I’ve been meaning to post another open discussion thread about Iowa politics. Here are links to a few recent Bleeding Heartland posts about this year’s campaigns:
I reported exclusively on U.S. Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ use of government funds to pay for radio advertising that emphasized GOP talking points.
I will check back regularly over the next couple of days to answer any questions. Feel free to talk among yourselves as well.
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This Substack is part of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative, which Julie Gammack spearheaded. Here are the others involved with the project, in alphabetical order:
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Against all the evidence to the contrary Iowa Republicans have been trying to make the case that inflation is primarily being driven by the government putting too much money into the hands of citizens and so increasing demand pressures, and at the same time their primary (pardon the pun) economic talking point for elections is to promise to further cut taxes putting more money into the hands of citizens which by their logic should increase inflation, is there a reason that you can see that Dems and our local press haven't raised this apparent contradiction? thanks
I had been more focused on how Kim Reynolds takes credit for funding programs that wouldn't be possible without the American Rescue Plan (which she opposed as a "blue state bailout"). Similarly, she and other Republicans take credit for a state budget surplus that is primarily caused by massive federal spending they criticize and blame for inflation.
thanks, sure but that seems to play on the idea that they (or their potential voters) care about being hypocritical which they clearly don't (I suppose it may play well in amping up Dems indignation and get them to donate more), my interest is more in raising the issue (especially with the press) that their basic positions (not just what grift they take advantage of when it falls into their laps) aren't tenable even on their own terms.
How much of your Iowa reporting is shaped by your father’s untimely passing while in litigation with ISU VP of Finance Warren Madden over the ISU Daily encroachment downtown to take advertising from the Ames Tribune?
Against all the evidence to the contrary Iowa Republicans have been trying to make the case that inflation is primarily being driven by the government putting too much money into the hands of citizens and so increasing demand pressures, and at the same time their primary (pardon the pun) economic talking point for elections is to promise to further cut taxes putting more money into the hands of citizens which by their logic should increase inflation, is there a reason that you can see that Dems and our local press haven't raised this apparent contradiction? thanks
Great point! That is quite a contradiction.
I had been more focused on how Kim Reynolds takes credit for funding programs that wouldn't be possible without the American Rescue Plan (which she opposed as a "blue state bailout"). Similarly, she and other Republicans take credit for a state budget surplus that is primarily caused by massive federal spending they criticize and blame for inflation.
thanks, sure but that seems to play on the idea that they (or their potential voters) care about being hypocritical which they clearly don't (I suppose it may play well in amping up Dems indignation and get them to donate more), my interest is more in raising the issue (especially with the press) that their basic positions (not just what grift they take advantage of when it falls into their laps) aren't tenable even on their own terms.
How much of your Iowa reporting is shaped by your father’s untimely passing while in litigation with ISU VP of Finance Warren Madden over the ISU Daily encroachment downtown to take advertising from the Ames Tribune?