I think I might be the problem. I am old, so old that I am beyond the age where you could call me “boomer.” I am white, I am Democrat, and I live in rural America. In short, by every standard of political diversity, I am utterly unqualified to participate in the Democratic National Committee’s nominating process. In this year’s election cycle, I am as welcome as a pumpkin on the 4th of July.

This is the recent attack on rural America. We should not be playing the important role we do because our state lacks two key components that make up the base of the national Democratic Party. Iowa’s population of African-Americans and Latinx is too small to have a significant impact on candidates running here. We lack diversity!

...Such a step would warm the hearts of every member of the GOP. Such a short-sighted maneuver by the DNC would increase substantially the polarization of the body politic. First, it would be throwing agriculture’s only voice out of a significant role in shaping farm policy and the economic impact that is almost destroying our small towns. Iowa doesn’t speak just for Iowa, but the hog farmer in Missouri, the soybean grower in Texas or the wheat producer in the western states.

But far more important, it is insulting and racist. It is insulting to whites and minorities because it implies these two groups aren’t concerned about anything but immigration and civil rights. Further, it wants us to assume minorities don’t confront the same the challenges that face all Americans. All groups, regardless of ethnicity, religious or racial makeup, struggle with child care, affordable health care, the solvency of Social Security, wage stagnation, and the list goes on. Every problem they have, chances are white America has too. Further, as the old white guy, I do not like being told I am not appalled by the president’s immigration policies, the higher rate of imprisonment of minorities, and the elimination of discrimination protections in all forms....