Bob Vander Plaats appeared in Mason City, Iowa on September 25th, 2012.
DES MOINES – A left-wing Iowa-based political group took issue today after remarks from Christian conservative activist and former political candidate Bob Vander Plaats.
According to Progress Iowa, during his remarks today during the Family Leader’s annual rally, held this morning at the state historical building in Des Moines, Bob Vander Plaats “expressed a divisive view of government, faith, and politics. Vander Plaats claimed that ‘God instituted government’ and that his organization only wants to strengthen the family. However, he left no room for anyone with a view different than his own narrow vision.”
In response, Matt Sinovic, the executive director of Progress Iowa, issued the following statement:
Matt Sinovic of Progress Iowa
Bob Vander Plaats is on the wrong side of history, and will keep taking divisive swipes at any family or belief that doesn’t fit his worldview until he’s completely irrelevant. Iowans are proud of our state’s inclusive history, and will continue to reject Vander Plaats and any who claim that some families are created less equal than others.
Iowans know that families come in all shapes and sizes, and are defined by their love and commitment to one another. Since 2009, all Iowans have had the freedom to marry and start families, which unfortunately Vander Plaats has opposed vigorously.
Progress Iowa describes itself as “a statewide, multi-issue organization focused on research, education and advocacy regarding Iowa public policy, powered by more than 30,000 progressives.”
I do not agree with Progress Iowa on very much, but, I think Vander Platts is everything that is wrong with the Republican Party. The faster the Republicans wake up and pull away from people like this the better they will be.
The demagogues that have hijacked the GOP should be kicked to the curb right away if the party expects to survive. It is doomed under current leadership, and I mean locally all the way to the top. Only about 7% of all young people identify with the GOP. 7%. That is abysmal. If GOP keeps up at this rate, it will never win another election.
Demagogues: appeal directly to the emotions of the poor and uninformed, pursuing power, telling lies to stir up hysteria, exploiting crises to intensify popular support for their calls to immediate action and increased authority.
You tell me who.. matches this definition…? Im afraid you must go all the way to Washington and look up the current administration.
@Anonymous-I agree with your post. There is no one worse at playing the poor and uninformed than the current administration. However, I agree with Proud Liberal about the statements about the G.O.P.’s leadership. They will have zero chance if they do not change the way the look at things and that means a change of leadership. They have got to get off the religious kick and change their approach to reducing cost. Taking away from people who need the help is not the answer.
I do not agree with Progress Iowa on very much, but, I think Vander Platts is everything that is wrong with the Republican Party. The faster the Republicans wake up and pull away from people like this the better they will be.
The demagogues that have hijacked the GOP should be kicked to the curb right away if the party expects to survive. It is doomed under current leadership, and I mean locally all the way to the top. Only about 7% of all young people identify with the GOP. 7%. That is abysmal. If GOP keeps up at this rate, it will never win another election.
Demagogues: appeal directly to the emotions of the poor and uninformed, pursuing power, telling lies to stir up hysteria, exploiting crises to intensify popular support for their calls to immediate action and increased authority.
You tell me who.. matches this definition…? Im afraid you must go all the way to Washington and look up the current administration.
I think Vander Platts and his ilk fit that definition perfectly.
@Anonymous-I agree with your post. There is no one worse at playing the poor and uninformed than the current administration. However, I agree with Proud Liberal about the statements about the G.O.P.’s leadership. They will have zero chance if they do not change the way the look at things and that means a change of leadership. They have got to get off the religious kick and change their approach to reducing cost. Taking away from people who need the help is not the answer.
BVP was never a legislator
Yes, our final edit didn’t publish. The correction is made, thank you for pointing that out.