Starting a Movement

Last fall I read Tribes by Seth Godin . It is an inspriring book.

This week Godin posted this video on his blog.

My favorite part happens just before the first minute mark. That's when guy #3 joins the group. Before him, it was just a crazy dancing guy and then maybe one other crazy guy. But it's guy #3 who made it a movement.

Initiators are rare indeed, but it's scary to be the leader. Guy #3 is rare too, but it's a lot less scary and just as important. Guy #49 is irrelevant. No bravery points for being part of the mob.

We need more guy #3s.

Yes, the video is crazy and silly and is merely a simple example of a movement starting, but there are connections to political campaigns. There are many candidates out there who are the crazy liberal guy or the candidate that has no money, but all it takes is 1 supporter, then a 2nd supporter, and a 3rd, and so on. The pretty soon that candidate has started a movement.

Health Care Costs Strain Businesses

From MyDD...

U.S. manufacturers spend more per hour on health care than their competitors in Canada, Japan and the UK combined.

When the uninsured can't pay for doctor and hospital visits and have no where else to turn, the cost is shifted to those who have insurance coverage.

Iowa Legislative Session Roundup

From Stateside Dispatch...

With Iowa lawmakers facing not only fiscal problems similar to many states, but the need to pass flood and tornado recovery bills, lawmakers met both challenges by the end of the session. However, the rest of the agenda for progressives saw a mix of wins and losses, with most high profile reforms falling short, but many good progressive policies becoming law. And, the leadership of Iowa legislators stepped up to support the Iowa supreme court decision support marriage equality for same sex partners, refusing to advance a proposed constitutional attack on the groundbreaking decision.

Budget and Taxes: The state's $6.3 billion dollar balanced budget avoids tax increases and adds $441 million to the state's rainy day fund for what will surely be a challenging fiscal situation next year.

Floods and Tornadoes: Lawmakers devoted a total of $360 million for flood recovery, including rebuilding local infrastructure, fire stations and housing, as well as floodplain management and watershed and water quality grants for flood prevention projects and soil conservation practices.I-Jobs Stimulus Package: Partly using a $715 million bond issue, the governor's I-Jobs package highlighted the stimulative effects of the borrowing with a package including $115 million for repairs to bridges and roads; $600 million for repairs at flood-damaged buildings and houses, sewer systems, construction of homeless and domestic abuse shelters, energy projects, a public high-speed Internet systems; $115 million for flood repairs at the University of Iowa and more construction at a veterinary lab at Iowa State University. The spending leveraged many hundreds of millions in federal matching grants, making the work accomplished by the bonds incredibly cost effective. Using Recovery Funds: The state spent about $500 million of federal stimulus funds, mostly to prevent layoffs of state employees and to preserve a promised boost in teacher pay.Tax Reform: A proposed tax overhaul focused around repeal of the deductibility of federal taxes [H 807] failed to be enacted despite broad leadership support. Similarly, a bipartisan plan to increase the gasoline tax 8 cents dedicated to road maintenance died when the governor declared his opposition. Governor Chet Culver did, however, sign a bill requiring that any business receiving a research tax credit from the state of more than a half million dollars have its name made public.

Legislators will likely face even worse choices next year and have established a commission to produce plans for government reorganization to cut costs. "We've got to...[f]igure out those things that we should continue to do and ways to do them more efficiently and figure out those things that we're going to walk away from," said Senate Majority Leader Mike Grondstal.

Same-Sex Marriage: As we've previously highlighted, Iowa's Supreme Court struck down a decade-old law that banned same-sex marriage. Legislative leaders beat back an effort by conservatives in the Senate to reverse the unanimous ruling and made it clear that they will oppose any constitutional amendment that seeks to overturn the Iowa Supreme Court decision. In a joint release by Iowa Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal and House Speaker Pat Murphy, they praised the decision and said "the only lasting question about today's events will be why it took us so long."

Health Care: As we've highlighted, Iowa made big strides in health coverage with one of the most comprehensive bills moving in the states this year. Sponsored by Sen. Hatch, the legislation builds on a 2008 law that created a path for Iowa to achieve health care for all kids and address health care cost and quality. S 389 will extend eligibility for public programs to children in families up to 300% of the poverty line, covering 30,000 of the state's 40,000 uninsured kids, and establish a "soft" mandate that eligible children be signed up (there are no penalties for parents who fail to enroll their children). The program will use state funds, federal SCHIP support and the federal stimulus package. The bill also reins in prescription drug costs, improves the quality of care, and provides more coverage options for businesses and families. Additionally, the bill expands health insurance eligibility for legal immigrant children, implement the new federal law that removes the 5 year wait for legal immigrant children to become eligible for SCHIP funding. In one failure, mental health coverage requirements were not expanded as progressives had hoped [H 234/S 418].

Wind Energy: The governor put his signature on S 456, which utilizes unused tax credits to promote small wind energy projects across the state, and H 817, which provides economic incentives for wind component manufacturers who are looking at building or expanding in Iowa. The state ranks second behind Texas in wind energy production and is home to 1,999 wind turbines that produce nearly 2,800 MW of electricity each year. "With more than 2,300 green-collar jobs created through wind energy, creating new jobs in the green economy will be key to our future successes," said Gov. Culver at the signing ceremony. On another environmental issue, conservation funding was held steady or increasedthrough stimulus and bonding, a significant victory given the low state revenue.

Other Key Progressive Victories:

Pay Equity:S 137 brings Iowa into compliance with federal wage discrimination laws, but will provide protection for women in work places with as few as 4 employees. The federal bill provides protection just down to 15 employees.Child Labor and Wage Law Enforcement: Responding to massive abuses uncovered in local agriprocessors, the state increased employer penalties for child labor violations and the state labor commissioner will have more authority in dealing with all wage violations.Consumer Right of Action:Iowa is no longer the only state without a consumer right of action. The Attorney General's office has been receiving 4000-5000 complaints a year because that was Iowans' only recourse under state law when harmed by a business or product. A new law, H 712, allows consumers who have been the vicitims deceptive businesses to sue directly and allows plaintiffs to get their legal costs paid as well. Unfortunately, a very large number ofprofessional groups were exempted such as insurance companies, attorneys, a variety of licensed health care professionals, architects, engineers, insurance agents, banks, and credit unions.Gender Balance on City and County Boards: Iowa state government boards and commissions have been required to seek gender balance since 1987, but a new law will now require that gender balance be sought on city and county boards, where women presently make up just 20% of those serving. The law provides an exemption if after 90 days an applicant of the right sex can't be found [H 243].

Some Notable Failures

PayDay Loans: Even though Iowa has highest average use of abusive payday loans in the nation, a reform bill failed to move.Labor Rights: The legislature failed to advance any of the top four organized labor priorities in this session: open-scope bargaining rights for public employees [H 821]; the Fairshare Act [H 555]; choice of doctor for worker's compensation care [H 795/S 155]; and prevailing-wage requirements for public contracts [H 333]. The prevailing wage bill even passed the legislature last year only to be vetoed by the governor, he claimed, over process issues. Business groups smeared the proposal as an eviceration of Iowa's "right to work" law and were able to peel off a handful of majority Democrats, mostly from conservative districts. Labor has been a big part of the Democrats recent advances and are clearly stinging from the lack of progress, but leaders remain optimistic and will continue to educate and pressure members on these issues. Government reforms: The Senate didn't agree to the House bill closing exceptions to Iowa's open records and open meetings laws because senators felt it lacked an adequate enforcement mechanism; and a post-election audit bill passed the House but died in the Senate as well.

Rants Running For Governor

Rep. Christopher Rants (R-Sioux City) is running for Governor even though he hasn't officially announced it.

From the Sioux City Journal...

Republican state Rep. Christopher Rants said Wednesday he's edging closer to running for governor, saying the party wants someone who can bridge gaps between social and fiscal conservatives.

"I think people realize that we need a candidate who has good credentials in both camps," Rants said. "I've got solid credentials with both groups."

The 41-year-old former House speaker from Sioux City is in his ninth term in the Legislature. He's been traveling the state since lawmakers adjourned this year's session in late April, talking to activists, collecting financial commitments and mulling a bid for the GOP gubernatorial nomination.

In an interview with the Associated Press, there seemed to be little doubt about his decision.

"There are some more people I need to sit down and listen to and then have the final conversation with the family," said Rants, adding he'll announce a decision this month. "Republicans I've talked to seem to like the idea. It's been encouraging."

Then on Saturday, I saw on his Twitter page...

Great time in Pottawattamie. Picked up a very key supporter. Details later. After 1,400 miles for the week its time to head for home. 17,906

Its pretty simple, if he wasn't running then he wouldn't be picking up key supporters.

With Rants in the race, I believe that he is in better position to win the nomination than Sioux City businessman Bob Vander Plaats and that US Rep. Steve King (R-IA 05) is not going to run for governer.

Stagnant Wages Caused by Rise in Health Insurance Premiums

Ezra Klein makes a great point in a story at the Washington Post.

...most workers think stagnant wages mean their employer is paying them less. They don't know that the main reason for stagnant wages is that their wage increases are going to pay for their health insurance premiums. If they did -- if they realized that compensation is pretty much a zero-sum endeavor and their employers don't so much buy them health insurance as garnish their wages to pay for their health insurance -- you'd probably see a lot more general anger at rising health care costs.

It's time to start getting angrier and demand real health care reform. Our ineffiecient health care system means businesses have to pay more and workers make less.

Real health care reform must take the costs off businesses and let business do what they do best. I don't really want Wal Mart or John Deere or a small business to be providing health care or John Deere. I want Wal Mart to sell things and John Deere to build tractors and small businesses to make local economies stronger.

Howard Dean says to Forget Bipartisanship Health Care Reform if...

Howard Dean says to forget bipartisanship on health care...

"If Republicans want to shill for insurance companies, then we should do it with 51 votes."

We need real health care reform that eases the economic burden off of businesses and helps our economy get back on track.

Buying Food Locally Helps Grow the Economy

Image by DopT via Flickr

An agriculture expert spoke at Marshalltown Community College about the benefits of buying food locally.

Ken Meter, President of Crossroads Resource Center based in Minnesota completed a study of food production in Marshall County. He discussed the potential economic benefits for the county of buying more food locally.

He noted that, according to numbers from the U.S. Census, which may not be totally accurate, only 46 farms sell directly to consumers in the county. Further, there are only 13 fruit orchards covering 25 total acres, and 13 vegetable farms covering only 43 acres.

Meter said there were some encouraging signs, such as the number of farms now selling directly to consumers increasing 35 percent in the past few years. Sales have increased 16 percent to approximately $228,000.

"It's a rising force and because it's a rising force, some efforts to cultivate that and let it occur seem appropriate," he said.

Still, Meter's research indicated Marshall County residents spend approximately $104 million each year on food. Nearly 90 percent of that is spent on things produced outside the area.

Finding ways to encourage direct interaction between producers and consumers will not only help locally by keeping more dollars in the community and creating jobs locally, it will help in other ways as well.

Stop by your local farmer's market over the weekend and enjoy some fresh food and help your local economy.

Jackie Norris Out as Michelle Obama's Chief of Staff

Kay Henderson from Radio Iowa is reporting that Jackie Norris has been replaced as Michelle Obama's Chief of Staff by one of the First Lady's long-time friends.

According to news release issued late today by the White House, Jackie Norris will no longer work for the first lady, but instead will serve as senior advisor to the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Norris met the Obamas when she worked on the Iowa caucus campaign and she was later reassigned to lead campaign efforts in other caucus states. Her husband, John, is working as chief of staff for U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack, the former Iowa governor and the couple lives in a D.C. suburb with their children.

In a statement released by the White House, Jackie Norris said she is "grateful" to the Obamas for "the opportunities and friendship" they have given her over the last few years.

Norris has been replaced by Susan Sher, a long-time friend of Michelle Obama's. Sher was Michelle Obama's boss when the first lady worked at the University of Chicago Medical Center. And it was Sher who recommended Michelle Obama for an earlier job in the office of Chicago Mayor Richard Daley.

Insured Americans Pay a $1000 'hidden tax' to Pay for Uninsured

A new study says that Americans with health insurance pay $1,000 in a hidden tax to cover the health care of those who are uninsured.

"I don't think anybody has any idea about how much they are paying because of the need to cover the health care costs of the uninsured," said Ron Pollack, the group's executive director. "This is a hidden tax on all insurance premiums, whether it is paid by business for their work or by families when they purchase their own coverage."

As President Obama and Congress take up health care legislation this year, the so-called hidden tax is increasingly becoming a talking point as proof that the U.S. health care system needs to be fixed:

• Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., in a May 11 statement announcing policy options for expanding health care coverage, said: "The cost of that care is paid by every American with insurance in the form of a hidden tax of more than $1,000 a year in increased premiums."

The United States pays the most money of any country on health care, but have a large number of people without health insurance. Those with health insurance have to pick up the costs of the uninsured as they lack preventative care and must go to emergency rooms or without much needed care. This inefficient system raises health care costs on everyone and is the reason we must have a universal health care system.

Should Obama ask Mitt Romney to Run GM?

Marc Ambinder poses the question should Obama install Mitt Romney as GM's chairman. Obama has said

The government can't hope to fix G.M. and sell it off without getting under the hood. Over decades now of restructuring plans at the company, two things have demonstrably not helped get much done: Money and time. The government can't simply give more of each to the automaker. What's needed is forceful, even ruthless, leadership to insist on the changes that everyone--the managers, the union leadership, the dealers, everyone--has known were necessary for about 20 years now.[...]

Here's a modest proposal to drive things along: Obama should install Mitt Romney as GM's chairman. Romney grew up outside Detroit and around cars; his father, George W. Romney, saved American Motors from collapse in the 1950s--by killing failing brands and focusing on compact cars! George Romney successfully took on the Big Three with a "dinosaur fighter" strategy. The son would bring to GM that legacy, the turnaround expertise and credentials he developed at Bain & Company, and the outsider's eye that GM desperately needs. He would also usefully jack up even further the stakes and the drama of the undertaking.

And he would create a political firewall for the turnaround. An alliance with Romney to save GM would give Obama and Henderson the protection they need to move briskly to shrink the company. Why would Romney do it? Maybe because the chance to renew an American icon, preserve America's manufacturing capacity, and save tens of thousands of jobs would mean something to him. Maybe because it would give him a platform to demonstrate what an effective leader he can be. Maybe because, along the way, it would allow him to save the Republican Party by proving that it stands for something besides...whatever it is that it stands for right now.

It would be a win for Romney because if he leads GM back he would be a top candidate in 2016. It would be a win for Obama cause it shows his bipartisan approach and would patch over a possible issue in 2012.

With all that said, it probably would never happen because it makes sense.

Socialism, Socialsm! The Government Now Owns 0.0507% of American Corporations

After yesterday's announcement that GM is going bankrupt Republicans are going to be complaining about the government taking over 60% of the shares of GM.

However, when you look at the big picture, it is hardly socialism...

Marc Ambinder explains...

The section of the chart that appears in bright, bumblebee yellow is the percentage of publicly traded American companies owned by the United States.* I don't see much bumblebee yellow. What I do see is that Microsoft Excel feels the need to portray the percentage of American companies owned by the government as an irrational exponential number. That's 5.07e^-02, or %0.0507 of American companies that are owned by the United States. (When I ask Excel to display this breakdown in real numbers without the exponential it just becomes "100%" and "0%.")

Romney Flips Flops on Move to New Hampshire

I posted a couple months ago about Mitt Romney moving to New Hampshire. Well, I guess Romney is denying that he is moving.

Mitt Romney rejected reports "that he is planning to make his permanent residence in New Hampshire to position himself for the state's first-in-nation presidential primary,"Politico reports. 

Said Romney: "No, my residence is still in Massachusetts. That is my home. That's where I vote. And I'm going to continue to be a Massachusetts resident -- I can't tell you how many years that's the case -- but for the indefinite future."

So Romney was first pro-choice now he is against abortion.  He was for gun control now he is in favor of small varmint hunting.  He was for gay rights now he is anti-gay.  He was for immigration reform now he is against amnesty.  After this news, Romney was for moving to New Hampshire, now he is against it.