Hey 4th District of Iowa, crazy Steve King has a challenger! And while you’re here, please check out Blog for Iowa’s page The Madness of Steve King which has famous King quotes, videos, and links to articles. We will continue adding items to this page which is intended to be a resource for letters to the editor, etc. If you find something we don’t have, you can send us your contributions at blog3@democracyforiowa
So scroll down to check out J.D. Scholten’s campaign video and then see if you can help him out.
J.D. Scholten is the Democratic running for the US House in Iowa’s 4th Congressional District against Steve King. Learn more about J.D. Scholten or donate to the campaign at: http://www.scholten4iowa.com
The rapidity and disdain with which the current administration and Republican led states across the country are working to strip voting rights from citizens conjures up memories of the Jim Crow days of the the long ago past. Or at least we thought they were past.
Two years ago when the Voting Rights Act turned 50 years old, most people could never have imagined the sudden and devastating attacks on voting that have left millions of our citizens without a voice in their own government. Certainly the new voter suppression laws coupled with very questionable and hackable voting machines played a major part in states like Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania in the most stunning presidential election ever.
Much like money in politics, rooting out voter suppression and other REAL problems with elections will be hard to do since the people in power are in power due to some degree to voter suppression.
As with the Civil rights Act which was enacted the previous year, the Voting Rights Act was a direct affront to the racial practices of the day. Neither were giving anyone special rights nor taking rights away from anyone. What both laws did was to attempt to ensure that citizens would be able to exercise their rights that were theirs simply because they are citizens.
It is a very sad commentary on this nation that race is never far from the surface as an issue. What is an even sadder commentary is that politicians speak in coded language to exploit the racial issue. This past year has seen one party exploit the racial divide to capture the mechanisms of power in this country.
As often happens in the political arena we take two steps forward and one and a half steps backward. In this case we are close to taking the full two steps backward. Many in America are applauding this development.
So on this anniversary of a huge step forward in our country’s continuing striving to reach the goals set forth in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution and many other revered documents, we must ask ourselves – What happened and what can we do to get us back on the right track?
Remember that if those currently holding power are successful in taking away the voting rights of any citizens, then you will be the next target until only a hand selected elite continues to elect those same politicians who will continue to restrict voting rights more and more.
Earlier this past week on the pagan calendar the feast of Lammas was celebrated. From wicca.com:
At Lammas, sometimes called Lughnasadh, it’s time to celebrate the first harvest of the year, and recognize that the hot summer days will soon come to an end. The plants of spring wither and drop seeds to ensure future crops. Grains are ready to be harvested and the fruits are ripe for picking. We can give thanks for the food on our tables.
Lughnasadh means the funeral games of Lugh (pronounced Loo), referring to Lugh, the sun god. However, the funeral is not his own, but the funeral games he hosts in honor of his foster-mother Tailte. For that reason, the traditional Tailtean craft fairs and Tailtean marriages (which last for a year and a day) are also celebrated at this time.
As autumn begins, the Celtic Sun God enters his old age, but is not yet dead. The God symbolically loses some of his strength as the Sun rises farther in the South each day and the nights grow longer.
The Christian religion adopted this theme and called it ‘Lammas ‘, meaning ‘loaf-mass ‘, a time when newly baked loaves of bread are placed on the altar. An alternative date around August 5 (Old Lammas), when the sun reaches 15 degrees Leo, is sometimes employed by Covens.
A different way to look at the world than most of us are accustomed to.
Wow – I can hardly keep up anymore, can you?
1) Facing a possible veto override the current president signed a bill imposing sanctions on what country in particular?
2) The current president reacted to the defeat of the ACA repeal by threatening to stop making CSR payments. What are CSR payments?
3) Trends in NYC show what major crimes could be headed for historic highs or lows in this year?
4) Last weekend started with what now former White House aide being sent home from the airport rather than returning to the White House upon returning from a trip?
5) The first income tax law was signed into law on August 5th, 1861 to help fund what emergency of the time?
6) In a not too surprising move, the Justice Department announced it would investigate what university admission policies for discrimination against whites?
7) “America’s toughest Sheriff” Joe Arpaio was found guilty of criminal contempt of court in what major western US jurisdiction?
8) Hackers at the DEF CON convention in Las Vegas last weekend were able to break into what systems within moments?
9) How could a quiz not mention what historically short termed ‘communications director’ who was removed Monday after being hired ten days earlier?
10) “Take me out to the ball game!” NJ Gov. Chris Christie had a confrontation with a critical fan at a MLB game in what city?
11) A true turning point in history, August 6th, 1945 saw the introduction of what awesome weapon into war?
12) Another major breaking story of the week revealed that the misleading original story of Trump, jr.’s meeting with Russians was dictated by who?
13) The NJ assembly approved a law saying that no governor could use what if they were shutdown to the public?
14) Probably the big news of the week, Special investigator Robert Mueller is now using what in his ongoing investigation?
15) Inmates in Alabama used what substance to alter a cell door number fooling a rookie guard to make an escape?
16) In a major blow to the nuclear power industry, two power companies abandoned the building of new nuclear power plants in what state?
17) “We’re too disorganized to collude with Russia” claimed what major White House insider as a defense against collusion charges?
18) Hey, did you remember this guy’s birthday Friday? He was born in Hawaii and Kenya 56 years ago.
19) In transcripts released last week our current president begs what other world leader to quit saying he won’t pay for constructing a wall between the countries?
20) Next Thursday is the 143rd anniversary of what Iowa born president?
BONUS: The current president was reported to describe the White House by what one word?
“I have not enjoyed Donald J. Trump as a president, but I am looking forward to him as a defendant.” Andy Borowitz – — me too, Mr. Borowitz!
In what had to be one of the great escapes in recent political history in this state, Terry Branstad royally screwed things up and then left for the relative quiet of China. Branstad has made a very successful career of getting things messed up and then leaving it for someone else to get the blame.
True to form, Branstad left a state with major problems that he had a heavy hand in creating. Once more someone else must pick up the pieces and try to get Iowa running again.
If there is one thing Branstad did do, he sure cut taxes for the wealthy here in Iowa. As for doing anything for the vast majority of Iowans, well that was mostly a kick in our collective asses.
Of course Reynolds doesn’t get any sympathy. She was part and parcel of Branstad’s pathetic administration. Nary did we hear a word of anything but praise for Branstad during her time as Lt. Governor.
So she inherited a busted budget from Branstad that was so bad she has had to dip into Iowa’s emergency or “rainy day” fund right off the bat. The rainy day fund is supposed to be for real emergencies like the Republican caused major Recession of 2008-2009 and not for to pay for major tax cuts for the wealthy. But that is what has happened.
An article back in April on iowastartingline.com took a close look at the budget and noted not just the mismanagement, but the lost opportunities that Iowa could not use because of the budget debacle.
Further cuts will hurt Iowa’s most vulnerable citizens: seniors, the disabled and children. Iowa is simply not making the basic investments needed to keep our state growing and vibrant.
I believe Iowa would not be facing these challenges if the party in control had spent more effort managing the state budget, instead of looking out for their corporate donors and outside special interests.
They have abandoned their own fiscal principles at the expense of hard working Iowans.
Iowa students and working families are now being forced to pay for tax giveaways and fiscal mismanagement.
Along those same lines is the Medicaid giveaway to corporate management companies (MCOs) that Terry Branstad did unilaterally. We also need to give blame to the Republicans in the legislature as they stood by and did nothing even though it quickly became glaringly apparent that Branstad’s deal really hurt those using the Medicaid system.
Reynolds defended the system and now she inherits a system where the MCOs want an even bigger chunk of the Medicaid dollar which means less services for the end user. Not only have patients been hurt, but providers are being put in very tenuous positions as the MCOs continue to be extremely late making payments. A story out of Dubuque notes that one provider is cutting off relations with one MCO. Until this mess is solved – and remember it was working fairly smoothly before Branstad mucked it up – expect more providers to drop out.
Branstad and the legislature demoralized Iowa’s state workers with their heavy handed approach to collective bargaining last spring. Expect state workers to get another kick in the pants from the Republicans as they rush headlong into “reforming” IPERS which was once a model retirement system.
When visitors from elsewhere travel to and through Iowa they can’t help but wonder why we can fix our roads. The administration tells us they are getting better, but the evidence is hard to find.
Our environment continues to be a very sore subject. Chemical runoff from Iowa and other midwest farms was recently cited as the major contributor to the expanding dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico. We know the problem, it is way past time for some political will to find a solution and enforce it.
Along those same lines, Iowa’s state park system is abysmal and getting little relief. Parks are very necessary for quality of life. We really give them short shrift. In a recent editorial in the Cedar Rapids Gazette Mark S. Edwards makes the point that:
Today, Iowa competes for the very bottom in state parks and public lands. We are known as the most biologically altered state in North America. Roughly 98 percent of Iowa has been altered for agricultural use, cities and roads. All our state parks and forests have been logged and heavily grazed. We still fail to realize that these areas are healing landscapes.
We have no old-growth forests left. We have less than one-tenth of 1 percent of the prairies which covered our state and produced our rich soils. Only 10 percent of Iowa’s remaining prairies and forests lie within the public domain and its limited protection. This makes these parks very, very special not only for people, but for the dwindling plants, animals and wildlife.
On an entirely different note, for some reason Gov. Reynolds thinks that the Iowa taxpayers should pay the court award against the Republican Senate Caucus. As you may remember the Republican senate caucus was found at fault in a sexual harassment lawsuit brought by their former communications director.
The senators who were at fault should be paying. It should not come from Iowa taxpayers. Isn’t it the Republican party that is constantly preaching owning up to what you do? Now is the time to show us what you mean. Governor Reynolds, you will not help them to learn by not having them accept their punishment?
Way, way past time for a change back to some adults running the government in Iowa. The Democrats have an excellent lineup of candidates. Get out and support your favorite so we can bring responsible government back to Iowa.
Senator Ernst is out with another attempt to divert attention from the real issues of the day and possibly act as a stalking horse for the next issue Republicans want to make into the NEXT BIG ISSUE.
It looks like Ernst’s role in the Republican Party is sort of that of a clown jester. She is supposed to send out these VERY SERIOUS sounding newsletters that are supposed to serve to notify you that your government stinks and should be cut down to size. But mostly what these newsletters do is make Sen. Ernst into more of a laughing stock than she already is.
Funny thing, after posting a comment about her newsletter last month (that was the one about incorrect uniforms for troops in Afghanistan, as if the Army had never made a mistake before) I seemed to have been left off the email list for this month’s edition of things that proves our government doesn’t work, better known as “Make ‘Em Squeal.”
Think you can’t take your money to the grave – and then some? Think again.
A new audit report released by the Office of the Inspector General at the Social Security Administration (SSA) found that the agency has issued approximately $171 million in incorrect payments as of 2015.
So why exactly is this happening? According to the report, there are nearly 5 million people with more than one Social Security Number. Many of these individuals have two numbers as a result of being victims of identity theft or fraud, however, they should not receive Social Security benefits under both numbers.
Unfortunately, in more than 5,000 instances, the SSA issued payments to folks under both of their Social Security Numbers. To make matters worse, the Office of the Inspector General estimated the SSA issued approximately $115.4 million in incorrect payments to around 930 deceased beneficiaries.
If the SSA fails to fix these issues, the Office of Inspector General estimated that the SSA will continue to incorrectly issue approximately $21.2 million in payments over the next year!
Due to the astonishing recklessness on display when it comes to taxpayer dollars’, I hereby present this month’s Squeal Award to the Social Security Administration.
What is interesting to note right off the bat is that there is a date when the study was ended, but no date that I can find for the beginning of the study. I could be wrong and I admit these days that I skim much more than I used to, but from what I can tell this is from inception to 2015. Not in 2015 but “as of 2015.” So as far as we know this is from 1937 or some 80 years back. Later in her text she notes that the SSA could “incorrectly issue approximately $21.2 million in payments over the next year!”
What Ernst doesn’t mention is just how many transactions and how much money is the SSA handling in a year. Funny she should leave that out. That is why she is the court jester, I guess.
So I took a look to see what kind of volume we are doing here. From the SSA Fact Sheet we have this opening line
“In 2017, over 62 million Americans will receive approximately $955 billion in Social Security benefits.” Go to the link and see some of the other huge numbers that the SSA deals with.
Doing a little math (21X10^6 / 955×10^9) we get .000021989 or in percentage about .002%. Most businesses in America would be bragging about such a low error rate. And the SSA is a low cost operation. Plus if you have ever dealt with them they are very, very good at what they do.
My guess is that Ernst is using this as a stalking horse for two things:
First – privatize the administration of Social Security. Based on what has happened in Iowa we can say without a doubt after our ongoing Medicaid Debacle that privatizing the administration of that has cost Iowa got hemorrhage money to the administrators while drastically lower services to the patients and providers. So that is a really bad idea.
Second – ending Social Security has been the wet dream of the oligarchs that are now in control of this country. Two people that have wanted to end Social Security in the worst way are Charles and David Koch. Ernst is merely being used as a messenger by the Kochs and the oligarchs to “catapult the propaganda” (as W would say) with such misleading stats. She is being used as a fool by her owners.
Her “Squeal” newsletter also makes it look like she is doing something while actually doing nothing. It also hides the harmful things she doesn’t want the public to know about such as continuing to push hard for “repeal and replace.” In a letter to Senate leader McConnell dated Tuesday she pushes hard for McConnell to bring it back up even though some 600,000 Iowans stand to be gravely hurt by repeal.
In contrast to her joke of an attack on Social Security, make no doubt she would be among the first to vote to close the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Republicans claim it hurts business. But just to show that the government can be effective all we need to do is look at what the CFPB has saved consumers in just five years:
The record shows that the CFPB’s track record with consumers is undeniably positive. Its work has returned $11.7 billion to consumers wronged by companies in the financial marketplace. Of this amount, $3.6 billion was in the form of direct restitution, while $7.7 billion was in the form of principal reductions, canceled debt, and other types of relief. Since, according to CAP analysis, the CFPB’s budget totals $2.3 billion to date in transfers from the Federal Reserve, this reflects approximately fivefold returns.
Yet these numbers are only part of the overall picture. The CFPB has also processed nearly 1 million consumer complaints, ensuring that the bureau recognizes and responds to problems that arise with a bank. And its regulations have ensured a national marketplace that is both fair and competitive, in which financial products are structured to help consumers succeed rather than fail. Between 2011 and 2014, credit card reform alone saved American families $16 billion in hidden, deceptive, or unreasonable fees, while largely keeping responsible credit available. The CFPB’s recently proposed rules on payday lending and arbitration clauses also address troubling practices in the financial sector, where advocates have long sought reform.
Get your priorities straight Senator Ernst. Work for Iowa, not the oligarchs!
Action alert and other info. from Senator Rob Hogg:
On Saturday, August 19, join me at 1:30 p.m. for the City Manager’s “1-Bag Challenge” event at the McGrath Amphitheatre, 475 First St. SW, in Cedar Rapids. For more details, and to invite your friends, use this link: www.facebook.com/events/675100826025374/
I like KCRG-TV in Cedar Rapids. I think they are a pretty good local station with generally solid journalistic standards in an otherwise wobbly media environment. They are much better than the Sinclair Broadcasting-owned KGAN in eastern Iowa.
So I clicked on the KCRG website page to read a story entitled, “Replace and Repeal Opponents Still Unsatisfied.” When I got there, I began reading the text while listening to the on-air report. After the intro, the text was verbatim with what the reporter was saying. At least that’s how it appeared at first until I came to the part where the text said, “Indivisible Iowa has a specific issue with Blum whom they say refuses to meet with them to discuss issues important to them.” Simultaneously, I heard the reporter’s voice on the on-air report deviate from the text saying, “One group at the rally has a personal vendetta with Blum whom they say refuses to meet with them to discuss issues important to them.” What is going on here? They were obviously talking about Indivisible Iowa, getting a comment from Cindy Garlocke who was shown on the screen and who they had already identified as “of Indivisible Iowa.”
So who told the reporter that Indivisible Iowa has a “personal vendetta” against Blum? I’m guessing Blum’s office did. If so, why not mention who said it? If not, where did they get this idea?
I happen to know from personal experience that elected officials do sometimes pressure local media about content. I think an explanation from KCRG is in order. What was the rationale for changing “specific issue”to “personal vendetta?” By what process was this decision made, and by whom?
Just for the record, and I think it goes without saying, “specific issue” is the more accurate journalistic phrasing than the unsubstantiated and inflammatory “personal vendetta.” Indivisible Iowa is working hard to fight for good public policy in a civil manner. It is in no way appropriate to frame their efforts to meet with their congressman to share their views as constituents as a “personal vendetta.”
I contacted KCRG on Monday July 31 by e-mail asking the above questions and sharing my concerns. I have not heard back from the station at the time of this writing.
Here is the link to the on-air report and accompanying text.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG-TV9) – A rally in Cedar Rapids Saturday aimed to protect the Affordable Care Act.
Republicans are in disarray after an attempt to even partially repeal the affordable care act, failed.
The GOP is trying to figure out what to do after the Senate voted against the so called “skinny bill” Thursday night.
While you might think those opposed to repeal and replace would be celebrating the bill’s recent defeat– some were not. Health Care advocates did celebrate a little bit, but say there’s still a lot of work to do.
There may not have been that many people at the rally, but the organizers and speakers say they still feel like they got their message out there.
“There’s enough of us here to get a message out to say ‘hey this needs improving we can fix things instead of just breaking things,” veteran attending the rally Joe Stutler said, “If my car breaks down I don’t just take a sledgehammer to it, I fix the problem so that my car keeps running. Healthcare should be no different.”
Saturday president Donald Trump tweeted that if a new health care bill is not approved, bailouts for insurance companies and members of Congress would end soon. He then tweeted a few hours later that repeal and replace is not dead, and asked senators to demand another vote.
Iowa’s Republican Congressmen, Senators Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley, as well as Representative Rod Blum, have all supported repealing and replacing the ACA. They argue that 72,000 Iowans that buy their own health insurance through the marketplace could lose it next year if the last remaining carrier, Medica pulls out.
“Joni Ernst, Chuck Grassley, and Rod Blum need to represent the people of Iowa,” Cindy Garlock of Indivisible Iowa said.
Indivisible Iowa has a specific issue with Blum whom they say refuses to meet with them to discuss issues important to them.
On Saturday, they found a unique way to try and get his attention – high in the sky, a banner pulled by a plane flew around Cedar Rapids. Saying “Rep. Blum: We are health care voters.”
“Our work is not done we need to remain vigilant we need to remain in touch with our representatives we need to hear from people who are being decisions are being made,” Garlock said.
The event was one of six rallies around the state. That’s on top of others held across the country.
DR. PHIL MILLER REQUESTS DROUGHT EMERGENCY DECLARATION FOR LOCAL FARMERS FROM USDA
Jefferson County, Iowa — Iowa House candidate Dr. Phil Miller of Jefferson County today called on US Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue to declare a disaster emergency in Davis, Jefferson, and Van Buren County due to drought conditions.
“Over the last month, I’ve been all over Jefferson, Van Buren, and Davis Counties talking to farmers, seeing the conditions on the ground, and learning what measures our farmers are being forced to take because of the drought. Hay, corn, bean, and cattle production are suffering because of the extreme drought,” wrote Dr. Miller in a letter to Sec. Perdue.
“I am writing to urge you to use your powers as Secretary of Agriculture to declare a drought disaster emergency so that farmers in the area are able to access USDA loans if necessary,” added Miller, who is a veterinarian and owner of a large and small animal practice in Jefferson County.
Dr. Miller is also running in the Iowa House special election coming up on August 8th. Miller also requested permission from Sec. Perdue and the US Dept. of Agriculture for local farmers to use Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands for grazing to help with current livestock needs and also preserve hay for winter use.
“I’m hopeful the USDA and Sec. Perdue will take quick action to support our local farmers and provide some relief to them in these severe drought conditions,” added Dr. Miller.
Join the effort to elect Phil Miller and help Democrats win this seat.
Action alert from Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement/CCI – iowacci.org
Do you want a food and ag system that puts farmers, workers, eaters, and our environment before corporate profits?
Join CCI Saturday morning, August 5, to lift up that vision for key decision makers like Gov. Reynolds, Senators Grassley and Ernst, new U.S. Secretary of Ag Sonny Purdue, and national press.
Why this Saturday?
That’s when Iowa’s self-appointed political kingmaker and corporate ag tycoon Bruce Rastetter will host his second “Corporate Ag” Summit in Des Moines. He’ll tout his vision of industrial agriculture and trade policy that puts profits before people and the land.
We need to be there to counter corporate ag’s narrative with our own vision!
Meet at the Iowa CCI Headquarters (2001 Forest Ave, Des Moines, 50311)
DETAILS:
7:00 am – Meet at CCI headquarters 7:30 am – Load buses to Summit 7:45 am – Rally & Press event (when we need the most people!) 9:30 am – Return to CCI for teach-ins on our clean energy and clean water campaigns
RSVP today for an Iowa that puts people over profits.
Jess Mazour
Community Organizer Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement 2001 Forest Ave Des Moines, IA50311-3229 515-282-0484 . www.iowacci.org
There are a number of Trump voters who will never change their minds. But not all Trump voters are equal. Many are changing their minds. This trend can only grow because if anything is certain, that Trump will continue to be Trump is a certainty.
“Polling shows 1 in 8 Trump voters are having 2nd thoughts…polling shows the surge counties Trump won by 36 points – his net approval there is now just 16 points. Polling shows the flip counties Trump won by 8 points – his approval is gone there. His net disapproval is now 7 points there. The result of that – Trump might have actually been bordering on reality when he tweeted this last Sunday: “It’s very sad that Republicans, even some that were carried over the line on my back do very little to protect their President.” Watch the video.
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)
Hey 4th District of Iowa, crazy Steve King has a challenger! And while you’re here, please check out Blog for Iowa’s page The Madness of Steve King which has famous King quotes, videos, and links to articles. We will continue adding items to this page which is intended to be a resource for letters to the editor, etc. If you find something we don’t have, you can send us your contributions at blog3@democracyforiowa
Action alert and other info. from Senator Rob Hogg:
DR. PHIL MILLER REQUESTS DROUGHT EMERGENCY DECLARATION FOR LOCAL FARMERS FROM USDA
Action alert from Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement/CCI – 
