Viewpoints

To the Editor:

Deuteronomy is a book in the Old Testament that was given to Moses shortly before he died. These were his last words of exhortation, urgently reminding and warning the children of Israel as they were about to enter the Promised Land of the Lord’s faithfulness (to His covenantal promises) and to challenge the people to remain faithful and obedient to their covenant with God.

Moses reminds God’s people that to obey God’s statutes and ways (out of love and reverential fear of Him) would bring blessing, life, health and prosperity, and that to disobey would bring the opposite - curses, death and destruction. In Deuteronomy 30:19 God expresses His desire for His people, “I have set before you life and death, blessings and cursings; therefore choose life that both you and your descendants may live.” Chapter 28 of Deuteronomy gives a detailed list of the blessings of obedience and the curses of disobedience.

To the Editor:

The VFW Auxiliary Post 4117 recently requested the citizens and businesses of Waukon contribute to our Veteran Relief Fund for the sole purpose of supporting Veterans. As has been the case for many years, we received an overwhelming response.

Our mission is to improve the lives of Veterans, service members, their families and our communities. Our programs advocate for them and are designed to bring needed services and assistance.

Waukon generously supported that mission and should be applauded and supported for doing so.

Karen Mathis
Poppy Chair
VFW Auxiliary
Post 4117

To the Editor:

During this season of Thanksgiving and Christmas, I like to take time to count my blessings. Thanks to Biden for the abundance of vaccines, Covid is no longer a death sentence, especially for the elderly.

No matter where you live in Iowa, you reaped some benefits according to IowaAtWork.com. Biden and the Democrats delivered over $10.8 million for Allamakee County.

Harpers Ferry received $24,067 for 1st Street and Sandy Point Road stormwater drainage project.

Lansing received $139,804 for Center Street water and sanitary sewer improvements.

Postville received $300,000 for sanitary sewer improvements and replacing sewer main and sewer outlets.

Waukon received $201,189 for City Hall improvements and storm sewer repairs. Add $65,649 for airport resurfacing and lights.

To the Editor:
My wife, Emily and I have spent the last few months traveling the world with four kids in tow. We live in Dubuque and both took this year off from work to become closer as a family. We visited six countries: Cuba, England, Scotland, Greece, Turkey and Jordan.

We left Jordan, skipping our last destination of Egypt, due to complications with my wife’s pregnancy. She was 35 weeks pregnant and we were in a remote desert in Jordan camping with a Bedouin tribe. At the onset of what she believed to be pre-term labor, we were determined to come home. After a wild story to get her cleared for travel, we took a 13-hour plane ride from Amman, Jordan to Chicago.

To the Editor:

In his letter to the editor November 15, Pat Ward shows he does not understand what corruption is. His only argument is that MAGA is responsible for all  the evil in the country and does not know or accept the fact that the millions of dollars going to the Biden family are a result of influence peddling and corruption.

He apparently does not know that the Trump family earned their wealth by actually owning and successfully running legitimate businesses. That is opposed to the Biden family wealth that is the result of influence peddling and bribery by Hunter Biden. That has been clearly established by the current investigation ongoing in Congress as well as reports from FBI whistle blowers.

To the Editor:

Tonight just a few short days after Halloween, a sinister plant took hold in Waukon High spreading laughter, finger snapping doo wop, and outrageous stories to a lively crowd.

Gabe Goettel played the clueless conflicted plant grower Seymore spot on.  His commerce crazy boss, Mr. Mushnik, was well handled by Dekota Bechtel. Audrey came to life in Molly Peake’s squeaky sweet-understanding. Dentistry took a hit by the snarly, leather-jackety acting of Ryan Kolsrud.

Special props go to Annie Ellingson and Eireann Goettel singing the story with class, swing, and punch. Cameron Berges voiced the diabolical plant Audrey II that raised hairs all over the auditorium.

The director-Sarahs, Bieber and Hagen, are to be commended for pulling together a production that put together puppetry, dance, wide ranging vocals, and gritty scenery. A lively pit band under JoAnn Sherman kept the tempos and melodies moving and fun.

To the Editor:

I read Deb Kiley’s letter. The slogan, MAGA, which means Make America Great Again, came from a campaign slogan. Make America Great Again consisted of thousands of members of the GOP, or the MAGA bunch, who stormed the U.S. Capitol causing death and destruction, even defecated in the Capitol during the destruction in an attempt to overthrow this United States of America’s government and a fair election, led by a wanna-be dictator or wanna-be king.

I believe she has failed to understand the true meaning of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. It’s a good thing she believes in God but, to me, it does not mean that just because she believes in God that she’s right. I did fight for this country, see men die, wounded and lost fellow Marines, fighting the Communists so she could worship God.

To the Editor:

After receiving my three months water bill a few days ago, my calculator came from its hiding place, and if I used it correctly, it told me that my water bill multiplied by approximately three equals my sewer bill. Yes, I know we need to pay for our new sewer plant.

This water plus sewer costs about 2.7 cents per gallon. When we flush a toilet at 1.6 gallons per flush, we realize that each flush costs about four and one-third cents, rounded up to about a nickel per flush. Some older toilets take three times this amount of water.  Anyone with an older toilet had best talk to a plumber, and certainly (as we have seen in the minutes of city council meetings) no one can afford a toilet that is constantly running.

Last month, October 8, we had our Pumpkins in the Park event at Waukon City Park. We had a great day with beautiful weather, fun activities, and about 300 people from the community in attendance.

A special thank you to all those who came to the event and to all those who made the event possible including many of our local businesses for donating door prizes for this community event. We have a great community! We are already looking forward to next year!

As I welcomed people to Pumpkins in the Park, a woman came up to me and pulled out her wallet. She said, “How much do I owe you?” I said, “Nothing! This is a free event. We want to give you a pumpkin.” “Really?” she said. “Wow. Thank you so much!”

I understood this woman’s response because I feel the same way when someone - especially a stranger - gives me something for free. It is a complete shock. Why would you give this to me? I didn’t do anything for you, I don’t deserve it.

To the Editor:

“Thank you for your service” is spoken with heartfelt sincerity by Iowans. We honor those who serve and fought to protect us, freedom, liberty and democracy.

Finally, with the passage of the PACT Act last year, veterans are getting the care they deserve. The PACT Act was the biggest increase in veterans benefits in a generation expanding benefits and health care for those exposed to toxic substances during their military service. Surely, supporting our veterans is a commitment all Americans could unite around. Unfortunately, that is not the case.

Newly-elected Speaker of the House Mike Johnson voted against the PACT Act.  Ashley Hinson also voted against the PACT Act when it was introduced. Johnson looked first at dollars, not at the health of our heroes. Speaker Johnson is a far-right MAGA extremist Republican and every Republican in Congress voted for him, including Ashley Hinson.