The Historic Marion County Courthouse, Knoxville, IA

The Marion County Democrats, serving the people in South Central Iowa, welcome you to our on line home.  We are a party of progressive ideas from ordinary people who are determined to make an extraordinary difference in our world by bringing about change through our political system.  We are grassroots people at their best -- EMBOLDENED, EMPOWERED, ON THE MOVE, and WORKING for the common good of all people in our communities, our state, our country, and our world.  Thank you for visiting us.

U-r-g-e-n-t....SENATOR GRASSLEY IN PELLA ON JULY 3 - 7:30 A.M TO 8:30 A.M. -- Pella Community Services Building

We can't pass a health care bill in 2009 without Senator Grassley's support.  You can attend this meeting and urge the Senator to pass the public health insurance option.  It is the same type of quality insurance that members of Congress have...  the kind Senator Grassley has!!  If he can have it, why can't we?

This is all about providing the American people with choices.  Right now in Iowa, the top two insurance providers control 89 percent of the health care market share--leaving us with little to no options.  Now, if you like your current health insurance plan, you can keep it.

Employer Responsibility--Congress plans to include an individual mandate for insurance.  This means that every American would be required to buy a health insurance plan, if they can find one that is affordable for their income.  We believe that individuals, government and businesses should all share in the responsibility of acquiring health insurance.  Senator Grassley is opposed to holding large employers accountable if they refuse to offer health benefits to their workers.

The Marion County Democrats need to raise these concerns with Senator Grassley.  An Iowa poll showed that a majority of us (56%) support a public health insurance option.  Thirty (30) states offer public plans as employee benefits and they compete fairly with private plans.  We just want that at a national level, where everyone has access.

BOB KRAUSE FOR U.S. SENATE - Bob Krause is a Candidate for United States Senate from Iowa in the 2010 U.S. Senate election.  He is challenging the incumbent, Charles Grassley (R).

Currently the Chair of the Iowa Democratic Veterans Caucus, Krause has worked hard in recent years to bring important veterans' issues to the forefront of the presidential campaign debate.

Krause worked his way through college at the University of Iowa, graduating in 1972 with a B.A degree in political science.  He was a member of ROTC, student senate and president of University Democrats.  He devoted two summers for the Robert D. Fulton for Governor campaign and worked for the Iowa Democratic Party.

Krause served six years in the Iowa House of Representatives, receiving an appointment as Assistant House Minority Whip in his first term, which was soon after his 22nd birthday.  In this capacity, he helped pass Iowa's collective bargaining bill that is so crucial to teachers and other public employees.  In 1978, the Des Moines Register honored him as one of the "Top 10 Most Effective Iowa Legislators.

After the Carter administration, Krause taught in the business school at Iowa State University. Krause has been recognized many times for his public service as a transportation planner.  He was honored for his efforts on railroad deregulation and served on the Iowa Interstate Cooperation commission during the Carter administration.  More on www.KrauseForIowa.com.

MIDWEST HIGH-SPEED RAIL PROSPECTS LOOK PROMISING -

The Federal Railroad Administration produced rules concerning the apportionment of $8 billion of federal stimulus money for high-speed rail nationally.  A deputy administrator with the Federal Railroad administration (FRA) applauded the cooperative work by the Midwestern states, and the $10 billion in bonding approved by California voters.  These are examples of states being proactive.

Iowa is one of those Midwestern states that have come together to create and promote a high-speed rail plan that would connect 12 metropolitan areas, with Chicago being the hub.  Last session, Iowa appropriated $3 million to the Department of Transportation for capital improvements and regulated studies for expanding passenger rail service.

Last November, voters in California approved issuing bonds totalling close to $10 billion to build 800 miles of high-speed tracks.  It was always the intent to include any and all available federal funding.

The rules fy the FRA state that preference will be given to plans that reduce regional highway and airport congestion, as well as creating jobs.  Many states across the nation are hoping for more and long-term federal funding for high-speed rail.  Everyone recognizes that in order to make high-speed rail a viable transporation option, it will take billions in funding and many years to accomplish.

IOWA DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHAIR RESPONDS TO REPUBLICAN GATHERING IN SAC COUNTY - June 27, 2009

"If all Republican candidates can do is say, 'No!' to Iowa's families, then they shouldn't be running.  Four candidates showed up today for what amounted to a rally against helping Iowa families, full of juvenile name-calling," reports IDP Party Chair, Michael Kiernan.

"I'm stunned that not a day goes by without Republican candidates flailing against Governor Culver's efforts to create jobs without raising taxes.  Are they against creating 21st-century jobs by attracting more wind energy and data centers to Iowa?"  Are they against creating jobs that will help communities, families and businesses rebuild from flood damage?  Are they against creating jobs by rebuilding our state university?  Are they against creating jobs that will rebuild crumbling roads and bridges?

Maybe they're just against the jobs that will be created to rebuild the Iowa veterans home.  Really, I just can't fugure these Republicans out.  Helping families is what Governor is supposed to do when times are tough?

BETRAYING THE PLANET - by Paul Krugman - NY Times - June 28, 2009

"...The fact is that the planet is changing faster than even pessimists expected; ice caps are shrinking, arid zones spreading, at a terrifying rate.  And according to a number of recent studies, catastrophe--a rise in temperature so large as to be almost unthinkable--can no longer be considered a mere possibility.  It is, instead, the most likely outcome if we continue along our present course. "   Full Story

This is the official website of the Marion County Democratic Party, designed to provide information about local and national candidates, issues, and upcoming events in our area.

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