By Matt Schultz
Most recently the writers of the Des Moines Cityview have said that I don’t understand what the Secretary of State does, marginalizing the Secretary of State’s role in business by saying that its only connection is maintaining a database of corporations. Those same writers said that “the Secretary of State has nothing to do with fighting for Iowa jobs…” If the Cityview were actually describing Chet Culver and Michael Mauro, I would agree. When Chet Culver was Secretary of State he did nothing to advocate for business or promote job growth in Iowa and Mauro has followed his lead, practically ignoring his role as an advocate for business.
I’m sure to the surprise of the writers of Cityview, the business role of the Secretary of State is not something I just made up. The current Secretary of State website describes the Secretary of State’s duties to include advocating for business friendly laws. “The office of the Secretary of State is now a service center for businesses in Iowa, the nation and the world and is committed to making sure Iowa remains a gateway for the world by being an advocate for Iowa business and products and making government more business friendly. Each business day the Office receives over 200 telephone calls and emails with business services related questions. In 2008, the Office processed over 175,000 corporate and commercial documents and more than 127,000 UCC filings” (http://www.sos.state.ia.us/office/duties.html).
The truth is I can’t totally fault the Des Moines Cityview for their opinion. It is no wonder that the Cityview does not recognize that the Secretary of State should be an advocate for business when they are looking at the examples of Culver and Mauro over the past 12 years to base their opinions. This year the Secretary of State has proposed legislation for election laws in SF 2196, but Mauro has not proposed any legislation for small business (http://www.senate.iowa.gov/democrats/state-government-week-of-feb-15-2010/). Last year when Iowa’s Right to Work laws were under attack and the Democrats tried to repeal Federal Deductibility the Secretary of State did nothing. The current Secretary of State is not an advocate for business or jobs; instead he tows the line of the Democrats’ attack on business by keeping silent.
Albert Einstein said that “insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” If we want different results then we must look to new leadership, not career politicians looking for retirement jobs or notoriety. It is time that we expect more from our elected leaders, including the Secretary of State. It is time for the next generation who has a vested interest in the future of our children, grandchildren, and our State, to now step up and take the lead. Iowa needs a Secretary of State that understands each of his responsibilities, including advocating for business and jobs. That is why Iowans should elect me, Councilman Matt Schultz, as a “Pro Jobs” Secretary of State, who will stand up and fight for Iowa jobs and fair elections. Visit my website at www.VoteMattSchultz.com to see how you can help.
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