This past weekend, DoubleSpeak was in Iowa, eating pork and enjoying every ear of corn we could get our hands on. As always, we were met by the wonderful hospitality of the Midwest and overwhelmed by the generosity of the good people of Iowa.

Unfortunately, all of this changed at the Des Moines airport on Monday. My brother and I were waiting to board a Northwest Airlines flight to head back to D.C. when something very un-Iowa happened.

When the woman at the terminal gate announced that they would begin pre-boarding anyone who had special needs or who needed extra time boarding, GOP Senator Charles Grassley bolted to the gate door, nearly bulled over innocent children, and proceeded down the jet-way to board the plane while innocent onlookers sat stunned wondering why this person–devoid of any special needs–was able to board before them.

One of the men whose daughter was nearly knocked over by the charging Grassley wanted to know why he was allowed on the plane early and other were not.

Iowan: “Wait, why is he allowed on the plane early and we all have to stand here in line”

Northwest Airlines employee: “He’s a VIP sir”

Iowan: “Show me in the law where it says that VIP’s can board first”

Northwest Airlines employee: “Sir, please calm down, he makes the laws, he is the law”

Mr. Grassley, you have lost touch with reality. You are an elected representative of the people of Iowa. If anything, you should board last–you work for the people! You are an employee, not a boss.

It’s this attitude that simply turns off average Americans. Members of Congress need to know that they are not special. They are not above the rules, the law, or proper etiquette and it is sad that Charles Grassley has lost his humility and his standing as a courteous Iowan.

Oh, and by the way, Northwest Airlines couldn’t tell us where the law was that stated that Senators were privy to special boarding rights. Charles Grassley is truly an out-of-touch asshole.