Viewpoints

To the Editor:

Every American now faces a clear choice: upholding democracy and freedom under our 250-year-old U.S. Constitution or succumbing to an authoritarianism characterized by a loss of individual freedoms and a white Christian nationalist agenda. It is my hope that clear-minded Republicans, Democrats, and Independents alike will join together to oppose this direct attack by the current federal government on the people of the United States.

Furthermore, we must commit to working collectively to repair the deep damages inflicted by this administration as we look ahead toward a more just and peaceful future.

The choice is yours, America: Democracy or Dictatorship. For the love of all things good, please make the right choice.

Sincerely,
Shirley Vermace
Decorah

Once upon a time I lived on a tropical island where nearly every day of the year was sunny with a high of 75.  The beaches were always calling and shorts, sandals, and sunglasses were just part of the regular attire. True story. 

However, after 4 years of being stationed in paradise, this Iowa girl’s heart longed for the winter. When all the birds have flown south, the harvest is in, and the trees have lost all their leaves, creation itself is offering an invitation. It is an invitation to come away and be silent, to withdraw from the constant rush of activity and the noise.

To the Editor:

Learn Something, Do Something.

This mission may be simple, but it can shape Iowa’s approach to combating human trafficking. As we observe Human Trafficking Awareness Month this January, it’s a powerful reminder that every community, every business, and every individual has a role to play - not just now, but all year long.

Right now, an estimated 50 million individuals are being exploited through human trafficking worldwide. It’s easy to think something like this doesn’t happen in Iowa, but the reality is that it does. In 2024, the Department of Safety received more than 100 tips on labor and sex trafficking. In addition to this, there were more than 200 calls to the Iowa Victim Service Call Center in 2024.

Recognizing that this crime is happening within our state is a critical first step toward eradicating all instances of human trafficking within Iowa’s borders. It starts with raising awareness.

To the Editor:

A child of six years old has a well developed sense of fairness. An example can be heard on any playground. In a clear loud voice one can hear, “That’s not fair.” A child may not have language skills to clearly state their reasons, and they just know it is not fair.

Skills to describe fairness develop as we experience life. Our ability to name truth and hypocrisy follow. Information comes to us with the intensity and volume of a fire hose. Overwhelmed can be a constant state as we read social media, listen to podcasts and watch TV coverage.

An an adult, I count on my senses of sight, hearing and heart. Events I see leave little doubt in my mind. Commentary heard requires information to be credible. My heart has a gauge of compassion for human beings. These three senses inform my ability to determine fairness and truthfulness of a situation.

To the Editor:

While most TV news is concentrating on the ICE raids in Minnesota, Iowans better watch the Iowa legislature. Governor Reynolds’ number-one priority is reducing property taxes - to the tune of “$3 billion over six years” (DM Register, 1-15-2026, 1A), a 7.5% reduction. Another component is a 2% cap on revenue growth for local governments.

Property taxes set by the state are distributed by local taxing agencies. Since most of the local government spending is salaries, this 2% cap would limit raises and, thus, limit the local governments to be competitive in the labor market for keeping and obtaining qualified employees.

To the Editor:

I am angry, despondent, mortified and most important, ashamed. I am ashamed for how our country is now seen by the world. Half of our voters elected, against our dire warnings, a dangerous maniac who wants to rule the world for his own monetary gain and power.

An angry, vindictive man who has gone after his “enemies” with the weaponization of the Justice Department, the horrendous build-up of untrained and vicious ICE agents attacking anyone who is brown, killing American witnesses to their brutality.

A wanna-be emperor stealing into a country with oil reserves, in order to enrich his corporate cronies, and threatening to invade Greenland, again to enrich himself with their vast resources.

And don’t forget, raping our own country, opening up national treasures to exploitation through mining, oil drilling, clear cutting forests and destruction of sacred grounds and wildlife habitat that can never be restored.

To the Editor:

Just my opinion as a combat veteran and not a draft dodger like the man in the White House, who has been convicted after being found guilty of rape, but millions of MAGAs voted for the man anyway, including some of my family members. Just the verdict of guilt of a sexual crime didn’t make any difference - money, power and control were and are more important.

Many of these voters will prance up on Sunday in church and sit up front and try to look important and religious, and that just proves that they are hypocrites in reality. But who they voted for has no more morals.

Oh, where’s the voice of Chuck Grassley and his oath to the U.S. Constitution? He’s silent. You know Joni Ernst is silent because she’s quitting, but she will get a huge pension.

Patrick Ward
Waterville
Veteran who swore
an oath to this 
country and constitution

A Plane-Ride Visit 

Last February I was on a plane ride from Houston to Charlotte. I introduced myself to the middle-aged woman sitting next to me and we began a conversation. Throughout our conversation it became evident that she felt the need to prove herself to me. She had tremendous corporate success despite many obstacles and was living an impressive life. Yet, at the same time, I could sense that she struggled to see her own self-worth and the value of other people if they did not bring great contributions to society.

To the Editor:

In his December 31 letter to The Standard, Dick Kistler quotes a number of Bible verses that talk about the power of the words we speak.

I do believe in the power of positive confession when it comes to spiritual matters. For example, some say when they feel they are getting sick, “I just know I am catching something.” It is far better for one to say, “I don’t feel well now but I am trusting God that I do not catch a sickness.” I also believe, as does Mr. Kistler, that as a general rule our creator God wants us to be healthy, wealthy, and wise. Otherwise, could we even imagine that God would want us to be sick, poor, and stupid?

To the Editor:

In regards to her letter to the editor in the December 31 edition of The Standard, I want to give accolades and thanks to Ann Hart for speaking up when others chose to remain silent, which helps no one.

Not only does the President like to distract, he likes to blame and take an easy out, because when he does get into a situation, he says he didn’t do that. When he says something he shouldn’t, he says it wasn’t him, it was all fake news. Really?

My heart goes out to all the victims. I pray they will find peace eventually. I agree that Grassley, Ernst and others are not doing the job they were elected to do. I believe they are too busy following their leader - shameful.

January 6 will approach as I am writing this and, once again, memories will awaken. I was appalled to witness what happened to our Capitol and all those victims too.