Stockholm Syndrome is a psychological response where victims bond with their captors. This is perhaps one of the most dangerous delusions a person or a society could fall into, as it not only perpetuates the harm done to the victim, but it turns the victim into the greatest ally of the perpetrator. This is dangerous, destructive, and prolongs destruction to ensure the maximum harm is done.
I believe this is exactly the delusion conservative Republicans are facing in Iowa. In Iowa, we have a supermajority in the legislature, we have an all-Republican-appointed Supreme Court, and of course, we have the crown jewel herself in Governor Reynolds.
But what has all of this gotten us? More funding for the Marxist machine (check), keep homosexual marriage intact (check), make sure abortion is safe, rare-ish, and legal (check), and ensure draconian COVID powers are preserved for future use against us (check).
We, the people of Iowa, are not getting what we voted for—or at least thought we voted for—we are getting the opposite. What Iowa has been saying on the ballot and in their platform for years now is that we want to return to sanity: a place where you cannot murder a baby without being punished, where a family unit starts with a husband and a wife, where the government can’t shut down your church or livelihood because they are afraid of the sniffles. Yet here we are—the state of tort reform and ethanol subsidies—but this time we’re wearing red jerseys.
When I go to a restaurant and order a 16 oz ribeye, I would be quite offended if they brought back a Salisbury steak. But here in Iowa, we are not only not getting offended—we are praising the chef who put the Salisbury steak in the microwave and calling them brilliant.
Don’t believe me? Just take a listen to the praises that are heaped upon our governor. Many say she is the best around—or only behind the man from Florida. The pro-life orgs sing her praise, and don’t get me started on what the legislators say about her. You would think she had achieved sainthood.
I, on the other hand, do not suffer from Stockholm Syndrome. I am old enough to remember that she proclaimed that “same-sex marriage” is settled in 2018. Is it any wonder we haven’t seen any legislation make ground on getting this turned around? For those wondering—she wasn’t saying it was settled in the courts of heaven; she was saying the court in Des Moines is supreme, even over the laws of God.
Perhaps the greatest area this Stockholm Syndrome is seen is in the area of COVID. The voices of Iowa will tell you that our great governor was one of—if not the—best when it came to the dystopian world of 2020. My question has been steady and consistent: do we grade tyranny on a curve? Did she not close down churches for six weeks, clearly violating the Bill of Rights? Were businesses not shut down?
Do we give a governor a pass because crisis struck, or do we maintain that we elect leaders because we know crisis will strike—and they must uphold the law in the midst of crisis?
The praise heaped upon the governor who lost herself to the tyrant is a wound only further deepened when you realize that legislators like Sen. Salmon and Rep. Dieken have brought forth legislation begging to reform the emergency powers so we will not be placed under the weight of a tyrant again. They offer real change — not borrowed robes, but rightful garments: authority that fits because it was forged in principle.
With Republican leadership like this, who needs Democrats?
Abortion is another level altogether. I have lost count of how many times Governor Reynolds’ office has put forth bills to make abortifacient (it murders the baby) birth control available over the counter. This goes beyond regulating abortion—she has actively pushed to expand it in our state.
The response has been nothing short of Stockholm horrors, as she is lauded, applauded, and asked to speak at pro-life events.
Clearly, the praise our governor receives is nothing more than borrowed robes— the costume of a righteous ruler worn by one who will not govern in truth. The first step to solving a problem is admitting you have a problem—and in Iowa, we have a problem. The problem isn’t the Democrats though. Frankly, they can do nothing. We have a Republican problem—not a quantity issue, but a quality issue.
It is time we, as voters in Iowa, take care of our problems and admit that our conservative values have been taken captive by the very Republicans we have elected. We must lay aside the urge to vote for the Republican with the pretty face, and it is time we vote for the Republican with upstanding character. We need to vote for people who are able to do the job, who fear God, are lovers of truth, and of course, cannot be bribed by the lobby.
We have a choice in Iowa: we can choose to demand righteousness from our elected officials, or we can get more tort reform and ethanol bills. I know what I will choose—because I suffer not from Stockholm Syndrome.
Author: Sam Jones
Pastor Sam Jones currently serves as Senior Pastor of Abundant Life Christian Fellowship in Humboldt, IA. He married the love of his life Sarah in 2013; they have two sons Thomas and Henry. He is most known for his teachings on the 4 spheres of delegated government and being a voice for the pre-born. In addition to his Pastoring schedule, Pastor Sam is an avid podcaster and has been known to dabble in radio as well. His political commentary has appeared in dozens of news outlets across the country including: The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, USA Today, and The Iowa Standard. Pastor Sam is the author of 5 Steps to Kill a Nation. He is also a co-author of Social Injustice, Church and State, and Enemies Within the Church Bible Study.
Don’t forget that the farmers have to fight for the rights to their own property from eminent domain.
It’s so bad I don’t vote anymore. Shame on them.