Iowa Senate Leader Mike Gronstal recently addressed a bill that the Republican leader of the senate asked him to cosponsor with him in order to ban same sex marriage through legislative means.  This denial by Senator Gronstal is one of the best pieces of political theatre I have ever seen and gives me hope for a more progressive future around the country.  Senator Gronstal personifies the changing perceptions of middle America and is one of the main reasons that Iowa now allows marriage for same sex couples. 

When I first saw the news that Iowa had allowed same sex marriage, I was absolutely floored.  The fact that a state in the heartland of America can be so progressive reinforces the effectiveness of Barack Obama’s message throughout the country.  I never thought I would see the day when Iowa would be more progressive than California but this change in my perception of the ideology of middle America gives me hope for the future and promise for better things to come. 

Congratulations Iowa and Senator Gronstal, you are now one of the most progressive states in America and have shown the backbone that epitomizes heartland ideals.