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Wednesday, August 26
HCAN Health Care Rally at Iowa STate Fair
by
Caroline Vernon
on Wed 26 Aug 2009 08:38 AM CDT
HCAN "Health Care Can't Wait" Rally at the Iowa State Fair
By Caroline VernonLast Friday on August 21st, Eastern Iowans from Progressive Action for the Common Good, the Quad Cities Federation of Labor, and NAMI of Scott County boarded a bus and traveled to the HCAN "Healthcare Can't Wait" Rally outside of the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines. We joined others from the area and around the state. Senator Grassley was finishing up his Ambassadorial tour - we were hoping to get his attention somehow, but by dumb luck and a little synchronistic guidance by the Universe, a few of us stumbled right on top of him.
Shortly after we got into the fair, it started to rain so a few of us sought cover in the closest building. It turned out to be WHO radio/TV station. Surpisingly, we could hear Grassley's
voice coming out of the speaker system but we could
not see him anywhere. We finally realized he was inside the small glass
booth at the back of the room - they had been recording live. When he came out of the recording session, I called out to
him, raised my bag full of money and said. "Senator Grassley, I have your money!
Thank you so much for your support!" He immediately came over and started talking
to me as if I were his long lost friend. I actually appreciated his engaging us as his handlers could have swept him off immediately but there were many people around and I imagine he was attempting to save face, or perhaps he was just feeling frisky.
It bears mentioning that I was dressed in black business attire, sporting a lapel pin that read, "Wealth-Mark Insurance CEO." I was carrying a black leather bag stuffed with $100 bills spilling out of the top. A picture of Senator Grassley was taped to the bag, framed by dollar signs.
Dan DeShane accompanied me. Farmer Dan was wearing his bib overalls and chewing on a stalk of grass when he walked up and joined our conversation while Vicki Walters took pictures of the exchange. Dan told the Senator he was
a farmer too and wanted the same health care as the senator -- Dan also
said, "Oh by the way, I get farm subsidies too just like you and your son and your
grandson." This put Grassley on the defensive, somewhat, as he replied, "oh, you don't want to listen."
I mentioned mental health parity and the need for a public option for
so many who have been systematically denied treatment by private insurers for decades. Grassley laid claim to the work he did on the Wellstone/Dominicci legislation (even though it took a Democratic Congress
to pass the bill last October and the provisions have yet to be implemented). Ultimately, Grassley said a public option would be rationed care, to which we replied, "We have rationed care now!" He rushed off right after that. Vicki took pictures of the
whole exchange - I will share them with BFI once they are developed.
Meanwhile, other rally participants were canvassing the neighborhood focusing their efforts on continuing to encourage Congressman Boswell to support Reform and a public option. The rally started at 2pm. I don't know what our final count was but I estimated about 50 of us were holding signs along the 30th St/Grand Ave entrance to the fair. Counter protesters showed up to join us -- approximately 10 of them.
Farmer Dan got into a passionate debate with one of the "teabaggers," who was complaining about the cost of health care reform and asking how we were going to pay for it. Here is a mock transcript of their exchange:
Teabagger: "We're spending too much money - where's it going to end?"
Farmer Dan: "Where were you guys when the Bush administration squandered the huge surplus left by Clinton -- Where was your voice when they invaded and occupied two countries without even declaring war?"
Teabagger: "We are moving toward socialism - where is it going to stop?"
Farmer Dan: "Socialism? We just came out of eight years of fascism."
Teabagger: "What do you mean?"
Farmer Dan: "Bush
fired federal judges for their political leanings, he started illegal wiretapping without an order from the FISA Court, he catered to big business - we
had a president that was basically a fascist."
Teabagger: "That's the president's perogotive."
Farmer Dan: "No. that's fascism, and he is still being investigated for all of his abuses.
I f it weren't for social programs like Medicare which came out of the Johnson administration, my father would not have been able to retire - it gave him peace of mind so he could retire and it kept him on his property. By contrast Grassley is a rich farmer who gets subsidies whether he works the land or not - he's not really a farmer - he's a career politician."
Teabagger: "Well, they all gotta go - Harkin, Grassley, Boswell - they all spend too much."
Farmer Dan: "Our tax dollars pay for the sidewalks your standing on, the street out in front of us, the lights, fresh water, the sewers, our fire dept, public schools, our parks -- all of these things are paid for through our tax dollars that provide us with the standard and quality of life that we enjoy. I don't know about you but I like 'em."
The entire exchange was recorded live by Rob Dillard of Iowa Public Radio. Once we arrived home on the bus, a few of our fellow activists welcomed us back and reported hearing the exchange on NPR - unfortunately, we were unable to find it posted on their website.
Below are photos and some of the press coverage of the event. Thank you ICAN for taking the lead on this! It was well worth traveling across the state to join our voices with all of yours.
ICAN’s photos of HCAN demonstration:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25488300@N07/sets/72157621987700289/
NOTE: Caryn Unsicker asked the reporter for the Register to relay how many of us there were in contrast to the counter protestors - to which he replied,"No! That's not my job -- my job is to report both sides!" Caryn said, "Your job is to report the facts." The numbers went unreported. ACTION: Call the Register and tell them to report ALL of the facts!
Register coverage of HCAN action at the Fair:
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090822/STATEFAIR/908220335/-1/BUSINESS04
Iowa Public Radio broadcast a story including a debate
between a health care opponent and a health care advocate (farmer Dan) from the
Quad Cities – but I have not found a link to that online.
There was passing mention of HCAN “protest” in Grassley
state fair interview with Radio Iowa:
http://www.radioiowa.com/gestalt/go.cfm?objectid=3E532D89-5056-B82A-379B482CD706728E
4 Iowa Politics.com photos from HCAN demonstration in their
flickr coverage of the fair:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/iowapolitics/sets/72157621980113225/
Advisory on IowaPolitics/com
http://www.iowapolitics.com/index.iml?Article=167684
Monday, November 3
The Bush Tax: How Much Is It Costing You?
by
Linda Thieman
on Mon 03 Nov 2008 05:00 AM CST
The Bush Tax: How Much Is It Costing You?
 Since John McCain supports the system of Bush Tax Cuts for the Wealthy, I thought I'd rerun this article from Blog for Iowa from May 2004. This is how the tax burden shifted from the wealthy to the rest of us under the irresponsible Bush regime.
George W. Bush never told us about the Bush Tax.
Rather
than take responsibility for our common future, Bush has shifted costs
to states and communities, who then pass them on to you.
Across the country, people are seeing their property taxes skyrocket.
State college tuition at 4-year schools has increased this year by an
average of $579 nationwide. Half a million children have been deprived
of health coverage. States and local government have cut vital
services, and we're all having to pay more for less. That's the Bush
Tax.
Bush is largely to blame for the fiscal crisis that has forced states and communities to raise taxes and slash services.
According to the non-partisan Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
(CBPP), "A conservative estimate suggests that federal policies are
costing states and localities about $185 billion over the four-year
course of the state fiscal crisis." Bush has shifted health costs to
states and forced states to pay for unfunded mandates for homeland
security, election reform, and No Child Left Behind. As a result,
states and communities have had no choice but to raise taxes and cut
services. That's the Bush Tax.
Our children and grandchildren will be paying the Bush Tax.
Bush promised, "I came to this office to solve problems and not pass
them on to future presidents and future generations." Yet as a direct
consequence of his tax policy, over six years an American family of
four will take on $52,000 more in its share of the national debt. That's the Bush Tax.
How is Bush paying for his tax cuts? To
pay for his tax program, Bush raided Social Security Trust Funds and
made off with $500 billion, eroding our protections for the elderly.
Then he borrowed another $500 billion from foreigners, putting our
future in their hands. For every $100 you got back in tax cuts, $40 was
borrowed from foreigners, $20 was borrowed from Americans, and $40 was
taken from Social Security.
The Bush Tax is huge - many times greater than most people's income tax cut under Bush.
For the bottom 60 percent of Americans, the average tax cut was just
$304. The median tax cut for all Americans was only $470. In
contrast, the average tax cut for those making over $1 million a year
was $112,925.
Sources:
� The New Republic, "Why Dean is Right on Taxes," 1/26/04
� U.S. News & World Report, "What Tax Cut? States Are Using
Higher Taxes and Fees to Take Back What Uncle Sam is Giving Away,"
2/2/04
� Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, "Federal Policies Contribute to the Severity of the State Fiscal Crisis," 12/3/03
� Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, "Up to 1.6 Million
Low-Income People - Including About Half a Million Children - Are
Losing Health Coverage Due to State Budget Cuts," 12/22/03
� College Board, "Trends in College Pricing 2003," 10/21/03
� Citizens for Tax Justice, "We're Paying Dearly for Bush's Tax Cuts," 9/23/03
� Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, "State Budget Deficits Projected for Fiscal Year 2005," 1/30/04
� Figures on the incidence of the Bush tax cuts were provided by the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center.
� Figures showing that national debt owed to foreigners have
increased from $1 trllion in January 2001 to $1.5 trillion currently
are from the U.S. Treasury International Capital System website.
� Figures showing that the total assets of the Social Security
Trust Funds borrowed by the federal government have increased from $1
trillion in January 2001 to $1.5 trillion currently are from Social
Security Online.
� Figures showing the $1.3 trillion increase in the national debt under Bush are from the U.S. Bureau of the Public Debt.
Thursday, March 15
Where Are My Taxes Going?
by
Sam Garchik
on Thu 15 Mar 2007 09:43 AM CDT
Where Are My Taxes Going?
By Meshawn Ayala, Iowa PIRG Citizen Outreach Director
A
thought occurred to me as I prepared my taxes -- where is my money
going? Will my taxes pay for the best safety equipment and supplies for
the troops or will it be wasted by companies like Halliburton?
How much does behind-the scenes lobbying by special interests cost us?
Sadly,
the costs are high. At least $10 billion dollars have been wasted
on overpriced contracts or undocumented costs in Iraq while those
returning home received substandard care. Halliburton alone is
responsible for $2.7 billion dollars of this wasted money. Our taxes
should not go towards lining the pockets of the politically connected.
This
spring we have a real chance of passing strong lobby reform in the
House which would help hold special interests and their lobbyists more
accountable. You can help now by asking Speaker Pelosi to make sure the
house introduces strong lobby reform legislation.
To take action, click on the link below or paste it into your web browser:
https://www.uspirg.org/action/money-politics/email?id4=ES
Then ask your friends and family to do the same by forwarding this email to them.
Background
Together
we have the opportunity to put an end to the corruption and lobbying
scandals that have plagued congress. Until now powerful interests and
their lobbyists have gotten away with far too much. The key to change
is transparency -- the public has a right to know what relationships
their representatives have with powerful interests.
So far
this year, we struck two blows against political corruption. The house,
during their first 100 hours, passed a bill that banned gifts and
travel from lobbyists. Then the senate followed suit and added strong
lobbying reforms that hold lobbyists and the special interests they
work for more accountable.
The House now needs to pass strong, comprehensive lobbying reform which should include the following provisions.
Disclosure of "bundled" contributions:
A
congressperson can receive as much as $2,300 in a single contribution.
However powerful interests and their lobbyists wield more muscle by
gathering hundreds of thousands in donations from multiple sources and
presenting it in one big bundle. Currently there are no rules in
place that discloses this information to the public -- we have a right
to know who our representatives are turning to for campaign cash.
Disclosure of public campaigns:
In
addition to influencing politicians directly, lobbying firms often
spend huge amounts of money on expensive media and other paid
communications in order to influence the public to lobby on their
behalf. There should be requirements for lobbying firms to disclose to
the public who is behind these campaigns and the amount of money they
receive from powerful interests to do this.
Slow the revolving door:
Members
of congress leaving to work as lobbyists used to be the exception. Now
it is a regular practice, with some 200 former Members reportedly
lobbying Congress. By selling their access to the highest bidder,
former members are unfairly tilting the playing field in favor of the
powerful interest they represent. We need to extend the "cooling off"
period and close the loopholes that allow legislators to leave as
public servants only to immediately return as hired guns.
You can
help now by asking Speaker Pelosi to make sure that the house
introduces strong lobby reform legislation. Then ask your friends and
family to do the same by forwarding this email to them.
To take action, click on the link below or paste it into your web browser:
Sincerely,
Meshawn Ayala
Iowa PIRG Citizen Outreach Director
MeshawnA@iowapirg.org
http://www.IowaPIRG.org
P.S. Thanks again for your support. Please feel free to share this with your family and friends.
Thursday, September 21
Change is in the Air - 29th Annual Harkin Steak Fry
by
Caroline Vernon
on Thu 21 Sep 2006 12:39 PM CDT
 Change is in the Air - 29th Annual Harkin Steak Fry
By Caroline Vernon
I can’t tell you how excited I was to finally be able to attend a Harkin Steak Fry. For the past two years, since I became politically active, I was never able to make the trip. Traditionally, the Scott County Democrats always fill an entire bus with eager democratic activists, hungry to hear the voice of strong leadership (as well as a sizzling steak or two). This year was no exception. Since there was no room on the bus, an extra dozen of us pooled our resources and rented a passenger van to make the trip. It rained the entire time we were on the road -- we just knew we would end up getting drenched From what I gathered from some of our Steak Fry veterans, rain has also been a part of the annual tradition so we expected it, but as soon as we were about 20 miles outside Indianola, the sky opened up, the clouds dispersed, and the sun smiled down upon us the rest of the day. This was a very good omen
Many of us were there to represent the Wake-Up Walmart campaign, so we met up with the national team, donned our new t-shirts and headed for the food. It was very good, although, at first, I was wondering how I was going to cut my steak with a plastic butter knife but it was surprisingly tender and succulent There were so many folks at the tables, we had to split up to find a seat. No sooner I sat down, Tom Harkin, Barack Obama, and Chet Culver walked up and sat down at the reserved table nearby. What I witnessed from that point on is hard to describe. Folks were squeezing in all around them. They hardly had any elbow room to eat. Everyone was eager to get up close and personal. The Press Corps had at least 2 dozen microphones hanging over their food -- I guess they wanted to listen to them chew or something. I was dumbfounded by the fact that folks would not just let them eat their food in peace since there was plenty of opportunity to speak to them afterward. The day had just begun.
Sure enough, after they had their fill of that USDA Iowa corn-fed beef (and all the fixins’), the three of them started working the crowd. The energy all around was electric! I knew it was going to be an incredible challenge withstanding the crowd in order to get a word with any of them, but as soon as I saw an opening I squeezed into it and found myself 2nd in line behind a reporter from CNN who was asking Senator Harkin what he thought about Obama being there, that sort of thing. Once it was my turn, I first thanked Senator Harkin for all of the good work he has done through the Americans with Disabilities Act. I then shared with him my personal experience of transitioning from disability while re-entering the workforce after a decade long bout with rheumatoid arthritis. I told him that after 10 years of being flat on my back, I finally found a drug treatment that gave me a whole new lease on life. Unfortunately, the cost of the drug is about $3,600 a month, but I was able to qualify for enrollment into the Patient Assistance Program which made it possible for me to get the drug directly from the pharmaceutical company at very little cost. Since then, I have improved steadily and as of last November, have re-entered the workforce. Here’s the catch, now that I am working, I run the risk of no longer qualifying to receive my medication. Without it, I will surely end up right back where I was 2 years ago - flat on my back. Senator Harkin was very compassionate and told me he thought the only way to address this issue is by changing the law in order to realistically assist those individuals who are transitioning. Given the make-up of our current legislature, there is obviously no hope of that happening, unless, of course, the Democrats manage to take back Congress (I hope you are all out there working hard to make this happen).
I next spoke with gubernatorial candidate, Chet Culver, asking him about the state of our environment, citing EPA emission reports which indicate that many counties in Iowa are in the top ten of the most polluted in the nation. Chet promised that once elected, he would do everything necessary to clean up our water and address corporate polluters by implementing stiffer fines and penalties. He said, “If they are going to pollute, they are going to pay.”
Unfortunately, I did not have the stamina necessary to withstand the pressure of the crowd while trying to get an audience with Obama. After being stepped on several times, I finally gave up on that idea. What a trip! It was about that time that all of the Congressional candidates took to the stage followed by Governor Vilsack who spoke on behalf of all them, before introducing Chet Culver.
It was an absolutely gorgeous day and everyone seemed to be in top form. Chet told us he wants to be the “people’s governor,” providing the people of Iowa with a positive vision for the future. He said he has a plan to make Iowa the renewable energy capitol of the world. Chet cited three keys to victory that he calls on all of us to do between now and November 7th; volunteer your time, post yard signs and bumper stickers, and get out the vote!
Chet then introduced Senator Harkin who took to the stage, welcoming everyone to the 29th Annual Harkin Steak Fry. I tell ya, it was like a crescendo from there on. Tom Harkin is the salt of the earth. I really enjoyed listening to him. I know Obama is a rock star, but as far as I’m concerned, Tom Harkin is “the rock.” He was warm, witty, enthusiastic, and yet serious – all at the same time. According to the Library of Congress, Senator Harkin holds the record for defeating more Republican incumbents than anyone else in the history of this country. That speaks volumes!
The Senator talked about moving Iowa forward and cited the single most important thing we can do as Iowans to promote progress is by electing more Democrats to the Iowa House and Senate. He thanked all of the candidates and sitting legislators for their commitment and dedication. Tom said he’s known Chet Culver since he was a little boy, joking that yes, Chet was once little. Tom mentioned he was proud to have also served with Chet’s dad and has been a close friend of the family for many years. Senator Harkin said he believes Chet has been the best Secretary of State in Iowa’s history.
The senator then directed his attention to the current administration and said, “The president just doesn’t get it, there is no virtue in staying the course if the course you are on is headed over a cliff. There is no virtue in being strong and wrong.” He spoke about how George Bush has squandered all of the good will from around the world that came as a result of 9/11. He said, “Bush has given the Iraqi government a blank check, payable with the lives of our American soldiers and marines.” He said Republicans are not only wrong about Iraq, but they’re wrong here at home. Tom said, “It’s wrong for the President to veto stem cell research that has so much promise to heal people, it’s wrong to block any increase in minimum wage for 9 years, it’s wrong to privatize social security and that’s why we need a Democratic Congress to stop them from doing it!”
The senator then talked about the Bush-Nussle budget that will drop millions of kids from the Head Start program, and includes the largest cuts to education in 28 years. Tom shared a recent incident when he was talking with a gentleman about the Republican’s trickle-down economics to which the man replied, “Trickle down? Heck, I haven’t had a drop - at this point I’d settle for a heavy dew!” The senator said the budget also provides less funding for our veterans. He became solemn for a moment before saying, “I’ll tell you what folks, if you want to get your guts torn out sometime, just go out to Walter Reed hospital like Barack and I have done and visit with some of those injured service men and women out there.” He said many of them have brain injuries which are now the signature injury of the war because of the IEDs and the way they explode. Senator Harkin called the administration cold-hearted for cutting funds allocated to the Brain Injury Traumatic Center at Walter Reed Hospital. Tom said it was funded at $14 million dollars last year, the Democrats wanted to increase it this year but the Bush-Nussle budget cut it to $7 million - they cut it in half! Senator Harkin said, “We may have different ideas on the when and what about Iraq but there is one thing that we better stand four-square on, when those veterans come home they’re going to get every ounce of healthcare and support they need to fulfill their lives!” The crowd really went crazy after that comment. Right on Senator Harkin!
Our good Senator then welcomed keynote speaker and rising Rock Star of the Democratic party, Barack Obama. Barack expressed his gratitude and admiration for Senator Harkin, thanking him for his steadfast commitment to his state, his country and to the values that propelled into public office in the first place. He also thanked Governor Vilsack for his leadership - he said that folks in Illinois are watching and are proud to see what Iowa has been doing.
Barack expressed his belief that some people go to Washington with the best of intentions, but after a while they find themselves representing Washington to their constituents instead of representing their Constituents in Washington. He said it’s a hard thing to resist because it’s easy to get comfortable and become institutionalized - it’s easy to forget why you went there in the first place. He said we have a lot of work to do all across the country, citing everywhere he goes he gets a sense that people are wanting change. He said there is a certain anxiety about the future and although he found that folks still dream big dreams, they have a sense that their leaders have forgotten how. Speaking of change, during most of the speeches, I happened to notice 4 large, beautiful, Monarch butterflies that kept panning above the crowd - flying back and forth. The stage was set in front of a big red barn that had a huge American flag serving as a backdrop. Almost all of the speakers were talking about change - One of the Monarchs fluttered up on stage and became part of the scenic backdrop. I thought of this as another good omen since butterflies often represent change and total transformation. Won’t that be great!?
Previously a community organizer, a civil rights lawyer and a law professor, Obama shared an account of the first time someone asked him to run for office when a seat in the Illinois state house had opened up and he said he did what every wise man does when confronted with such a decision, “I prayed on it.... and I asked my wife. And after consulting those higher two powers I decided to get into the race!” That comment was certain to score points with all the women in the crowd!
On the night before the general election in his race for the US Senate, he was at a rally getting ready to speak when staff came up to him and asked if he would come back stage to speak with a woman who had traveled far to see him. He agreed to do so and when he went back stage the woman said she had already voted for him via absentee ballot. She told him to keep up the good work and they had a nice little chat. What was remarkable about the woman was that she was born in Louisiana in 1899 – her name was Marguerite Lewis. She was 105 years old. Barack said he thought about everything she had said to him. He thought about all the changes she has seen in her life -- how she had seen women win the right to vote, how she had seen the first world war, the great depression and then a second world war. She had seen her brothers, uncles, and cousins returning from yet another war and still sitting in the back of the bus. She had seen how FDR lifted America out of it’s fear, lifted millions out of poverty and provided millions with opportunities written through the GI bill. She saw how he made sure that seniors had security in their retirement, and that veterans were fully cared for. She saw how unions helped an entire middle class build itself throughout the heartland and saw immigrants travel from distant shores in search of the idea called America. He thought about how Marguerite Lewis, despite the circumstances of her birth, believed in the same idea - how she believed it with all of her heart and all of her soul. She had seen all this progress taking place -- Obama reflected on how she had decided at some point it’s going to be her turn; that America will one day also bring her into the blanket of it’s protection. And then she saw a glimmering light of hope on the horizon, the civil rights movement. Marguerite understands that in America, we don’t settle for quality for some, or opportunity for a few -- we don’t settle in America. Everyone has an obligation not just to ourselves but to each other -- she understood that. Barack said whenever he’s feeling cynical he thinks of Marguerite Lewis. He said if Marguerite isn’t cynical given everything she has seen, then he has no right to be cynical. He then addressed the crowd and said if any of us start feeling cynical we’ve got to remind ourselves that our parents, our grandparents, and great grandparents have overcome much greater challenges than the ones we face today, although he made it clear that we face real challenges in America today - we are truly at a crossroads in this nation.
Barack shared that all across America, people are struggling because they sense that in a new globalized world we have given away our power, our communications, and changes in technology, not only to our competitors, but to those who seek to destroy our way of life. He said people are feeling anxious because they see the possibility that maybe their children won’t do as well as they did, recognizing that our children are going to have to compete with folks not only in our own communities, but with communities all over the world. He said, if we don’t make sure we’re preparing our children, we may be the first generation in a very long time in which our children inherit an America that is a little bit meaner and a little bit poorer than the one we inherited from our parents. And that’s not acceptable.
I don’t think there was an issue that he didn’t address. He said it all comes down to strong and honest leadership. Barack quoted Newt Gingrich - someone he doesn’t normally quote, but he shared an instance where folks were asking Newt, given all the problems the Republicans have had managing the country, the economy, the war in Iraq, what do you think is going to happen in this election? Newt responded, “If I was advising the Democrats in this election, I gotta admit I would just use two words to campaign; those two words are “had enough.” Barack then told the crowd, “I don’t know about you, but I think ol’ Newt is on to something, because I’ve had enough!” He then went through the litany of misplaced priorities and bad policies brought about by this administration and the Republican Congress. The crowd was on their feet the entire time!
Barack also talked about the importance of having hope. He said the challenge we have in this election raises the question, what are we going to do to be involved and be engaged in order to make sure that we have a brighter future for our kids? He asked, what are each of us going to do, not just here in Iowa, but all across the country to capture that sense of hope that has been lost over the last 6 years – and what are we going to say yes to? He said it’s not enough just to say no to Bush and this Republican Congress. He said the Democrats have to be the party of opportunity. We need to create an education system of life-long learning for every single child in America so they can compete all across the world. He said we have to say yes to the idea that we must invest in science and technology. He also said we need to stop giving tax breaks to companies that send jobs overseas and to invest in those companies that stay right here at home. I know that's right! If companies aren't going to invest in America, America shouldn't be investing in them.
In closing, Senator Obama told the crowd, "It’s time for everyone to kick off their bedroom slippers and put on their marching shoes!" After listening to all of the wonderful speeches, I felt like running out to get a trumpet and a baton to match my shoes!
Tuesday, August 22
Progressives Reach Out To Business
by
Caroline Vernon
on Tue 22 Aug 2006 10:46 AM CDT
 Progressives Reach Out To Business
From the Des Moines Business Record
Recently a new friend asked: "Why does Central Iowa need a Progressive Coalition and why is its formation important to the business community?"
I think I speak for all the members of the steering committee working on this coalition when I say that we feel the need to protect the USA. We see an America that is in serious peril of sliding down a path of predatory capitalism and arrogant militarism. We believe that path threatens America's very existence as a democracy.
That peril is not precipitated by global economics or terrorist wars. It is posed by a group of political operatives who are leading this country backward to a path we have been down once before with disastrous results.
That path ends in a stratified society, a society of rich and poor but no middle class . It is a society in which the disabled, the hungry and the elderly are set adrift to fend for themselves. It is the society envisioned by another group of Republicans during the early 20th century, starting with Calvin Coolidge and ending with Herbert Hoover as the bookends of a radical conservative era of tax-cutting and go-go predatory capitalism.
Theirs was an age of anti-unionism and the ephemeral stock market bubble of the "Roaring '20s." Their arrogance, their conservative beliefs and their constituents' demands for more and more "instant" wealth led to the stock market crash of 1929 and the 13-year Great Depression.
That catastrophic outcome of their flawed policies so imprinted itself on the minds of two American generations that radical conservatism failed to regain political power for 45 years.
During that progressive period, America prospered beyond anyone's wildest dreams on the bedrock principles of the New Deal. Those principles included equal opportunity, collective bargaining, a path to wealth for all, a safety net for those in need and security for the elderly and the disabled.
But for the last 20 years, America has forgotten the evils that the New Deal wiped out.
Radical conservatives would have us forget the blood, tears and sacrifices of thousands of rank-and-file Americans in ensuring that they were treated with dignity and fairness in the workplace through collective bargaining. Those unions that the radical conservatives would vilify brought us such evils as the 40-hour workweek, paid vacations, overtime for all workers and a living wage for the great majority of Americans.
They would have us forget the lessons our grandparents learned in the Great Depression as the result of their failed leadership: unregulated capitalism leads to corruption, exploitation and destruction of the economic fabric of the country.
They would have us ignore the fact that when the middle and lower classes are persuaded by hate and fear to support aristocracy and imperialism, the people in those classes suffer the most.
The business community owes a special debt to progressive Democratic ideals. Those ideals have allowed them the opportunity to succeed through superior public education, a fair playing field and the freedom to work and create in an open economy.
That privilege engenders a special responsibility to oppose political and economic policies that would make the opportunity available only to the privileged few.
We on the Des Moines Progressive Coalition steering committee look forward to partnering with those business patriots who would help us stand up for the American progressive ideal.
Bruce Stone is the national director of sales and quality systems for Cable Tech Inc., which has its headquarters in Grimes.
Wednesday, June 28
One Less Thing To Worry About, Courtesy of "Chuck" Grassley
by
Sam Garchik
on Wed 28 Jun 2006 07:49 AM CDT
One Less Thing To Worry About, Courtesy of "Chuck" Grassley
I don't know nearly as much as Chuck when it comes to many things, but I don't think he's found an answer to this one.
This article, widely published today and yesterday, reminds us that we should have put Art Small in office. Of course it's a good idea to punish people who kidnap little kids and sell them for sex, Charles, but I get the sense that the same people who do that are just about as likely to pay their taxes as the people who get busted for failing to pay their marijuana tax.
Oh, by the way. while he was doing this, he was also voting to restrict our freedom of speech by banning the flag burning.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006; Posted: 11:27 p.m. EDT (03:27 GMT)
The Senate Finance Committee is expected to vote Wednesday morning on the pimp tax. The bill also calls for more jail time for sex workers.
If passed, the provision will authorize at least $2 million toward the establishment of an office in the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation unit to prosecute unlawful sex workers for violations of tax laws.
"Recent headlines have focused on sex trafficking in connection with the World Cup in Germany," Grassley said. "This vile crime is under our noses in the United States, and it's a no-brainer to have the IRS go after sex traffickers. Prosecuting these tax code violations can get these guys off the street and yank from their grasp the girls and women they exploit."
Grassley said the problem is "especially horrible" when underage girls are involved.
Asked if taxing sex workers would legitimize their trade, a Grassley spokesman said the goal was simply to find "yet another alternative to track the money flowing in this industry to get at potential criminals."
Currently, the IRS has to prove a prostitute's or pimp's income to pursue a tax law violation. But under Grassley's proposal, a pimp could get up to 10 years in prison for each prostitute for whom the pimp hasn't filed a W-2, which means a pimp caught with 10 unregistered prostitutes faces a century in prison.
Carol Leigh, a representative of the Bay Area Sex Worker Advocacy Network in San Francisco, California, called the proposal short-sighted.
"Forced labor, kidnapping should be targeted. But this legislation broadly targets the sex trade in general, and could target your local strip club," Leigh said. "We want laws enforced against those who abuse us, against those who are violent, and enforcement of labor regulations. That is the only truly effective way to protect the welfare of the women who work in the industry."
CNN's Jonathan Schienberg contributed to this report.
Monday, June 26
Leach Votes to Cut Estate Tax
by
Sam Garchik
on Mon 26 Jun 2006 04:55 PM CDT
 Leach Votes to Cut Estate Tax
By Jason Friedman
"Well, it looks like the House leadership is putting the reins on Jim Leach these days, despite the fact that its election season when he likes to remind of us of his moderate credentials. Leach voted yesterday for the Bill Thomas plan to gut the estate tax. Long an opponent of full repeal of the estate tax, Leach gave the repealers most of what they want. The bill exempts almost all estates from tax, slashes the tax rates on the rest and will cost at least $760 billion during its first full decade.
Another $600 billion would be added to the deficit along with an additional $160 billion in the interest on that borrowing, to be paid backby future generations so today's wealthiest families can get another Republican tax break.
Dave brought the staff together to talk about the bill and the vote.
"After thirty years in Congress, Leach has apparently decided it is more important to give millionaires a big tax break than it is to balance the budget, more important to heap more debt on the backs of middle-income families than it is to assure that our critical needs are met," he told us.
Dave reminded us about Leach's deciding committee vote earlier this week against an amendment to force companies that seek government financing for exporting to pledge to hire American workers at "livable wages." He noted that the amendment which failed 33-34 would have passed if Leach truly represented the interests of the working people of Iowa's 2nd District.
As the meeting broke up, a volunteer that overheard part of the conversation asked, "So, what are Leach's priorities for middle-income Iowans?" We looked at each other in complete silence.
We'll keep looking.....
Jason Friedman, Communications Director
Loebsack for Congress
385 E. College Street
Iowa City, IA 52240
(319) 321-5884www.loebsackforcongress.org
Wednesday, April 19
Working Toward Economic Justice in the QC
by
Caroline Vernon
on Wed 19 Apr 2006 05:26 PM CDT
 Working Toward Economic Justice in the QC:
By Caroline Vernon
"Tax-Day" Leadership planning session and Wake-Up Walmart Demonstration
We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day to "get active". Over a dozen community leaders and concerned citizens started the day with a leadership planning session with Working Families Win at the offices of Communities United to Strengthen America. We discussed various economic issues such as fair trade, workers rights, a living wage, education, healthcare, corporate responsibility and the environment.
As a group, we ascertained the need to put our thoughts on these issues into a concise statement of economic priorities/principles to present to candidates for public office; we set a deadline of May 1st to draft language for a Quad Cities statement, and to meet again at Communities United on May 6 at 1:00 PM; please join us!
Considering it was a holiday weekend, we still had 33 people participate in the Wake-Up Walmart demonstration which was organized to raise awareness about the Fair Share For Health Care Bill; currently stalled in the Iowa Senate. We actually received very good press on the event from the Rock Island Argus/Dispatch. Afterward, many of us met for lunch at the Village Inn to thank them for letting us park in their lot during the rally. Thanks to ALL of you who participated on a holiday week-end!
ACTION: Please contact your State Senators and Governor Vilsack, asking them to support this common sense bill to hold Wal-Mart and other large corporations accountable.
For more information on this event go to: www.qcprogressiveaction.org
To learn more about why Wal-Mart needs to change, go to www.wakeupwalmart.com
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