I promise to keep Sunday Morning Coffee brief today. Why? I got up late! I know, no excuse, right? Rather than catching a few extra Z's I should have been thinking about you...not me. Maybe a little of "45" is rubbing off. So, enough with that let's see what we've got for today and thanks for coming by!
"Will you shut up man!"
Remember when President-Elect Joe Biden, during the debate, shook his head and said to "45", "Will you shut up man". It was one of the greatest lines ever but so deserved. Yesterday "45" flew into Valdosta, Georgia (been there many times) to stump for the two back-room, stock-dealing crooks currently in the U.S. Senate. And, he did mention their names, but went on a long rant with the same baseless lies about the election that he's been spouting since the 4th of November. Never have we seen this before. He cares for no one but himself. And it is being reported that he's calling governors demanding that they overturn the votes of the people by calling a special session of the state legislature. Despot. Just...shut...up...man. And, go away. If you would like to buy this mug, well why not right? Here is a link to the maker on Etsy.
Georgia
You know why this matters. Without winning those two seats we're screwed because Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) will continue to block the Biden/Harris Agenda. You know that. So, today, please...send some cash to Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock. Do it today, please. The future of your kids and grandkids depend on it. I know it's tough this time of the year...with everything else but, this is really, really serious. Also if you can phone-bank that too is being done by folks all over the country. Thank you!
"Did you see that? Did you?"
Last week I was meeting with a very successful business person who asked me if I saw what was going on in Georgia with the election counts. "Did you see that? Did you? Did you see how they were pulling suitcases of votes out from under the tables? You know what you call that?" I usually try to avoid political conversations in business but, I had seen the video and I had looked at the facts so I said, "No, tell me what do they call that?" The answer, "Well, I'm a conservative and I call that stealing the election." To which I replied, "And I call that delusional." We didn't go any further. Here is the back-story from Snopes.
Remember back when President Obama was working on the Affordable Care Act and the Republicans said the measure included "death panels"? Remember that? Remember who was out in front telling America that the Democrats wanted to, "Kill gramma with their death panel". It was the senior senator from the State of Iowa, Charles Grassley (R-IA). Now that we have COVID19 the real "death panel" where nearly as many people die DAILY that died on 9/11 what do you hear? Crickets. You Sen. Grassley and Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) are spineless and shameful. But, then that is understandable, you come from a state that voted for not only "45" but installed a bone-headed, over-her-head, person as governor. You get, I guess, what you vote for. (Image - Des Moines Register)
176,000
Last week the Governor Kim Reynolds (R-IA) gleefully told the public that Iowa was to receive 176,000 vaccines to fight COVID19 by the end of December. I understand they are going to be given to, "front-line healthcare workers". Which, by the way, we should have been caring for nine months ago. But, I digress. Two things about that: 1) That means we only need another three million doses and 2) The message came from Governor Reynolds so I don't believe a word of it. Not, one, word.
Not For Profit
Last week I saw a post that called for, "All non-profits to be abolished!" It was from an Iowan who was pissed that the salary of the non-profit CEO who he worked for was hundreds of times higher than those who were delivering the mission of the non-profit. I think he is wrong about his statement but right about the issue. And, I know a bit about running a large non-profit health care facility. Back in the day when I was the President/CEO of the largest long-term health care facility in Iowa my annual pay was about $125,000. I saw "about" because, frankly, I can't remember. But I do remember that my salary was one of the lowest for the industry and often lower than like facilities who had fewer patients/residents/staff. I didn't bitch...because I loved what I did and it was truly a mission. However, maybe it's time that the Board of Directors or the Board of Trustees at these non-profits take a solid look at leadership wages and benefits. That Broadlawns Medical Center pays its CEO a very hefty salary might be a place to start. By the was looks like a lawsuit was filed against the Board there. Here's a link to the Business Record.
Partly Personal
Last night spent some time sending "welcome cards" to new Democrats in Windsor Heights. We were able to pick up quite a few in Polk County and thanks to the efforts of so many at least we "Stayed Blue". However there is still work to be done.
Told you this would be short. This week, on Thursday after sundown, is the start of Chanukah the eight night celebration of freedom and the liberation of the Temple. No, it is not the "Jewish Christmas" although some small gifts are usually exchanged. And the decorations usually consist of the Chanukah Menorah with nine places for candles rather than the traditional seven. Chanukah lasts for eight days and we light a candle on each evening. The ninth candle is a "servant" candle that lights the others. There is no mention of Chanukah in the Torah which means the religious significance does not measure up to say, Passover or Rosh Hashanah or Succott. But because it is celebrated close to the Christian holiday of Christmas...it's become, for some, a pretty big deal. Here we'll light the candles, tell well known Chanukah stories, play dreidel and eat latkes. One thing we'll truly miss this year will be the annual Vodka Latke Party that has been the "go to" event of the season with Lil & Jared Bernstein. But, given the pandemic...
The story behind that image can be found here from Newsweek. It's quite remarkable.
For those of you celebrating may you have a joyful and meaningful Chanukah 2020. Let's stay safe so we can do this right in 2021.
Thanks for reading.