In listening to the Democratic presidential debates, we might conclude that “Medicare for All” is a legislative possibility. It is not, and any presidential candidate with a scintilla of self-respect must admit that fact. A recent Kaiser Family Foundation poll found that just 30% of ...
A week from now, the 29 member states of “the most successful alliance in history” will meet to celebrate its 70th anniversary. Yet all is not well within NATO. Instead of a “summit,” the gathering, on the outskirts of London, has been cut to two days. Why the shortened ...
In her diary entry for July 15, 1944, Anne Frank wrote words that would harrow and challenge generations not yet born: “I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart.” Less than a month later, “people” would discover Anne and seven other Jews hiding in a ...
As a supporter of the Borgen Project, I want to explain the importance of supporting increased funding to the international affairs budget. Specifically, I want my congress leaders Sen. Joni Ernst, Sen. Chuck Grassley and Rep. Cindy Axne to know what I, their constituent, is wanting. I urge you ...
Enemies of unfettered capitalism, unite! For as long as I can remember, people on the left have complained about “unfettered capitalism.” Moderate liberals do it, and of course flat-out Marxists do it. In his new book, “A Bit of Everything: Power, People, Profits and Progressive ...
Dear Grandma, It’s been nearly 80 years since I wrote to you last. I wanted to tell you how much I love and have missed you-us Norwegians sometimes, won’t tell you what is on their heart. Remember 1937-38 when my sister, mother and I stayed with you in your beautiful country? We would ...
On Wednesday, President Trump signed legislation in support of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protestors, a move that is angering mainland China. The Chinese government is accusing the United States of meddling in its domestic affairs. While the legislation doesn’t make any firm commitments, ...
Students stormed the football field at halftime at the Harvard-Yale game and held things up for about an hour, demanding that the schools divest holdings in fossil fuels investments. The disruptors were cheered on by presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren while actress Alyssa Milano decried ...
They, the omniscient “they,” say that when you retire the majority of your time is taken up with doctor visits and funerals. I’d like to slap a gag order on whomever said that. Back in my working-and-family-rearing days, when I heard that statement, I thought, “Nope, that won’t be ...
Now that Democrats have built a very strong factual case to impeach President Trump on abuse of Congress and of presidential power, it seems certain the House of Representatives will vote to impeach him. But then, just as certainly, the Republican-controlled Senate will acquit him in a vote a ...
This week, South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who has risen to the top of the heap in early Democratic presidential primary polling in Iowa and New Hampshire, came under serious sustained attack for the first time in his candidacy. Buttigieg’s early candidacy gained credibility thanks ...
There is no doubt that the hustle and bustle of the holidays can be somewhat overwhelming and stressful for families. Although that is not the intention, we need to learn to take care of ourselves to improve overall health. Have you thought about practicing family self-care? Self-care is any ...
Thanksgiving and Christmas seem to come earlier each year. Though the dates remain the same, the promotions from advertisers don’t. Christmas decorations are appearing before Halloween. Merchants can’t wait for Thanksgiving to end so they can promote “Black Friday,” itself beginning ...
Improving the level of adult literacy in our area is one of the main aspirations of the staff at the Iowa Valley Education & Training Center (ETC). With locations in Marshalltown, Tama, Grinnell, Iowa Falls, and Eldora, more than 400 students were served at the centers this past year. ...
“The Image: A Guide to Pseudo-Events in America” is the title of a 1960s book by historian and librarian of Congress Daniel Boorstin. Pseudo-events, he wrote, are staged solely to generate news media coverage. Real events involve independent actors and have unpredictable outcomes. ...
When I was pregnant with my daughter, my parents gave me a Cabbage Patch doll with blonde hair and eyes that blinked. On the spot, I named her Gloria Steinem. “Think this through,” my father cautioned. My mother just smiled. By the time my daughter, Cait, could walk, Gloria ...
U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff, the California Democrat and chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, once considered becoming a screenwriter. But he abandoned glitzy Hollywood dreams for the meaty thrills of Washington intrigue. And as lord high inquisitor of Trump Impeachment Theater, he’s the ...
What do you think of when you hear the word “whistleblower”? Perhaps “tattletale” or “snitch” pop into your mind. Maybe the word conjures up the image of a person who, at great personal risk, comes forward to reveal illicit activity the public needs to know. Either way, as you have ...
Dear Readers, Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I grew up in a farming community and by late November the harvest was usually complete. Crops that were a year in the making were out of the fields and rest could be had. The weather had turned to a cool, crisp air and there would be a ...
There are large historical differences between America’s two major political parties in how they choose their presidential nominees. Consider this: Since 1952, there have been 11 presidential elections where there wasn’t a Republican president running for reelection. In 10 of those 11, ...