24 Sep 2012

AAUW to sponsor Women's Political Candidate Forum

By Rick Martin

Female candidates from Scott County who are running for political office, will be featured at a forum on October 9. The forum, sponsored by AAUW, will be held at the Bettendorf Public Library at 7 p.m.

Candidates Bribriesco, Hart, McGivern, Miller, Moritz, Thede, and Winckler will talk about their reasons for running, and respond to questions related to issues of interest to women. Former senator, Maggie Tinsman, will give an update on the "50-50 in 2020" project.

For more information, call 563-355-2685

20 Sep 2012

Obama for America Iowa Announces "For All"

By Rick Martin

Young Iowans Join Together to Commit to Re-Electing President Obama

DES MOINES - Today, Obama for America announced "For All," a nationwide campaign initiative designed to engage young Americans between the ages of 18 and 29.  "For All" illustrates the shared values of the President and young Americans across the country: that if we work together, we can continue to move this country forward.  As part of this effort, OFA Iowa launched the new Iowa "For All" Leadership Council.  It was announced by Johnna Cleaver, a Dowling High School student, Alex Shaner a Drake University Student and Shekinah Young, a young professional from Des Moines.

The Iowa "For All" Leadership Council is a group of about 100 Iowa high school students, college students and young professionals who are dedicated to re-electing President Obama and who have chosen to make sure that young people in their communities are registered and voting early, which starts on September 27.

Working together, we can continue to restore the strongest middle class the world has ever known - the promise that hard work will pay off, responsibility will be rewarded, and that everyone gets a fair shot, does their fair share and plays by the same rules.


The "For All" initiative asks supporters to post a photo on social networks such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter that highlights why we are greater together regardless of race, background, sexual orientation or zip code. The campaign will launch "For All" on its Instagram account and asks young people to join in protecting the progress we've made and moving our country forward. These images will be online at barackobama.com/photos-from-the-field/forall.


It's an easy three step process: 1) write on your right hand what progress means to you, 2) put your hand over your heart for a quick smartphone photo, and 3) tweet using the hashtag #forall. Supporters kicked it off with their own photos asking young people to join them in protecting the progress we've made and moving our country forward.

The collective voices of young people drive this campaign through student to student, peer to peer and neighbor to neighbor outreach, organization and communication about the issues they care about.  From expanding access to affordable, quality health care, to ensuring more students can attend college, to standing up for our country's servicemen and women, to advancing equal rights, President Obama has proven time and again that he is committed to issues important to young Americans.


In conjunction with this launch, the campaign will also release a new radio advertisement that highlights what is at stake for young people.  The ad will air in Colorado, Florida, Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, Ohio and Virginia. To listen to the ad please click HERE.

The Iowa "For All" Leadership Council is the latest group of Iowans committed to moving our country forward by reelecting President Obama in November. The campaign has already released Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs, Latino, Rural, Veterans & Military Families, African Americans and Women for Obama committees. For more information about the campaign's outreach to young Americans, please visit youngamericans.barackobama.com.

The members of the newly formed Iowa "For All" Leadership Council include :

  • Zach Wahls, Equal rights activist, author and speaker
  • Austin Clark, Ames High School student
  • Ann Guhin, Bellevue volunteer and National Delegate to the Convention
  • Antonio  Montoya, Des Moines Area Community College student and National Delegate to the Convention
  • Ryan Romerman, Des Moines young professional
  • LaVerne Greenfield, Des Moines young professional
  • Pierre-Alain Blosse, Des Moines young professional
  • Shekinah Young, Des Moines young professional
  • Johnna Cleaver, Dowling High School student
  • Matt Van Hoeck, Drake University student
  • Riley Willman, Drake University student
  • Sumit Sen, Drake University student
  • Marissa Fernholz, Drake University student
  • Jeff Marschke, Drake University student
  • Alex Shaner, Drake University student
  • Nora Sullivan, Drake University student
  • Alexis Davis, Drake University student
  • Priyanth Manjooran, Drake Law School student and President of the Drake Law School Democrats
  • Nic Hockenberry, Dubuque young professional
  • Andrea Nemecek, Grinnell College student and National Delegate to the Convention
  • Mary Grace Brandsgard, Grinnell College Student and President of the College and Young Democrats of Iowa
  • Nyajuok Deng, Iowa State University student
  • Veronica Tessler, Iowa City small business owner
  • Aaron Rosenberg, Iowa State University student
  • Pasha Beresnev, Iowa State University student
  • Claire Yetley, Iowa State University student
  • Kyle Upchurch, Iowa State University student
  • Deepak Premkumar, Iowa State University student
  • Mischa Olson, Iowa State University student
  • Monica Leier, Iowa State University student
  • Abhishek Vemuri, Iowa State University student
  • Ross Kimm, Iowa State University student
  • Monica Diaz, Iowa State University student
  • George Zacharaskis-Jutz, Iowa State University graduate student
  • Riley Kilburg, Loras College student
  • Emily Greenlee, Morningside College student
  • Nick Graham, Pomeroy young professional
  • Dillon Thiner, Indianola young professional
  • Ryan Steele, University of Iowa student
  • Grant Houser, University of Iowa student
  • Julie Gagnon, University of Iowa student
  • Haley Bjorn, University of Iowa student
  • Ali Cassity, University of Iowa student
  • Monika Sehic, University of Iowa student
  • Megan Burnside, University of Iowa student
  • Yeltsin Rodriguez, University of Iowa student
  • Margaret Murphy, University of Iowa student
  • Calvin Hoff, University of Iowa student
  • Rachel Lipson, University of Iowa student
  • Morgan Brittain, University of Iowa student
  • Joe Rajchel, University of Iowa student
  • Broderick DeBettignies, University of Iowa Student and UDEMS Operations Director
  • Caroline Dvorsky, University of Iowa Student and UDEMS Vice President
  • Rob Swestka, University of Iowa student and UDEMS President
  • Jasmine Phelps, University of Iowa student
  • Sam Odeyemi, University of Iowa student
  • Casey O'Brien, University of Iowa student
  • Shadee Giurgius, University of Iowa medical student
  • Rose Daugherty, University of Northern Iowa student
·         Rachel Renee Schmidt Stewart, Waukee young professional
20 Sep 2012

Loebsack: Republican Congress Heads for the Hills, Leaves Iowa's Farmers in the Dust

By Rick Martin

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today in response to the announcement that the House of Representatives would not act on the expiring farm bill before going home to campaign for seven weeks, in the meantime leaving farmers in the lurch.

"Not lifting a finger on the farm bill is another sad story of lost opportunity and failed leadership by a Republican Congress that has repeatedly decided to go on vacation instead of getting any real work done.  The announcement that Republican leadership will not even attempt to pass the farm bill before November comes on the heels of a decision to work for all of eight days in two months and follows an undeserved five week vacation.  Frankly, it's no wonder this is the least productive and least popular Congress in history.

"Initially proposing a one-year extension instead of acting on a reformed farm bill, the Republican Majority is now failing miserably to even provide a simple extension of the farm bill.  As a result, many farm bill programs will expire and our farmers will be left with Great Depression-era policies in the wake of the worst drought in decades.  I have worked on a bipartisan basis to move forward assistance for our farmers, and I continue to stand ready to work across the aisle to move the farm bill forward.  This decision is inexcusable and I call on Congress to stay in Washington, take up the farm bill, and get assistance to our farmers."

 

###

18 Sep 2012

Iowa Liberty Elector Resigns

By Adil Khan

RNC leaves Republican voters disenfranchised

Friday, September 14, 2012                                                                      

Chantilly, VA - Melinda Wadsley, Director of Development for Liberty Iowa has resigned her position as presidential elector for the Republican Party. Melinda is a life long Republican from Iowa and has always voted straight ticket.

The recent decision to resign was in response to a request from A.J. Spiker, Chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa.

"The Iowa GOP has made it clear they will work tirelessly to ensure all 6 electoral votes go for Romney. As I can no longer in good conscious vote for Romney, I feel the need to step aside, out of respect for A.J. and the Republican Party of Iowa."

Many liberty supporters have expressed outrage after the events that occurred at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida.

"I am highly disappointed with both the Romney campaign and the RNC for actions taken at the Republican National Convention" said Melinda Wadsley. "They lost a valuable opportunity to unite the party and welcome the grassroots supporters into their ranks."

The RNC passed rules that would limit the grassroots effort and would allow presidential campaigns more authority on delegates chosen.  This centralization of authority is causing lifelong Republicans, such as Melinda, to question the direction the party has moved.

"Nothing like this has ever happened before in living memory at a Republican National Convention." said Morton Blackwell, the youngest delegate for Goldwater in 1964 and Special Assistant to President Reagan for Public Liaison.

"The liberty movement is only getting bigger and stronger, for this reason we at Liberty Iowa will continue to work within the Republican Party," said Adil Khan, Interim Executive Director of Liberty Iowa. "It is vital that we bring disenfranchised liberty voters back to the Republican Party as a vital base of conservative grassroots."
###
18 Sep 2012

Showing ID to Vote is Common Sense

By Grassley Press

Last week, the Senate Judiciary Committee, where I am the Ranking Member, held a hearing on voter fraud.

One of our most important responsibilities of citizenship is the opportunity to cast ballots.  Part of that responsibility is preventing the dilution of those votes by stopping ineligible voters from casting ballots.  Unfortunately, states that are working to ensure the integrity of elections are being unfairly taken to court.

The lawsuits are often based on the claim that fraud doesn't exist.  But evidence shows fraud does exist.

In Iowa, the Secretary of State compared drivers' license applications with voter registrations.  Iowa's application for a driver's license includes a box where the applicant checks if they are a citizen.  He found that 3,500 foreign nationals were registered in the state since 2008.  All of them were ineligible to vote.  But 1,200 did vote in 2010.

Instances like this show there's a need for voter-ID requirements.  In a Washington Post poll last month, 74 percent of those surveyed expressed support for voter ID requirements at polling places.  Voters overwhelmingly recognize that in a society in which people must show photo ID to board a plane, they should have to show photo ID to vote.  It's common sense.

We've seen close elections where just a few votes make a difference.   The level of fraud that we know exists can determine the outcome of any particular election.  This is as unacceptable as turning away eligible voters.

-30-
17 Sep 2012

Loebsack Receives Top Award from Growth Energy

By Joe Hand

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Dave Loebsack was awarded the 2012 Fueling Growth award from Growth Energy, which is the top award given each year to leaders who support ethanol biofuels.  Growth Energy, led by Tom Buis and Jim Nussle, represents the producers and supporters of ethanol.  Loebsack has long been a supporter of green energy initiatives that create good-paying jobs and promote fuel production in Iowa, including ethanol and biodiesel.  He was also honored by Growth Energy in 2011 with this bipartisan award.

"Iowa is a leader in renewable energy production and job creation, and I am proud to receive this honor from Growth Energy," said Loebsack.  "Investments in homegrown biofuels create new jobs in our state, put us on a path towards energy independence, enhance our national security, and bring increased economic development to Iowa's rural areas.  I will continue to work to promote these clean, alternative energy sources and the good jobs they provide Iowans."

A high resolution photo of Loebsack and representatives of Growth energy can be seen here.

 ###

14 Sep 2012

Iowans Excited to Hear "Major" Lange Announcment on Ryan Budget

By Jeff Giertz
Iowans delivered copy of Ryan Budget to Lange last week

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA -- After delivering a fresh copy of Rep. Paul Ryan's budget to Ben Lange's campaign headquarters last week, a group of concerned Iowans said they were excited at the prospect of Lange's "major campaign announcement" today being a straight answer on whether or not he'd support the Ryan Budget.

Lange already supports key proposals in the Ryan Budget, including provisions that would end guaranteed Medicare and Social Security benefits for workers under age 55.  But for six months, Lange has said that because he hasn't read the entire Ryan Budget, he won't give a clear answer on whether he'd vote for it or against it.

Cedar Rapids resident Mike Olson said, "After dropping off a copy of the Ryan Budget at Ben Lange's office last week, I can only assume Mr. Lange has taken time to read the proposal and tell us where he stands.  We all know Ben Lange supports the big ideas in the Ryan Budget, like turning Medicare into a voucher program and privatizing Social Security.   But I'm excited to finally hear a straight answer from Ben Lange as to whether he'd vote for the Ryan Budget or oppose it."

Cedar Rapids resident Norm Sterzenbach, Sr., said, "Given all his talk of political courage, we expect Ben Lange to level with Iowa voters today and give us a clear answer on whether he'd vote for the Ryan Budget.  That would be a major announcement!"

Lange has said repeatedly he supports phasing out Social Security and Medicare's guaranteed benefits for workers under age 55 - proposals taken practically word-for-word from Rep. Paul Ryan's budget proposal.  

Yet for months, Lange has refused to say whether he'd vote for or against the Ryan Budget, saying he can't take a position because he hasn't read the bill. 

Last week, the group of Iowans delivered a copy of the Ryan Budget to Lange's headquarters, thinking Lange might have misplaced his copy.  A web video of the group delivering the budget can be viewed here: http://youtu.be/Gv9NyICp8kk


# # #
14 Sep 2012

VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN TO TRAVEL TO IOWA

By Randy Stalsberg

DES MOINES–Today, Obama for America announced that Vice President Biden will campaign in Iowa next week.  On Monday, September 17 and Tuesday, September 18, Vice President Biden will deliver remarks at grassroots events in Iowa.

Details on the Vice President`s campaign events in Iowa are forthcoming.

###

14 Sep 2012

Who Wins the White House Doesn't Matter - the System is Broken, Pundit Says

By Rick Martin

A recent Gallup poll shows 81 percent of Americans are dissatisfied with the governing of the country, a historic number.

With the ongoing discussion among experts, pundits, politicians and the general public on whether or not America has lost its way, citizens are looking for solutions. They are out there, says Dixie Swanson, former TV personality, former Beltway insider and author of The Accidental President Trilogy (www.dixieswanson.com), a series of novels about an apolitical physician who stumbles into a Senate seat.

"Problems in our country are moving faster than solutions," says Swanson. "Whether we elect Mitt or Barack, we are going to be facing the same gridlock that's jamming and corrupting the process today," she says.

To get the nation back to duly elected government officials who spend their time leading and making decisions in the best interests of the entire country, Swanson suggests the following five amendments:

• Abolition of Electoral Voting: The U.S. electoral process is as antique as a powdered wig. It has already failed three times, electing presidents who did not win the popular vote. As the system stands now, if a candidate wins by one vote in a state with a few people, like Wyoming, he gets three electoral votes. If he wins in California, he wins 55. This violates the idea that every vote counts equally. Romney could get "Gored" this year and win the popular vote but lose the electoral vote. All Americans want their votes to count equally.

• Single Six-Year Term for Presidents: Our country has enormous problems and the president and vice president need to be on the job full-time, not running for reelection beginning on Day 2. No one in the highest levels of the federal government is looking 20 and 30 years down the road. We need to lengthen the term to build in an opportunity for focus and visionary thinking.

• A Balanced Budget: The budget shall not exceed the previous year for which fiscal revenues are known. In the event of a national catastrophe, this can be overridden with a two-thirds vote of each house and the president's signature. This should be gradually implemented throughout the next decade to reduce economic whiplash. This should include an income surtax that goes directly toward paying down the national debt.

• Constitutionally Mandated Campaign Reform: The big money of PACS and Super PACS is corrupting. Let's return power to the voter. Only voters can donate, and then only to one candidate in each race for whom they can vote: his or her choice for representative, senator and one presidential ticket. Congress may set a limit on donation amounts. No entity of any kind may give money to the candidate or give it to an individual to donate. Any violations are a federal crime punishable by five years in prison with no parole. Just as your ballot is secret, your donations will not be published on the internet (with your address) as they are now, but will be reported daily to the Federal Election Commission by the campaign treasurer. All donations are to be made by check, credit/debit card or electronic funds transfer. No cash donations are acceptable and there are no in-kind donations. Lobbyists can still exist and do advocacy, they just can't bring money, or anything of value, to the conversation. During an election, any advertising is to be paid for by the candidate and by no one else.

• The Line-Item Veto: Congressional attempts to give the president line-item veto power have been shot down by the courts as unconstitutional, so the only way to provide this is by amending the Constitution. As is stands now, the courts can throw out a part of a law, but the president cannot. That is inequitable.

About Dixie Swanson

Dixie Swanson was a pediatrician for 10 years and the Family Health Reporter for NBC's Houston affiliate. She also spent time working for a Washington lobbyist with access to the White House.  Dixie is the author of "The Accidental President Trilogy - a Political Fable for Our Time."

10 Sep 2012

Occupy Turns One

By Ed Fallon

Imagine throwing a birthday party for your kid and using the occasion to remind him of the many ways he's failed over the past year? If you did that, you'd be a truly horrible parent.

So, as the Occupy Wall Street movement celebrates its one-year anniversary this weekend, let's resist the temptation to talk about all the things that have gone wrong and focus on the good stuff. After all, there's a reason why so many of us were inspired and saw OWS as the most promising groundswell for social change to come along in decades.

My short list of why Occupy Wall Street resonated so powerfully with so many:

- Most Americans know something is deeply wrong in our country. We know powerful corporations are a big part of the problem, and we're furious that some of the worst corporate offenders got huge taxpayer bailouts.

- Wall Street is the symbolic epicenter of corporate power and the logical target of public anger over corporate malfeasance.

- Thousands of rank-and-file Americans rallying before the gilded gates of Wall Street in peaceful protest captivated America. When law enforcement responded with an unnecessarily heavy-hand it only further rallied public support behind the protesters.

That's my short list of why Occupy Wall Street's one-year birthday anniversary deserves cake, not condemnation. What are your thoughts? Today, Monday, we'll talk about it. We also welcome the DeCoster family back to the news with the discovery of salmonella in DeCoster-owned chicken confinements in north-central Iowa. Also today, talent manager Heather Ryan joins us for an update on the bizarre child custody case in Kentucky involving a Mom who allowed her daughter to participate in a pageant.

Tuesday, Manu Martin with the Peoples Congress joins us. We also talk with Rachel Garrett about Paul Ryan's inspirational hero, Ayn Rand.

Wednesday, we talk with Bob Stone about Democracy School, and also John Brown about the controversy around so-called "smart meters."

Thursday, it's State Rep. Dan Kelley.

Friday, Libertarian Party candidate for Vice President, Judge Jim Gray, is back in Iowa and back on our program.

Among the other issues we need to address this week:

- Congressman Steve King finds a new enemy: healthy food. To make up for it, he's enlisted a new ally: overweight kids.

- The Orascom scam not only involves the biggest taxpayer handout to a corporation in Iowa's history but it appears to have been negotiated almost entirely behind closed doors.

- Rev. Sun Myung Moon, head of the so-called Unification Church, died last week. I'll share a personal story about my role years ago in England, helping de-program one of Moon's cult's many victims.

So, join the conversation live, Monday-Friday, online from 12:00-1:00 pm on the Fallon Forum website. Call in at 244-0077 or toll free (855) 244-0077. And tune-in to Bradshaw, Monday-Friday from 1:30-2:30, also on the Fallon Forum website. Video and audio podcasts are available, too.

Thanks! - Ed

 

EVENTS

September 13 - Drinking Liberally (Des Moines)
You don't have to be a card-carrying liberal to enjoy political conversation and excellent libations at AJ's, 419 E Court starting at 8:00 pm every Thursday. If the revolution is going to start anyplace, it's over a frosty libation. Contact desmoines@drinkingliberally.org.

September 14-16 - Democracy School (Fairfield)
Thomas Linzey, co-founder of Democracy School, has had success in Pennsylvania in combating encroaching CAFOs and  has worked with 140 communities in eight states on CAFOs, fracking, etc. School is Friday 7:30-10:30 pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 12:30-4:30. The fee is $195.

September 14-30 - World Premiere of "Sense and Sensibility" (Des Moines)
The book by Jane Austen has been adapted for the stage by Iowa's Kerry Skram. Performances are at the Des Moines Social Club's Kirkwood Theater, 4th and Walnut. For tickets, call MIDWESTIX at (515) 244-2771.

September 18 - Irish Jam at Open Sesame (Des Moines)
Discover the fusion of Lebanese and Celtic culture every third Tuesday of the month with Irish jigs and reels, Mideastern belly dancing, and Lebanese cuisine washed-down with a pint of Guinness. All musicians and patrons are welcome at 313 E. Locust St from 8:30-10:30 pm.

September 22 - Latinos Unidos Scholarship Award Ceremony Dinner (DM)
From 5:30- 8:00 pm at Grace United Methodist Cottage Church, 3700 Cottage Grove Ave. Tickets are $20 for adults, $7.50 for children under $10, and $120 for a table for eight. Businesses contact Julian Caselli at j-caselli@hotmail.com and individuals Lena Avila Robison at iowalatina12@live.com.

September 27 - Coleen Rowley 'Blowing the Whistle on War' (Des Moines)
At 7:00 pm at Plymouth Congregational Church, 42nd and Ingersoll, Iowa's own Coleen Rowley talks about the need to end our permanent war economy and state of perpetual war. Coleen grew up in New Hampton Iowa and was part of the Federal Bureau of Investigation before blowing the whistle on bad intelligence work in the wake of September 11. She was Time magazine's PERSON OF THE YEAR in 2002 and is an important voice in favor of government transparency. Contact Jeff Weiss at jjwcpm@yahoo.com.

October 3 - Jim Hightower: Taking Back Our Food and Agriculture (Fairfield)
Hightower gives the keynote at the Jefferson County Farmers & Neighbors annual meeting at 7:30 pm at the Arts & Convention Center, 200 N Main St. An outspoken critic of CAFO animal production, Hightower will address what is needed to turn around our environmentally destructive, nutritionally compromised system of industrial food production. Contact Diane at drosenberg@lisco.com.

October 6 - The Shrinking Middle Class (Des Moines)
At Plymouth Church, 4126 Ingersoll Avenue, 10:00-2:00. Cost is $10 and lunch is provided for this presentation and panel discussion. Income inequality, rising costs, political corruption, and economic instability threaten our global household. This seminar will explore a variety of current problems and contemplate solutions surrounding the erosion of middle class political and economic power while providing a theological context for these contemporary struggles.

October 7 - Images of Peace Interfaith Prayer Service (Des Moines)
A 7:00 pm at DMACC Auditorium, Urban Campus, 9th and University for an interfaith prayer service featuring a video by Rodger Routh, presenting images of peace from various faith traditions and a variety of perspectives. At the end of the service people will walk to the Path of Peace Sculpture nearby to scatter the soil gathered from representatives of many different faiths at last year's Interfaith Service. Sponsored by the Des Moines Area Ecumenical Committee For Peace. Contact Eloise Cranke at (515) 262-5974 or Susie Paloma at (515) 480-1872.

October 20 - Contra Dance at Odd Fellows Hall (Des Moines)
Contra-Indications is hosting a contra dance at Odd Fellows Hall, 2904 Kingman Blvd, 8:00-11:00 pm, with lesson at 7:30 pm. Live music by Barn Owl Band; Jill Allen as caller. $10 adults; free under 12; $25 family maximum. Visit info@contra-indications.org.

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