Nothing is on the horizon to block Iowa’s steady march to the right and off a cliff. Gov. Kim Reynolds came off a historic legislative session that has Ron DeSantis calling the Tall Corn State the “Florida of the North.” There’s book banning, gay bashing, welfare demeaning, private school vouchers and more from solid majorities in both the House and Senate for her to celebrate.
This 84 year old who made the mistake of retiring back to Iowa is roiling, not rolling, and praying that the youth who have not been frightened away by the state's policies will find or exceed the drive many of us had in the late 50's, 60's and 70's or the hope of 2007.
Jun 11, 2023·edited Jun 11, 2023Liked by Art Cullen
I upgraded to paid so I could leave this comment. I am a former officer of the Polk Co Democratic Central Committee and was active in the Kennedy in '80, Roxanne for Governor and anti-SouthAfrican Apartheid divestment campaigns before leaving Iowa.
The IDP needs to throw the DNC out of Iowa. Send delegates to the DNC convention or not, it really doesn't make any difference. The national party is absolutely corrupt AND WE ALL KNOW THAT TO BE TRUE.
The IDP will never regain voter trust until Iowans are again permitted to pick their own candidates without the DNC and big money bigfooting the process.
And some day, I'd appreciate it if a member of your writers group could explain to me just exactly how Pete Buttigieg "won" Iowa in 2020 because I still haven't figured that one out. No one took a victory lap but Pete and that's not how winning usually looks.
Speaking of wandering, I do not want to wait 40 years for change. Democrats need multiple leaders to lead Iowa out of the Reynolds designed wilderness of regressive policies. Even Moses relied on other leaders. It is okay to say, that like the R's, D's need more than a small handful of leaders. Also, it is okay to compare Iowa with, and learn from, fellow states, like Kansas. Even Kansas elected a D as Governor. Even 59% of Kansas voters chose to preserve constitutional right to abortion. Similar to the strength of bible study groups, D leaders should convene political-focused study groups and look for leaders and answers.
Thanks, Art. Your words are the simple truth of what is going on in Iowa and it is not a pretty picture. It will be a while before Iowans will begin to understand all of the damage that has been done because of this legislative session. Can we be Kansas? We have to be or we will be nothing but a shell.
Harold Hughs was a drunken truck driver in his youth. He was a man we could admire. He insisted Iowa get rid of the death penalty, unpopular at the time. I wonder how he would do in the social media age that demands we all think alike, we must all cancel the other side. Love Sand because he abuses his authority. Really, can anyone think of a previous state auditor who was such a fabulist? What would Harold say about Sand?
I read your column regularly, to remind me Iowa has not been swallowed whole, by the Republicans
I especially appreciated your mention of labor unions and of the need for well paying jobs.
Jean
This 84 year old who made the mistake of retiring back to Iowa is roiling, not rolling, and praying that the youth who have not been frightened away by the state's policies will find or exceed the drive many of us had in the late 50's, 60's and 70's or the hope of 2007.
I upgraded to paid so I could leave this comment. I am a former officer of the Polk Co Democratic Central Committee and was active in the Kennedy in '80, Roxanne for Governor and anti-SouthAfrican Apartheid divestment campaigns before leaving Iowa.
The IDP needs to throw the DNC out of Iowa. Send delegates to the DNC convention or not, it really doesn't make any difference. The national party is absolutely corrupt AND WE ALL KNOW THAT TO BE TRUE.
The IDP will never regain voter trust until Iowans are again permitted to pick their own candidates without the DNC and big money bigfooting the process.
And some day, I'd appreciate it if a member of your writers group could explain to me just exactly how Pete Buttigieg "won" Iowa in 2020 because I still haven't figured that one out. No one took a victory lap but Pete and that's not how winning usually looks.
A solution rather than a partisan post! Hallelujah!
Speaking of wandering, I do not want to wait 40 years for change. Democrats need multiple leaders to lead Iowa out of the Reynolds designed wilderness of regressive policies. Even Moses relied on other leaders. It is okay to say, that like the R's, D's need more than a small handful of leaders. Also, it is okay to compare Iowa with, and learn from, fellow states, like Kansas. Even Kansas elected a D as Governor. Even 59% of Kansas voters chose to preserve constitutional right to abortion. Similar to the strength of bible study groups, D leaders should convene political-focused study groups and look for leaders and answers.
Thanks, Art. Your words are the simple truth of what is going on in Iowa and it is not a pretty picture. It will be a while before Iowans will begin to understand all of the damage that has been done because of this legislative session. Can we be Kansas? We have to be or we will be nothing but a shell.
Harold Hughs was a drunken truck driver in his youth. He was a man we could admire. He insisted Iowa get rid of the death penalty, unpopular at the time. I wonder how he would do in the social media age that demands we all think alike, we must all cancel the other side. Love Sand because he abuses his authority. Really, can anyone think of a previous state auditor who was such a fabulist? What would Harold say about Sand?