Some final comments----Protest VS. Vision---2025 Challenge for the Democratic Party!
One authority has stated the following: "Where there is no vision, the people perish". Proverbs 29:18
To paraphrase the above authority, I would offer the following advice to all Democrats: "Where there is no vision, the Democratic Party perishes!".
In 2025, the Democratic Party will not move forward, based on protest, but only with new ideas, new vision, and new policies---economic and social.
I believe, for the Democratic Party, a "New West" economic vision/agenda is needed, to win against Trump's "America First" vision/agenda: (See, "American Economy is broken. Time for a New West!" (Google-- Bleeding Heartland article).
I also believe, for the Democratic Party, that a new social society vision/agenda is needed. (See Franklin Roosevelt's "Economic Bill of Rights"---see especially, health care and education). These new rights proposed by Roosevelt also amount to "new freedoms" for the American people--for example, the "freedom of health care", and the "freedom of education".
A strong, prosperous America, in the 21st century, requires a new, economic-social vision/agenda; one which addresses the realities of our times.
Democracy has come a long way, since the 1600s, the days of England's Glorious Revolution. In 2025, the American Democratic Revolution is still young. There is more American Democracy to come! The Adventure of a Better American Democracy--and a Better America---is before us all, including, the Democratic Party.
History now beckons---time to awaken, and begin, again; time to move forward, again!
"The central provision was a requirement that the University of Iowa’s medical and dentistry colleges change their admission practices so that at least 80 percent of admitted students are Iowa residents or people enrolled at Iowa colleges. The idea is that those students are more likely to stay in Iowa to practice after medical school. An amendment pulled in some other ways to give Iowans priority for interviews, residencies, and fellowships." Would someone please explain to me the difference between this provision and the dreaded DEI.
One of the few things I learned in 46 years of working in rural banks where the bank president spends a certain amount of time on economic development and recruiting people such as doctors is this. People make life changing decisions such as moving and where to live based on the amenities of life and the culture of the area. Everyone has money to give out, not everyone provides amenities and an enjoyable culture. We can throw $150M at this problem if we want. But as long as the legislature is determined to let the amenities rot away and destroy our culture, it is going to be a long difficult row to hoe and we may never get to the end.
Thank you for writing about Janet Metcalf. I was fortunate to serve with her in the House and later worked with her during my lobbying career. She exemplified true public service at its finest.
While many discuss polarization as inevitable, I reject the notion that it must be permanent. This is precisely why highlighting exemplary public servants like Janet is so important—they remind us that effective governance transcends partisan boundaries.
Regarding the recent special election, the Democratic candidate's exceptional performance was remarkable for two reasons. (I first ran and was elected in a special election that was purplish.- I am sure Janet and myself never spend more than $20, 000 in a contested race.)
First, this occurred in a heavily pro-Trump district.
Second, and perhaps more telling, they achieved this despite significant funding disadvantages.
I am unaware if the Democratic strategy changed substantially from last fall's approach. Rather, I believe these surprising vote totals reflect growing anti-Trump/Musk sentiment among voters who previously supported them. This suggests a potential shift in public opinion that extends beyond campaign tactics.
Re: (1) "24 Iowa counties among top 100 nationally for swing from Obama to Trump"
(2) "...white voters without a college degree...almost all were dominated by white non-college degree...".
In reply/opposition to the above, "swing", explanatory remarks----"white voters without a college degree"----I offer the following comments/evidence:
(1) ALL 24 IOWA COUNTIES VOTED FOR OBAMA FIRST, BEFORE THEY VOTED FOR TRUMP!!!
(2) Loss of jobs, in Iowa's mid-size, small, manufacturing, "Factory Towns" is primary reason for "swing":
See---NY Times article, "Democrats Lost the Most in Midwestern 'Factory Towns.' Report Says", NY Times newspaper, October 5, 2021----Google
See---Above "Factory Towns" Report, by Richard J. Martin---- Google.
See especially---40 Minute Video by NY Times Reporter Dan Kaufman---"How NAFTA Broke American Politics" (2024)---Google
Again, Again, and Again----"It's the Economy!"
Richard Sherzan
Thanks, Laura, for your detailed coverage.
Some final comments----Protest VS. Vision---2025 Challenge for the Democratic Party!
One authority has stated the following: "Where there is no vision, the people perish". Proverbs 29:18
To paraphrase the above authority, I would offer the following advice to all Democrats: "Where there is no vision, the Democratic Party perishes!".
In 2025, the Democratic Party will not move forward, based on protest, but only with new ideas, new vision, and new policies---economic and social.
I believe, for the Democratic Party, a "New West" economic vision/agenda is needed, to win against Trump's "America First" vision/agenda: (See, "American Economy is broken. Time for a New West!" (Google-- Bleeding Heartland article).
I also believe, for the Democratic Party, that a new social society vision/agenda is needed. (See Franklin Roosevelt's "Economic Bill of Rights"---see especially, health care and education). These new rights proposed by Roosevelt also amount to "new freedoms" for the American people--for example, the "freedom of health care", and the "freedom of education".
A strong, prosperous America, in the 21st century, requires a new, economic-social vision/agenda; one which addresses the realities of our times.
Democracy has come a long way, since the 1600s, the days of England's Glorious Revolution. In 2025, the American Democratic Revolution is still young. There is more American Democracy to come! The Adventure of a Better American Democracy--and a Better America---is before us all, including, the Democratic Party.
History now beckons---time to awaken, and begin, again; time to move forward, again!
Richard Sherzan
"The central provision was a requirement that the University of Iowa’s medical and dentistry colleges change their admission practices so that at least 80 percent of admitted students are Iowa residents or people enrolled at Iowa colleges. The idea is that those students are more likely to stay in Iowa to practice after medical school. An amendment pulled in some other ways to give Iowans priority for interviews, residencies, and fellowships." Would someone please explain to me the difference between this provision and the dreaded DEI.
One of the few things I learned in 46 years of working in rural banks where the bank president spends a certain amount of time on economic development and recruiting people such as doctors is this. People make life changing decisions such as moving and where to live based on the amenities of life and the culture of the area. Everyone has money to give out, not everyone provides amenities and an enjoyable culture. We can throw $150M at this problem if we want. But as long as the legislature is determined to let the amenities rot away and destroy our culture, it is going to be a long difficult row to hoe and we may never get to the end.
Thank you for writing about Janet Metcalf. I was fortunate to serve with her in the House and later worked with her during my lobbying career. She exemplified true public service at its finest.
While many discuss polarization as inevitable, I reject the notion that it must be permanent. This is precisely why highlighting exemplary public servants like Janet is so important—they remind us that effective governance transcends partisan boundaries.
Regarding the recent special election, the Democratic candidate's exceptional performance was remarkable for two reasons. (I first ran and was elected in a special election that was purplish.- I am sure Janet and myself never spend more than $20, 000 in a contested race.)
First, this occurred in a heavily pro-Trump district.
Second, and perhaps more telling, they achieved this despite significant funding disadvantages.
I am unaware if the Democratic strategy changed substantially from last fall's approach. Rather, I believe these surprising vote totals reflect growing anti-Trump/Musk sentiment among voters who previously supported them. This suggests a potential shift in public opinion that extends beyond campaign tactics.