Legislate on merit, not lobbyist money

State Sen. Dick Dearden stated that

64 percent of Iowans would like an expanded bottle bill but it's impossible to do anything because the grocery industry has so much money to lobby our legislators to effectively kill it.

We elected these legislators to pass bills on their merit rather than money. Bills that benefit the majority of Iowans should be given consideration. At least 65 percent of Iowans did not want a dove bill, yet Dearden used subterfuge to pass it even though it benefits only 4 percent of the population, the hunters.

The Department of Natural Resources was correct when it tried to ban lead shot for dove hunting. The EPA is calling for a total ban on the use of lead. Yet Dearden wants continued use of lead shot even though it is poisonous to birds.

I wonder how many of Dearden's decisions are influenced by companies like the Olin Corp.? They have lobbied here for years to get a dove season. They are also one of this country's largest manufacturers of ammunition including Winchester lead shot shells for dove hunting.

Merle Wilson

Jesup