Editorial - An Open Letter to Chet Culver.

Chet Culver is the Governor of IOWA. As such he has a responsibility to the people of Iowa. Sure part of that responsibility is to represent Iowa in foreign places (such as Washington D.C.) But, quite frankly, we have Senators and Representatives to do that. And yes, he is entitled to take a vacation. Just as I was as a teacher (only it was called "summer lay-off") but not when school was in session or I would get docked.

As the Governor he is the chief legislative officer. All Bills must pass through his office. So it seems to me that he has a responsibility when the Legislation is in session to be physically present. Not off representing Iowa or on a "vacation" in Florida - No matter how rough the Winter is - The rest of us were here (unless we were retired "snowbirds") - Well he was gone and while he was gone a piece of legislation got passed that he didn't like because he didn't have enough "discussion" or input about it. Governor Culver, if you had been here you could have discussed it to your heart's content. You could have had the input you desired and you could have helped make it a more palatable bill - at least from your standpoint. Then perhaps you would have signed it rather than vetoing a bill which would have helped level the playing field for Iowa's overworked and under paid teachers.

Weren't you a teacher once? Did you not suffer the same frustrations that I suffered for 38 years when the school board told us that "those items aren't mandatory we aren't going to discuss them?" Don't you remember when we didn't even have a collective bargaining bill which at least allowed us to discuss a limited few things and gave us some opportunity for economic improvement?

This state has a very poor track record for the way it has treated it teachers under Republican administrations and legislatures. Now aren't you a Democrat? Aren't you supposed to be on the side of educators - most Democrats are. Why weren't you here when this was going on? Your excuses sound hollow. Aren't you a Democrat? Your actions sure don't seem as if you are. You owe every teacher in this state a heartfelt apology for not being here when this was going on! You are acting like a petulant little schoolboy who says "if you won't play by my rules - I'll get even with you."

Come on Governor. Aren't you a Democrat? Act like one!