March 28, 2024

Results from November 2016 election are troubling

From Ron Dunphy

Creston

Kudos to Larry Peterson for writing his opinion in the Dec. 7 Creston News Advertiser, “North Iowa broadcast leaves lessons about racial insensitivity.” My thoughts on racism, sexism and bigotry run on parallel tracks. My headline would be much stronger, but I am not the person who purchased the newsprint and ink.

For 18 months, I have been upset by the run-up to our November 2016 election and the results were even more troubling. I am thankful the free press continues to make available the very dark side of elected politicians’ views in print, television and online.

The Chuck Grassley story about his quote regarding working people spending their pennies on “booze or women or movies” has spread all over national news outlets for days now. My opposition to his promotion of a tax bill in Congress is firm; his idea that a few pennies for the middle, working class while the “top 1 percent” garner the huge financial benefits in the proposed legislation is very wrong headed, indeed immoral.

Republican Rep. Steve King of Iowa has a reputation for xenophobic comments, and Friday he came out in support of the idea that “mixing cultures” leads to a lower quality of life. I would claim for my paternal Irish ancestors the family has improved the community and soil – for more than 100 years. I would make the same claim for my maternal branch of the family, the Millers, who did the same for an even longer time period. As Americans, we should embrace ALL newcomers to our shores.

I am not of the view that time heals. Real damage is and has been done to our collective psychic and physical structures. I do not believe there are enough politicians capable of bringing about the healing required in either political party.

That part of the electorate responsible for this quandary by their vote in November 2016 will remain suspiciously quiet is my guess! Shame on you all! Shame, shame.

Collectively, we are all impacted as residents of Union County, the state of Iowa and the United States of America.