Government should be a partner in tough times

Over the past several weeks, the middle class has been held hostage by Chuck Grassley and his Republican colleagues in the Senate while they stood with millionaires and billionaires.

While thousands of Iowans braced for an immediate loss of unemployment benefits and a tax increase in the new year, Republicans used them to get their way. Iowans expect the government to be their partner during tough times. Republicans chose to exploit this partnership and turn a struggling middle class into a bargaining chip.

Our economic recovery was also put at risk. Republicans were leading the nation into a situation that would cripple our economic recovery with job losses and tax increases

for all.

Thankfully, Democrats have put a framework for compromise in place and are working to protect the middle class. As it stands (Dec. 9), Democrats have secured a $120 billion tax cut for working families and a tax credit for 10 million lower income Americans, in addition to other progressive tax policies.

While the compromise bill is being debated, we cannot lose this context. Compromise is part of governing, but holding Americans hostage to force a deal that benefits the few is not. Iowans will remember that Republicans, including Sen. Grassley, used the middle class to get their way and force a compromise.

Sue Dvorsky

Chair,

Iowa Democratic Party