Drake Political Review Issue 1 Volume 5

Drake Political Review Fall 2018 | volume 5 | Issue 1

Activist Advertising

In a not so new trend, companies are aligning with social and political causes to influence younger consumers

A Hard Bargain

Teachers’ wages and benefits have gained spotlight across the country but how does Iowa compare?

FENCING IN FREEDOM The United States has been built on a history of immigration but recent changes have led to detainment of those trying to come in to the country.

WHEN LAND BECOMES PROPERTY Thailand’s initiatives to create more land for national parks and forests neglects the villagers who live there

LETTER FROM THE

Editor

I

t’s a polarizing time in politics. Lines have been drawn, sides have been taken, and now people are hesitant to talk about politics. We’re quick to rant and rave about the issues within the security of our own groups of like-minded individuals, but we know that a good way to make a bad first impression is by talking about whom you voted for in the last election.

We all have our passions, an issue that stands above the rest.

We’ve been raised into them, surrounded ourselves with people who agree with them, and fought for them in whatever way we can. But whether your passion is about immigration reform, climate change, or economics, it’s essential to be able to discuss the issue with a civil attitude and an education on all the facts.

At Drake Political Review, we strive to provide you with reliable insight on the most current issues in politics each semester. Teachers went on strike across the country to advocate for higher pay, so we took a look at how the pay and rights in Iowa compare. We provided fresh analysis on current immigration policy and practice within the United States. And, after Nike used Colin Kaepernick in their new ad campaign, we evaluated their strategy of woke marketing. We hope to give you a balanced and non-partisan look on the people, policy, and social issues facing us locally, nationally, and worldwide both with stories hitting the headlines and those that get passed over in the bustle of constant news.

We can’t cover it all but hope to give readers a quick look at some of the most important politically charged issues facing the world today.

Whether it’s new information or a fresh look at something you already know a lot about, we encourage you to take time to learn, engage, and act meaningfully so the word politics, the name Robert Mueller, or the term national debt doesn’t have to spike your anxiety but instead can be used as a starting point to something productive.

Now, more than ever, turn the page and let’s talk politics.

Editor-in-Chief Haley Hodges

Art Director Lila Johnson

Assistant Art Director Nick Ellis

Staff editors Elena Hildebrandt Rachel Trbovic Sarah Ball Allyson Miller

Content Editor

Hannah Thomas

Contributors

Elena Hildebrandt Rachel Trbovic Allyson Miller Skye Lawson Kasey Springsteen Maddie Smith Addi Weakley Lauren Selfridge Hallie O’Neill Cam Dines Giada Morresi Joe Miller Haley Hodges Sarah Ball Holly Santman Hannah Thomas Jacob Reynolds

Designers

Aubin Murphy Madison Frey Haley Hodges Editor-in-Chief

2 | Fall 2018

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TABLE OF PEOPLE

CONTENTS SOCIAL

POLICY

Mismanged Care

A Second Look At First Ladies

Heartbeat Bill Breakdown

WHEN LAND BECOMES PROPERTY

To the left, to the left

THE GAY AGENDA

From India to Iowa, LGBTQ+ policies are constantly updating as violatations are brought into the spotlight.

12 17 24 29 34 8 14 18 26 30 36 9 16 20 28 32 40

6

Privatized Medicaid in Iowa aims to save money, but instead leaves vulnerable populations at risk.

Human Trafficking, It’s Happening Here Within the past two years, Iowa has seen a sharp increase in human trafficking cases. Advocates, such as Sister Shirley Fineran, Vanessa McNeal and Alec Shuman, are making it their mission to enlighten communities about the commonality of human trafficking in their areas and how to prevent the widespread dilemma.

A Hard Bargain Teachers’ wages and benefits have gained spotlight across the country but how does Iowa compare?

4 | Fall 2018

While their husbands served as President, these first ladies were hard at work on their own initiatives

Harvesting a new generation Iowa is slowly losing familyowned farms due to lack of interest from younger generations and international tariffs.

In the months following one of the most strict abortion bills in the country, groups from both sides of the issue still have a lot of work ahead of them.

CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF CLIMATE CHANGE

Thailand’s initiatives to create more land for national parks and forests neglects the villagers who live there

Big Spending? Big Consequences?

A look at Drake University senoir Joe Mitchell’s run for the Iowa House of Representatives in district 84.

FENCING IN FREEDOM

The United States has been built on a history of immigration but recent changes have led to detainment of those trying to come in to the country.

HaCK IT TO ME

Oh, Cannabis!

A global superpower sparks a conversation on the legalization of cannabis internationally.

Activist Advertising

In a not so new trend, companies are aligning with social and political causes to influence younger consumers

What you need to know about the Russia Hacking Scandal and what’s happening now.

The national debt is growing every day, regardless of what party is in charge

As storms become bigger, preparedness and legislative action need to grow with them

Joe Mitchell Q&A

Exploring the rise of Democratic Socialists within the Democratic Party of the United States

INSULIN INJUSTICE

Spiking insulin prices continue to make the vital drug inaccessible

faceless facts After the impact of the anonymous New York Times opinion piece, the use of anonymous sources is under the microscope.

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PEOPLE

PEOPLE

MISMANAGED CARE Privatized Medicaid in Iowa aims to save money, but instead leaves vulnerable populations at risk.

By Elena Hildebrandt

I

n 2016 then-Governor of Iowa Terry Branstad transitioned a state-run Medicaid program to a privatized managed care plan without legislative approval. The results have been mixed, as claims of government money saved are unclear and reports of diminished care have grown.

Medicaid provides coverage to millions of Americans, including eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults, and people with disabilities. Medicaid is the largest welfare program in Iowa and provides health care coverage for one in seven adults and three in eight children in the state.

A number of states have privatized some components of Medicaid over recent years. However, certain populations, particularly people with disabilities, are often protected and remain under

6 | Fall 2018

government control. Typically, care for people with disabilities is more expensive than care for other populations under the Medicaid umbrella. Therefore, private companies are generally unable to make a profit off these populations.

Branstad followed the controversial Kansas plan to privatize the health care program completely, which is the only other state to completely privatize Medicaid. Iowa transitioned to utilizing three private companies: AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa, Amerigroup Iowa, and UnitedHealthcare. All three are commonly referred to as Managed Care Organizations, and now hold the responsibility of caring for Iowa’s most vulnerable populations.

Branstad’s unilateral decision to privatize Medicaid came with the goal of cutting costs. However, there is limited

evidence that privatization has been successful.

The Iowa Department of Public Health reported in May that the state was saving $141 million since the switch, but that is significantly lower than Branstad’s promise of cutting $230 million annually, and significantly higher than the estimated $47 million from December of 2017. In September, the non-partisan Legislative Services Agency found that since 2017, the first full year of privatization, the per-member cost of Medicaid has actually risen an average of 4.4 percent. With so many different estimates, it is nearly impossible to determine the actual impact of privatizing Medicaid on the state budget.

Meanwhile, the three MCOs have reported hefty losses, racking up more than $100 million each during just the

first year of operation. The state and federal governments, however, are on the hook for paying back losses from the MCOs. Many state leaders have called for a better understanding of what has caused this uptick in spending from private companies, but transparency has been limited.

While savings remain unclear, the harms coming to many receiving Medicaid are obvious. Iowa Medicaid complaints have doubled, resulting in 225 complaints that private health insurance companies have failed in providing adequate care to many. Complaints are directed toward the ombudsman’s office, an impartial agency where citizens can file complaints about local and state governments. The complaints have included a number of topics, but many referred to cuts and a lack of necessary care.

Cynthia Miller, legal director of Disability Rights Iowa explained how private companies are able to turn a profit on Medicaid recipients and how they can cut funding from government programs. The state typically gives private companies a set dollar amount per person. For example, if each person was given $2,500 per month for any doctor’s

appointments or health-related costs then most people would utilize only a fraction of the allotted funds. The private health care companies then reap the remaining funds.

It is extremely difficult to make money on the backs of individuals with longterm disabilities, because their services often exceed the dollar amount provided to private agencies. Necessary services for people with disabilities like daily care and regular appointments become costlier. Private companies in Iowa at first promised to maintain these services, but quickly began cutting them in an effort to save money.

Many of the services for those with severe disabilities were cut when they were transitioned to managed care plans. Initially, some of the services were promised to remain, but managed care companies quickly claimed they were losing too much money and began cutting recipients’ necessary assistance efforts. Furthermore, companies largely failed to provide adequate notice when plans were changed.

At the start of the transition to privatization, Disability Rights Iowa was representing a number of people

*Illustration made from an open source image from the Military Health System

individually when they began to recognize a pattern of cutting necessary services arbitrarily. Furthermore, in many cases, Medicaid recipients received little notice and oftentimes were not informed of their ability to appeal the decision to cut services.

“We filed a class-action suit in June 2017 after we recognized such a pattern,” Miller explained. “The state filed a motion to dismiss in October. One of the three MCOs in Iowa pulled out of the state, and the judge decided that since they left, the problem no longer existed.”

Disability Rights Iowa has not filed another class-action suit, but has noticed similar failures under the remaining MCOs in the state. Following the dismissal of the class-action suit, Disability Rights Iowa has continued to represent clients individually and has recognized similar treatment under other MCOs. Following Gov. Kim Reynolds’ reelection, it is likely Iowa will keep the present privatized Medicaid system, making minimal changes. The managed care system needs an improved evaluation on whether it truly is best for Iowans.

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PEOPLE

Human Trafficking, It’s Happening Here Within the past two years, Iowa has seen a sharp increase in human trafficking cases. Advocates, such as Sister Shirley Fineran, Vanessa McNeal, and Alec Shuman, are making it their mission to enlighten communities about the commonality of human trafficking in their areas and how to prevent the widespread dilemma.

By Rachel Trbovic

8 | Fall 2018

O

n July 18, 2018, 20-year-old University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts disappeared without a trace when she was going for a run around her hometown of Brooklyn, Iowa. Her disappearance would gather attention across the country under speculation of human trafficking and soon, the United States would open its eyes to a silent dilemma and analyze the numbers of people going missing both locally and worldwide.

The National Human Trafficking Hotline reported 20 cases of human trafficking, with a total of 16 high-level victims in Iowa in 2012. These numbers then jumped in 2018 with 28 human trafficking cases, 20 high indicator victims, and the addition of 14 calls from victims and survivors. The Polaris Project, an organization striving to defeat sex trafficking, reported a 24% increase over 2015 of survivors that reached out to the Polarisoperated hotlines across the United States.

Sister Shirley Fineran, a professor at Briar Cliff University teaching social work and an advocate for human trafficker victims, travels to different venues educating communities and spreading awareness of the risks that could lead someone to be trafficked.

“It’s modern-day slavery,” Fineran said. “As the second leading crime, it generates almost $62 billion per year in the United States.”

Back in 2014, Fineran contributed to the foundation of the Siouxland Coalition Against Human Trafficking.

From there she founded the Siouxland Restoration Center, a restoration center to aid survivors of human trafficking, along with the Lila Mae’s House, a center for adult victims of human trafficking, meeting thousands of survivors along the way.

“A popular way for individuals to become entrapped by a trafficker is to be guaranteed a job that is far from their home, or promising to solve their problems by leaving somewhere,” Fineran said. “When they get where they are going, all of their identification is taken and all of their money, so they have no way to pay for anything. They become slaves to whoever brought them there.”

The age for targets ranges from 13-24, but the Center for Court Innovation found that children aged 12-17 were purchased by an average of 5.4 customers per day, versus 4.4 times per day for those aged 18-24.

“With social media constantly evolving, human traffickers are constantly evolving how they prey on their victims,” Fineran said. “Now it’s easier than ever for traffickers to target children because they’re so exposed to technology, but no one is monitoring what he or she are actually doing online.”

Often times children left alone after school or other events are targeted specifically, with traffickers who will manipulate children with threats against friends or family members or will act helpless to gain the child’s trust.

“These are people who have no sense of right and wrong,” Fineran said. “They feel no guilt about threatening and carrying through on threats.”

The issues with human trafficking don’t stop once someone is saved from the situation. Convincing a victim to leave their trafficker is difficult since it requires the victim to tell someone about what is happening, something survivors of human trafficking often struggle to overcome.

“When a person is caught selling drugs, the drugs are evidence, and law enforcement can see it,” she said.

“With trafficking, unless the person gives them up, they don’t have any evidence.”

Victims are often hesitant to give up their trafficker.

“Often, the victims have had a longer, closer relationship with their trafficker than with anybody else in their life,” Fineran said. “Even though he beats her, abuses her and makes her do things she doesn’t want to do, he’s the only one who cares for her, in a way.”

Fineran encourages parents to keep an eye on their children’s phones as one way to help prevent the problem.

“You need to know if they are talking to someone that you don’t know or they don’t know,” Fineran said.

“You could be saving their life.”

Fineran then went onto discuss a new documentary called “Gridshock,” which exposes the hidden reality behind human trafficking in Iowa.

Set to be released in the spring of 2019, the documentary by filmmaker Vanessa McNeal and journalist Alec Shuman explores the world of traffickers and buyers and why this culture is in Iowa specifically.

The film features survivors of sex trafficking, local and federal law enforcement, advocates, politicians, and a recovering sex addict, exploring all perspectives of this issue.

McNeal, a native Iowan, experienced child sexual abuse and neglect, along with being sexually assaulted at 15 years old, inspiring her to advocate for others who have experienced these situations During an interview with CBS2, McNeal declared “We’re very proud of our ‘Iowa nice’ attitude and persona, but people truly don’t believe the severity and the nature of this horrifying crime happening here.”

PEOPLE

A HARD BARGAIN

Teachers’ wages and benefits have gained spotlight across the country but how does Iowa compare?

C

ollective bargaining took center stage this past spring as teachers in Oklahoma, West Virginia, Arizona, Colorado, and Kentucky went on strike to advocate for higher pay and better benefits and support within the classroom. The demonstrations brought teachers’ pay to the forefront of national news in a serious way, leaving many wondering

how bad the situation really is, especially within their own states.

For Iowa teachers, an overhaul of legislation surrounding collective bargaining that occurred two years ago left many concerned about Iowa’s shortcomings when it comes to teacher pay and benefits.

“The thing that remained that was a mandatory bargaining topic was base salary.

By Allyson Miller

Everything else was removed from negotiations,” said Mike Beranek, president of the Iowa State Education Association. The ISEA is the state chapter of the National Education Association, which is a national teachers’ union.

Some items that now fall under the permissive category, meaning the district decides whether it is negotiated through ISEA, include hours, vacations,

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PEOPLE leaves, and seniority. Topics such as insurance, transfers, and evaluation procedures are now illegal topics for the ISEA to negotiate with districts.

“If you can’t sit and have a conversation with your district on how you want to transfer from one building to another or what your vacation and leave days look like, then they just don’t feel valued,” said Beranek.

ISEA recently held its recertification vote throughout local chapters across Iowa, which certifies that ISEA remains the bargaining agent in that district, and 168 of 170 locals voted to recertify.

“It demonstrates that folks in the field support what we do for them during the collective bargaining process,” Beranek said.

Education is ranked highly for the state of Iowa and is part of the reason that US News and World Report ranked the state of Iowa as number one in the country. Using markers of college readiness, high school graduation rates, National Assessment of Educational Progress math and reading scores, preschool quality, and preschool enrollment, Iowa’s schools rank eighth in the nation.

“They’re dedicated to helping the students in the classroom achieve,” Beranek said of Iowa teachers specifically.

Rudy Kammel is a second year teacher at Newton High School. Originally from Wisconsin, Kammel experienced firsthand the effects of diminished collective bargaining during his high school education.

In Wisconsin, legislation referred to as Act 10 was passed in 2011, which also stripped

10 | Fall 2018

PEOPLE collective bargaining rights working so hard to provide for for teachers. According to the them that they might not have Center for American Progress the opportunity to work with Fund, median teacher salaries them and read with them,” fell by 2.6 percent and median Beranek said. “It’s become teacher benefits fell by 18.6 quite hard to provide the kind percent after of quality the law’s education that “It’s become passage. our students Additionally, deserve and quite hard to the rate of that we expect provide the teachers here in Iowa who left the with less kind of quality profession rose money to do education that along with the it.” percentage According our students of teachers to the National deserve and that moving Center for between Children in we expect here districts within Poverty, 37 in Iowa with less Wisconsin. percent of Kammel Iowa’s school money to do it.” knew he would children join the NEA qualified as when he became a public school low income in 2015. The same teacher in Iowa. data set shows that families and “There was just no reason not children in poverty in Iowa are to,” Kammel said. “The union also overwhelmingly people of exists to be on your side.” color. Budget and subsequent Kammel explained that the personnel cuts inadvertently NEA provides legal assistance affect low-income students and and guidance and protects students of color. teachers from unfair firing.

While districts have Collective bargaining autonomy in how to spend restrictions are not the only certain blocks of funding, problem currently facing Iowa disparities exist between teachers. In terms of budget districts in terms of resources and cuts, the Iowa Department of initial funding.

Education has faced cuts in “You can go to one district recent legislative sessions. and there may be a one-on-one “When cuts occur, then the system where each child has a most expensive expenditure for Chromebook or a computer,” any organization is personnel,” Beranek said. “There may be Beranek said. Beranek said this other districts where classrooms is why staffing then goes down have to share laptops and maybe and class sizes get larger. they only get them twice a week.”

“Kids are coming to school Kammel noted the importance now without adequate food or of teachers in conjunction with a place to sleep or adequate adequate resources. clothing or their parents are

“The thing that leads to Arizona saw the largest drop student success more than off in federal and local funding anything, more for education than funding, is between 2008 having quality “The thing that and 2015 teachers,” according to leads to student the Center Kammel said.

“Good teachers on Budget success more cost money.” and Policy than anything, Teachers have Priorities. always served Oklahoma had more than as resources for the biggest funding, is students who cut in state lack access. spending per having quality Beranek spoke student since teachers. Good of buying coats 2008 according and shoes for to the same teachers cost students when data. State money.” he was a teacher, income taxes a major aspect in part fund of teaching that education at is not reflected in evaluations varying rates across states. In and budget proposals. both Arizona and Oklahoma, Not only do teachers provide income tax rates had also been students with the skills that cut, contributing to the lack of come from classroom education, funding for state education. but they also provide students These factors contributed with connections to services to the explosive walkouts that that they may not be able to captured the nation’s attention find or access depending on their this spring. Iowa, however, does home situation. not boast such extreme budget The consensus is clear from cuts or low salaries. the numbers and from both “I don’t think I’d find a better Beranek and Kammel. Iowa is state,” Kammel said. “Which doesn’t nowhere close to the walkouts mean that I think Iowa’s perfect.” the country witnessed in the When factoring in cost of spring; the current situation for living, Iowa ranks highly. An Iowan teachers is nowhere near NPR report from 2016 found that desperate. that while the average teacher “Newton works well with salary in Iowa was $54,416, the union,” Kammel said, and when adjusted for cost of living he recognized that it would be teacher salary landed at $60,868. much harder for him to teach if his district did not work well with the union.

Iowa’s recent restructuring of collective bargaining for teachers appears to be a cautionary tale to be watchful of all aspects that affect quality teachers and subsequent quality education. Quality education requires funding and resources in order to provide wages, benefits, and services that Iowa teachers deserve.

Limiting collective bargaining proves to put a strain on individual teachers to lobby for pay and benefits without the resources of the teacher union Despite all of the hardships that teachers face, Beranek affirmed, “It truly is one of the most rewarding professions that we have, and people are dedicated to their work.”

Kammel, one of those dedicated teachers, said, “There is an entrenched belief with the people of this state that education is important. I think people know that.”

The issue then becomes connecting that belief within the Iowa people and the value placed on quality education into tangible actions to support teachers.

For ISEA, Beranek said, “We’ve always been part of the solution. We’re hoping to continue to be part of that solution.”

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A Second Look At First ladies PEOPLE

While their husbands served as President, these first ladies were hard at work on their own initiatives.

Nancy Reagan Years in Office: 1981-1989

“Just Say No” to Drugs and Alcohol

Years in Office: 2001-2009

“Ready to Read, Ready to Learn”

Daughters of the American Revolution

“We have within ourselves the only element of destruction; our foes are from within, not without. It has been said ‘that the men to make a country are made by self-denial,’ and is it not true that this society, to live and grow and become what we would desire it to be, must be composed of self-denying women? Our hope is in unity and self-sacrifice.”

Eleanor Roosevelt

Years in Office: 2009-2017

“Let’s Move”

“My Day” 12 | Fall 2018

“Let’s Move” is an initiative to “raise a healthier generation of kids,” according to archives from the Obama White House. The initiative focuses on fighting childhood obesity through promoting fitness and good eating habits. Michelle Obama promoted this campaign by publicly encouraging children to get active, oftentimes by dancing on television, and by working with corporations to decrease salt, sugar and fat content in food.

“In the end, as First Lady, this isn’t just a policy issue for me. This is a passion. This is my mission. I am determined to work with folks across this country to change the way a generation of kids thinks about food and nutrition.”

Melania Trump

Years in Office: 1933-1945

During her time as First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt began writing a newspaper column about important issues of the time, titled “My Day.” One of Roosevelt’s biggest causes was housing. She worked to clean up neighborhood conditions and provide affordable housing for all Americans. She acted as honorary chairman of the Washington Committee on Housing and assisted with the passing of legislation. Her fight for proper housing coincided with her advocacy against racial discrimination, as she spent her time in office working to end segregation and, simultaneously, better the conditions of facilities in African-American communities.

“As parents, the most important thing we can do is read to our children early and often. Reading is the path to success in school and life. When children learn to love books, they learn to love learning.”

Laura Bush spent her husband’s presidency working on improving education for children. This initiative was created to help ensure children are prepared before they enter school and that their teachers are qualified to teach them, with a specific focus on schools in impoverished areas. Bush was a former public school teacher and believed that reading comprehension was vital to a child’s ability to learn and succeed later on in life.

Michelle obama

Years in Office: 1889-1892

Although Caroline Harrison lacks a well-known slogan, her campaign for women’s rights brought a lot of attention during her time as First Lady. She is often considered to be the first of the first ladies to devote their time to women’s issues. Her focus was on bringing about a “powerful political force” for women and providing women with access to higher education. Through her campaign, she founded the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution and supported the Women’s Medical School Fund Committee.

“Say yes to your life. And when it comes to drugs and alcohol, just say no.”

Nancy Reagan’s infamous “Just Say No” campaign was an extension of her husband’s efforts to expand the War on Drugs.

Her campaign focused on encouraging children to reject the temptations of drugs and alcohol at a time when the country was suffering from a widespread crack epidemic. “Just Say No” has been attributed with an increase in public concern and the formation of the D.A.R.E program.

Laura bush

By Skye Lawson

caroline harrison

PEOPLE

Years in Office: 2017-Current

“Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home - so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. Yet they are the world of the individual person; the neighborhood he lives in; the school or college he attends; the factory, farm, or office where he works.”

“Be Best”

The initiative focuses on issues plaguing children revolving around three areas: wellbeing, social media and the opioid crisis. Trump is a mother and feels an obligation to tackle the problem of cyberbullying because of her children and her experience being one of the most bullied people in the world, Trump said in an interview with ABC. Her focus on the opioid crisis stems from her husband’s efforts to end the opioid crisis.

“It remains our generation’s moral imperative to take responsibility and help our children manage the many issues they are facing today, including encouraging positive social, emotional, and physical habits. By acknowledging there are many important issues, and knowing these problems cannot be solved overnight, I believe we can change the way we think and talk about issues facing children today.”

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PEOPLE

PEOPLE

“It isn’t glamorous work,” Koutney said. “You have to have a lot of grit to stick it out when it gets tough.”

Harvesting a new generation Iowa is slowly losing family-owned farms due to lack of interest from younger generations and international tariffs.

By Kasey Springsteen

T

he morning starts at 5 a.m. A tired body, eyes still drooping, gets out of bed, eats two scrambled eggs, drinks a cup of slightly burnt, black coffee, and puts on a pair of work boots. There is the smell of fresh dew as a cold sunrise slowly creeps above a golden field of corn.

This is a common scene in Iowa.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture 2017 census, Iowa is home to 86,900 farms.

Because of the large concentration of farms across the state, it is of no surprise that agriculture is a hot topic when it comes time to set the agenda for the Iowa legislature.

Ed Koutney of Lisbon, Iowa, is one of many farmers in the state. He is impacted every day by policies set by legislators. Koutney grows about 800

14 | Fall 2018

acres of corn a year and his land is family-owned and family-farmed.

Family farms are becoming a thing of the past in Iowa, but Koutney hopes that his farm will stay in the family long into the future. He is confident that his grandchildren will want to continue to work and farm the family land.

Across Iowa, single-family, smaller farms are consolidating and contracting out work. This is for a variety of reasons, but the primary cause is the financial burden of running a small farm. A bad crop yield can be crippling for smaller farms whereas larger farms have protections in place that smaller farms are unable to afford.

It’s also hard to enter the farming business from the outside. Farming is

a hard profession to get into without background in a related field. “It isn’t glamorous work,” Koutney said. “You have to have a lot of grit to stick it out when it gets tough.”

Technology has also been a large contributor to the consolidation of smaller farms and is changing the farming industry. Newer harvesting technology makes it easier for fewer farmers to produce more product.

This can result in a market surplus, and thus a challenging economic marketplace for producers.

Rules and regulations imposed from the national and state level government have made it more difficult for small farms to compete with larger industries. The recent Trump Administration trade tariffs have affected small American farms

the most with backlash from other countries who imposed their own tariffs in response. China responded to a $60 billion tariff placed on imports by placing a 25 percent import tariff on soybeans, one of Iowa’s main crops.

Policies like this have created a large deficit in crop value, which largely impacts farmers. The resulting impact and loss of monetary income is comparable to if a farm experienced a flood or severe weather event.

“I was not impacted that much by the tariffs posed by the current administration,” Koutney said. “I do know a few farmers who have been, though, and it is concerning that an administration that claimed to protect farmers would contribute to crippling the industry.”

There is a lot of negative attention surrounding national agriculture policy, largely because of the disconnect between the policy and the people.

State-level government does not experience the same issues.

The close of the 2018 session of the Iowa Legislature saw many steps taken to protect water quality in the state.

Chemical used in farming contribute to water pollution, a problem Iowa is infamous for, and the preventative measures can be an incredibly expensive burden for farmers. The 2018 session and Governor Kim Reynolds signed Senate File 512 into law, providing $282 million for water quality efforts in the next 12 years.

Other focuses were foreign animal disease prevention and health insurance affordability for farmers. Funds were allocated to go toward animal disease prevention

and preparation within the coming fiscal year. Preventative measures not only protect the farmers, but also the industries affected by animal production such as the pork, egg, and dairy industries.

One office that plays a key role in legislation is that of the Secretary of Agriculture & Land Stewardship. Mike Naig is the current secretary who just won reelection for another term during the November elections. Jacob Swanson acts as the legislative liaison and special assistant to Naig.

Swanson stays very busy during the legislative season. His responsibilities include reading and researching bills that have the potential of going through committees and proceeding onto the floor, debriefing Naig, and communicating to Senators and Representatives Naig’s position and voting recommendation for the bills.

“There is a lot of legislation that goes through [the agriculture] committees, and [our office] wants to make sure the legislation is good for Iowa farmers,” Swanson said.

Despite not focusing too much in the future, Naig still wants to prioritize water quality legislation and stabilizing and expanding the industry for farmers. “Currently the office is unaware of legislation that will be posed in the upcoming session,” Swanson said, “But we expect more water quality legislation to come to the floor almost every year.”

The next legislative session starts Jan. 14, 2019.

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PEOPLE

JOE MITCHELL Q&A A look at Drake University senior Joe Mitchell’s run for the Iowa House of Representatives in district 84.

By Skye Lawson Drake University senior Joe Mitchell has been working at the Iowa State Capitol since the age of 17 and now, at 21, he made the decision to run for Iowa House of Representatives in District 84 in the south-eastern corner of the state. Mitchell won the general election on November 6th after receiving the Republican nomination this past June.

Q: What made you decide to run?

A: I’ve been working at the Capitol for the last four years, so it’s kind of been a dream of mine since I was younger to run for Iowa House and represent the people in my home district. The guy we had before, his name was Dave Heaton, was there for 24 years and he did a great job representing everyone in the district regardless of party or affiliation and I want to do the same.

Q: What kind of platform are you running on?

A: When I talk about my three big points, I’ve been talking about this since the primaries. [They] are primarily the budget, because that’s how we run the whole entire state; small business-friendly policies, so making sure that we are giving breaks to our small businesses and not just the big corporations; and rural school funding. My overall theme is rural Iowa and making sure we are protecting the rural areas and not just our big metro communities.

Q: Have you had a lot of support since you began running?

A: A lot of comments about me being too young occurred when I was doorknocking. I’d knock on the door and they’d ask me if I was old enough to run. I would tell them ‘yeah, barely’ but then when I told them how I’ve been working at the Capitol for the last four years and explained all the things I’ve done at the Capitol since I was 17, they kind of realize I have a lot of experience for my age. People seem excited about a young person running because there’s a lot of people that do have the idea that there are too many old white guys, whether it’s just in Des Moines or in D.C., and they want some young blood in there.

Q: You mentioned doorknocking, how else have you been going about getting help and attention for your campaign?

16 | Fall 2018

A: I don’t have a campaign manager per se, but I’ve just had a lot of good friends who’ve come and doorknocked for me. I have people in every town who take care of putting the yard signs in people’s yards. I have people at the Republican headquarters who have helped me. The committee members will always help you once you get the nomination. A lot of people in the district like what I have to say or knew me before and they just want to help out. I’ll have raised about $40,000 by the end of this whole thing … coming from various people: people from the community, family, and friends.

Q: Are there any candidates for other positions who you have been working with or have shown support for your campaign?

A: I’ve worked a lot with Dr. Christopher Peters and he’s running for Congress in the second district against Dave Loebsack. I always invite him to speak at my fundraisers and he’s come to all of them. I’ve worked with David Kerr, he’s a State Representative for District 88 right beside me. Pat Grassley, Chuck Grassley’s grandson, is a State Representative too and he’s spoken for me for fundraisers and things. I’ve gotten to work with a lot of different legislators who are already in there and on the congressional level and everything so it’s been a really great experience.

Q: How are you feeling about your chances of winning?

A: I’m running on the Republican ticket and the guy that I’m hopefully replacing was also a Republican. He won 70 percent of the vote last time. With just looking at pure numbers in registration it’s about two to one Republican and that’s what a lot of polls look at- the registration rate. It’s in my favor right now but I have to keep working, keep going doorknocking, fundraising, and putting up signs.

Now that Mitchell has won the race, he has the chance to live out his long-term dream of being an elected official.

“I’m honored to be elected to the Iowa House of Representatives. As the youngest member ever elected, I hope to give young people more of a voice and encourage more to get involved in politics on the state and local level.”

*Illustration made from image received with permission from Joe Mitchell for Iowa House

Heartbeat Bill Breakdown In the months following one of the most strict abortion bills in the country, groups from both sides of the issue still have a lot of work ahead of them.

By Maddie Smith

O

ut of all the controversial pieces of legislation that came out of Iowa’s 87th General Assembly, the heartbeat bill caused the biggest controversy. The law, signed by Gov. Kim Reynolds on May 4, 2018, combined two bills that had been floating around the Senate since 2017. The bill prohibited any woman to have an abortion after a fetal heartbeat is detected, with exceptions in the cases of mortal danger to the mother, rape, or incest. After almost 10 hours of intense debate in the Iowa House, it was passed by a vote of 51-46 and sent to the Senate. The Senate bill was debated until about 2:30 a.m., where it was passed 29-17.

This is not the first bill of its kind to make its way out of the Iowa legislature. In 2017, the General Assembly passed a 20-week abortion ban in conjunction with a 72-hour waiting period, which then Gov. Terry Branstad signed it into law.

The heartbeat bill has been a goal of the Republican-controlled legislature since they regained the majority in both chambers in 2016. Senator Jake Chapman , while running the bill on the floor, declared, “This law, if signed, I believe, could very well be the very bill that overturns Roe v. Wade.”

When the legislation was introduced in early February, Planned Parenthood of the Heartland released a scathing statement in response to the bill, saying “Iowans are fed up with politicians’ ongoing sense of entitlement to tell women what to do with their own bodies…So-called heartbeat protection bills are actually bans on safe, legal abortion and they threaten to set reproductive rights back by decades.”

Together, Planned Parenthood and the ACLU filed a lawsuit against Gov. Reynolds immediately after she signed the bill into law.

On June 1, the courts placed an injunction on the legislation. The injunction ensures that the law will not be enforceable until the court hears it and declares a ruling. A similar injunction was placed on the 72-hour waiting period shortly after it was passed, and in late June 2018, it was deemed unconstitutional by

the Supreme Court with a decisive 5-2 verdict.

Local attorney Patrick Smith believes the court will follow the same pattern as they did for the ruling on the 72-hour waiting period. “If the Iowa Supreme Court follows precedent, which I expect they will, the court is likely to find the heartbeat bill also unconstitutional,” Smith said.

With the lawsuit filed in state court, it is almost impossible for the bill to make it into the federal court system. The strategic move to file in state court resulted from the 72-hour waiting period ruling. In the decision, the majority of justices wrote that not only was the wait unconstitutional, but that they believed the right to an abortion went above and beyond what the federal court had said.

In other words, the Iowa Supreme Court said that the laws around procuring and receiving an abortion ought to be less strict than those in federal code.

Maggie Dewitte, executive director of Iowans for Life, called the ruling “one of the worst judicial overreaches that we’ve seen across the country. We elect our legislators to create the law, and they [the Supreme Court] usurped that and created law that didn’t exist.”

A 20-week ban is the current standard in Iowa. Legal director to the Iowa ACLU Rita Bettis previously told the Des Moines Register, “We believe that the Iowa Constitution protects abortion rights as strongly, if not more so, than the federal Constitution.”

The job of Attorney General is to defend the state in any case in which the state is getting sued, but in rare cases the Attorney General can recuse himself for certain reasons, which is what Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller has chosen for this case. Instead of Miller, a group of lawyers from a Chicagobased nonprofit the St. Thomas More Society is defending the bill free of charge. The prolife community is hopeful that the St. Thomas More Society will see them through to the end, but they still have a long uphill battle in front of them.

POLICY

Prohibits

Abortions to be formed once a fetal heartbeat is felt

6 Weeks

Around the time a fetal heartbeat is detected

S M T

W

T

F

S

Exceptions

Medical Emergency, Rape, Incest

0

Democrats Voted to pass the bill

Drake Political Review | 17

Cloudy with a Chance of POLICY

e g n a h C e t a m Cli

By Addi Weakley

As storms become bigger, preparedness and legislative action need to grow with them

Superstorms The media cultivated the term “superstorms” to describe large, destructive storms that affect significant amounts of people over a vast radius. Within the world of weather and climate change however, the term superstorm is rarely, if ever, used.

As storms of this caliber get bigger and more frequent, the term starts to feel more and more relevant.

One of the first storms to be recognized as a superstorm was a large system in 1993 that essentially affected all states east of the Mississippi River. The storm produced mass quantities of snow, supercells, and tornadoes.

A more recent example of a superstorm was Hurricane Sandy. Even though most still refer to the system as Hurricane Sandy, by the time the storm hit the New York and New Jersey coast, it was no longer a hurricane but still caused massive amounts of destruction.

Since superstorm is a media term, the term Jared Leighton, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Kansas City, said would be synonymous is an anomaly or anomalous system. As the term anomaly would imply, these types of storms should

18 | Fall 2018

be rare but with climate change in the mix, every storm can become stronger.

“Putting the term superstorm aside, you basically take any facet of weather and, with climate change, it’s understood as you go forward that it may not be as frequent but the storms will probably get a little stronger and demonstrate a little more variability,” Leighton said.

“Your hurricanes are going to be stronger, your droughts are going to be drier and hotter [and] supercell thunderstorms may become a little stronger. Whatever weather is present in a certain area, the chances are it will be exacerbated by the climate change.”

Katharine Hayhoe, director of the Climate Science Center at Texas Tech University, agrees impending effects of climate change will result in stronger storms rather than more frequent storms. As the climate warms,

in relation to anomalous storms, she believes the environment will be impacted differently than humanity.

“The planet is actually going to be just okay,” Hayhoe said. “The issue is us. We have two thirds of our biggest cities on coastlines - many of those in areas where hurricanes tend to [be prevalent].”

Moving forward, Leighton said he expects that it will be possible to see larger storms that may have occurred once a century to occur once every decade. He also said he believes the threat of adverse weather will attack the vulnerability of the different severe storms, including tornadoes, hurricanes and winter storms.

Changing Weather Technology As technology continues to advance, the models used for tracking storms are improving. In fact, most large anomalous storms that are seen today would likely not have been spotted on outdated equipment.

“Your hurricanes are going to be stronger, your droughts are going to be drier and hotter [and] supercell thunderstorms may become a little stronger.”

POLICY “In the past, it was really hard for a model to pick up an anomalous system; they almost had this built in mechanism that kicked out some of the anomalous stuff [so] if it’s not something that you would normally see, it kind of just kicked it out as a mathematical error,” Leighton said. “Lately, they’ve gotten really good at finding these anomalies. For a forecaster to basically forecast something that’s never happened before requires not only a lot of skill but a lot of faith in the models and an ability to go out there and say this is a big deal.”

Within the last five years, Leighton said the job of a forecaster has evolved. Rather than spending all day formulating the forecast for the week, that information is automatically populated via technology. Now, a forecasters main job is to communicate the information to the emergency management community, public safety entities, and the general public.

One way the National Weather Service is working to better communicate information is by increasing their presence on social media.

“People need to make sure they have more than one way to receive weather warnings,” Leighton said.

Although other private services can issue weather warnings and advisories, the National Weather Service is the only official source for severe thunderstorms, tornado warnings, and winter storm warnings. Leighton suggested using phone apps, looking at reports from the media, and tuning televisions to news stations

during storms to ensure one is prepared for the pending situation.

Being tuned in will help people know what’s happening in the moment but it is also important to plan ahead of a storm.

With news of people needing to evacuate their homes due to the weather anomalies, upsetting stories of those who were underprepared serve as a warning to prepare for whatever type of storm may be coming.

“During wintertime, even if you’re in an area that’s not super susceptible to the large winter storms, you can put together a winter kit so you can have a few days of food incase you get really blown in,” Leighton said.

Likewise, those in areas who are susceptible to hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes or other natural disasters should prepare an emergency kit and plan in case they fall victim to the anomaly.

Legislative Change In order to help resolve the issue of climate change, Leighton said he believes this issue “needs to be dealt with more on a legislative level.”

Hayhoe agreed that government action is needed and believes the current administration could be doing more to stop the negative effects of climate change.

The current administration has been vocal about investing in coal but has not been active in approving legislation to resolve the issue.

“They’re not doing nothing, they’re doing something to actually make it worse,” Hayhoe said.

Looking to the future, Hayhoe is encouraging people to educate themselves on climate change and how it affects the environment, including anomalous storms, before it’s too late.

“We often see climate change as not happening to us, only happening to the polar bears,” Hayhoe said.

“The reality is that we’re already being affected by it today and the window of time to make the changes that we need to avoid real serious warming is almost past us.”

“We often see climate change as not happening to us, only happening to the polar bears,” Hayhoe said. “The reality is that we’re already being affected by it today and the window of time to make the changes that we need to avoid real serious warming is almost past us.”

storm supplies The Department of Homeland Security reccomends each household have a disaster supplies kit: a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency. Items reccomended include a first aid kit, flashlight, water, nonperishable food, a radio, items for warmth, and batteries.

More information on preparing for disasters can be found at https://www.ready.gov.

Drake Political Review | 19

POLICY

POLICY

“When I was a kid in the 1970s and 80s, we were largely still talking about the metaphor that America is a ‘melting pot.’ We’re stronger because of our differences. I’m a third generation. American and being an immigrant was a real point of pride.”

-Dr. Stephen Maynard Caliendo

FEnCING IN FREEDOM

By Lauren Selfridge

The United States has been built on a history of immigration but recent changes have led to detainment of those trying to come in to the country.

T

he United States of America is known as the nation of immigrants. Since its discovery, the country has boasted about its willingness to open its arms to people from across the globe.

Historically, when Anglo-Saxons faced religious persecution in England, they decided to make America their new home and continue their history here. The second wave of immigrants in the 1840s found comfort in coming to the United States in order to regain

20 | Fall 2018

the economic prosperity they lost in their home countries. Even in to the 20th century, immigrants from Asian and Latin American nations have reaped the benefits of immigration to the United States by fleeing hazardous working conditions and unstable political climates and building their lives in the United States.

When put in perspective, every American living in the United States who does not have ties to native peoples has a connection to the

immigrant experience, no matter how many years in the past. The immigrant experience was never easy, but now it’s proven to be tougher than ever.

The political climate surrounding immigration has vastly changed through time. As waves of immigrants have entered the gates of American society and developed their lives here, the United States’ perspective on immigration has vastly changed.

Dr. Stephen Maynard Caliendo, Dean of Arts and Sciences at

*Image of the United States-Mexico border was sourced from Wikipedia’s open source files.

North Central College, recalls the narrative regarding immigration during his upbringing.

“When I was a kid in the 1970’s and 80s, we were largely still talking about the metaphor that America is a ‘melting pot,’” Caliendo said. “We’re stronger because of our differences. I’m a third generation American and being an immigrant was a real point of pride.”

However, after events like the tragedy of 9/11, Caliendo said the national narrative about immigration took a drastic turn.

In the modern day, immigrants continue to face discrimination. The most targeted—and largest—group of migrants seeking better lives in America are from Mexico. According to reports by USA Today, last May alone, the United States saw almost 10,000 undocumented immigrants cross the border.

This number was nearly four times the amount of immigrants who were caught entering the United States illegally in the months prior. This surge is likely the effect of President

Donald Trump’s “zero tolerance” policy, which was launched at the end of April. The policy—which was officially implemented in May— prosecuted immigrants who attempted to enter the country illegally. While the adults were taken in to the hands of the Justice Department and border authorities, children who attempted to enter the United States with their parents were separated from them at the border.

News about children being separated from their parents first

Drake Political Review | 21

POLICY have been deemed “refugee centers” along the Mexico-United States border.

These children’s living situations have been described by media as “living in cages” and separated from their parents from anywhere from just a few weeks to several months.

This process is being overseen by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement sector of the Department of Homeland Security (ICE). Since then, the United States Government has passed several deadlines for all of the children to be reunited with their families. As of Oct. 18, 2018, nearly 250 immigrant children are still separated

POLICY from their parents at the border.

Trump’s rhetoric surrounding immigration has promoted fear in American society. One of Trump’s most significant campaign platforms was based around building a wall to separate the United States from Mexico and keep illegal immigrants out of America. Trump has furthered his rhetoric by calling these illegal immigrants who attempt to cross the border names like “bad hombres.”

While some illegal immigrants do cross the border for the wrong reasons, using a slippery slope to assume all immigrants come to America for bad

reasons simply is not accurate.

In the Midwest, it may seem like immigration issues are far away due to the physical distance from the border.

However, immigration issues affect midwesterners more than they may think.

One aspect that was brought to the midwestern spotlight came from the Mollie Tibbets case, after a University of Iowa student disappeared this past July in Brooklyn, Iowa.

Tibbets was missing for just over a month before her body was found in a cornfield in Brooklyn. Officials were led to her body by Cristhian Bahena Rivera, a 24-year-old allegedly

“Since then, the United States Government has passed several deadlines for all of the children to be reunited with their families. As of Oct. 18, 2018, nearly 250 immigrant children are still separated from their parents at the border.” undocumented immigrant from Mexico.

His status as an immigrant immediately came into question with his lawyer claiming Rivera was in the country legally though no documentation has been found to substantiate the claim. Concerned citizens immediately began to ask how Rivera got to America, how long he had been living here before the murder happened, and why he committed such an atrocious act on an innocent victim. Antiimmigrant remarks surfaced from Donald Trump and the Republicans, along with many Iowans throughout the state. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said she was, “angry that a broken immigration system allowed a predator like this to live in our community.”

“It’s become the fear of the other— not us, but them,” Caliendo said of instances like 9/11 and the Tibbets case.

Because elected officials and law enforcement officials often never obtain specific details about immigrants’ backgrounds and their intentions for living and making lives in America, it is easy to just assume most immigrants are here for the wrong reasons. However, the narrative

surrounding immigration must change as the makeup of the United States’ population changes.

Immigrants living in Iowa have many resources to help them once they arrive in the state. One resource is Iowa Justice for Our Neighbors, which serves immigrants living in the Des Moines area. Some of the services provided to immigrants include help with applications for work permits and green cards, as well as citizenship applications.

In addition, Iowa Justice for Our Neighbors helps immigrants who have experienced domestic violence in their home countries or in the United States.

Through the U-Visa application, domestic violence survivors and their families can apply to receive temporary immigration benefits and services while they seek citizenship and petition the government for forgiveness due to their illegal entry into the United States. The services provided by Iowa Justice for Our Neighbors are free, but application fees may apply.

The resources granted by the group allows immigration advocates to “advise immigrants on their options, however limited they may be,” said

“It’s become the fear of the other—not us, but them.”

Intake Specialist Marcos Lefter.

The results of the 2018 midterm elections provide some hope for a changing narrative about immigration in America. In Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District, future Representative Ilhan Omar won her election with 78% of the total vote.

Omar is a Muslim refugee from Somalia and gained her citizenship in 2000 when she was just 17 years old. Prior to this election, she was elected to be the first Somali American in history to hold elected office in Minnesota’s House of Representatives.

With her victory, she has become the first Somali American, Muslim refugee, and first hijab-wearing female elected member of the United States House of Representatives. Her victory is a huge step for refugees, immigrants, and Muslim Americans who wish to seek political office and who had been discouraged from running for office in the past.

The more diverse makeup of the next United States House of Representatives will likely change the way the American government functions. By having immigrants and marginalized groups serving in Congress, the views of Americans— documented and undocumented— will certainly hold more importance than ever before.

*Illustration made from a photo from Getty Images made availabe for editoral use

22 | Fall 2018

Drake Political Review | 23

When Land Becomes Property POLICY

ho owns the rights to the land?

It’s the central question surrounding the Sub Wai village in Chaiyaphum, a region in northeast Thailand most known for its stifling heat and cassava farms.

For over 30 years, Sub Wai resident Nittaya Muangklang, her family, and her fellow villagers have lived and farmed here, but they’ve simultaneously been involved in disputes with the Thai government over land ownership.

When the Sai Thong National Park was first established in 1992, it covered areas already settled by people from Sub Wai and seven other surrounding communities.

Tensions over land rights began, so in 2014, the militaryjunta-issued Forest Master Plan was born. It commanded the eviction of all individuals living or farming on lands within the National Park areas.

“The land has always been worked on since my parents, and it was

given to me,” Muangklang said. “They never told us we couldn’t work on the land, so we’ve always just done that, but then one day, they said, ‘You are here illegally,’ and I think that is not justice.”

Since the Plan’s issue, small investigations attempting to remove villagers living in these areas have begun.

Villager protests have slowed the process, but in recent months, the villagers of Sub Wai have found it more and more difficult to resist.

The most recent government investigation began in early February of 2018, implemented by the Sai Thong National Park office. It’s their duty to fulfill the commands of the provincial government office, the Royal Forest Department (RFD).

In recent decades, the RFD has stressed the importance of preserving Thailand’s forests, and its goal is to reach a nationwide forest area of

“They never told us we couldn’t work on the land, so we’ve always just done that, but then one day, they said, ‘You are here illegally,’ and I think that is not justice.”

24 | Fall 2018

Chaiyaphum

By Hallie O’Neill

Thailand’s initiatives to create more land for national parks and forests neglects the villagers who live there

W

POLICY

40 percent, a threshold the RFD claims is a positive environmental goal. But it’s not as simple as it seems.

The concept of more forests sounds like a good thing, but according to Mahasarakham University professor of politics and governance Alongkorn Akkasaeng, the RFD’s forest plans aren’t in the environment’s best interest – they’re for the country’s economic growth in exports.

“They have been taking back people’s land and they are not growing reserved trees,” Akkasaeng said. “They’re growing economic trees to be cut down again. They are not concerned with the environment or natural resources; they’re just preparing for the future of making money.”

The forests the RFD proposes to foster are mainly mono-cropped varieties like eucalyptus, with the yield being used for timber (a rare resource in Thailand, therefore also a sign of wealth), agrotourism, or a product to be marketed

“They have been taking back people’s land and they are not growing reserved trees.”

toward investors. Mono-cropping hurts the land’s biodiversity, so increasing Thailand’s forest area comes at an incredibly high cost to all other sectors of the environment.

This environmental monotony ruins the fertility of the soil, among other things because a healthy ecosystem is supposed to be built off of a wide variety of species.

The evictions are completed under the guise of land ownership – the government claims it owned the land first, so it charges the villagers for living and farming on it.

The villagers, on the other hand, claim the land is theirs, with their evidence being tied to family lineage and the passing down of land through generations. The dilemma is over which of the two parties is correct.

Fourteen Sub Wai villagers were sued as a result of the Forest Master Plan, many of the charges being classified as “encroachment” or “trespassing on government land.” The land they farm on has been claimed by the government as national park land, so by continuing to farm it, the villagers are technically breaking the law. This is where they run into lawsuits and face trial in court.

The Thai legal system operates within a much different structure than that of the photos from Hallie O’Neill

United States. In the U.S. justice system, individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty, but in Thailand, it’s the other way around. People on trial are guilty until proven innocent, and each Thai villager is handcuffed and sometimes outfitted in prison garb before the trial even begins.

These disadvantages seriously impact villagers’ success rates in court, and they are rarely released with no consequences.

They usually face prison time, a hefty fee, or both.

The courthouse is 80 kilometers away from Chaiyaphum, so on any day they must appear for trial, they are forced to forfeit an entire day’s work. That sets them back an entire day’s income, and the fees racked up during the court process disadvantage them even further. Luckily, the Isaan Land Reform Network (ILRN), a non-governmental organization, has helped the group connect with the Department of Justice fund, an entity under the Department of Rights Protection that provides funding to cover bail charges.

The ILRN also helps them acquire legal representation free of charge.

However, the villagers of Sub Wai recently came up with a proposal to

collaborate with the National Park so both parties can meet their needs. They proposed a community forest, or a large plot of land governed by the National Park and RFD with forest area galore, but managed by the villagers, who would also incorporate local varieties of species into the land in order to promote biodiversity and eliminate the use of mono-cropping.

The National Park Office and the environmental government bodies would still be able to work toward their goal of 40 percent forest, but the forests would be healthy and maintained by people who know the land intimately.

The people of Sub Wai are beginning to make strides, and they received a visit from a representative from the prime minister’s office recently to further discuss their plans for a community forest. With the help of the ILRN, they hope to emerge victorious and they will do whatever it takes. After all, the land they live and farm on is the only home they know.

“There’s nothing that I fear anymore, because what I’m doing is for our living,” Muangklang said. “We fight for the land, because we don’t have anywhere else to go.”

Drake Political Review | 25

TWENTY-ONE TRILLION

POLICY

BIG SPENDING...

BIG CONSEQUENCES? The national debt is growing every day, regardless of what party is in charge

By Cam Dines

O

n average, each American citizen would need to pay the government more than $65,000 to pay off the national debt in entirety.

The total federal debt is $21 trillion and counting. Year after year, the government is left with a negative balance in its coffers. Through the presidencies of George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump, federal spending has ballooned to astronomical levels. It’s as if “biggovernment” Democrats and “smallgovernment” Republicans are united in their belief that incurring debts is typical. This is what makes this issue so unique- both parties seem to share commonalities regarding the issue of federal spending.

Causes of Federal Spending The story of the national debt begins with looking at the end of President Bill Clinton’s administration.

While the country has incurred a federal debt for most of its existence, under the Clinton administration the United States reaped the shortterm benefits of a booming economy and a federal budget surplus. All of this was fueled by innovations in technology out of Silicon Valley and

26 | Fall 2018

POLICY

“EACH AMERICAN CITIZEN WOULD NEED TO PAY THE GOVERNMENT

$65,789

TO PAY OFF THE FEDERAL DEBT IN ENTIRETY.”

$21,000,0 *Image of the U.S. Treasury Building was sourced from Wikipedia’s open source files.

borrowing from programs like Social estimated to be in the range of $4-6 Security. Through this, the Clinton trillion. This figure doesn’t include administration was able to reverse a long term disability compensation trend of annual deficits that had led and medical care for war veterans. to growing debt for decades under the This increase in spending was also presidencies of Ronald Reagan and paired with the Economic Growth and George H. W. Bush but the country Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, still had substantial debt both before which decreased taxes. and after the Clinton’s terms.

Toward the end of Bush One may wonder how the United Administration, the country was States went from budget surpluses engaged in two wars and the economy to increasing annual deficits and began its descent into a slump. rapidly escalating While the administration debt in the past 18 Republicans tend to attempted to mediate the years. According to the through a stimulus drive up the deficit by crisis Washington Post, the package and increased decreasing incoming spending, many consider it debt is a result of the combined effects of revenues through tax a failure. tax cuts under George Then, in 2008, the cuts and increasing housing bubble crashed, W. Bush, spending on the Iraq and sparking a cascade of defense spending.

Afghanistan wars, the economic issues. According economic recession of to the New York Times, an 2008, and a mix of recovery programs $882 billion stimulus recovery package under the Obama administration. At was passed at the beginning of the the beginning of the George W. Bush Obama Administration to help reverse Administration, the terrorist attacks of the economic downturn.

Sept. 11, 2001 occurred. This prompted Although many Obama-era recovery the United States to invade Afghanistan, programs were in good faith, they and later Iraq. ultimately raised the debt as well. The According to the Harvard Kennedy most prominent piece of legislation School, the cost of the wars is under the Obama Administration was

the Patient Protection and Affordable result of spending increases on nonCare Act, otherwise known as defense areas and recovery programs.

“Obamacare”, which also significantly Of course, this is not always the increased federal spending. According case, particularly in times of crisis. to Forbes, increases in premiums and The George W. Bush administration subsidies will increase the debt by an had to pass the Emergency Economic estimated $75 billion dollars.

Stabilization Act of 2008 toward the Looking at the current end of his presidency as the housing administration, it is easy to see crash and national recession became the spending challenges President more and more pressing.

Donald Trump inherited. To add to the already overwhelming figure, The Economics Behind Federal Trump has signed numerous pieces Spending of legislation that will increase the It is hard to know what the federal debt economy will be like years down According to the Congressional the road, but many economists see Budget Office, the latest Republican positive and negative effects in big tax cuts will increase the national debt spending. According to Professor by $1.7 trillion over 10 years. This is Joshua Rosenbloom, department chair matched with a spending increase. of economics at Iowa State University, This is where there is an important there is nothing wrong with federal distinction between spending exceeding Republicans revenues sometimes.

Democrats drive up the and Democrats.

Rosenbloom adds, deficit by raising spending Republicans tend however, that it is on entitlement and recovery “generally desirable” to drive up deficits by decreasing that revenues and programs. revenues through expenditures balance tax cuts while over the business simultaneously increasing defense cycle. When the economy is at full spending. Deficits in Democratic employment there should be a balance administrations tend to grow as a or a surplus. This is because recovery

programs are not needed to bring down unemployment.

On the contrary, if the economy is below full employment, spending may be needed to bring down unemployment. Rosenbloom argues that the nature of the spending must be considered.

Economics is just like politics.

There will never be a clear-cut answer for what economic position is the socalled correct one for spending.

The federal debt is a burden that weighs on the shoulders’ of the American people, particularly younger generations. The United States has never reached a level of debt as high as the current level and in every moment it is increasing. The federal debt is an issue that is often obscured by the emotional variabilities of daily politics.

While most people concern themselves with minor issues, large sums of borrowed money are being spent in Congress and it would be wise for all Americans to pay close attention to economic issues regardless of political leanings. The future of America’s economy hangs in the balance.

Drake Political Review | 27

POLICY

SOCIAL

To the Left, To the Left

OH, CANNABIS!

Exploring the rise of Democratic Socialists within the Democratic Party of the United States

By Joe Miller

T

By Giada Morresi A global superpower sparks a conversation on the legalization of cannabis internationally.

C

annabis, weed, marijuana -whichever “The discriminatory way in which term you choose to use- is not legal for cannabis offences have been historically purchase or recreational use nationally policed means that the enforcement in the United States. However, as of Oct. of cannabis-related offences has 17, 2018, Canada has legalized the sale of disproportionately targeted racialized recreational cannabis. and marginalized Canadians – the most News outlets in Canada and the vulnerable members of our society,” writes United States praised the legalization as Pardon on their website. “No Canadian a measure toward protecting those who should be burdened with a criminal record abide by the law. for a minor, non-harmful act that is no “We will soon have a new system in longer a crime.” place,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau The legalization of cannabis in Canada when he announced the passing of the has raised eyebrows internationally. The Cannabis Act in June. “One that keeps decision by the Canadian parliament to cannabis out of the legalize cannabis marked hands of our kids and a turning point in the “We will soon have a new keeps profits away from global discussion of the system in place,” said Prime organized crime.” legalization of cannabis.

Minister Justin Trudeau when People in Canada can William Garriott is a he announced the passing of now legally purchase, professor of law, politics and possess, consume, grow, society at Drake University the Cannabis Act in June. “One share and make cannabis who specializes in the study that keeps cannabis out of the and cannabis products. of drugs and the policing, hands of our kids and keeps But this isn’t a free-forgovernance, and laws all. In Canada, the ability profits away from organized surrounding their usage. to purchase and use “In general, I think it is crime.” cannabis depends on the too early to tell what impact province -- individual marijuana legalization will provinces have been granted the authority have on Canada,” said Garriott in an email. to make decisions on things such as the “They are not the first country to legalize sale of cannabis down to the places it at the national level (that’s Uruguay) but can be sold and how those stores are to they are the first country to legalize by operate. They can also raise the minimum commercializing and making it possible age to above 18, which Quebec and Alberta for tourists to purchase. They also have have already taken the liberty of raising to legalized for those 18 and older which 19 years old. distinguishes them from US states that Yet some people in Canada claim that the have legalized where the age is 21.” legalization of cannabis does not actually As a world power, Canada has a stake provide a path toward safety in use and sale. in the international economy and other An activist group called Pardon is working foreign relations. As the country grew toward cannabis amnesty, meaning that they closer to the announcement of legalization, want to see a large-scale decriminalization of the Canadian Armed Forces found cannabis and a rescindment of the charges themselves scrambling to reassure their placed on persons with current cannabis allies that there would be a policy in place possession charges. to protect national security.

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The Canadian government has also been very explicit about the transportation of cannabis and its illegality worldwide.

Citizens are warned against attempting to travel with any amount of cannabis, even if they were to travel to another place where it is legalized. The country has legalized the use and sale of cannabis within its borders, but no framework exists for international trade or movement of it.

“The big question, I think, is what it will do to international law,” Garriott said. “Canada’s legalization scheme is at odds with its obligations under the UN drug-control conventions that govern international drug policy. It will be interesting to see if this move inspires any reforms to these conventions. If it does, we could see a change in international drug policy. This might encourage other countries to look into legalization.”

Legalization of cannabis on a global scale may not be likely to happen anytime soon however. Back when the first individual states in the US moved to legalize cannabis in 2013, the United Nations’ International Narcotics Control Board was explicitly clear that it was not in favor of the legalization of recreational cannabis sale in Colorado and Washington.

Since then, a total of 10 US states and Washington, D.C. have made recreational sales legal while another 23 have legalized just medical marijuana, with some states having just voted on the laws this past election cycle in November.

While we likely will not see the United States pushing legalization of cannabis to the forefront of the national agenda like Canada, nothing is stopping each of the 50 states from individually legalizing it themselves.

he unlikely success of US Senator Bernie Sanders from Vermont in 2016’s presidential primary gave significant momentum to a left-wing movement within the Democratic Party that’s poised to dramatically alter the dynamics of modern American politics. Known as Democratic Socialists, the faction seeks to bring once fringe ideas such as Medicare for All, a universal job guarantee, and a 15-dollar minimum wage into mainstream political discourse as well as question traditional levers of political and economic power. Accompanying their rise to prominence in the last two years has been a seismic re-structuring of the political dogma that has sent shockwaves throughout the political sphere and warrants a deeper examination into the identity and motives of Democratic Socialists.

Since Sanders’ impressive showing against political powerhouse Hillary Clinton, a number of other Democratic Socialists of American (DSA) endorsed Democrats have scored wins throughout the country, including Alexandria OcasioCortez, who unseated the fourth-ranking Democrat in the House of Representative in New York’s 14th Congressional District primary this June. While Cortez’s victory certainly brought national legitimacy to the group, they are far from a new organization.

Formed in 1982, the Democratic Socialists of America trace their roots to a merger of a number of like-minded groups: the Socialist Party of America, the Democratic Socialist Organizing Committee, and the New Left Movement. From 1982 to 2016, membership for the Democratic Socialists hovered around 5,000. Since November 2016, the

group has grown substantially, recently eclipsing 50,000 members nationwide.

Democratic socialists are not, however, a political party in a formal sense. True to their philosophy, DSA lacks a rigid power structure and distributes power and responsibility to individual chapters throughout the country. These chapters use grassroots, bottom-up organizing to empower ordinary Americans and advocate for concrete structural reforms to shift the balance of power within their communities and the country as a whole.

“The common understanding among DSA is to bring democracy into the economy,” said Central Iowa DSA’s cochair Joe Ellerbroek. “Most people have a landlord, a boss, or a debtholder, those everyday relationships of power would be better if those people had a say in how they were treated.”

In the current political realm, Democratic Socialists demand an equitable distribution of a society’s resources that ensures the basic needs of all (food, water, shelter, healthcare, education) are met without question. The rise of unfettered capitalism has, in their view, created systemic inequalities that must be rectified by government redistribution of wealth from the rich, giving it to those that have been exploited by the system.

In the future, Democratic Socialism seeks to go further than policy-oriented goals, and instead calls for deeper change at a societal level. DSA members believe in a radical restructuring of the power dynamics that shape the modern political, economic, and social sphere; to look beyond profit margins and instead focus on the value of people

outside of their economic contribution.

“When we say capitalism is bad, we’re talking about a dynamic of power that we can form a democratic alternative to,” said Ellerbroek.

They believe in a shift away from the individualism of free market capitalism and instead imagine a system designed by a collectivist approach. In this system, power rests in the hands of the many, promoting economic and cultural solidarity among all people within a democratically elected system.

DSA does engage in electoral activism by endorsing candidates, organizing, and supporting campaigns. Candidates backed

by DSA typically run as Democrats and share a common set of goals including universal healthcare, pro-labor reforms, universal jobs guarantee, fighting corporate influence in politics, and free public college.

“DSA is a big tent,” said Central Iowa DSA Co-Chair Caroline Schoonover. “But we’re united in our goal to fight capitalism, white supremacy, and patriarchy.”

In the 2018 midterms, three selfidentifying Democratic Socialists sought and won federal office: Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, and Rashida Tlaib in Michigan’s 13th Congressional District. Perhaps more importantly, core tenants of the Democratic Socialist platform have permeated conventional political dialogue, indicating growing acceptance of ideas once thought to be extreme. The rapid ascent of these politicians onto the national stage has widened the American political spectrum and continues to challenge traditional notions of electoral politics.

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0110111110001000001000000 101111100010000010000 1010010111101101100000010 0101001011110110110000 0000110100000001011000000 10000001101000000010 0011001100011010100011110 0000001001100110001101 1100101111000011100010110 00011110111001011110000 0011011110110101101110011 00010110000110111101101 0100001000100011000011000 011100110010000100010 Information has been compiled from various sources reported by the New York Times from the past three years.

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In the days after the election, serious speculation on the possibility of Russian hacking occurs.

On Nov. 11, Trump’s spokesperson, Hope Hicks, says “There was no communication between the campaign and any foreign entity during the campaign.” Trump continues to assert that he has no connections to Russia, despite praising the nation on different occasions.

What you need to know about the Russia Hacking Scandal and what’s happening now.

No significant evidence has been reported of hacking in the early months of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, but an email recovered by the New York Times between a Russian businessman and Trump’s attorney, Michael Cohen, is a decisive starting point of Russian interest in securing Trump’s presidency.

June - Trump formally announces his candidacy.

October - Michael Cohen, Trump’s longtime attorney, is in communication with Felix Sater, a businessman who was born in Russia, about building a Trump Hotel in Moscow.

November - In an email between Sater and Cohen from Nov. 3, Sater wrote: “I will get Putin on this program and we will get Donald elected. We both know no one else knows how to pull this off without stupidity or greed getting in the way. I know how to play it and we will get this done. Buddy our boy can become President of the USA and we can engineer it. I will get all of Putin’s [sic] team to buy in on this…”

In the months leading up to the 2016 election, emails and files from Hillary Clinton, members of her campaign, the Democratic National Committee and other Democrat officials are released to discourage voters but it isn’t until close to the November election that sources of the tampering begin to be found.

March 19 - Russian hackers send a phishing email to Clinton’s campaign chairman, John Podesta. The scheme successfully steals everything from his account.

April - More phishing emails come in to people on Clinton’s campaign and at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

April 12 - Russian hackers use the credentials stolen from the phishing schemes to install malware.

April 18 - Hackers break into the DNC’s servers.

May 25 - Thousands of emails from the DNC are stolen.

May 26 - Trump gets the Republican nomination.

June 8 - DCLeaks.com, a site set up by Russian hackers, goes live, releasing thousands of emails they had stolen, and a week later the DNC addresses the breach.

June 15 - Guccifer 2.0 is created by Russian hackers to release more documents and to divert suspicion from Russia to the original Guccifer, a hacker who had previously targeted government officials in the United States. A week later, WikiLeaks requests the stolen emails from Guccifer 2.0.

Wikileaks later requests that Guccifer 2.0 send “Hillary related” information to them ahead of the Democratic National Convention.

July 21 - Trump accepts the Republican nomination.

July 22 - WikiLeaks releases 20,000 stolen emails from the DNC. July 27 - Russian hackers go after accounts from Clinton’s personal office.

October - WikiLeaks releases Podesta’s emails every day starting on Oct. 7 and continuing until the election. Trump says “I love WikiLeaks” while the Obama administration accuses the Russian government of hacking.

November 8 – Donald Trump is elected as U.S. president.

Meanwhile, many fake ads against Clinton and supporting Trump are released from various Russian entities. Jeff Sessions, Paul Manafort, George Papadopoulos, Donald Trump Jr., and other members close to the Trump campaign take various meetings with Russian officials and others later accused within the hacking scandal.

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By Haley Hodges

December - Meetings occur between Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, and then Russian Ambassador to the United States Sergey Kislyak. Kislyak has since been accused of being a Russian spy.

December 28 - President Barack Obama fights back against the scandal, expelling suspected Russian intelligence operatives and adding sanctions against Russia’s intelligence services.

December 30 - Putin decides that Russia won’t retaliate.

2017 (MAY-NOV)

January - A report about Russia’s involvement in influencing the election is released, to which Trump responds “fake news” and calls the investigation a “total political witch hunt” in all caps on Twitter.

The FBI question Michael Flynn, Trump’s National Security Advisor, and George Papadopoulos, a foreign policy advisory panel member.

Trump meets with FBI director James Comey about loyalty.

January 20 - Trump is sworn in as the 45th president of the United States.

Staff turnover and the Russia investigation plague Trump’s early months of presidency. Trump is criticized for the turnover and critics see it as an elaborate and continuing cover up. Several known Trump associates are tried and jailed for their involvement.

February - FBI questions Papadopoulos again. He takes down his Facebook account in an attempt to hide messages March - Attorney General Jeff Sessions recuses himself from the Russia investigation Trump asks for Comey to “lift the cloud” of the FBI investigations.

May 9 - Trump fires Comey.

May 17 - Robert Mueller is appointed as the head of the Special Counsel investigation for the FBI concerning the Russia hacking scandal.

July 26 - The FBI raids the home of Paul Manafort, Trump’s former campaign chairman.

Jul7 27 - Papadopulos is arrested for lying to the FBI. October 5 - Papadopulos pleads guilty.

October 30 - Manafort and his deputy Rick Gates are indicted on charges of lobbying for a pro-Russia party in Ukraine and hiding foreign bank accounts.

November 30 - Flynn is charged with lying to the FBI and pleads guilty the next day.

2018 (FEB-SEPT)

Trump’s first year comes to an end but the investigation is still ongoing. New evidence has been coming out sporadically as the investigation is underway and other players in the scandal have been charged.

February - A computer science student from Southern California, Richard Pinedo, is arrested for contributing to identity fraud for Russian hackers. Alex van der Zwaan, an attorney and son-in-law of Russian billionaire German Khan is found guilty of lying during the investigation. Thirteen Russians and three companies are charged for fraud and conspiracy against the American government.

April - The FBI raids Cohen’s home and office.

Gates pleads guilty of lying during the investigation and conspiracy against the United States.

June - Manafort and political consultant Konstantin Kilimnik are charged with obstruction of justice after trying to influence witnesses.

July - Twelve Russian intelligence officers involved in hacking the DNC and Clinton’s campaign are charged.

August - Cohen is found guilty of violations of campaign finances, as well as bank fraud and tax evasion. He also claims that Trump allegedly told him to pay off two women, adult film star Stormy Daniels and one other.

September - In a plea deal, Manafort agrees to cooperate with Mueller in the investigation.

November - Concerns over a repeat in election tampering circulate during midterm elections but no obvious interruptions are reported.

Trump asks Sessions to resign.

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INSULIN

INJUSTICE

Spiking insulin prices continue to make the vital drug inaccessible

By Sarah Ball

“Extreme thirst. Weight loss. Loss of vision.

Comas, and death. These are all symptoms of hyperglycemia, also known as high blood sugar and unfortunately, the reality of type 1 diabetics who ration live-saving insulin.”

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xtreme thirst. Weight loss. Loss of vision. Comas. Even death. These are all symptoms of hyperglycemia, also known as high blood sugar and, unfortunately, the reality for type 1 diabetics who ration life-saving insulin.

For years, young people who have aged out of a parent’s health insurance plan have rationed insulin while they live paycheck to paycheck without their own adequate health care.

This is also the reality of diabetic family members who split insulin because of increased co-pays and deductibles. This is common for diabetic Americans across the country. Affording necessary medication, without cheaper alternatives, has become their personal challenge.

People with type 1 diabetes, also known as insulin dependents, live with a dysfunctional pancreas due to an autoimmune reaction. Whether it comes from genetics or environmental factors, this disease is unpreventable. The American Diabetes Association estimates that 1.25 million Americans live with type 1. This means that 1.25 million people are dependent on a small vial of insulin for their livelihood.

Since 2012, insulin prices have more than doubled and without coverage, prices can be upwards of a thousand dollars a month.

Without a supplement of insulin, people with type 1 diabetes can develop diabetic ketoacidosis, which is caused by high blood sugars that become highly acidic.

This causes cells to dehydrate which, if left untreated, can ultimately lead to death.

This is exactly what happened to 26 year-old Alec Smith when he rationed his insulin due to lack of funds after he was aged out of his mother’s health insurance

plan. Despite having a full time job that paid $35,000 a year, which is too high to qualify for Medicaid and other government subsidies in Minnesota, Smith’s home state, he was still unable to afford his $7,600 deductible and $1,300 monthly cost for diabetic supplies, which includes insulin.

These skyrocketing costs led Smith to ration his insulin use to try to make his supply stretch to the next payday. Smith’s mother later wrote in a post to NPR that “Endocrinologists here in the US report that as many as one in five of their patients are not able to afford their insulin. For many persons with diabetes, that means they land in the emergency room with diabetic ketoacidosis. For others, like Alec, they never get there. Just 27 days after his coverage under my insurance ended, I received the call no parent ever wants to get.”

Lyndi BuckinghamSchutt is the Associate Director of Wellness and Nutrition Policy at the Harkin Institute for Public Policy and Citizen Engagement. Buckingham-Schutt explained that diabetes medicine has changed since the invention of insulin in the 1920s.

“Although there isn’t a monopoly on insulin production, only three manufacturers account for more than 90 percent of global insulin sales, Buckingham-Schutt said. “Also, the United States does not have a generic

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manufacturer of insulin. No generic competition often results in higher prices and less competition. Historically, generic manufacturer of medication means a price decrease by up to half of the brandname price.”

Lack of competition in the insulin industry leads to these skyrocketed prices.

If the three main insulin manufacturers work together as they historically have done, they can easily raise the prices to all benefit since they have such limited other competition to drive prices down.

“It’s a complicated system and hard to fully understand, but a small bit of knowledge can help a person navigate an otherwise complex system and incentivize others, including our policy makers, to call for increased transparency in how the larger system works,” BuckinghamSchutt said.

In late 2017, the American Diabetes Association started the Stand Up for Affordable Insulin campaign, gathering more than 400,000 signatures to date. Committees and caucuses within the House and Senate continue to evaluate the issue and while promises are made to try to conquer the issue, there is still plenty of work to be done before insulin will be affordable again.

“Endocrinologists here in the US report that as many as one in five of their patients are not able to afford their insulin.

For many persons with diabetes, that means they land in the emergency room with diabetic ketoacidosis.

*Insulin bottle and syringe graphic created using a open source photo from 2C2KPhotography

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THE GAY AGENDA

By Holly Santman

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From India to Iowa, LGBTQ+ policies are constantly updating as violatations are brought into the spotlight.

he landmark ruling by India’s supreme court on Sept. 6, 2018, to decriminalize “gay acts” marked a historic and global shift in favor of the LGBTQ+ community. The term “gay acts” includes both identifying as gay and consensual sex.

Under this new ruling, LGBTQ+ people are now awarded some of the same protections under the Indian Constitution, giving them at least theoretically equal citizenship.

The old law in India stated people could be punished for even identifying as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

This law was enacted when the British colonized India during the Victorian Era and reflects the moral codes of the time. It also considered any kind of sex that was

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“against the order of nature” illegal.

However historic this ruling, it does not fully protect Indians who identify as LGBTQ+, as they may still be ostracized from their families and persecuted or abused by other members of society.

There is still a long way to go in terms of legal rulings. The right to privacy was just granted by the India’s supreme court last year and same-sex marriage and equality in the workplace is still not guaranteed by law.

According to an investigation by the New York Times, many activists in India believe changing the current rulings is still a long way off for the Indian government.

Issues and court rulings on LGBTQ+ rights are not new or unique to one region.

In the United States, many issues regarding gay rights are still hotly debated, even though advancements have been made, including legal marriage rights in every state as of 2015 and the repeal of the “Don’t ask, don’t tell” military policy in 2010. Several gay and transgender representatives have been elected over the years in various states such as Jared Polis first as a House Representative and now Governor of Colorado, Governor of Oregon Kate Brown, and Tammy Baldwin as senator in Wisconsin. In 2012, the Democratic Party became the first major U.S. party to publicly support same-sex marriage.

“LGBTQ people and other people in minority groups are often reduced to one aspect of “LGBTQ people and other their identities, and with people in minority groups that reduction comes the impression to some that are often reduced to one LGBTQ issues are the ‘only aspect of their identities, thing that matters’ to that and with that reduction person or even the only issue on which that person comes the impression to some that LGBTQ issues are has expertise,” Bennett said.

This sentiment likely the ‘only thing that matters’ rings true to many people in the LGBTQ+ community to that person or even the because, while they have only issue on which that been fighting for upwards person has expertise,” of 60 years to be recognized as equal members of society Bennett said. by those around them, many still face persecution from their families, churches, and peers.

Iowa has moved forward in much of the same way as the rest of the country—with heated debates about right and wrong—but making progress nonetheless. Iowa was one of the first states to recognize same-sex marriage in 2009 and has continued to be on the progressive side legislatively since then. There are nondiscrimination laws in place in the state, covering areas such as education, insurance, and employment. Some protections are offered in schools designed to protect students from being bullied.

Bennett wrote in her email, “Speaking for myself, I’m focused on banning harmful ‘conversion therapy,’ working toward equity in healthcare for transgender folks, and banning the ‘trans-panic defense.’”

The “trans-panic defense” is a tactic used in courtrooms that uses the victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity as an Liz Bennett, a representative in the excuse for the defendant or perpetrator’s Iowa House of Representatives and violent or hurtful behavior. According the member of the LGBTQ+ community said National LGBT Bar Association, the use in an email, “In this political environment, of this tactic in a courtroom can send a however, I do believe that it’s important message that the lives of LGBTQ+ people that people who are alone or are struggling are worth less than the lives of others. know that someone queer is doing WELL While some measures have been put in Iowa and that they have an advocate in in place that are designed to protect the the State House.”

LGBTQ+ community, some of those laws While most people like Bennett do have been left unclear, such as those not run for office on the fact that they are regarding children in foster care or members of the LGBTQ+ community, it adoption. This includes the use of binary is important to note that representation language in many of those measures, of this community has become more of written so that a married couple would a factor for constituents as they consider be able to adopt a child, but specifies that candidates during election cycles. couple as husband and wife, detailed on Expanding rights and increasing OneIowa’s website. Other laws do not representation on the political stage explicitly state the type of couple, but within the United States have represented still fail to mention non-discrimination enormous progress both socially and policies. For some of these laws, there is legally, but there is still work to be done. evidence that, if challenged, they would be

overturned but no such challenges have occurred thus far.

There are also laws detailing hate crimes related to sexual identities that only deal with sexual orientation and not gender identity. There are also no laws regarding conversion therapy in the state of Iowa.

LGBTQ+ people in Iowa have faced challenges including the recent lawsuit from the University of Iowa, in which a religious group on campus denied a gay student a leadership position and subsequently had its registration revoked. As of January 2018, the group is suing the university for religious discrimination. The case is nuanced, but essentially rekindles the debate about gay rights, religious freedoms and how they interact with each other.

According to Iowa City’s Press Citizen, the group was stripped of its official recognition for violating the university’s Human Rights Policy, but an injunction was issued from a judge arguing that the university did not uniformly enforce those anti-discrimination policies.

This caused the University of Iowa to reevaluate their policies and made student groups and organizations do the same. Some groups argued that any student could join their faith-based groups, but in order to be a leader within the group, they had to share the Christian beliefs of other members.

As of August 2018, 38 student groups on campus were deregistered, but have since been temporarily reinstated pending further litigation.

People like Bennett feel that some changes and possibly investigations such as the one at the University of Iowa show recent backwards movement within the United States. However, Bennett said there are things people can say and do to ally with those in the LGBTQ+ community.

“A teacher can make clear that all students have values and our differences make us strong,” Bennett said. “When a person hears misinformation in a conversation, they don’t even have to use a ‘call-out.’ They can say: ‘I learned that…’ or ‘I have a friend that,’ to make other people more aware.”

Laws and representation for the LGBTQ+ community are extremely important in today’s political climate, but it can be easy to forget that individual awareness and support for people different from oneself can be just as important.

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In a not so new trend, companies are aligning with social and political causes to influence younger consumers

By Hannah Thomas and Jacob Reynolds This article was written in conjunction with our sister publication, Drake Magazine.

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skateboarder grinds on an uneven handrail. He falls off and tries again.

A young wrestler with no legs performs a takedown on his opponent. A woman wearing a hijab throws punches at the camera. A 17-year-old Liberian refugee scores for the Canadian national soccer team. A football player with only one hand scores a touchdown and celebrates.

All of these scenes are underscored by a voiceover: “Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything.”

Nyjah Huston. Isaiah Bird. Zeina Nassar.

Alphonso Davies. Shaquem Griffin. These are some of the athletes featured in Nike’s “Just do it” 30th anniversary ad campaign.

Each of the 16 athletes in the ad has an incredible and inspiring story, but theirs weren’t the faces that stuck with viewers. It was the narrator that made the most noise: former San Francisco 49ers quarterbackturned-activist Colin Kaepernick.

To call the ad polarizing would be an understatement. A Louisiana mayor banned Nike products from public recreational facilities. A private Missouri college banned Nike from its athletic

36 | Fall 2018

teams. Social media reactions ranged from declarations of undying support for the company to the burning of piles of Nike apparel. Of course, this isn’t the first time that Kaepernick’s actions have led to clothing bonfires.

In 2016, Kaepernick started a wave of kneeling during the national anthem as a protest of racially-charged police brutality. In retaliation, former fans burned Kaepernick jerseys. Even President Donald Trump weighed in, calling for those who kneel to be “fired.” Despite all this, things have turned out nicely for Nike: In the weeks following the premiere of the ad, Nike’s stock soared, reaching an all time high.

From old tobacco ads to modern beauty campaigns that defy traditional standards, the “woke” marketing strategy Nike has used in the campaign has a long history. The frequency of companies using social issues as marketing opportunities has risen in recent years, even to the point of endorsing and denouncing political candidates.

Why take a bold stance on a social issue and risk alienating a large group of potential customers? Whatever the reason, it seems many corporations have every intention of “staying woke.”

DEFINING WOKE MARKETING The term “woke” gained popularity in early 2016, but it’s origins run much deeper.

Woke originates from black culture, referring to awareness of social and racial issues. In 2016, MTV posted an online article about the 10 new slang words for 2016 with woke listed at number five. Since then, it’s gained traction all over social media. Now, it’s used as a common phrase, but it’s packed with meaning. “Staying Woke” is about being socially, politically, and racially aware. It raises awareness to these issues, and it’s starting to be used as a marketing tool.

So what’s woke marketing? Essentially, it’s a marketing strategy that advertises on the basis of political and social issues.

As the internet has continued to surge in popularity, so has woke marketing.

Some of this attention is attributed to the polarized political climate in the United States, which creates more opportunities for brands to sink their teeth into meaty issues and communicate with consumers.

According to Cause Good, a marketing blog, 90 percent of shoppers want to hear about a brand’s cause, and are more likely to switch to a brand that takes a stance on certain causes.

Drake Political Review | 37

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Kyle Hanson, account supervisor at Two standards, but in 1971 to show a group Rivers Marketing in Des Moines, works of young people from so many different with brands to create company images ethnic backgrounds standing and singing that connect to their target audience. In his together was revolutionary,” Pisarski said. experience, woke marketing is an extension The integration of social issues into of the internet age. marketing strategies “I think it has to do with how we was revolutionary by “I think it has to do with how have evolved as consumers–our different standards in we have evolved the past, but the trends expectations of organizations,” have continued to make as consumers–our expectations of headlines ever since.

Hanson said. “In turn, (brands organizations,” Unilever’s Dove brand are) seeing what they have to Hanson said. “In has been working to turn, (brands are) redefine beauty standards do to raise their bar if they seeing what they their “Real Beauty” want to [become] a brand that in have to do to raise campaign, which first their bar if they want is in tune with these things that started in 2004. The to [become] a brand consumers are aware of.” campaign focuses on that is in tune with celebrating the differences these things that in women’s bodies and consumers are aware of.” helping women be comfortable and So brands aren’t getting political just confident in their own bodies. However, for kicks—it’s becoming necessary to stay Dove knows the risk of woke marketing all relevant and connect to consumers. In too well: After carelessly handling racial other words, it’s smart business. representation in several of their ads, Dove drew sharp criticism, with many calling GETTING PERSONAL their ads blatantly racist.

Modern advertisers are still taking In the mid-2010s, activist marketing notes from advertising breakthroughs became even more popular. The of the “Mad Men” era, a time when ads popular ice cream brand Ben & Jerry’s got personal. Ad campaigns shifted to announced support for the Black Lives focus less on the product and more on Matter movement in 2016 with a tweet connecting with the consumer. Many proclaiming “Black Lives Matter. Choosing modern commercials don’t blatantly reveal to be silent in the face of such injustice the brand until the end—putting more is not an option.” The tweet gained over focus on making a personal connection 30,000 retweets and 85,000 likes–much with the viewer, a natural evolution of the more than their other tweets. In the “Mad Men” ideas. aftermath of President Trump’s election A 1970s Coke commercial famously and inauguration, several other companies depicted a choir of young people from all showcased activism in 2017 Super Bowl over the world singing “I’d Like to Buy ads: Starbucks promised to hire 10,000 the World a Coke.” The advertisement refugees as employees, while Burger King “delivered a message of peace and proposed wrapping its burgers in rainbow camaraderie” in the midst of the Vietnam paper to support the LGBT community.

War, as the jingle’s writer Roger Greenaway Meanwhile, Google, Apple, and Facebook told ASCAP in 2015. While it wouldn’t all spoke out against President Trump’s have been called woke marketing, the travel ban in early 2017. message of the “I’d like to buy the world Patagonia is another apparel company a Coke” plays on similar social tensions. that has been making statements on The ad not only champions a political political issues. The brand protested the issue to speak to their audience, but also Trump administration’s decision to remove continues the conversation on protected land in a controversial topic.

Bears Ears and “That commercial may be Dorothy Pisarski, associate Grand Staircaseconsidered mild by today’s professor of advertising at Escalante National Drake University, notes that standards, but in 1971 to show Monuments controversy is relative to the by posting on a group of young people time in which it takes place.

Twitter: “The And the Coke commercial is President Stole from so many different a strong example of just that.

Land.” In ethnic backgrounds standing Your “That commercial may be 2018, Patagonia considered mild by today’s went even and singing together was

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revolutionary,”

further, and endorsed Democratic Senate candidates in Nevada and Montana.

Brands are beginning to realize that taking a stance on social and political issues has benefits that can outweigh possible harmful outcomes. “People in leadership roles within large global organizations or privately owned companies are thinking more thoroughly or more in depth about the types of people or issues they’re supporting,” Hanson said.

BURNING WITH PASSION Shortly after the advertisement’s debut, Nike began to receive hateful posts online.

People posted photos of them burning the company’s apparel. Angry customers and politicians formed boycotts, threatening to purchase from other competing brands like Under Armour and Adidas. While negative comments toward Nike’s message swarmed social media, YouGov, a follower of brand consumer perceptions, found that 46 percent of Nike’s customers continued to support the brand, which was 10 percent higher than the general public. Hashtags like #ImWithKap combated the negative posts, supporting both Kaepernick and the brand itself. Analysts even found that despite the backlash, Nike’s revenue failed to decrease. AdAge tells us that the company reported a 13 percent increase in revenue to $9.8 billion.

The Kaepernick ad sent a wave of political turmoil throughout the country. But this wasn’t the first time we’ve seen Nike’s voice in politics.

After news broke out about the truth behind Nike’s decision to move their factories to third world countries in Asia, the company has received criticism from the public. Developing countries provide an abundance of cheap labor, so Nike capitalized on the opportunity to increase production, even if it meant the hands making their products were those of children.

“Half the time [Nike] is in the news, it has been for child labor issues,” Hanson said. “I guess that’s the risk you run as an organization. To position yourself as this socially responsible organization, then you’re going to be put under a microscope.”

Even with the extra criticism, Hanson doesn’t think being put under a microscope is going to negatively impact Nike’s overall success as a profitable and popular brand.

“I’m sure we’ll see this campaign go on and continue to draw headlines,” he said.

“But we’ve probably already seen the most negative of the backlash and we’ve already moved on.”

MOVING FORWARD But even after the dust settles on current issues, woke marketing has potential to go beyond the Trump era and continue developing in future decades. People—particularly younger generations—seem attracted to companies that champion certain causes, and as long as that trend continues, companies have little reason to fix what isn’t broken. Cone Communications, a marketing company based out of Boston, found that over 70 percent of millennials are more likely to buy from companies that express interest in causes the audience cares about. In the same

study, they recorded that millennials are more likely than other generations to switch brands to one associated with a cause.

The story doesn’t have to end with the close of a successful ad campaign either— Donald Roy, a professor of marketing at Middle Tennessee State University, said there is a big potential for more corporations to begin taking political stances in their business plan.

“I believe we will see more companies take a stand on issues of the day. Consumers seem to have greater expectations of companies to use their platforms to lend support to issues,” Roy said.

And while this has the potential to alienate some audiences from the brand, Roy said he believes the risk is worth the reward. “It’s a cost of doing business today—a brand cannot represent all things to all people,” Roy said. “It is acceptable for a brand to take a stand, knowing that it will attract some people and turn off others. Many people would rather see a brand take a stance than attempt to be neutral or silent on issues.”

It looks like the woke era of marketing is here to stay. Ready your hashtags for a long future of capitalist controversy.

Drake Political Review | 39

SOCIAL

FACELESS FACTS

By Jacob Reynolds

After the impact of an anonymous opinion piece published by The New York Times, the use of anonymous sources is under the microscope.

O

n Sept. 5, 2018, The New York Times published an anonymous opinion article from a member of President Donald Trump’s inner circle who claimed to be running a “resistance.” The piece brought forth many questions concerning who wrote it, what the depth of this resistance was and how the story was published?

Anonymous sources for journalism have been used for many decades. The most famous among them being Deep Throat, later revealed as FBI Associate Director Mark Felt, who helped Washington Post journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein expose the misdeeds of President Richard Nixon during the Watergate scandal.

Though it helps protect the identity of people who are fearful of losing their jobs for speaking out,anonymous journalism is generally looked down upon.

According to the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics, there are two rules for anonymous sources: “Identify sources whenever feasible. The public is entitled to as much information as possible on the sources’ reliability,” and “Always questions sources’ motives before promising anonymity. Clarify conditions attached to any promise made in exchange for information.

Keep promises.”

40 | Fall 2018

Failing to keep these ethics say things that they have in mind has resulted in a loss less ability to verify. There’s of credibility for journalists. a danger that they might For example, Newsweek exaggerate their knowledge.” was forced to retract an Anonymous sources article about a Qu’ran being pose more threats than flushed down a toilet in the accountability from the source.

Middle East, which led to Other considerations should riots in 2005, based from the include what additional reporting of an anonymous information the reporter has military source. outside of the source.

Frank Durham, an “The other thing about associate professor at the anonymous sources is how University of Iowa’s School much evidence you have to go of Journalism and Mass along with it. Typically, you Communication, says should not hang an entire anonymous journalism can be story on one anonymous tricky sometimes. source. You should have “It omits transparency. multiple confirming sources.

The better side of journalistic You should have additional reporting is verification,” evidence,” Lathrop continues.

Durham said. “Anonymous However, there is also the sourcing is something that element of protecting the should not be source from a first option “Anonymous sourcing is potential because it backlash. something that should interferes “I don’t with that think not be a first option sort of anybody transparency.” because it interferes thinks that Daniel anonymous with that sort of Lathrop, also reporting is transparency.” an associate preferable professor at to the University of Iowa, has traditional reporting, but there similar feelings. are circumstances where the “There are a number of sources need to be protected potential problems for using and the story seems to have anonymous sources in a passed the test of what is story,” Lathrop said. “The necessary for good reporting,” people aren’t going to be Durham said. accountable for what they There has also been say. There is the possibility criticism in the use of that they will lie. There is the anonymous sources from possibility that they might authority figures in the United

States. The use of anonymous leaks coming from the White House early in 2017 infuriated President Trump, thus using his favorite turn-of-phrase when speaking of journalism: “fake news.” Hostility toward the use of anonymous sources from political figures is not new, stemming back to Nixon’s case, but there is the matter of the public.

According to a 2017 Rasmussen article, 20 percent of likely voters believe stories based on anonymous sources, while 52 disbelieve them and 27 percent are not sure. So, there is only so much anonymous reporting that can be done for readers to believe stories.

Lathrop thinks that while fake news is a new phrase, concern that sources don’t exist is reasonable to be concerned about.

“We’re spending a certain amount of trust capital every time we use an anonymous source,” Lathrop said.

“Ultimately, readers have to trust us when we say we’ve done as much background research on an anonymous source as possible.

This ultimately becomes fodder for others to pounce on and denounce as false.

Lathrop said, “The more you ask people to take things on faith, the easier it starts to become to sow doubt by people who don’t like what we’re saying.”

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writers

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