Sage Against The Machine Podcast

From public schools and rural health care to Donald Trump’s visit to Iowa and the fight for working-class voters, the latest episode of Sage Against The Machine tackles the issues that will shape our state’s future.On the latest episode of The Sage Against The Machine Podcast, we sat down with Jacob Welper, Democratic candidate for Iowa House District 59, to talk about what’s working, what’s broken, and what needs to change in Iowa.Welper is a former rural public school teacher and an 11-year member of the Iowa Army National Guard. He’s running against Republican incumbent Christian Hermanson with a focus on public education, rural health care, affordability, and giving young Iowans a reason to stay.We talked about the need to properly support public schools, including making sure kids have access to breakfast and lunch. We discussed the challenges facing rural health care, protecting family farms and property rights, and giving farmers the right to repair the equipment they depend on. We also got into concerns about carbon dioxide pipelines, data centers, and an economy that too often seems to work better for big corporations than the people doing the work.The common thread was simple: Iowa can’t keep talking about supporting rural communities while making it harder for families to build a future here.But this episode wasn’t just about one legislative race.Dr. Bob and I also got into Donald Trump’s visit to Iowa, the political theater surrounding it, and the questions voters should be asking as Election Day approaches. We discussed the state of Iowa’s races, the importance of the debates, and how candidates are trying to convince voters they understand what people are actually dealing with.Because while politicians make speeches and campaign ads promise the world, working families are still dealing with the cost of groceries, health care, housing, and everything else it takes to get by.That’s what I want to hear candidates talk about. Not just party talking points. Not just who can score the biggest political hit. What are they going to do to make life better for the people they represent?With Election Day getting closer, Iowans have important decisions to make at every level of government. Those choices deserve more than slogans and partisan noise.So get informed. Ask questions. Pay attention to the candidates and the issues. And make sure your voice is heard.At the end of the day, this isn’t about politicians. It’s about the people who live here, work here, raise their families here, and deserve a government that gives a damn about them.That’s why we keep having these conversations on The Sage Against The Machine Podcast.Politics. Iowa. Working people. No bullshit. Get full access to Sage Against The Machine at sageagainstthemachineia.substack.com/subscribe

There’s a lot of crap happening in Iowa politics right now, and the people paying the price aren’t the politicians sitting in Des Moines. They’re the working people trying to pay their bills, put food on the table, and figure out how to get ahead when everything keeps getting more expensive.On the latest episode of The Sage Against The Machine Podcast, I sat down with State Representative Adam Zabner, a Democrat representing Iowa House District 90, alongside Dr. Bob Leonard. We discussed Iowa’s budget deficit, public education, corporate tax breaks, the proposed steel mill, and the growing disconnect between politicians and the people they’re supposed to represent.One thing became clear: Too many decisions coming out of the Capitol seem to benefit corporations and wealthy interests while everyday Iowans are left picking up the tab.Schools are struggling while wealthy interests get tax breaksWe started with Iowa’s public schools, which are facing challenges as the state deals with a budget deficit of roughly $1.3 billion.Adam explained why he opposed Iowa’s private school voucher program, arguing that it directs public money toward families who already had children in private schools while public schools face cuts and rural communities deal with consolidation.In small Iowa towns, schools are more than classrooms. They support local jobs, bring families into communities, and help keep towns alive. When a school closes, the consequences go far beyond education.Adam also criticized Iowa’s tax policies, arguing that wealthy taxpayers benefit disproportionately from tax cuts while working families see little relief. He said eliminating the voucher program and legalizing and taxing marijuana could help address the budget shortfall, but properly funding public schools requires a broader discussion about Iowa’s tax system.We also discussed Amendment 1, a proposed constitutional amendment that would require a two-thirds majority in the Legislature to increase corporate or individual income taxes. Adam warned that restricting the state’s ability to raise revenue could make future budget problems worse and put more pressure on working families.The question is simple: Who benefits from these policies, and who gets stuck paying the bill?The steel mill: We need jobs, but taxpayers deserve protectionWe need manufacturing jobs in Iowa. Communities that have lost factories and good-paying work deserve real economic opportunities.Adam said he supports the proposed southeastern Iowa steel mill but voted against legislation authorizing $1.3 billion in state tax credits because he believes taxpayers need stronger protections.He raised concerns about the company’s progress toward purchasing land and obtaining permits, as well as the possibility that tax credits could be sold to another party. Under the legislation as Adam described it, Iowa could remain obligated to honor those credits even if the project failed to deliver the promised jobs.That’s a hell of a risk for taxpayers already facing a budget shortfall.Adam pointed to manufacturing struggles across Iowa, including the closure of the Case backhoe plant in Burlington and layoffs affecting workers at other companies.These are real people whose livelihoods are on the line. We need investment, but we also need accountability. If a corporation wants more than a billion dollars in public support, Iowans deserve transparency, enforceable protections, and a clear plan for what happens if promises fall apart.A good deal should benefit Iowa, not leave taxpayers holding the bag.Stop fighting culture wars while families struggleOne of the biggest themes of our conversation was the disconnect between politicians’ priorities and the problems people actually face.Adam described hearing from people worried about housing costs, rising rent, and paying their bills while lawmakers spend time fighting culture-war battles.We discussed bipartisan housing legislation Adam helped advance that was signed by the Republican governor. We also talked about a free school lunch proposal that, according to Adam, had broad support in the Iowa House but never received a hearing.Dr. Bob made an important point: Calling this an affordability crisis doesn’t fully capture what families are experiencing. When people can’t afford healthcare, children go hungry, and parents struggle with unpaid bills, the consequences affect their health, relationships, and entire households.When politicians dismiss these struggles, they’re dismissing the people they were elected to serve.We need leaders focused on making people’s lives better, not picking political fights while working families fend for themselves.Accountability matters on every levelWe also discussed reporting by Iowa journalists Laura Belin, Tyler Jett, and Zachary Oren Smith concerning Derek Wulf, the Republican lieutenant governor candidate running alongside Zach Lahn. Their reporting has raised questions about Wulf’s reported debts and financial arrangements.Adam questioned the circumstances surrounding a reported bridge loan and the involvement of an Illinois limited liability company. These are issues voters deserve clear answers about, particularly when financial arrangements could raise questions about potential conflicts of interest.We also discussed the attorney general’s race between Democrat Nate Willems and Republican Brenna Bird. Adam argued that Iowa needs an attorney general who will fight wage theft, protect workers and natural resources, and hold powerful interests accountable.These races matter because elected officials make decisions affecting healthcare, education, workers, and how taxpayer money is spent. Every legislative seat matters, too, especially when it comes to whether bills receive hearings and public spending gets scrutinized.This election is about working peopleToward the end of the episode, I talked about a community conversation with Josh Turek and something more politicians need to hear: Stop talking and start listening. Listen to understand, not simply to prepare your next response.Adam described knocking doors and talking with Iowans across the state. Whether in Iowa City, the Des Moines suburbs, or small towns, he said people are concerned about rising costs, housing, and making ends meet.Those conversations matter. Politicians can’t understand people’s lives if they never take the time to hear about them, and representatives shouldn’t wait until election season to show up.As Election Day approaches, we need to look beyond the biggest races and pay attention to the candidates who will make decisions about our schools, taxes, healthcare, and future.Voting is one of the most direct ways to hold elected officials accountable. Close elections can come down to just a handful of votes, so don’t assume yours won’t matter.Iowa’s working families deserve a government that takes their struggles seriously, invests in their future, and protects their tax dollars. They deserve leaders who focus on real problems instead of culture-war distractions and blank checks for corporations.We can’t expect different results if we keep doing the same thing and hope someone else fixes the problem.Show up. Speak out. Vote. Get full access to Sage Against The Machine at sageagainstthemachineia.substack.com/subscribe

On the latest episode of The Sage Against The Machine Podcast, Dr. Bob Leonard and I sat down with India May, Democratic candidate for Iowa House District 58. We talked rural healthcare, broken trust in government, her Republican opponent, and the political ads that remind us just how disconnected some politicians have become from the people they represent.India and I first met at a Joni Ernst town hall in Parkersburg. India, a registered nurse who has worked in geriatrics, pediatrics, home health, and mental health, spoke up about what healthcare cuts mean for real people. When she raised concerns that people could die because they can’t afford care, Ernst reportedly responded, “We’re all going to die.”That exchange stuck with me. India has seen preventable deaths and people rationing medication because they can’t afford it. She currently works multiple part-time jobs and says she doesn’t have health insurance herself. This isn’t some abstract political debate. It’s what happens when healthcare becomes too expensive for the people who need it most.India is running because she wants to speak for people who can’t take time off work to attend a town hall. She’s knocked on more than 6,000 doors and says she keeps hearing the same thing: people have lost trust in government. She refuses PAC money and relies on donations from everyday Iowans, even knowing that means she’ll likely be outspent. Her message is simple: she intends to tell the truth and fight for the people who are usually ignored.We also discussed rural Iowa’s struggles, including cuts to public health services, home healthcare, staffing shortages in schools, support for children with disabilities, and water quality. India talked about a reported 25% budget reduction affecting home health services in Chickasaw County. When it comes to clean water, her argument makes sense: why wait until water is contaminated and then spend money filtering it when we should be preventing the pollution in the first place?Dr. Bob also raised concerns about Republican incumbent Charley Thomson, including his request for information from Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice. India discussed Thomson’s real estate development, its failed timeline for a state tax incentive, bankruptcy, legal dispute with the state, and unpaid property taxes. Those are serious issues, and voters deserve clear answers about their representative’s conduct and financial dealings.Then we turned to the political ads. Ashley Hinson is asking Iowans for “a little gas money for our bus” so she can show up at the polls. Are you kidding me? Working people are already getting squeezed at the gas pump, at the grocery store, and everywhere else. The last thing they need is a politician asking them to chip in for campaign fuel while they’re trying to afford their own lives.Hinson’s “Food Fight” ad was just as out of touch. It shows kids throwing food to represent political fighting and calls for people to work together. Meanwhile, families are struggling to put food on the table, and some parents are working two or three jobs to keep their households afloat. Maybe the food used in that ad could have gone to a food bank instead. Dr. Bob and I agreed the whole thing sends the wrong message.We also discussed Zach Lahn’s attack ad against Rob Sand, including claims about taxes and Sand’s wealth, along with Brenna Bird’s “Give them the bird” campaign. Political advertising is getting louder, nastier, and more ridiculous, but none of that changes what Iowans actually care about: healthcare, affordable living, good schools, clean water, and a fair shot at making ends meet.Dr. Bob shared a story about Sarah Trone Garriott holding a Social Security roundtable where people could explain their concerns and feel heard. That’s what representation should look like: listening to people instead of treating them like props in a campaign ad.With the midterm election approaching, we have a choice. We can keep accepting politics as usual, or we can demand better from the people asking for our votes. India May is out knocking doors, having those conversations, and making her case to voters in District 58.I appreciate India joining us and talking honestly about what she’s seeing across rural Iowa. We need more candidates willing to get out from behind the talking points and listen to the people who are actually living with the consequences of political decisions.The election is coming fast. Get informed, ask questions, and vote. And if you’re tired of politicians forgetting who they work for, keep asking questions, keep talking to people, and keep showing up.That’s what we do here. Politics. Iowa. Working people. No bullshit.Listen to the full episode of The Sage Against The Machine Podcast, and like, share, and subscribe so more Iowans can join the conversation. We’ll be back Thursday with Representative Adam Zabner. Get full access to Sage Against The Machine at sageagainstthemachineia.substack.com/subscribe

Politics. Iowa. Working people. No bullshit. That’s what we’re about on The Sage Against the Machine Podcast, and our conversation with Leila Staton, the 22-year-old Democrat challenging Republican incumbent Josh Meggers in Iowa House District 54, was exactly the kind of conversation I want people to hear.I’ve known Leila and her mother, Heather, since my Senate campaign. Leila has kept asking tough questions, and now she’s taking that fight directly to voters. She told us she’s knocked approximately 6,400 doors, working toward a goal of 10,000 before Election Day. That’s real campaigning: getting out into communities and listening to the people politicians are supposed to represent.The issues voters are raising are familiar: public schools, clean water, and the rising cost of living. Leila wants to increase public school funding, arguing that schools can’t keep doing more with less while private school vouchers drain resources from public education. She also criticized her opponent for helping kill a bill requiring buffer strips along rivers and streams. Iowa’s water quality problems aren’t going away, and clean water shouldn’t be a partisan issue.We also discussed campaign finance reform and the influence of political action committees. Leila opposes taking corporate PAC money and believes grassroots candidates deserve a fair shot against campaigns backed by big donors. I agree. Working people deserve representatives who answer to voters, not wealthy interests.Property taxes and corporate tax breaks were also part of the conversation. When the state fails to adequately fund schools and essential services, local taxpayers often get stuck with the bill. Meanwhile, massive corporations receive incentives for projects like data centers without communities always knowing the full environmental and economic consequences. Iowa workers and families deserve a fair deal, not another promise that the benefits will eventually trickle down.Mental health care was another major concern. Leila discussed the shortage of treatment options and how those gaps affect vulnerable Iowans. These are real problems facing real families, and they deserve more than politicians offering excuses.What stood out most to me was Leila’s passion. She’s frustrated watching friends leave Iowa because they can’t find good jobs or afford to build a life here. She believes many of our problems are preventable, and she’s not interested in pretending everything is fine just to make powerful people comfortable.When we asked why voters should elect her, Leila said she wants to make life more affordable, keep hospitals open, and make sure people are heard. She’s willing to speak up and challenge the status quo. I’m tired of politicians who sound great in advertisements but disappear when working people need them. We can’t keep kicking these problems down the road.With Election Day approaching, Leila’s campaign is continuing to knock doors and organize volunteers. Visit LeilaForIowa.com to learn more, volunteer, or donate. You can also find her campaign on social media under Leila for Iowa.I can’t predict how this race will turn out. That’s up to the voters. But I respect a candidate willing to challenge powerful interests and fight for the people she wants to represent.That’s what The Sage Against the Machine Podcast is about: asking questions, talking to people, and showing up. Iowa belongs to the people who live and work here, not just the corporations and wealthy interests trying to squeeze every last dollar out of us. It’s time our politics started acting like it. Get full access to Sage Against The Machine at sageagainstthemachineia.substack.com/subscribe

Today’s episode of the Sage Against The Machine Podcast covered two things Iowa desperately needs: accountability from those in power and leaders willing to fight for working people. Dr. Bob Leonard and I spoke with Benjamin Larson, Democratic candidate for Iowa House District 19, and Joey Norris, the Red Oak man found not guilty in a felony election misconduct case. We also discussed Dr. Bob’s experiences at recent events featuring Ro Khanna and Josh Turek.Our conversation with Joey Norris was a reminder of how badly things can go wrong when politics gets mixed up with the justice system. Joey was involved in counting absentee ballots during the 2024 election. After disagreements over procedures, the situation escalated into a felony prosecution. Joey maintained that he was trying to follow the rules, and a jury ultimately found him not guilty.But as Joey explained, winning his case doesn’t mean the problem is solved. He believes Iowa’s election misconduct law is too vague and could discourage people from volunteering as precinct election officials. Think about that: We need people willing to step up and help run our elections, but they shouldn’t have to worry that asking questions or making a mistake could land them in court. We need clear rules, proper training, and accountability, not political theater.We also spoke with Benjamin Larson, a registered nurse and former paramedic running for Iowa House District 19. Larson discussed Iowa’s cancer crisis, water quality, agricultural practices, and the importance of protecting access to healthcare. He shared how his personal experience losing his father to cancer helped shape his career in medicine and his decision to run for office.Healthcare affordability was another major issue. Too many working people put off doctor visits because they’re worried about the bill. Larson argued for greater price transparency, stronger protections for patients, and policies that put people ahead of corporate profits. We also discussed the loss of local maternity services and the danger of cuts to programs like Medicare and Medicaid. Healthcare isn’t a luxury. It’s essential, and communities shouldn’t have to watch their services disappear.Larson also raised important questions about data centers moving into Iowa. These facilities can bring investment, but they also demand water and electricity. What do local communities actually get in return? Larson wants companies to build meaningful partnerships with schools and colleges, creating opportunities for students to learn the technology behind these operations. Iowa should welcome innovation, but corporations shouldn’t get all the benefits while local residents absorb the costs.We wrapped up with Dr. Bob sharing his experiences at three events featuring Ro Khanna and Josh Turek. He described the conversations as encouraging, with discussions about holding billionaires accountable, protecting Social Security, improving education, and building a better future. We also discussed calls for Representative Ashley Hinson to support a new discharge petition related to the Epstein files, along with the broader need for transparency and accountability from elected officials.Finally, we talked about reports that Republican-aligned super PACs were shifting money away from Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ race and toward other contests, including races involving Zach Nunn and Joe Mitchell. Dr. Bob suggested the move could signal concern about Miller-Meeks’ chances. Whatever the motivation, it shows how national political money can shape Iowa’s elections, and raises questions about where political priorities really lie.The common thread in all these conversations is simple: Who is looking out for ordinary Iowans? We need election workers who can serve without fear, healthcare that people can afford, economic development that benefits our communities, and elected officials who answer to voters rather than wealthy donors.That’s what we’re trying to do here at Sage Against The Machine: ask tough questions, have honest conversations, and focus on the issues that actually matter to working people.Watch or listen to today’s episode, and if you believe these conversations matter, share it, subscribe, and help us spread the word.Politics. Iowa. Working people. No bullshit. Get full access to Sage Against The Machine at sageagainstthemachineia.substack.com/subscribe