President Obama’s Broadband Plan – Full Cedar Falls Speech

Posted on January 15, 2015 by Trish Nelson

 

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Loebsack Statement On President Obama’s Broadband Announcement

Posted on January 14, 2015 by Trish Nelson

dave loebsack updatedCedar Falls, IA – Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today as he traveled with President Obama to Cedar Falls for his announcement on his plans to provide more Americans with access to fast and affordable broadband. Loebsack was recently named to the Communications and Technology Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over broadband issues.

“The future of economic development in Iowa and across the country depends, in large part, on access to the internet and specifically broadband. I have met with many small businesses, farmers, and rural telecommunication companies who have stressed the importance of expanding high speed internet to rural areas. Broadband also gives small and rural schools the power to vastly expand their educational options, providing students with a cutting-edge 21st Century education regardless of geography. Today’s announcement is a necessary step for rural economic development, education, job growth, businesses, farmers, and families

“I was pleased to join President Obama today as he laid out his plan to make sure Iowans and others in rural areas are not left behind. Expanding broadband for all Iowans is critical so that this economic development tool is available for everyone, regardless of where they live.”

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What If The Governor Gave A Speech And Nobody Cared?

Posted on January 14, 2015 by Trish Nelson

cat care-o-meter“Vice President Joe Biden often says ‘Don’t tell me what you value, show me your budget, and I’ll tell you what you value.’ The Governor’s budget is a perfect example of Iowa values not being reflected in a state budget,” said Citizens for a Healthy Iowa Executive Director Mark Langgin.

 “Governor Branstad doesn’t place a high value on investing in our natural resources to protect sources of clean drinking water and water for recreation & industry. There are over 600 impaired rivers, lakes and streams statewide, and source water from Iowa’s largest city contains dangerously high levels of nitrate. We need sustained long-term funding for clean water – and investing less than 25 cents per acre in dedicated water quality money is not enough to protect Iowans health and quality of life.”

Progress Iowa Executive Director Matt Sinovic issued the following statement In response to the Governor’s remarks, which also failed to mention poverty or minimum wage:

“Governor Branstad failed middle class Iowans today. He refused to even say the words ‘middle class’ while at the same time heaping praise on a number of out of state corporations. The Governor’s priorities are completely out of step with everyday Iowans, who know that the foundation of our economy and our state’s success is a strong and growing middle class.”

“Governor Branstad’s distorted jobs math proves that he has no respect for working Iowans. The Governor inflates the number of jobs created by not counting jobs that have been lost, insulting every Iowan who has lost work during his term in office. An accurate accounting of Iowa’s job growth is less than half as many as the Governor claims.”

“The Governor also refused to bring up a minimum wage increase, or acknowledge the 300,000 workers who would benefit from an increase. Unfortunately, minimum wage workers in Iowa have waited longer than those in any other state for a raise.”

“Governor Branstad’s refusal to mention the middle class, poverty, or minimum wage during his Condition of the State address today was disappointing but not surprising. His failure to prioritize the needs of middle class working families has never been more clear.”

Paul Deaton took a larger, more philosophical view on the Governor’s remarks, so today we give Paul and Plato the last word.

A couple of progressive web commenters complained that Branstad used fallacious job creation numbers and made no mention of “middle class priorities” like increasing the minimum wage. There was a decided lack of interest in the speech, so few were likely listening to the commentators or the governor.

No one is listening. There is a lack of interest in government among a middle class that makes up most of 3.1 million Iowans. If some have their interests, written on a legislative agenda, most do not. The disinterest goes beyond what the 86th Iowa General Assembly does or does not accomplish.

The bubble in which we Americans live is real and is becoming the ridicule of the world. It is as if we took what’s best about our country and locked it up in a strongbox to protect it from those who might steal it. We venture from our borders to loot planetary resources, wage war and assert hegemony where we can. We have become exceptional in these things and our culture is the less for it.

Plaato quote

 

Posted in Branstad, Budget, Iowa legislature 2015 | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

President Obama Stumping In Cedar Falls Today For The Internet

Posted on January 14, 2015 by Trish Nelson

Watch this preview of the President’s talk:

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Something For People Of Faith And No Faith

Posted on January 13, 2015 by Trish Nelson

interfaith alliance[Note from BFIA … Just because you don’t have religion does not mean you have “no faith.”  One can have faith in many things.  But the point is, this event is for everyone!  And that is a good thing.]


Crossroads
A civility project of the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa

MOVING THE PROGRESSIVE VOICE FORWARD

Rev. SickelkaDavid
Incoming Chairperson, Interfaith Alliance of Iowa

January 16, 2015

11:45 am – 1:00 pm
Plymouth Congregational Church (UCC)
Waveland Hall
4126 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines

$10 per person (payable at the door)

Rev. David Sickelka, incoming chairperson of the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa, will lead a discussion on how we will move the progressive voice forward together in our state.  Interfaith Alliance of Iowa is building toward the future with an exciting yet challenging new 3-year Strategic Plan, which addresses areas of Program, Outreach, Communications, Fund Development, and Human Resources.

How can progressive people of faith and no faith across Iowa be part of this movement for change? The discussion will be interactive and informative and we hope you will be part of it!

Reservations must be received by Tuesday, January 13, and may be made at info@interfaithallianceiowa.org or by calling 515.279.8715. If you make a reservation and are unable to attend, payment for your reservation is appreciated if you do not cancel by the Tuesday deadline.

hearing loopThis venue has a hearing loop and those with telecoils may use them.

Like Crossroads on Facebook!  You can find Crossroads on Facebook. We will have updated info on speakers for the coming months. Reservations will still need to be made by email or phone.

Crossroads is a monthly gathering of Interfaith Alliance of Iowa. An opportunity to learn, to participate in civil dialogue, and to discuss issues at the crossroads of religion and politics.

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Loebsack On KXL Vote: We Need Comprehensive Jobs Legislation

Posted on January 12, 2015 by Trish Nelson

dave loebsack updated“It is unfortunate that Republicans have refused to move any comprehensive jobs legislation to keep jobs from going overseas. A good first start would be an immediate consideration of a long-term transportation bill so American workers can get back to work and the U.S. economic recovery can be further enhanced.” – Rep. Dave Loebsack

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement after the House voted on the Keystone Pipeline.

“I have long subscribed to the belief that the best course of action regarding energy policy is to move from fossil fuels to renewable forms of energy as quickly and as feasibly as possible. I understand the concerns about the potential impact of the Keystone XL pipeline proposal. At the same time, any decision such as the one regarding Keystone is hardly a simple or easy one to make. Environmental concerns are important, but so are other factors.

“In my mind, one of the most important reasons is the infrastructure jobs that will be created due to the construction of the pipeline. I am fully aware of the short-term nature of the 40,000 plus jobs that will be created by this project. But I cast my vote today in favor of creating these jobs that can’t be shipped overseas and for the countless hardworking men and women who put their hard hats on every morning so that they can put food on the table and help their children pay for college. We have seen Wall Street recover, yet working folks across Iowa and America continue to wait their turn. Our focus must continue to be on improving the economy, getting Americans back to work, and moving our country forward. It is unfortunate that Republicans have refused to move any comprehensive jobs legislation to keep jobs from going overseas. A good first start would be an immediate consideration of a long-term transportation bill so American workers can get back to work and the U.S. economic recovery can be further enhanced.

“Additionally, today’s vote marks only the beginning of the work Congress must do on energy policy during the next session and in the years beyond. First, we must do all we can to reduce carbon at its sources and ensure that polluters bear the costs of their action. This can be done by imposing a carbon fee on the pollution emitted by the use of fossil fuels, with the revenue generated returned to households. We also must extend the Production Tax Credit to continue to spur the generation of wind power, extend the Investment Tax Credit to incentivize the development of solar power, and continue other policies to enable the increased use of other renewable forms of energy. These policies will both protect our environment and create hundreds of thousands of jobs across America. These efforts will continue to move our nation on a path that practically and affordably moves us farther from reliance on fossil fuels and towards significantly more use of renewables.”

[Bolding added by BFIA]

Posted in David Loebsack, Energy, Environment, wind power | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Iowa Legislative Session 2015: Democrats Advocate For Kids, Environment, Rural Broadband

Posted on January 12, 2015 by Trish Nelson
Iowa State Capitol

Iowa State Capitol

According to WHO-TV there are several pre-filed bills already waiting  including a bill that would ban phone calls while driving:

“The Department of Public Safety is suggesting legislation to update the texting ban. It would make it illegal for you to use your phone for just about everything while driving — emails, making calls, making video calls, and using the internet.  You would still be able to use GPS and make calls with hands free devices. 

Legislators are also expected to work on the gas tax, bullying, and the state’s budget.”

Not mentioned in the story is what the Iowa Firearms Coalition is thinking:

“On January 12th we begin a new legislative session, and with the NRA and your help we plan to chart new territory. In recent years we’ve had limited success passing pro-2nd Amendment bills. It’s not because those bills lacked strong support. On the contrary, they generally had a huge backing. But one anti-gun legislator, Senator Rob Hogg of Cedar Rapids, held a key position in the legislature, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. From there he used procedural measures to block every bill that the Iowa Firearms Coalition and the NRA supported.

This year things are going to be different though. Rob Hogg is no longer the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. He’s been replaced by Steve Sodders of State Center. Sodders is a Marshall County Sheriff’s Deputy. In recent years he’s supported some of our bills. But he’s also opposed others. Let’s make sure Steve Sodders knows full well that Iowans believe strongly in our 2nd Amendment rights and will fight any attempt to infringe on those rights.”

Gun people and the NRA believe that their right to feel safe by carrying a gun trumps everyone else’s right to actually be safe from gun violence.  Progressives, you too can contact Democrat Steve Sodders and exercise your first amendment right to free speech.  And if you haven’t done so yet, how about we all send a thank-you to Senator Rob Hogg?

Democrats’ legislative agenda:

After three mentions in one article of how they fully intend to cooperate with the GOP (thus defeating the purpose by inadvertantly communicating that they, not the GOP,  are the problem), and placating the media by pretending to agree that we all are begging for “tax relief,” Democrats did reveal a sensible, people and environment-friendly agenda.

“The Democratic legislative agenda includes increasing access to preschool for 4-year-olds, helping Iowa companies land state contracts, and making sure private-sector workers aren’t cheated out of their wages by unscrupulous employers.

The priority list also proposes providing more worker training at community colleges, expanding access to broadband services for Iowans in rural and underserved areas; and encouraging the production and use of renewable energy, such as biofuels, wind and solar.”   Des Moines Register

Thank you Iowa Democrats for sane ideas. Now please work on better messaging and better framing of the issues.

Good luck in 2015!

 

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Robert Reich On Republican Priorities

Posted on January 11, 2015 by Dave Bradley
Robert Reich

Robert Reich

Truer words were never spoken – Robert Reich on facebook 01/10/2015 (yesterday):

Look at the priorities of the new Republican congressional – the Keystone XL Pipeline, the Trans-Pacific Trade agreement, tax cuts for big corporations and the wealthy, rollbacks of Dodd-Frank regulations on Wall Street, cutbacks on Medicare and Medicaid and Social Security, and decimating the Affordable Care Act – and connect the dots. Republicans want the public to think the central issue of our time is the size of government. Wrong. The central issue of our time is who government is for. Every one of their initiatives advances big corporations and Wall Street, and worsens or weakens everyone else.

Elizabeth Warren is correct: The game is rigged. And the only way to unrig it is through a new progressive movement that includes not only the Democratic base but also any and all Independents and Republicans equally determined to take the economy and democracy back from the axis of Wall Street, K Street, and big corporations. Can we rely on the Democratic Party to lead the way, or will a new third party be necessary?

Those of you who voted for Republicans or just as bad, decided not to vote, had better start understanding what Republicans are all about. If you believe you are somehow immune from their greed, that will only be true as long as you are of use to them. Once they can no longer exploit you, you or your friends or family will be targets just as teachers, workers, the elderly, women, Latinos, African-Americans, college students, and any and all others who do not fit their narrow range of acceptable humans.

You will learn this lesson one way or another. Many Republicans already have, such as Bob Ney and Jack Abramoff. Best that you learn it now while there is still a chance to reverse the damage. Until you do many Americans will suffer greatly under their morally misplaced priorities.

Posted in Economy, Elizabeth Warren, medicaid expansion, Medicare, middle-class, Republicn Policy, Social Security | Tagged | Comments Off on Robert Reich On Republican Priorities

Sunday Funday: Here Comes The Legislature Edition

Posted on January 11, 2015 by Dave Bradley
legislators will gather to puzzle over today's quiz

legislators will gather to puzzle over today’s quiz

Like many Iowans, I grew up reading the great Donald Kaul. Some of his funniest columns focused on the seeming full speed backward legislature that gathers in Des Moines to kill time between harvest and planting seasons.

Well it is that time again. Looks like we will have another iteration of Republicans trying to pass ALEC legislation and Democrats trying to work on solutions to actual problems. All I can hope is that they provide me with some material for a few questions and a couple of snarky comments. I am sure they will, at least the Republicans. Who can forget Matt Windschitl’s brilliant bill to allow silencers on guns? It would keep mass murderers from disturbing people’s sleep or interfering with people being able to hear the movie before they get shot.

At least Iowa will be led into the ‘20s by Branstad. But I am not sure the 1920s is where we want to be.

Were you paying attention?

1) Gentlemen ( and women) start your engines. What former Republican presidential candidate left his Fox News(?) show leading to speculation he will run once again?

2) Just like Mitch McConnell promised, what was the first bill introduced into the new Republican majority led senate?

3) In a study released by Johns Hopkins, much of the risk of getting cancer is due to what?

4) Two weeks from yesterday, a “Freedom Summit” will be held in Des Moines to showcase Republican presidential candidates. Who is heading up this showcase of America’s top talent?

5) Harper Collins quit publishing an atlas specifically for the Middle East because it had what major glaring error that had been made on purpose?

6) Ohio State and Oregon play Monday to complete the first real tournament to crown the major college football champion. Who is Oregon’s famous mascot?

7) Researchers unveiled a new molecule called teixobactin. Teixobactin is the first new what in over 30 years?

8) Des Moines is considering suing the state of Iowa over what?

9) Webster City 7th grade girls basketball player Taylor McKinney got national attention when she did what last week?

10) Get those taste buds ready for a new treat. Trios and Toffee Tastic are new Girl Scout cookies that feature what newly desirable trait?

11) Can’t ignore the doings in France. One of the gunman during a previous trial had said he was politicized by images of what?

12) What Republican presidential hopeful let it be known he will pay for his own tickets and transportation as he goes to watch his favorite team in the playoffs this weekend?

13) Very light perp walk. What former GOP governor and VP hopeful got off with only 2 years in the slammer for corruption?

14) A bill to gut what Wall Street watchdog law fell short of a needed 2/3rds majority in the House despite support from 35 defectors from the Democratic caucus?

15) What potential GOP presidential hopeful has taken a first step toward a run by praying to God?

Blood supplies in the Iowa systems are quite low due to the weather and the flu. If you have ever thought about becoming a donor, this would be a really good time to take that step. Call your local hospital and I am sure if they don’t take donations they will know someone close by who does. And you can add lifesaver to your list of accomplishments.

Answers:

1) Mike Huckabee

2) Keystone pipeline

3) with the exception of lung cancer, it is just bad luck

4) Steve King (“top talent” – I kill myself)

5) the maps left Israel off

6) Donald Duck

7) antibiotic. Teixobactin and the method used to discover it hold great potential. It may well stop antibiotic resistance.

8) nitrate levels in the rivers that the state has refused to deal with is causing DM to fail water quality levels.

9) made a buzzer beating half court shot that brought her team from behind to win

10) they are gluten free

11) pictures of Abu Ghraib prisoners

12) Chris Christie. He and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones became friends just when Jones needed some help winning a Port Authority contract

13) Bob McDonnell from Virginia

14) Dodd Franks

15) Scott Walker

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And The Year Starts Out Really Sucky

Posted on January 10, 2015 by Dave Bradley
2015 will be like this for many Americans

2015 will be like this for many Americans

I do not know any better way to describe it. We are barely one week into 2015 and it is starting out to look to be even more sucky than the recent sucky year of 2014. Mostly due to the insane statements and actions by Republicans and their ilk. See the previous post to see some other moves they have already made.

Industry eliminates High Fructose Corn Syrup.
Yep, the much maligned ingredient in damn near everything will disappear soon – from the nutrition label, anyway. Apparently the foods and additives industry have had enough of real scientists blaming HFCS for everything from cancers to obesity to diabetes. So they have met the challenge head on!

They changed the name of HFCS to a couple of names that no one will recognize. Thus they intend to fool the public while still peddling their noxious concoction. No longer will you see “HFCS” or “High Fructose Corn Syrup” on those damn meddling gummint required labels. Now you will have to look for “Isolated Fructose” or the very revealing “fructose” or “fructose syrup.”

Arsenic by any other name will still be just as deadly

Mitch: Republicans Save The Economy Again
Got to say one thing. The next two years may be a glimpse of hell for most Americans while Republicans continue in their quest to turn this country into yet another third world country that corporations and the wealthy can exploit. But for comedians this could be a golden age. There will be a competition to say the most insane thing among Republicans who will be bellying up to try to take credit for anything good, no matter how much they opposed it.

Thus Wednesday Mitch McConnell jumped forward to claim that the economy is suddenly good because Americans elected a Republican congress. Yep – the day of the election it was morning in America again.

Once again Republicans ignore history. Just as they did in 2008 when they claimed the economy was just hunky-dory right up until election night of 2008 when the son of Lucifer from Kenya was elected.

When scientists talk about wormholes leading to alien worlds, I suggest they follow the worms that have burrowed into Republican minds wherein they will find minds living in a world totally alien to earth.

2015 and Branstad
When the newest job numbers came out Friday it was once again a major gain in the US employment. Just statistically, Iowa should show a gain of 1% of those jobs. Over the past year the country gained 3,000,000 + jobs. I have no doubt that Iowa will fall short of their share and remain short in the recovery. The folks over at Iowa Policy Project keep a very close eye on this.

Iowa Policy Project is one of the few places in this state that gives a truly objective take on the state of Iowa’s economy and other trends in the state. If they reflect badly on Branstad, that is due to Branstad not doing his job.

California raises taxes, economy soars.
Kansas Schools sue to get funding
Here’s another one you won’t hear on Fox News. A few years back, voters in California got sick and tired of Republicans and their no tax bad economy. Jerry Brown was elected governor, huge Democratic majorities were elected. They then went about repairing a broken economy by raising taxes and restoring priorities to things like infrastructure and schools, and away from tax cuts for the rich. The economy has soared.

Meanwhile down in our neck of the woods, good old rock-ribbed Republican Kansas continues to reel as Sam Brownback was given 4 more years to prove just what Republican policies can do. They can turn a good solid economy into such a horrible economy that even the school districts have had to turn to the courts to get funding to keep schools running.

While some might think that increasing taxes at this point would seem reasonable in Kansas it probably won’t happen. Look for larger classes, shorter school years, maybe 4 school days a week. Kansas would rather watch their schools and infrastructure sink to 3rd world status rather that raise one more penny in taxes. BTW Koch Oil is headquartered in Kansas.

One unmentioned effect of low wages
Social Security funds and Medicare funds will be depleted greatly as more and more Americans are forced to accept low wage jobs. While this may not be the central objective of keeping wages unlivable low, adding the possibility of depleting Social Security and Medicare funds is an unreported plus for Republicans.

How low can they go? As Al Jolson used to say “You ain’t seen nothing yet!”

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