Once more (and I hope right up to the election) we have the thoughts of Larry Hodgden. Larry is a retired Viet Nam era veteran of the USAF. He and his wife of 40 years, Sharon, have three children and seven grandchildren who keep him very busy. Family, education, church and politics have been a lifelong passion.

photo-David Scrivner/Iowa City Press-Citizen

Most of us expect that our elected representatives would be there to “represent” us. How can it be then that 235 out of 435 elected U.S. House of Representative members, nearly all Republicans, have signed onto Grover Norquist’s manifesto which vows not to vote for a tax increase under any circumstances nor will they vote for any elimination of a tax credit or deduction which would increase revenue even when it would be in the public interest.

Apparently that is more important to them than their oath to uphold the Constitution and serve the citizens they represent. This would explain why they nearly drove this nation into default last summer and have rejected every proposal to reduce spending by up to $10 for every dollar of new revenue. Imagine what that could have done to our deficit and debt as well as our economic recovery.

If you agree we need thoughtful representation in Washington, then we need to ask John Archer, Republican candidate in the 2nd District if he has or will sign the close-minded Norquist “no taxes manifesto” that forbids deliberation. I think we all know what he will do as today’s Republicans all march in lockstep with the party line or they don’t even get to run for office. He also brandishes the U.S. Constitution in his ads but cherry picks the parts he agrees with. Ask him where he stands on the 14th amendment which guarantees equal rights to ALL citizens.

A vote for Archer is a vote for the Ryan budget which would end Medicare, weaken Social Security and destroy the social safety net which so many of our neighbors, friends and family depend on to survive. Who among us does not know someone who depends on these programs? How will you explain to them your vote for Archer/Ryan?

It is painfully obvious that the Republicans in Washington D.C. do not have our Nation’s best interest in mind and are unwilling to compromise on any issue as exemplified by their killing a Veteran’s Jobs Bill and refusing to pass a new Farm Bill. What we don’t need is another Republican in Washington D.C.

Fortunately we have a 2nd District Congressman, Dave Loebsack, a Democrat from Iowa City, who works for and represents all of us. He takes seriously his oath of office and weighs every decision for what is in the best interest of Iowans in the 2nd District. Social Security, Medicare and the social safety net will be protected by Dave and he will continue to support investment in education, our infrastructure, small businesses, agriculture, clean energy and veteran’s services.

In a second term President Obama needs a Democratic Congress he can work with to get this country moving forward. You can be sure when you vote for and help elect Dave Loebsack, Democrat, as our 2nd District Congressman that he will be working hard everyday while “serving our interests”.