Noah Gratias is a seventh generation Iowan from Waukee. 

In April 1903, on the steps of Iowa’s state capitol building, President Teddy Roosevelt said, “I am glad to say that Iowa can teach rather than learn the lesson of good citizenship.” More than a century later, Iowans are still known for their decency and civic virtue.

Yet many would agree that “Iowa Nice” has been strained by the toxicity of national politics. As the 2026 elections draw closer, Iowans have an opportunity to radiate some of the healing our country desperately needs. 

Noah Gratias is an Iowa State alum from Waukee.

Whether in political debates, Bleeding Heartland essays, or everyday conversations, the idea that Iowa is in decline is frequently invoked. Many Iowans worry about brain drain, water quality, health care access, and the job market.

Still, Iowa is better off than much of this rhetoric suggests. By many measures that count, including affordability, education, and health care, Iowa remains one of the country’s best places to live.

Noah Gratias is a seventh generation Iowan from Waukee.

As the United States approaches its 250th birthday, the distance between the founding ideals and modern realities often feels vast. The language of the founders is frequently invoked, yet sometimes it feels distant or abstract. In Iowa, however, one phrase has endured with clarity since the state’s founding: our state motto.

Things designed by committee are rarely remembered for their foresight. Yet a committee of three Iowa state senators selected a creed in 1847 that still inspires 180 years on: “Our liberties we prize, our rights we will maintain.” It strikes at the core of why our union was founded: for the love of liberty and the protection of inalienable rights. Folks across the political spectrum have invoked the motto since its adoption, because it captures the core principles of our country and its people.

Noah Gratias is a Navy Intelligence Officer and Iowa State University alum. The views expressed are his own and do not reflect the official policy or position of the U.S. Navy or the U.S. Government. He can be reached at noahgratias@gmail.com.

The past few months have demonstrated once again that many soybean producers cannot survive without access to firms owned and operated by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). U.S. leaders should treat this vulnerability as a national security challenge, not a minor trade war glitch. There is danger in treating every economic dispute as a security issue, but this situation demands urgent attention. In practical terms, Beijing can bludgeon the Midwest any time Washington crosses the CCP.

Beijing understands this leverage and has built policy around it. “Grain security” is a CCP priority, and Chinese leaders have made it clear they are working to slash U.S. food imports. Investments in South America, combined with state-managed soybean reserves, have further enhanced Beijing’s advantage.