Letter: Grassley has power to change culture

Sen. Chuck Grassley has the power to end the division and dysfunction in our government. In 2009, he was part of the Gang of Six that was working on health care reform, but he chose to withdraw from this bipartisan collaboration. His choice changed the culture in Washington.

Our leaders have lost the ability to come together to meet the needs of the country. We are locked in an endless cycle of political retaliation. Every time political power changes hands, there is a mad rush to undo any accomplishments achieved by the previous administration in order to discredit and weaken the other party.

Everything Grassley is working on will be erased the next time power changes hands. This cycle prevents us from making progress as a country and it hurts the American people. It leaves us feeling like the needs of the parties matter more than the needs of the people.

I am asking Grassley to remember what kind of leader he was a decade ago. He has the power and influence to change the culture within his party and to build bridges with the opposition.

I hope he is strong enough to start the healing process for our nation.

Deborah VanderGaast

Tipton