Author Archives: Paul Deaton

The NDAA Is Abominable, Absurd, And Abhorrent

Posted on September 20, 2026 by Paul Deaton

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the FY 2027 National Defense Authorization Act. or NDAA, in July.  The Senate must now take it up.  The House-passed NDAA is abominable, absurd, and abhorrent.  The US Senate must reject the House version, … Continue reading →

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Power Plants And The EPA

Posted on September 19, 2026 by Paul Deaton

On Monday, Sept. 14, the Environmental Protection Agency did two things that were expected since President Trump was re-elected. Both are expected to face legal challenges. Nothing in the science of climate change is different because of EPA action this … Continue reading →

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Protecting The Midterm Vote

Posted on September 13, 2026 by Paul Deaton

My first assignments as a poll worker dropped this week, a reminder of how soon election day will be here. Early voting starts October 14 in Iowa. I drew three shifts helping in the lobby at the county administration building, … Continue reading →

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Miller-Meeks Dodges The Real Problem

Posted on September 12, 2026 by Paul Deaton

In November I will get my seventh opportunity to vote for Mariannette Miller-Meeks for Congress. I will decline, again. The incumbent is not doing enough on important issues of our times. I am thinking particularly of Social Security. She made … Continue reading →

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Member Of Congress Manufactures Campaign Material

Posted on August 18, 2026 by Paul Deaton

I used to think I could talk with Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks. That was in 2008 during her first run for Congress. I was on the county board of health and felt that gave me standing to discuss issues with the … Continue reading →

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Mark Divitt For Iowa House District 91

Posted on July 24, 2026 by Paul Deaton

When Mark Divitt voted in the June 2 Democratic primary he noted there was no candidate on his ballot for the Iowa House of Representatives. That led to his decision to run and Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart called … Continue reading →

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Take Down Of Ashley Hinson’s First Ad

Posted on May 31, 2026 by Paul Deaton

Republican Representative Ashley Hinson’s first U.S. Senate television ad, “Believe,” makes claims voters should question. She says “veterans deserve a hell of a lot better.” They do. Yet in 2022 she voted against the EVEST Act, which automatically enrolls eligible … Continue reading →

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Newspapers Now

Posted on May 31, 2026 by Paul Deaton

Not long after the Kennedy assassination, Mother found me a job as a newspaper boy. Before dawn, I rode my bicycle to pick up a bundle of Des Moines Register dailies and deliver them. The homes were spread out because … Continue reading →

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The High Cost Of Nuclear Power

Posted on May 30, 2026 by Paul Deaton

Nuclear power has significant economic, health, and environmental costs and poses safety hazards that far exceed those of any other type of energy. Meanwhile, state and federal lawmakers are pushing policies to incentivize “new nuclear” and even bring back to life … Continue reading →

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AI Deserves The Boos

Posted on May 30, 2026 by Paul Deaton

I want to say something about artificial intelligence’s intrusion into life. Because the emerging technology is rapidly changing since public awareness of it increased a few years ago, whatever I might say seems unlikely to persist in relevance for long. … Continue reading →

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