Branstad’s bullying is an issue of importance

Gov.-elect Terry Branstad recently tried to bully Senate Majority Leader Michael Gronstal over Gronstal's declining to put on the legislative agenda a vote on same-gender marriage.

Branstad scolded: “Just because you're a leader in the Legislature doesn't mean you're a dictator where you have the right to make a unilateral decision, I think, on an issue of this importance and magnitude. Certainly the senators should be given an opportunity to vote on this.”

When asked later about Branstad's characterization, Gronstal indicated he had no intention of caving in and said: “Dictators are people who take away other people's rights. I'm not going down that road.”

So what's next from Branstad? Torch the Senate chamber? What can be more dangerous than love and fidelity, and of those in same-gender marriage - our new leader Branstad has held it to be “an issue of this importance and magnitude.”

Sam Osborne

West Branch