Opinion : Representative Pettengill answers

Dear Editor,

Normally, I do not respond to her hateful letters, but Rosemary Schwartz consistently attributes her world view as mine and it is just not so.

Rosemary's letter to you says, "I stated that they were talking to the wrong person because Pettengill's actions and voting record speak otherwise. However, to my surprise, she told the AFSME union member that indeed she does support unions." She didn't say my actions or voting record spoke anything. And I did not use the word "support".

In order to set the record straight, on Saturday evening I approached the picketers to see what their concern was. When one of picketers showed me their sign regarding jobs for union members. Rosemary said they were talking to the wrong person because I was "against" unions. I said I am not against unions. And I am definitely not. I said, I am against any side having an unfair advantage and I definitely am. For the public record, Republicans are not against unions either. No one will be aghast at what I said. Its comical what she attributes Republicans to be, when nothing could be further from the truth. What we ARE AGAINST is a stacked deck.

It's very important to the Democrat Party to keep people believing they are for the 'little guy'. However, their goal is to keep people entitled and enslaved. That's their voter base after all. When I say Democrat Party, I do not mean Democrats. I was a Democrat for all those years being FOR the 'little guy'. I am one! Empowering people to be successful and giving them the tools to rise out of whatever their situation is, is what I'm about. It is also what the Republicans are about.

A perfect example is the gender balanced board bill that was passed by Democrats several years ago. I am dead set against a board requirement of half men and half women. That doesn't mean I'm against women or men. I'm against someone unqualified to be on a board. During debate, any woman who stood in the way of that gender balance mandate was villified as being against women. What?! I stood up on the floor and said if there is a problem, I will have conferences giving women leadership skills and give them the confidence they needed to step out and do it. At all three conferences, the legislators were invited as soon as we had the dates set. I also sent a personal invitation to Rosemary, knowing that was an area she held dear. While many lady Republican legislators came, only one Democrat woman legislator showed up, Representative Berry, who is a dear friend of mine. Rosemary did not come either. Why if they really care about women, would they not come and support the 250 women who attended wanting to build their skills? Why? Because they count on women being downtrodden and needing to turn to the Democrats to save them and mandate they have a place in the world. Republican women say you have a place in the world, take it.

I represent everyone in this district, whether affiliated with me politically or not. I care about your success, your challenges and will help you if I can. Many people come to me for help. Some I can and some it is out of my hands, but I always try. And if I can't help, the person or business knows I'm in their corner if they want to do the right thing. It isn't about politics. They do not have to agree with me in order to get my help. In fact, I don't even care if they live in my district or vote.

My job is service, listening to all sides and looking for a solution. Sometimes, like in this case, Ms. Schwartz thinks I have made a judgement against unions because of the fair share bill in 2007. I'm not a judge, but a problem solver. The solutions may not be what one side likes, but my solutions always fall on the side of your divine right to rise or fail based on your own energies -- be it a person, union or business. And no side in a bargaining situation should have an unfair advantage.

There were two women picketing with Rosemary on Saturday night, AFSCME workers. Like me, public servants. One I have known for a long time and she knows me. They both come to the Capitol occasionally and seek me out. Neither one of these women are followers. They do the right things with their lives. One of them is a wonderful foster mother and we talk about the challenges with that system. She has given her life to children and I respect her input on our foster care system and have tried to make inroads there. The other has given her life to righting wrongs. So have I. All three of us have mutual respect for each other. When Rosemary said I don't care about unions on Saturday, they came to my defense. They know I care about their lives, as women. And I do. Considering that letter, there was no right move for anyone going in to the dinner. But if I had went in without speaking to the women I knew just because they were holding a sign, it would have been wrong.

Not a single Republican will be upset with my comments to those women. Because all of us are for fairness, not a stacked deck. And we know each organization, business or union are made up of people. To have a big hate on for unions OR businesses is ridiculous. Both have good players and bad and their own functions. One gives you a good job and one quality work.

Finally, Republicans absolutely DO wrap themselves in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. We are proud to do so. Somebody has to!

Thank you Ms. Schwartz for allowing me the opportunity to clarify my position and the Republican Party position. Hate mongering serves
none of us. You may rest easy that although our world views will never match up and you will never vote for me, I am here if you need my help and stand ready.

Respectfully your servant.

Dawn Pettengill
State Representative
Iowa House District 39
"proudly serving Benton and Northern Iowa Counties"