The following is an opinion article submitted by Senator Amanda Ragan of Mason City:
I love working hard for North Iowans.
For me, public service is about making a positive difference in people’s lives. Whether I’m serving people at the Community Kitchen of North Iowa or at the Iowa Capitol as your State Senator, my goal is the same – to give Iowans an opportunity to succeed in life.
I grew up on a farm in North Iowa. There, I learned the values of hard work, using common sense, being honest, and taking care of your neighbors. As a senator, I carry those values with me to Des Moines.
It is an honor to serve you in the Iowa Legislature. I’m proud to be a legislator who can work with everyone. I am proud of the bipartisan solutions we have crafted to improve the lives of the people I represent. I’m also proud of my voting record.
That is why it is so deeply disappointing that my opponent has chosen to sit back in silence and allow the Republican Party of Iowa to produce a series of dishonest and disparaging attacks against me.
These deceitful ads are arriving in the mailboxes of the people I care about serving in my district. The Iowa Republican Party claims I am not the same person when I vote, that I am back home. That is simply not true.
You, the people of my district, know me. You know me and my values, which have not changed, ever.
I am proud to stand by the votes I’ve taken to support our schools. I’m proud of my work fighting to ensure that all Iowans have access to quality, affordable health care. I am gratified we can maintain a dialogue about what is best for our state and work through hard choices together.
When I was first elected to the Iowa Senate, it was a very different place than it is today. America was just a year removed from the terrorist attacks of 9-11, and a spirit of unity and coming together dominated our culture and our politics.
Over the last 16 years, our nation’s politics have become more polarized, divisive, and partisan in ways that threaten our ability to get things done for families across our state. The way to move our state and country forward is to move beyond the partisan and dishonest noise that comes from Des Moines each campaign season. I truly believe it is important to tell the truth about who the candidates are and what we stand for in Iowa.
As this year’s campaign heats up, I am confident Senate Republicans and their party will have more dishonest things to say about me. I ask that you reach out to me if you see something that doesn’t square with what you know about me and my principles.
You can reach me by calling my home at 641-424-0874. I will be happy to explain my votes and positions. We may not agree on everything, but I do believe that by listening to each other, we can maintain honesty and a solution-oriented approach to the issues facing our state. Today’s political climate desperately needs civility, honesty, and transparency, for which I have always worked tirelessly.
Sincerely,
Senator Amanda Ragan
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Janet BottlemanReply Report comment
March 28, 2018 at 1:41 pm
This article saddens me a great deal as do the ‘anonymous’ comments about Amanda Ragen. She DOES reach across party lines, as does Sharon Steckman to work for a solution. These people were instrumental in helping to get Brigett’s law passed last year by working ACROSS Party lines with the Republicans that represent Worth County. We now have a new law preventing convicted felons from reaping the life insurance benefits of the deceased they were sent to prison for harming!
The amount of effort it takes to get a Bill signed into Law is unknown to most. These Legislators work very hard for us and get very little respect in return. I do not live in the district that Amanda represents, but she would have my vote if I did.
Not afraid to sign my name,
Janet Bottleman
Then you don’t get a vote or a voice.
You don’t live here so you don’t get a voice or a vote.
We know this is going to be one of those types of elections because the liberals are running scared. And when they are scared, they lie because they know they have nothing of substance to run on.
ya bet Lar, what ever you want to believe you fool.
You are an uneducated Republican, just how Trump likes em
Dumb Ass Fool, not my comment.
We know this is going to be one of those types of elections because the conservatives are running scared. And when they are scared, they lie because they know they have nothing of substance to run on.
Wasn’t my comment Dumb Ass. But I do agree with the first one. Some copy cat is posting under Bodacious name. Even though I don’t agree with Bodacious on principle her post are generally well written and these are not.
Thank you.
Smooth move on Ms. Ragan’s part. Play the victim card too early and often and some times it can backfire on you.
To quote Amanda; “Thank you for advocating”.
Trump’s army will be melting alot of snowflakes soon – who would have thought that the FBI and Justice Dept. would be the head of the snake dwelling in the swamp.
Typical Trumpanzee dumbass.
You are next!
This article saddens me a great deal as do the ‘anonymous’ comments about Amanda Ragen. She DOES reach across party lines, as does Sharon Steckman to work for a solution. These people were instrumental in helping to get Brigett’s law passed last year by working ACROSS Party lines with the Republicans that represent Worth County. We now have a new law preventing convicted felons from reaping the life insurance benefits of the deceased they were sent to prison for harming!
The amount of effort it takes to get a Bill signed into Law is unknown to most. These Legislators work very hard for us and get very little respect in return. I do not live in the district that Amanda represents, but she would have my vote if I did.
Not afraid to sign my name,
Janet Bottleman
Then, you don’t get a vote or a voice. Your comment means nothing.
Every year on your birthday we should SLAP your mother , ifs she’s dead we should dig her up and piss on her for bringing a POS like you in to this world.
Then, you don’t get a vote or a voice. Your comment means nothing.
Amanda talks about bipartisan voting to get things done. Amanda and Sharon both have done nothing to be bipartisan. The one thing they could have done that the majority of people agreed upon was Iwill and they have sat back and not done anything to move this forward. It is time for a change. she has become complacent and ineffective.
If Amanda is freaking out already, she must be really worried. She hasn’t been challenged much. It is getting old watching the spend sisters spending our tax dollars with the constant catch phrase, “it is to keep our schools great, it is for the children, as results continue to decline in our schools.” Throwing money at it is not the answer.
She just can’t tell the truth, ever.
Ok look at her picture…. look at it again …. send out the
BAT SIGNAL quick !!!! I found the JOKER.
Be careful Batman she will find your bat cave and tax you into submission….. to be continued …..
That’s always your go-to, isn’t it? Insult the person’s appearance, especially if they’re a woman. Why don’t you post a picture of yourself? Bet you’re pretty hard to look at.
Whoever that anonymous is, he is probably, as you say, not much to look at. He also thinks he is clever which is another of his delusions.