Dennis Combs
Newton
Compassion. That is what stirred a bipartisan coalition in the Iowa House to vote 75-20 to pass SF2360 — the bill that prohibits the arrest of parents of children with severe epilepsy for possessing a drug proven effective in treating the violent seizures suffered by their children. In fact, only one single elected Democrat in the entire Iowa Legislature voted against this bill — Newton’s own Dan Kelley.
I didn’t know about his shocking lack of compassion until Kelley himself, at the League of Women Voters forum in Newton, boasted about his no vote. I was mortified as he asserted that he was especially proud to be the only Democrat willing to take this stand against his party’s leadership. Proud to say no to the mothers of epileptic children. Mothers who had spent months at the Capital begging for help to improve their children’s lives. Retiring Senator Dennis Black, retired Highway Patrolman Clel Baudler and even Joni Ernst found the compassion to vote yes.
I ask my fellow citizens of Jasper County to join me in not voting for Kelley on Nov. 4. I have never written a letter in support of any candidate and I will not start today. But I will share even more Kelley "no" votes that demonstrate an alarming lack of compassion. FYI: Senator Black voted "yes" on every bill listed below. My source: www.IowaVotes.org.
SF447 — provided funding for programs to prevent violence against women, victim assistance grants and funded the salaries, support and maintenance for the Newton Correctional Facility. Stunningly, he voted against his own neighbors’ paychecks. Kelly lost 94-3.
HF638 — provided $2,000,000 for “major maintenance projects at National Guard armories and facilities.” Kelley lost this one 91-2.
HF527 — requires convicted drug dealers, etc. to submit DNA samples. His fight to protect convicted criminals lost, 84-15.
HF604 — this bill provides the annual funding for the Departments of: Education, Workforce Development, Economic Development, Board of Regents and College Student Aid. Fortunately his losses continued, 87-10.
I cannot hide from the fact that I have supported Kelley in the past; for that I apologize. Like most of you, I had never researched his voting record. Turns out Kelley has stood on the losing side as he voted against almost everything I hold dear: Education, Workforce Development, National Guard Soldiers, college students and mothers begging for his help. Here’s hoping he’s on the losing side one last time.