A long drive home for Republicans this legislative year

To the Editor,

   Actor Tom Cruise starred in the 1989 movie “Born on the Fourth of July” that depicts a young American boy (Ronnie) who joins the U.S. Marines in the 1960s and dreams of being part of the force to end Communism in the world. He comes home a paraplegic, distanced from his family, and find himself marching against his country. He went from proud patriot to a broken man all under the symbol of the American Flag.

   Republicans today are starting to see the truths of past leadership with indictments, some past cabinet members in jail, Fox News being sued for $787.5 million, and so many other pending lawsuits… so Republicans feel like Ronnie in the aftermath? Have they been duped?

   Our state legislation has none of us being able to recognize Iowa anymore. Our public schools and libraries are in disarray, our marginalized people are suffocating, and our farmland is now up for grabs with pipelines coming. And they are coming.

   Are Rep. Bradley and Sen. Koelker also like Ronnie? They ran for office with the intention of making life better for families and businesses in northeast Iowa. Then, soon realized to be part of the “Red Wave” included rubber-stamping ideas and laws that do just the opposite. They aren’t getting rich being in the state legislation and I can respect the time they’ve given away from their businesses and families. But what did they think the realities of their voted position were going to make them sacrifice this year? Did they realize outside influences and sources have taken our state away from us all?

   At the end of the movie, Ronnie becomes a public figure speaking for Americans. He confesses the mistakes he has made and vows to make a country to be proud of again. I challenge our local legislators, and others across the state, to do the same. Otherwise, the end of this legislative year was only a long drive home to their communities… who will soon see the outcomes of their voting records.

Mary Melchert

Monticello, Iowa