Subscribers (free and paid) are welcome to join our Monday Zoom call from noon to 1 p.m. by using the link below:
In the ‘before times,’ a president was elected in this country by going through rigorous scrutiny.
By ‘before times’ I mean when we had a representative and functional government thanks to the U.S. Constitution.
Iowans once played a key role in deciding who would become president of these United States.
Many still long for the quaint Iowa caucus system where those who aspired to the highest office in the land found themselves in barns, ballrooms, coffee shops, living rooms, interviewed by local media, and eating a hotdog-on-a-stick at the Iowa State Fair, in a marathon race to the White House.
During one cycle, I asked a motel desk clerk at the Hampton Inn near the airport which candidate he supported and he answered:
“I’m not sure. I haven’t met them all yet.”
His vote mattered.
Candidates answered questions repeatedly. Spoke incessantly. Listened intently. They met thousands of Iowans, some of whom ended up working in their administrations in Washington, D.C.
These men and women learned about this great nation and its people.
Ideally, folks who grew up in urban areas came to know the challenges of rural America, and vice versa, as they were running to represent all of the people in this country. The presidential election (was) the ultimate vetting process.
A presidential candidate had their careers, childhood, friends, family members, successes, failures, and the elusive ‘it’ factor discussed and examined in depth. Character mattered. Obeying the law mattered. These candidates typically rose to the highest elective office in the land by first running for local, state, or national offices, and so they understood what it meant to represent the interests of voters.
Now, thanks to the Citizens United ruling, a billionaire can buy the presidency—and threaten sitting members of Congress with a primary challenge if they don’t fall in line.
The Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission ruling was issued by the U.S. Supreme Court on January 21, 2010. The Supreme Court ruled that corporations and unions have the same free speech rights as individuals, allowing them to spend unlimited amounts to influence elections—so long as they don’t coordinate directly with candidates.
Yes, ‘invested’ not ‘contributed.’ Big difference.
The impact of the Citizens United ruling on elections has been profound and multifaceted (thanks to Chatgpt for this summary):
Surge in Political Spending: The decision led to a significant increase in political spending by outside groups. In the 2012 election cycle, more than $308 million in "dark money"—funds from organizations that do not disclose their donors—was spent, with conservative groups accounting for 86% of this amount.
Rise of Super PACs: Post-Citizens United, Super Political Action Committees (Super PACs) emerged, capable of raising and spending unlimited sums from corporations, unions, and individuals to advocate for or against political candidates. These entities have become dominant players in federal elections, with their influence growing markedly over the past decade.
Increased Influence of Wealthy Donors: The ruling has amplified the political influence of affluent individuals and corporations. In the 2024 election cycle, for instance, the cryptocurrency industry alone contributed a record $119 million to federal elections, accounting for nearly half of all corporate political contributions during that period.
Proliferation of Dark Money: Citizens United facilitated the flow of undisclosed contributions into the political sphere. Organizations can now spend substantial amounts on electioneering communications without revealing their funding sources, leading to concerns about transparency and accountability in the electoral process.
Overall, the Citizens United decision has reshaped the U.S. electoral landscape by enabling unprecedented levels of spending from corporations and wealthy individuals, thereby intensifying debates over the role of money in politics and its implications for democratic governance.
And don’t even get me started on cryptocurrency—the ultimate untraceable, unknowable currency that now fuels political campaigns. Elon Musk, naturally, is all in.
Who the hell is this Musk guy?
Our Monday Zoom guest this week is a former Des Moines Register reporter, Tim Higgins, who wrote a book about Musk. Those of you who join the call will be six-degrees of separation from the man who might as well be president, because Elon Musk appears to be running the show.
"Power Play: Tesla, Elon Musk, and the Bet of the Century" is a comprehensive account by Tim Higgins, a seasoned automotive and technology reporter for The Wall Street Journal. Published in August 2021, the book delves into Tesla's tumultuous journey from a fledgling startup to a dominant force in the automotive industry, highlighting the pivotal role of its CEO, Elon Musk.
Overview: Higgins provides an in-depth narrative of Tesla's evolution, focusing on the company's ambitious goal to revolutionize the electric vehicle market. The book sheds light on the numerous challenges Tesla faced, including financial crises, production hurdles, and internal conflicts. Through meticulous research and interviews with current and former Tesla executives, Higgins offers readers a behind-the-scenes look at the company's operations and Musk's leadership style.
Key Themes:
Visionary Ambition: The book explores Musk's relentless drive to position Tesla at the forefront of the electric vehicle revolution, often pushing the boundaries of innovation and conventional business practices.
Operational Challenges: Higgins details the myriad obstacles Tesla encountered, from production bottlenecks to quality control issues, and how the company navigated these challenges.
Leadership Dynamics: The narrative delves into Musk's hands-on and often controversial management approach, highlighting how his decisions have both propelled Tesla's success and sparked public and internal debates.
Reception: The book has been praised for its thorough reporting and engaging storytelling. The New York Times Book Review described it as "a deeply reported and business-savvy chronicle of Tesla's wild ride." However, Elon Musk himself criticized the book, stating that it is "both false and boring."
Author Background: Tim Higgins is an award-winning journalist specializing in automotive and technology sectors. His work at The Wall Street Journal has earned him several accolades, including multiple awards from the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing. "Power Play" is his first book, encapsulating years of investigative reporting on Tesla and Musk.
Okoboji
Frustrated that your voice isn’t being heard? The power of independent voices is essential to democracy. Learn from top opinion columnists and masters in the art of writing powerful, persuasive essays. Communication is vital, now as never before. Start your memoir, novel, play, movie, or Substack column. Learn more.
The Iowa Writers’ Collaborative
I’m honored to be a founding member of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative. Here is a link to yesterday’s Sunday Roundup:
Excellent summation for those of us who can’t read everything! Thanks, Julie.
Thank you for this clarity and brevity - which I will probably repost!!!!! (Giving you credit.)