SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
November 3, 2016
Sullivan’s
Salvos 11/8/16
In this edition:
*VOTE!
*Election Work
*Dakota Access Versus the Bundys
*National Adoption Month
*Veteran’s Day
*Did You Know?
*VOTE!
Election
Day is upon us! Vote, and make certain everyone you know votes! There is a lot
at stake here!
If
you have a ballot, do NOT mail it in! Please take it to your polling place! But
you must have it with you! If you have other voting questions, call the
Auditor’s Office at 319-354-6004.
I
will admit; I am scared. I have never been more worried for my State and my
Country. All I can do is try my damndest to get as many people as possible to
get out and vote!
*Election Work
Melissa
and I have been door knocking every weekend since mid-September; 8 straight
weeks, I believe. Yet lately, you have not seen us in Johnson County. What
gives?
We
have been working in Muscatine County. Why? Our work there still helps Hilary
Clinton, Patty Judge, and Dave Loebsack. But where as our State Senator (Joe
Bolkcom) is unopposed, State Senator Chris Brase is in a pitched battle for his
seat in Senate District 46. The fate of the Iowa Senate may well hang on this
race!
Yes, this is counterproductive for me. I am on the ballot. I benefit
from going to the doors of voters who can cast a ballot for me. But I am
unopposed, and there are more important things at stake.
Senator
Brase is a Muscatine Firefighter, a union man, and a very nice guy. So I am
happy to work on his behalf. But this is self-serving, too! As I said, we MUST
maintain the Iowa Senate!
Why
is the Iowa Senate important? Democrats hold a 26-24 lead. Lose the Iowa
Senate, and Governor Branstad and radical Republicans in the Iowa House can do
whatever they want. What would they do?
Public
education will suffer huge cuts. Water quality will get worse. Medicaid will be
further cut and further privatized. Public money will pour into private
companies, while union employees go away. Women’s rights will be under assault.
There will be an attempt at an anti-gay change to the Iowa Constitution. Voting
rights will be restricted. And that is just a start!
The
Iowa Senate matters… oh, does it ever matter! That is why you’ll find me doing my
political work in Muscatine.
*Dakota Access Versus the Bundys
You
have all heard about the Sioux Tribes who are protesting the Dakota Access
Pipeline. This pipeline would run through tribal land that was guaranteed to
the Sioux by treaty. Private security firms, local police, and National Guard
members are using paramilitary equipment and tactics to keep the Sioux away
from the area.
You have all heard about the Bundys and the rest of their group –
an armed militia that took over the Malhuer Wildlife Area in rural Oregon. The
occupiers were just exonerated by an Oregon jury.
When juxtaposed against each other, there may not be a more
troubling set of events in my memory. Heavily armed white people take over federal land so their cattle can graze for free. They
threaten violence. The government does next to nothing. On the other hand, we
have people of color trying to protect sacred burial grounds and drinking water
from a big oil company, and doing so peaceably. In that case, the government
brings in the military and makes hundreds of arrests.
Seriously,
I cannot recall a more troubling series of events. Armed white men get treated
with kid gloves. People of color are taken down. The injustice is almost more
than I can take.
President
Obama and Secretary Clinton – you need to act! It is time to step in and do
what is right!
*National Adoption Month
November has been named National
Adoption Month and November 20th National Adoption Day.
The
need out there is tremendous. In Johnson County alone, there are between 100
and 150 kids in foster care every day. There are nowhere near enough foster and
adoptive homes to meet the need.
As many of you know, Melissa and I are the parents of three
adopted children. We also continue to serve as foster parents.
It has been a life full of tragedies and triumphs. It has not
always been easy, but it has been indescribably fulfilling. Along with marrying
my wife, it is the best decision I ever made.
If
you or someone you know is interested in foster care and/or adoption, please
let me know. I am always happy to speak with prospective parents.
*Veteran’s Day
Happy Veteran’s Day on November 11. Thanks to
all the men and women who have served our country. I appreciate your service,
and wish you peace.
Veterans For Peace
Chapter #161 is sponsoring an Armistice Day Observance to be held on Friday,
November 11th at the Clinton St. entrance to Old Capitol, Iowa City. Gather @ 10:45AM. Bells will be rung @
11:00 AM, as they were rung around the world at the end of WWI in 1918 and on
each November 11th for decades thereafter. Armistice Day is a day to promote
peace and to remember the victims of war, both veterans and civilians.
The event will feature Veterans for Peace from throughout the state of Iowa.
The event is free, and the public is welcome.
*DID YOU KNOW?
Barack Obama got the highest Johnson County Presidential vote total ever
– 51,027 in 2008. The highest Johnson County vote total ever for any candidate
is 53,440 by Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek in 2012.
Anyone
interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the
County website-
"Sullivan’s
Salvos" is sent once per week to any interested party. It will give a brief
update on issues of interest to Johnson County residents.
These messages
come solely from Rod Sullivan, and neither represents the viewpoints of the
whole Board of Supervisors nor those of groups or individuals otherwise
mentioned.
If you do NOT
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anyone else who might be interested, just forward this message. They can E-mail
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As always,
feel free to contact me at 354-7199 or rodsullivan@mchsi.com. I look forward to
serving you!
---Rod
posted by Rod Sullivan @ 8:35 PM
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