The Wall Street Journal-20080114-More Athens than Iowa
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More Athens than Iowa
Michael Judge, in his op-ed "Ignore Iowa" (Jan. 3), seems to think the caucus system as practiced in Iowa is silly and outdated. My personal experience from participating in those caucuses was quite different. It is not the low-effort democracy of pushing a button to elect your representative, but the participatory democracy reminiscent of the Athenian assembly. You gather with neighboring citizens and together struggle to improve your country. It is not often today that men and women stand up, tell who they are, and what they stand for. It is not often that people engage in serious political debate face to face. It is not often that they see their own motions carry the floor. The caucus is the time when all of these things happen. The presidential candidate is selected first and that is what most people come for. However, next is the creation of planks to be sent to the county, state and national conventions for inclusion in the official party platform and this is where the real action is.
I heard passionate debate from both sides on immigration reform, overwhelming support for making the estate tax reductions permanent and strong condemnation of any form of national ID or gun control. It may have been in an elementary school rather than near the Agora of Athens, but the spirit has carried down.
Brian Hayes
Iowa City, Iowa
