Letter: Iowa values not reflected in Grassley’s comments

Sen. Chuck Grassley made the following comment to the Des Moines Register: 'I think not having the estate tax recognizes the people that are investing. As opposed to those that are just spending every darn penny they have, whether it's on booze or women or movies.”

This is an affront to every Iowa citizen, no matter political party affiliation. Iowans are hardworking, family oriented people who are doing the best they can. Had we been receiving (since the 1990s) over $100,000 annually plus expenses from taxpayers, like Grassley, maybe we would have a significant amount to invest.

Grassley's comments are abhorrent and reflect his elitist attitude but not Iowa values. His support of tax reform penalizes working class people, rewards the wealthy and adds to the national debt. Grassley admits estate tax reform will not help Iowa family farms, but he still supports reform. He doesn't care how the new tax laws will impact Iowans because he has become a man whose views are those of the wealthy, those of the elitists, those of Washington, D.C. Republicans, but not those of Iowans.

Sen. Grassley has denigrated Iowans on a nationwide stage through his remarks and now owes every Iowan an apology. Because we may not have significant investments does not mean we spent it on booze, women, or movies; it is because we spent it on family, clothing, food, health care, education, and housing.

Words matter. Grassley's words are offensive.

Fran Sears

Marion