Marion County Democrats pause for a picture at the 2010 caucus.  Approximately 30 people gathered on a rainy Saturday afternoon to conduct the business of the local party:  elect new members to the Central Committee, elect delegates and alternates to the County Convention, and submit resolutions to the Platform Committee chaired by Cathy Haustein of Pella. From left to right:  Steve Jones; Carolyn Jones, treasurer of the Marion County Democratic Party;   Denise Emal, Marion County Treasurer  up for re-election; acting County Chair and candidate for the Iowa House from District 71, Pat VanZante; and  Marion County Democratic activist Sheila Weldon.

 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.

NEXT DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE MEETING - WED., FEBRUARY 24, 2010 , SWAMP FOX RESTAURANT, KNOXVILLE  -- 6:30 BUSINESS MEETING -- gather for dinner at 5:30 if you are able.

LT. GOVERNOR PATTY JUDGE WILL APPEAR AT 3M, 3406 E. PLEASANT ST., KNOXVILLE, ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2010, 10 A.M.

The Lt. Governor brings "Moving Iowa Forward" to southeast Iowa this coming week.  She will be in Knoxville to highlight the need for further investments in job creation efforts.

February 5, 2010 - VIDEO:  VETERANS GROUP ATTACKS GRASSLEY ON CAP AND TRADE by Jason Hancock -Iowa Independent

A national veterans group has launched a television ad campaign attacking U. S. Senator Chuck Grassley's position on a bill capping carbon emissions.  The veterans' position is that it will help military personnel by cutting the country's dependence on foreign oil.  Full Story

  E. J. Dionne Jr./THE HIDDEN ISSUE OF 2010 -- Op-Ed  --  "When I finished the interview with Joe Biden about America's place in the world, I realized he had bumped into the hidden political issue of the 2010 elections.  Beneath the predictable back-and-forth between Obama and his Republican adversaries over government spending lies a substantively important difference over how the United States can maintain its global leadership. "

 "For Republicans, American power is rooted largely in military might and showing a tough and resolute face to the world.  They would rely on tax cuts as the one and only spur to economic growth."

"For Democrats, American power depends ultimately on the American economy, and that government has an essential role to play in fostering the next generation of growth."  Full Story

January 28, 2010 -- DEMOCRACY, INC. - The Nation Magazine Editorial  (re the Supreme Court decision) -- "President Obama was right on point when he said, 'I can't think of anything more devastating to the public interest.  The last thing we need to do is hand more influence to the lobbyists in Washington, or more power to the special interests to tip the outcome of elections."  Already the Chamber of Commerce is promising to unleash the "largest, most aggressive" election-season spending spree in the organization's history.  Chamber officials promise to "highlight lawmakers and candidates" who toe the corporate line and "hold accountable those who don't."

"While it is true that labor unions will also be freed to spend for their preferred contenders, it is absurd to suggest that unions could come anywhere near the might of corporate capital."  Full Story

 DOES THE RECENT SUPREME COURT RULING REMOVING LIMITS ON CORPORATE CONTRIBUTIONS TO POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS MEAN THAT CORPORATIONS CAN ACTUALLY RUN FOR CONGRESS?  MURRAY HILL, INC. BELIEVES IT DOES.  Watch this amazing video!

January 30, 2010 --THANK YOU, JUSTICE ALITO -- by E.J. Dionne, Jr., Truthout.org

"This nation owes a substantial debt to Justice Samuel Alito for his display of unhappiness over President Obama's criticisms of the Supreme Court's recent legislation -- excuse me, decision -- opening our electoral system to a new torrent of corporate money."

"Alito's inability to restrain himself during the State of the Union address brought to wide attention a truth that too many have tried to ignore:  The Supreme Court is now dominated by a highly politicized conservative majority intent on working its will, even if that means ignoring precedents and the wishes of the elected branches of government."  Full story

ANNOUNCING:  We have opened a Science Watch Page on our website.  Many thanks to Dr. Catherine Haustein for her posts.  We are fortunate to have Cathy as a friend and contributor to our website.  Cathy is a science professor at Central College in Pella.  Global warming is often dismissed as a myth, and we are pleased to post scientific evidence that it is not. Media pressure can intimidate scientists, who are more comfortable in a lab than before the microphone.   We are very  grateful that Dr. Haustein has the courage to speak up.  Those of us who know Cathy, however, know that she is a prolific writer about environmental issues, both local and national. 

 "Whenever people are well informed, they can be trusted with their own government..." - Thomas Jefferson

CEDAR RAPID VOICES:  DISAGREEMENT WITH GRASSLEY, NOW EMBARASSMENT by Clara Oleson - Op-Ed -- January 27, 2010 --

"In considering the current state of our representation by Senator Chuck Grassley and his bid to continue it through 2018 when he will be 85 years old, I have two major areas of concerns, one politically incorrect, one simply of confounded amazement.

As a lifelong Democrat, I have not particularly admired Grassley, nor thought him aboveboard.  Courtesy of Blog for Iowa.  Full story at Cedar Rapid Voices.

  January 23, 2010 - NO OBAMA OBITUARIES, PLEASE -- Op-ed by Joe Conason at Truthout.org

The national media tells us that after Massachusetts, we may soon hear declarations of a "failed presidency" from the Washington pundits.  But not so fast, premature farewells also came early in Bill Clinton's first term.

During those exceptionally difficult years -- including a historic midterm landslide that cost Democrats control of both houses of Congress--that young president heard members of his own party urging him to step aside rather than run again.  Instead, he formulated the strategy and tactics that led to his decisive re-election, and a presidency that has come to be regarded by the American people as one of the most successful in the postwar era.  Full Story

Related story:  Obama's First Year:  A Long List of Underreported Successes by J. E. Robertson

 DEADLINE EXTENDED TO FEBRUARY 15 --

January 21, 2010 -- A FEW DAYS LEFT TO COMMENT ON MANURE RULES --  Iowans who want to comment on proposed rules governing the restricted application of liquid manure on frozen or snow covered ground have until Feb. 1 to let their voices be heard.    Although new regulations, drafted by the Iowa Environmental Protection Commission were passed during the 2009 session, Gene Tinker with the Iowa DNR said lawmakers could propose changes to the initial legislation based upon his agency's proposals.  (Note:  if they can, they will.) 

Existing rules limit application of liquid manure on frozen ground from Feb. 1 to April 1 as well as on snow-covered ground from Dec. 21 to April 1.  Iowa suffers from some of the worst water quality in the nation.  High levels of ammonia pollution in the spring all across Iowa have been traced back to manure application on frozen and snow-covered ground.    Write immediately to gene.tinker@dnr.iowa.gov .  Full story at Iowa Independent

ORDINARY PEOPLE CAN FIGHT BACK AGAINST THE SCOTUS 5/4 decision paving the way for corporate America and foreign countries to buy our elections!  Big money can't spend it if they don't have it!  We the People don't have to wait until the Constitution is amended or until the legal description of a corporation is decided.   Visit our "Fight Back"  page for suggestions on how hardworking Americans can have an immediate impact.  We are not powerless.  Add your suggestions. 

IOWA CCI IS FIGHTING BACK AND RECEIVING NATIONAL ATTENTION!

On January 26, hundreds of everyday Iowans from all across the state braved blizzard conditions to join together to demand our elected officials and big banks stand on the side of the people.  View pictures of the day from their Flickr page.

They made their presence known.  They marched to the Capitol, lined the hallways and distributed hundreds of issue cards to legislators, lobbyists, Capitol staff and visitors.  See the the Associated Press story of their Showdown at the Statehouse in the Omaha World Herald.

They had face-to-face meetings with nearly three dozen legislators to let them know that local control of factory farms, public financing of elections, cracking down on predatory payday lenders and making college affordable regardless of immigration status are important to all Iowans.

The met with DNR Director Rich Leopold and called on him to stand up for clean water and support CCI's rule making petition for a stronger Water Protection Rule and pushed for stronger factory farm manure application requirements.

AND THEN THEY M-A-R-C-H-E-D TO THE BIG BANKS -- the offices of Wells Fargo and Bank of America to demand they give back their bonuses to fill gaping state budget shortfalls hurting everyday Iowans, chanting, "Bust up big banks!" and "Put the People First!" View Youtube footage inside Wells Fargo here.

AND OUR DEMOCRATS IN WATERLOO ARE TAKING TO THE STREETS:  Chris Swartz and about 11 other people established a new organization called Working Families Win, and a lot of them are meeting at Grassley's office at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, February 6th to deliver a cake and a message.

For a little history, last year around Valentine's Day, Chris bought a big sheet cake with a message on it for our Senator, encouraging him to "to show us the love" for the economic stimulus package that was winding its way through Congress.  About 7 Waterloo-ans crowded into Grassley's office and presented his surprised staffers with the cake.  The story of their action even got to DC.  This year, they're focused on health care, and the cake will say, "Still waiting for the love!", and their message for Grassley will be not to stand in the way of health care reform.

January 29, 2010 GOVERNOR PROPOSES LEAN BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2011 --

 The Governor recommends a budget that incorporates many of the cost saving initiatives proposed by his office and the Legislature to reduce the cost of state government.  The Governor is proposing a general fund budget that expends $5.32 billion, which is less than than the budget three years ago.

The Governor is proposing additional investments in the state's infrastructure with $150 million for I-JOBS in order to create more jobs and make Iowa more attractive to businesses relocating.  The Governor also wants to continue assistance to those communities affected by the floods and tornadoes of 2008.

The Governor's plan maintains the 2% increase in funding for each student attending Iowa's K-12 school system.  He also restores $100 million in the reduction in funding schools experienced in this budget year.

The Legislature's seven budget subcommittees have completed their second week of meetings.  The Governor's recommendations will now be considered in that deliberative process that is expected to continue through much of the Legislative session, in order to produce a balanced budget.

IOWA RECEIVES HIGH MARKS --

Governor Chet Culver told the Iowa Legislature in his 2010 address, "I am happy to report that the condition of Iowa is resilient because the people of Iowa are resilient."

Tough times?  Yes, but the independent, non-partisan Pew Center ranked Iowa the second best managed state in the nation, and Iowa received high marks for fiscal management.  As the 2010 Governor's race heats up, that will be worth remembering.

WHAT OUR IOWA DEMOCRATIC ACTIVISTS ARE SAYING AROUND THE STATE --

"Electing Republicans is easy.  All you have to do is become discouraged or angry or disillusioned, stop organizing, stop supporting our candidates, stop contributing time and money, and stay home in November.  It's easy.  Electing Democrats is hard.  We have to recruit candidates who actually have a chance for winning a general election, organize/finance campaigns, and then maintain support for this person once elected.  The hard part about this -- aside from the physical, financial and psychic effort -- is supporting candidates when we do not agree with every one of their positions, being patient when they are unable to deliver on all their promises right away and sometimes focusing on what has been accomplished rather than on what has yet to get done.  All of this requires that each of us achieves a degree of internal accommodation between our most deeply felt goals and the real world.  This is not easy to do.  But remember:  our actions today are leading us along a path as we approach 2010 & 2012:  will it be a path to a Republican victory or a Democratic one?  We simply have to decide which outcome we prefer and then act accordingly." - Doug Jones, former Vice Chair, Lamoni

"...as long as the mainstream news media fails to cover the influence of powerful interests, there will be a need in society for citizens to participate in its events..." - Paul Deaton, Johnson County

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.  Paid for and produced in-house by the Marion County Democratic Central Committee.  Not authorized by any candidate or candidate committees.  Disclaimer: This website is sponsored by the Marion County Democrats. Information, opportunity for discussion, and referral to various sources is provided for the interest of those who visit. Unless specifically designated, recommendations, commentary and opinion should not be interpreted to invariably represent positions of the: Marion County Democrats, the Iowa Democratic Party, or the National Democratic party (DNC).

FAIR USE NOTICE: This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information, go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml.  If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.