Majority does not understand democracy

I’m confused. The governor and state Legislature champion law and order, yet the governor sends the Iowa National Guard and State Patrol to Texas to support its open defiance of a Supreme Court order. While the Iowa Constitution says the general assembly “shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,” public tax dollars are being used to subsidize attendance at private schools that are 85% religiously affiliated. While continually arguing that the states are closer to the people and are thus better able to administer federal programs, the legislature denies local governments the authority to make local decisions. Likewise, parental rights of Iowans are protected only if they correspond to those accorded by state decree. Maybe it is not just me who is confused. Maybe the governor and legislative majority just don’t understand the difference between democracy and hypocrisy.

Hal Penick

Iowa City