Iowa voters may get a 'pig in a poke'

What Joni Ernst's handlers have her read to us in her ads — that she has Iowa values (which ones?), loves her parents (like most of us), and is for education and supports Social Security (who doesn't?). This doesn't include any specific details.

We can find some specific details in her record on certain key votes as an Iowa senator. In the 2014 session she voted against a higher education budget (Senate File 2347) and against increasing school funding (S.F. 2079). She had voted against a higher education budget in 2013, too (House File 604); and against a tax credit for farmers who donate to food banks (S.F. 439); and against the 2013 economic development budget (S.F. 430).

In 2012 she opposed certain education law amendments (S.F. 2264 and 2284). She did, however, approve of requiring DNA samples from people convicted of certain misdemeanors (S.F. 2304) and of keeping people from getting jobs at agriculture facilities (read "concentrated animal feeding operations,"or CAFOs) under false pretenses (H.F. 589).

In 2011 she voted "nay" on the House-Senate conference report on appropriations for health and human services (H.F. 649); and on a bill to provide low-interest loans for small businesses (S.F. 301).

The devil is in the details. If you elect somebody to the U. S. Senate because she says she knows how to castrate a pig, you have bought a pig in a poke.

— Harland Nelson, Decorah