When away from home, deepening red Iowa not missed

An uncomfortable feeling that lands somewhere between disgust and rage is brewing in my brain.

I was born in Iowa and have lived in Iowa for 66 years, minus four years of college and an internship out of state 44 years ago. I have always loved Iowa and living in Cedar Rapids.

My wife and I spend two months each winter in Florida and we enjoy our time there. I looked forward to coming back home each year until 2016 and the election of Donald Trump as president. The MAGA craze that deepened the red state status of Iowa resulted in attacks against young people, marginalized people and the compassionate nature that I valued in Iowa. Unfortunately, though I looked forward to returning to Cedar Rapids, my neighborhood and great friends, it’s not Iowa that I missed at all.

I’ve learned that Florida Gov. DeSantis considers me “woke,” whatever that means. Therefore, not surprisingly, Florida and I are a not good match.

I returned to home to Cedar Rapids, a port in the political storm.

Jeff Lindeman

Cedar Rapids

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