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Saturday, July 31
Mike Owen on Education in Iowa
by
Linda Thieman
on Sat 31 Jul 2004 04:53 AM CDT
Mike Owen on Education in Iowa
Mike Owen
Mike Owen / Democrat for State Representative
District 79 / Cedar, Johnson, Muscatine Counties
July 31, 2004
Friends:
We are
94 days away from Election Day. And we all know what that means
... 94 days more of grass-roots campaigning, so we can have some
grass-roots government in the State Capitol.
The word
from the doorsteps of District 79 continues to be good. Iowans
are concerned about the direction of our state government - as well as
the direction of the federal government. Together, we can change
that direction.
The Big Message of Six Words
Good schools.
Good jobs.
Health care.
Tired of
hearing those same six words from us? Somehow, I doubt it,
because you and I both know this is why we need to win in District
79. You can bet the Republicans are tired of hearing those words,
because those words represent three big concepts they have ignored for
too long at the Statehouse. And they know that sooner or later,
the voters will call them to account for it.
Let's make it sooner!
I invite your thoughts and suggestions as we work together for good schools, good jobs and health care for Iowans.
Events Ahead - Clarence Parade, Hooverfest
Saturday, July 31 -- Clarence - Lincoln Highway Days Parade, 10 a.m.
Saturday, Aug. 7 -- West Branch - Hooverfest Parade, 10 a.m.
Like to walk? Like our message? Join us in a parade!
Behind Our Message
When we
talk about "strong, well-funded public schools," and "making education
our priority," what are we saying? There is nothing to read
between the lines. We mean exactly what we say.
Iowa's
schools have been under-funded at all levels, for many years.
When teachers have to supplement their classroom resources out of their
own pockets, we should be ashamed. When we expect our teachers to
do more, with less, and we won't even pony up for their professional
development, our Legislature is derelict in its duty to our children
and our teachers. These are our responsibilities, and they are
met through the public school system. Our way to do it in Iowa is
with excellent teachers. It's the best way, and it's the proven
way. So, when our colleges and universities are producing some of
the best teachers this nation can offer, we must compensate them
adequately if we want them to stay. Instead, we see our young
teachers leaving the state, or leaving the profession for a
better-paying job in the private sector.
When we
say education is our priority, it means we place it first. There
are those who believe that cutting taxes always comes first and
shrinking government at any cost is more important than
education. Education is not their priority, because it doesn't
come first. There are times we can cut taxes, but now is not the
time. In times of budget problems, especially, a tax-cutting
agenda is mutually exclusive with the concept of improving public
education. Teachers know it, principals and superintendents know
it, and school boards know it. So do parents. And, so must
our Legislature. It is simply impossible to improve the quality
of public education without more resources. It is simply
impossible to make Iowa a place where leaders of cutting-edge
industries want to locate if we cannot offer a top-of-the-line
education.
Iowa
always has been a leader in education, but as the Republicans'
indifference has shown, we can no longer take this for granted.
When our Legislature falls down on this responsibility, it does not
reflect Iowa values. Anyone concerned about education should be
focused on this House seat, because it will say a lot about who sets
the agenda next year in Des Moines - those who make education a
priority, and those who don't. Even Republicans who support
education need Democrats to win this seat.
Ask Us, Not Them
Not
surprisingly, the Republicans twist our position, to "more, more, more"
and "throwing money at problems." That's their message, not
ours. And I learned long ago that if I want to understand
someone's position, the best way is to talk to that person, and to ask
direct questions. If you want to know our position, ask us - not
them. Our focus on education is for excellence and
accountability, and where that costs more, we need to ante up, and help
our local school boards to put resources where they are most
needed. Our education system is a cost-effective, sound
investment in the future and the promise of Iowa.
Thank You!
Our
campaign is strong because of the many volunteers who have stepped up
to pitch in. Thank you to all who have helped - by registering
voters, passing out literature, painting signs, talking to their
friends or making a contribution. We have a lot of work left for
the next three months, and we welcome more hands to do the
lifting! Give us a call or send an e-mail to us at owen4iowans@Lcom.net.
Mike Owen
Democratic candidate for State Representative
District 79
Cedar, Muscatine, Johnson counties
(319) 643-5714
owen4iowans@Lcom.net
Owen for Iowans
563 Oliphant St.
West Branch, IA 52358
To read more about Mike Owen or to contribute to his campaign, go here.
Friday, July 30
Iowa Poll Shows Tighter-than-anticipated U.S. Senate Race
by
Linda Thieman
on Fri 30 Jul 2004 04:57 AM CDT
Iowa Poll Shows
Tighter-than-anticipated
U.S. Senate Race
JOHNSON COUNTY
– Returns from a Johnson County mock election show the race between Art
Small, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, and Republican incumbent
Charles Grassley may be much closer than pundits have predicted.
Small
received 40 percent of the vote during the county auditor’s
sixth-annual mock election at the Johnson County fair Thursday.
Grassley garnered 51 percent of the vote. Nine percent of voters chose
third-party candidates.
While
the mock election only includes data from a small sample of potential
voters, the results show that Small is already positioning himself to
take the U.S. Senate seat this cycle, said campaign communications
director Jennifer Hemmingsen.
“These
numbers are very promising,” Hemmingsen said. “Charles Grassley’s $6
million campaign war chest and 30 years in Washington only gave him an
11 point edge – that’s saying something. As Iowans get to know Art’s
vision and new approaches to persistent problems like trade, the
national debt and health care, those numbers will shift even more
dramatically in Art’s favor.”
Small’s
aggressive campaign schedule for the next three months will take him
all over the state, showing voters they have a real choice in this
election, Hemmingsen said.
“Sure,
‘Grassley works,’ as his campaign is fond of saying, but for whom,” she
asked. “A quick peek at his work in the legislature shows it’s
certainly not for the people."
“Art stands for Iowa,” she said. “People are excited about that.”
A record-setting 1100 people participated in the mock election this year. Just over 700 voters participated in 2002.
Wednesday, July 28
Paul Johnson Fundraiser in Des Moines Friday
by
Linda Thieman
on Wed 28 Jul 2004 06:48 PM CDT
Paul Johnson Fundraiser in Des Moines Friday
Come
meet Paul Johnson, Democratic candidate for Iowa’s 4th Congressional
District, on Friday, July 30th at a HAPPY HOUR FUNDRAISER at the
Raccoon River Brewing company in Des Moines, 10th and Walnut Sts., from
5:00-7:00 p.m.
Paul and
lots of fun supporters will be on hand to talk about his campaign to
beat incumbent Republican Tom Latham, who has the highest pro-Bush
voting record among the Iowa congressional delegation – even higher
than Steve King!
Paul was
a state representative from 1984 to 1990, where he helped to pass
groundbreaking environmental legislation and helped to found the Aldo
Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture. Paul also served as
director of the Soil and Conservation Service under the Clinton
Administration and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources under
Governor Vilsack. Paul and his wife Patricia met as a result of their
Peace Corps experience in the early 60s, and have lived and worked on a
farm near Decorah for 30 years.
So come on out and have some drinks and good conversation…for a change!
To learn more about Paul Johnson or to contribute to his campaign, go here.
Thanks to Chad over at the Iowa Populist for providing this information. Check out the new site!
Monday, July 26
Boston Trip Reinforces Small’s Commitment To Serve
by
Linda Thieman
on Mon 26 Jul 2004 08:54 PM CDT
Boston Trip Reinforces Small’s Commitment To Serve
The Iowa Delegation to the Democratic National Convention
this evening at the start of the convention
© 2004 Democracy for Iowa. All rights reserved.
BOSTON
– During the first day of the Democratic National Convention, Art
Small, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, met with Sen. Tom Harkin
(D-Iowa) and the Iowa Delegation for breakfast, had lunch with labor
leaders, and had a conference with Sen. Jon Corzine (D-New Jersey),
chair of the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee.
The palpable excitement of Iowa delegates, candidates and elected officials bodes well for the week’s events, Small said.
“We’re
all having an excellent time,” he said. “The weather is absolutely
wonderful and the city has just gone out of its way to be hospitable.”
Small
said being in Boston also reinforced his commitment to creating
opportunity for ordinary Americans and to his campaign to defeat Sen.
Charles Grassley this November.
“I
was looking over the city this morning from the terrace of my room, and
I could see the Beacon Hill monument – where the American Revolution
started – and I could see the convention center,” he said. “Then I saw
the wharves and it reminded me of my grandfather. He was a mate on a
ship and fell ill. Because of that, my father had to quit school to
support the family. For some time, he drove a cab in Boston. Now, here
I am, riding in cabs in Boston as a U.S. Senate candidate on my way to
the Democratic National Convention.”
“I’ve
come a long way from being the son of a traveling salesman,” Small
said. “I want all Iowans to have that same opportunity.”
Small said because his father, a smart and hard working man, had not finished high school, most careers weren’t open to him.
Art
Small worked his way through college and attended graduate school on
the G.I. Bill. His personal experience has motivated him to work for an
opportunity society -- where everyone has a genuine chance to secure a
quality education, hold a job, take care of a family and live in
dignity.
To learn more about Art Small for U.S. Senate or to contribute to his campaign, go here.
Sunday, July 25
News & Notes from Iowa and D*Fest
by
Linda Thieman
on Sun 25 Jul 2004 09:53 PM CDT
News & Notes from Iowa & D*Fest
Dean speaking at DemFest today
© 2004 Democracy for Iowa. All rights reserved.
Boy, that Darrell Lewis of Clear Lake does not miss a trick! Look at the placement of that John Drury for Iowa Senate sign at DemFest in Pittsfield, MA, today.
Andrew Smith,
Dean-inspired Democratic candidate for Iowa House District 40, has a
great new website up. Word is that they are still tinkering with
it a bit, but nevertheless, it's looking great! Take a look!
http://www.andrewsmith2004.com/
If you'd like to see pics from DemocracyFest and from the convention this week, a lot of Deaniacs are posting their photos here:
http://www.deanphotos.com/
The Des Moines Register
is looking for up-to-the-minute comments and commentary about the
Democratic convention this week. If you'd like to add your two
cents, contact them here:
letters@dmreg.com
fax: 515-284-8560
The Rialto Theatre in Pocahontas will be showing "Fahrenheit 9/11" from August 20-August 26.
Mr. Rubinstein Goes To Boston
by
Linda Thieman
on Sun 25 Jul 2004 04:46 AM CDT
Mr. Rubinstein Goes To Boston
Marcos Rubinstein (right) with Art Small, Democratic Candidate
for U.S. Senate
Well, Marcos Rubinstein, Deputy Campaign Manager for Art Small for U.S.
Senate has jumped in his rickety, old “Kucinichmobile” (his 14-year-old
Chevy Cavalier) and is on his way to Boston! And on top of it,
he’s taking it on faith that the kind progressive community of Iowa
will help him foot the bill – before he needs the funds to pay for his
hotel room and his way back! And he’s only a third of the way
there, funds-wise.
Marcos says:
“In Boston, as the Chair of the Hispanic Caucus of the Iowa Democratic Party, I will:
1. Help and participate in Hispanic Caucus activities, with the goal of
increasing Latino/Hispanic participation in the political debate
through grassroots organizing;
2. Promote progressive politics within the Latino/Hispanic community;
3. Help and participate in the many progressive activities that are
planned for the week of July 23rd/July 30th in Boston, with the goal of
making the opposition to the occupation of Iraq an issue for the
Democratic Party, while making every effort to avoid a split which
could cost Democrats the White House;
4. Help our U.S. Senatorial Candidate, Art Small, to be known by party
activists and the National Press, improving his chance of defeating
Charles Grassley this November. Art Small is a socially progressive
candidate.”
When he
gets back to Iowa, Marcos’ goal is to work to help create a progressive
coalition. Part of his plan for the Small for Senate campaign is
based on working with volunteers – both the Kucitizens and the Deaniacs
– respecting their organizations, and at the same time hoping that
working toward a common goal will help in the necessary process of
presenting a common progressive front within the Democratic Party.
To help Marcos get to Boston (and back!), go here.
Read more about Marcos here:
http://www.alpa.com:8080/articulo/
Marcos adds:
Since
the time the article was published, I served as the Iowa People of
Color Outreach Coordinator for the Kucinich for President campaign and
also as the National Spanish Language Coordinator for the same
campaign; became a member of the Central Committee for the Dubuque
County Democratic Party and member of the Platform Committee for the
Iowa Democratic Party (and successfully introduced a minority plank
supporting the creation of a Peace Department and another plank to
charge in-state college tuition for all of Iowa's students--both planks
were voted on at the State Convention and became part of the State
Platform); became the Deputy Campaign Manager for the Art Small for
U.S. Senate Campaign, and was elected Chair of the Hispanic Caucus of
the Iowa Democratic Party, and as such I'm a member of the State
Central Committee.
Thanks again, and please, contribute!
Peace with Justice
!Si se puede!
Marcos
Saturday, July 24
Take Back The House! Fundraiser for Andrew Smith: July 25th
by
Linda Thieman
on Sat 24 Jul 2004 12:20 PM CDT
Take Back The House! Fundraiser
for Andrew Smith, July 25th
Des Moines
(515) 246-1559
Friday, July 23
John Drury: This Year’s Legislative Elections in Iowa
by
Linda Thieman
on Fri 23 Jul 2004 05:48 PM CDT
John Drury: This Year’s Legislative Elections in Iowa
John Drury is Iowa's first Dean Dozen candidate. He's running for the Iowa Senate in District 6, North Iowa.
Back in
March of this year, Arianna Huffington, a political columnist, wrote an
article on the upcoming national election. She argued that this
election isn’t about Republican or Democrat, right or left, but that
it’s about right or wrong. That article has stuck with me because I
think it applies to the upcoming election here at home as well.
The Iowa legislature has been just plain wrong. Here are some examples on a few key issues:
The Iowa legislature has grossly underfunded our public schools, while at the same time
finding money for private schools. They have allowed outdated materials
in the classrooms. I talked to a teacher the other day and she told me
they are using 17-year-old textbooks in her classroom. We have lost
quality teachers to neighboring states for better pay. I was told that
a teacher could drive to Minnesota and make $11,000 more for the same
position. This is just plain wrong. We can and we must invest in our
children with smaller class sizes and up-to-date textbooks. We can and
we must make sure we have the highest quality teachers in our
classrooms. We can and we must regain our number one status in
education.
The Iowa
Values Fund, a proven economic development tool, has been an election
year political football, putting the state’s future at risk. The
legislature has cut aid to local governments, which has resulted in
property tax increases. They have refused to discuss raising the
minimum wage. Currently, the minimum wage in Iowa is $5.15 per hour;
200,000 Iowa workers work for minimum wage. Working full-time at this
wage brings in $10,712/yearly. That is $5,000 below the poverty level
for a family of three. This is just plain wrong. We can and we must
work towards bringing high quality, high paying jobs into the state. We
can and we must stop using election year political games with our
economic development programs.
The
legislature has refused to put reasonable regulations on agriculture
that would rein in the corporate abuse while at the same time
protecting the family farmer. They have refused to ensure that Iowa’s
drinking water remains safe and rivers and streams are clean. They have
refused to mandate the use of ethanol in the state. This is just plain
wrong. Our environment and agriculture do not have to be in conflict
with each other. We can and we must work together to protect our
environment and still support our agriculture base.
Over the
last 10 years, the Iowa General Assembly passed tax cuts that, when
fully phased in, will reduce state revenue by over $800 million dollars
annually. The biggest share of these cuts went to the wealthiest
Iowans, those earning over $200,000 per year. In short, from 1990 to
2000, the rich got richer … and then they got tax breaks. This is just
plain wrong. We can and we must examine our tax system. We should
eliminate tax loopholes that do not serve a public benefit, and we
should make the tax system fairer to all Iowans.
Which
Iowa do you want to live in? One where we put tax cuts for the rich
above the education of our children? One where corporations are more
important than the family farmer? One where it is okay for families to
work two jobs and still live in poverty? These are not necessarily
political issues. I believe they are moral ones.
We have
the power to right these wrongs. We have the responsibility to right
these wrongs. We can make Iowa a state that values our families, our
children, and our workers. We can make Iowa a great place to live, work
and to raise a family.
John Drury
Democratic Candidate for Iowa Senate, District 6
To read more about John Drury or to contribute to his campaign, go here. Be sure to add a penny for DFIA!
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