"Shovel Ready Tour" of Culver

In another article from the Telegraph Herald of Sunday, March 22, I read that Gov. Culver was doing a « Shovel Ready Tour » around eastern Iowa in order to « continue to pitch his plan to spend $750 million on projects aimed at generating thousands of jobs ». He would like people to press legislators to pass his plan. That shows that the financial crisis is not only a federal matter but also a state and local one. So Culver went to Davenport, Clinton, Maquoketa, etc. These $750 million would be repaid over 20 years from gambling profits. It reminds me something we learned in class : gambling (after property taxes) is one of the main public incomes in the State and localities. Culver hopes to create tens of thousands of jobs with this money. Once again, he came and met people in order to talk to them about what is going on.

Close democracy and openness

In Des Moines, we had lunch with the staff of the Capitol and had drinks with them every night. This is something that could never happen in France: even if France is a democratic country, politicians are not really ready to welcome people and listen to their point of view, requests, concerns, etc. Here, it was really different. Politicians were really open, and I think that what defines the American political system : openness. For me the principle of subsidiarity is important. Nobody up could do what could be done by somebody down : democracy is so more efficient and much more adapted to the needs of people. They think that election is not enough : citizens have still the duty to take part of the democratic system and politicians have the duty to pay attention to citizens’ request (as they are accountable to them).
I read an article on the Internet about local news that makes me think about that. The Governor of Iowa, Chet Culver, had proclaimed in Iowa City « Sunshine Week » from March, 15 to March, 21. The aim of this week is to highlight the importance of a free press and to emphasize on open government and access to information. The article said that « Culver said President Barack Obama has made open government a federal priority and says the right to share information without fear of retribution is essential to a free society ». That is what we observe in Des Moines too, and that open government is not only a « federal priority » - as the article said, but also a state priority. Iowa is ranked 31st in government openness.

Seventh week > Des Moines

Thanks to our Local Politics class, we had the chance to go to Des Moines and visit the State Capitol. The goal of this trip was to have a better idea about how democracy works in the State Government, and also to meet someone who could help us in our thesis (it could be a State representative, a Governor, etc.). I did not find someone who could give me some information about Thomas Jefferson’s conception of democracy, as it was a historical topic. By chance, I meet the Governor Danielson while we were having a drink together. I was surprised to see how much he knew about that as it was not his domain of competence. The problem was that our discussion lasted only 15 minutes because he had to attend a session. He gave me information about what Jefferson did and how he influenced the way the USA are governed today (for example, he created the Electoral College that is still used today).
We made a tour of the Capitol and we were told that it was built by French architects. It did not surprise me a lot because it is the same kind of building we are used to see in Paris.

Postville and illegal immigrants

In class we talked about immigration. We learned that immigration was one of the 5 big issues that the USA face today. States prohibit unauthorized immigrants from obtaining professional licenses. In Iowa, immigration is also a big issue. In the news, I heard about Postville is a big immigration city. There are a lot of concentration of Jewish, Hispanic (from Mexico) and Croatian people. One day, the Federal government came by surprise in a processing plant working on Kosher meat. The owners were Jewish and there was a high level of Hispanic workers, especially from Mexico. The Federal government made numerous arrests. This was considered as the biggest bust in the USA for illegal immigrants. Some were processed and sent back to Mexico and their families returned overthere too.
The owners of the plant were arrested too and charged with numerous labor practices : poor wages, unsafe working conditions, illegal immigrants, children workers (around 14-15 years old), etc. About children workers, the plant broke labor laws because children do not have the right to work during school hours and they generally can not work i a plant like that. At this point, they stand on trial.
The problem is that most of them did not speak English so there were communication barrier. For them, they were coming in the USA, working, and got a better wage than in Mexico. However, they got lower job than usually for American people. They are ready to get a dirty and messy job than no job at all (that the American people, as French are not ready to do).

The Thunderbirds at Five Flags !

On Friday the 6th, we attended a hockey game at Quad City Flames at Five Flags Center, Dubuque. The team we supported was the Thunderbirds from Dubuque.

We had a good place but we were in the middle of teenagers who seemed to be not really interested and were coming and going all the time.

Once again, the match began by the National Anthem sung by a lady. The match began very violently because players were fighting and they bumped into the plastic ledge of the ice rink. There were 2 mascots for each team and a lot a shows ans games were organised during the breaks. Sport is not only a game but it is also a show, entertaining people more than if it was also a simple 1 hour-game.

We had a lot of fun even if I was a bit disappointed by the area we were sat... However, we enjoyed participating in a Dubuque sport event and support our team as temporary members of the community.

Sixth week > Dubuque City Council : closer experience of American democracy

On the 2nd of March we attended a Dubuque City Council meeting in the Council Chambers on the second floor of the Historic Federal Building. It convenes the mayor of Dubuque, Roy D. Buol, and the 11 members of the City Council. These members are At-Large Representatives or Ward Representatives. They meet on the first and third Monday of each month at 6:30 and discuss the agenda items, and vote them.

At the beginning of the City Council, they say the National Anthem, holding their hand on their heart and standing toward the American, the Iowa, and the Dubuque Flags : this is the "Pledge of Allegiance". Then, and more surprising, a priest comes and tells a prayer to "give mercy ans perfect order in this room. (...)'". For the politicians of the City Council, he asks God "to help them, fulfil them with His light", and that they do well their job. They pray also for their families. This prayer makes America unique in its genre, because in France religion and politics are incompatible for a lot of people and politicians. Even constitutionally they are incompatible.

This night, it was really quick because they all agreed on the agenda items, like on the creation of a service agreement for roads and highways.

Citizens could attend the City Council. Most of the time, they left after the City Council answered to their questions, and we were already the last ones at the end.

Like the Cracker Barrel, it is a way to be closer to what is going on in the City and tell them about their concern.

What happen in Illinois ?

By the way, I forgot to mention something important. On TV I learned that there had been corruption in Illinois government. As Obama left for the Presidential seat, Illinois had to elect a new Senator. The problem was that there was no time for election. So the Governor Rod Blagojevitch had to pick a new Senator. However, the function of Senator is a big position and he tried to make money from that. In a word, he asked candidates how much they would pay him to appoint them Senator.

He was destituted on Thursday the 29th 2009 by the Senate of Illinois unanimously. He was accused to be "cynical", "corrupted", "inept", "hypocritical", and "irresponsable". They vote also for his ineligibility and banning for life to work in the civil service in the State of Illinois. The Lieutenant-Governor Pat Quinn succeeded to him.

This is unbelievable to hear some news, while the USA represent democracy and liberty. The most amazing thing is that Rod Blagojevitch was elected on a anti-corruption campaign and plan.