As I See It
Sen. Ernst strolls cemetery, likens Jesus to the Tooth Fairy — alienating those worried about healthcare
Last week, U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst held a town hall in her home state of Iowa, where things got heated over cuts to Medicaid.
At one point, someone in the crowd yelled, “People are going to die.”
Ernst responded, “Well, we all are going to die. For heaven’s sakes.”
To her credit, the senator showed up in person. What followed, though, erased any goodwill and revealed just how insensitive — and unimaginative — she really is.
This is not the best Iowa has to offer.
Instead of apologizing the next day for the flippant remark, Ernst doubled down. She recorded herself strolling through a cemetery, sarcastically explaining that she assumed people knew everyone dies.
The Republican added that she was glad she didn’t have to bring up the Tooth Fairy — then closed by saying that people should accept Jesus if they want eternal life.
Again, she did this sarcastically in a cemetery.
All she had to do was admit she misspoke in the heat of the moment.
Instead, she mocked people’s concerns and dishonored every family with loved ones resting in that cemetery.
And beyond that disrespect — beyond the condescending tone toward people rightly worried about their health care — Ernst tried to be clever. She brought up one mythical figure who sneaks off with your teeth, followed by another who offers eternal life. Ironically blurring the line between satire and sacrilege — and lumping the Tooth Fairy and Jesus into the same category of make-believe.
As I see it, I’m Rick Solem.
Sarge
June 4, 2025 at 6:02 am
Well Rick you’ve done it now. In your attempt to chastise Senator Ernst for her frustration with her constituents over misinformation the democrat party is putting out there about the new budget bill, you suggest that Jesus Christ is a mythical being. Although you may disagree with the hundreds of millions that believe in the Godhood of Jesus to suggest he is mythical is ludicrous. Jesus, without a doubt walked this earth and had more of an impact on it than any other person that ever existed. For once Rick, get your facts straight.
Bob N.
June 4, 2025 at 6:27 am
Solem,
I’d be careful criticizing Joni Earnst-
She campaigned in Iowa the first time by saying she knows how to castrate pigs.
Kevin
June 4, 2025 at 7:22 am
Hmmm –
I think you mis-interpreted what she said. She said she was glad she didn’t have to bring up the tooth fairy and thus did not have to remind everyone that the tooth fairy was indeed mythological. She brought up Jesus, not to lump Jesus into the mythological trash heap with the tooth fairy, thus destroying, publicly the myth of the tooth fairy to children and progressives. She brought of Jesus to remind folks that if they want eternal life, they should find Jesus. As promised in scripture, Jesus does grant eternal life to the folks put their faith in him. By faith, through grace.
I think what you did is called transference, you transferred your beliefs onto Ernst so that you could once again spread progressive disinformation. That Medicaid cuts were going to kill people, which is a ploy of the democrat party, always threaten them with death through lack of government support.
I think the cuts coming to Medicaid have been a long time coming, particularly in light of the broadening of the scope of these benefits to the point that you can see through the fabric like a worn-out t-shirt.
Folks have a right to be alarmed, that our government has been shipping hundreds of thousands of people (even millions) into the country, providing them benefits that citizens have pay for with tax money. To do this our whiz bang government prints money the way pedophiles hand out candy to children, thus cheapening the dollar and reducing the purchasing power and the real wage. Folks have a right to be concerned that their benefits will be so tightly wound with the fraud and waste that they get cut in a budget ‘right sizing’
Quit sowing death, fear and hatred. Work at being a problem solver!
walden
June 4, 2025 at 8:43 am
Ernst was explaining 1.4 million illegals are sapping Medicaid of resources when she was interrupted. She likened the Lefists triggered and in denial of her facts as believers in the Tooth Fairy.
In the second video Ernst ended by asking that people follow our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The joke is on Solem; what a dumb ass. Is this ‘the best WIZM has to offer’?
Dylan
June 4, 2025 at 9:48 am
It’s hilarious to me that she’s toeing the line of tooth fairy and religion as a Christian herself. God isn’t real and the Earth isn’t 6,000 years old. It’s impossible to recognize any modern science and believe what is said in the bible at the same time. I guess all those Homo-Sapien bones from >10,000 years ago were just Monkeys!
Good thing all it will take is time for religion to die in this country. Younger generations want nothing to do with it unless they’ve been brainwashed by their family.
Many Christians are the perfect example of do as I say, not as I do. Give my tax dollars to the poor and needy – ABSOLUTELY NOT. Where in the bible does it talk about adultery, maybe our president could use a refresher?
walden
June 4, 2025 at 3:21 pm
Dylan, you seem not informed of incomplete “science” and questioning of Chrisianity. Not sure where you look for guidance and answers.
Your questioning is common fare and has been the subject of innumerable sermons and homilies. There is an interesting Tucker Carlson podcast (last week I believe) that has a long form interview with Bishop Barron of Winona/Rochester. It’s interesting and you might find it helpful; the Bishop admits he doesn’t have all the answers…but he has faith.
Libertarian guy
June 4, 2025 at 5:39 pm
Dylan, you have made a common error in thinking made often by secular society. Christians believe we are stewards of the earth and of human kind. With respect to money, we believe it’s not our money but God’s money and we are to be faithful stewards of it. As Christians we are taught to give a portion of our gifts (from God) joyfully and voluntarily to others. That is what we are doing when we tithe and when we give to others (sometimes anonymously) a portion of our time, our talent, and our treasure. Conservative Christians do not advocate for government to confiscate money from taxpayers because taxation is legalized theft. You will find admonition against theft within the 10 Commandments. Tax dollars obtained via coercion under threat of fines and imprisonment by government is not a Christian principal. When the the government redistributes money as government sees fit instead of how Christians prayerfully see fit, it is not a Christian principal. It is especially appalling when government takes from others and redistributes it for non-Christian purposes such as in the case of abortion. Christians, like all humans, are imperfect. Like you, we all for short and we all make mistakes. For example, I see well-meaning Christians advocating tax-and-spend policies because they mistakenly think having the government do the taking and the giving for them is right. It’s not. It is sad that you believe younger generations want nothing to do with faith, but I think that impression comes from the choice of peer group you associate with. The absence of faith and the absence of knowledge provided by God through Jesus’ teaching is a big reason for the problems we face as a society. Admonitions against adultery appear several places in the Bible, but most know it appears in the 10 Commandments. I will assume your question was rhetorical for the purpose of your segue into a criticism of Pres. Trump. Nice try though. All political figures are human and fall short. As a Libertarian there are many things I dislike about Donald Trump just as there are many things I dislike about other politicians on both sides of the aisle so to speak. That is why it is so important for people to stop giving away freedom by turning decisions over to the government. That is why many are turning away from the major parties to become Independents or Libertarians. Your effort to criticize Pres. Trump on the basis of adultery is probably a well-meaning Democrat thing to do, but it is inappropriate to selectively ignore the adultery of Bill Clinton. Perhaps try turning your apparent hate into love. You will find these ideas at any local Christian church.
John
June 7, 2025 at 7:11 am
Dylan,
I believe you’re wrong on the Bible teachings and young people are coming back to the faith for guidance and truth. You and your friends might not want it but many do. Especially young men. Your thought on the Bible being brainwash is society telling you this and many others that want destruction and chaos for their own gains. Take a look back at family structure alone. More divorce now than any other moment in time n the United States. More single parent house holds, more out of wed lock births. More people on welfare. I would say be careful what you wish for. We all could use more faith in our lives.
By the way I’m 40 and found God at 30 and have 4 beautiful children and a loving wife all giving to me by God. I am truly blessed, thankful and still a sinner.