Iowa Progressive Radio:  This Week On The Fallon Forum

Dear Friends,

Face it. For Iowa Democrats, next year's caucuses will be a sleeper.
Obama will get the nod despite an effort by disgruntled Dems to push for
uncommitted delegates. So my advice is for Democrats and independents
to participate in the 2012 Republican caucuses. Why? Beyond the fact
that it'll be a lot more fun, there are two reasons:



(1) Face it. The Iowa Republican Party
has become the Party of Evangelical Thought Police. It's a fringe
organization controlled by zealots whose views are decidedly out-of-step
with Iowa's mainstream. In 2012, extremists will again dominate the
Republican caucuses and nominate someone with no chance to win the
Party's nomination (think Huckabee). Conversely, the Party's strident litmus tests will once again scare away less extreme candidates, who may choose to bypass Iowa altogether and yet go on to win the nomination (think McCain). While I'm no Republican, I feel Iowa deserves a Republican Party
that's at least committed to something other than cramming religion
down our throats. This is our chance to do something about it.


(2) Due to the conditions described above, Iowa is in danger of losing its first-in-the-nation caucus status. If the Republican National Committee decides Iowa's brand of Republican is tarnishing the whole Party, it will abandon Iowa. And if the RNC dumps Iowa, the Democratic National Committee
will be forced to do so as well. Presidential primary politics simply
won't tolerate a first-in-the-nation caucus with only one party
participating.



So, suck it up, do your duty to Iowa and to democracy, and start
making plans to attend your local Republican caucus next year. Iowa's
economy — and if it's smart, the Iowa Democratic Party — will thank you. If you think I'm off base here, join the conversation on Thursday and tell me why.



Monday, Charles Goldman and I discuss how the U.S. suffers
from an income inequality that rivals bastions of economic freedom like
Russia and Iran. But some in Congress thing that's OK. Let's just give
the rich more tax breaks and, if that's not enough, let's look the other
way as the Federal Reserve fronts $220 million of your money to the
wives of two Morgan Stanley executives.



Tuesday from 7:00-7:30, Tom Vilsack
joins us to talk about ethanol, and Francis Thicke will be with us the
second half of the show to share his perspective on the issue.



Wednesday, Loren Olson discusses his new book, “Finally
Out: Letting Go of Living Straight” during the first half of the show.
Then we'll take a look at some of the latest disturbing trends in
climate change.

And for more quality local talk radio, check out the Bradshaw Show from 1:00-4:00 Monday-Friday. Thanks!
Ed

June 6 – Fundraiser for the Fallon Forum (Iowa City) at Thai Flavors, 340 E. Burlington St, a percentage of all lunch and dinner sales will be donated to the Fallon Forum. The event is sponsored by Blog for Iowa and Iowa Rapid Response. To check out Thai Flavor's menu, visit www.thaiflavors.net.