My party left me

Dear Editor,
My D-day survivor father supported Eisenhower. I remember my childhood “I like Ike” campaign button and for years we identified with the GOP.
This is the 1956 Republican Platform:
• Provide federal assistance to low-income communities
• Protect Social Security
• Provide asylum for refugees
• Extend minimum wage
• Improve the employment benefit
• Strengthen labor laws
• Assure equal pay for equal work regardless of sex
Reading this, I see why I struggled with politics in recent years. My views and values had not changed. My party left me. My values are my guide, not today’s GOP. I’ve always been proud to call Iowa home. We have such a rich history defending human rights.
 After attending town halls, I see my values better align with democratic candidates:
• Education (helping individuals reach their highest potential)
• Care for the sick by searching for solutions in health care
• Responsible behaviors to the “least of these”
• Being good stewards of the earth
• Freedom of speech and press
• Responsible spending. (The deficit has spiked, 21 percent above what it was in 2017. Why have so many voices gone silent?)
 I challenge everyone to examine their values. Who are YOU and what do YOU stand for?
Anne Bakke
Forest City