Are elected officials paying any attention?

Was it backlash from Governor Branstad's recent veto of the Iowa Legislature's education bill or simply Iowan's long, strong regard for the importance of learning? When asked to choose their preferences for tax spending from seven categories, people at the 2015 Johnson County Fair voted resoundingly for 'Education.'

At the People's Coalition for Social, Environmental and Political Responsibility booth, fairgoers used kernels of corn to select among 'Economic Development (including jobs),' 'Environment (including renewable energy sources)', 'Health Care,' 'Veterans' Benefits,' 'Nuclear Disarmament & Diplomacy,' and 'Military (excluding Veteran's Benefits)' in addition to 'Education.'

Nearly 900 fairgoers over the age of 16 voted with four kernels each. The four could be used in any way the voter desired — all in one category or spread out over several.

'Education' was a decisive first with 938 votes; 'Environment' took a distant second with 650. Of the 3,516 votes cast, 'Veterans Benefits' and 'Health Care' were in a near tie, at 538 and 528 votes respectively. 'Economy' (375) and 'Military' (300) lagged while 'Diplomacy' (187) trailed far behind.

This admittedly non-scientific poll was conducted Monday through Thursday of the fair by coalition member organizations: 100Grannies.org, PEACE Iowa, Iowa Physicians for Social Responsibility and Veterans for Peace. The voting 'machine' was a clever device designed and built by 100 Grannies member Donna Rupp. The four kernels could all be dropped into one category or allocated to different categories by each voter.

Although 26.7 percent of votes went for education, a peek under the category nametag revealed that only 5 percent of federal 2014 taxes was spent on education. While only a meager 8.5 percent votes supported the military, in reality an overwhelming 34 percent of federal expenditures go to the Pentagon budget, nuclear weapons production and foreign military assistance.

Does the appearance of the environment in second place signal a trending acceptance of climate change and humanity's role in it? As health care and veterans' benefits go hand in hand, are folks asking for something more than the Affordable Care Act and Medicare/Medicaid? Does the placement of diplomacy deep in the cellar reflect a public sense that diplomacy doesn't work?

These questions and more may be pondered and debated, but one other question stands out: Do our elected officials pay any attention to the people?

We wonder.

• Ann Christenson of Iowa City is a member of 100Grannies.org. Comments: annfchris@gmail.com