2020-Stealth-Battleground-Issues-Bob Davis Podcast 883

2020 Issues In The Midwest

I promised a more details about battleground political issues in the last podcast. Seems like no one wants to focus on the real issues in the Midwest. Time to do that in 2020-Stealth-Battleground-Issues-Bob Davis Podcast 883.

Battleground States No One on TV Ever Goes To

Even more you hear a lot about the so called ‘battleground states‘. In contrast all the reporting is about Washington DC!

BackRoads

Consequently I decided to take a trip across America’s Heartland. On Back Roads. Click here for those podcasts.

Sick Of The News

First of all if people I talked to said they were sick and tired of political news.

War Weariness

The most noteworthy conclusion of this podcast might end up being ‘war weariness’ when it comes to politics.

Same Song Over and Over

Seems like political news coverage is becoming like that song you hear on the radio over and over again. It used to be your favorite but if you hear it one more time, you’re going to scream.

Stealth Issues In The Heartland

Especially relevant are several ‘stealth’ issues across the heartland.

Prosperity

What’s the definition of ‘prosperity‘?

Right To Work

What about National Right To Work movements, versus Unions in key states.

Foreign Direct Investment and Trade Issues

In addition many jobs are being provided by Foreign Direct Investment. And by Foreign companies manufacturing in the US.

Jobs

Then, maybe there are more jobs, but what kinds of jobs?

Feeling Prosperous As Good As Being Prosperous?

That said, a job means you can pay rent and buy something for yourself. Regardless of what pundits might regard sub par. Back to that feeling of prosperity which might be just as important as being prosperous for some. Learn more in 2020-Stealth-Battleground-Issues-Bob Davis Podcast 883.

Development In The Midwest and Mid South Changing Electorate

Finally development in the mid south and Midwest means smaller cities are becoming larger cities. That means pressure to turn state roads into freeways, freeways into interstates.

Corporate Farming

Also what about the emergence of corporate farming as opposed to family farms?

Decay In Old Downtown Areas

Moreover there are many examples of what happens when the new freeway goes through, and local businesses are left to die.

Government Handing Out Subsidies

Most important is growth created by US Government spending and subsidies. Not just in big urban centers but on the farm and in small towns too.

Health Insurance

Think people can afford 1600 dollars a month for health insurance when they’re working hourly jobs? A gifted politician will not miss this opportunity.

Obsessed With Washington DC

A lot of this is just below the surface. The media is obsessed with twitter and hearing rooms in the Capitol. This year’s election might be too close to call right now. What they miss might have powerful and unexpected effects in the 2020 election.

Sponsored by Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul

2020-Stealth-Battleground-Issues-Bob Davis Podcast 883

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 36:32 — 83.6MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Backroads-Iowa-Real-Farmers-Talk-Bob Davis Podcast 843

Time For Real Talk

I think it’s time to talk to real farmers. I want to know about the issues effecting their lives and businesses these days. Time for a trip to rural Iowa in Backroads-Iowa-Real-Farmers-Talk-Bob Davis Podcast 843.

People Media Doesn’t Have Time For

Moreover farmers know big city media doesn’t have time for them.

Beware 2020 Political Coverage In Iowa Focused On The Cities

As a result most political coverage for 2020 is already coming out of the urban centers in the state.

Staged Events

I covered the Iowa Caucuses in 2016. Most of events were staged toward network television.

Operatives and Activists

In addition the crowds portrayed in the news as ‘grassroots’ were in fact political operatives and activists.

Truth is nobody is talking to real people. Moreover farm institutions don’t always speak for them either.

Family Farmers

Meet Mark Haselhuhn. Mark and his family have been farming in Iowa for generations. What’s most noteworthy about Mark? He’s not a big corporate farmer.

Trade and China

Especially relevant are his opinions concerning trade issues and the recent dust up with China over Tariffs. Later we’re joined by Mark’s recently retired friend and helper, Leo.

Real People

While media continues to spend it’s time telling us all what to think, seems like we should listen to some real people for once. That’s what I do in Backroads-Iowa-Real-Farmers-Talk-Bob Davis Podcast 843.

Unvarnished Opinions

From economics to immigration the unvarnished opinions of real voters and influential family farmers might surprise you. Above all it isn’t surprising that in this neck of the woods, politicians aren’t knocking on doors or walking through fields to ask farmers what they think. Even more the media isn’t either. Until the Bob Davis Podcasts came along.

Quit Bickering

Finally one of the key points of our conversation involves the desire for these two farmers to see politicians quit their bickering and work together. They don’t like the ‘My Way Or The Highway’ approach of either side of the so called political spectrum.

No Illusions

In conclusion it’s sad that Mark and Leo don’t have any illusions about whether politicians will start working together anytime soon.

Sponsored By Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul

(Editor’s Note: Special thanks to Mark’s daughter Emma for arranging this interview on a moment’s notice. In addition, guiding me to the farm via Facetime in real time! I know your time is precious, and I really appreciated the opportunity to talk to Mark and Leo. We’ll check in with them early next year.)

Backroads-Iowa-Real-Farmers-Talk-Bob Davis Podcast 843

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 34:00 — 77.8MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Real Machinery Hill-Pioneer Power Show-Bob Davis Podcast 749

In my line of work every now and then you come across something amazing. I spent a weekend at the Pioneer Power Show and had a blast. Check it out in Real Machinery Hill-Pioneer Power Show-Bob Davis Podcast 749.

Living History

If you want to see living history the Pioneer Power Show is the place.

Every development in farming technology is represented here.

Back Breaking Work Brute Strength

Most noteworthy more than a century ago brute strength powered the farm. Men and animals cleared land, planted crops and harvested. Mechanization of the farm was a revolution for farmers and consumers.

Steam Power Revolution

Portable Steam power represented a revolution in agriculture starting in the 1870’s. As a result of steam power farmers could do more.

Today’s Tech Is Invisible

These days we tend to ignore the impact of technology because we can’t see it working. Steam was a huge source of motive power in America a hundred years ago. Gas and diesel eventually replaced steam and those developments are at the show but you can’t miss the huge, belching steam engines.

Hear the steam engines. Meet the people who work on them. Learn how they were built and how they worked in Real Machinery Hill-Pioneer Power Show-Bob Davis Podcast 749.

Anger Emotion And Loss

Finally a personal note. I find emotions like anger and the feeling of loss at the root of what is going on in this country today. Everyday it gets harder and harder to shout into the noise. Furthermore advancing the story or thinking on almost any issue is just about impossible.

There’s Still An America with Passion and Character

In conclusion I have learned finding and talking to people doing something they love and learning while they do it is a powerful reminder that whatever is wrong won’t be wrong forever. Especially relevant is the character of people doing something they love, teaching others about it, and having fun while they do it.

Thanks to everyone at the Le Sueur, Minnesota Pioneer Power Show for a great weekend.

Sponsored by John D Scott Personal Injury Lawyer at Hoffman Hamer and Associates and Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul

(Editor’s Note: In this podcast I suggest the first steam engine was made in 1867, and I am referring specifically to portable steam power for farming and other uses. Obviously the steam engine was invented many decades before 1867.)

Real Machinery Hill-Pioneer Power Show-Bob Davis Podcast 749

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 32:12 — 73.7MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS