Why is Iowa so important?

Don't get me wrong. I like Iowa, it is a beautiful state. Iowans are great people. But I have to ask, why is Iowa so important?

Look at the Caucus system. If you have to work, or you cannot get a babysitter, you cannot participate. If you are an American soldier from Iowa, you cannot participate. If you are elderly or disabled, you must get yourself to a caucus site to participate.

Once the few get to caucus sites, the doors are locked at 7:00pm. You may be bullied by a neighbor or even your boss to "vote" for someone you do not want. There is no secret ballot in the Iowa primary.

Say, for example, you are supporting a second tier candidate. If there is not 15% in the caucus hall for that candidate, you must change to a second choice.

This system is not Democratic. It is not a large state. Iowa is not a state that represents America. But we Americans winnow down the field based on Iowa. This does not make sense to me. How do we as democratic Americans allow this to go on.

My hope is that in four years, Iowa will not be the determining factor in choosing our next President. Remember two things. Bill Clinton skipped Iowa in 1992 and was a two term President. Also remember, Pat Robinson won the Iowa caucuses eight years ago. But we still let this travesty of non Democracy go on.

If you are a middle class worker or a single mom you are probably not caucusing. This is not fair and must be changed.

Election 2008 predictios - Iowa

The Iowa caucus is just days away. My prediction for the Democratic side is John Edwards. In Iowa, the second choice is very important. I believe that Edwards is the second choice for many Iowans. The Caucus is a very different system that most of us do not understand. We are used to voting in a primary. if you think about it, the Caucus is a purer form of democracy. Voters assembling together to openly vote for their candidate,

We will see if my prediction is correct. For the record I am a supporter of John Edwards. But even if i was not, my prediction would be the same.

A Jew going to a "Holiday" party

I just arrived home from what was billed as a "Holiday" Party. When I encountered the guests, I said Merry Christmas. They would start to say Happy Holidays and Some would then say Happy Chanukah.

I deliberetly say "Merry Christams". This was a Christmas Party. They had two Christmas Trees. Each guest received a Christmas gift as they left the party. Lets please admit that there is a holiday season named Christmas. This is a commeration of the birth of Christ. This is a holiday within the format of a religion. that is great, something to be celebrated.

Bur remember, there are many traditions out there, but please let us not lose the meanings. In the United States there are three main holidays, distinct from one another. Two are religious and one is cultural. Actually...to most Jews in America, Chanukah is a cultural holiday.

How about if I say Happy Chanukkah and you say Merry Christmas, For Kwanza, I admit I am ignorant, I will research whether it is Happy Kwanza or not.

My point is, lets not lose our traditions. They are who we are. Let us not forget where we come from. It is important.

WGA - The writers strike

The Television writers, Writer’s Guild of America, are out on strike. This is the seventh month. Writer’s strike? HUH? you see, in the mainstream media, if anything is reported about the strike it is maybe 2 seconds, once per week.

Some facts; 98% of homes in America have at least one television set. People in America watch on average 4 hours per day.

Seems pretty important to most people, but it’s not. Unions have become nothing in the minds of most people. I was born in 1956. You got a Union job and your were set. Every third person worked as a union member. Maybe one in ten. The public at large does not care; they will watch re-runs, Un-scripted (reality) TV, or rent videos. And...Oh My...read a book!

Unfortunately, this strike will go on for a long time. American Idol starts next month, People will not care.

I am strong Union, although I have never been a Union member. I believe in this strike. The way the world watches shows produced for television is in DVD format, the internet, and other technologies that are not broadcast to a television set.

When the last contract was signed, the Union did not realize the change, how could they. They settled for a small amount of money in this arena, and now are being screwed by the studios.

Please stand up and read the Internet blogs regarding the strike. Both sides. Read and be informed. Knowledge is king. Be aware of your world.

Election 2008

We are just four days away from the Christmas holiday. After New Years, the primaries begin.

Remember, Iowa only means anything for the press. They can cover the "front runners" and we get to see the "also rans". Remember, the press crowns the front runners because they have the most cash to spend on the media. Why bother covering a candidate if that person has no money to spend with you.

Remember. Bill Clinton skipped Iowa completely and went on to be a great two-term President. What matters this election cycle is Feb 5Th. All the major states will have held their primaries by then and we will most likely know who the candidate is for the Democrats and Republicans.

Remember that The new Democratic leadership in Congress has done nothing to stop the war and the funding for it. I presume that the mandate to end the war was lost on Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Reid. Luckily, the war has drooped off the radar screen for most people as the economy falters.

Happy ChrismaKwanzaCa to all!

Wearing the Peace Sign

I went to a Holiday Party December 15th with my Peace Sign on the lapel of my sportcoat. Many of the guests said "I like your Peace Sign". I told them the time is here again.

Most people seem to want Peace in this violent world we now live in, but do not know how to achieve this simple concept. The more people see the Peace sign and talk about it, the more we may stop the needless deaths of our service members and innocents abroad.

Just remember that with this war we have record high gas prices, record hom forclosures, and record general malaise. Vote for who makes the most sense to you and remember that if you vote Peace, your world will improve.