I used to be proud to be an Iowan — The sequel

Recently, The Gazette published a column that told the story of our first-time escape to Arizona for a brief respite from Iowa cold and snow, and our encounter with someone who surprised us when he said “I used to be proud to be an Iowan.”

The column outlined the reasons he, and we, were frustrated about the Iowa that we now see vs. the Iowa that used to exist. They included:

*The lack of bipartisan leaders in state and federal government who are willing and able to work together for the common good.

*The decline in support for what used to be something that all Iowans agreed on — a best-in-the-nation public school system.

*The attacks on K-12 educators, who used to be revered and are now accused of having a “sinister agenda,” bringing pornography into the classroom, indoctrinating rather than teaching children, and even “grooming” students for sexual abuse.

*The failure to seriously address long-standing environmental problems that result in our lakes, streams and air being spoiled.

*State leaders playing Big Brother by telling locally elected school boards, city councils and boards of supervisors what they can and cannot do.

*A desire to return to the past, where book-banning is popular, where it’s OK to discriminate against those who have different skin colors, genders, sexual orientation or faiths, and to further limit a woman’s right to make decisions about her own body.

The response to that column was overwhelming. It received hundreds of comments online and on social media. We heard from dozens of people directly.

Tellingly, the vast majority of the reaction was favorable, with comments like “You said what we’ve been thinking.”

Unsurprisingly, we also heard from a few readers calling us “lefty socialists,” “west coast liberals” and saying things like “If you no longer like Iowa, maybe you should leave it.” (Our response: John is left-handed but not a lefty, we view ourselves as progressive Midwesterners, and we’re not leaving — we choose to stay and work to make Iowa a better place.)

Overall, one message was loud and clear: a significant number of Iowans from all parties are dissatisfied. Some of that dissatisfaction translates into bewilderment, some into disgust, and some into anger.

One responder expressed frustration by saying they were fed up with politics and politicians, asking if there was any real difference in the parties?

We believe that both parties agree on the need to make things better, but don’t agree on for whom.

Our sense is that Republicans believe in good jobs, education and health care for some while Democrats believe in good jobs, education and health care for all.

On jobs: Republicans want well-paying jobs with good benefits for some but not for those working in packing plants, child care, nursing homes, assisted living centers, the hospitality industry, etc.

Democrats want better jobs for everyone.

On education: Republicans want quality education for those in some settings. They underfund public education, attack teachers, and seek to use public dollars for private schooling.

Democrats want quality education for every student in every setting. They support teachers, and want public dollars to be used for public schools.

On health care: Republicans want good health care for those who can afford it and expect others to either avoid care or rely on a less than desirable Medicaid program.

Democrats want to have a health care system that serves everyone well.

We believe that 2022 is a litmus test for Iowa.

The test is whether we’ll keep going down the path we’re on with Republican control of every portion of state government and a majority control of Iowa’s congressional seats, or whether we’ll shift gears and give Democrats the opportunity to lead.

Pollsters and pundits would have us believe that Iowans are fine with Republican control. We’re hearing something very different, and believe that Iowans will express their frustrations at the polls; producing a number of big surprises in the November elections.

John and Terri Hale own The Hale Group, an Ankeny-based advocacy firm focused on making Iowa a better place for all. terriandjohnhale@gmail.com

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