Wondering why the war was started? I don’t mean the War in Ukraine. That one is apparent. Russia started the war. Russia invaded Ukraine.

I’m talking about the war to make over Iowa.

“Iowa Nice” has been replaced by “Iowa Ugly” or “Iowa Intolerant” by those claiming Christian beliefs. Presbyterians must not be reading the same Bible. I thought we were taught to love our neighbors and care for the least of our brethren.

The last few years have been brutal in Iowa. The state legislature and governor have reached into every facet of Iowa’s life; schools, city councils, board of supervisors, doctor’s offices, health care, and access to food. I thought they wanted small government. It feels like they want to control everything while trying to convince us that they have all the answers.

What is the purpose? Who are they attempting to protect, control, hurt, or erase? Apparently being different threatens those who govern.

Last week the Iowa legislature removed “gender identity” from Iowa’s Civil Rights Act with the excuse to “protect women.” From who? Transgender athletes? Where are the Iowa transgender athletes attempting to participate in girls’ sports? Where’s the data? Thousands of people, including many clergy demonstrated at the State Capitol against the action.

Iowa’s only transgender legislator, Aime Wichtendahl, D-Hiawatha, explained to the House members how she was treated as she transitioned. Her legislative clerk cried during her presentation. The Iowa Senate and House approved and Governor Reynolds promptly signed a bill to remove gender identity from the Civil Rights Act.

When did it become okay to legislate hate? Are you Iowa proud? Is Iowa over-run with transgender residents? What concern has been expressed bu Iowa residents?

According to the Williams Institute, 1.3 million adults over the age of 18 and youth ages 13-17 identify as transgender or 0.6% of US citizens over age 13. Among US adults, 0.5% (about 1.3 million adults) identify as transgender. Among youth ages 13-17 in the US 1.4% (about 300,000 youth) identify as transgender. To put that in perspective, the 2024 United Stated population is 341,145,670.

Iowa’s 2024 population was 3,241,488. If Iowa’s population is representative of the United States, fewer than 19,450 Iowans identify as transgender. Do you feel threatened?

Iowa’s legislative and executive branches of government legalized discrimination. Discriminatory practices in housing, jobs, loans, service in restaurants, membership in clubs or organizations is fine with those who make the laws.

Does that make you a proud Iowan? Who will be next? The LGBTQ+ community? Put them back in the closet. Woman? Put them back in the kitchen where they belong. The physical or mentally challenged? The poor? The elderly?

Since 2017 Iowa’s legislators and governor have attached workers’ rights, banned books in public schools and now public libraries. Parents were prohibited to make decisions about their child’s gender affirming health care. Legislators enacted unemployment changes, fetal heartbeat law, syphoned public money to private schools, limited local control by school boards, supervisors and city councils, underfunded public schools, added Medicare work requirements, refused federal aid for summer food programs for children, and went after drag queen shows. That’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Proposed legislation will limit access to mifepristone, a safe, commonly used medication for termination of early term pregnancies or to complete a non-spontaneous miscarriage; allow study of the Bible in the history curriculum, require two minutes of silence at the beginning of the day, and allow chaplains to serve as guidance counselors.

Are you proud yet? Did you elect leaders to pass legislation that Iowan’s didn’t support? Iowans have been vocal about objection to the treasure trove of bad legislation. Iowa legislators and Governor Reynolds have been deaf to the screams and concerns of Iowans. Shame on them.

Iowans concerned about the ugly and cruel decisions made by Iowa’s legislature and Governor Reynolds should contact them by phone, attend legislative forums where they happen, and write emails and letter.

Cutting taxes won’t make Iowa an attractive place to live or raise a family when legislative actions make it a place to avoid and fly over.