What happened to Iowa?

I have lived in Iowa for 70-plus years. I was proud of our state — being top in the nation in public education and the number of high school graduates. Being one of the first in the nation to legalize same sex marriage. A state that elected Barack Obama.

I am now ashamed of being an Iowan. Our governor and legislature have been denigrating the importance of public schools and public school teachers for years. Using slurs against them and treating them like the enemy of our children. We now know why- so the governor could get her private school vouchers passed. The governor and legislature are also trying to ban any books in schools they feel are offensive — including acknowledged classics. They are trying to ban gay marriages. They do not want students to "be" who they feel they really are. They do not want "actual" history taught to students.

I am sick of it. We are "going backward" instead of progressing. Here are practical matters they should consider.

1. I know of gay married people who have professional jobs but are moving to Minnesota due to this purge on homosexuality. How many more are moving that I don't know about? People who do not want books banned, gender identity denied, or racist history ignored?

2. Why would any young person, couple, or family move to Iowa when they can see how human rights are being infringed upon?

If this doesn't stop — all Iowans will be sorry.

Judy Gustafson

Cedar Rapids

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