When Kevin McCarthy, the Democratic Majority Leader in the Iowa House of Representatives, recently said that Voter Owned Iowa Clean Elections (VOICE) legislation was “flat-out bad,” the people of Iowa had something to say – “you’re flat-out wrong.” The citizens of Iowa have promptly responded to this unjust criticism, with op-eds and editorials popping up across the state in support of VOICE and public financing.Ed Fallon, a former Iowa State Representative who ran for Governor this past year, recently wrote a guest column in the Des Moines Register lambasting the present electoral process."Face it. What we call "elections" have become auctions…We don't want to believe our elected officials can be bought. But as someone who served for 14 years in the Iowa House, I say with confidence that what big money wants, big money usually gets. Rank-and-file lawmakers may be well-intentioned but often are strong-armed by legislative leaders beholden to corporate donors and special interests. As a result, the most pressing challenges of our time - climate change, budgetary reform, health care, farm policy, to name a few - see practically no progress year after year."Editorial boards have also jumped into the debate. The Telegraph Herald in Dubuque believes that now is time to seriously consider bringing public financing to Iowa."…publicly financed elections is an idea whose time has come. Statehouse and Iowa Senate races are seeing fewer candidates and more money raised in each election cycle. In a survey of Iowans who donate to elections, nearly nine out of 10 believe there is too much money in the political process…VOICE legislation provides a real opportunity to reduce the influence of big money on our elections. It would give more people -- even those without money or power -- an opportunity to run for public office."The resounding support for public financing is heartening. Iowa citizens have taken the time out of their busy schedules to voice their support for this measure by submitting op-eds, which have been featured in the Des Moines Register, and can be found here and here. It is clear that the people of Iowa are sick big money and the pay-to-play system and ready to see some real change. To find out how you too can get involved, please visit www.IowaCCI.org.