WHO GOT THUMPED?

By Norm Pawlewski, ICA Lobbyist

At first glance you would have to answer, we did.  But who is the we?  No question Republicans were sent a message.  Unfortunately, some wheat was thrown out with the tares.  The wheat, like Barbara Blanchard, Tim Morgan, Tom Sooter and Renee Schulte ran against Senate incumbents, a difficult task in a good year, and this was no good year for Republicans.  Please send these gallant warriors a thank you for their efforts.  Running for office is hard work.  Having lost is depressing, no matter who you are or how selfless. 

Senator elect David Hartsuch, M.D. and Larry Noble were a couple of the bright spots for us.  David replaced Senator Maggie Tinsman in the Quad Cities and Larry held the Ankeny seat vacated by Sen. Jeff Lamberti. 

The House was a mixed bag.  We lost some friends of values voters and gained some new friends.  We will report on this in a future message.

The pundits, the talking heads, the spin-miesters and the Christophobes are already trying to blame the evangelical Christians for last Tuesday’s slaughter.  Don’t buy it.  The number one reason voters gave in exit polls for voting the way they did was corruption, not rejection of a Biblical worldview.  The scandals that plagued Washington Republicans rubbed off on all candidates, including those in Iowa.

During the next few months we will be meeting with other faith based organizations to plan how we can salvage something out of the next session of the Iowa Legislature and plan our strategy for 2008.

Protection of Traditional Marriage Wins Big

Of the eight states that had ballot initiatives to their constitutions to define marriage as that between one man and one woman, seven did so.  Only one state, Arizona, rejected the constitutional amendment.  That makes twenty-seven states that have protected traditional marriage with a constitutional definition. 

I’m sure you know that South Dakota voters rejected a proposition that would have banned all abortions except to save the life of the mother.  It appears that the killing of 4,000 unborn persons each day will continue for some time into the future.  Only God can change the hearts of people who because of ignorance or a secular humanist worldview continue to support the culture of death, not just in America, but the rest of the world as well. Keep praying and working to end the massacre.

There is one glaring example of voter deception in this election.  The people of Missouri passed a constitutional amendment that will permit the cloning and killing of human embryos.  They thought they were voting to prevent cloning; that’s how the amendment was framed and sold to “show me” voters.  The truth is that although human cloning for “reproductive” purposes was banned, cloning for “therapeutic” experimentation would be permitted.  A similar bill was introduced in the Iowa Legislature during the last session.  Governor elect Culver and Democrat leaders in both houses were in support.  No question that the issue will come up early in the next session.  We will need your help to stop it from becoming law in Iowa. 

Thank Our Few Good Men

Jim Nussle, Bob Vander Plaats, Jeff Lamberti and Mike Whalen put their lives on hold to run long and hard for the privilege of serving the people of this state.  No matter what was thrown at them, regardless of being maligned, lied about and berated, they held true to their principles and their Biblical worldview.  These honorable men were not rejected; they were victims of circumstances beyond their control.  Unlike some candidates who changed their so-called “principles” to suit the current mood of the electorate, they said what they meant and meant what they said.  They need to hear from you.  So does Bill Northey, Secretary of Agriculture elect.  His Biblical worldview will serve him well in his role as the protector of and advocate for Iowa’s number one industry.  Congressmen Steve King and Tom Latham easily defeated their challengers.  Send them your note of appreciation for their victory and continued support for the family values agenda. 

Finally, get over your disappointment quickly.  There is work to be done and God’s people need to be doing it.  The Bible and American History demand our participation in the selection of those who will govern for us and for our posterity.  So if your feelings are hurt or you are frustrated, get over it.  God is still on His throne and the Republic is alive and well.