A Blog For Iowa Independence Day Post

Posted on July 4, 2018 by Paul Deaton

Image (2) flag-225x300.jpg for post 20142Independence Day is an American holiday if there is one.

A group of military veterans discussed participation in a local Independence Day parade via email. A member made this post:

I will not participate in the July 4th parade. This government is committing atrocities all over the world and locking up children is a heinous crime. I take a knee to this and stand with Frederick Douglass who said, “your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your denunciation of tyrants, brass-fronted impudence; your shouts of liberty and equality, hollow mockery; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanksgivings, with all your religious parade and solemnity, mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy-a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages.”

Being American is complicated. We are a diverse nation scarred by our original sins of slavery and unjust exploitation of what our forebears encountered here. We have not found our way out of the wilderness and may never.

We should take time for a bit of history on Independence Day. Reading an 1861 account of Independence Day in Jones County, Iowa has become a tradition for me. Find it here.

As we gather for special food and festivities this Independence Day, I hope we take time to consider our neighbors and walk in their shoes for a while. I mean the neighbors we don’t really know. Only then will we have a chance to make it out of the wilderness to an America worth knowing — and maybe we’ll feel more like participating in parades.

Posted in Blog for Iowa, politics, Progressive Community, progressive values | Tagged | Comments Off on A Blog For Iowa Independence Day Post

Republicans Are Bad At Law Making

Posted on July 3, 2018 by Paul Deaton

Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Cady

Last Friday the Iowa Supreme Court overturned the 2017 law requiring a 72-hour waiting period before a woman could have an abortion.

Here’s the money quote from Chief Justice Mark Cady, writing for the majority:

“The state’s capacity to legislate pursuant to its own moral scruples is necessarily curbed by the constitution. The state may pick a side, but in doing so, it may not trespass upon the fundamental rights of the people.”

There are lawyers among Republicans who crafted this law. Either their leadership was grossly negligent in writing it or they just don’t care if they impose their morality on Iowans through legislation.

Republicans are bad at law making. They’re crazy. But are they crazy like a fox?

Associated Press posted an article about the ruling last Saturday. In it is exposition about the so-called conservative strategy of getting Roe v. Wade overturned, which some say is the endgame of Iowa’s bad laws related to a woman’s right to choose.

Chuck Hurley, an attorney for the Christian conservative group The Family Leader said the ruling makes it even more important to get the fetal heartbeat law passed by Iowa lawmakers earlier this year before the U.S. Supreme Court. It bans abortions once a fetus’ heartbeat is detected, usually around six weeks of pregnancy.

Hurley and others believe it’s their best chance at reversing Roe v. Wade but the legal challenges are based on the Iowa Constitution and most likely will go again to the Iowa Supreme Court rather than the federal court.

“Americans know that when a baby’s heart is beating, she’s alive, but our state judges aren’t willing to protect her life,” Hurley said. “That’s why we need the U.S. Supreme Court to hear this case.”

Will this strategy work? I don’t know. Regardless, the 45th president will pick a replacement for Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy, and may also pick them for Associate Justices Stephen Breyer (79) and Ruth Bader Ginsburg (85) should they die or retire while he is in office. People like the Federalist Society’s Leonard Leo have coached the president in how to approach Supreme Court nominations so as to dodge the gorilla Roe v. Wade represents. If the nomination and confirmation of Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch is an example, the president will be adept at getting his picks to the high court. Cynics among us say regardless of the merits of the case, by packing the bench with conservatives Trump will midwife the overturn of Roe v. Wade. The unanswered question is to whom do Supreme Court justices owe fealty?

Last Friday was a good day for Iowans’ constitutional rights. It gave hope all is not lost in the Hawkeye State. It could be a bellwether of good things in November.

Posted in 2018 Election Campaign, Iowa legislature 2017, Iowa legislature 2018, politics, Progressive Community, progressive values, Republican Policy, womens rights | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Republicans Are Bad At Law Making

Veterans Condemn Trump’s ‘Zero Tolerance’ Immigration Policy

Posted on July 2, 2018 by Paul Deaton

Veterans for Peace

Veterans For Peace strongly condemns Trump’s ‘zero tolerance’ immigration policy, the imprisonment of children, and criminalization of undocumented immigrants. Our immigration laws and enforcement tactics have long been at a crisis point and we are now witnessing even more draconian enforcement and criminalization of people seeking refuge.

Veterans For Peace recognizes that these orders did not happen in a vacuum, but represent a long history of racist and violent policy that has perpetuated U.S. wars across the world and horrific domestic policy that created ICE, massive immigration detention centers and a wall that already splits towns and separates friends and families. However, the Trump administration has escalated, at an alarming pace, the implementation of new dangerous measures. President Trump is moving to fulfill on the promises of his campaign that caused an upsurge of hateful sentiment in our nation and spurred a rise in fear and anger.

Veterans For Peace understands that this outrageous abuse of refugee children and their parents is an extension of historic and current U.S. intervention in Central America. The U.S. government conducts military interventions, orchestrates coup d’etats, and supports oligarchs and dictators. The CIA, NED and USAID pursues regime change for any Latin American government that will not bow to U.S. economic exploitation of their land and their people. This too must end. It is time for the U.S. to have a just foreign policy that treats our neighbors with fairness and compassion.

At a time when refugees who are fleeing U.S.-sponsored violence are being branded as criminals, rapists and terrorists, and as anti-immigrant rhetoric continues to poison the public discourse, it is important for people of conscience to take a stand and to offer a different narrative.

Instead of welcoming refugees as required under international humanitarian standards, the U.S. government is treating individuals and families fleeing to the U.S. as if they are criminals, imprisoning them for profit. Moreover, the U.S. “solution” to the so-called child migrant crisis has been to further militarize the borders of Mexico and Central America and to jail families indefinitely.

We need to build grassroots power to challenge the racist status quo and we need to take action. We applaud those who have already taken action across the country, from Portland to D.C. We can not remain silent about the connections between militarized U.S. foreign policy and the reasons why people flee here for their lives.

To learn more about Veterans for Peace, click here.

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Grassley’s Stolen SCOTUS Attacks Working Families

Posted on July 1, 2018 by Dave Bradley

Image (1) Grassley-Trump-and-the-Courts.png for post 34787

Editor’s note:  The following are two press releases concerning Senator Grassley and his unprecedented and still extremely controversial hijacking of the Supreme Court nomination of Merrick Garland.

www.WhyCourtsMatterIowa.org

For Immediate Release: June 27, 2018

Contact: wcmia@whycourtsmatteriowa.org

Des Moines, Iowa — Today the United State Supreme Court created new law, reversing longstanding precedent and ruled 5-4 in Janus v. AFSCME that nonmembers of public-sector unions are not required to pay fees to cover representation and services from which they benefit they benefit.

Iowa Citizen Action Network Executive Director Sue Dinsdale, One Iowa Executive Director Daniel Hoffman-Zinnel, Americans for Democratic Action Iowa Director Chris Schwartz, and Progress Iowa Executive Director Matt Sinovic issued the following joint statement on behalf of Why Courts Matter Iowa in response:

“Two years ago, Senator Grassley committed unprecedented obstruction and stole a Supreme Court seat. Today, that stolen seat provided a one vote margin to strip away the rights of workers.”

“With one ruling, the court has created new law and made the entire United States public sector workforce ‘right to work for less’. By reversing longstanding precedent set in the Abood case of 1977, today’s decision prevents unions from collecting fair-share fees from non-members who benefit from representation by the union, as well as collective bargaining that can improve working conditions, benefits, and wages.”

“Elections have consequences, and the efforts of Senator Grassley and his colleagues to politicize the courts is apparent in today’s ruling. We will continue to speak out against Senator Grassley’s turning the judicial branch in to his partisan, political playground. And we will work side by side with working families and their allies for the constitutional rights of every worker.”

The Why Courts Matter Iowa coalition is focused on ensuring that the federal judiciary is representative of America’s diverse population so that every American can have his or her day in court. Why Courts Matter Iowa is led by Iowa Citizen Action Network, Americans for Democratic Action Iowa, Progress Iowa, and One Iowa.

#################################################################

Iowans Tell Grassley: No SCOTUS Nomination Until Russia Investigation Complete

For Immediate Release: June 28, 2018

Contact: Matt Sinovic, (515) 423-0133

Petition campaign launched at stolenscotus.com

Des Moines, Iowa — Iowans are speaking out in reaction to the retirement of Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, and calling on Senator Grassley to stop any nomination from moving forward until the investigation of President Trump is complete. Less than twenty four hours after Justice Kennedy’s announcement, Iowans are organizing at a grassroots effort with petitions and rallies to prevent a President who is under investigation for obstruction and collusion from being able to appoint his replacement.

A coalition of grassroots organizations, elected officials and prominent Iowans issued the following joint statement directed at Senator Grassley:

“No President who is the subject of a counterintelligence investigation should receive a hearing for any nomination he makes to the Supreme Court. Senator Grassley already helped steal one seat on the Supreme Court by playing partisan politics. He must not move forward with another theft on behalf of a President who is being investigated by the Justice Department for obstruction of justice and collusion with a foreign government. Until the investigation has run its course, Senator Grassley and the Senate should not move ahead with any nomination made by President Trump.”

Those issuing the statement include the following:

Progress Iowa

AFSCME Council 61

Americans for Democratic Action Iowa

Asian & Latino Coalition

Iowa Alliance for Retired Americans

Iowa Citizen Action Network

Iowa State Education Association

Indivisible Iowa

Iowa Main Street Alliance

Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO

Planned Parenthood Voters of Iowa

Senator Joe Bolkcom

Senator Rob Hogg

Representative Liz Bennett

Representative Timi Brown-Powers

Representative Chris Hall

Representative Vicki Lensing

Representative Beth Wessel-Kroeschell

Stacey Walker, Linn County Supervisor

Chris Schwartz, Blackhawk County Supervisor

Alicia Claypool, former Chair, Iowa Civil Rights Commission

Jonathan Wilson, Des Moines attorney

In addition, a petition was launched today at www.StolenSCOTUS.com, encouraging Iowans and Americans to contact Senator Grassley with a similar message. The petition signatures gathered will be delivered in the coming weeks, in addition to other events empowering Iowans to make their voices heard by rallying, calling, and speaking out against the theft of another Supreme Court seat.

 

 

Posted in #trumpresistance, 2018 Election Campaign, Blog for Iowa, Charles Grassley, Iowa Federation of Labor, Labor, Progress Iowa, Republican Obstruction, Republican Policy | Tagged | Comments Off on Grassley’s Stolen SCOTUS Attacks Working Families

Sunday Funday: July 4th And Other Events Edition

Posted on July 1, 2018 by Dave Bradley
I welcome their hatred

Now that is a statement of real freedom

Hard to believe it is only just July now since it has been July hot for over a month now. The Fourth is smack in the middle of the week this year which with ruins long weekends or makes them longer. That depends on who you are I guess. 

With what is going on in this country right now, one could easily imagine folks like Jefferson, Paine, Adams and Franklin rising from their graves and collectively screaming at us “What the hell have you done to our country??? You better fix it or lose it!”

Today is Canada Day for our one time friends to the north. Guess they will be imposing some tariffs on our goods starting today in response to tariffs we placed on their goods. They were such good neighbors. Whatever happened, I wonder?

Today is also Election Day in Mexico. Chances are good that their new president will not build a wall for Dear Leader, either. Chances are also good that the new president will be working to greatly lessen US influence in that country. Once again we must wonder why? (That is snark if you don’t recognize it)

On to the quiz in yet another week unlike any other week.

  1. A report from the United Ways of Iowa said that what percentage of Iowans could not pay monthly bills that cover the basic necessities?
  1. What date will recreational marijuana be legal in Canada?
  1. Back in January Anthony Kennedy did what that indicated he was planning on remaining on the SCOTUS next year?
  1. The case that SCOTUS announced this week that ended union agency fees for government employees was known as what?
  1. Another day another mass shooting in the US. What city was the location of the Capitol Gazette shooting Thursday?
  1. Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s team obtained computers and phones from what cabinet secretary’s sibling Monday?
  1. Who called for immigrants to be removed without “Judges or court cases”?
  1. Due to tariffs, what company will now shift some manufacturing to Europe?
  1. A federal judge in California gave the administration how many days to reunite children and parents separated at the border?
  1. The Kansas Supreme Court once again found the state’s spending on what inadequate for the 3rd time in 2 years?
  1. Anthrax was confirmed in a cattle herd in what state?
  1. A 4th of July question: What 3 presidents died on July 4th?
  1. We may soon have to buy imported what as the steel tariffs may drive what Poplar Bluff, Missouri out of business?
  1. How did Iowa’s congress member vote on the second Republican immigration bill?
  1. What political provocateur on Tuesday stated “I can’t wait for the vigilante squads to start gunning journalists down on sight”?
  1. A Pittsburgh policeman Wednesday was charged with criminal homicide in what incident?
  1. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made national headlines when she did what Tuesday?
  1. Despite great fanfare what country has yet to fulfill any promises Dear Leader claimed they are?
  1. What member of congress had to call off events in Texas and Alabama after credible death threats?
  1. She must be delusional. Senator Ernst claims that who is listening to concerns about trade negotiations?

Representative John Lewis:

“Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.”

Answers:

  1. 37% (that is really scary)
  1. Oct. 17
  1. Hired clerks for the next Court term
  1. Janus v. AFSCME
  1. Annapolis, Md.
  1. Erik Prince brother of Secretary against Education Betsy DeVos
  1. Dear Leader
  1. Harley Davidson Motorcycles
  1. 30
  1. Schools
  1. South Dakota
  1. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams in 1826 and James Monroe in 1831
  1. Nails
  1. Loebsack, King and Blum voted NO, Young voted Yes. Surely reasons varied among them
  1. Milo Yiannopoulos
  1. The shooting of an unarmed black teen, Antwon Rose, Jr.
  1. Won a congressional primary in NYC Tuesday defeating Joe Crowley
  1. North Korea. In fact they are making rapid upgrades to their nuclear reactors
  1. Maxine Waters
  1. Dear Leader

John Fugelsang on twitter:

Racist illiterate reality show clown who ran for President and came in second & literally doesn’t know the 3 branches of government seeks to withdraw US from World Trade Organization and only a globalist cuck would point out that’s exactly what Putin wants.

Posted in #trumpresistance, Blog for Iowa, Humor | Comments Off on Sunday Funday: July 4th And Other Events Edition

An important message from a life-long Republican who won’t be voting for Steve King

Posted on June 30, 2018 by Dave Bradley

Email from the JD Scholten campaign June 27th:

JD Scholten For Congress

You hear from us so frequently, we thought we’d do something different this time and share an op-ed that appeared in yesterday’s (June 26th’s) Forest City Summit. This excellent piece was written by a “life-long Republican” who can no longer vote for Steve King. It very accurately sums up the feelings of so many people that we talk with across the 4th C.D. and it also underscores the importance of this fight. Please take a moment to read the story below, and then join our efforts to win with a donation today!

Forrest City Summit

We can and must do better

By: Raymond M. Beebe

In a recent issue of Time magazine, Steven Brill asked a question that is very sobering: “How did the world’s greatest democracy and economy become a land of crumbling roads, galloping income inequality, bitter polarization, and dysfunctional government?”

I have previously commented I did not believe the country had ever been more polarized than it is right now and I doubt that any of you will disagree.

Measures of the nation’s public engagement, satisfaction and confidence are far below what they were 50 years ago and in many cases have reached new historic lows.

In prior columns when urging everyone to support scholarships for our young people through contributions to the Forest City Education Foundation, I have pointed out there has never been a greater need for private support for our college-bound students and one of the factors that leads to that conclusion is that middle class wages when adjusted for inflation have been nearly frozen for four decades.

The recovery from the Great Recession of 2008, which saw banks and bankers bailed out while millions lost their homes, savings and jobs was reserved almost exclusively for the wealthiest. Their income in the three years following the crash went up by nearly a third while the bottom 99 percent saw an uptick of less than half of 1 percent.

Many parents today can provide very little or no financial help to their college-bound child because they have their hands full just “getting by.” The ancient Greek philosopher, Aristotle, said a thriving middle class was critical for a democratic society. In one study, the United States was found to have the smallest middle class of nine countries and references are often made to America’s disappearing middle class.

Many of us grew up in an era where parents expected their children to earn more than they had. But for adults now in their 30s, the chance of earning more than their parents has dropped to 50 percent from 90 percent just two generations earlier. Although the U.S. remains the world’s richest economy, it has the third highest poverty rate among the 35 nations in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development behind only Turkey and Israel. Nearly one in five American children lives in a household that the government classifies as “food insecure,” meaning they are without “access to enough food for active, healthy living.”

Americans today have virtually no confidence in Congress. And why would they when Congress’ performance can only be described as pathetic. Congress has not passed a comprehensive budget on time without omnibus bills since 1994. There are more than 20 registered lobbyists for every member of Congress. Congressmen/women raise huge amounts of money and they gravitate toward the special-interest positions of their donors and their party’s base. The party in control blocks virtually all legislation proposed by the other party and the vast majority vote along straight party lines. The many statesmen/women of the past who put country above party and saw the necessity for compromise are gone.

But while we know Congress is not performing, we re-elect the vast majority of incumbents’ election after election. I have been a life-long Republican but I am unable to vote for Steve King who is well known for his racist views and truly is an embarrassment to our state. Are you satisfied with the status quo? I am not and can’t believe you are either. Let’s do something about it. I will have more to say about these issues in future columns.

Every day we run into Republicans like Raymond Beebe who tell us they’re tired of Steve King embarrassing them and that they’re ready for change too. Help us create that change we’re all looking for with a contribution today!

Thank you,

Team Scholten

Posted in #trumpresistance, 2018 Election Campaign, Blog for Iowa, Steve King | Tagged , | Comments Off on An important message from a life-long Republican who won’t be voting for Steve King

Don’t Forget: Families Belong Together Rallies Across Iowa Today

Posted on June 30, 2018 by Dave Bradley

Families belong together

Rallies will be held across Iowa in large cities and small and in every sector of the state to loudly protest the insane administration policies of tearing children from their parents at the border.

Besides the incredible cruelty shown by this administration, if you need another more selfish reason to join the march, think of this:

An administration that would so cruelly rip families apart will have little problem doing other cruel acts without regard to citizenship status. If you aren’t motivated by the inhumane acts already committed, then think about what may take place to you or your loved ones in the future.

Hope to see you at one of these events today!

IA: Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Des Moines, Fairfield, Iowa City, Marshalltown, Mason City, Muscatine, Okoboji, Sioux City

If you are outside of Iowa events around the nation can be found here

https://act.moveon.org/event/families-belong-together/?source=FBTsite622

kidnspped by our government

tip of the hat to democraticunderground.com

 

 

 

Posted in #trumpresistance, Blog for Iowa, Immigration | Tagged | Comments Off on Don’t Forget: Families Belong Together Rallies Across Iowa Today

Upcoming Grassley Town Hall Meetings

Posted on June 29, 2018 by Trish Nelson


Show up and tell Chuck Grassley what you think about his support of
Trump. Take along friends including a videographer.  Tell Grassley no SCOTUS nominee until after Russia investigation is complete.  Visit this website for more info.  http://www.stolenscotus.com/   Share this post.

Senator Grassley will be holding two open town meetings in Webster and Fayette Counties on July 2 and July 3.

Monday, July 2, 2018

Webster County Town Meeting
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
City Hall
City Council Chambers
819 1st Ave. South
Fort Dodge

Tuesday, July 3, 2018
Fayette County Town Meeting
8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Fayette County Courthouse
114 North Vine St.
West Union

Jennifer G. Heins
Director of Scheduling
U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley
135 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
202-224-3744
jennifer_heins@grassley.senate.gov

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Tell Congress: Say No To Trump’s Tax Scam Version 2

Posted on June 28, 2018 by Trish Nelson

Action alert from actionnetwork.org:  Sign this petition to your members of congress

Six months ago, Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans passed a tax scam that will cost the American people $1.9 trillion. Now, in an Election Year ploy, they are preparing “Tax Scam Round 2.”

But six months after passage of Tax Scam Round 1, here is what we know:

  • 83% of the tax cuts are still going to the richest 1%.
  • Just 4% of workers have gotten a pay hike due to the tax cuts—a one-time bonus or wage hike.
  • The cost of the tax cuts has ballooned from $1.5 trillion to $1.9 trillion, emboldening GOP lawmakers to demand even more cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, education and more.
  • Trump proposed a budget that would cut funding for these critical services by $1.7 trillion to pay for his tax scam.
  • Prescription drug companies, health insurers, Wall Street banks and other major industries are getting huge tax breaks and not sharing the wealth with consumers or their employees.

Despite these outrageous results — ripping off the American people — Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans are planning to double down before the November Election. They want  to pass a Tax Scam Round 2 that could cost another $1 trillion and would mostly benefit the wealthy at the expense of working families, seniors, people with disabilities and hungry children.

Tax Scam Round 2 is just another giveaway to Republican donors, wealthy business owners and real estate developers like Donald Trump who game the system at our expense.

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Tim Gannon: “We Must Invest In The Next Generation Of Iowa Farmers”

Posted on June 27, 2018 by Trish Nelson

gannonforiowa.com

Please support Tim Gannon for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture.  If you cannot donate but want to help, visit Tim’s campaign website, TimGannonforAgriculture.

Here’s a word from Tim –

###

I wanted to make sure you saw an article from the Cedar Rapids Gazette talking about a trend affecting Iowa farmers and our rural communities.  Check it out  here – [How We Got Here: Iowa farms grow in size, but there are fewer of them]

As the article notes, Iowa’s farmers are more productive than ever because of improvements in technology. This means fewer Iowans are employed full time as farmers and the costs associated with farming can make it difficult for young farmers to get started. Not only do we need to work to make it easier for the next generation of farmers to get started, but we need to work to create a rural economy that adds more value to the products we grow which will improve the outlook for all farmers. Creating new industries based on our productive farmers will help us sustain small town institutions like schools, hospitals, and churches.

Donate

In order to stem the tide of consolidation in rural Iowa, we need to make it easier — not harder — for young Iowans to start a farm. I want to help young farmers looking to participate in Iowa’s agriculture economy, but I can’t without your support. Can I count on you to help me get more Iowans into good paying jobs by contributing to my campaign for Secretary of Agriculture?

Developing our infrastructure and investing in the next generation of Iowa farmers are ways we can reverse this trend threatening small town Iowa. With your help, I’ll fight for our small towns that make Iowa such a special place to live, farm, and raise a family.

Donate

Thanks,
Tim

Stay up to date with our campaign by liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter.

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