A Good Place to Live
There are times when we need to stop and reflect how good we have it here in Iowa.
I come to this conclusion often, to be honest. But after a few conversations on the air with guests from across the country, it struck me again this week.
While many across the country worry that their vote won’t be counted, or that fake ballots will show up in the dead of night, we have voter ID and a deputy sheriff take ballots from polling places to the courthouse for safekeeping…in addition to a regular series of audits post-election.
While many across the country are afraid of boys playing girls sports, our state passed a law prohibiting it, to preserve girls sports for girls.
While many across the country are dealing with sanctuary cities and counties and an influx of illegal immigrants tied to those areas, Iowa passed a law seven years ago banning sanctuary cities and counties.
While many across the country are dealing with law enforcement officers blocking federal efforts to enforce immigration laws, Iowa has a law requiring counties and law enforcement officers to cooperate with federal officials, or face loss of state funding for the county.
While many across the country see their taxes go up due to state deficit spending, Iowa has a budget surplus–so much of one, in fact, that we moved to a planned lower flat tax rate sooner than expected.
And there are countless other examples. Yes, work remains to be done–on property tax relief, banning hazardous carbon pipelines, and allowing citizens to vote down proposed wind farms, among other things.
And the winters can be a royal pain, as we’ll be reminded this week.
But all in all…really a good place to live.
