We've been spending the day at the internationally-acclaimed Iowa state fair. Last year, over 100,000 Iowans came to the fair on this Saturday. It might be even more today.

We had an army of canvassers out at the fair as we continue to build our movement and reach our 25k Tour goal. In a few short hours, we signed up hundreds of Iowans. Our only mistake: we should have had four or five clipboards for each canvassers. The response was, once again, overwhelming.

We talked to a current Wal-Mart worker who, like thousands of other Wal-Mart associates, is suffering from the news of Wal-Mart's wage cap policy.

We met thousands of Iowans who think it's unfair that taxpayers spent $10 million in taxes on health care for Wal-Mart workers while the company made $11.2 billion last year.

The Wal-Mart debate is hitting Iowa hard this week. This morning's Des Moines Register has an entire editorial page devoted to the issue. Anna Burger's op-ed , "Wal-mart can afford to change, pay family-supporting wages," puts the issue in context:

That's why the Change Wal-Mart, Change America Tour is bringing together Iowa's community leaders, members of the clergy, elected leaders, students and other common-sense citizens to call on Wal-Mart to change the way it does business.

We are calling on Wal-Mart to help build up communities, by offering wages that can support families, by offering health insurance with premiums and deductibles that can be afforded on Wal-Mart wages, and by treating its employees with the respect that they deserve.

Sue, who stopped to sign our health care pledge, wanted to know if we had heard of the people coming in on the change Wal-Mart bus she had heard of on TV. She was happy to know we were those "people on the bus!"

I think we might leave soon for some rest before heading to Council Bluffs. Don't worry, we are not leaving without trying the famous fried Twinkies, snickers and Oreos.

- jbird