Letter to the Editor: Submitted by Karen Carlton

To the Editor:

Have you noticed the coffee prices these days? From May of 2024 to July of this year coffee prices climbed 33%. There have been recent extended droughts in both Brazil and Viet Nam, the two biggest world-wide coffee producers. But the administration’s 50% tariffs on Brazil’s exports have added much more to U.S. costs.

Drug costs grew by 10.2% in 2024 and are expected to grow another 9-11% this year. Those not on Medicare or Medicaid are bearing the brunt of these increases.

Anyone going to the grocery store these days has seen the cost of groceries climb higher and higher.  People are having to change to cheaper brands of products, cheaper meats and cut back on non-essentials.

The last five years have seen a surge in costs across the board. What a person could get for $20 in 2015 costs $25.32 this year. Instead of seeing income growth across a broad range of salaries, we now see a slowdown in rising salaries for most wage earners. It’s no secret that the wealth of our nation has become increasingly concentrated in the hands of billionaires.

The Federal and Iowa Minimum Wage still sits at $7.25, the number established in July of 2009.  Except for Wisconsin, all states surrounding Iowa have mandated from $3.90 to nearly $9.00 more for minimum wage rates than Iowa. What a person could purchase with $20 in 2009 is drastically different than what can be purchased today.

We truly need to find a better direction at both the state and federal levels of government. Term limits would be a great starting point. Placing people in positions of power who have the expertise and understanding of how their departments best function would be another starting point.

Minimizing the number of well-financed lobbyists at the state and national levels would certainly help. Revision of the state and federal tax laws to better balance the tax burdens must be on the list as well. Renewal of civil discussions and finding common ground to do the work of people must be brought back. Seriously addressing environmental issues will add to the health and well-being of all citizens.

We need new leaders who can provide ideas that aren’t mired in destructive, self-serving ways of running the government. Let’s demand that the elected officials at the state and national levels govern with the common good in mind.

Karen Carlton
Waukon