Smaller government is OK as long as Gov. Branstad’s ox isn’t gored

By Muscatine Journal

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In November, voters seemed to send a pretty clear message: Government is too big, it spends too much money and we can't continue down this path.

At least that's how the outcome was interpreted by many so-called experts.

And then the government - in this case, the United States Postal Service - listens and even acts, launching plans to close some 2,000 post offices nationwide.

Whoa. Wait a minute. Why can't the government gore someone else's ox? Just ask Gov. Terry Branstad.

“Communities like Lohrville need to be able to have the services available in the post office, and I think it's critically important that the Postal Service take a look at other options and alternatives,” Branstad said, according to the Des Moines Register, during a recent town meeting in Lohrville.

But if we really want smaller, leaner government, this is the sort of change we may have to accept. It's just that they don't want to hear that in places such as Lohrville.

About two-thirds of the Calhoun County town's 360-some residents showed up in opposition to losing the local post office, according to the Register.

Of note is that Branstad, generally a supporter of smaller government, was among the ranks of the opposition.

Why's that, you may be asking. Well, Branstad and his wife own 12 buildings across the state where the post office is their tenant. And their Lohrville building is already flanked on both sides by vacant buildings.

Draw your own conclusions about the governor's motivation and interest in this issue. But remember this: Landlords don't have to chase down late rent checks when the Postal Service is the tenant.

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