Letter to the Editor: Submitted by Ann Hart

To the Editor:

I’m tired of the corruption that has gripped our elected officials at federal and state levels. At one time, to be elected to office was the highest form of public service. One chose to work for the greater good. Those days are behind us.
President Trump has led the trend to corruption and grift. He increased his personal wealth by $1.2 billion last year through his crypto schemes. His family businesses also grew rapidly by billions of dollars due to the licensing deals in countries that were negotiating with the U.S. over tariffs and military aid. His son’s company has got contracts with the defense department to build drones. Trump wants the IRS to promise never to audit him, or his family, so there will be no pretense for honesty nor legality.

We hear about U.S. Representatives and Senators endorsed by Trump who campaign on legislation to ban stock trading and ownership for members of Congress, their spouses, and their dependent children but then don’t vote for such a ban. We have all experienced The Big Beautiful Bill passed by those same Representatives and Senators which cut taxes for the wealthiest 1 percent by more than $100 billion and cut healthcare to thousands of Iowans.

That Bill cut Medicaid by billions of dollars putting our hospitals, nursing homes, and services to the disabled at risk.

It may seem petty, but the wealthy few are exempt from paying taxes on a private jet. Do you know anyone who owns a private jet? Me neither. If you are a multimillionaire, I doubt that you are a “minivan driving everyday American.”

Public office is a public trust. It is not a business opportunity to increase one’s wealth and become a multimillionaire. I’m voting for leaders who are honest and have integrity. I know who they are and they are not the Trump sycophants who now control the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives.

Ann Hart
Waukon