GOP opposes the common good, unlike 1935 and 1965

It is worth noting that toward the end of their long attack on the recently passed American Rescue Plan Act in the March 21 Gazette, guest columnists John Hendrickson and Pete Sepp accused President Joe Biden of 'expanding government, especially federal power,” and 'following in the footsteps of both (Franklin D.) Roosevelt and President Lyndon Johnson.”

Roosevelt was responsible for getting Social Security passed in 1935 and Johnson was responsible for getting Medicare passed in 1965. Both of these historic legislative acts were accused of being 'socialist” and an overreach by the federal government.

Both passed Congress overwhelmingly, as Republicans in those eras joined Democrats to pass legislation that they deemed necessary for the common good. Voting for the Social Security Act in 1935 were 81 Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives and 16 in the Senate. Voting for the Medicare Act in 1965 were 70 Republicans in the U.S. House and 13 in the Senate.

Some day the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act will be considered as essential as Social Security and Medicare. It is unfortunate that today, unlike 1935 and 1965, we do not have Republicans who will vote for the common good, and join Democrats in passing needed legislation, even if it 'expands government, especially federal power”

Gary Sanders

Iowa City