A Socio-Political Blog
We are in the middle of our run of “The Fantasticks” at the Oster-Regent Theatre and the meaning behind this musical, which first debuted in 1960, strikes me as particularly relevant today. “The Fantasticks” for those who are not familiar with it, is a musical by Tom Jones (no, not the “What’s New Pussycat?” Tom Jones, but the brilliant playwright) with music (“Try To Remember,” “Soon It’s Gonna Rain”) by Harvey Schmidt. It…
Aristotle defined “contradiction” in his thesis “Metaphysics” thusly: “It is impossible that the same thing can at the same time both belong and not belong to the same object and in the same respect.” Yet that conflict with reason has become the operating system for the modern Republican Party. What else could lead Republicans, self-described as…
What more could Governor Reynolds and Iowa Republicans do to make Iowa less attractive to businesses and students? Under their stewardship Iowa has, according to data from the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. Census Bureau, and S&P Global Market Intelligence, dropped in rank in infrastructure, workforce, access to capital, education, economics, and even “business friendliness.” They’ve lowered corporate taxes, but that’s like…
Iowa Governor, Kim Reynolds, has proposed a state 4% flat tax. Reynolds calls it “flat and fair.” It appeals to many people because we would all pay the same percentage. Not the same amount, of course, if we make less we pay less; it is commensurate to everyone else. A recent guest column in the Waterloo Courier supported Reynold’s plan stating: “the Blue State progressive tax and spend blueprint does not lead…
“When it comes to these gun grabbing, freedom hating, over regulating, civil liberty violating tyrants here’s my message—“ at which point Iowa state representative Bobby Kaufmann raises his middle fingers. He walks from the lectern to a standing ovation at a rally conducted at the Statehouse. Well, at least Iowa made national news again! Last…
I have a dear friend, who sadly passed away a few years ago. He was a dashing, British actor named Peter Dennis who was delightfully full of himself, as only British folk can pull off with graceful aplomb. I think of him all the time, but the pearl of kindness that he always imparted upon…
Thoughts about living from Shannon Alexander. Life is a struggle for all living beings, all the time. As humans, there isn’t a day that passes that we don’t feel the struggle of being alive, and aware of our “aliveness.” As humans, this is our gift and our curse. Some days the struggle is less, when…
Let’s be very clear about something. The Confederate flag is not a symbol of the United States. It was one of the symbols of a rebellion against the United States. It stood for secession and for the continuation of human bondage. End of story. The argument is often made that the Confederate flag and the…
Democrats of River City! Heed this warning before it’s too late! Look for the tell-tale signs of corruption! Corruption with a capital “C” and that rhymes with “T” and that stands for Trump! Donald J Trump has lost the 2020 election and ultimately it will be recorded as one of the most accurately counted in…
America is sick. Not just fanatical extremists, but all of us. Every nook and cranny of our socio-political universe has been infected with the coronavirus to rationality; an invasion of cells that replicate within our innate decency and suffocate the ability to breathe reason. Strong words? Not strong enough. We have become tribalists in politics,…