It won’t be long before empty parking spaces near the Iowa Capitol will be as hard to find as a compromise between Democrats and Republicans. The Legislature returns to Des Moines on Jan. 9, more firmly in Republican control than it was on May 24, when this year’s session ended. With ...
While the Nov. 8 midterm election has passed, several ballot tabulations, recounts, and court challenges are in the works. Should election results show that Republicans control an abundance of state legislatures, don’t be surprised if GOP’s next move will be to call for a U.S. ...
National Veterans and Military Families Month are recognized each November to honor the service and sacrifices made by our veterans, service members, and their spouses. Many may not realize that by keeping our veterans and military spouses employed, it helps sustain our nation’s ...
Our story begins in a small eastern Iowa farming community in 1840. It ends at a lonely grave along the old stagecoach road between Leadville and Buena Vista, Colorado. The headstone reads, "My Wife – Jane Kirkham – died March 7, 1879 – Aged 38 Years 3 Months 7 Days." Within those 38 ...
Never in my wildest dreams did I think America would be on the verge of changing from democracy to authoritarian rule. But, overwhelming evidence abounds that voters and a political party are purposely changing their behavioral traits. With three grandchildren -- ages 11, 8, and 4 -- I truly ...
Do you make a difference in the world? Does anyone care about what you do? Are some people more important than others? We all ask ourselves these questions from time to time. Some people wonder about them more than others. You do make a difference. You are important. Who you are and ...
There’s an unfortunate trend continuing in Iowa and across the nation that must be addressed: the negative behavior of some coaches, parents, and fans at high school athletic events. Far too often, we see yelling, harassment, disrespect, and even physical assault directed at high school ...
Reporters need a thick skin. Hard-hitting stories can generate a lot of complaints, including abusive language and the occasional threat. It got out of hand this month in Las Vegas where a reporter was stabbed to death in his home. Police have arrested an elected official who had been the ...
When former Republican Gov. Terry Branstad signed executive order number 85 on March 24, 2014, he stated, “transparency provides Iowans the necessary access to information to hold our government accountable, and our Open Records Act is essential of ensuring openness . . . our administration ...
It’s well known America’s first president warned citizens – on Sept. 17, 1796 – about the negative impact political parties could have on the country. In George Washington’s farewell address, he felt politicians and their party of preference could become “unprincipled.” The ...