SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
May 7, 2020
Sullivan’s Salvos 5/12/20
In this edition:
*Please Be Kind, Patient, and Calm
*Happy Birthday Zuri!
*Happy Mother’s Day!
*Voting Fixes
*Did You Know?
*Please Be Kind, Patient, and Calm
One of my all-time favorite quotes comes from St. Augustine: “Charity is no substitute for justice.” As we think about the impact of the coronavirus, the difference between charity and justice is really on display.
The Covid-19 pandemic has shown a light on the many places where charity TRULY is no substitute. FEMA cannot understand why we have so many homeless folks who need shelter. The Governor tells people without insurance, “Call your doctor.” They don’t HAVE a doctor! They use the ER! Schools are closed, yet need to feed thousands of students. Unemployment pays better than most work.
Yes, lots of folks have really stepped up. They have given of their money, time, and talents. But that does not cut it. Charity is no substitute for justice.
We have a lot of work to do to create a more just society. So let’s get started! Meanwhile, please, continue to be kind, patient, and calm!
*Happy Birthday Zuri!
May 10th marks the 3rd birthday of Ms. Zuri Foote, our first grandchild! I can honestly say that being a grandfather is the best gig I have ever had! And Zuri makes it easy! She is sweet, kind, fun, and smart! And oh my gosh do I miss her!
I found the following stats about grandparents today. I would have to say that I am in the majority in every category:
72% think being a grandparent is the single most important and satisfying thing in their life.
63% say they can do a better job caring for grandchildren than they did with their own kids.
68% think being a grandparent brings them closer to their adult children.
90% enjoy talking about their grandkids to just about everyone.
I should mention that I am really proud of my daughter Rachel – Zuri’s mom. Rachel has done a great job as a mother, and I could not be more pleased with her.
Happy Birthday, Zuri! Papa loves you!
*Happy Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 10. I know that this is a difficult day for many people, and I want to respect that. Yet I feel the need to talk about a special person in my life.
I want to wish a particularly Happy Mother’s Day to my Mom, Susan Sullivan Smith, and my wife, Melissa Fath. One is a birth mom, one is an adoptive mom – both are amazing people who have touched many lives.
I sometimes wish people could actually see how amazing Melissa is. We’ve had over 50 foster children over the years, and she has never missed a beat once. Melissa has done all that parenting, while at the same time doing full time cancer research. She is truly incredible!
Five years ago at this time, I was afraid I might lose her. Melissa was fighting cancer, and we did not know exactly what to expect. Thank God things went well, and this Mom-of-all-Moms is still with us today!
I hope all the moms out there have a wonderful day! You deserve it! Thanks for all you do!
*Voting Fixes
There are many problems with elections in the US. Number one, elections are subject to the different laws of 50 states and 3,000 counties. It is long past time that the federal government step up and create stronger federal rules to ensure every American has the right to vote.
Now, with Covid-19 threatening Iowa’s June Primary, not to mention the November General Election, it is time to act. We must save the US Postal Service, and we must fix election law.
Below I will discuss several changes to election law that I would like to see, along with a few I oppose. One thing to remember: all of this costs money. Lots of money. And the feds should step up and fund these necessary changes.
Changes I support:
1. Automatic voter registration. If you will turn 18 by election day, you are automatically registered.
2. Same day registration. Even automatic registration does not account for people who move.
3. No voter ID requirements. Voter fraud is NOT an issue. Voter disenfranchisement is.
4. No excuse absentee voting. Iowa has had this forever, but in many states, you need an excuse to vote at any time other than election day. A ridiculous law that should be banned.
5. 40 days of in-person early voting. Iowa used to have 40 days, which worked quite well.
6. In-person voting on evenings and weekends. Satelite voting is important, and it needs to be widely available off hours.
7. Greater use of voting by mail. In our current circumstances, we should prepare for our elections to be 100% by mail, though allowing in person voting if possible.
8. Perpetual request for absentee ballots. You should be able to tell your County Auditor, “Send me a ballot for every election.” In Iowa, you must make a separate request every time.
9. Maximum of 3000 people per voting precinct. You have seen polling places with long lines. This is because there are way too many people in each precinct. Cap it at 3,000 per precinct.
10. Minimum number of hours polls must be open. Polls should be open no less than 7AM to 7PM.
11. Precinct officials can be registered No Party. We need bodies. Most voters in the US are registered No Party. As long as individual precinct officials have different party registrations, why not?
There is also a list of “fixes” with which I do not agree:
1. Compulsory voting. Several countries require you to vote. Don’t vote, and you face a fine. Australia does this; the fine for failing to vote is about $150. Some people go ahead and pay the fine, just to make a point. But 97% vote. That is good, but they also get many more frivolous votes – Mickey Mouse, etc. The Libertarian in me says get voters with carrots, not sticks.
2. Election Day as a holiday. On one hand, Americans could use another holiday. (I would prefer Indigenous People’s Day in October.) But I see this making it even harder to recruit poll workers. Plus, richer voters will get it off; poorer voters will still be stuck working. If we implement the 11 items above, a holiday should not be necessary.
3. Election Day on a Weekend. See above.
4. A single day National Primary. Nooo! We already have way too much of “our billionaire versus your billionaire”. The good thing about the placement of Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina is that they allow a grassroots campaign to get legs. With a single primary day, you will never again see anyone akin to Barry Goldwater, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, or Barack Obama win the nomination. You will get billionaire versus billionaire, plain and simple.
So, what are your thoughts? Do you support the changes I propose? Have other ideas?
*DID YOU KNOW? Only 56% of Americans voted in 2016. That percentage is fairly consistent, with a couple exceptions; it was 64% in 2008, and 60% in 2012. The 56% number is similar to turnouts in 1996 and 2000.
Anyone interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the County website-
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---Rod
posted by Rod Sullivan @ 1:45 PM
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