Letter: Right-wing legislation is ruining Iowa

I am confused about the scorched-earth, right-wing legislation being rapidly promoted (and passed) in the Iowa Legislature. I feel like I have moved to Mississippi overnight - we are gutting public education, enhancing the ability to obtain firearms and making it more difficult to vote. It's troubling that the Koch Brothers, American Legislative Exchange Council and Americans for Prosperity are running our state government. I used to be proud to live in this state. Now I'm embarrassed and I can't see how this far-right agenda makes the state attractive to outsiders or businesses. Republicans are setting precedent for Wild West governing when the day comes that Democrats regain control. This is forever how our state will govern, going forth. Democrats would be foolish not to follow suit.

Welcome to Iowa, where schools are so underfunded that consolidations are commonplace; alternating houses in small towns are boarded up and businesses shuttered. Welcome to Iowa, where our economy has been in decent shape recently. Now we have gutted unions (vs. promised 'tweaks” to collective bargaining), and workers throughout the state will see reduced paychecks and spend less money - especially dangerous in small towns. Welcome to Iowa, where we demand professors belong to specific political parties. We thought our state's 'brain drain” was bad before? Welcome to Iowa, where white, affluent men are proposing laws dictating women's reproductive rights.

Please stop ruining Iowa. I urge readers to watch this video: http://tiny.cc/45nfjy

Julie Eisele

Iowa City