Listen to Iowans

Re “In Iowa cornfields, a left-tilting tradition,” Dec. 30

The Times brings to light, at long last, the rich history of Iowa’s progressive politics. Too often it goes unnoticed or overlooked by the modern progressive movement that much of my native state was established by a strong lot of liberal-leaning Norwegian, German and Irish settlers. Each group came with a sense not only of hard work but the value of human dignity and a healthy respect for a need to maintain our role as our brother’s keeper in both times of hardship and riches. Although I don’t consider myself a very religious person these days, I often find inspiration from the likes of Martin Luther and his teachings on the need for reforms.

Rather than scoff at its outsized role in our political process, maybe it’s time to give Iowans their rightful due and begin to pay more attention to such states, where reformists and progressives still look to one another to find common ground in the name of change.

Robert A. Boleyn

West Hollywood