Congressman Steve King of Iowa—Profile in Integrity

(A Stoos Views Exclusive) What kind of a man would skip his own son’s wedding to cast a vote in the United States Congress? The answer is, a man who cares passionately about the future of the United States, its slippery slide down the path of socialism, and the loss of the precious freedoms that he was blessed with before he became a father and a grandfather. The kind of man who cares deeply about the country that allowed a guy like him to build a successful small business, support his family, and provide jobs for others. The kind of man who, when government would not listen to him, ran for office so people like him--normal, hard working, patriotic citizens who pay their taxes, do not expect a handout from Uncle Sugar, and ask little from government other than to be left alone--would have a voice in government. He is a fighter for the common folks who live decent lives according to the Jeffersonian agrarian values they learned by living in the Midwest--where the center still holds.

---

But if you knew Steve King, United States Congressman from the 5th District of Iowa, or the reason he made the painful decision to miss his own son’s wedding earlier this month, then you would not be surprised at all. And to their own credit, his son, Mick, and Stephanie, his new bride, as well as the whole King family, understood perfectly well--above all, King is a man who cares as passionately for the future of his country as he does for his own family. And he understands better than most of the current occupants of the United States Congress, that family and country are inseparable--for as the fortunes of the country go, so go the fortunes of the King family and every other American family. Steve King missed his son’s wedding in order to attend the debate and vote on the House version of the National Health Care bill (a/k/a, Obama’s Universal Care for Health--O.U.C.H.) which recently passed by a razor thin margin of 220-215. It was the King family’s misfortune that the vote was scheduled by Nancy Pelosi on the date of his son’s wedding; however, the choice for King was clear: he could miss the vote, which was in fact so close that his, or any other, vote may well have been the deciding vote, and enjoy the company of his family; or stand up for freedom and against the encroachment of Big Government into every aspect of our lives and miss being with his loved ones. Had just two Democrats and one Republican voted against the O.U.C.H. bill, the result would have been just exactly the opposite, and the country would have been spared from the impending government takeover of one sixth of the economy--just as it has intruded into the auto industry, the financial industry, and, soon, the airwaves as well. When I asked Congressman King candidly to explain his reasons for missing his boy’s wedding, his response was eloquent and moving:

“I’ve prayed with our troops and their families as they said good-by to those they loved the most and who gave their love “all-in” for God and liberty.  I’ve looked our veterans and families in the eye and thanked them for their sacrifice and embraced those whom I could comfort.  I’ve challenged every American to sacrifice to defend our Constitution and freedom whether in foreign lands or at home. I’ve watched young men and women graduate whose fathers were deployed.  I’ve watched, at the airport gate, when the first soldier off a plane was handed his four month old daughter; pink ribbon in her hair.  I’ve stood and applauded as a rolling standing ovation followed the troops and the new dad who had missed the birth of his daughter.  I’ve met honor flights of WW II Veterans and walked among the stones of Arlington National Cemetery. Anyone who has these images in their mind’s eye cannot consider skipping a vote against a freedom killing bill.  There were no good choices but there could only be one decision and that was to go “all-in” to kill the bill.”   

Congressman King’s stand was important--even if it did not save the day--and in doing so, he displayed the fierce determination to preserve our freedoms that has been the hallmark of his time in Congress. Hailing from a congressional district that is a leader in ethanol production, wind power, and agriculture, King has gained a reputation as an expert on alternative energy and agricultural issues. However, above all, his purpose is to lead the fight in Congress against the government takeover of every aspect of our lives. To his credit, he sees the ominous trend, when others are either blind or do not to care. He is the Left’s worst nightmare, and you can be sure that the Left will vigorously oppose him whenever he runs for office the next time. He is just that good and that effective. While we are sorry he missed his son’s wedding, we are proud of him for doing so. And, none of us who know him are surprised. Unlike many in Congress, Steve King understands one central and ominous truth above all: those precious freedoms that this country has enjoyed for over two centuries, bought by the sweat, toil, and blood of generations long passed, are disappearing in our time. And future generations of Kings may not live to see the freedoms for which Steve King is tirelessly fighting.