Viewpoints

To the Editor:

First, let me say, I fought in combat for that U.S. Flag that these MAGAs are staking out in their yards or on their houses to represent the old Republican party of Lincoln. That party no longer exists and is now referred to as the party of the MAGAs, who only use that flag to let me and you know that they voted for a convicted rapist and also a worldly-known felon, and that it is and was OK to try and overthrow this country and government.

Two of the biggest American flags I have seen recently are hanging from the rafters at a business, and it’s not - even though the employees believe that it is - because of being patriotic, but how naive and not the real reason, as many, and I say many, know why they are hanging from the rafters, from the walls or being staked out for all to see when they walk in the doors or drive by.

To the Editor:

Contact your congressional representatives, is often suggested when we become aware of an issue. Crafting a message and delivering it can seem like a difficult or time-consuming task, a task that can be postponed until some later time.
However, communication with the Iowa U.S. Congressional Delegation is made easy using your Word or Pages software to create your message, your browser to access a delegates website, and their website pages to deliver your message.
Members of the Iowa U.S. Congressional Delegation are: Senator Chuck Grassley, Senator Joni Ernst, District 1 Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks, District 2 Representative Ashley Hinson, District 3 Representative Zach Nunn and District 4 Representative Randy Feenstra. The district numbers are for reference only.

To the Editor:

President Trump, who intends to take a wrecking ball to our government, empowered Elon Musk to do the dirty work. One of the first casualties has been the U.S. Agency for International Aid (USAID). Musk called it a “criminal organization” and said he was in the process of “shutting down” the agency.

Trump has no authority to abolish the USAID as it was established by Congress as an independent agency and by law only Congress can dissolve it.

The agency spends around $40 billion a year (about 0.7 percent of the US budget) to finance overseas foreign aid, disaster relief, and internal development programs. Although it has about 14,000 employees worldwide, the Trump administration plans to retain only around 290. About 1,400 U.S.-based staff members were put on indefinite administrative leave effective immediately and hundreds of contractors were issued stop-work orders.  Employees posted abroad are expected to return to the U.S. within 30 days.

To the Editor:

“Throwing the baby out with the bath water.”

That is what Trump and Musk are doing. They are throwing out good programs instead of just wasteful parts. Think about the Department of Education (DOE) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

Department of Education programs include updating standards that Iowa uses, federal aid for students pursuing postsecondary education (PELL grants), community college funding, special education and rehabilitation services, and activities for drug prevention. For PELL grants in Iowa, over 60,000 students each received an average of almost $5,000/year, awarded by financial need. Discontinuing these programs will negatively impact Iowa students.

You may have heard the recent accusations made on X (formerly Twitter) that claimed money was being laundered through religious organizations and specifically named the “Lutheran” faith.

As an ordained minister in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), I feel it is important to state that these statements are blatantly false. The ELCA responds to the love of Jesus Christ through compassionate service: feeding people who are hungry, caring for those who are sick, and advocating for justice, peace and the dignity of all people.

To the Editor:

Elon Musk is the richest man in the world, the first trillionaire. He donated $277 million dollars to Donald Trump’s election. What did he buy with his money?

Musk has accessed the government payment systems housed at the Treasury Department. Staff at that agency refused to turn it over to anyone without background checks and security clearances. Those diligent government employees were promptly fired.

Elon Musk had already begun the firing of the Justice Department and FBI personnel. There is no one in law enforcement to interfere with his takeover of the government purse strings. The U.S. Constitution clearly states that it is the job of the U.S. Congress to obligate tax dollars. In fact, the funds that Musk is cutting were obligated for a purpose. Those cuts are impacting programs and jobs.

To the Editor:

No matter where we live, Iowans are impacted by the high costs of everyday goods and groceries. Surely you recall Candidate Donald Trump’s promises to bring down the cost of eggs and lower costs and stop inflation. He proclaimed that prices would immediately fall if he won the election.  Well, the price of eggs is at an all-time high and keep soaring. Trump and Republicans hit their mute button and don’t talk about the kitchen table issues they ran on.

Trump signed a flurry of executive orders aimed at putting Trump loyalists in charge of the government and at consolidating his power. Not one of his  executive orders deals with lowering costs.

To the Editor:

The overwhelming generosity of the people of Waukon​ helped provide joy to children in need through Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts this season. Across the U.S., the Samaritan’s Purse project collected 10.5 million shoebox gifts in 2024. Combined with those collected from partnering countries in 2024, the ministry is now sending over 11.9 million shoebox gifts to children worldwide.

Shoebox packers brought joy and hope to children around the world through fun, full, personalized gifts. For many children, this is the first gift they have ever received. Each shoebox gift is a tangible expression of God’s love, given to children in need around the world. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 232 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories.

To the Editor:

Addiction is a chronic brain disorder characterized by compulsive drug use despite negative consequences. The emotional impact of addiction often leads to increased stress, depression, guilt, and emotional numbness. Individuals may experience overwhelming feelings of shame and hopelessness as they struggle to control their substance use despite the consequences.

Addiction is not a sign of weakness, a character flaw, or a moral failure. It is a common condition that affects millions of people of all ages, backgrounds, and socioeconomic status, and while there is no one cause of addiction, there is hope - it can be treated effectively.

To the Editor:

I was watching an older movie called “Miracle” the other day. It was about the U.S.A. hockey team that played in the 1980 Olympics. Those teammates came from other teams and had to become a team. They had to put aside their animosity toward one another and become one.

In our last election millions of people voted. Many voted; on both sides. When the dust settled, the Republicans had many victories. Those who lost were disappointed. Both sides felt they were superior to the other.

We are all Americans, part of the U.S.A. We are a “team”. We have our disagreements but we are a part of a country that has many good qualities. I am trying to learn about all the countries of the world this year. So far, I have read about wealthy and poor nations. When people within a country are divided and fighting one another, the nation becomes weak. That can happen to the U.S.