Which leadership style do you prefer?

In July, President Donald Trump spoke at a large Independence Day rally on the Iowa State Fairgrounds. When referring to Democrats he said: “ … they hate Trump. But I hate them, too. You know that? So, it’s sort of the — I hate — I really do. I hate them …”

Democrats make up about 25% of registered voters. Almost 48% of voters voted Democratic.

Think about this. The person elected to lead all of us hates, not disagrees nor dislikes, — HATES — somewhere between 25% and 48% of those he pledged an oath to lead.

Compare this to another elected leader.

Robert Ray was the popular Republican Governor of Iowa from 1969 to 1983. He brought thousands of Asian refugees to Iowa when they had nowhere else to go. Read the story of the Thai Dam and Iowa. When asked why he was doing this, he said: “I didn’t think we could just sit here idly and say, ‘let these people die.’ We wouldn’t want the rest of the world to say that about us if we were in the same situation. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you ... If we don't have the heart and spirit to care for each other, then we're going to have a very difficult time moving forward."

We have sensed the hearts of two leaders. If you prefer the leadership approach of one who hates over one who loves, I would have to respectively disagree.

Joe Kelly

Cedar Rapids