Dear Cindy,

I don't consider it so much a matter of Iowans not caring as one of
special interest political leverage.  As you well know--and thanks,
always, for being such an effective and patient advocate--the decade from
1983 to 1993 saw Iowa rank as one of the most progressive states in terms
of conservation, environmental protection, ahd energy law and policy
development.  Since the Republicans retook control, we have largely been
fighting rearguard actions against the advances of David Stanley, ABI,
Farm Bureau (decade in, decade out, the single greatest obstacle to
progress in Iowa), CAttlemen, Pork Producers, Ag Chem dealers, and many
other corporate interests.

Working with/for these groups, and heavily funded by them, the Republicans
have not only assaulted environmental policy, they have changed the
dynamics of political campaigning:  money-powered media machines dominate
electoral "communication." (It is foolish to call much of it "discourse"
any longer.)

The influx of national political money has also risen dramatically as
Iowa's caucuses have gained unwonted repute in the Presidential candidate
selection process.

Democrats are not immune from this infection, either, and the last time I
checked, they were nearly as money-driven and the Republicans.  However,
they are inherently less able to spin the money-go-round the way the
Republicans can.

A dozen years ago, the average House candidate spent about $9000 to
$11,000.  What is the average now?  $28,000 to $32,000 or more?  And
high-profile State Senate races now rack up as much spending as
Congressional campaigns chewed through a little over a decade ago.

There's a kind of Gresham's Law of Politics operating here.  Driven by
ever greater volumes of cash and outside interest, our political process
is becoming coarser and more simplistic, even as the tactics used become
more complex and sophisticated.

I think a correlation can also probably be developed along the lines of
greater economic stress on average lower-middle and middle-class families
reducing interest in civic participation.

There are doubtless other factors.

Bottom line, fewer of us have the time or resources to get involved the
way we once did; we're getting more worn down and stretched thin, to
actively care for the things we still care about.


Bill


> To any Iowa Sierrans who have the time and interest, especially those with
> long experience in Iowa:  I may be asked by a journalist in the near
> future why
> Iowa seems to show less concern about the environment (in terms of
> spending
> and regulations) than some neighboring states.  I may also be asked
> whether that
> situation may change in the future and what, if anything, might change
> it.  I
> may also be asked which Iowa environmental issues are or will be the real
> hot-button issues to watch in the near future.
>
> I'd appreciate other opinions than mine.  (And if you feel that the above
> characterization of Iowa is unfair or inaccurate, please say so.)  I grew
> up in
> Michigan, so even after 28 years in Story County, I don't understand Iowa
> culture from the special perspective of having grown up here and/or from
> having
> lived in other parts of the state. 
>
> Thanks very much in advance to anyone who responds, and please feel free
> to
> do so privately.   And of course you'll be off the record for any
> journalistic
> purposes.  I just want to gain a better perspective so I can provide one
> when
> asked.
>
> Cindy
>
>
> Cindy Hildebrand
> [log in to unmask]
> Ames, IA  50010
>
> "We landed one time only to let the men geather Pappaws or the Custard
> apple
> of which this Country abounds, and the men are very fond of."  (William
> Clark) 
>
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