Reader encourages people to vote with their heart

My absence from public life these last couple of years has enabled me to clear my vision and not be clouded by emotional investment and personal feelings.  

What is clear to me is the ability to evoke the fears of voters by certain politicians regarding  immigration, such as the local  senatorial race is trying to do. What  border is Jeff Reichman trying to protect?  Missouri?  Illinois?  Or perhaps Wisconsin, they do give us a run for our money in football every year!    He has no influence there, yet he is trying to make the voting public, by the virtue of him being present in Des Moines for a few hours in the winter, think he is going to avoid disaster for us all.  Needless to say, his rhetoric is unnecessary and dangerous.  Without immigration the beef and pork industries (amongst others) would severely suffer and he is promoting needless discrimination.

The local race for Lee Co Sheriff is another example of uninformed rhetoric. Mr. Vandenberg, who is not tried nor tested in management of a department or custody, yet is making promises that he will never be able to deliver.   You cannot cut resources in a custodial and policing environment and expect better results.   (I encourage you to ask AFSCME Council 61 about how that works out and review Vandenbergs projected policies on road officers)  Disparaging its staff is also another indicator that Vandenberg is over his head when it comes to management and how to best serve its constituents.  

I am not saying that Griffin or Weber are perfect, but what I am proud to stand behind is that neither one of them are signing on to a party that is embracing a felon and sexual predator.  The promise of elected office has enticed some to compromise their values and morals for an elected office. I am disappointed, but hopeful that you too will see the light, and  that at the end of the day, you too will see that is not who you want to be as a neighbor and a friend. 

I am asking that each of you vote what your heart tells you too.  Is it behind a bully, mistruths, hate and rhetoric? Or perhaps just people you can talk to without fear of disparagement?  I believe the comments on this editorial will demonstrate my point. 

 

Rebecca Bowker 

Fort Madison, Ia