Author Archives: Paul Deaton

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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Pattison Sand Persists In Wanting Iowa Water

Posted on May 24, 2026 by Paul Deaton

I wrote at length in 2020 about Pattison Sand wanting to mine the Jordan Aquifer and ship the water out west. They persist in needing water, and Iowa DNR sent me this email about their current permit request on Tuesday. … Continue reading →

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Quiet Before The Storm—Decision 2026

Posted on May 23, 2026 by Paul Deaton

The primary season has been a prelude to an important election in the history of our state. Since Republicans gained majorities in the Iowa House and Senate in 2016, along with the governorship, they have been hammering away at our … Continue reading →

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America Is No Longer The Dominant World Power

Posted on May 17, 2026 by Paul Deaton

It saddens me to write this, yet the undeclared Iran War is heading to be the worst defeat in American history. While Iran’s tenacity in times of conflict is well known, the current administration appeared ignorant of their resilience as … Continue reading →

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Changes In Iowa Early Voting

Posted on May 16, 2026 by Paul Deaton

Early voting for the June 2, 2026 primary election began on Wednesday, May 13. I voted early because I am working on election day. Early voting feels almost like a non-event this year compared to the role it played in … Continue reading →

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Senate File 75 Gets Real

Posted on May 10, 2026 by Paul Deaton

When Governor Kim Reynolds signed Senate File 75 into law on April 11, 2025, the legislative fight gave way to an organized implementation that changed the politics of affected counties. The law requires Johnson, Story, and Black Hawk counties—those with … Continue reading →

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Pivot To The Primary

Posted on May 9, 2026 by Paul Deaton

When the legislature adjourned sine die at 7:08 p.m. last Sunday, the governor responded with a press release hitting my inbox at 7:12 p.m., proclaiming the 2026 session was a success. Long story short, “Republicans are delivering big for Iowans,” … Continue reading →

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