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Washington Report, January/February 2006, pages 71-72 Waging Peace STAR*PAC Hosts King Challenger Joyce Schulte
BLOWING snow, temperature in the single digits, and a sub-zero wind chill did not discourage the standing-room-only crowd that showed up when STAR*PAC—Stop The Arms Race Political Action Committee—hosted Democratic congressional hopeful Joyce Schulte at an informational meeting in Des Moines, Iowa on Dec. 5. “What we hope to have happen in these sessions is not only to share some of our concerns, but listen to the candidates,” STAR*PAC national chairperson Chuck Day told the audience. “The candidates know the district they’re in, and they know what has to happen,” he added, noting that the organization was not ready to endorse a candidate but would do so later. Schulte, an educator, college counselor and mother of two, intends to challenge outspoken second-term Republican Rep. Steve King for western Iowa’s 5th Congressional District seat. King has gained a great deal of attention—some say notoriety—by speaking publicly against diversity. He also has sponsored controversial resolutions and amendments that would direct the House speaker to provide for the display of the Ten Commandments in the chamber of the House of Representatives, declare English the official language of the United States, abolish the 16th Amendment to the Constitution (which authorizes the federal income tax), and reduce funding for salaries and expenses for the U.S. Supreme Court. On June 17, King introduced an amendment to place limits on U.S. contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. The amendment to H.R. 2745 was agreed to by a voice vote. King’s Web site says his “amendment would limit the U.S. contribution to UNRWA to no more than the next highest paying Arab nation, not exceeding 22 percent of the overall UNRWA budget. When she ran against King in 2004, Schulte garnered 37 percent of the vote to King’s 63 percent. It was considered a good showing in the heavily conservative district in a state—one of only five—that has never sent a woman to Congress. “Sometimes you have to run twice to win once,” Schulte told her Des Moines audience. Schulte responded to questions that focused almost exclusively on the Iraq war, leaving no doubt as to which issue is of greatest importance to STAR*PAC members and supporters. “I think we need a change in Washington,” said Schulte. “I think we need a change of thinking in Congress.” Expressing doubts about the Bush administration’s plan to spread democracy throughout the Middle East, Schulte said she would not support a capricious withdrawal of U.S. troops, but could support a withdrawal that was honorable. She did not necessarily agree with calls to set a specific date for withdrawal, she added. “There are a lot of people against this war, the way it’s being handled, the huge expenses that are going for what appears to be little accomplishment,” said Schulte in response to a question about public opinion in western Iowa. STAR*PAC—founded in 1980 and dedicated to political action against weapons proliferation (then referred to as the arms race)—is a statewide grassroots peace organization in Iowa, with members in other states as well. —Michael Gillespie |
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