Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks on Service, Freedom and Fighting for Iowa Families

Mariannette Miller-Meeks (0:00)

And when you serve this country and you have the opportunity to go to other countries and see how people live, see what opportunities are available for them, you just know that the freedoms we have here, our constitutional liberties, our rule of law, the opportunities that avail themselves to us, not just to succeed, but to fail, and then get back up and try again, that that doesn't exist in other places. And it is so important, and it is so critical to who we are as a nation, and one of the few remaining nations, that shining city on a hill, that beacon of light, that I think it's so important for us to maintain them, and to work for them and preserve them. And so to me, I feel that my life's service helps to make me even more passionate about making sure that your children, and our grandchildren, and the next generation have those same opportunities and liberties that we have.

SPEAKER_2 (1:00)

Americans are capable of achieving extraordinary things when they have the freedom and opportunity to do so. This is American Potential.

David From (1:14)

Hey everyone and welcome to the American Potential Podcast. I'm your host, David From. So we are here in Iowa, in the heartland, at the heart of our nation celebration, celebrating America's 250th birthday. We've been doing it with Americans for Prosperity all across the country. And it's so great to be here in Iowa.

And we're joined by a great Iowa leader, by Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks. She's been serving in Congress, as a veteran in the armed forces, brings that experience to Capitol Hill, and to fight for Iowans every day. So, Congresswoman, thank you for joining us.

Mariannette Miller-Meeks (1:49)

It's delightful to be with you and just had a great event here in Iowa. So we're delighted that you're here.

David From (1:55)

Thanks, yeah, it's always fun.

You might not know this, I live in Illinois, so it's a treat to come to Iowa. We drove in and I felt freer and had more money in my pocket just driving in.

Mariannette Miller-Meeks (2:05)

You absolutely did, so gas is cheaper, and crime is less, and you have more of your constitutional liberties here in Iowa than you do across the river in Illinois.

David From (2:15)

You're unfortunately very correct. So, tell me about, are you a lifelong Iowan?

Mariannette Miller-Meeks (2:23)

No, I moved to Iowa from San Antonio, Texas. So, almost 40 years ago, I traveled around the country with my dad who was enlisted in the Air Force and then I was in the army when I enlisted at 18

So, had mostly lived in Texas, although traveled around throughout the United States, but came to Iowa to do my residency in ophthalmology. We loved it. We loved it and stayed.

David From (2:44)

So, what makes you love Iowa?

Mariannette Miller-Meeks (2:48)

I think mostly the people. I mean, the people are just great. There really is such a thing as Iowa nice.

But we enjoyed, we liked having four seasons coming from San Antonio, Texas. Now, I hate winter, but at my age. But it was just a great place to raise a family. So, play, work, live and raise a family.

David From (3:09)

Yeah.

I think it has a mystique about it a little bit. It's such the quintessential Heartland state. I think the field of dreams and all that, it just kind of. I know.

Mariannette Miller-Meeks (3:20)

And one of the cities in my district just won in their way to the National Little League Championship. So, yep, they just won their division. So, I think it was so that's Davenport. So, we're really happy to see them go. So, since you mentioned field of dreams, but, you know, field of dreams. Then you have Grant Wood, the University of Iowa, the great Hawkeyes.

But, no, it's a wonderful place to live, beautiful topography here on the eastern part of the state. But just really enjoyed being here and honored to be able to represent the people of the first district of Iowa.

David From (3:59)

Well, what made you want to run for office in the first place? I mean, so you served in the state house and now you've been serving a few terms in Congress. What made you want to represent the people of Iowa?

Mariannette Miller-Meeks (4:10)

Well, it was kind of a crazy notion because I had no political background at all, but it was healthcare. I was afraid that Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama were going to usher in a single-payer healthcare system. And as both volunteering as like Candy Striper, then volunteering in mental health institutes and nursing homes, being a student nurse, being a nurse, and then being a doctor both in the military and outside the military, I don't want a single-payer healthcare system. I know that it rations care and you don't get as good a care.