Early voting is underway! The safest way to vote is in person at your county auditor’s office. Look up that information at the SOS website here. Flip the ballot over and vote NO on the Reckless Gun Amendment. Vote for Democrats Mike Franken, Deidre DeJear and depending on your congressional district vote for Cindy Axne, Christina Bohannan, Liz Mathis, and Ryan Melton. Vote for Rob Sand for state auditor and Tom Miller for attorney general. Vote for Democrats for Iowa House and Senate.
This letter by our friend Ed Flaherty appeared in West Branch Times, Coon Rapids Enterprise, IC Press Citizen, and Ft. Madison newspapers. Published here with permission.
Five Reasons to NOT Vote for Chuck Grassley
He voted for the Trump tax breaks for the ultra-rich. The legislation’s provisions that marginally help middle class families expire, while corporate tax breaks are permanent. The national debt is projected to rise $1.9 trillion over 10 years as a result of the legislation.
He has consistently opposed legislation, five times, that would give the Federal Government the ability to negotiate for lower drug prices.
While touting his support for law enforcement, he has derided the FBI, and has warned Iowans about IRS agents forcibly entering their homes with assault weapons.
He has consistently supported since 2015 Saudi Arabia’s use of deadly force in Yemen’s civil war. Instead, he has always endorsed the U.S.’ essential role in the Saudi Coalition’s military efforts.
He has voted at least three times to deny proposed health benefits for veterans
From the Fall 2022 issue of The Prairie Progressive, Iowa’s oldest progressive newsletter. The PP is funded entirely by reader subscription, available only in hard copy for $15/yr. Send check to PP, Box 1945, Iowa City 52244. Click here for archived issues.
by Temple Hiatt
Five years ago, I became involved with the gun violence prevention movement because I was tired of the dialogue defining what a veteran looked like. I’m not a white male who idolizes guns. Everything I know about gun safety comes from my military training and service in the Persian Gulf War. I’ve spent the past two years preparing for this November’s battle.
Gun safety is on the ballot in Iowa this year as voters consider a constitutional amendment. Iowans of course have the right to own a gun and we have the U.S.
Constitution that guarantees this. But this amendment doesn’t do what it says it does. It’s funded by out of state special interests who put profits over people. And instead of protecting our rights, this confusing amendment will weaken our current laws, make us less safe and even put law enforcement in danger. This ballot measure will make it even harder for police and other law enforcement officers to enforce the law and do their job.
The language in the ballot is intentionally confusing. The Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects our right to own a gun. But the “strict scrutiny” called for in this amendment actually means that the Iowa government has limited power to create or enforce commonsense laws that would reduce gun violence, like background checks on all gun sales, and keep guns out of the hands of violent criminals.
The ballot will read “The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. The sovereign state of Iowa affirms and recognizes this right to be a fundamental individual right. Any and all restrictions of this right shall be subject to strict scrutiny.”
Strict scrutiny is what makes this proposed amendment very different and very extreme. The gun lobby claims that strict scrutiny amendments “restore” the right to keep and bear arms, when what they really do is threaten public safety laws forcing judges to apply the highest judicial standard when analyzing firearm-related laws. This standard is not required by the Supreme Court’s recent decision.
Only three other states have a similar version of this proposed amendment: Alabama, Louisiana, & Missouri. All three of these states rank in the top five for the highest rates of gun deaths in the US.
After strict scrutiny amendments passed in Louisiana and Missouri, convicted felons challenged state laws that prohibit felons from possessing firearms. At least one
lower court found that Louisiana’s law prohibiting felons from having guns was unconstitutional. Fortunately, the Louisiana Supreme Court reversed this ruling.
This extreme approach would invite frivolous litigation, undermine decades of case law in the state courts, and put in jeopardy many moderate, common sense gun laws.
Iowa’s current laws keep felons from having firearms, keep perpetrators of domestic violence from having firearms, keep guns out of schools, and keep restrictions on machine guns and other “offensive weapons.” These are the types of laws, if challenged under this extreme version of the second amendment, might be declared unconstitutional.
This proposed amendment, if passed, would also restrict future legislatures from passing future gun safety legislation, such as reinstating our permitting laws or introducing a red flag law. And that’s the point. Republican Sen. Jason Schultz, who supports the ballot measure, said “the point of this is to restrict future gun control bills.” Republican Rep. Steven Holt stated on the Iowa House floor, “Thank you to the United States Marine Corps and John Waynefor teaching me that… the most effective gun control is a firm grip and a steady hand.”
Make no mistake, the campaign for this amendment is funded by out-of-state
special interests, who want to flood our streets with weapons of war rather than support laws that protect our communities and save lives. The special interest groups behind this ballot measure only care about profits over people and are promoting their guns everywhere agenda, in schools, in grocery stores, and places of worship, just to increase their revenue.
This proposed amendment won’t make Iowa safer. Turn the ballot over and vote NO.
VoteVets.org “elevates the voices of Veterans and military families through progressive legislative policies and electoral endorsements that impact the lives of active service members, Veterans, and the country. “
Whenever I hear a Republican raise the Spector of crime I can’t help but think that theirs is the party whose elected officials are hiding, harboring and following arguably the biggest criminal in American history. Can you guess who?
Much of their rhetoric on crime issues is simply a substitute to talk about race without saying race. Much of what they say is about “cities” which is their coded word for black. Raising fear and stoking the race issues are their bread and butter. The more fear, the more their voters turn out.
Yet despite all their rhetoric about crime they coddle within their midst criminals who make a mockery of our laws and our system of justice. I am so old I can remember when taking Top Secret documents would get decades in solitary confinement. I remember when rape would get a decade or more in the slammer.
Maybe you can remember when fraud would get a decade or more in prison and gazillions in fines. I have just mentioned just a few of Trump’s crimes. So when we hear the likes of Grassley or Reynolds bring up crime as an issue, I just laugh. Prove it by standing up for justice in the case of Donald Trump rather than begging at his feet for his blessing.
When I hear the Hinson’s and Miller-Meeks of the world talk about crime I wonder when they will show some backbone and stand up to Trump?When they had their chance to stand up to the man who led an uprising against OUR! US government they shrunk in their duty and voted to let Trump go.
How about it Grassley and Ernst? You both had two chances to stand up for “law and order.” The situation was tailor made for a Senator with some backbone to show their mettle. Instead you both slunk away showing the cowardice that will be your legacy. Now you grovel at the feet of America’s greatest criminal.
Tough on crime, Kim Reynolds? Why then did you grovel for a word of praise from America’s greatest law breaker?
Talk about the elephant in the room!
I can damn sure betchya that Mike Franken would not have shrunk before Trump. Franken understands the rule of law and that we are all equal in the eyes of the law. Cindy Axne didn’t shrink. What about Liz Mathis, Christina Bohannan and Ryan Melton? I am sure they would have stood up.
Would Deidre DeJear wilt in her duty? I doubt it! Let’s give her a chance and see. She will surprise us!
C’mon, Iowa. Put your vote where you say your values are. Are you for a country of laws applied equally to all or are you for a country where who you are is more important than the law?
I don’t know about you, but I am so sick and tired of turning on the radio (mostly) or TV and hearing some hooey about “Republicans are going to win the mid-terms.” What a load of horse pucky. Such pronouncements are designed to do one thing: Discourage Democrats from voting. Do Not listen to this crap! I have even heard it on NPR.
I am of the firm belief that most Americans are aware that if they vote for Republicans they are likely to lose a lot including the right to a safe abortion, possibly Social Security and Medicare, the ability to have your vote count (Moore V. Harper in SCOTUS) and any possibility of having sensible economic policies. The list could go on forever. This is literally the election of your life time. Stand up and be counted or we will all face the consequences.
Another week of lies and dodging and avoiding the truth.
A) Hey, by golly, how much much has that old fiscal Grinch Chuck Grassley and his family received in subsidy payments from the US Government?
B) Get a new biz, Liz. Just hop on the bus, Truss and set us all free. Who resigned as British Prime Minister Thursday?
C) Steve Bannon was sentenced Friday for contempt of congress. How much did this bad boy get?
D) What lawyer had his emails seized when the judge decided he was aiding in the commission of a crime with Donald Trump? Check
E) Right now, who looks like the likely successor to lead the Tory party in Great Britain?
F) 60 years ago last night, the national mood was tense as the President took to TV and radio concerning what international crisis?
G) Parents of schoolchildren in Texas were sent home DNA kits Tuesday for what purpose?
H) Ahead of the coming winter, Russia has been targeting what facilities in Ukraine with rockets?
I) In the Deep South city of Greenwood, Mississippi a statue of what casualty of racism in America was unveiled Friday?
J) The school board in the city of Cherokee, Iowa approved what policy for teachers at this week’s meeting?
K) Speaking of Iowa, a report from Common Good Iowa employers are stealing how much per year from Iowa employees?
L) At the debate between Georgia senatorial candidates Raphael Warnock and Herschel Walker last week, Walker pulled out what prop show his affinity for police?
M) The vaunted Iowa Poll last weekend showed the senate race in Iowa to be a what?
N) Which US state grows the most pumpkins?
O) Who was deposed last week in the defamation suit brought by E. Jean Carroll?
P) A Republican candidate for The College Community Governing Board in Maricopa County Arizona was arrested in early October (just became public) for doing what in the sight of a preschool?
Q) The US mint will be shipping new quarters tomorrow with whose face on them?
R) The IRS upped the standard deduction for American taxpayers to what?
S) MacKenzie Scott gave $84.5 million to what organization last week?
T) What star mouser will be welcoming his 5th Prime minister to #10 Downing Street (the official PM’s home) next week?
“Sandy Hook marked the end of the U.S. gun control debate. Once America decided killing children was bearable, it was over.”
– British Journalist, Dave Hodges
Answers:
A) Reported last week at @$1.7 million total.
B) Liz Truss (did you get the clues?)
C) 4 whole months but suspended while he appeals plus a$6500 fine.
D) John Eastman
E) Boris Johnson (Here comes the new boss; same as the old boss.)
F) the Cuban Missile crisis (October 22,1962)
G) so their children could be identified in the instance of a mass catastrophe such as a school shooting.
H) Power stations.
I) Emmett Till
J) that some members of the staff will carry guns
K) $900 million per year
L) a prop badge
M) statistical dead heat
N) Illinois which grows 40% of US pumpkins
O) Donald Trump
P) masturbating in his car
Q) Anna Mae Wong
R) $13,850
S) Girl Scouts (Scott was married to Jeff Bezos)
T) Larry the cat
The next time you hear someone blame inflation on stimulus checks that Americans got almost two years ago, remind them that corporate profits are at a 70-year-high. – Robert Reich
Katie Porter explains the current cause of inflation: (2 minutes)
In just two minutes Congress Member Katie Porter puts a shiv in the heart of Republican lies about inflation. Is it all President Biden’s fault as Republicans repeat day after day, hour after hour.
Certainly not. For one thing, inflation is a worldwide problem not just a US problem. For another thing, inflation did not start on January 20th, 2021. Much like Republicans attempt to blame Barrack Obama for the economic depression he inherited from a totally incompetent Bush, jr. administration so also have they tried to blame Biden for the mess he inherited from a totally incompetent Trump administration.
Had Trump not totally politicized the covid pandemic that threw chaos into flow of not only the US economic system, but the highly integrated worldwide supply system. Over the past several decades the world has come to rely on fewer and fewer suppliers of basic parts that are integral to the system functioning. Computer chips are perhaps the best example of this dependency.
On top of the supply mess Biden inherited we also had an economy once again teetering on the brink of collapse as the Democratic president stepped in behind an incompetent Republican. As Biden met the covid catastrophe with sound vaccination policies the economy began to recover.
As it recovered, supply lines were re-established. But to create a buffer from the dependency that hamstrung a recovery, Biden and Democrats created the environment that is bringing critical manufacturing back to our shores. Democrats also created programs to bring critical infrastructure up to snuff which in turn created great jobs reversing the dismal job performance of the Trump administration.
Unfortunately, somewhere along the line corporations saw an opportunity to raise prices under the cover of the recovery. And what would stop them? Over the past 40 years of mergers and acquisitions have remade the concept that America is a competitive economy to the realty of corporations that one corporation leads and the others follow.
Before Ronald Reagan when we saw what looked like anti-competitive activity among corporations was detected the Justice Department would act. After 40 years of hands off policy by the Justice Department on corporations, they feel they can do pretty much what they wish.
I am old enough to remember the gas wars of the 1950s and 1960s. In our current economic set up anything like that will never happen again. Oil is probably the most visible of corporations fueling inflation. Everything from food to soap and beyond are raising prices far beyond what should be justified by rising costs of labor and materials.
Even the core argument of Republicans – that government spending is driving prices up – is belied by the fact that the Biden administration is actually bringing the deficit down much like the Clinton and Obama administrations did.
Biden will need a Democratic Senate and a Democratic House to continue to work on taming inflation. A divided government would give Republicans the leverage they need stop legislation aimed at reducing inflation while creating jobs and keeping critical manufacturing in the US.
And a major lurking problem that no corporate news companies (including NPR) are talking about is the looming debt ceiling crisis. Republicans have already statedthey intend to hold the debt ceiling hostage in order to make deep cuts in Social Security and Medicare. From the website of Speaker Nancy Pelosi:
Quick reminder: the Republican Study Committee, which represents a whopping 157 out of 211 House Republicans, holds slashing Medicare and Social Security as a core tenant of their proposed budget, including by:
Raising the retirement age to 70
Ending the Medicare guarantee
Beginning to privatize Social Security
With three out of four House Republicans endorsing these plans to dismantle Medicare and Social Security, it’s clear the House GOP is reaching dangerous new levels of extremism.”
If you are retired, near retirement or have relatives who are at or near retirement, the Republican plan to hold Social Security and Medicare hostage will be devastating to these folks and our economy.
If overall economics mean anything to you, vote Democratic this fall.
I ran across this article on Wonkette a week or two ago and have been waiting for an opening to bring it to your attention. Much like Wonkette I have been trying to come up with a way of noting that Republicans from the courthouse to the White House simply do not deal with reality. Their issues are either phoney-baloney issues or if the issue is real then the Republican take on it is some form of phoney.
Wonkette has great opening paragraphs:
“Every once in a while it occurs to me that I am very frequently stuck writing the same thing over and over again. One of those things is “Republicans Mad At Thing They Made Up Themselves.” In fact, it has occurred to me at this point that I cannot think of a single real thing that the Right has been truly mad about in the last decade at least. I can’t even think of a policy they didn’t like based on a thing it was actually going to do.
I’m not talking just the wacky conspiracy theories, the QAnon, the Pizzagate, the Great Replacement, Satanic Panic — I’m talking the regular-ass, mainstream (whatever can even be called mainstream these days) Republican crap. It’s literally all made up. They do not have a single position on any issue that is not at least partly fiction.
The thing that just really made this click for me at this particular moment in time is the very casual nature with which they are now insisting that not only is “abortion up until the moment of birth” a thing, but that abortion after birth is a thing as well.”
She then goes on to an in depth discussion of how Republicans have totally phonied up the abortion issue during this election. All that talk about “abortion up to and after (?) birth” is total bullshit and simply falls in the “imaginary” realm. Yet when have you ever heard anyone in the media stop a Republican and tell them to give examples?
After her in depth on abortion, Wonkette lists some (not all) of the other imaginary issues that get Republican knickers in a knot even though they are not real. Here we will list the other issues she riffs on to a lesser degree: Remember these are all imaginary bs:
LGBTQI people trying to “convert” or “groom” heterosexual cisgender children into believing they are gay or trans.
Teachers are handing out hardcore pornography to elementary school students!
Liberals are being soft on crime and that is making crime go up!(This one is really interesting)
Academics are nefariously plotting … something (Critical Race Theory anyone?)
Liberals going to take away all of our guns so they can do tyranny to us!
Liberals just want people to take safety measures during a pandemic because they want to control us!
Poor people are buying King Crab legs with SNAP cards!
No one will let us be alpha males anymore!
Elections are being stolen!
All this is followed by a great summary paragraph:
I legitimately cannot think of a single thing that Republicans are mad at that is real. They’re never mad at what is happening, but what they believe could be happening or could happen in the future, hypothetically. Even when they oppose real things, they make up fantastical reasons to oppose them that have absolutely nothing to do with reality. They were upset over the ACA because of death panels, a thing they made up! They were upset over President Obama being Black and tried to pretend like what they were really upset about was that they weren’t sure he was an American citizen. They didn’t like Muslim people, so they want around screaming about how all the Muslims were going to try to do Shariah law to them. They don’t like Mexican people so they accuse Mexican immigrants of stealing their jobs and committing violent crimes.
Please go and read this article. It will help you realign with reality. Maybe show it to a friend.
I have two more I would like to riff on: First Inflation:
Inflation is real and debilitating. Where the imaginary part comes in is that it is all the fault of President Biden. First it is a worldwide problem not just the US. Second, inflation was already well underway when Biden took office, just as the last Republican depression didn’t start when Barrack Obama became president. Most economists now are pointing out that the basic cause of this inflation cycle in the US are corporations raising prices with little restraint due to competition.
The second point I wish to add is that the imaginary issues get play because our media is close to 100% owned by the right. Name one liberal media outlet in Iowa. You can’t and neither can I or anyone else. They see their business as getting “business friendly” candidates elected. That means pushing the imaginary issues. “Repeat a lie often enough and it becomes the truth”, is a law of propaganda often attributed to the Nazi Joseph Goebbels.
Early voting starts today. The safest way to vote is early,in person at your county auditor’s office. Vote by mail only if have no other option. The period of time to correct any mistakes on your ballot has been shortened by the Iowa legislature and you risk not getting your ballot returned in time if there are errors.
The links below will take you to the Iowa Secretary of State website. The county auditor link will take you to a drop-down menu on the SOS site where you can select your county.
Governor Kim Keynolds: (515) 281-5211 U.S. Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224-3121 Iowa Members of Congress - Rep. Randy Feenstra (R) - Rep. Ashley Hinson (R) - Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R) - Rep. Zach Nunn (R) Iowa US Senators - Senator Joni Ernst (R) - Senator Charles Grassley (R)
Early voting is underway! The safest way to vote is in person at your county auditor’s office. Look up that information at the SOS website here. Flip the ballot over and vote NO on the Reckless Gun Amendment. Vote for Democrats Mike Franken, Deidre DeJear and depending on your congressional district vote for Cindy Axne, Christina Bohannan, Liz Mathis, and Ryan Melton. Vote for Rob Sand for state auditor and Tom Miller for attorney general. Vote for Democrats for Iowa House and Senate.
From our inbox – 
Early voting starts today. The safest way to vote is early, in person at your county auditor’s office. Vote by mail only if have no other option. The period of time to correct any mistakes on your ballot has been shortened by the Iowa legislature and you risk not getting your ballot returned in time if there are errors.
Blog For Iowa 