Letter to the Editor: Dunwell is a peacemaker, not an antagonist

I felt compelled to respond to John Moore’s opinion piece in the Aug. 22 Newton News. He essentially criticized Jon Dunwell for taking an interim position with The Family Leader. The Family Leader represents that it “is an American socially conservative umbrella group comprising The Family Leader, Marriage Matters, Iowa Family PAC and Iowans for Freedom” which “provides a consistent, courageous voice ... in the public square ... always standing for God’s Truth.”

John Moore implied that Jon Dunwell was misrepresenting his use of his faith in his decisions as a lawmaker. I have never sensed that Jon Dunwell hid or misrepresent his faith. In fact, my observation is that he is willing and even encourages input from all constituents and will listen and try to understand what others are thinking and how that should affect positions he should take as their representative. He hears and considers positions and opinions of his constituents. Most people who know Jon Dunwell consider him to be a knowledgeable and concerned representative who is charitable to all. He is a peacemaker, not an antagonist.

Hopefully constituents try to elect politicians based in part on their platforms; what they say they will do if elected. Many issues such as finance, law and order, trade relations, education, business law, health services, etc., are little affected by faith. But all issues are affected by God’s truth on how we should act while addressing issues: in love, forgiving, in wisdom, truthfully, faithfully, patiently, kindly, unselfishly, with endurance and hard work. I am certainly thankful that is what Jon Dunwell believes and I pray that all our political leaders will act with these principles in mind.

A favorite quote of mine by the late past president Ronald Reagen is “If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under.”

Another time-tested observation was attributed to Alex Hamilton when he was reported as saying, “If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.”

Pretty hard to fault Jon’s stand on Marriage, Family and Freedom.

Donna Jo (Jody) Smith

Newton