Historic Marion County Courthouse - Knoxville, IA
The Marion County Democrats, serving the people in south central Iowa, welcome you to our online 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.
Here is a handy tool for the 2010 elections. It contains election information for every state...one-stop shopping, everything at your fingertips. Find deadlines, information about absentee ballots, what to take with you when you register to vote, etc. Type in "Iowa" and see where it takes you. Raise your Vote
 A NEW PAGE HAS BEEN ADDED TO OUR WEBSITE -- "IOWA RANKS HIGH". It contains a collection of stories and facts about the accomplishments of our progressive state.
UPCOMING EVENTS --
NEXT DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE MEETING - Wed., September 15, Swamp Fox Restaurant, join the group gathering for dinner at 5:30 - business meeting at 6:30. County chair: Anita Martin (641) 218-4699 - needer47@hotmail.com
Reminder: Current national and Iowa news is available daily at the bottom of the sidebar from: Truthout.org, Iowa Independent, and Blog for Iowa.
Note: RAY STONE is the Marion County Democratic candidate for Board of Supervisors. Visit Ray's website here or on the sidebar.
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK WHERE WE DISCUSS THE ISSUES!
Stories are beginning to unfold. A HABITUAL OFFENDER UNLEASHES NEARLY HALF-A-BILLION SALMONELLA-TAINTED EGGS. Full Story
FRANCIS THICKE, DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR IOWA SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE, recently filled out a questionnaire that he submitted to the Iowa Farm Bureau so that he could be apply for their endorsement as a "Friend of Agriculture". Bill Northey, the current Secretary of Ag received the designation. Francis releases his questionnaire here and challenges Bill Northey to release his so that Iowa voters can compare them side by side and make the decision for themselves as to whom would better lead Iowa into the future. The questionnaire also gives insight into Thicke's vision for Iowa. Questionnaire here.
INTERESTING FACTS AND BACKGROUND ON JACK DECOSTER owner of the egg empire responsible for the salmonella outbreak. The Washinton Post, 8/22/10
THE PRESIDENT IS CALLING FOR CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM. Is it possible? It will take a huge grass roots effort. Would you be on board? Republican President Teddy Roosevelt called corporate corruption the biggest influence on elections. Full story at Politico, com.
PRESIDENT OBAMA...A SOCIALIST...how many times do you hear that? Here is a list of good talking points about why President Obama is not a socialist. The first one we could send this to is the mayor of Knoxville. Full Story.
IA REPUBLICAN SENATOR PAUL MC KINLEY has been making some absurd claims about a lot of issues lately. Bleeding Heartland reports more on McKinley's fantasy. Full story at Bleeding Heartland.
FRANCIS THICKE, DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR IOWA SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE, has applied for an endorsement by Democracy For America (DFA). If successful, the endorsement would bring him national attention and funding. The applicant with the most votes from supporters will win the coveted endorsement. Right now he is in first place. Please vote for Francis today. Follow the link and instructions.
BRANSTAD AND REYNOLDS ATTACK GOVERNOR CULVER IN MARSHALLTOWN -- and while everyone is trying to look ahead to clean energy, clean air, and clean water, Terry Branstad is in favor of coal-fired power plants. There is a clear choice between Branstad and Culver. If you want dirty air, you now know how to vote. And there is no such thing as clean coal. Full story
AMERICANS STILL CAPTIVATED BY "ZOMBIE LIES" -- Gene Lyons says, "The real message behind the GOP's Senate filibuster denying extended federal benefits to roughtly a million long-term unemployed and Medicaid help to overburdened states is that many Republicans actually love economic recessions. No better means of disciplining the labor force has ever been devised." And tax cuts for the wealthy never lead to economic prosperity...(editor's note: except maybe for the wealthy.) Full story
TERRY BRANDSTAD HAD TAXPAYERS FOOT BILL FOR REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGN WORK --Courtesy of Bleeding Heartland -- "Sitting governors attend many official events that indirectly serve their re-election ambitions. It's an advantage of incumbency. Using the Governor's office to raise campaign money at taxpayers' expense is a different story."
FRANCIS THICKE is a refreshing candidate for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture. What is most noticeable is that he's not a politician. Francis speaks from his heart...and head about a pragmatic vision that will benefit farmers, their animals, and the environment. Simply put...he practices what he preaches. Francis and supporters met at Smokey Row's in Oskaloosa on Tuesday, June 29 to discuss his new book "A New Vision for Food and Agriculture" in Iowa. On the cover of his book is an endearing picture of Francis and one of his dairy cows. Anyone who has visited Francis's organic dairy farm and observed how he interacts with his herd, knows this is not your ordinary photo-op. It speaks to who Francis is.
When energy independence and sustainability are hot issues, Francis's message really hits home. You can talk to Francis on Facebook "Thicke for Agriculture" or visit his new website.
DON'T STOP THE SAFETY DANCE! by Dr. Catherine Haustein, Marion County Analytical Chemist -- The new administration is focusing on food safety, which was lacking in the Bush term. It is also taking a look at bad chemicals, and four toxic chemicals face regulations by the EPA. Dr. Haustein discusses atrazine a commonly used pesticide in Iowa fields, and a highly toxic chemical from Pella Corp. found in the Pella water supply. Republicans want lesser government and fewer regulations to "make us human guinea pigs for the food and chemical industries." That is what will happen if the Republicans gain control in the 2010 elections. Full story on "Science Watch" on the left sidebar, or click here.
HANDS OFF SOCIAL SECURITY: THERE ARE BETTER WAYS TO CUT THE NATIONAL DEBT -- "It's an illusion that cutting social Security would reduce the deficit. If the new report does not point out that the money seniors have given to Social Security keeps it solvent through 2043, and after that 80% funded, it's a propaganda fraud for defunders. Full story
IOWA TO BE AFFECTED BY LARGEST SLAUGHTERHOUSE EVER -- Full Story Blog for Iowa -- This slaughterhouse is scheduled to kill 16,000 pigs a day. It is several miles from where the John Deere Classic Golf Tournament is held in Rock Island, IL. At the proposed site are 4 wetlands that will be filled in. Wetlands act like a sponge keeping adjacent areas from flooding. With the slaughterhouse in IL, it is anticipated that small and large hog factories will spring up across the river in Iowa. Residents in Iowa and Illinois have been vocal and active against the slaughterhouse. CALL SECRETARY OF AG TOM VILSACK AND TELL HIM NO ON THIS PROJECT--(202) 720-3631.
SHOW US YOUR BALANCED BUDGET TERRY BRANSTAD! Courtesy of Bleeding Heartland
TOXIC CHEMICALS MOST LINKED TO DEPRESSION --Full story - Currently being discussed on our Facebook Page. Let's elect candidates who care about us.
ON OBAMA AND THE OIL SPILL--SOME LIBERALS NEED TO GROW UP -- Blog for Iowa
JON STEWART TAKES ON AMERICA'S OIL INDEPENDENCE --Watch the video AND RAHM EMANUAL CALLS FOR REACHING OUT TO THE YOUTH using energy independence to bring them to the polls in the elections of 2010. After watching the video, why would young people believe it?
DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR IOWA SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE--FRANCIS THICKE-- People who know Francis regard him as a national treasure. Learn more about him here -- courtesy of Bleeding Heartland
OF EPIC FOOLISHNESS AND EPIC FAILS - Bob Hebert NY Times -- The Tea Party and conservatives want less government, but here is the story of a great nation whose people for too long placed the reins of government in the hands of those who did not and do not believe in government and left the public interest in the care of people whose primary interest was--and remains--profiit. Full Story
WHAT PHEASANTS FOREVER SAYS ABOUT IOWA'S WATER! AND IT'S NOT GOOD. Full Story
FARM SUBSIDIES STARTED OUT IN THE 30's to help struggling small family farmers. Over the years, subsidies have evolved into huge payments for corporate ag. WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT FARM SUBSIDIES... AND SAFE FOOD? Full Story
FRANCIS THICKE, Democratic candidate for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, has been endorsed by Daily Kos Greenroots. Francis thanks them in a video here and takes you on a tour of his sustainable farm. A farmer wrote a letter to the Des Moines Register expressing his fear of Francis Thicke. Read Francis's response here. Francis is not the one to fear! See Francis's website on our sidebar.
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.
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Iowa ...First in the Nation--Second to None: 2010 Primary Election - Tues., June 8; General Election, Tues., November 2. 
