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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chaos-Confusion-Shut Down-Merry Trumpmas-Bob Davis Podcast 788

I love talking about current events. These days it gets harder and harder because of a volatile President Trump. Learn more in Chaos-Confusion-Shut Down-Merry Trumpmas-Bob Davis Podcast 788.

Genius Or Idiot

Moreover all this talk of political polarity isn’t republican or democrat. Either you think the president is a genius or an idiot. There’s no in between.

Especially relevant is the question of whether we are able to take a step back and look at recent key events with some perspective.

Economics and Diplomacy Nobody Wants To Discuss

Not too long ago I asked listeners and subscribers to think about what US economic and foreign policy should be. A presidential election and midterm election have taken place since then.

Suddenly foreign policy and economic policy are front and center. We’ll talk about it fireside in Chaos-Confusion-Shut Down-Merry Trumpmas-Bob Davis Podcast 788.

Syria and Turkey

First of all, the president made a snap decision to withdraw US Troops from Syria while on the phone with the Turkish president. In the aftermath the defense secretary resigned, as well as a senior diplomat managing the alliances to fight ISIS. Now the president is talking about withdraws from Afghanistan and Iraq. Is he right?

Combined with Trump’s executive order ban of Bump-Stocks the Syria Withdraw has usually fawning talk show hosts apoplectic.

Government Shutdown

In addition the ongoing struggle between the White House and Congress has resulted in a government ‘shutdown‘. What’s more the struggle appears to be between a Republican president and his Republican majority in the House and Senate.

Firing The Fed Head

On top off all this the president wants to fire the Federal Reserve Chairman. Concerns about economic performance are rising and finally financial analysts are writing about government spending accounting for most of the so called ‘boom’ in the US economy over the last two quarters. This is conservative republican economics?

End Of Conservative GOP

Finally there’s talk of a big split within the republican party. Moderate Republicans fighting Trumpers. Trump fighting with all of them to get a wall built along the US Mexican border. Through all of this there’s been no legislation on key matters like immigration even with republican control of the Legislative and Executive branches of the government. It sure seems like the lack of principles and republican populism is tearing the so called ‘conservative’ coalition apart.

Merry Trumpmas

In conclusion the question of whether people thought about policy during both elections is key. New ideas, and international structures are coming. If we the people don’t start thinking about what kind of country we want, and how will the next America function? Trumpmas will look like child’s play. All of this has me aching to hit the open road!

Sponsored by John D Scott Personal Injury Lawyer, Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul, and Reliafund Payment Processors

Chaos-Confusion-Shut Down-Merry Trumpmas-Bob Davis Podcast 788

 

Charlottesville Is Final Nail In The Right’s Coffin-Podcast 656

Well before the 2016 primary campaign I posted a podcast announcing the death of the conservative movement. Whatever was left of the right is the final casualty this past weekend In Virginia. In Charlottesville Is Final Nail In The Right’s Coffin-Podcast 656.

A Deal With The Devil

During the 2016 presidential campaign Republican moderate leadership had the opportunity to allow the convention to move through the political process to select a candidate. Instead they chose to close ranks with a candidate famous for rhetoric and little else forcing that candidate on the American people. Surprisingly a week later, the democrats did the same thing. This faustian bargain resulted in a rhetorical presidency which has accomplished little.

Identity Politics Right Wing Style

In this way, the Grand Old Party closed ranks with the politics of division. Name calling and chaos. But wait! Right Wingers didn’t break windows or block freeways. It was the Left which used violence. Until now. In Charlottesville Is Final Nail In The Right’s Coffin-Podcast 656.

It Wasn’t Us!

Is it too soon to suggest humor in the irony of every paid commentator, blogger, show host and agitator of the right suddenly trying to show the world those people carrying Nazi Flags in Charlottesville aren’t really conservatives? Is it too soon to decry the loud mouths hocking constitutional conventions, fife and drum, messaging seminars and civil war?

Who is to blame? Everyone

Especially the voters. This generation of Americans. Children who think the louder they yell the better chance they have to get what they want. People who think good citizenship is doing a FaceBook Live video or throwing up a You Tube Channel predicting the end of the world. Commentators who want to tell you what happened when they weren’t there.

All Hat and No Cattle

People who refuse to help during election season but won’t miss a tea party meeting to discuss messaging and their version of the constitution. People who want to protest but can’t be bothered to stand up and run for office or do any of the hard work citizenship in a democratic society demands. Block a freeway? Why not! Shoot a congressman? Sure. Destroy someone online? Fun! Carry a nazi flag in a parade? Awesome! We’ll just blame the Mercers or George Soros. Doesn’t Matter.

Government Is More Powerful No Matter Who’s In Charge

Whatever you scream when you protest, one thing is true. Government power is more absolute. A prison we have created for ourselves is bankrupting us and destroying our society. National debt is dangerously high and climbing. Little more than window dressing passes for action. Political news watchers concern themselves with the latest greek drama live from the White House. Issues? Policy? You won’t get clicks with that.

Losing Equation

Neither majority nor minority provides anything close to leadership. Attacks and Counterattacks. Name calling. Gleeful enjoyment of this House of Cards. Surprise when it results in death. This does not end well.

Sponsored by Brush Studio in the West End Saint Louis Park

Charlottesville Is Final Nail In The Right’s Coffin-Podcast 656