Tag: politics

By the end of the holidays I need to resolve my relationship with politics for the coming years. The federal trifecta with Republicans controlling the executive and legislative branches of government was a clear win, if a somewhat marginal one. After reading many news stories and comments, and based on my experience, I am ready to move forward. In general, Democrats are still licking their wounds, yet life is too short to dawdle in the arena. First, the situation, then what I plan to do in my next post.

Let’s start with President Trump. He is a lame duck going into his second term with about a year and a half to get anything big done. (Obama was hobbled after the 2010 midterms). This time the president-elect has a shadow administration comprised of the Heritage Foundation and their Project 2025 to support him. He also has a number of billionaire buddies he hopes to install in his cabinet and other key governmental positions. Don’t forget his side kick, the richest man in the world, who is willing to spend untold sums of money to get his way. These things can be counted among Trump’s assets.

Out of the box, Trump seems particularly weak. Partly this is his own doing, yet the evidence is more visible with each passing week.

The man is apparently governing via social media. Few people I know pay much attention to social media whether it be Truth Social, X, BlueSky, Threads, Instagram or Facebook. It is his decision how to govern and conduct routine press relations. A more effective way to do this would be to enable his press secretary Karoline Leavitt to play a larger role by releasing his appointments, policy announcements, and general news, thus creating a buffer to moderate his bad stuff before releasing it. As he is doing it, the message is off the cuff, and haphazard. Ultimately we can’t believe anything he says, but we knew that from the first term.

Some Republicans, including the president-elect, have been kicking around the word “mandate” after the November election. Enough dust has not been raised to obscure the fact President Trump barely won the election. The Republican majority in the House is super thin (5 members), and the 53-47 majority in the Senate is not filibuster-proof. In the Senate, it is not clear the aging cohort of octogenarian Republicans will cave to his every wish. It will be a rough road ahead for the president to accomplish much during the 119th Congress, if they are even capable of getting all the Republican legislators behind him on any legislation.

Trump is losing initial skirmishes. John Thune beat his choice of Rick Scott for Senate Majority Leader. The Senate wanted no part of Matt Gaetz as Attorney General. His side kick Elon Musk got out ahead of him in the public debate over keeping the government funded. Trump didn’t respond to Musk for hours. After he did, his demand that a suspension of the debt ceiling be included in the CR was ignored. All of these things point to a weak second term as president.

Despite this impressive ledger of liabilities, his minions, like Mariannette Miller-Meeks, continue to parrot his talking points about a mandate, to wit: “November 5th, 2024 is a day that will forever be remembered as the day the American people voted for a mandate—a mandate for change.”

There was no mandate, Trump barely got a plurality. Unlike his economic policy, I predict this weakness will trickle down throughout Republican governance. Stay tuned for what’s next for my advocacy in the next post.

The reason the president-elect’s plan to deport millions of immigrants will fail has little to do with his ability to strong-arm law enforcement, and potentially the U.S. military, into corralling people in large, fenced-in Texas prisons. He may be able to do that. Missing is that immigrants are a part of the fabric of American society in a way that promotes and values the individual nature of people. While Trump talks about mass deportations of millions of people, each of the targeted people will have a name, a face, and a presence in the community in which they find themselves. To treat them as a fungible commodity, thus dehumanizing them, goes against the American grain and Trump will encounter that. I believe this is a significant enough obstacle that whatever the plan is, it will fail.

Where will federal officers find all these undocumented immigrants? They may have some records, like those Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is trying to obtain regarding non-citizens who registered to vote. Voter fraud is so rare that will not fill Texas stockades.

When children of immigrants attend public schools, they are visible. Will teachers turn them over to federal authorities? It’s an open question. I suppose they are counting on people to snitch on their neighbors. In my neighborhood, I suspect that fellow who flies the Gadsden flag near his Trump 2024 flag might serve as a MAGA snitch. I hope not, yet this sounds a bit like North Korea, actually. It is like the North Korea portrayed in Barbara Demick’s book Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea where neighbors snitch on neighbors. Maybe that’s what Republicans want in the United States.

In his book, The Audacity of Hope, then Senator Barack Obama recounted the story of how in 2006, Senator Chuck Grassley and he worked together on immigration reform. According to Obama,

Under the leadership of Ted Kennedy and John McCain, the Senate crafted a compromise (immigration reform) bill with three major components. The bill provided much tougher border security and, through an amendment I wrote with Chuck Grassley, made it significantly more difficult for employers to hire workers illegally. The bill also recognized the difficulty of deporting twelve million undocumented immigrants and instead created a long, eleven-year process under which many of them could earn citizenship.

The reasonableness of this story makes it seem more like a fairy tale than actual behavior of U.S. Senators.

Locally, the story we hear in the community is more granular and personal. There is an increase in the number of immigrants from countries other than Mexico. Parts of Iowa, especially university centers are international communities. We find landlords rent to immigrants more often and schools enroll more immigrant children. People who work in social safety net organizations like free medical clinics, food banks and neighborhood centers see a large number of immigrant clients. Public Health workers in Northwest Iowa require some staff members to speak Spanish to work effectively with immigrant communities. An increasing number of churches are being founded by immigrants. These are some of the things we see. The point is we know these people as individuals with a personality and a life woven into ours.

Because of the way Trump framed mass deportations, people are running scared, and I don’t mean undocumented residents. If the expectation is that undocumented residents will be found harboring kilos of fentanyl, there will be disappointment, especially here in Iowa. Anyone who has read Methland by Nick Reding or Dream Land by Sam Quinones knows that’s not how illegal international drug trafficking works.

The problems caused by a flawed immigration system are many. Native born workers have seen a decline in standard of living. Businesses want access to inexpensive labor provided by immigrants. Undocumented workers compete with native born/naturalized workers on an uneven playing field for jobs. Guest workers and work visa programs replace permanent jobs with temporary jobs without benefits or the legal protections guaranteed to most U.S. workers. Undocumented immigrants are most likely to receive abuse and mistreatment in social situations and in housing and employment. There is a language barrier and skin color may be different. Non-Christian religious backgrounds result in discrimination and mistreatment. All of these are symptoms. So what can we do?

Whatever that is, I expect the Trump administration to pay it little attention. Remember, Trump was the person who begged Republican Senators to kill the long negotiated immigration reform bill because he wanted to use the issue to get elected. Well, Mr. Trump. When your program deteriorates into chaos, what then? We all know you aren’t concerned about immigration. Let’s hope some of the real people involved as targets in the proposed mass deportations get a lifeline from the rest of us.

Below are two constituent newsletters received after each incumbent congresswoman won their re-election on Nov. 5. The first is from Democrat Jan Schakowsky of Illinois’ 9th District. The second is from Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Iowa’s First District. The first is positive. The second is crabby, and full of lies. Which woman would you prefer in the Congress?

Jan’s Plans & Pans – November 18, 2024

Thank you to the people of Illinois’ 9th Congressional District for once again choosing me to be your voice in Congress. It truly is the honor of a lifetime! The fight for equal rights for all, an economy that works for everyday Americans, not just the rich, reproductive rights, and environmental protections goes on. Keep the faith. Let’s get to work.

Just a friendly reminder, if you need advice on navigating the Social Security Administration, help on an immigration case, aid in obtaining a passport, or assistance with the IRS, my staff and I are here to help, no matter your political party or beliefs. We will personally cut through the red-tape for you, and if we are unable, we will connect you with the agency or level of government that best suits your needs. Do not worry, my office can often save you a lot of time and stress. 

If you have not done so already, please be sure to follow me on Instagram, X, and Facebook, where my handle is @JanSchakowsky, to keep up with my latest updates.

Be well, Jan Schakowsky

Rep. Miller-Meeks: A Mandate for Change – November 17, 2024

November 5th, 2024 is a day that will forever be remembered as the day the American people voted for a mandate—a mandate for change.

After nearly four years under the Biden-Harris administration, it is clear that America stands at a crossroads. The failures of the current administration have left our nation grappling with challenges on multiple fronts – with soaring inflation seen by high interest rates, gas and grocery prices, this economic hardship felt by families is undeniable.

At the same time, this administration has overseen an unprecedented border crisis, with millions of illegal immigrants crossing our southern border. This flood of people has brought deadly synthetic fentanyl, gang activity, individuals on the terror watch list, and placed a severe strain on public resources.

Beyond these crises, the administration’s policies have further weakened the fabric of our society. Rising crime rates plague our cities, often driven by left-wing policies that coddle criminals while undermining law enforcement and often at the expense of victims. Americans, especially women, don’t feel safe and secure.

Adding to this are the multiple wars that have erupted around the world following Biden’s attempts to re-enter the Iran nuclear deal and the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, which resulted in the tragic loss of 13 service members and emboldened our adversaries. It’s no surprise, then, that Americans are demanding change.

The Biden-Harris legacy is one of confusion, failure, and an abandonment of the values that have made America exceptional. But on November 5th, 2024, the American people voted for a new direction.

It is now time for America to return to the principles that have made it the greatest nation in the world: a strong economy, strong military, secure borders, safe communities, and a commitment to fairness and equal opportunity for all through merit. 

With President Trump’s leadership and majorities in the House and Senate, we can restore our nation’s greatness. Together, we will secure our borders, revive our economy, and put an end to the ongoing wars that have drained many of our resources and undermined our national security. More importantly, we will restore hope for the millions of Americans who have felt forgotten under the Biden-Harris leadership. The American Dream is not dead – together, we can and will revive and restore it. 

As we look to the future, I pray for President Trump’s health and success. I look forward to working with his administration to implement policies that will bring stability, security, and prosperity back to our nation. God bless him, and may God bless the United States of America.

Sincerely, Mariannette

I’m not ready to move to Illinois… yet.

Tulsi Gabbard was one of the first female members of the U.S. Congress with combat experience. I interacted with her twice: once at a 2016 event hosted by then Congressman Dave Loebsack, and again in 2019 when a neighbor hosted an event within walking distance of my driveway. Gabbard’s campaign for president was gasping for oxygen the day I last saw her. I baked an apple crisp for the event. She took the leftover dessert with her and dropped out of the race the following week.

That Gabbard is a combat veteran, and was a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, the House Armed Services Committee, and House Homeland Security Committee, does not qualify her to be Director of National Intelligence (DNI) as was announced this week. In 2022, Vladimir Solovyov reported on Russian media Gabbard was Vladimir Putin’s agent in the U.S., according to Julia Davis who monitors Russian media.

The staffing announcements by the president-elect this week were a continuous showing of bad hires for jobs that take real skills. It is no wonder he bankrupted so many of his businesses. That Gabbard is suspected of being a spy while potentially being DNI is just scratching the surface of how bad the next administration will be for the United States.

What does that mean? We engaged activists need a new approach to dealing in public with the new administration.

On Feb. 1, 2017, my guest opinion, “What if the jobs don’t come back?” appeared in the Cedar Rapids Gazette. The mistake I made then, and won’t make again, is treating Donald Trump like a normal president, instead of the criminal he is.

In her Nov. 13, Letters from an American, Heather Cox Richardson said this about the president-elect:

Trump has made it clear that his goal for a second term is to toss overboard the rule of law and the international rules-based order, instead turning the U.S. government into a vehicle for his own revenge and forging individual alliances with autocratic rulers like Russian president Vladimir Putin.

With four years of experience and frustrations, the president-elect can now move immediately to implement his agenda. With Republican majorities in both the U.S. House and Senate, and with the full backing of right wing billionaires and the Heritage Foundation, I expect he will move quickly. He already asked the U.S. Senate to forego confirmation hearings on his nominees so they can be appointed according to Article II, Section 2, Clause 3 of the U.S. Constitution:

The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session.

That means without the advice and consent of the U.S. Senate. Or, as Rachel Maddow put it:

I hope not to anger the gods and get on the president-elect’s or his minions’ hit list of people against whom he wants revenge. I have enough energy to roll this thing forward one more time, so I’d better make the most of it. So, should we all.

Here are the election night vote totals for the top four races in Big Grove Precinct. I will update these numbers, if needed, after the official canvass. It was another Republican night in Big Grove Township, and in Iowa.

Race	Republican	Democrat
President	Trump	Harris
	699	598
U.S. House	Miller-Meeks	Bohannan
	700	617
State Senator	Driscoll	Chabal
	741	526
State Representative	Lawler	Gorsh
	716	545

Statewide, Trump won Iowa easily. Miller-Meeks has a 799 vote lead out of 408,337 votes cast, with 20 of 20 counties reporting. That race is too close to call and there will be a recount according to the Cedar Rapids Gazette. District-wide, Dawn Driscoll and Judd Lawler both won their races.

I have reactions to the results, although I will save those until all the counting is done and the results certified.

Tomorrow is election day in the United States. At lunch on Friday, a candidate asked the sheriff if he was coming to the election night party in the county seat. He wouldn’t be, he said. Because of the election they had extra officers on duty to address uncertainties of what might happen when the polls close. His presence was required to command that group.

Our politics changed since I began voting: we need a standby police force to address potential conflict. Hopefully the extra staff won’t be needed. In Iowa’s most liberal county conflict escalating to violence seems unlikely.

For the first time since I can remember, I finished my list of voters to contact on Thursday before election day. We used to go right up to the poll closing with our efforts, yet this cycle we got ahead of the game. I continue to do two or three things each day to contribute to electing Democrats. Unless something dramatic and unprecedented happens, I plan to stay home on election night.

The tension created by this year’s political campaigns is palpable. Regardless of who is elected president, the tension will be real. I recall the reaction among the electorate when the first black man was elected president in 2008. If the first black woman is elected tomorrow, I expect an intensified encore of the drama. If Trump is elected, his chaotic governing will be unrelenting. I’m braced for both possibilities.

In an email sent Nov. 3 at 6 p..m., Jen O’Malley Dillon, Campaign Chair, Harris for President, wrote the following:

We feel very, very good about where we are. More people — and more diverse people — are voting than ever before. We are currently on pace to turn out the voters we need to get to 50%+1 in each battleground state.

We continue to have a few paths to victory: By winning the Blue Wall (Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania), by winning the Sun Belt (Nevada, Arizona, Georgia, and North Carolina), or by winning a combination of the two. We are seeing what we need to see to pull at least one of those paths off.

Volunteers knocking on doors, making calls, and making sure voters have what they need to head to the polls are making a difference in this race. So much so that undecided voters in the last week are breaking for the Vice President by double-digit margins.

We know that, among the remaining pool of undecided voters, more are open to voting for the Vice President than for Trump. Our team on the ground is kicking ass reaching those voters and we have to keep it up in the days to come.

The day before election day, we are standing by to see what happens. I’m confident the best qualities of being an American will prevail.