Iowans didn’t vote for what Trump is selling

In the 1962 movie “The Music Man,” con man Harold Hill travels to River City, Iowa with dubious promises to develop the musical talents of the city’s young men. Marian Pardoo, the smart, independent and self respecting town librarian, is skeptical of Harold’s motives and protective of her beloved River City. Her unwavering integrity and faultless commitment to the city residents ultimately captivates Hill and leads him to abandon his plan and seek the favor of Ms. Pardoo and the residents of River City.

Following the passage of the most recent federal budget bill, Iowa’s elected representatives channeled their inner Harold Hill. Statements of “this is what Iowans wanted when they elected Donald Trump” ring hollow and are transparently feeble attempts to justify their inaction to protect their constituents. I am not sure Iowans voted for decreased support of our farming communities, Medicaid cuts that jeopardize rural health care and medical coverage for scores of eligible citizens; to say nothing of a free plane, crypto scams and baseless attacks on our academic, medical and judicial institutions.

Life doesn’t always imitate art, and while the 1962 version of a con man’s redemption featured a well-meaning librarian, the solution to solving this con rests at the ballot box.

Pat O’Malley

Cedar Rapids