1. We start the broadcast to discuss the current chaotic political state in Texas with Scott Braddock . For some weeks, we have been waiting for the release of audio recordings of a meeting between the current Speaker of the Texas House, Bonnen and the dark money group Empowered Texans. This meeting was problematic in many ways, including that it took place in Bonnen’s office, and during a legislative session. The recording demonstrated that the Republicana party in Texas seems to be rotting from within. Bonnen was recorded as making offers of giving Empowered Texans access to the House Floor by giving them press credentials, and cancelling press credentials of Scott Braddock. In addition, Bonnen is heard offering help to Empowered Texans if they do not spend money against him. Empowered Texans discussed a list of ten Republicans who would be targeted during the next primary. Other discussions centered on how much both Bonner and Empowered Texans hate cities and Counties who want more local control of their fate. LBTQ citizens were denigrated in the conversations. The Democrats have sued, and want to hear other recordings which are referred to in the known recording. The Bonnen recording confrms that Bonnen’s primary mission is to silence local government. We agreed that the Republlcan party needs to have a “come to Jesus” meeting to avoid killing itself off. All damage here appears to be self-inflicted. This “Texas-style slime” is not helpful in healing any internal rifts or build trust.
2. We have a conversation with Shawn Sebastian, who is the Iowa Organizing director of the Working Families Party, and the Movement Politics Organizer for Iowa Citizens for community. We discuss the status of the Democratic primary in Iowa. Currently, the main front runners are Biden, Warren, and Sanders. Currently Iowa voters skew older and whiter than voters in most other states. In 2016, 170,000 voters were eligible to vote in the Iowa Caucus. Current strategy for Shawn and other organizers is to identify and recruit younger and more progressive voters to participate in the Caucus. The priorities of most Iowans are food, clothing, housing, and health care. Iowa’s wages are lower than other states’ and lowest in the midwestern states. The tariffs have hurt the farmers in Iowa. Iowa has a high suicide rate. Rural hospitals are closing at a record pace, and people have trouble accessing health care. Many people are moving to cities, because they live too far from hospitals and doctors. GoFundMe is a common solution for many people, because they don’t have health insurance. According to the DesMoines Register poll, 85% of Iowa Democrats approve of Medicare for All, and agree that we must fight against insurance companies’ media campaigns that discourage discussion of Medicare for All. The focus should be on “What do I pay?” and “What am I getting for what I pay?”
