A recent poll from the Des Moines Register found that many voters are still undecided as we approach the Iowa caucuses tomorrow evening. But on the issue of values, voters have already made up their minds. Community values are the top priority in this year's election.
Particularly among likely caucus goers who were registered Democrat (the majority of those polled by the Register), bread-and-butter issues that affect all of us such as the Iraq War, healthcare and the economy are more important to voters than divisive issues spread by fear-mongering. Issues like terrorism, immigration and religious values are really stand-ins for exclusion, isolation and discrimination. But the vast majority of voters -- and caucus goers -- reject the scapegoating politics of us-versus-them. The majority of voters know we're all in it together, that we all do better when we all do better, that when we work together to help everyone in our nation and our world, we all benefit. This is the message of this election.
Community values beat strong in the heartland of America. Family farmers know that corporate factory farms hurt local growers in Mexico and in Iowa. Factory workers know that free trade policies have only helped big business but hurt workers in China and in South Carolina. Parents know that the greed of HMOs and drug makers is limiting access to health care in Africa and in Arizona. Across the country and the world, we know that our problems are the same -- and so our solutions: to put people before profits and communities before corporations. These are the values Iowans will bring with them to the caucuses Thursday night.
Verne Tigges, a caucus goer from Carroll, Iowa, and a leader with Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, summed it up best: "It's time to put the common good first." On Thursday, Verne Tigges will caucus for community values.
The Des Moines Register poll indicated that Independents will decide the outcome of the Iowa caucuses. These are the voters who have rejected the divisive mud slinging by political parties bought and sold by the corporate elite. These are the voters who have resisted the myth that the only values are discriminatory, hateful values. These are the voters who have refused to believe that the private sector can solve all our problems and government has no role to play. What do they stand for?
Independent voters, like all Americans, want tomorrow to be better than today -- for everyone. Immigration is an issue in this election because Americans want fair treatment for people on both sides of the border. Millions of people in the United States and Mexico alike are watching their jobs disappear as greedy corporations drive down wages and exploit even poorer nations. But we all know the solution lies not in being anti-immigrant but pro-opportunity -- so that we can all support our families and lead fulfilling lives wherever we live. The candidate who stands for economic and trade policies that help US workers as well as countries in the global south where many immigrants today come from -- the candidate who helps all of us -- will find his or her corner of the caucus rooms crowded with supporters.
Larry Ginter, a white farmer from Ames, Iowa, believes we have to "stop treating immigrants like common criminals." In talking about how Mexican farmers and family farmers in Iowa like himself have suffered under NAFTA and big agribusiness, Ginter said, "It's not about us versus them; it's about being inclusive as Americans." On Thursday, Larry Ginter will caucus for community values.
Back on December 1, 2007, Larry Ginter, Verne Tigges and over 3,600 members of grassroots organizations from the heartland of America joined with Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement and the Campaign for Community Values to ask five presidential candidates where they stand on community values. Here's a montage of their responses:
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And then pay attention to the real lesson tomorrow in Iowa. No matter who wins, hate and isolation will definitely lose and connection and community will win. On immigration, healthcare, the economy, the environment and more, the candidate who stands for America standing together -- who stands against big business running our country and stands for the true meaning of democracy, of the people, by the people and for the people -- this community values candidate will win the hearts and minds of a nation craving new leadership for a brighter future. For regardless of political stripe, red state or blue, community values tie Iowa, our nation and our world together. Community values voters are the key to this election.