Corporate powers choking democracy

A Des Moines Register reporter recently wrote about the similarities between Governor-elect Terry Branstad's campaign pledges and the legislative wishlist of big business groups such as the Iowa Chamber Alliance and the Iowa Association of Business and Industry. Which came first - the corporate campaign contributions or the Branstad agenda?

Corporate Iowa may have waited until after the election to announce its legislative agenda to deregulate factory farms and nursing homes, privatize economic development and education, cut corporate and commercial property taxes, slash state spending on essential public services, expand so-called “right to work” laws, and, in general, balance the budget

on the backs of the

hard-working Iowa families.

But Branstad was promising the same thing months ago on the campaign trail that was funded by big-moneyed special interests.

The Iowa Chamber Alliance already has had two employees, Debi Durham and David Roederer, appointed to top posts in the Branstad administration. Maybe the real question is: Are Iowans ready to stand up and fight back against the corporate powers that have a chokehold on our democracy?

Garry Klicker

Bloomfield