Weed In Iowa? The Majority Says ‘Yes!’

Posted on September 17, 2022 by Dave Bradley

Michael Franken

I read this article on Iowa Starting Line this week and was kind of fascinated about how out of step Chuck Grassley is with Iowans. While marijuana is but one issue, it is rather typical of Grassley being about 50 years behind the populace. Really makes you wonder why we elect him. 

Admiral Michael Franken’s proposals seem to be refreshing and in touch with what Iowans think. Franken’s view toward recreational marijuana is a very level, rational view. From the article:

“I view the medicinal use of marijuana and the recreational use, controlled much like we do with alcohol, to be absolutely fine and well overdue,” Franken told reporters on Iowa Press in June. “And we should have the federal statutes put in place where money, revenue generated by taxing THC is used for interstate commerce just like it would for anything else.”

None of the fear generated by decades of drug policies that linked marijuana to a downward spiral to harder drugs and more degenerate lifestyles. While Franken doesn’t mention it, recreational marijuana is finding markets in many states without the predicted spiral into harder drugs and degenerate lifestyles.

In contrast, here is the 1970 view from Chuck Grassley (from the same article):

“I am in support of medicinal marijuana, but not on a willy-nilly basis,” he told Starting Line at a town hall in early September. Grassley clarified that means the medical marijuana should go through the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for safety and efficacy checks.

“I want to be very careful that it’s got quality,” he said. “And in regards to recreational marijuana, I do not support it at this point because I gotta have proof that it doesn’t lead to higher, harder drugs.”

His opposition goes back years.

“Marijuana is illegal because it is dangerous. When you smoke marijuana, or use any other drug, it negatively affects your brain. It changes the way you think, your ability to learn, and how well you can remember,” he said in 2020 in response to someone reaching out to his office. “It can also lead to addiction and has been linked to later abuse of other drugs in long-term studies done by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. For these reasons, I have opposed legislation that would legalize or otherwise expand the marijuana industry.”

In 2016, Grassley said in a Senate hearing: “Our country is in the middle of an epidemic of addiction focused on heroin and prescription opioids. And just last year, the Centers for Disease Control found that people who are addicted to marijuana are three times more likely to be addicted to heroin. So if the Obama Administration is serious about addressing this epidemic, it should stop burying its head in the sand about what’s happening to its enforcement priorities on recreational marijuana.”

Almost feels like it was cut right out of that 1930’s propaganda scare movie “Reefer Madness.” To refresh your memory of that classic, here is a colorized version from YouTube (1 hr 8 min):

If Grassley were really serious about drugs that lead to harder drugs and health consequences that we all bear the costs of he would attack alcohol and tobacco. Probably most reading this column and most likely every Iowan has a friend or relative whose life has been affected by alcohol and tobacco.

Marijuana is just one issue to illustrate the differences between Mike Franken – a leader who stood up to power when he thought they were wrong – and Grassley, someone who puts party before country. Heck, Grassley wouldn’t even stand up to Donald Trump after Trump led a coup against our government.

Iowans can simply not trust Grassley’s judgment anymore. Not only is he stuck in a world 50+ years old, he also puts party before country in his considerations.

BTW, the Iowa House Democrats held a press conference in which they also came out in support of legalized marijuana:  

Iowa House Democrats named increasing public school funding, protecting abortion and legalizing marijuana as goals for the upcoming legislative session Wednesday.

The legislative leaders of Iowa’s minority party unveiled their “people over politics” agenda at the Iowa State Capitol. The plan has four components: lowering costs of living, legalizing adult use of marijuana, protecting access to abortion and investing in public schools. While Democrats have rallied behind those policies for years, the four points come as the nation faces changing laws and rising inflation.

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Reynolds Costs Iowa Big Bucks

Posted on September 17, 2022 by Dave Bradley

DeJear won’t bow to corporations

Maybe it is because I am getting into my cantankerous time of life. Maybe I am just getting really cynical after being lied to by people trying to make my money theirs. But when I hear Kim Reynolds on TV claiming that her administration has turned into some kind of heaven I immediately think what a pile from a CAFO.

Just in the last couple of weeks we had another reminder of what Reynolds stands for. She earned the name “Corporate Kim” by giving corporations pretty much everything they want. Nowhere is that more clear than the privatization of Medicaid here in Iowa. Once again the Reynolds administration ponied up another bucket load of money for the corporations to run a program that the state was running for about 1/10th of the cost.

I will admit I do not have the hard numbers, but my recollection was that before Reynolds and Branstad turned Iowa’s Medicaid program over to the for profit insurance companies Iowa was doing the administrative work for around 2%. At that time the program was about a $5 billion program. That meant that the cost was about $100 million per year. 

That may seem like a lot but it is a spit in the ocean compared to what the insurance companies are charging Iowans. Last I recall they were taking 15% off the top. There have been raises since then. So I’m not sure what the current compensation to the insurance companies is out of a now $7 billion program, but let’s say for the purpose of argument it is nearing 20%.

20% of a 7 billion program is $1.4 billion or approximately 10 times more than what the state could possibly do it for when the radical right wing administration privatized the program. That’s about $1.25 billion that should have gone to patient care and medications. It is your money. Plus the program was run much better.

From the Iowa Capitol Dispatch:  

But some critics argued that no matter which companies administered the program, the privatized system itself would continue to cause problems.

“Privatized Medicaid has failed to save tax dollars or make Iowans healthier,” state Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott, D-Waukee, said in a statement. “Year after year, the Reynolds’ administration has disrupted the lives of Iowans while refusing to provide real oversight or accountability. Iowans need new leadership.”

If one grossly mismanaged program with huge buckets of money going to third parties who add no value to the process of health care, just wait until you hear about the radical right’s plan to privatize our school system. Remember last summer when Reynolds weighed in against members of her own party in primary races because these members did not support her plan to destroy Iowa’s public school system? 

The radical right in America has public school systems as one of their top targets. The plan is to syphon public money away from the public school systems and give that money in some form such as vouchers to privatized school systems. Often these school systems will be religious in nature. There will probably little to no rules or standards that such schools will have to follow nor will there be public oversight in the form of school boards.

You can read up on how successful this arrangement has worked out in New York City where Hasidic Jews avoid public schools and ‘educate’ their children in private religious schools here. The city pours money into these schools and the kids come out illiterate with poor math skills. While this may be the exception, without oversight we could see privatized schools degenerate to this in a hurry.

Strange that a plan to destroy public schools would ever be looked on favorably. Rather it would seem to make a lot more sense to use that money into renovating our public school system and making it world class.

Finally we have this take on the job situation in Iowa from Matt Sinovic at Progress Iowa:

IOWA JOBS REPORT: Corporate Kim’s agenda is forcing Iowans out

Des Moines, Iowa — Progress Iowa Executive Director Matt Sinovic issued the following statement in response to the August Jobs Report from Iowa Workforce Development:

“Iowans take pride in making our state a great place to live, work and raise a family. But for years, Republican leaders like Governor Kim Reynolds have implemented policies that are forcing Iowans to leave the state.

“Nearly 35% of Iowa college graduates end up leaving the state, moving to places like Illinois, Minnesota and California. Despite adding 3,800 jobs in August, there are still nearly double the number of open jobs than there are unemployed Iowans. Those Iowans who do have jobs aren’t making enough to adequately support their families. 

“All of this is a direct outcome of Corporate Kim Reynolds’ anti-worker agenda. She has slashed earned unemployment benefits, blocked wage increases and stripped workers of their collective bargaining rights. Time after time, Gov. Reynolds has sided with wealthy corporations over working Iowans, and the end result is a less-desirable Iowa. 

“We deserve better. Iowa workers need leaders who will support them and grow our economy by making our state a more attractive and welcoming place for all.”

Iowa’s Democrats running for the legislature and the Democratic nominee for governor, Deidre DeJear will work to bring Iowa’s priorities back to being people focused and away from the corporate management. Return Iowa to Iowans this fall – vote for Deidre DeJear for governor and Democrats for the legislature.

Aren’t you tired of seeing the radical right rob from the poor and give to the rich?  

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Vote For Tom Miller The People’s AG

Posted on September 16, 2022 by Trish Nelson

It was a disgraceful and disrespectful performance by Brenna Bird on Iowa Press. The Iowa MAGAs should be pleased!

According to Steve King’s former chief of staff Brenna Bird who is running for Attorney General, when Kim Reynolds says on the campaign trail she wants her “own AG!” she is only saying that “she wants an Attorney General who will work hard and do the job.”  Right. Wonder why Kim didn’t just say that instead of “I want my own AG!”  But at least Erin Murphy asked the question even though Bird’s lame response begged for a follow up that did not come.

In typical fashion the Republican got to say whatever she pleased with little push back from the panel probably because they were spending most of the time grilling and knit-picking Democrat Tom Miller. Bird also said she would sue the Biden administration if elected and there was the usual MAGA Republican nonsense. To be fair to the Iowa Press panel, they did ask her what she would sue Biden for.  Kudos for Iowa Press!

Let’s not give Kim Reynolds “her own AG” in the event she manages to get re-elected. Vote for Tom Miller for Attorney General of Iowa and for Deidre DeJear for governor.

Transcript from Iowa Press:  “Erin Murphy: Brenna Bird, Governor Reynolds on the campaign trail multiple times has told crowds and supporters that she wants her own Attorney General. If she is re-elected and if you are elected to this office, will you serve as the state’s attorney regardless of partisan and political issues? Or would you be the Governor’s essential personal attorney in that office?”

Her answer is what you would expect one to say who wants to get elected.

And somehow, this doesn’t look or sound like Kim only means she wants an AG that will work hard and do the job. Oh, and did I mention she wants her “own” state auditor too.

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Biden: Democrats Offer A Vision For A Better America

Posted on September 15, 2022 by Trish Nelson

Democrats, here’s what you’ve been waiting for, your midterms messaging marching orders to be repeated early and often everywhere you are.  Please view the video, then you know what to do.

Biden:  “It’s in our hands if we just get out and vote.”

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Can Citizens Stop A CAFO?

Posted on September 14, 2022 by Trish Nelson


From our inbox here is an update from CCI

Issue Update

Neighbors band together to oppose hog confinement – get an early win.

A group of neighbors in rural Howard County banded together to share their concerns and express opposition to the new confinement being proposed by Iowa Select Farms, the fourth largest pork producer in the nation.

The newly formed group named themselves the Afton Township Neighborhood Alliance. After expressing their concerns to Iowa Select Farms, the Afton Township Neighborhood Alliance was told by company representatives that they would not be building a site at that location!

Members of ATNA plan to contact Howard County on a regular basis to check for new or revised construction permits and manure management plans. Let us know if you hear of a factory farm being proposed in your area so we can fight back for our land, air, and water!

Read our press release for more details on the organizing in Howard County:

NEIGHBORS BAND TOGETHER TO OPPOSE HOG CONFINEMENT

Local community members applied pressure on Iowa Select Farms, who then said they don’t plan to build

Riceville, Iowa – Rural Iowans are increasingly facing the same scenario: a hog confinement being built in their neighborhood. A group of neighbors in rural Howard County banded together to share their concerns and express opposition to the new confinement being proposed by Iowa Select Farms, the fourth largest pork producer in the nation, according to their website.

“When our long-time neighbor passed away, we didn’t know what was planned for their farmland after the public auction,” said Cari Linkenmeyer, who grew up on a farm south of Riceville. “We learned the buyer was Iowa Select Farms and were immediately concerned they would build a confinement, greatly impacting the neighborhood.”

Linkenmeyer, whose parents live less than a half mile of the proposed facility, co-founded a community group on behalf of her neighbors and a large extended family with ties to the neighborhood. “My family has deep ties to this community, stemming back to the pioneer days. They were some of the first people to farm here. I don’t want to see family leave the area because the density of hog confinements has gotten out-of-hand.”

The newly formed group named themselves the Afton Township Neighborhood Alliance (ATNA) and started a Facebook group to communicate with each other. They reached out to Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (Iowa CCI) and the Socially Responsible Agriculture Project (SRAP) for guidance.

Often, one of the first steps to building a hog confinement in Iowa is to file a petition for a Flood Plain Determination with the Iowa DNR. “We contacted the Iowa DNR and found that Iowa Select Farms had filed a petition two days after the public auction, which was well before the land sale was finalized. We learned about the filing after the Iowa DNR had already responded, which confirmed that the proposed site was not in the 100-year Flood Plain and they could potentially build there,” said Linkenmeyer.

Despite the proposed building site being outside of a flood plain, the Linkenmeyer family was concerned about the site, detailed in the petition as a 2490-head Finisher facility, potentially being built within a half mile of their family pond. “We call it “Babe’s Pond” after our grandfather, who passed away unexpectedly at the age of 50 in 1978. He built the pond as a place for his family to gather, camp, and fish, and we have enjoyed it for decades. We see it as his legacy, and we want to protect that,” said Linkenmeyer.

Currently Iowa has 751 impaired waterways, reported by the Iowa DNR this April.

“Our water cannot handle any more pollution. We need to stop the construction of new and expanding factory farms until our waters are safe again,” says Iowa CCI member, Penney Morse, from neighboring Mitchell County.

Members of ATNA agree. Three households near the proposed Iowa Select Farms facility in Afton Township recently had their well water tested, and all three were found to have unsafe levels of coliform bacteria.

“We don’t know if the bacteria is the result of the large amount of manure that is already being spread on nearby fields. All we know is that our water isn’t safe to drink right now,” says Rita Linkenmeyer, who lives near the proposed site. “We are drinking bottled water until we get it treated and re-tested.”

“Rural Iowans should not have to pay more for clean drinking water. We need a moratorium, to halt the construction of new and expanding factory farms, until our water quality improves to safe levels all around the state. What Iowa needs is more family farms not factory farms.” said Morse. “It is very clear that factory farms are not welcome in rural neighborhoods,” added Chris Peterson of SRAP and a small family farmer near Clear Lake, Iowa. Chris and his farm are an example of how farming can be sustainable and work with the land – that the corporate ag industries status quo is not the way to go!

After expressing their concerns to Iowa Select Farms, the Afton Township Neighborhood Alliance was told by company representatives that they would not be building a site at that location. “They told us that due to the presence of alluvial soils, they would not be building there.  We were happy to hear that, but we are cautiously optimistic,” says Cari Linkenmeyer.

Members of ATNA plan to contact Howard County on a regular basis to check for new or revised construction permits and manure management plans. “We intend to hold Iowa Select Farms to their word, but as long as they own the property, we’ll always be worried that they will build there. It’s a sad reality to live with.”

Members of ATNA recommend contacting the Iowa DNR and your county to stay updated on new confinement applications, talk with your neighbors and local community members, and connect with local organizations for help if you have concerns about a factory farm coming to your neighborhood.

“The support from Iowa CCI and SRAP has been incredibly valuable,” said Linkenmeyer. “-If you find yourself in this, know that there is support from organizations like these and many others who will help you to protect the property you have worked hard for and want to enjoy for generations.” closed Linkenmeyer.

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Iowa Workers Deserve Labor Union Appreciation Month

Posted on September 13, 2022 by Trish Nelson

Contact: focusonruralamerica@gmail.com

STATEMENT: Iowa Workers Deserve Labor Union Appreciation Month

Des Moines, Iowa — Focus on Rural America cofounder and former Lt. Gov. Patty Judge issued the following statement calling for Iowa leaders to proclaim September as Labor Union Appreciation Month:

“Iowa workers help feed and fuel the world. They educate our children and build innovative products that grow our economy. Throughout history, the fights led by our labor unions have ensured all workers are treated with fairness and respect. Organized labor has raised living standards and built our middle class.

Unfortunately, unions are facing more attacks than ever as Republicans gut collective bargaining rights and introduce unfair right-to-work laws. Those same Republican politicians are also letting wealthy corporations underpay Iowa’s workers while raking in record profits.

We must protect these rights and values, and reaffirm that collective bargaining is a cornerstone of the American dream. We can begin to do that by making September Labor Union Appreciation Month. It’s time we celebrate the tremendous contributions of working Iowans and do all we can to support them.”

You can find more information at ThankAUnion.com about labor unions and how to advocate for making September Labor Union Appreciation Month.

###

Focus on Rural America is a nonprofit organization aimed at boosting progressive causes and organizations by developing and promoting economic messages that resonate in rural America.

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Libraries Are Essential To Democracy

Posted on September 12, 2022 by Trish Nelson

Nicholas Johnson was a Presidential Advisor, White House Conference on Libraries and Information Services, 1979.  Follow Nicholas Johnson on Facebook, Twitter  and his blog fromdc2iowa.blogspot.com/

Live Through All Time Or Die

by Nicholas Johnson 

At least some Americans may be slowly awakening to the demise of their democracy.

As Abraham Lincoln said in 1838, and others emphasized since, “At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us, it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide.”

Well, it has now “sprung up amongst us.”

As a stew is the result of its ingredients, so is a democracy the result of the civic organizations and institutions that support its shaky structure: a courageous, trusted mass media; a wise, respected non-partisan judiciary; citizens who vote and honorable officials who count those votes.

Central is the cluster of efforts to prepare all citizens to be their own governors. Elections. Public schools. First Amendment protections and reduced postal rates for newspapers and books. Local and national elections. The roads and rail to turn “e pluribus” into “unum.”

And public libraries.

Although the Nazis’ book burnings are perhaps the most notorious, authoritarians have been burning books for 2,000 years.

The U.S. is no exception. When the British burned the 3,000 books in the Capitol during the War of 1812, Thomas Jefferson offered to sell the Congress his near-7,000 book library. Because Federalists argued his books would spread his “infidel philosophy,” the appropriation to buy them only passed by a narrow margin along party lines. Sound familiar?

Forcing librarians to leave, and a library to close, while less dramatic than book burning, produces the same result. As it did in Vinton, Iowa, earlier this year – even though Americans overwhelmingly oppose removal of books from libraries (70 percent Republicans, 75 percent Democrats).

Libraries have been a part of Homo Sapiens’ culture since our agricultural age. One of the first, in the seventh century BC, well before Dewey decimal classification, held 30,000 cuneiform tablets organized by topic.

Not surprisingly, it was political organizing by members of women’s clubs that led the establishment of 75-80 percent of U.S. libraries in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

In 1896 the Cedar Rapids Federation of Ladies Literacy Clubs generated enough public pressure for a library that the City Council scheduled a vote. Iowa was then one of two states that allowed women to vote on limited tax issues, including libraries.

It was approved by 59 votes (1,105 to 1,046).

The Gazette reported that “Had it not been for the efforts of the women themselves who voted in every ward in the city, the proposition would undoubtedly have been lost” – noting that half the men who voted didn’t bother to vote on the library proposal.

Today’s Iowa public libraries, and their personnel, still offer books and “information desks,” but oh, so much more. Never have they been more essential if our democracy is to “live through all time.”
__________

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Why Teachers Are Important

Posted on September 11, 2022 by Dave Bradley

From Robert Reich a great tribute to a teacher. A video (3 minutes) that points out what the radical right is doing to our schools.

The radical right Republicans have been using teachers as one of their go-to whipping boys for decades. Iowa even has a governor doing all she can to destroy our public school system. Right wing school boards are banning books and pre-censoring teachers in an effort to propagandize kids.

Deidre DeJear and Democratic legislators will return Iowa’s schools to what they should be. Remember that when you vote this year.

Disservice to the children and the teachers who teach them will really hurt us in the long run.

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Sunday Funday: The Queen Is Dead Edition

Posted on September 11, 2022 by Dave Bradley

Meeting the Queen – a good laugh (3 minutes):

Since there has already been billions of words uttered on the death of the Queen and the new King, I will not bore you with more. Just one observation: in this chaotic word, the Queen represented a stability that is hard to find these days. There is a lot to be said for having a constancy in your life.

Now, back to our regular scheduled programming.

A) The Michigan Supreme Court overruled the Michigan State Board of Canvassers to order that a proposal for what be on the ballot this November?

B) The nation of Canada was shocked last week when two brothers committed a mass killing using what weapons?

C) Very quietly on Labor Day a Florida judge ruled that the investigation into the top secret documents stolen by the former president required a what to sort the documents?

D) Appearing defiant, Steve Bannon was indicted in what state for his role in the fraudulent scheme raise money to build the wall?

E) Surprise! Although the US government will not consider it as a form of income, seven states may be taxing what recently cancelled indebtedness as income?

F) Surprisingly,  what state with a sizable Republican majority in their state senate failed to pass a total abortion ban because of a threatened filibuster?

G) What was Queen Elizabeth’s real name?

H) Right wing media tried to raise a kerfuffle last week because President Biden gave a speech Monday accompanied by what?

I) Old home week – what couple returned to the White House for the unveiling of their portraits last week?

J) Stressed about the price of gas? A $30,000 electric SUV was unveiled by what company last week?

K) Not too surprisingly student test scores in what two areas fell significantly due to the pandemic?

L) As her last public duty, Queen Elizabeth met with what new British Prime Minister?

M) As if the mass murder last May wasn’t enough, what Texas town reported two wounded by shooting in a park in what city?

N) Over the Labor Day weekend a worker at an airport stole a plane and tried to crash it into a what?

O) 15 minutes of fame: Who is Cuoy Griffin?

P) Senator Elizabeth Warren introduced a bill in the senate last week that would outlaw what kind of laws at the state level?

Q) The Dutch city of Haarlem will be banning advertising for what product from public spaces?

R) Juul will pay nearly $440 million to settle lawsuits in 33 states. What product does Juul make?

S) Vladimir Putin threatened to end the deal that allowed Ukraine to ship what from its seaports?

T) A team at the Jenner Institute in Oxford, England came up with a vaccine for what major disease that may cut deaths from the disease by as much as 70%?

I guess prosecuting Trump is like discussing common sense gun laws. It’s always “not the time.” And look how well that works out. – Randi Mayem Singer

Answers:

A) Reproductive freedom (abortion)

B) knives – 10 killed and 19 injured.

C) “special master” – the DOJ is appealing

D) New York

E) student loan forgiveness

F) South Carolina

G) Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor

H)Two Marine guards

I) Barack and Michelle Obama

J) GM

K) reading and math

L) Liz Truss

M) Uvalde

N) A Walmart in Tupelo, Mississippi

O) Former County commissioner in New Mexico who was barred from holding public office under the 14th amendment’ insurrection clause

P) Right to work laws. The bill is called the Nationwide Right to Unionize Act 

Q) meat 

R) e-cigarettes

S) wheat

T) Malaria

I did an interview for my book today and the guy asked me, “Who was smarter, Carter or Reagan?” That’s an easy one. Carter built people homes. Reagan made people homeless. – Andy Borowitz

Posted in #trumpresistance, Humor | Comments Off on Sunday Funday: The Queen Is Dead Edition

Will Republicans Accept Their Losses This Fall?

Posted on September 10, 2022 by Dave Bradley

Just doing a little musing. We still have a former president and I hope future inmate running around all over the country trying to get his picks elected to congress. In elections, his main claim is that elections are rigged. As far as I know, we haven’t heard this schtick yet, but I am sure we will soon. We are just out of the primary season and claiming elections are rigged during inter-party skirmishes would really make you look stupid.

But as I said, I fully expect the radical right to start rolling out this go-to strategy soon. Get the seeds planted early for the shellacking they will be taking this fall. When you simply look at the issues, there is nothing that the radicals stand for that is appealing to any but the wealthy and well connected.

Abortion? The radicals are trying to cover their tracks on that one in a hurry. Student debt relief? They are trying to make it an issue, but the majority can understand the reason behind the need for relief. Inflation? As radicals rail about inflation, Biden and the Democrats are actually doing something. Labor unions? Forget it. They bow to the wealthy

Don’t forget that the radical right has opposed popular programs for veteran’s health care, capping insulin prices, bringing chip manufacturing back to our country, and the program which will combat inflation while fixing infrastructure problems and preparing the country for the future. Opposing all that popular legislation is a heck of a bad record to run on.

And people are getting sick and tired of tax cuts for the wealthy that doesn’t now nor has it ever trickled down!

At the state level here in Iowa Kim Reynolds and her band of radicals is finding that destroying what was once a great public school system is not very popular. How about that privatized Medicaid? Iowa was once more reminded last week how hundreds of millions of dollars that was once used to deliver medical care for the most needy is now going to make corporate profits higher.

On top of all that, the radical right wing has a man who appears to have committed the biggest, most egregious and open case of treason in our history at the head of their party. He has spent the summer when he should have been locked up hand picking candidates for office across the country for his party. The only criteria a candidate must pass is that he or she declare loyalty to Trump and his big lie that the 2020 election was stolen.

With lousy candidates, lousy stands on issues and loyalty to a person over loyalty to the country most radical right candidates are running their races with lead weights around their ankles. 

So what to do? Well they have already put some field tilters in place. At some polls they will have poll watchers who will be doing all they can to keep Democrats from voting. State legislatures have already changed voting laws to make it harder to vote. Plus they have already gerrymandered the hell out of most states to favor Republicans.

But that may not be enough. So in the next couple weeks I expect the radical right to start laying the seeds for claims of “rigged elections.” What that may lead to is that despite clear results in most elections, Republicans will delay results with recounts and court cases. Also expect the press to spew propaganda supporting spurious claims.

Here in Iowa with a paper trail system, claims of rigging will be hard to support and should be able to be to be resolved without much question. However, as the case of the race in what was then Iowa-02 in 2020, there could be some that are really too close to call.

Just trying to prepare myself and others for what I am thinking will become an election year event – the desperate cries of “fraud” as the radical right sees its fortunes drown in a tsunami of bad policies and terrible candidates.

Here is a thought to mull over now that the radical right continues to try to dismantle much of the good public programs:

Posted in #trumpresistance, 2022 Election campaign, Economy, Republican hypocrisy, Republican mythology, Republican Obstruction, Republican Policy | Tagged | Comments Off on Will Republicans Accept Their Losses This Fall?