAMI Iowa held a forum last week that talked about the sorry state of mental health in Iowa. Last Friday my friend Dave Price from WHO-TV13 hosted a televised forum on mental health. On December 5th there will be a mental health forum hosted by the Des Moines Register and Des Moines University. We talk...a lot...about mental health and then do...nothing. It's sort of like guns. We talk a bunch about the murders in our nation (mass or those pesky 'one-offs') and we do nothing. Nothing. Don't you think it might be time for us to vote for mental health rather than just talk about it? I know many of you who read this post attend political events. Why not ask the question the next time you are face to face with a candidate, from any political party, what THEY intend to DO about the 900 pound gorilla in the room. I don't care if they are running for what office. Make them answer the question and not simply talk about it.

David Young

It's true, Rep. David Young (R-IA) can tell a good joke. I've seen him in action. He is also really, really good at voter outreach. He should be having worked for Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) for years. He also doesn't give a damn about you, your family, your ability to put food on the table. If he did he would not have voted for the GOP "money grab" last week that will continue to cripple Iowa families. The same is true for Rep. Steven King (R-IA) and Rep. Rod Blum (R-IA) they simply do not care. One of the things that voters don't know is that these guys are much more concerned about getting re-elected than being straight with voters. Cut the corporate tax rate, when the vast majority of corporations don't pay anything close to the tax rate. Repeal the estate tax because rich folks will benefit. It's all about the money and rich donors that foot their campaigns. 2018 can not come soon enough but we need to work it every day...every single day. (photo: Iowa Starting Line)

Economics - A Lesson

OK, time to get into the weeds a bit. Perhaps you have heard the U.S. Central Bank (The Fed) has, as one of it's closely watched benchmarks, the inflation rate. They say they three things; the unemployment level, the economy and the inflation rate are what they are watching so they may raise interest rates from historic low levels. Of the three it is the targeted inflation rate of 2% that eludes them. The Fed just can't figure out why the inflation rate is stuck below 2%. But, it's not and anybody that actually buys stuff knows it. You see the inflation rate is calculated by averaging some 300 categories of goods and services. When we start to look at specific costs, and who is buying what, we get a better picture of inflation at the personal level. For example if you are a man and buy shirts and sweaters you know prices in 2017 are down by 8.3%. If you buy fuel you know that that has risen by more than 10%. If you buy health care insurance you know that it has risen. Rents are up by 3.7%. Entertainment is up by 3.1%. So, what is holding back inflation? Slow wage growth. Wages today are 1.7% below what they were in 2009. Yet corporations are sitting on vast amounts of cash. What are they doing with it if not increasing wages? Reinvesting in stock options and handing out huge bonuses to management. Never mind...sorry I brought it up.

Partly Personal

Iowa is a hot mess and it is about to get even worse. The Iowa Legislature is set to come back and erode your freedom even further. They are coming back and making sure you continue to live pay check to pay check. They are coming back to make sure you can't or won't vote. They are coming back to hand out even more money to corporations that already have more than the GDP of California. It is obscene and you will vote for them. 

I'm writing a book. I had a long conversation with my friend Dave Price last Wednesday (Dave is writing a second book) and I shared with him my struggle in writing a book. I had, last year, considered writing a book on marketing/advertising/branding and calling it "Five in 25 - Five Things Any Business Can Do in 24 Hours to Recharge their Brand and Sell More Stuff". It comes from the title of a presentation I've done for several years. But...it seems that everybody already knows everything about advertising/marketing/branding. Doubt it? Just ask them. No really...from professional services to retail the people making or selling stuff already know everything they need to know. Even if they don't. So...

The book I'm working on is titled "You Don't Know Whatcha Don't Know" - 100 Things You Don't Know But Think You Do" or at least that is the working title. This should be fun.

Thanks for reading!  Stay safe out there!