Iowa is moving from a democracy to an autocracy

Gov. Kim Reynolds and Republicans now control the executive branch, the legislative branch and the judicial branch. Under the guise of “streamlining” government, she now has even more power. How effective is this move to autocracy? Over 60 percent of Iowans are not in favor of giving public tax money to private schools, but it was one of Kim Reynolds’ fondest wishes which the last Legislature denied. In the recent election, she campaigned for supportive state legislators, and as a result, we will now give public tax money to private schools. Her influence elected those who would grant her wishes and taught a lesson to those who would deny them.

It seems there is only one place where she cannot exercise her power. That is the media. She does try to control the media by not allowing them to see public records. Transparency is not her goal. However, the media is a stubborn lot and have sued her for the ability to see what any one of us should be able to see - public records. If the media continues to do its job in spite of her, we can hope that the next election will give us a governor who does not see the office as a way to consolidate power in one person. There is some hope because Iowans are not the type of people who enjoy being subjects of an autocrat.

Anne Michael

Tama