Essential Estrogen

You may have read the article in today's Des Moines Register which discussed a roughly $250,000 spending boost for the Iowa Highway Patrol's Executive Protection Unit. The funding increase, according to the article, is to provide salary, benefits, equipment, training, uniforms and cars for two additional troopers.

The additional troopers are needed, said Communications Director Brad Anderson, because of the two young Culver children and "additional security concerns." Gov. Chet Culver and his wife Mari Culver have two children: Clare, age 6, and John, age 4. In addition, Mari continues to work part time for a Des Moines law firm.

While a quarter of a million dollars isn't 'chump change' by any means, it also isn't too much to ask when lives are at stake. Our Governor, his family and our Lieutenant Governor are well worth the investment, regardless of which letter falls behind their names.