Thank you for that brillant piece of information! I live in a rural community of a little less than 4,000. We are struggling to find the money to build a new wastewater treatment plant, The price tag is in excess of 23 million and the city had bonded for an extra 5 million for likely cost over runs that are expected. We, as citizens of a small town, are suppose to carry this load to reduce nitrates and other poisons in our rivers and streams. We don't generate the vast majority of this pollution. While farmers pay fewer taxes on agriculture land and expect us to cover them with our waste water treatment plants! The "Family Farm" no longer exsists; these are family corporations not unlike the the Walmart Family Organization. I have a few questions for my Democratic leadership. Is sucking on the Agribiz teat the reason the Democratic party is in such a sad shape in Iowa? Obviously the Republicans are crazy for anything that will turn state government into a fascist organization! Neither can answer for how is a town of 4,000 going to pay for pollution control with no tax money ? The Federal Government forks over trillions for CO2 pipeline construction for ethanol operations, the amount of nitrogen fertilizer being used sky rockets and with no control of keeping that nitrogen where plants can use, it continues to be flushed into our rivers and streams. Drain tile, often considered the cheapest form of soil conservation, partially paid for with tax dollars, delivers it to our streams! How the hell is this sustainable? Food costs are rising, large amounts of land are becoming "oil fields". While our drinking water for humans and our animals is being poisoned with nitrates and farm chemicals that never will dissipate. All to profit a few at the expense of the rest!
I'm disappointed and tired of democrats caving to the almighty farmer in Wisconsin, as well. Of course we need agriculture, but the absolute greed, corruption, pollution and violations let go in the name of "feeding the masses" is ridiculous. Regenerative farming is only sustainable if it is practiced completely not partially. Overproduction of dairy is is killing us and yet they want to expand more. No CAFO owners involved in Local control, stiffer regulations and enforcement, and more incentive for small regenerative farms would be a start.
I appreciate your work and try to share it on social media whenever I see it. I share your frustrations with the Democratic party in Iowa. I also think we need to look at the Iowa press . They are utterly worthless and treat Democrats with contempt while ignoring Republican lies. No one has the back of the Democratic party or progressive viewpoints in this state other than a few columnists. Right wing propaganda, Fox News but particularly in Iowa, local right wing commercial talk radio, has turned Iowans' brains to mush by pumping wild crazy-talk daily into Iowa communities. Peter Slevin who wrote The Power of Political Disinformation in Iowa published in The New Yorker (link: https://www.newyorker.com/news/campaign-chronicles/the-power-of-political-disinformation-in-iowa) , noted everyone he talked to had conservative talk radio playing in the background in their garage or house. Republicans know they can say anything no matter how outrageous and it will be believed and will go unchallenged by the regular press. Many mainstream media outlets don't report which party votes for which bills. Republicans appear weekly on the Iowa Press program and do nothing but lie completely unchallenged. Not small nuancey lies but huge whoppers, obviously made up and handed down by the national party for example, Democrats are for abortions "after birth." They successfully misstate, twist and distort Democratic ideas with absolutely no pushback or follow up question from the Iowa Press panel. The Republicans spew national party lies week after week on the statewide broadcast. The lack of pressure by the press and their inability to challenge Republicans allows Republicans to squash, intimidate, successfully attack or ignore any resistance. It ensures that Republican lies are spread far and wide and subsumed by local cultures. Our side offers criticism of Democrats and lumps them in with Republicans which is not fair or helpful in my view because it feeds the "both sides are the same" idea which I think makes people feel hopeless and defeated and gives them an excuse to not get involved. The two parties are not the same. Democrats have a party platform. Republicans don't even bother with one anymore. I agree the Democrats are not good fighters and they need a fighting strategy. I agree it is frustrating to watch them. But I would argue that Democrats don't prefer things this way. They are for clean water and they don't want the environment ruined. They are caught in a dysfunctional system that means if they make a misstep they could actually make things worse. They get little help from the left except for when we point out their failures and say they're no better than Republicans. I don't know what the answer is but it seems apparent that saving our water and environment will have to involve a political movement or nothing will happen. That means we have to beef up the Democratic side and put a dent in the Republican trifecta. I think we need leadership and organizing but not publicly or equally blaming Democrats, the only thing standing in the way of total fascism, lame as they are. They don't want things this way. They're trying to fight a fair fight that now has no rules. I have done some research about right wing talk radio in Iowa. Most people don't realize how much there is on Iowa's local radio stations. Nobody wants to deal with this but you just can't have 30-40% of the population believing crazy stuff that they hear on their local station that is absolutely not true and still think we can solve problems.
Iowa commercial radio stations that broadcast multiple hours a day of crazy right wing talk: The hours listed after each station is all right-wing talk, not regular programming.
Yes, yes, yes! I completely agree. Thank you for this column, Chris. I will be sharing it with some democratic politicians. It is no wonder so many Iowans are apathetic.
When Rita Hart lost the IA 01 congressional race in 2020 by 6 votes, there were 2000 fewer votes for her than for Biden (against Trump) in Johnson County. The students had no idea who she was.
Yeah it has been frustrating over the last four plus yrs as democrats have ignored the deep mistrust of these pipelines. I know of several progressive activists who would almost never be in the same rooms with some of these old landowners but managed to find common ground over Eminent domain. Even watched on social media as one tried to reach out to elected officials in this state and were rebuffed. I think because they are left leaning environmentalists and that scares some of our dems. It's many opportunities lost
As they say in rural Iowegia "Yep". I assume Rita, who I have met, and seems an intelligent person, knows better. The whole ethanol boondoggle and surrounding vibe reminds me of being a young man with other stupid young men attending clubs where " exotic dancers" demonstrated their skills. We all, dancers and ogglers alike, pretended this was a wholesome affair, perfectly healthy innocent entertainment. When, in our seedy little hearts we all knew the truth of the exchange; her debasement for our dollars. So Iowa, slap on your best g-string around your corn fructose laden waist, and keep pretending that selling our environmental birthright for ethanol is a healthy exchange.
"Farmer" has no meaning coming out of the mouths of Iowa Democrats - never mind the GOP - at least the GOP is open about its contempt for its own electorate. Say "farmer" thrice and click your heels. It's infuriating - as the daughter of an actual farmer (small family owner operated - tiny farm) - I'm constantly wresting the word from their lips.
What is the breakdown of water pollution contribution in Iowa by food, feed, fuel and fiber agriculture? I think within the human dimension of changing perception and mindset these elements must be understood before the messaging can be crafted to start moving the needle.
Thank you for that brillant piece of information! I live in a rural community of a little less than 4,000. We are struggling to find the money to build a new wastewater treatment plant, The price tag is in excess of 23 million and the city had bonded for an extra 5 million for likely cost over runs that are expected. We, as citizens of a small town, are suppose to carry this load to reduce nitrates and other poisons in our rivers and streams. We don't generate the vast majority of this pollution. While farmers pay fewer taxes on agriculture land and expect us to cover them with our waste water treatment plants! The "Family Farm" no longer exsists; these are family corporations not unlike the the Walmart Family Organization. I have a few questions for my Democratic leadership. Is sucking on the Agribiz teat the reason the Democratic party is in such a sad shape in Iowa? Obviously the Republicans are crazy for anything that will turn state government into a fascist organization! Neither can answer for how is a town of 4,000 going to pay for pollution control with no tax money ? The Federal Government forks over trillions for CO2 pipeline construction for ethanol operations, the amount of nitrogen fertilizer being used sky rockets and with no control of keeping that nitrogen where plants can use, it continues to be flushed into our rivers and streams. Drain tile, often considered the cheapest form of soil conservation, partially paid for with tax dollars, delivers it to our streams! How the hell is this sustainable? Food costs are rising, large amounts of land are becoming "oil fields". While our drinking water for humans and our animals is being poisoned with nitrates and farm chemicals that never will dissipate. All to profit a few at the expense of the rest!
Yes, 1,000 percent. Cannot understand why Iowa Dems don’t make clean water and public dollars for public schools their two main issues.
Brilliant piece. Reminds me of this: “There can be no liberty for a community which lacks the means by which to detect lies” Walter Lippmann
I'm disappointed and tired of democrats caving to the almighty farmer in Wisconsin, as well. Of course we need agriculture, but the absolute greed, corruption, pollution and violations let go in the name of "feeding the masses" is ridiculous. Regenerative farming is only sustainable if it is practiced completely not partially. Overproduction of dairy is is killing us and yet they want to expand more. No CAFO owners involved in Local control, stiffer regulations and enforcement, and more incentive for small regenerative farms would be a start.
Thanks for all you do.
I appreciate your work and try to share it on social media whenever I see it. I share your frustrations with the Democratic party in Iowa. I also think we need to look at the Iowa press . They are utterly worthless and treat Democrats with contempt while ignoring Republican lies. No one has the back of the Democratic party or progressive viewpoints in this state other than a few columnists. Right wing propaganda, Fox News but particularly in Iowa, local right wing commercial talk radio, has turned Iowans' brains to mush by pumping wild crazy-talk daily into Iowa communities. Peter Slevin who wrote The Power of Political Disinformation in Iowa published in The New Yorker (link: https://www.newyorker.com/news/campaign-chronicles/the-power-of-political-disinformation-in-iowa) , noted everyone he talked to had conservative talk radio playing in the background in their garage or house. Republicans know they can say anything no matter how outrageous and it will be believed and will go unchallenged by the regular press. Many mainstream media outlets don't report which party votes for which bills. Republicans appear weekly on the Iowa Press program and do nothing but lie completely unchallenged. Not small nuancey lies but huge whoppers, obviously made up and handed down by the national party for example, Democrats are for abortions "after birth." They successfully misstate, twist and distort Democratic ideas with absolutely no pushback or follow up question from the Iowa Press panel. The Republicans spew national party lies week after week on the statewide broadcast. The lack of pressure by the press and their inability to challenge Republicans allows Republicans to squash, intimidate, successfully attack or ignore any resistance. It ensures that Republican lies are spread far and wide and subsumed by local cultures. Our side offers criticism of Democrats and lumps them in with Republicans which is not fair or helpful in my view because it feeds the "both sides are the same" idea which I think makes people feel hopeless and defeated and gives them an excuse to not get involved. The two parties are not the same. Democrats have a party platform. Republicans don't even bother with one anymore. I agree the Democrats are not good fighters and they need a fighting strategy. I agree it is frustrating to watch them. But I would argue that Democrats don't prefer things this way. They are for clean water and they don't want the environment ruined. They are caught in a dysfunctional system that means if they make a misstep they could actually make things worse. They get little help from the left except for when we point out their failures and say they're no better than Republicans. I don't know what the answer is but it seems apparent that saving our water and environment will have to involve a political movement or nothing will happen. That means we have to beef up the Democratic side and put a dent in the Republican trifecta. I think we need leadership and organizing but not publicly or equally blaming Democrats, the only thing standing in the way of total fascism, lame as they are. They don't want things this way. They're trying to fight a fair fight that now has no rules. I have done some research about right wing talk radio in Iowa. Most people don't realize how much there is on Iowa's local radio stations. Nobody wants to deal with this but you just can't have 30-40% of the population believing crazy stuff that they hear on their local station that is absolutely not true and still think we can solve problems.
Iowa commercial radio stations that broadcast multiple hours a day of crazy right wing talk: The hours listed after each station is all right-wing talk, not regular programming.
KCPS Burlington – 12 hrs/day,
KBUR Burlington – 6 hrs,
KXEL Waterloo-CF – 12 hrs,
WOC Quad Cities – 11 1/2 hrs,
WHO Des Moines 11 1/2 hrs,
KSJC Sioux City – 13 hrs,
WMT Cedar Rapids 8 hrs,
WDBQ Dubuque, 6 hrs,
KILR Estherville – 15 hrs,
KGLO Mason City – 9 hrs,
KFJB Marshalltown, 6 hrs, *updated 09/06/17
KASI Ames, 6 hrs, and
KICD Spencer, 5-6 hrs.
https://blogforiowa.com/2017/02/10/right-wing-media-and-the-power-of-fear/
This documentary is informative.
https://blogforiowa.com/2017/08/21/movie-review-the-brainwashing-of-my-dad/
Also, I write frequent reviews about the Iowa Press program because my progressive friends can no longer stand to watch it.
https://blogforiowa.com/2023/05/29/is-fifty-years-of-iowa-press-enough/
Thank you for reading my comment.
Trish Nelson
Iowa City
Yes, yes, yes! I completely agree. Thank you for this column, Chris. I will be sharing it with some democratic politicians. It is no wonder so many Iowans are apathetic.
When Rita Hart lost the IA 01 congressional race in 2020 by 6 votes, there were 2000 fewer votes for her than for Biden (against Trump) in Johnson County. The students had no idea who she was.
Yeah it has been frustrating over the last four plus yrs as democrats have ignored the deep mistrust of these pipelines. I know of several progressive activists who would almost never be in the same rooms with some of these old landowners but managed to find common ground over Eminent domain. Even watched on social media as one tried to reach out to elected officials in this state and were rebuffed. I think because they are left leaning environmentalists and that scares some of our dems. It's many opportunities lost
Amen !
Democrats again doing their best to remain Minority when they could be pro-rural and pro-water !
As they say in rural Iowegia "Yep". I assume Rita, who I have met, and seems an intelligent person, knows better. The whole ethanol boondoggle and surrounding vibe reminds me of being a young man with other stupid young men attending clubs where " exotic dancers" demonstrated their skills. We all, dancers and ogglers alike, pretended this was a wholesome affair, perfectly healthy innocent entertainment. When, in our seedy little hearts we all knew the truth of the exchange; her debasement for our dollars. So Iowa, slap on your best g-string around your corn fructose laden waist, and keep pretending that selling our environmental birthright for ethanol is a healthy exchange.
"Farmer" has no meaning coming out of the mouths of Iowa Democrats - never mind the GOP - at least the GOP is open about its contempt for its own electorate. Say "farmer" thrice and click your heels. It's infuriating - as the daughter of an actual farmer (small family owner operated - tiny farm) - I'm constantly wresting the word from their lips.
Maybe it’s time the Dems stopped electing farmers for a start 🫤
What is the breakdown of water pollution contribution in Iowa by food, feed, fuel and fiber agriculture? I think within the human dimension of changing perception and mindset these elements must be understood before the messaging can be crafted to start moving the needle.
Chris, I don't get it either. Thank you so much for what you do and letting us know what we don't know. Your work is invaluable.
Amen!
Thanks.
Oh Boy, you hit it on the head Chris. Way to go.