Peters for Iowa Senate District 15

I was reviewing a report from the State of Iowa Auditor, David Vaudt from May 2010, entitled “Budgeting – Iowa’s Future” (http://auditor.iowa.gov/press/Budget_2010-05.pdf). While the entire report is illuminating, I was particularly struck by the following graphic:

What I find most troubling is the fact that, while Iowa’s population has remained essentially unchanged for the past 30 years, the General Fund Budget has increased nearly 130%! This is in inflation-adjusted dollars, which is a presumedly accurate calculation; in non-adjusted dollars, the increase has been 270%! My question is, with a stable population base, does there exist any reasonable argument for this growth?

When one looks at the partisan history of the Governor’s office in Iowa, Republican’s were in charge of the Administration for 19 of those 30 years, while Democrats have been in charge the last 11 years. During the same time period, the Iowa General Assembly was similarly of mixed influence. Democrats held a majority in both houses for 7 of those sessions, Republicans held a majority in both houses for 5 of those sessions, and there was a stalemate in control of the two houses for 3 of those sessions, including a 25:25 split in the Senate and a 51:49 Republican majority in the House during the 2005-2006 session.

One of the conclusions reached by Auditor of State, David Vaudt, in the above report is the following: “Continues to ‘kick the can down the road’ – When will elected officials recognize it only makes solving the problem that much more difficult?” Honestly, how could it be stated more plainly than that?

I will read and write more about the Iowa budget in future posts, but for now, the conclusion I draw is this: Despite a stable population of Iowans, our government has grown tremendously over the past 30 years, regardless of which of the two major political parties were in charge. The data for spending at the federal level is quite similar, and I suspect the same is true in most of our 50 states. It is time to expose the falsity of the claim that there are substantial differences between most Republicans and Democrats. Both have interest groups and constituencies to which they are beholden, and in order to maintain or acquire their elected positions, they must cater to those interests. They seem to be able to do so only by offering something, which means something they acquire from working Iowans in the form of taxation, and in doing so, necessarily increase the size and scope of government.

It is well past time to cast off the illusion that we have a “two-party” system. In essence, Republicans and Democrats are one in the same, at least when it comes to increasing the size of government and the burden on taxpayers. To blindly place one’s faith in either major party is simply to open your wallet or checkbook. To put it another way, I would argue that if you desire an increase in the size, scope and cost of government, you should feel free to vote for either major party, as it matters little which you choose. However, if you wish to see a smaller, less intrusive and less wasteful government, and a decreased burden on taxpayers, you should consider voting for neither major party.

We need to return this country and this state to their founding principles; to serve to protect the fundamental rights of citizens, and little else. This is all we really need to build a just and equitable society, as we can manage most of the rest. In future elections, I urge all Iowans to avoid “straight-ticket voting”. Learn the positions of your candidates, and vote for those who value personal liberty and economic freedom, regardless of party allegiance. I would, of course, recommend Libertarian or Independent candidates primarily; but would certainly welcome a vote for any truly liberty-minded Republican or Democrat, as well!

“That government is best which governs least.”

Henry David Thoreau