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The Gazette Opinion StaffOpinion Page Editor, The Gazette |
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Iowa is not representative of the United States
Mr. Bloom:
I’ve read your inflammatory piece in The Atlantic and have determined that you know not of what you speak.
You are right. We are not representative of the entire United States. In fact, we have two of the lowest unemployment rates in U.S. metropolitan areas (BLS.gov). According to the CQ Press, Iowa is in the bottom 20 percent of states for crime. We have one of the lowest foreclosure rates in the nation (MBAA.org). We produce 19 percent of the nation’s corn, 17 percent of the soybeans, 30 percent of the hogs, and 14 percent of the eggs (USDA.gov). We also are a top 10 leader in renewable energy (eia.gov). The latest data from the NCES shows that Iowa schools rank higher than the national average in every area. Further, we have almost five times the number of libraries than the national average.
Surely, our love of casseroles has made us unhealthy and prone to early death. The Harvard School of Public Health must not have read your opinion piece because they found that Iowa has the 7th highest life expectancy in the nation.
We trust our neighbors, we gather as a community, we educate our children, we have jobs for our residents, we buy homes we can afford and we help feed the nation. You are correct that we may not be representative of the United States, but when presented with the facts, wouldn’t it be nice if we were?
Sarah Woods
North Liberty
Sarah,
You and Mr. Bloom give true meaning to the definition of “Iowa City” – 10 square miles surrounded by reality. Thanks for setting the record straight!
You are just jealous of our lovely community. You’re still welcome any time!
A part of me wishes that discussion of Stephen Bloom would just go away. Another part of me yearns for a more balanced and objective commentary on his controversial article.
Like Stephen Bloom, we moved to Iowa after many years living in other locations. Unlike, Stephen Bloom, we began our lives in rural Michigan which, in many regards, is very similar to Iowa. For us, moving to Iowa had the feel of “returning home”. We were moving back to where “soda” was called “pop” and the evening meal was called “supper” instead of “dinner”.
I don’t agree with many things Stephen Bloom said. Most importantly, I don’t believe that Iowa’s characteristics disqualifies this state from its “first in the nation” role. Further, some of his implications that Iowa is state of hicks are overstated. Some of his “facts” were wrong, but not on the real substantive issues to any substantive degree. Who cares if he does not know that turkeys are hunted with shotguns (not rifles)? To condemn him for that makes the accuser look worse than Mr. Bloom.
As one who has lived elsewhere for many years, I opine that those of us who have lived elsewhere are inclined to see our state differently than those who have never lived elsewhere – not necessarily better or worse – but certainly differently. We have a base of reference that lifelong Iowans do not have.
There was much substance to what he said, despite the fact that he was insensitive and not very diplomatic (by Iowa standards).
The one thing that I have learned from this whole experience is that Iowa is the state of thin skin and a state that resists a hard and serious look at itself. That, in itself, makes Iowa look worse than anything Stephen Bloom said.