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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
"Outfoxed" Showing in Rock Island, IL
by
Linda Thieman
on Fri 30 Jul 2004 11:37 AM CDT
Update: "Outfoxed" Showing in Rock Island, IL
A copy of the DVD is on its way express to the Brew & View, so the showing of "Outfoxed" is still on!
Devin at the Brew & View
(Rock Island, IL) informed me that they will be showing the powerful
new documentary "Outfoxed" on Monday, August 2, at 6:00 and 8:00 pm.
The price will be a $5 donation to MoveOn.
"'Outfoxed'
examines how media empires, led by Rupert Murdoch's Fox News, have been
running a 'race to the bottom' in television news. This film
provides an in-depth look at Fox News and the dangers of ever-enlarging
corporations taking control of the public's right to know." (quote from
www.outfoxed.org/)
As Dean
and Kucinich supporters, we know how important it is to expose the
truth about the motives of those who indoctrinate millions of
unsuspecting Americans every day with right-wing propaganda rather than
informing them about the true state of affairs in their country and
world. Make sure you take advantage of this chance to see "Outfoxed,"
and bring along anyone you know who still believes that Faux News is
"fair and balanced."
Alta Price
aprice@democracyforiowa.com
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!
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.
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
Saturday, July 17
Sunday, July 18th, Events
by
Linda Thieman
on Sat 17 Jul 2004 09:52 AM CDT
Sunday, July 18th, Events
Outfoxing the Fox News Network!
COME
JOIN The Marshall County Democrats FOR AN IN DEPTH LOOK AT THE FOX NEWS
NETWORK’S UN-FAIR AND UN-BALANCED SPIN ON THE NEWS.
Marshall County Outfoxed House Party
Sunday, July 18, 6pm
Marshall County Democratic Headquarters
12 W. Main St.
Marshalltown, IA
For
years, Fox News has been distorting the facts, covering for
[pseudo-]pResident Bush, and bashing groups like MoveOn. Now Uncovered
director Robert Greenwald -- working with a group of Fox-monitoring
MoveOn members -- has put together a documentary film that exposes Fox
for what it is: partisan spin, not news. Join us and be one of the
first to see this film at the Marshall County Democratic Headquarters
in Marshalltown.
Sailing on to Victory with John Drury
Sailing on to Victory
John Drury for Iowa Senate Party
July 18th 5-7pm
PM Park, South Shore
Clear Lake, Iowa
Come join John Drury and his supporters
to send off their North Iowa Democratic National Convention Delegates, Sen. Amanda
Ragan and Drury campaign chair, Darrell Lewis, to Boston. The keynote
speaker will be Sen. Herman
Quirmbach of Ames, Ia. Sen. Quirmbach is an economics
professor at Iowa State University and will speak about Iowa's future.
Sweet corn, salads, rolls, homemade apple crisp, iced tea and lemonade
will be served. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online with a
credit card, PayPal or even your debit card. Use the link to the
left on the Drury for Iowa Senate website. Heck, the apple crisp alone is worth the price of
admission.
Bill Moyers on C-Span 2
Sunday evening, July 18
C-Span 2: 8pm CDT Bill Moyers will discuss his book "Moyers On America: A Journalist And His Times"
Thursday, July 15
Sailing on to Victory: Come Join The July 18th Drury for Iowa Senate Party
by
Linda Thieman
on Thu 15 Jul 2004 02:08 PM CDT
Come join John Drury and his supporters
to send off their North Iowa Democratic National Convention Delegates, Sen. Amanda
Ragan and Drury campaign chair, Darrell Lewis, to Boston. The keynote
speaker will be Sen. Herman
Quirmbach of Ames, Ia. Sen. Quirmbach is an economics
professor at Iowa State University and will speak about Iowa's future.
Sweet corn, salads, rolls, homemade apple crisp, iced tea and lemonade
will be served. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online with a
credit card, PayPal or even your debit card. Use the link to the
left on the Drury for Iowa Senate website. Heck, the apple crisp alone is worth the price of
admission.
July 18th 5-7pm
PM Park, South Shore
Clear Lake, Iowa
For those who prefer not purchase or donate
online, mail a check to Drury for Iowa Senate, P.O. Box 11, Clear Lake, Iowa
50428.
Sunday, July 11
The Party Is Still On!
by
Linda Thieman
on Sun 11 Jul 2004 04:11 PM CDT
 The Party Is Still On!
The party for Christina Butts and Araceli Goode is still on! Regardless of the rain!!!
Come to Sally Troxell and Jeff Goetz's house in Des Moines
701 54th St (between Polk Blvd and 56th St)
Come between now and 7, maybe later depending on how the beer holds up!
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