Listening to Iowans

The Senate is in recess for two weeks, and I’m in Iowa holding constituent meetings in 24 counties.

I’m hearing questions about the new health care law and concerns about what the transfer of Medicare dollars to the new subsidy might mean for Medicare beneficiaries.  I’m also getting questions about what Congress might do next with climate/cap-and-trade legislation and on education and immigration.

I continue to hear tremendous anxiety from people at the grassroots about excessive government spending and the unprecedented $12 trillion national debt. People know that the next generation will be saddled with unfunded liabilities and unsustainable entitlements.  The need for Iowa common sense in Washington has never been greater.  To me that means Washington needs to spend less and listen more.

I’ve held a meeting in every Iowa county, every year that I’ve represented our state in the Senate.  I’m committed to these face-to-face meetings as one of the very best ways to keep in touch, hear what people have to say, and engage in the dialogue that’s so important to our representative government.

Click the links below to read news clips from some of the meetings this week.

Mason City Globe Gazette

Mason City Globe Gazette Editorial

Indpendence Bulletin-Journal