The state of Iowa has a budget problem, and it could surface with teeth in a few years. Thoughtful action now could postpone it, buying enough time to eventually defang it. The long and …

“There’s Got to Be a Morning After” — 1973 hit song, sung by Maureen McGovern (no relation to George McGovern) I’m writing this column before Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3. That’s by …

Certain admirable qualities have identified the United States for many, many years: prosperity, power, creativity, entrepreneurship, world leadership, personal freedom. You can probably name others. …

The United States is now involved, to varying degrees, in three hot wars: in Iran, Ukraine and Gaza/Palestine. We’re a principal party to the war with Iran, having initiated it in late February. …

Early voting is now open in Iowa and will be until Nov. 3, Election Day. The ballot in Greene County towns poses two special question to voters, both relating in some way to taxes. We need to pass …

Election analyst Nate Silver says the outlook for the Nov. 3 general election strongly favors Democratic candidates. But he adds that Republicans have one major advantage: money. Will that be …

We’re now only about five weeks out from Election Day 2026. Iowa voters may cast their ballots at their county auditor’s office starting Wednesday, Oct. 14, about two weeks from now. If …

This year is the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America. It’s also the 150th anniversary of the closest America has ever come to a constitutional meltdown over the …

We’re seven weeks from the midterm elections. Mail-in and absentee voting has already begun in some states. Voters are starting to pay more attention to the candidates and to the parties they …

This week the United States and its people are soberly remembering the stunning terrorist attacks that weaponized jetliners to kill thousands of people in the American homeland on September 11, 2001. …

By the shores of Gitche Gumee, By the shining Big-Sea-Water, . . . — from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, “The Song of Hiawatha” Kathy and I are spending a few days at the beautiful …

A series of ads on TV over the last few months haven’t tripped my trigger. I have finally figured out why. In those ads, an older guy with a trimmed white mustache tries to teach middle-aged …

As if your TV set were not inundated by enough political ads these days, you can expect a whole other set of them soon. The new load, probably coming your way after Labor Day, will try to …

Many officeholders strongly advocate openness in government. Let all unclassified information out, and good things will happen. That’s a good idea, as far as it goes. But openness alone, even coupled with advocacy proposals, falls short of progress. To close …

Last week I focused my column on my dreams for American foreign policy. This week I embarked on Chapter Two, this time for our government’s domestic policy. I quickly discovered this focus is …

Daydreaming is a universal pastime. What would I do if I won the lottery? What far-off places would I visit? Is this the year the Hawkeyes win the NCAA football playoffs, and the St. Louis Cardinals …

One fist of iron, the other of steel If the right one don’t get you then the left one will — from “Sixteen Tons” as sung by Tennessee Ernie Ford That’s the challenge the …

Mojtaba Khamenei, the new supreme leader of Iran, vows revenge on the “criminals” who assassinated his father, the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who had led Iran for 36 years. It must be assumed …

If the Confederate States of America (CSA) had succeeded in winning, or negotiating, its independence from the United States of America in the Civil War, this year it would be celebrating its 165th …

Donald Trump is the most consequential President of the United States in more than 75 years. He now controls, partially controls, or heavily influences most of the major sectors of American life. He …