by Matt Marquardt –
It is “Sunshine Week” in Washington D.C. The Federal Government is celebrating the Freedom of Information Act and transparency.
Senator Charles Grassley, who claims to be a champion of open government, wrote a moving piece this week criticizing President Obama and the executive branch for what he calls their lack of transparency. “His proclamations about open government and transparency — are merely words, which can be ignored,” Grassley wrote.
How ironic that Grassley himself is trapped in the dark ages of open government.
Grassley proved that last week when he told a Globe feature reporter that if you want to meet him, you better come to Washington. “There’s no substitute for talking with us face to face,” in the nation’s capitol, he said.
Grassley alluded that a local meeting would be disorganized and nothing would be accomplished. Apparently he feels that in Washington, real work gets done, but back home in Iowa, visiting with citizens and local leaders is pointless and a waste of time.
“We don’t have to sit there and try to sort everything out,” the Senator explained.
Sorry to waste your time, Your Highness.
As poorly as Washington has been run during his 32 years there, it is fairly insulting that he feels his constituents are even more disorganized than his notorious workplace is.
The real kicker came when the Globe reporter dropped this bomb: “Grassley said that kind of working relationship can’t be done in an email or telephone call or when senators come home to hold town meetings and attend events.”
Senator Grassley, your ill-advised Globe interview has exposed your true thoughts on transparency. In your mind, Iowans have to come to Washington to have an audience of any significance with you. You say no work can be accomplished here in Iowa. It is tragic that you feel this way.
Senator, your mind is clouded and your judgement impaired from 30-plus years on the job. It is apparent that you have spent too much time with hotshot interns and slick-talking lobbyists. You have forgotten who the people you serve are.
If it’s not too much trouble, Senator, next time you are in Iowa please open the blinds and let some Iowa sunshine in.
12 thoughts on “Editorial: Grassley’s mind clouded on meaning of “Sunshine””
Grassely should go back to his farm and stay there.
There’s a new emerging class in Mason City since the election of beermeyer. Not white collar or blue collar but brown collar. To be a member you have to walk around with your head stuck so far up a members butt you achieve the coveted brown collar. You also have to completly dismiss the opinion of anyone but your group or be a member of the glob.
Doing everything in Washington DC is a huge waste of Political Capitol for an incumbent. Nothing could be more stimulating to citizens than for a Pol to come “home” and provide status on projects for the area, legislation that effects us, and of course to meet with local officials where they can plead their case.
Part of the duties for the Staff of a Senator is to prioritize and follow through on requests from constituents. We need not be there to press upon it. One of two things will then happen, they either drop the ball with no results, or the request is granted. Either way, the electorate will know, and act accordingly, especially when it comes to the ballot box.
Government services was never meant to be let to the highest bidder. All that does is waste taxpayers money in the long run. Especially in smaller communities like ours where those funds are much tighter or non-existent.
And I resort again to my belief, that the must be; Government of the people, by the people, for the people. Lincoln did not say anything about Government for the Chamber, of the Chamber, by the Chamber did he?
If the Chamber wants a group of backers for it’s agenda, let them pay the freight! Leave our elected representatives out of it.
We pretty much know the Globe Gazette got Senator Grassley to say the things he did because they wanted to counter NIT’s rampage against the Chamber’s visit to Washington. He graciously complied by offering the positive soundbites they wanted and now Matt is using them to bite Senator Grassley in the backside. I bet Senator Grassley never even had any idea why he was asked the questions he was asked and how it could potentially be used against him. I say he has been used unfairly by both news organizations in the middle of a p*ssing match.
Katie, you do not paint a very flattering picture of Mr. Grassley. Are you saying he is too dumb to answer simple questions and too naive to realize what he is saying? If you are, wow, the United States of America is in big trouble. You act like he is a child being tricked here. I would say the Globe used a ruse to get him bantering and then crafted their pathetic story to fit their needs. Let’s face it: Grassley has been exposed, as has the Globe. Period.
Just absolutely love this. A straight shooter finally telling the truth about the corrupt and untouchable government royalty. Grassley didn’t count on this guy connecting the dots. Way to go.
Can’t wait till they vote this old coot out of office. Jeeze what a pompous ass he is.
Matt, I LOVE how you twist words around to try and start a problem. Or, how you put your opinion out there and throw words in someone elses mouth to try and start a problem.
Mr. Grassley has college interns that would qualify to be your direct supervisor.
I LOVE this…
“Apparently he feels that in Washington, real work gets done, but back home in Iowa, visiting with citizens and local leaders is pointless and a waste of time.” Matt, YOU say this above. Mr. Grassley didn’t. Don’t be confused. Just because it comes out of your mouth, in this little tiny pond of readers, that it resembles any form of truth.
and
““We don’t have to sit there and try to sort everything out,” the Senator explained.”
Do you suppose that he is referring to the time when he is in session? Its obvious he is in Iowa when he is not in session, talking to people. And he obviously knows that working with an Obama presidency is probably the most difficult thing he and a lot of people have had to ever do. Obama’s left field ideas that come from behind closed doors are certainly pushing their sessions beyond the norm.
Mr Grassley is also smart enough to know that there is a ton of pressure on the folks in his position due to the U S as a whole distrusting what they do and how they do it. I am certain that he takes that pressure into session with him and is constantly reminded that what they do right now is probably much more difficult than it ever has been due to Obama polarizing the country.
and
“The real kicker came when the Globe reporter dropped this bomb: “Grassley said that kind of working relationship can’t be done in an email or telephone call or when senators come home to hold town meetings and attend events.”
Another great job Matt twisting words around. When he says “working relationship” above he clearly means working with other people in session in DC.
Yet you twist it around to try and get people stirred up by putting your slant on it and figuratively saying that he basically doesn’t value people in Iowa. This is sad.
and
“You say no work can be accomplished here in Iowa.”
Matt, YOU SAID THIS. Don’t shove comments into other peoples’ mouths.
Its sad that you write Matt. Its even sadder that people read it. Enjoy your little pond. You ar the big fish. But your pond doesn’t reflect real life. I can be in a room with two people. I can turn off the light, and then tell them the light is on. If I talk loud enough, and long enough, I may convince them the light is still on. But it isn’t on. That’s the fact. And just because I can convince a couple people in a dark room that the light is on, doesn’t mean it is on in real life Matt.
This article must have struck a nerve. Since becoming a Senator he acts more like he is part of the Royal Family.
Grassley don’t have to participate in the “pressure”. That is his choice.
I know I am in a little pond, but it was Washington that put me here. I haven’t moved or changed, our elected leaders just kept shrinking the pond until I am just another fish in the little pond trying to survive.
I will give Mr. Grassley this, Iowa Senator Harkin is much worse. The Harkin Royal Democrat is far more removed from Iowans than Grassley.
Also to be fair, more Democrats helped drain the pond, making it so small.
Remember this Timmy, it was “all” our elected numskulls that changed this country over a number of years that put us in this pond. Grassley was there, too!!!
Oh, and readership is GROWING all the time. The Royal Family just keeps pissing more people off.
Timmy, Timmy, Timmy. Thanks for trying so hard to debate me. Always appreciate the insults, too, they sweeten up my black coffee.
I graciously linked to the Globe Gazette article where Grassley spoke all these words. They were all spoken in the context of Mr. John Skipper making a case that Chamber of Commerce trips to Washington D.C. are “vital” and that the face time in D.C. could not be replaced with meetings here in Iowa. Did you bother to read that story? I know, clicking on a link to the Globe makes my skin crawl too, but that’s where the proof is. Grassley really said these things, I did not make it up.
I would further contradict you “Timmy.” (Afraid to use real name?) I believe it is good that I write. Thousands of people read this site everyday. They keep coming back. People stop me on the street and 100% of the time it is positive. Really, it is sad that you are jealous and hateful that I am exposing those that seek to destroy my fellow citizens and enrich themselves. Perhaps you are one of the slick lobbyists or interns I refer to, or just a party lackey.
Timmy wrote a novel trying to back up his buddy Grassley. I bet he wishes he had all that time back! lol! Defending the indefensible, like any fool would do!
Well Mr. Grassley how do you like being kicked in the shins?
The writer has it right, you know. FYI, the 3 times in the last 32 years that I have talked to you, Mr. Marquardt has hit how I felt right on the head. I walked away in the dark and knew everything I discussed with you fell on deaf ears.
I don’t know what happens to a feller when he gets to his elected seat, but something sure brings about a big change in them.
Sooooo, I never, never, vote for an incumbent!!! I keep thinking I will get a keeper, but so far, not.
Sure wish other folks would vote the way I do, but with the big shot talking heads and editorial writers I doubt the sheep will ever quit following!
Would be nice if you would let some sunshine in.