State budget should reflect Iowans’ values

Each Saturday, The Gazette runs stories under the heading “Faith & Values.” The newspaper ought to consider running state and federal stories under a “Values” heading as well.

Budgets are a statement of our values as Iowans and as Americans. What does it say about us that we have elected leaders setting priorities that favor corporate interests above those who work in corporations, who buy those corporations' services and products, and who have less and less say in our priorities?

This is not a statement against corporations, but rather one that expects our public structures to offer a check on those corporations rather than offer checks to those corporations.

Does our state budget truly reflect Iowans' values? Or does it reflect the emerging ownership of our public structures by others than those our elected officials are supposed to represent?

Michaela Parbs

Center Point