By Joe Bolkcom, Iowa City

For the past eight years Iowa taxpayers have been victims of a massive Ponzi scheme. One where we have paid our hard-earned taxes for things we never received!

Instead of investing our money in priorities to make Iowans stronger and more prosperous, Governor Reynolds and our Republican legislature have hoarded our tax dollars into a colossal $5.5 billion surplus to redistribute to their favorite fat cat donors and special interest pals.

In a normal, functioning democracy, citizens expect their taxes will be spent to make their lives better. In Iowa, that should include adequately funding our local public schools; more inspectors to make sure our nursing homes are safe for seniors; better maintained state parks; more mental health, alcohol and drug treatment in all 99 counties; affordable colleges and universities; safer roads and prisons; improved maternal health; and serious efforts to clean up our polluted lakes and rivers.

Unfortunately, Republican politicians are starving theses priorities. Instead, they are giving us worn out free market talking points and the redistribution of our precious tax dollars to Iowa’s richest people and corporations.

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