Wellmark Raises Individual Insurance Premiums in Iowa by Paul Deaton
"In
many ways, buying health insurance is similar to buying a lottery
ticket. We hope for the best when time comes for the drawing, knowing
that the odds of winning are against us." Like many Iowans on an individual health insurance policy, we received our premium change notice from Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa this week. The premium is increasing by 18% effective April 1. With the increase, it is still 31% less expensive than the COBRA coverage premium we had been paying after my retirement, so I am not complaining. The trouble with health insurance is not the premium; it is the uncertainty about what we are buying for the premium.
The biggest worry is that the coverage will be canceled if we get sick, or that the coverage won’t adequately cover a potential illness. Being self employed, and with Wellmark being the dominant health insurance provider in the state, there are not many other options if the coverage is canceled. I understand that experimental procedures are not covered. I understand that pre-existing conditions are not covered. I understand that there is a complex process of who pays for what and that initiation of coverage also began a dialectic between my doctor's office and Wellmark. Emblematic of this dialectic is that the doctor's office just last week reconciled the charges with Wellmark for the annual physical I took in July. Someone is making money on the cash float on this modest fee. It is neither the doctor's office nor us.
We make an assumption when we purchase health insurance. The assumption is that if we get sick, there will be coverage. At the same time, it is difficult to understand the provisions of the Wellmark contract. One of the terms on the application was that Wellmark reserved the right to refund all of my premiums and cancel the policy if something came up. In many ways, buying health insurance is similar to buying a lottery ticket. We hope for the best when time comes for the drawing, knowing that the odds of winning are against us.
Our health care system is flawed, on that, everyone agrees. What is less discussed is how the health insurance system in the United States is one more contributor to the transformation of society in the post Ronald Reagan era. In a dog eat dog world, we ask ourselves, "how can we protect our family?" The answer, at least partly, is don't expect others to take care of us. Certainly, don't expect this of insurance companies. Expect to be on our own.
We don't want government involved in our lives, but eventually we will have to rely on Medicare to protect us. We have been paying into this system for decades, so we hope it will be solvent when the time comes for enrollment. There are no guarantees.
We can accept that health insurance companies must manage their risks and in doing so, better manage their profitability. The service insurance companies provide must serve their profitability. If we want to participate in the process, that is our decision. What is hard to take is that the rules are often unclear. We feel like a pawn in their game, waiting for their next move. In the post Reagan era, that is about all we can expect.
A Culver-Roberts Match-up for Iowa Governor by Paul Deaton
"Culver has
a strong statewide organization, significant financial resources and a
Democratic voter registration advantage. These things matter in
politics."
Back in July 2009, I indicated that of the Republican candidates for governor in the June primary, the one to watch is Rod Roberts of Carroll. He is "all in," having announced he will not seek re-election in the Iowa House so he can run for governor. While June is still distant in political terms and others lead him in the polls in comparisons with Governor Chet Culver; Roberts shouldn’t be counted out yet. Of the three remaining Republicans, Roberts seems to this writer to have the best chances of defeating incumbent Governor Chet Culver, if nominated by his party.
While Culver has been beleaguered by poor showings in polls, turnover in his campaign staff, noise from progressive radio talk show host Ed Fallon and a primary challenge from former Des Moines school board member John Narcisse, it seems inevitable that Chet Culver will receive his party’s nomination and win the 2010 election. He has a strong statewide organization, significant financial resources and a Democratic voter registration advantage. These things matter in politics. In a Culver-Branstad or Culver-Vander Plaats match-up, these basic elements of the Culver campaign would come into play and, despite the early polls and corporate media coverage would likely result in a second term for the incumbent governor.
A Culver-Roberts match-up might be a different story. Roberts has the credentials to attract the conservative Republican base. At the same time, his pragmatic approach to issues, like the Smoke-Free Iowa Act, indicates Roberts’ ability to appeal to moderates. Pulling together the Republican base and a substantial proportion of moderate Republicans and independents is the only path to a Republican governor in 2011. Roberts is best positioned to do this as Vander Plaats seems too extreme and Branstad offers nothing new.
It seems doubtful that Rod Roberts will make it through the June primary because of the strength of his two primary opponents. The current Republican activism may have led House Minority Leader Kraig Paulsen to say, “the trend lines clearly indicate this should be a strong year for Republicans” on Iowa Press last Friday. At the same time, while the fall campaign will be challenging, Culver will likely prevail in the gubernatorial race because of the strength of his organization against a likely match-up with a former governor.
That former governor has little to offer except a “back to the future” visage behind which are popular talking points articulated by a corporate media intent on gaining viewership or selling newspapers. This election will be about real people and real issues, and not about the chimera of a right wing resurgence being popularized by politicians and other folks who are out of touch with what is important to the majority of Iowans.
Governor Culver, get your game on and fast, because if Roberts is out, the stars are aligning in your favor and the 2010 election will be yours to lose.
HF 682 Would Secure the 2010 Iowa Vote by Paul Deaton
"The
fiscal note for HF 682 states that an audit would cost each of the 99
counties an average of about $100 per year. “For just pennies a vote,
we can do enormous good for Iowa elections,” Flaherty said." Iowans for Voting Integrity expressed dismay on Friday when the Iowa Senate indicated it would not move forward on HF 682, a measure which requires a hand count of a random sample of ballots after each general election in order to ensure computerized vote tallies are reliable. Sean Flaherty, co-chair of the group, indicated that by this action, the Iowa Senate failed to secure the vote for the 2010 midterm elections.
“Failing to pass this bill would be a terrible mistake for Iowa elections” said Flaherty. “The state did the right thing and bought paper ballot voting systems that can be manually audited. That’s the most important reliability measure available today, but without Senate action, we won’t be using it,” he added. “That would be unconscionable.”
“Audits are highly cost-effective; they increase voter confidence, deter fraud and provide routine checks on equipment performance,” Flaherty said. The fiscal note for HF 682 states that an audit would cost each of the 99 counties an average of about $100 per year. “For just pennies a vote, we can do enormous good for Iowa elections,” he said.
Despite these facts, Senate aides told members of Iowans for Voting Integrity yesterday that a leading Senator believes post-election audits are a “solution in search of a problem.” Aides have noted that recounts of close elections in Iowa have shown few counting problems and that testing voting machines before the election can detect and deter vote miscounts.
“Recounts occur only when the margin is a hair's whisker,” Flaherty said. “They offer absolutely no assurance about the vast majority of elections. More than half the states do post-election audits. These states have recounts of extremely close races, and they know that it's not enough. You need routine checks,” he said.
“When a task force that includes the President's cyber security adviser and leading authorities on voting systems says audits are necessary, we trust the Senate would listen and take appropriate action,” Flaherty said. California, Ohio, and Connecticut voting equipment reviews examined ballot scanners that are the same as those used in over Iowa’s counties. After their security reviews, California expanded its decades-old post-election audit provision, and both Ohio and Connecticut began conducting audits.
“States that have done security reviews of our same voting equipment are doing the responsible thing and conducting audits,” Flaherty said. “We can’t urge the Senate strongly enough: don't fail Iowa elections,” he said.
Click here to urge your elected officials to pass HF 682. Click here to read the full press release and learn more about Iowans for Voting Integrity.
Friday Morning with an Iowa Legislator by Paul Deaton
When the state legislature is not in session on Fridays, most legislators head back to their districts and meet with constituents to listen and to explain what’s going on in Des Moines. Events like the gathering at the Savvy Coffee and Wine Bar in Solon yesterday morning are typical. They are small enough that a person could get time with their legislator and be an active participant in the democracy we hear so much about. Here are some things that were on the minds of Iowans on Friday.
The feel good legislation of the year has to be HF 2456 which is a ban on text messaging while driving. This one is so obvious that one wonders about the motivation behind Kirsten Running-Marquardt (HD-33) and Bruce Hunter (HD-62) siding with Kraig Paulsen (HD-35) and Jodi Tymeson (HD-73) in voting against it. Distractions while driving, such as tuning the radio, talking on the phone, doing crossword puzzles and watching television all cause accidents according to the group in Solon. That text messaging was singled out by the legislature was curious, but welcome. The bill passed the house and senate last week and is back in the house waiting for reconciliation with the senate’s version.
The nuclear power discussion is back with HF2100 being replaced with HF2399 and its fresh from MidAmerican Energy language on how the state should move forward with nuclear power. I heard the words “zero sum gain” applied to MidAmerican’s process towards change for the first time. It seems to fit. According to Wikipedia, a zero sum gain is a situation in which a participant's gain or loss is exactly balanced by the losses or gains of the other participant(s). If the state wants to move forward with nuclear power, it’s okay with MidAmerican Energy, but they are a business, so the customers will have to pay.
The new language also covers some things that are already going on in the ever changing world of energy, conversion of coal power to natural gas and adding biomass fuel to an existing coal combustion power plant. The utility wants customers to pay for these improvements as well. As always with MidAmerican, they seem unable to do much to help Iowa achieve energy independence or reduce our reliance on carbon based electricity unless it is mandated and the customers pay. Tell me again, why did we de-regulate the electrical utilities? HF 2399 is to be considered by the Commerce Committee next week.
After an hour and a half with friends and neighbors, I had to get to work. We discussed the puppy mill legislation, increases in health care insurance for individuals, retaining part of the tax credit structure for films relevant to Iowa culture, tort reform, unfortunate remarks by Danny Homan about someone his union represented and the apparent death, at least for this session, of “reasonable reimbursement” or “fair share-lite,” as a union member called it.
Those at the meeting are getting to be friends and that is one of the best benefits of our democracy. My advice to readers is get involved and take advantage of the benefits of democracy. Contact your legislator by clicking here.
"It is not that corporate media
outlets intentionally keep us in the dark about things. They have an editorial
policy distinct from informing the public..."
In Iowa, the foreign affairs stories in which we engage are
those related to our family and friends deployed to fight one of our two wars
and several military engagements around the world. The idea that our loved ones
will be going to secure supply routes managed by our mercenaries or to suffer
injury or death in places with cultures so different from ours is unsettling in
a way that is personal and visceral. This we understand.
What is less understandable is the broader scope of foreign
affairs from a United States perspective. Why don’t we hear more about things that
matter as much as military deployments? There are stories about human
trafficking, Vice President Biden’s speech
on nuclear disarmament, our covert operations in Yemen and others that go
unheard. Part of the answer is that nothing matters more to us than what
happens to family and friends deployed to serve in the active duty military.
Another part of the answer is that corporate media outlets focus on what will
attract viewers, subscribers and advertisers more than on what informs us. Most
often, foreign affairs coverage is the bottom of the list even if there are
plenty of stories to tell.
We hear speaker and talk show diva Sarah Palin suggest
that President Obama should declare war on Iran to demonstrate his “toughness,”
and this gets coverage. Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey gave a major speech
on nuclear security and lists reasons why the President’s national security
agenda should be supported, and who knew? It is not that corporate media
outlets intentionally keep us in the dark about things. They have an editorial
policy distinct from informing the public and what is a trending topic may be
more newsworthy to them than presenting information about the threat that
terrorists could get their hands on a nuclear weapon. This is true for much of
the foreign affairs universe of activity.
The financial cost of the wars to Iowans is as real as a
load of bricks. According
to National Priorities, in fiscal year 2010 Iowa taxpayers will contribute
$5.3 billion to defense spending, or roughly $1,765 per resident. If we
consider there are about 2.38 people per Iowa household, and the median
household income is about $49,007, defense spending represents 8.6% of a
typical family’s income. This seems worth covering. Most Iowans would use part
of this expense for other priorities, yet the issue of diversion of funds
towards militarism is largely absent from corporate media. Instead, we hear
stories about supporting the troops.
That media would put emphasis on informing the public is a
basic expectation. When what we see and hear are snippets of trending topics
selected for their sensationalism or local interest, we are disappointed and
uninformed. There is a role for stories like the one in a local paper about an
event where the “Persian Student Organization cooked
traditional Iranian kebabs called "koobideh" while answering
questions about Iran.” It’s just that
we shouldn’t have a steady diet of this if we would stay informed in the
broader world of foreign affairs. Effective participation in our
democracy demands better information about foreign affairs.
President Obama's Health Care Reform Summit Live-Blog President Obama's opening remarks: Takes no prisoners, reminds us of his mother fighting with insurance companies on her death bed, calls out McCain, Grassley, McConnell, on their past statements of support for health care reform....
"Politics ended up trumping practical common sense this year... I didn't take this on because I thought it would be good politics.....what I'm hoping to accomplish today is for everybody to focus on where we agree..."
"I've looked at Boehner's plan, Coburn's, Paul Ryan's....I've looked at those very carefully....Mike Enzi.... When I look at the ideas that are out there, there is overlap... "
"White House posted what we feel is the best blend of the House and Senate legislation that has already passed... Basic concept is that we set up an exchange where individuals and small businesses could go and get choice and competition in their hc plans the same way that members of congress do..."
Areas of disagraeement: "I don't know that the gaps can be bridged."
Wants this to be discussion, not theater... No talking points, just problem solving...
McConnell up first. Passes it on to Lamar Alexander for opening remarks for the GOP.
Alexander: "We believe we have a better idea..." Waiting... Start over! Claims constituents are saying “we hope you kill the health care bill, but my wife has cancer and we need to do something...” Goes lamely into length of bill...how much time does he get? Our view is that this is a car that can't be recalled and fixed and that we ought to...Start over!......Has a “suggestion” and a “request.” Says only way to move forward is if the Dems ….. forget about reconciliation. “The people want us to start over. “ We need to put aside jamming it through. (no talking points there – you just give up all your leverage, and we promise we won't stick out our leg and trip you again as you attempt to pass...)
Obama: Both I and Lamar went over time. Nancy and Harry agree to split time. First filibuster successful.
Nancy next. “Americans don't have time for us to start over.” Go, Nancy!
Harry: Shares another sad constituent health care story... “Lamar, you are entitled to your opinion, but not to your own facts.” Calls out the Repugs' hypocrisy on recondiliation (that the GOP is currently forcing them to do) and mentions most of the reconciliations have been used by the GOP. Let's look at FACTS. 45,000 Americans die every year due to no health insurance. In 2008 750,000 bankruptcies – 75% due to health care costs – 80% of these were people who had health insurance! Let's get it done.
Obama: We need to be more disciplined re: time, makes a joke about that is to be expected in a room of electeds....nobody laughs...slaps down Lamar...reminds him the GOP ideas are actually in the proposal.....we will discuss the areas of agreement v disagreement...then we see if we can bridge....rather than start talking about legislative process (reconciliation), let's talk about SUBSTANCE (GOP's worst nightmare). Obama still thinks it's worth a try, but admits there may be “too big of a gulf” and then “we'll have to see what to do next.” Very effectively said, we're not going there Lamar, nice try.
This is on the screen right now: Gallup: 54% say GOP won't make sincere effort.
Obama laying out some FACTS about the rising costs of health care... Lamar, according to the Congressional Budget Office, you're wrong about your “facts.” Lamar interrupts saying Obama is wrong. Obama cuts him off and tells him he is not factually accurate. Tells what CBO says. Explains what the CBO actually said. Will be happy to present this to the press. Lamar tries to interrupt again. Obama claims his space, holds the floor. Goes on. Killing them with facts and reason. McCain and Lamar Alexander visibly uncomfortable. Alexander tries to interrupt again. Obama cuts him off and continues. What are your ideas that you don't think are in our bill? We've adopted a lot of them.
Lamar: All my colleagues are eager to speak.
Obama: We'll get the issue settled today about the CBO.
McConnell: The people are opposed. Calls on Tom Coburn to speak on cost containment.
Coburn: Opening volley - Most of the problems in health care comes from government rules and regulations. Talks about prevention (makes sense)...waiting for the crazy to start up again...here it is...FRAUD! 15% of gov't health care is FRAUD! We need to fix FRAUD – this will fix health care...
Harry: I may not know much, but I'm an expert on the filibuster... we've got 40 members of Congress here...
Obama: Politely takes apart Coburn in typical Obama fashion...see how much we agree?
Coburn interrupts and gets in one last talking point.
Obama: Steny?
MSNBC cuts away...goes to conservative commentator. Will try to go to C-Span 3...
Baucus: A great deal of consensus...
Back to the GOP: Dave Camp, Ranking Member, Ways and Means... sounds kind of wonky about the particulars of the bill...page 959....Obama smiling indulgently...page 982....
Obama: I don't mean to interrupt, but....focus is on costs for families....if every speaker goes through every provision saying what they don't like, we won't have time to focus on what we agree on...
GOP interrupts: “We don't hear anyone complaining about their premiums...” They must be feeling desperate...
On the screen now: Gallup: 77% say sides won't reach deal
10:43 - GOP (McConnell) wants to quibble about which side is getting more time...counting the minutes...Obama says, "I'm just going back and forth, Mitch..."
Schumer: We agree with a lot of what Tom Coburn said, has some great ideas that we can agree on...we have provisions that I would think you all could agree on...clarifies GOP mischaracterizations about Medicare cuts...points out talking about waste, not programs...
Going on break after Coburn and Kyl. Kyl first..
Min. Whip Jon Kyl (R) - fundamental difs we cannot paper over..Obama looks tired....claims government is mandating more coverage, cost will go up...says medicare payroll tax will go up...it's a job-killer....raising taxes...this doesn't cut costs....fees raise costs on consumer...expense of legislation...
Obama rebuts, clarifies, explains.. can have interstate competition, but must have across-state baseline..."this is not a government take-over of insurance...let's set up baselines and then use private plans for everyone to get a better deal."
James Clyburn, Majority Whip, goes last, before the break... somewhere in his district, 31% of people treated in ER are there for primary care, not emergencies...many of these have employer-based health care that they cannot use because of huge deductible...says magic number on health reform is 50, not 60...some people cannot navigate the system...employees are at the mercy of business owners who are negotiating the plans...
Obama: This has been a useful conversation. After break, I want to go through areas we agree on. Jon (Kyl), you shook your head when I said people could choose their plan...any plan you have you can grandfather in, so you could choose keep it. Kyl interrupts...says Obama is incorrect..."with all due respect"....Obama compliments him on the talking point but says it doesn't address the underlying question...
Areas of agreement acc to Obama: (1) you can't just drop someone (2) extend dependent coverage to a certain age, 25 or 26 (3) no annual or lifetime limits (4) philosophically, end prohibitions (5) other provisions we should explore to come up with longer list of areas of agreement; alludes to Mitch's counting the clock, so moves on...
Boustany (R) Louisiana talking: "We all want health care reform." Waiting for the crazy, here it is: The American people want us to take a step back...they want insurance companies to treat them just like they treat the...labor unions! How do you promote choice and competition? Claims health care reform bill would raise premium costs...says CBO agrees...MSNBC cuts away, good for them...Unfortunately, Pat Buchanan is talking...back to C-Span radio...
Obama: We'll have to get more disciplined on time today. Want to hear from Sebelius.
Boehner: I don't think we've been told what the time limits are.
Obama tells them how much time left...
Rep. Miller, Dem, shouldn't be co-pays on preventive care...etc.
McCain: You said this would be in front of C-span cameras...was produced with unsavory - I say that with respect - deal making, Louisiana Purchase, the Cornhusker kick-back which I understand now has been done away with... particularly offensive was the carve-out of the 800,000 Florida seniors from Medicare Advantage...my constituents are concerned about the carve-outs for other states...why should that happen? At town hall meetings I conduct, people are angry...we promised them change and what we got is a process that you and I both said we would change...so then we got into the special interests...AMA, particularly egregious was the pharma deal...
Obama tries to interrupt, Mccain - "may I just finish please?" Talks about his constituents wanting them to....go back to the beginning!
Obama: We're not campaigning anymore. The election is over...
McCain: I realize this every day...gets a laugh on this....
Obama: We can spend the remainder of the time saying our respective talking points. I'm sure Reid and Dodd (et. al. ) who went through an exhaustive process in the House and Senate with the most hearings, the most debates on the floor, the longest mark-ups in 22 years would have a response for you. But if we do that, we'll end up back on Fox News and MSNBC on the split screen, so I hope that we can focus on the issues of how we will get a bill done.
McCain interrupts. The American people care...
Obama interrupts... "They absolutely do care about it, John, and the way you characterized it would win some debate from the other side. Americans care more about us getting things done than they care about us arguing about process, so let's move on... "
Goes to Kathleen Sebelius.
Cantor now: The usual Cantor stuff...Obama looks fascinated, then like he's counting to ten, stops listening, calls someone over who whispers in his ear...Cantor still talking, catastrophizing....millions will lose their coverage because of the construct of this bill...people won't be able to see the doctors they want...
Obama: The 8-9 million out of 300 million would be people who the CBO estimates would be because it's a better deal. When you do props like this, stack it up, talk about 2400 pages. We can try to pretend that health care is not complicated, but it is. These are the kind of political things we do that prevent us from actually having a conversation.
Let me respond to your question: We could set up a system where food would be cheaper than it is now if we eliminated meat inspectors and any regulations in terms of how food is distributed and stored. We could definitely reduce pres. drugs if we didn't test the drugs first. We make decisions to protect consumers in every aspect of our lives and we get bi-partisan support for doing it. Because people don't want to expect one thing and get another, or get harmed by a product.
We can argue about the regulations, but you guys seem to believe in some regulation...so what are the specific regulations that you object to? Pre-existing conditions - we all agree this is a bad thing...two ways of dealing with this (1) establish high risk pool - explains why this is problematic...everyone needs to be in the pool, healthy and sick...spreading the risk... Let's not pretend that any regulation is some onerous burden that is terrible for consumers..
Cantor: Has the stack of the legislation in front of him for the camera... Business can't afford it! Set aside this mandated form of health care regulation...let's go back...
Biden tries to jump in - we don't have a philosophical disagreement: five speakers are left to get in before break, including Harkin.
11:56 Dem Louise Slaughter, pre-existing condition has to go... tells constituent story of a woman who had no dental insurance and had to wear her dead sister's false teeth...in America...
Obama: Need to break for a vote in the House; after break, will finish up insurance reform and then will move on to coverage, back at 1:45 (ET).
3:45 pm CT - had to bug out this afternoon...just got back...missed Harkin...Charlie Rangel talking - says Obama saved the best for last... "people aren't concerned with the debate, they're concerned with what we're going to produce..."
Dingell (D): ....I beg you, let's go forward on this great task.
Obama gives it back to Pelosi
Pelosi: "Thanks, Mr. President for great leadership...without it we would not be this close..." ...brings up public option... "we've come a long way over past year to agreeing to GOP ideas because the insurance companies opposed the public option...insurance companies have behaved shamefully and we must act on behalf of the American people. We have lived on their playing field all this time, now it's time to exist on the playing field of the American people...." ...clarifies to someone who brought it up earlier, that the law of the land is that there is NO public funding for abortion and there is NO public funding for abortion in this bill. The bill does NOT cut benefits for seniors. These are facts... says important for Americans to understand that there should be an end to discrimination on the basis of pre-existing conditions...the GOP plan does NOT do this.
Obama: Thanks everyone...for being here...for being civil....only running over an hour....want to summarize where we agree, where we disagree: We agree that we need some insurance market reforms. The ones not included in the GOP plan but that are included in the Dem plan are popular - capping out of pocket expenses, making sure people can buy insurance even if they have a pre-existing condition - insurance should be regulated. Shot of the GOP...they look as if they feel sick...
Exchange is NOT a government take-over, explains it like they're four... need big pool... insurance across state lines...approaches differ...Obama explains that that would create the same thing as credit cards, where they all move to the state without any regulations...need baseline protections if we do this...NOT a big government take-over, just standard regulation.
Medical malpractice - historically, Dems have been resistant to this concept. Obama suggests exploring this more...may be ways we can work on that...
Exchange is market-based approached, not a government run approach - (Grassley really looks like he's suffering..). "On the more contentious issues, I'm not sure we can bridge the gap." Brings up how to help people who are being priced out of the market or lose their jobs.
"The point that Harkin, Dodd and others made is important: I did not propose something complicated just to be complicated. The reason is that it turns out that baby steps don't get you where people need to go, they need help right now. We can't solve the pre-existing condition problem if we don't do something about coverage. In order to help the 30 million, it is going to cost some money..." Talked about rich people ponying up... Blasts the GOP for using their own ideas that the Dems adopted, to attack the Dem health plan... "After five decades of dealing with this issue, with respect, starting over means not doing much or doing John Boehner's proposal that Republicans find acceptable, and [means] that it's not possible to move the Republicans to cover more than 3 million more people, or to do anything about pre-existing conditions..."
Obama asks GOP to soul-search to come up with way of dealing with pre-existing condition issue. "If we can't close this gap, I expect that there will be a lot of fighting in congress about procedural issues regarding moving forward..." Talks about parents with sick kids, small businesses who are laying people off due to high insurance... "They don't want us to wait. They don't have another five decades. For political reason, there may be no reason for GOP to want to do this. Most Republican voters are opposed to this bill and may be opposed to the kind of bill we could craft, but I thought it was worthwhile to make this effort."
"If we saw movement - significant movement, not just gestures - you wouldn't need to start over, because everyone knows what the issues are and we could get done quickly. We cannot have another year-long debate about this. I ask all of you, is there enough serious effort that in a month or 6 weeks time we could actually resolve something. If not, we make some decisions, and that's what elections are for. We go ahead and do something, and then we see what happens in November....thank you, everybody."
Steve King Challenger Mike Denklau Talks to Blog for Iowa About Gay Marriage, Net Neutrality, and Tax Cuts Guy Gerhard, progressive activist from Council Bluffs,
conducted an in-depth interview for Blog for Iowa with Mike Denklau,
candidate for U.S. Representative for Iowa's 5th District. This is the last of three parts. Click
here to read Part 1Click here to read Part 2
BFIA: The previous President cut tax rates on the wealthiest of Americans in a time of war, something that had never been done before. That's another part of the reason that we have headed down the path that we're on. We have infrastructure crumbling; there was the I-35 bridge [collapse] in Minneapolis that comes to mind. We still have two wars that we're fighting and those costs continue to add up. Do we need to restore the tax rates on the wealthiest Americans, who can certainly afford it, back to where they were?
Denklau: If you look historically, tax rates were obviously much higher, and everyone did quite well. If you look at the '90's, I don't think too many of us were complaining....
BFIA: Exactly. Bill Clinton raised taxes on wealthy people and the economy got better. The rich got richer, the poor got richer, everybody did better. Yet, all we ever hear out of the other side is that it's going to destroy the economy if we raise taxes. The economy has already been destroyed, the way I see it.
Denklau: I'm very much focused on the federal debt and making sure we're paying that down. However, I don't think that means tomorrow we need to be paying it down. Right now, we are still in this crisis and we need to make sure we fully recover before we start taking actions to start addressing other issues.
If you're going to cut taxes, then you need to cut spending. I think what we've seen is that tax cuts for those who will spend that extra money is where that growth lies and that's the middle class. So, I think a lot of those cuts were misplaced and if we have a stronger middle class, we'll see more demand and a better economy at this point.
BFIA: With a stronger middle class, everybody wins.
Denklau: Yes, exactly.
BFIA: Where do you stand on net neutrality?
Denklau: I think this is one of the beauties of the Internet. Obviously, one of the wonders of having free speech is having an open Internet without cost. To be charging people to have their posts rated higher on a search, or to limit access altogether is a serious threat to that. So, I am in favor of keeping net neutrality.
BFIA: Without net neutrality, sites such as Blog for Iowa might not be given any weight at all by some of the corporations. Along the same line - talk radio. A recent study showed that 90 per cent of the content on talk radio is conservative. In this part of the country, we have no access at all to a progressive, or even alternative, point of view. The only option we have is satellite radio or internet streaming. Everybody seems to be so afraid of the Fairness Doctrine. But, these companies are using the public airwaves and they are supposed to be operating in the public interest. We give them those airwaves. Shouldn't they be required to allow an opposing point of view?
Denklau: Private corporations having the ability to control their broadcasting, I think, is very important, as is free speech. The unfortunate part of this is that people are not necessarily aware that they are listening to a commentator and not the actual news from a reporter who is reporting facts, not just giving their opinion. There should be a better disclaimer on that. As far as requiring opposing view, I watch the News Hour almost every night and they generally have two opposing views. It makes for a good debate and a more informed audience, I believe. However, I will stop short of requiring that, but I think it is a very important component and we should try to promote that whenever possible.
BFIA: I do not have cable television, I have satellite programming at home. On my satellite system, Fox News is considered basic programming. I have to go two tiers up to get MSNBC, which is arguably more liberal.
Denklau: Really?
BFIA: Can that be balanced? Is that something that the FCC needs to step in and mandate so there is a balance of opinions?
Denklau: That's very interesting, I wasn't aware of that.
BFIA: Comcast does that, Time Warner does that, Cox Cable does not, but most of the other big companies do. I have Dish Network and they do that.
Denklau: I would need to know more about how their pricing works, to be honest, as to why that is happening. But, again, I think the major problem with these networks is that people are taking these shows as being fact-based, when, a good portion of the time, they are actually opinion and commentators.
BFIA: Well, they do call themselves “Fox News.”
Denklau: I think there are some real reporters at Fox that do report news. But the loudest [voices] at the station are commentators, who are not necessarily reporting facts and that is something that people need to be aware of and to make sure that we're not getting disinformation. Especially when we have so many important debates going on, it's really critical that people understand the difference between a commentator's opinion and the real facts that are out there.
BFIA: Unfortunately, a lot of people don't realize the difference, so wouldn't it make sense to require broadcasters to air opposing points of view, to at least give them the opportunity to hear both sides?
Denklau: To the extent that we do have the internet, which is open, and, of course, other television outlets, there is the opportunity to go out there and search for opposing points of view. Obviously, you and I are people that would do that and I would hope that others who are interested in what's going on in the country would take the time to think about what they are hearing and check their facts.
BFIA: Another debate going on right now concerns the Employee Free Choice Act. Should workers have the right to organize a union if they choose to?
Denklau: Absolutely. Workers should have the ability to organize, particularly to protect themselves from unfair practices and unsafe working conditions.
BFIA: Finally, an issue that is important to me. Earlier this year, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled in Varnum vs. Brian, upholding the lower court's ruling that struck down the state's Defense of Marriage Act. Iowa became the third state in the union, at that time, to allow same-sex marriage. My partner of more than fifteen years and I were married in June. But, while we have legal protections in our home state, we both work in Nebraska, where we have no legal protections. One, do you support the court's decision and two, what will you do in Congress to protect the rights of gays and lesbians in general and same-sex couples in particular?
Denklau: I think it's very important that we think about what all of this means. This is really a free choice and individual rights issue. And also about limited government. I feel very strongly that we should keep the government out of our personal lives, whenever possible. I mean, what could be a more personal decision than who you marry, when you marry, or even if you marry. And who is to tell you how you should make that decision? The fact of this matter is, that without that ability, there is a whole litany of rights that are being denied.
BFIA: Over eleven hundred.
Denklau: Right. So what we're getting to is an issue of fairness and dignity. We need to make sure that we're taking care of all people. If two consenting adults don't have the right to enter into a legal contract, that opens the door to many other rights, basic rights such as pensions, health insurance and protecting your children. That is a serious issue. I think the Supreme Court got it right in this case, that this is an issue of free choice, limited government and providing fairness and dignity to our neighbors.
BFIA: Democrats lost the Senate Seat held by Ted Kennedy for the past 47 years. This is the first time since 1972 that Massachusetts, a liberal stronghold, has elected a Republican. What lessons do Democrats need to learn from this?
Denklau: We cannot take for granted the recognition that the economic crisis of today is a consequence of 8 years of failed economic policies under the last Republican administration. Democrats must do a better job of explaining why we offer a better economic record and better plans to fix the economy. Plans that must also address education needs, energy conservation and efficiency and healthcare costs. Contrary to what some Republican officials have been arguing, these things are not mutually exclusive, but complementary pieces to the solution of rising unemployment and the long-term prosperity of our nation.
BFIA: How will it affect the Democratic party going forward?
Denklau: We should all bear in mind that special elections over the past year have been a mixed bag for both parties. In Iowa, Democrats won the house district 90 race in a Republican district, and as our campaign previously noted on our blog, on November 3rd Bill Owens won a congressional seat that hasn’t been held by a Democrat since the Civil War, proving that Democrats can expand their congressional majority by challenging in rural red districts.
It is my hope that these victories will lead the party to focus on expanding its majorities in 2010 so we can put an end to the partisan gridlock that is crippling progress for our country and for Iowa. I hope to do so with the help of many Republican supporters across the 5th District who want change in Washington.
BFIA: What changes do we need to make to ensure that we don't have more losses come November?
Denklau: Democrats need to be focused on the issues that matter most in the day-to-day lives of their constituents. With Sioux City losing 1,500 jobs due to the closing of the Morrell plant and Clarke County struggling to deal with a 9.3% unemployment rate, the reality on the ground is that, in the words of President Clinton, “It’s the economy, stupid.” That’s why I have been talking about job creation since I launched my campaign last year. We must do everything we can to create jobs in western Iowa and get the over 110,000 unemployed Iowans back to work.
BFIA: And finally, how will it affect the Democratic and the President's agenda for the country?
Denklau: I don’t think the Massachusetts result will significantly change the agenda of either the Democrats or the President. Both will continue to focus on supporting the American people and improving their day-to-day lives.
I believe we will see a greater focus on job creation, but we must not forget that many other issues are intertwined with promoting growth and putting Iowans and Americans back to work. We must strengthen the financial system so our community banks and businesses have access to capital; we must work to reduce health care costs for individuals, businesses and the fiscal strength of our country; and we must continue to invest in our future through education and infrastructure improvements. All of these initiatives - led by Democrats and currently being obstructed by those who think things are just fine right now – are designed to get our economy back on track to producing jobs and real growth.
Guy E. Gerhard is a life-long liberal who
has been involved in many progressive causes and campaigns including
civil rights, voting rights, reproductive rights and a woman's right to
choose, nuclear disarmament (he was arrested with 200 of his closest
friends at the Nevada Nuclear Test Site in Mercury back in the '80s),
workers' rights and union organization and civil rights for gays,
lesbians and same-sex couples. He currently is focused on getting Steve
King, the embarrassment of Iowa, out of office. He occasionally blogs
under the pen-name Iowa Guy at swiowaguy.blogspot.com and can
be contacted through Facebook. He lives in Council Bluffs with his
spouse of 16-plus years, two cats and three rather unpleasant little
dogs.
Grassley Challenger Roxanne Conlin Talks With BFIA About Family, Farms, Food and More Blog for Iowa spoke with candidate for U.S. Senate Roxanne Conlin on Monday. In today's BFIA exclusive interview, the candidate shares her values, her life experiences, and her views on the issues of the day that affect Iowans.
BFIA: What made you decide to run for U.S. Senate?
Conlin: I have observed that Senator Grassley has lost touch with the people of Iowa, which was most dramatically illustrated by his performance at the town hall meetings last summer - especially when he started talking about pulling the plug on grandma. In Washington, he is serving on a six-member select committee whose job it is to find a bipartisan solution to the health care crisis. Then he sends out a fund raising letter to his supporters here in Iowa, promising to vote against the very bill he's supposed to be working on.
I did not expect to run again for public office. I have always had a desire to serve the people of Iowa, but I felt I was doing so in my private practice. But the opportunity to go to Washington and really make a difference is very appealing to me. The bailout infuriated me, as it did most people, I think. The idea of giving 700 billion dollars - no strings attached - to the people who brought us to the brink of economic disaster, and then watching helplessly as they paid themselves multi-million dollar bonuses, is incredible to most people and to me, and is also something that makes me want to change my life and go to Washington and fight, because it's such a mess.
People have asked me to run before, but I never seriously considered it. But this time it appears to me as though there's a reasonable chance that I can succeed. and certainly I think, as Iowans and as Americans, we need someone in Washington whose only focus is the needs of the people of Iowa.
BFIA: As you know, BFIA is a progressive blog. Do you consider yourself a progressive Democrat?
Conlin: I do
BFIA: What does it means to you to be a progressive Democrat as opposed to say, a blue dog or a yellow dog – we don't hear much about yellow dogs these days...
Conlin: When I say progressive, what I mean in a general way, is that I will always put people over profit, and I believe that government has a role to play in keeping us safe, and making sure that we and our families are healthy. I think there are many roles that the government can play, so those are the two things that I think most define me as progressive. There are obviously individual positions on issues that I take that are progressive as well. But in general, that's my philosophy.
BFIA: As you know, Howard Dean brought the Democrats the 50 state strategy. I notice on your Twitter feeds that you seem to be employing a 99-county strategy, you've been travelling all around the state. Is that purposeful, and also, what will be your primary campaign message that you would like to get out to voters?
Conlin: It is absolutely purposeful. I know that I am not going to carry Lyons county, for example, but I want to be the Senator for all of Iowa, and I therefore think that I have a responsibility to go and listen to the concerns of all Iowans, wherever those particular folks may live, and that is why I'm out doing my 99-county real tour.
So, yes, we have purposely planned it so we are not showing up on Tuesday at 10:00 in the morning when many working people couldn't come. It is only on the weekends, Friday nights, Saturdays, Sundays after church, so that as many people as want to would have the opportunity to attend a meeting. I'm very curious about listening to the concerns of Iowans and that is why I'm spending every weekend doing that.
BFIA: What do you feel are the most pressing problems facing Iowa, and what do you feel would be your role as Senator in addressing those problems?
Conlin: Well, I can only say that from my trips and my conversations, there is no question that the economy and jobs are simply the most pressing problems. Very high unemployment for Iowa - the number of people that are under-employed or are working part-time when they want to be working full-time. Until we get people back to work, other problems like the debt and the deficits are intractable.
We want to get people back to work and it will take a number of things. I like the small business tax credit. I like the accelerated appreciation on manufacturing equipment. Green jobs. Rebuilding the infrastructure. I think the smart grid is terribly important, not only to provide jobs and energy, but also as a matter of national security. Our current system places us at huge risk to a terrorist attack on our means of power. So we've got to think about that and we've got to take care of it.
BFIA: You have a long list of accomplishments – you own your own law firm and you famously won a class action suit against Microsoft; you've been a U.S. Attorney for Iowa's southern district and you were the first woman president of the National Trial Lawyers Association. You ran for governor in 1982, and more. What else would you like to tell Blog for Iowa readers about why you feel you would be the best person to represent Iowa in the U.S. Senate?
Conlin: Well, I would like to tell them some about my background that is not so apparent. I am the oldest of six children in a family that was middle class, but when my dad lost his job we went directly to the bottom of the barrel - when there are six children and you don't have any savings.... So within a week we were struggling, and within a couple of weeks there wasn't enough food, so I've been hungry - and the utilities were turned off, and I've been cold. I had an ear infection, and there was no money for a doctor and no insurance, of course. And I have a permanent hearing loss as a result of that infection, that could have been cured with a couple of dollars worth of antibiotics. I got off lucky. That is a very minor thing, and it rarely bothers me at all, but it does make it possible for me to understand what Iowa families are going through today.
My circumstances have changed, but when you've been hungry and when you've been cold, you just never forget. That is so much a part of who I am and what makes me tick and what I care about, and I think that I can empathize with what so many people are struggling with.
I didn't talk about this for years and years and years. It doesn't come up in ordinary conversation. When I ran the first time, my parents were still alive and I would never have done anything to hurt them or embarrass them. I have discussed this with my five siblings and they're okay with my sharing this story because it is so much a part of all of us – and is far more common than we would like. You probably also know that there was violence in my home and it had an enormous impact on us.
BFIA: I really appreciate you sharing that. I think it also gives other people permission to talk about it.
Conlin: A lot of people do. I have found it very freeing for people because after I've told them my story at a meeting, very often people come up and say that theirs was similar and that they don't talk about it. I just have been amazed at the number of people who are willing to share with me after I share with them.
BFIA: There is a growing healthy food movement in Iowa and around the country and globally – people being more and more interested in locally grown, organic foods. We've seen fights in the legislature about CAFOs, local control, large hog confinement operations, concerns about pollution, water contamination from agriculture run-off, use of antibiotics in livestock operations. What should Iowa's senators do to help our state address some of these issues?
Conlin: I support family farms, sustainable farming. I know something, though not enough, about the local farming movement and I think it is great. I think it needs encouragement and outlets for the produce and I think local school districts and other public entities should look at local food. It has so much to recommend it, including reducing the carbon necessary to transport food for long distances. I don't think anyone would disagree that the fresher the food the more nutritious it is. Those are some of the things that I think are important.
In terms of policy directions to get from where we are to where we would like to be, that is a lot more complicated. It requires some serious commitment to things like reducing or eliminating subsidies to corporate farming operations. I'm not under any illusions that any of the things that we want to do will be easy. They will require backbone, persuasion, and a willingness to stand up and speak out, all of which I have.
BFIA: I'm sure you have seen a press release by one of your fellow Grassley challengers, Bob Krause, issued in December. He has raised an issue about someone who is helping your campaign who he says is a Monsanto lobbyist...are you familiar with the press release?
Conlin: Yes, I sure am, and I find it hysterical. Maybe he doesn't know that I am currently suing Monsanto in a huge class action on the same basis, and frankly, I think that our lawsuit is what triggered the Department of Justice investigation [Editor's note: Monsanto a Focus of US Antitrust Investigation] – so that's just a silly thing for him to say.
The person he is speaking of is my friend Jerry Crawford. I have known Jerry Crawford for more than fifty years. We are close and personal friends. He has never uttered the word Monsanto to me and I'm sure he never will. Our relationship is one of friendship – long, long, long friendship.
I'm sure that Bob is unaware of the lawsuit.... the name of the plaintiffs are Union Line Farms. It is a very serious and significant lawsuit and as I said, I think that we triggered the Dept. of Justice's investigation.
BFIA: The Republicans are trying to throw some stuff around too. On BFIA, we try to never repeat GOP talking points. We take our lessons from George Lakoff, so I won't repeat what they're saying but I'm sure you know what it is...
Conlin: Maybe not, I have to tell you, I just don't pay very much attention to it. Whatever I do, they're going to say what they're going to say, and I'm happy to answer whatever you have.
BFIA: In stories from the Iowa Independent and the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, some Republicans were trying to make an issue out of you having financial interest in some businesses of which you have been publicly critical, and they were trying to say that that is hypocritical, but it seems that they have it the opposite. Isn't that integrity when you are publicly critical of an entity in which you have an interest? And I seem to remember that they used this very same tactic against you in the 1982 gubernatorial race...
Conlin: I called for eliminating the tax cuts on the very wealthy and frankly, that's going to be raising my taxes. It is just such a ridiculous thing to say.
Some time ago when I put funds into a managed account, they bought some things for me, like tobacco stock. I didn't direct what they would be purchasing in the account, and when I got my first report, I saw that they had purchased Altria, as an example. I sold it immediately - I ordered it sold. We have in place a program - this is probably far more information than you need to know - but there's a program that is used by funds managers that assesses the social responsibility of corporations. And we have it set at the very highest level, so I don't understand their criticism. I own Wells Fargo stock in that account that is managed for me by others, and I also have a class action pending against Wells Fargo. I agree, I don't think that is hypocritical. I think it shows that I am willing to take public spirited actions even though they may result in some political disadvantage.
BFIA: Exactly. To me, it just shows that the GOP do not know the difference between being hypocritical and having integrity....
Media reform is a big issue that we post a lot about on BFIA – net neutrality, ownership rules, media monopolies, the fairness doctrine, are all things that are out there. One of our big concerns is that 90% of talk radio is conservative, and we think it is a huge problem in Iowa, because it puts misinformation out there in a very serious way. What are your views about that and what do you think is the role of government in assuring that media serves the public interest?
Conlin: The government has just told us that they think they don't have a any such role. The Supreme Court's decision on corporate first amendment rights is a pretty serious blow to all of us who think that unless you have a mouth, you can't have freedom of speech. I'm in favor of net neutrality as I understand it. These are not issues that I'm as familiar with as I will be at some point along the way, but I agree with you that the presence of the conservative - well, I don't call it conservative - the presence of the right-wing, radical blow-hards on the radio spewing hate, misinformation, and flat-out lies, seriously corrupts the civic dialogue.
BFIA: Even the Des Moines Register... They did a huge spread on the tea partyers last Sunday.
Conlin: Yes, whoever they may be...
BFIA: And it just seems to me that they were really feeding into that movement, I'm not even sure it is a movement – the media has defined it as a movement...
Conlin: ...And it was created by Freedomworks and Dick Armey and his corporate bosses. It has certainly tapped into the fear that lots of people have about what is going on in our country. One of the interesting things to me is many people who are a part of that group or groups, feel as you and I do on a large number of issues – such as, they hate the bail-out, as an example, so I'm just a little unclear about that. But I would welcome the tea party people to any of my meetings. We've had just one person who identified himself in that way, and it was an interesting exchange between him and other members of the audience.
BFIA: We noticed you have been posting on DailyKos and just wanted to ask, what are your favorite news sources, newspapers, blogs, etc.
Conlin: I read the Des Moines Register that I get in my hand every day. I read the Washington Post and the New York Times on my kindle. I like McClatchey. I like Huffingtonpost. I do look at DailyKos. That's about all I have time for because I am also studying briefing books on every issue in the entire world that you could possibly imagine. And I read a lot of books. I have read Too Big To Fail, by Sorkin; The Dark Side by Jane Mayer - and The Family. I read a lot of books. I actually read them. [laughter] And then I remember their names. And what was in them.....
BFIA: Final thoughts? Is there anything we haven't covered that you would like to get on the record.
Conlin: I would like to mention my family. I have a husband who I have been married to for 46 years. I have four adult children and I have five incredibly wonderful grandchildren. And I am plugged in therefore, to people of all ages, truly - my grandchildren are 9 on up to 22. Of course, my older grandchildren have been very helpful to me in learning how to use the new social media. My grandson in particular, my oldest grandson, who I'm extremely close to and is a student at the University of Iowa, has been very helpful in trying to get grandma up to speed here...
I want to reach out to and make use of all of the new media. We are struggling sometimes, but we are trying to remember to Tweet and keep in touch with people on a regular basis. I think it's very valuable to have access to that, and in fact, I think it may be the only realistically available antidote to the U.S. Supreme Court opinion that permits corporations to throw whatever money out of their treasury that they want to in political races.
BFIA: ...and really kind of ups the stakes as far as net neutrality is concerned....
Conlin: It certainly does. And I think that the net is the most important democratic-with-a-small-d device that we have available to reach one another....and we just have to keep it free.
Check out the campaign website, RoxanneforIowa.com or click on the link on the Blog for Iowa main page.
*IBLTV is a group of citizens from the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids area who are concerned about the decline in the quality of local television. Fight local media consolidation, as it leads to an unaccountable medium that enriches itself while disregarding the need to serve the public good.
*The rational counter to 'The Point,' 'The Counterpoint' critiques and corrects the daily editorial by Sinclair Broadcasting's corporate vice president, Mark Hyman, that is broadcast on all Sinclair-owned television stations across the country
Guy Gerhard, progressive activist from Council Bluffs,
conducted an in-depth interview for Blog for Iowa with Mike Denklau,
candidate for U.S. Representative for Iowa's 5th District. This is the last of three parts. 
Blog for Iowa spoke with candidate for U.S. Senate Roxanne Conlin on Monday. In today's BFIA exclusive interview, the candidate shares her values, her life experiences, and her views on the issues of the day that affect Iowans. 
