Unifying Northwest Iowa

Congratulations to John Wills, now our Republican candidate for House District One this fall.  He ran a good campaign for the seat and I thank him for his friendliness every time we met.

Thank you!  To every supporter, voter and volunteer.  My wife and I thank you for all of your hard work and effort.  I cannot tell each of you enough my gratitude for all you did.  Thank you also for all of the kindness and hospitality that all of the voters expressed as I visited across the district.  We live in a great area with many of the best of people in our country and we should never forget that we are capable of anything we set our minds to.

The primary is over.  I am not disappointed in the results, we did well and I have nothing but optimism for our future.  Some of the goals of the campaign were to remind the voters that they are more important in the process than the politicians and that the ideas discussed should be addressed.  I think both of those are clear to John and I trust that he will move forward with those ideas.

Now will be the time to unite as one district so that when John arrives in Des Moines they will know that our resolve in District One is set and we will not be swayed into others agendas.  Don't forget to keep communicating with him and all of our elected officials, from township level to national level, to remind them all that we the people are the most important ingredient in the operation of this country.

We, not Me

I had several questions this morning from someone that should be answered to more than just one.  The first was "Why haven't you talked more about yourself?  You have worked with just about everything.  Lenders, attorneys, contractors, judges, farmers, business owners, working men and women, old and young, rich and poor.  Under just about every circumstance, dissolving partnerships, corporations, estates, property disputes, greed, envy, hatred and cooperation.  Why not more about you?"  The answer: "I don't think it's about me."  I have not been one to talk about myself and it does not seem appropriate to talk about "I or me".  The important thing I thought was to remind all of us about our basic agreement with government, we allow them some decision making at a minimal cost for our organization as a state and country, they insure and protect our liberty for our pursuit of happiness.  Government at a minimum with decisions made as close to home as possible.  They leave us alone and we use them as little as possible.

Another question was "If you are elected and are gone part of the time, who will take care of our stuff?  Who will hold the auctions and watch out for us in the real estate world?"  There are already good people working here and there are others out there.  That was the easier part of the conversation.

Another question: "Why didn't you promise more?"  I found that in political campaigns you have to be as sharp as reading a contract.  What I heard was lots of promises to "fight for" but never an "I will".  That seems to be the key wording for many.  My personal and business experience taught me to never promise unless I can deliver or can back up what I say personally.  The most successful life and business delivers more than is promised.  Will I fight for things?  Sure.  Can I promise to fight?  Sure.  Can I outright promise results?  No.  I look at this situation as a farmer or businessman hiring an employee.  The best employees I can find only promise to work with all their heart and mind and effort.

I hope and trust that all of you have carefully considered all of the candidates for each of the races.  I hope you have taken time to discuss candidates and issues with them and with your friends and neighbors.  Any support you give to me I do appreciate.  However, the most important thing that you can do as a citizen is to show up and vote.  That is one of the responsibilities that we have.  We must live up to our promises or the system won't work the way it was designed.  Keeping our promise to participate is a key step.  (We and our, better words than I or me.)  The next step is reminding government and the people serving in it their part of the agreement.  Let's take that step together after the primary.  We can do this.  Together and not alone, staying on target for our goals.