Speak up for those with no voice

There is a group of residents of this community who have no voice in the decisions that directly affect their futures.

These are the mentally handicapped, who like my son, want nothing more than to experience the pride and self-satisfaction of having a paid job.

Sadly, many of these people have no voice with which to speak. Therefore, it is up to the rest of us to speak for them, and speak we must.

We all have not just the right to contact our various elected officials, we have an obligation to do so for the voiceless in the community.

There is a tidal wave of federal agencies, state funding cuts and generally misguided do-gooders attempting to 'help” these folks.

These 'helpers” want to close sheltered workshops, when the voiceless working there want and need them left open.

Some of these people may be able to work safely out in the community, but many need to work in the safe and secure setting of a sheltered workshop.

To stop this tidal wave, we need the attention of our elected representatives. Here is an open invitation to those (Chuck Grassley, Tom Harkin, Bruce Braley, Joni Ernst) who say they represent these voiceless people.

Visit Options of Linn County to see how a sheltered workshop works. Do it soon, before the election in November. Then tell us, the voters, where you stand on this issue.

The people most affected by this may be voiceless, but they, and we, can clearly hear you.

Craig Harwood

Cedar Rapids