Today’s GOP refuses to live Iowa values

What are my "Iowa values?" Do Iowa Republicans live those values or are theirs hostile to mine?

I have spent my entire life in this state. Both of my parents grew up on Iowa farms. My maternal grandfather took pride in being a Democrat among Republican neighbors. During the torrid summer of 1936, Grandpa shared his well with his neighbors. Is sharing an Iowa value Republicans support?

My father spent his entire professional life as a public school teacher, coach, and administrator. He earned his baccalaureate at the University of Iowa after his service in World War II. My siblings and I all graduated from secular public schools in Des Moines. I am proud of my public school education and my University of Iowa degrees. Is universal secular public education an Iowa value Republicans support?

This paragraph may trigger some readers. I had gay and lesbian friends throughout my undergraduate and graduate work at Iowa. I have transgender friends. I regret not being more sexually adventurous when I was young. Is celebrating LGBTQ people and accepting free sexual expression among consenting adults an Iowa value Republicans respect? Do Iowa Republicans defend civil rights?

My parents raised me to be an avid reader and never tried to control what books I read. I've read too many titles Republicans want to remove from school and public libraries. Is intellectual freedom an Iowa value Republicans encourage?

Sadly, it is today's Iowa GOP which refuses to live Iowa values.

Jeff Klinzman

Coralville