Glimmers of Hope at the Iowa Caucus

Last Tuesday evening, January 3, I attended my precinct caucus in Ames, IA.  I had earlier volunteered to attend a Republican caucus site, representing a newly-formed Bread for the World group, located at Bethesda Lutheran Church, Ames, Iowa.  Other members of the eight-person Bread group attended the Democratic caucus in Ames. All of us agreed to present our concerns about forming a "circle of protection" around food programs that meet the essential needs of poor people at home and abroad. 

There were 100 people in attendance at the caucus I attended:  Ward 2, Precinct 3. I was able to present the circle of protection resolutions to the group.  Our group's request pertaining to a circle of protection was approved by a strong margin and will be submitted to the County Republican Convention for approval at the "next level" and possible amendments.

I came away energized by the caucus system and quite aware that though the gap between Democrats and Republicans is wide indeed, on the question of providing support for a circle of protection, there was agreement at the caucus I attended.  Though I do not know to what extent the majority of the people who voted for the hunger resolution would also agree on "specifics" related to a "circle of protection," the desire to end hunger was, in my opinion, the hopeful sign that human beings can rally around.

Rev. Russell Melby is a regional director for Church World Service in Des Moines, IA and has been a member of Bread for the World since 1980.