An interesting ramble! Politics never makes sense to those who aren't up to their ears in it, because truthfully it often makes no sense at all at times. the business of geting the counts in from the Presidential caucus quickly turned into a huge failure and I don't think to this day we know how it came out. Trying to make it important and keep it "first in the nation" would make one conclude that everything was tested and assured it worked, but failed miseably! The only thing I can conclude is the National Party didn't want Iowa First, PERIOD! and the State Party fell in line! Politically in Iowa it was a terrible decision, but it worked for the National Party, or so they thought! what Iowan's thought probably was a whole lot different, and likely showing up for the caucas was a waste of their time. Not exactly the best way to keep Democrats as Democrats when these sort of things happen.
The result was the same, who ever did the "shoving" got the job done because the State Party allowed it. The State is still in control of elections, I don't know why the party within the state doesn't have control over the states caucus process. I watched changes happen all the time in the 1970's with the caucus process and the way the conventions operated and never saw the National Democratic Party involve themselves in those changes, if so, I never heard of it. Each time something changed it limited debate, or changed the rules govening the debate simply to get conventions over on time! When you let the clock run the show, democracy goes out the window! The old saw of "I don't belong to an organized political party - I'm a Democrat!" lost all of its meaning as a result. When the two remaining lead parties agreed not to allow anyone into the Presidential telivised debates other than the two parties chosen party affiliated candidates, that silenced the "debate". Those who control the debate kept voices silent that made monkeys out of the two parties candidates! Even then, those who had chosen to attack the two party system suffered for their attempt and effectively were silenced as a result. Bernie Sanders found a way around that by simply declaring he was a Democrat, when everyone knew he was a socialist! Had it not been for the intervention of the "news" media, I think it would have been possible that he would have won the nomination for President. Certainly the Mayor of New York and more populist candidates that have run and won, show the affect Sanders has had in creating a spike in third party Progressive activism, and turned lose at least an effort to sound more "progressive" within the regular two party usual promises and then failure to perform candidates. For instance, it has been over fifty years since President Johnson managed to pull medicare through the eye of the needle and start working to provide health care for everyone by hook and by crook! Democrats have"favored it" or so they say, for years, but next to nothing has brought us any closer to National Health Care beyond the half hearted effort Obama Care made that clearly now is on the scrap heap. Quite naturally it played into the insurance industries hand, and was squashed just in time by Republicans who allowed rates to sky rocket! I'd love to give you a short answer, but this is the best I can do!
Great idea!! I’d join at noon for sure. We need more Iowans to get actively involved this election - I’m talking 3x the normal involvement at minimum! Do you have a list of all the grassroots groups working in Iowa this election season? I might write something up about the various options people can choose from to get involved - make it easy on them! :)
The idea of having insights into current events being digested in live conversations, by two engaging analysts, is very important and interesting. Please consider moving forward with this idea of a regular discussion we can all appreciate.
Christina Bohannan came out for a public option in late January.
Travis Terrell (the other Democrat running in IA-01) is for a Medicare for All type universal health care.
Keep Up the good work!
An interesting ramble! Politics never makes sense to those who aren't up to their ears in it, because truthfully it often makes no sense at all at times. the business of geting the counts in from the Presidential caucus quickly turned into a huge failure and I don't think to this day we know how it came out. Trying to make it important and keep it "first in the nation" would make one conclude that everything was tested and assured it worked, but failed miseably! The only thing I can conclude is the National Party didn't want Iowa First, PERIOD! and the State Party fell in line! Politically in Iowa it was a terrible decision, but it worked for the National Party, or so they thought! what Iowan's thought probably was a whole lot different, and likely showing up for the caucas was a waste of their time. Not exactly the best way to keep Democrats as Democrats when these sort of things happen.
Iowa Democrats got the blame, but it was the national party that shoved that untested app down our throats…
The result was the same, who ever did the "shoving" got the job done because the State Party allowed it. The State is still in control of elections, I don't know why the party within the state doesn't have control over the states caucus process. I watched changes happen all the time in the 1970's with the caucus process and the way the conventions operated and never saw the National Democratic Party involve themselves in those changes, if so, I never heard of it. Each time something changed it limited debate, or changed the rules govening the debate simply to get conventions over on time! When you let the clock run the show, democracy goes out the window! The old saw of "I don't belong to an organized political party - I'm a Democrat!" lost all of its meaning as a result. When the two remaining lead parties agreed not to allow anyone into the Presidential telivised debates other than the two parties chosen party affiliated candidates, that silenced the "debate". Those who control the debate kept voices silent that made monkeys out of the two parties candidates! Even then, those who had chosen to attack the two party system suffered for their attempt and effectively were silenced as a result. Bernie Sanders found a way around that by simply declaring he was a Democrat, when everyone knew he was a socialist! Had it not been for the intervention of the "news" media, I think it would have been possible that he would have won the nomination for President. Certainly the Mayor of New York and more populist candidates that have run and won, show the affect Sanders has had in creating a spike in third party Progressive activism, and turned lose at least an effort to sound more "progressive" within the regular two party usual promises and then failure to perform candidates. For instance, it has been over fifty years since President Johnson managed to pull medicare through the eye of the needle and start working to provide health care for everyone by hook and by crook! Democrats have"favored it" or so they say, for years, but next to nothing has brought us any closer to National Health Care beyond the half hearted effort Obama Care made that clearly now is on the scrap heap. Quite naturally it played into the insurance industries hand, and was squashed just in time by Republicans who allowed rates to sky rocket! I'd love to give you a short answer, but this is the best I can do!
I love this idea of a recurring Substack live with you, Dr. Bob, Zachary and guests!
It's a good idea.
Somebody took my coat after a Celebration of Life and it was freezing out! I would still like that coat back.
I like this idea. Also, is the Wahls/Turek event online?
You can watch the event here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF6WVu1g77k&t=916s
Yes..
At progress iowa website
I looked at my emails, and it doesn’t say if it will be live streamed. sorry.
Great idea!! I’d join at noon for sure. We need more Iowans to get actively involved this election - I’m talking 3x the normal involvement at minimum! Do you have a list of all the grassroots groups working in Iowa this election season? I might write something up about the various options people can choose from to get involved - make it easy on them! :)
The idea of having insights into current events being digested in live conversations, by two engaging analysts, is very important and interesting. Please consider moving forward with this idea of a regular discussion we can all appreciate.