Viewpoints

To the Editor:

In her letter to the editor October 26, Ann Klees extols the wonders of the Inflation Reduction Act passed by the most progressive party in Washington and signed by President Biden.

What is ignored is that the inflation problem was created by the very individual who signed the new bill. What is also ignored is that most economists and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) believe that the bill will do nothing to reduce inflation.

She noted that every senator and representative of “the right wing conservative party” voted against the bill.  Good for them.

The Federal Reserve is in the process of trying to reduce inflation just now and we will probably see more pain as a result of their actions. Most economists believe their actions will push us deeper into a recession.

What Ms. Klees did was prove that she is fully in the whopping number of 32 percent of Iowans who approve of what this president is doing.

To the Editor:

A number of years ago a young couple in Yisrael was required to make a ninety-mile journey across rough and dangerous terrain to obey a directive to register for the census which was periodically required.

It was winter time and the weather is commonly unpredictable, being the rainy season. Snow is very possible with temperatures dropping into the low 30s or lower, with the possibility of freezing rain. Even if not freezing, it would be very cold and high winds were very possible, and all too often, icy conditions would make walking and riding donkeys precarious.

The travel time was two to three weeks in December. The terrain was mountainous, rocky, and if heavy rains occurred fording flooded gullies may not have been possible. Sandy desert areas may have provided their own set of problems.

To the Editor:

Tonight, just a few short days after Halloween, witches, winkies and sundry fanciful characters came together to transport us to the land of Oz. Waukon High’s “The Wizard of Oz” played to a sold out crowd of proud moms, dads and extended family. No trick, just treat.

Molly Peake played the sweet, loving farm girl Dorothy…  because she IS! Her trio of fumbling, yearning, travel companions won our hearts. Scarecrow Dekota Bechtel was a limber wonder. Tinman Ryan Kolsrud shone as a mechanical marvel. Lion Gabriel Goettel delighted the crowd with his fearful fumbling.

The witches, good and bad, by Bailey Sherman and Lanie Monk were excellent bringing jeopardy and triumph. The Professor/Wizard Caleb Perkins was a showman supreme. Kudos to Alaina Gebel for her versatility in a different role every scene. Special nods to Trevor Block, Eireann Goettel and Memphis Miller who disappeared into their characters.

To the Editor:

There is so much division in our country these days. We wish we could do something to make this world, our state, our community a better place. We wish for a place which holds less fear and more trust; a place where there is less harm and more realized good intentions.

If there were an election tomorrow about the abolishment of the abuse and neglect of children in our communities across the state, it would be a unanimous vote to do just that. Our common goal would be to actively do everything in our power to end child abuse. We would each learn how to care about other people’s children and what is happening to them.

To the Editor:

This year, in preparation for voting in the November election, I decided to look at a sample ballot before actually voting. That was a good idea because when I read the option for the Constitutional Amendment, I was confused about the meaning and intent of the wording.

As a result, I did a quick search to find an actual person at one of the party headquarters that could help me better understand my options. This simple action helped me get crystal clear about my choices. Then, it occurred to me to share this simple choice to be more prepared with others. A quick phone call and a quick look at the sample ballot before voting was the best choice for me.

I also realized that this action step may make a big difference for others during this election cycle. I think we can all agree that it is important to know what we are voting for these days. As long as we are clear, and as long as we vote, we are taking responsibility for our lives.

To the Editor:

Should a man ever have a right to publicly state their opinion on abortion? I don’t know. I’ve struggled with that for a long time and the lack of an answer has prevented me from writing this editorial sooner. Maybe it is a valid argument that a man has no right to an opinion on abortion because: he is not a woman; cannot bear a child; never had a child; or more poignantly, never has had an abortion.

I finally arrived at the conclusion that writing the editorial is one thing, but forcing someone to read it is another. At this point, if your answer to the question in the first sentence is a resounding “no”, simply do not read further. It is your choice.

To the Editor:

The moderate, left of center party in Congress passed the historic Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, and President Biden signed it into law. The Inflation Reduction Act improves the lives of millions of Americans and their families and will hold greedy corporations accountable for price gouging.

One huge benefit in the Inflation Reduction Act is lower prescription drug costs. Medicare is finally allowed to negotiate for lower drug prices. Taxpayers and patients will save over $280 billion over the next 10 years.

Medication costs for seniors is being reduced. The capping of out-of-pocket expenses at $2,000 a year certainly benefits seniors while lifesaving insulin is capped at $35 per month. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, medicines become affordable for millions.

“Grief is not a disorder, a disease or a sign of weakness. It is an emotional, physical and spiritual necessity, the price you pay for love. The only cure for grief is to grieve.” - Earl Grollman

We all grieve at various times in our lives and yet we often feel awkward around the grief of others. What can we do or say that will help ease their pain?

My congregation, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, will be offering a free event to address this issue. We have invited author Randy Stocker from Rochester, MN to speak in Lansing. He will give a presentation and answer questions on Sunday, October 23 from 1-2 p.m. at the Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center, 1944 Columbus Rd, Lansing.

To the Editor:

Iowa’s families, whether they are rural or urban, want great public schools which their children can attend in their communities close to their homes.

Iowa’s more conservative party which now controls the Governorship, State House of Representatives and State Senate is pushing to pass the Voucher Bill. Vouchers take away our tax dollars from public schools and give them to private, for-profit schools.

Our rural public schools are already struggling and strapped for money due to years of underfunding by the more conservative party. Rural public schools will be hit the hardest by vouchers. Will our public schools in Allamakee County be able to survive?

To the Editor:

The coming mid-term elections are the most important ones in our life time.  Although critical issues such as women’s reproductive rights and lower drug prices are in play, the existential issue confronting us is whether our country will continue as a democracy or become an electoral autocracy - a country in which votes are cast, but no longer determine the winner of elections.

Nearly 300 conservatives running for congressional and state offices in 48 states have denied the outcome of the last presidential election. If a substantial number of these candidates win, our election processes and outcomes will intentionally be thrown into disorder and a fundamental principle of democracy - that votes count - will be destroyed. If voters cannot choose the winners, we lose our ability to decide all of the other political issues.