Iowa 2010 Elections: Making the Right Choice at the Polls

When preparing to go to the polls, the best way to make a decision is with two points in mind: first, where each candidate stands on the issues; and second, what each candidate "brings to the table."

These days, one issue on the minds of most Americans is the war on terrorism. As the men and women from Iowa who have served overseas during this period of time numbers in the thousands, one should wonder what all of these veterans are coming home to. One need only recall the remark common amongst most Vietnam vets: "Only a veteran can understand." Although he did not see combat, Terry Branstad served in the United States Army, and received the Army Commendation Medal. Despite the fact that the draft was no longer a part of American life by the time Chet Culver came of age, many young men and women in Iowa continued to enlist in the various branches of the United States military. Chet Culver was not one of them. As Iowa veterans come home to lives of homelessness, substance dependencies, post-traumatic stress disorder, and even suicide, clearly what Iowa needs is a governor who understands the military experience as "only a veteran can understand." Terry Branstad brings this experience to the table; Chet Culver does not.

A second important issue is the state of education in Iowa. One may be tempted to think that Chet Culver's experience as a High School coach and history teacher gave him insight on what works and what does not. We need only look at the state of Iowa's public schools during his governorship to see this is not the case. The high school drop-out rate has continued to escalate. The rate of high school graduates who are ill-prepared for college has also increased. Rather than focusing on the basics, the focus has been on competitiveness. Many public schools have been laying off teachers, and cutting programs much needed by their students. On the other hand, Terry Branstad's School Improvement Technology Program was one of the biggest and most important steps taken to ensure all Iowa public school students are as prepared as they can possibly be to learn during their school years, and meet the expectations of their world and life after graduation. In addition, while Branstad put into action a bill to increase education funding in 1996, public schools have suffered under the governorship of Chet Culver. Only a little more than a month before this year's primaries, did he sign the education bill to be put into effect for the term beginning on July first. Some Iowans complain about the tax increases under the governorship of Terry Branstad, while applauding Chet Culver's insistence that taxes need not be increased at any cost. Unfortunately, the cost of this decision has been to teachers and students in the public school system-- undereducated students, drop-outs, staff layoffs, and program cuts. It would appear that the former high school teacher does not know what is in the best interests of Iowa's students and teachers at all.

Both of these candidates bring experience to the table. However, Chet Culver's experience has not done much good for Iowa during his term as governor. Perhaps instead we should look at the experience and the "getting things done" record of Terry Branstad's previous four terms in this role, and make the right decision for the state of Iowa by electing him in again. If you are serious about improving the overall quality of life for all Iowans, make your voice heard at the polls-- your vote for Terry Branstad is a vote for the future of Iowa.

http://www.governorbranstad2010.com/