Iowa wins if Jack Hatch wins

I wish Iowans could have been at the State Capital when Gov. Terry Branstad and Sen. Jack Hatch spoke to the Older Iowans Legislature.

The governor gave his stump speech. The senator addressed the issues faced by older Iowans. But, the difference went beyond that. The governor said he vetoed funding ($200,000) for two additional local state long-term care ombudsman because of budget constraints. However, he said in his veto message that the reason was because the Area Agencies on Aging were going through a reorganization and that now was not the time to add new staff. What the governor seemingly did not know is that, by federal law, the long-term care ombudsman office is separate from the Department on Aging and the area agencies.

Hatch spoke of the need to double the number of long-term care ombudsman to help ensure the safety of Iowa's most frail and vulnerable elderly.

An even greater contrast came when Hatch declared that he would not have any surprise vetoes because he would work closely with the legislature as they developed their bills.

I believe if every Iowan had listened to the two men speak that Hatch would be elected as the next governor of Iowa.

I hope that during the remaining days of the campaign Hatch paints the sharp difference between his positions and those of the governors. If he does, I believe he can be elected. If he doesn't, I believe he and the people of Iowa will lose.

Bob Welsh

Iowa City