We are the champions we’ve been needing

Lynda Waddington wrote a great column about Iowa Sen. Zach Wahls stopping to help a homeless person (Feb. 2, 'Could Wahls be a champion?”).

This action should make us think about whether we are doing enough to help our neighbors, homeless or not. This Good Samaritan act should be the rule, not the exception. There are things we could be doing to prevent homelessness, starting with a fully funded and caring mental health system.

We could provide a world-class preK-12 public education, low-cost two-year community college and job training for everyone who needs it. We could be sure all citizens had access to quality health care and adequate nutrition if we truly cared for our neighbors.

We could protect our environment instead of fouling our air and water with chemicals and hazardous emissions if we were serious about a safe future for our children. These and more can be done, but it will require thinking less about our own selfish desires and more about our fellow humans.

What Wahls did makes me proud to be a Democrat because his actions epitomize what I believe the party stands for; however, you do not have to be a 'D” or an 'R” to do the right thing, you don't even have to be a Christian. You just need to be human and have more empathy for your neighbors than pity for yourself.

Yes, Zach would make a great champion for homeless veterans - but shouldn't we all?

Larry Hodgden

Tipton