Author Archives: Paul Deaton

It's Not Just About Wages

Posted on March 26, 2016 by Paul Deaton

It’s time for a new discussion about wages. People who harp about hourly wages are tedious and mostly fooling themselves. The economic instinct in society should be and is making a decent life from what we have and are given. … Continue reading →

Posted in working poor | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Iowa Democrats Convene

Posted on March 14, 2016 by Paul Deaton

JOHNSON COUNTY, Iowa — Democratic delegates met in all 99 Iowa counties on Saturday, March 12. The day was overcast, but hopeful. A bellwether was the fact I didn’t recognize many of the hundreds of people at the Tiffin High … Continue reading →

Posted in 2016 Election Campaign, Progressive Community | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

March To The Finish

Posted on March 3, 2016 by Paul Deaton

BIG GROVE TOWNSHIP, Iowa — This headline in yesterday’s Boston Globe says it well, “Clinton and Trump are now the presumptive nominees. Get used to it.” Author James Pindell attributes the appellation to math. “They have accumulated more delegates than … Continue reading →

Posted in 2016 Election Campaign | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Why Palm Oil Is Bad For Iowans

Posted on February 19, 2016 by Paul Deaton

On Friday, Feb. 5, the benchmark crude palm-oil future contract traded on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives exchange reached its highest level since May 2014, according to NASDAQ. Traders were feeling bullish as warm, dry weather caused by El Niño in … Continue reading →

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Flint and Reagan's Wake

Posted on February 17, 2016 by Paul Deaton

Driving out of Flint, Mich. on Bristol Road wasn’t in the plans. I interviewed some 30 people, all but one male, for truck driving jobs at the Days Inn across from the GM plant. Tired and ready for sleep, I … Continue reading →

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Iowa Caucus — Seven Days Out

Posted on January 25, 2016 by Paul Deaton

Stuff is getting real as we enter the last days before the first in the nation Iowa caucuses on Feb. 1. The Democratic race has been somewhat dull and uninspiring. Set aside the hubris-imbued early drop-outs (Lincoln Chafee and Jim … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Caucuses | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Hope Springs From Saturday

Posted on January 18, 2016 by Paul Deaton

In the life of a political activist, only occasionally do events transpire that make our efforts seem worthwhile. It began during the George W. Bush administration with inauspicious red and white signs that simply said, “Talk to Iran.” On Saturday, … Continue reading →

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It Is Time To Ditch The Iowa Caucuses

Posted on December 15, 2015 by Paul Deaton

When our family lived in Indiana, the 1988 Democratic nominee for president was mostly decided when our May 3 primary arrived. Michael Dukakis had been dominating previous primary contests and was expected to get the nod for president. He did. … Continue reading →

Posted in 2016 Election Campaign, Iowa Caucuses | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Shootings Are Personal

Posted on December 3, 2015 by Paul Deaton

Any useful discussion of guns in society is personal. Frequent shootings have been reported in nearby Cedar Rapids, often in the neighborhood where we lived when our daughter was born. We heard gunshots while we were there. Most times a … Continue reading →

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Drake University Democratic Debate

Posted on November 16, 2015 by Paul Deaton

The winner in last night’s debate at Drake University’s Sheslow Auditorium was the American people as Hillary Clinton, Martin O’Malley and Bernie Sanders discussed, and actually debated issues that matter. This is in sharp contrast with the multi-level Republican debates. … Continue reading →

Posted in 2016 Election Campaign, Iowa Caucuses | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment