Iowa is in a state of crisis. This is a crisis that was not generated by natural disaster or calamity. The crisis that we continue to suffer through was and is completely manmade. This crisis is by no means environmental in nature. We are not at the mercy of some sick and twisted serial killer. The crisis we find our state in is one of a political nature, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. Right now the State of Iowa is afflicted by a severe lack of leadership. From Iowa’s declining revenues to our leader’s failure to fulfill their promises, the leadership in state government is virtually non-existent. While there are some bright spots among our officials in the General Assembly, the leadership of Iowa government has failed to fulfill their duties and obligations of their positions. The Democratic majority controlling the Iowa government has failed at all levels of state government. And as state revenue continues its decline the Democrats have failed to respond adequately and accurately to stem the bleeding budget.

In the face of tough economic times one would assume that ensuring that Iowa’s declining revenue be spent in a responsible fashion. For this the Iowa General Assembly operates a Government Oversight Committee whose job it is too review government spending to ensure that the state is getting the best bang for the buck. This committee under normal circumstances would meet approximately twice per month on consecutive days. Now, however, according to sources among the General Assembly the Democrats are curtailing this committee’s vital function. Apparently it had been announced in their last meeting that the schedule was being changed due to the economic troubles that plague the state government. It would seem that the Democrats are cutting one day per month from the committee leaving the committee members just one day to review their materials and discuss options. The only result that can come from this action is less accountability in state government and more wasteful spending.

Beyond this reduction I decided to check the Iowa General Assembly website where I learned that the Government Oversight committee will not meet again until September. This will leave the state with three months in which there will be virtually no oversight of government spending. For three months the Democrats will have full control of the state’s purse strings with no one to point out budgetary anomalies or wasteful spending that has permeated this Democratic Majority.  Furthermore by weakening the states government oversight can and will ease the proliferation of corruption that the citizen’s of Iowa are disgusted with.

This new turn of events only serves to illustrate the severe lack of leadership that our state suffers from. I must point out that this lack of leadership comes not from one individual or branch of state government, but all of them. Governor Culver has refused to respond reasonably and rapidly to the ever change financial situation the state is in. Instead has offered up gimmick after gimmick in a vain attempt to balance the budget. The Democratic leadership in the General Assembly has failed time and time again to offer any form of leadership. I mean when the Senate majority leader resorts to immature taunting of Iowa residents it is pretty evident that he is not leadership material. These examples of leaders bereft of any kind of leadership skills should cause concern in all Iowa residents. They are supposed to represent their constituents, yet they don’t. Iowa’s problems do not stem from an economic crisis. Iowa’s problems stem from a failure of leadership.