A plea to our senators and representative

A Letter From Iowan Josiah Wearin

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Josiah Wearin

Greetings to Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst and Rep. Randy Feenstra in Washington, D.C.:

Please note that this is from an Iowan who is basically a centrist on most political matters. My family has farmed in southwestern Iowa since 1854, before the Civil War.

You three have hitched your fortunes and the futures of all Americans to the whims of criminal leadership. This administration is infinitely more cruel, crass, and dangerous than even I would have believed just two months ago.

How can you possibly remain silent and acquiesce…

• As the administration turns on our European allies, spewing Russian propaganda, stabbing Ukraine in the back?

• As the FBI and CIA are gutted and their leadership is replaced with Trump sycophants?

• As the president simply looks for “good television” moments?

• As the Congress prepares to make massive tax cuts on the backs of Medicaid recipients and the treasuries of every state, including Iowa?

• As scientists and researchers are fired across the spectrum of our government, from the USDA to CDC, NIH, NWS, and NOAA, and of our universities large and small?

• As USAID and global humanitarian relief is decimated rather than reformed?

• As Elon Musk’s multiple and massive conflicts of interest are ignored while he plunders and decapitates administrative agencies across the board and invades government data without permission?

• As the president purges the government of inspectors general in order to mask his multiple conflicts of interest?

• As federal employees at agencies like the Forest Service, National Park Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Defense Department are drastically reduced without explanation or cause?

• As the secretary of defense brazenly fires members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, high ranking military leaders and top judge advocates general, the military attorneys, with some specious reasoning about the end of DEI or “loyalty”?

• As the entire Department of Justice is weaponized to persecute and prosecute MAGA’s “enemies of the people”?

• As freedom of the press is attacked from every angle, even by restricting the White House press corps?

• As your party pushes hard for the SAVE Act, designed to block eligible people from voting rather than reducing election fraud?

• As your party continues to spew propaganda about who actually won the Presidential election five years ago and honors the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrectionists?

• As the administration defies the law by blocking funding authorized by Congress, then pressing forward despite federal court orders, all in order to push the limits and force Supreme Court showdowns?

• As the administration sends federal troops to the southern border in a wasteful show of force, without regard or mention of the delicacy and danger of using our military to enforce domestic matters?

• As your party seeks to police the reading and mating habits of Americans with its frivolous culture wars?

• As the president proceeds with alarming and unnecessary tariffs on Canada, Mexico, China, and others with reckless disregard for the international system of free trade which has been in place since 1945?

• As the Trump-Vance administration introduces fear and uncertainty across the globe and cause our allies from Europe to Taiwan, Japan, Australia and South Korea to wonder whether we can be counted on for defense or even disaster aid?

• As our president and vice president bask in their roles as gangsters and brand us a rogue nation?

My list is too short. My rage is only growing, but perhaps you get the drift.

Just how can you remain silent, abdicating any responsibility?

When will you overcome your fear and come to your senses?

I’ve been accused of being a Marxist or socialist for speaking out against Trump two impeachments ago. I assume that voting as an independent and being self-employed for my entire career qualifies me for those labels somehow. Anyway, I’m far more comfortable with those than being found to have uttered one word in support of your Republican leaders.

Many of us in Iowa want to be around, quietly farming, once this storm has past. And we would rather not endure another civil war first. But your silence is leading us in the wrong direction.

Josiah C. Wearin
Hastings, Iowa

Letters From Iowans is a part of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative. We encourage you, our subscribers, to share your perspective in this column. To make your voice heard, use this form to send us your essay:

Letters From Iowans FORM

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