House parties bringing politics to the people
June 28, 2009 6 Comments
Saturday I attended a house party event for Bob Vander Plaats. I had never been to one before so I wasn’t completely sure what to expect. There were probably a total of 20 people there so there was plenty of opportunity to mingle and talk with other individuals in a very informal comfortable setting. If you are ever invited to one of these I highly encourage you to go!
The most amazing part of the experience was actually speaking with Bob and getting to know him on a more personal level not only through a one on one conversation but also as he addressed the group. Bob discussed his reason for entering into a gubernatorial race as well as why he has continued to do so throughout the years. The reason may surprise you. Bob is not, or ever has been a politician; he is simply an Iowan that feels he has been called to serve. As Bob would explain to you, he has spent his life serving the people of Iowa in many capacities.
This is a rare quality in just any human being these days, but why would we expect any less out of our elected officials?
Bob discussed the areas of most importance to him, especially the platforms that he had run on in previous elections, being education; bringing that back to the locally controlled level and letting teachers teach, businesses; work on attracting good businesses to our state through creative ways to keep our college grads here, health care; not controlled by a corporation or government, but putting the control in the hands of those who use it – US!
The conversation was good, the passion was definitely there, and Bob has a plan for our state. For me, this is a relief as I feel like most other Iowans do, that our state is winding through a black hole and there is no light
Bob fervently discussed his stance on marriage in Iowa and the recent Supreme Court decision. As an educator, Bob is well versed on explaining how our state government let the judicial branch, the weakest of the 3, make a law that affects every Iowan. Because the other 2 branches of our government did not do their due diligence and take the reins after the decision was handed down, our great state may be headed down a path where the weakest branch of our government may start to further control the lives of Iowans. Bob articulated how important it is for all 3 branches to work together to serve the people of Iowa with the people’s best interests in the forefront of their minds.
After Bob spoke to the group, he asked for questions. And people spoke up. Like I said in the beginning, if you get a chance to attend one of these events, do so. If you are interested in finding out where one is, let us know, we can help you locate one.
Bob wants you to know about him personally, but more importantly he wants to know what you care about and if you don’t personally tell him, how will he? How many opportunities will you be able chat one on one with a gubernatorial candidate –and a front runner at that?
I really wish that I could make it to one of the house parties, but so far I haven’t been able to.
I had a good chance to talk with him on Thursday. He’s real accessible.
I attended a house party also. You can tell that Bob VP speaks from his very soul on this issues. What he believes defines his life and those are the types of people we need in office.
How can the three branches of government all work together if they are set up to be “checks and balances”?
Jerry –
By simply being the checks and balances that they are. In the case of a ruling by the supreme court, the legislative branch needs to take next steps if this ruling is in conflict with what is currently on the books. Is there an ammendment or law that needs to change? Should something be submitted to the people for a vote?
The executive branch needs to recognize if an opinion by the supreme court is in conflict, call for the legislative branch to take action, be the bully pulpit, if you will. That is why they are there.
Our elected officials are put in office to serve the people but also must remember their governement roles and excercise them when the time comes. Not sit idly by and let the process just stop at one branch of the government.
You have a timid view of checks and balances. I think in terms of vetos, veto overrides, appointment of judges by executives but for life, impeachment of judges by legislatures, power of the purse, etc.
They call it “interest pitted against interest.” Checks to beget balance. Not necessarily working together. That’s just majoritarianism.