I chose this title because interpretation of the Iowa Constitution isn’t a matter of public opinion or the will of the legislature; it’s a matter of judicial study over a long period of time and after a lifetime of education, training and professional development. To believe or hope that the Iowa Constitution and the rights it created are something a person without a law degree can interpret is asking for chaos. In this case the Vander Plaats interpretation is complete and utter foolishness which if implemented would lead to lawlessness.

The latest Des Moines Register news article is Vander Plaats pushes four justices to resign. It’s in the Des Moines Register the day before Christmas, December 24, 2010. It’s a good example of the tail wagging the dog. Someone who is not a lawyer, a judge and has no background doing much except running for office – telling people of this state how to pick judges and worse yet, how they should interpret the Iowa Constitution. If it continues to work in his favor then I’m going into the business of telling farmers which crops to plant. After all I know what I like to see growing as I drive aimlessly down the roads and highways of Iowa.

If you want evidence of true Iowans corroborating the small mindedness of Iowans, just listen to the silence from every other politician holding public office. They stand silent and idly by as the judiciary is dismantled in the name of bigotry.

If it weren’t so embarrassing it would be funny. But it is embarrassing that someone with so little understanding of the legal system is commanding such an audience with Iowans. Iowans should take note how they are being viewed around the nation. The message Iowa sends out to the world is that we are hicks from the sticks with nothing more to offer than small minds and a phobia for people that are different than we would like them to be. I’ve lived in Iowa since 1975 and that’s long enough for me to get away with criticizing what we do as a whole. If you have ever wondered why there is a brain drain in Iowa just listen to how people run for Governor of Iowa. Here allow me a campaign theme list for the next Iowa corn fed gubernatorial candidate.

• “I’m from _____________, Iowa and he or she’s not.” [Add your hometown.]
• “I was born in rural ___________, Iowa.” [Add your compass direction.]
• “I’ve never left Iowa for an education or otherwise.” [I have nothing worldly about me.]
• “I grew up in Iowa, was educated in Iowa and only drink and eat Iowa products.” [I’m about as stale from a world standpoint as they get.]

Here is what the world hears.

• “I’m small minded and believe Iowan’s are as well.”
• “I’m small minded and hope you’re smaller minded than me, therefore you’ll think I’m worldly.”
• “If you vote for me I’ll present no new ideas and will continue same-old-same-ole.”
• “If you’re not from Iowa, do us a favor and don’t run for public office because we Iowans don’t want new ideas.”
• “I’m corn fed and own a brick on the walk at the Iowa State Fair; so elect me and you can continue to walk all over me 24/7/365.”

After the Vander Plaats fiasco I’m being made to be ashamed to be known as an Iowan. I have to say that after being in Iowa and voting in Iowa for over 35 years, more than I’ve lived in any place, after this vote I still don’t know what it means to be an Iowan. I thought I did, but not after the “Say No” retention vote. If you want evidence of true Iowans corroborating the small mindedness of Iowans, just listen to the silence from every other politician holding public office. They stand silent as the judiciary is dismantled in the name of bigotry.

Misery loves company. My mother made that statement to me throughout my childhood. Misery Loves Company is what she would say. It’s my guess people are so miserable right now and tired of the government working only for corporations that they will strike out at anyone in power or perceived to have power just to have company in their misery. On this issue the Iowa Supreme Court is where the public is seeking its revenge for being miserable. Who and what is next?

Corn fed has gone to your heads. With Bob Vander Plaats you have the tail wagging the dog. Whoever is the last one to leave please should shut off the lights.