Letter to the Editor: Submitted by Ann Hart

To the Editor:

I grew up in the Iowa of long ago. My father, a small farmer, was able to provide all four of his children with a college degree from one of our state universities.
In those “before times” when the wise leaders in Iowa provided nearly 80% of the funding to those schools, tuition was affordable for the masses. Our legislature currently only provides 30.5% of Regent funds. A two- or four-year degree allows for more choices and employment opportunities.

The hypocrisy of today’s Republican party is getting harder to swallow. President Biden’s plan to forgive 169,000 Iowans up to $20,000 of Pell grants, which are only given to those with exceptional financial needs, was deemed by Governor Reynolds as “an insult to working people” who themselves do not have college debt. I would remind Governor Reynolds that in 2019 alone, Iowa farmers received $2.34 billion in federal government subsidies paid by American taxpayers who mostly are not engaged in farming. (Environmental Working Group).

There are more examples of Republicans and Democrats benefiting from federal programs meant to help citizens become more productive and contribute to our local economies. Our own Senator Chuck Grassley, through his family farms, has benefited from $1.74 million in farm subsidies in the last two decades. Must we be reminded again that our Representative Ashley Hinson’s husband had $143,000 of loans forgiven through the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)? How about Jeff Kaufman, head of the Iowa GOP, whose family submitted over $53,000 forgiveness through Federal PPP. (Bleeding Heartland 08/25/2022)

So save me the hypocrisy of calling it a “redistribution of wealth.” We know what you really mean. It’s fine for me but not for thee.

Ann Hart
Waukon