Two years ago I was in the Democratic primary to unseat Representative Rod Blum in Iowa’s 1st district. Along with businessman Ravi Patel and Cedar Rapids city council member Monica Vernon, I ran on progressive values and we strengthened each other’s resolve by engaging every single day with constituents and with each other. By late…
Author: gary1164
I'm an advertising executive and former actor/producer
Fiscally Full of S#!t
People hate being labeled. Or at least being labelled by others. Every one of us bristles when we are summarized within restricting parameters, especially when those parameters are defined by someone from the “other side.” Yesterday I was called a “far left liberal.” I countered, “Far left of what? I just try to be right.” (pun intended). I…
Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood
Allow me to show you a classic example of disingenuous political rhetoric. Known also as “mumbo jumbo” or more precisely as “lying.” It is language cleverly designed to appear as thoughtful, truthful, even generous. In reality, however, it is a dishonest form of communication because often a sinister objective has been disguised as compassionate, and…
The Mayor of Cedar Falls
I just read the news that Jon Crews has died from cancer. Jon Crews, the mayor’s mayor; the heartbeat of one of America’s finest small towns. Condolences framed by sweet memories and tears will go from house to house today and for many days to come. I first met Jon Crews in 1971. I was…
A Tax on Your House!
Taxes. The ugly step child of our Republic. Both political sides share parenting and are responsible for its well-being, but no one wants to admit that taxes are part of either gene pool. The line between what is the right amount of tax and what is too much is as blurry and contested as the…
One Fish Two Fish…
Americans love numbers. We especially love big numbers because big numbers means there can be no argument against whatever point we are using the big numbers for…because they are so BIG. Here’s a big one—The National Debt clock at this very moment is $19,856,689,020,596. It is higher right now as you read this from what…
A Rosa by any other name
The immigration debate rages on. I was sent a post attributed to Ben Stein who, allegedly, found it paradoxical that our government would require people to carry proof of insurance, but not proof of citizenship. That circulated through the conservative blogosphere because it seemed like a slam dunk double standard. A closer look shows that it doesnt hold water. It is pretty…
Back to the Future
Last year marked the 100th anniversary of the creation of Planned Parenthood which has become America’s preeminent provider of reproductive health care for women and for the prevention of unwanted pregnancies. 19 years later in 1935 American retirees first became protected by Social Security, reducing poverty among senior citizens from nearly 50% to 10%, making it one of the most…
I know you are but what am I?
Donald Trump is often called a “bully.” There is a sound reason for that: He is. Not of physical strength, but often the most formidable ones rely on neither muscle or even wit, but dismantle logic. It’s a ploy where you win every time because there is no requirement in the fight beyond the rhetorical…
Our Beloved Plutocracy
I won’t lie. I like money. I would like to have more and if I did I could make investments to make even more. I’d love that. I like my bank too. They are very nice and I think that if I had more money to put into my bank they would guide me wisely to protect and…