Viewpoints

To the Editor:

Trump’s and the Republicans’ Big Beautiful Bill is actually a Big Ugly Billionaire Tax Cut Bill. To give billionaires their $1.1 trillion tax give-away, healthcare for the working poor, disabled, elderly, and new mothers is being cut along with food assistance for children (Medicaid and SNAP). To justify this unpopular Reverse Robinhood bill (take from the poor and give to the rich),  Rep. Hinson and Senator Ernst push big lies.

One of the most egregious lies is that “illegals” are getting Medicaid. The truth is that undocumented immigrants are not eligible for traditional Medicaid in Iowa. Federal law prohibits undocumented immigrants from enrolling in federally funded health coverage programs like Medicaid, Medicare, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) [Annenberg Public Policy Center, New York Times]. However, this poll-tested lie is repeated frequently by Hinson and Ernst.

To the Editor:

I was shocked and disappointed by the lack of respect shown during Congresswoman Ashley Hinson’s recent town hall in Decorah. Regardless of political affiliation, elected officials should be able to speak openly with their constituents without being shouted down or interrupted.

Town halls are a cornerstone of our democracy. They offer a much needed opportunity for transparency and accountability. When we silence those we disagree with, we don’t just reject their ideas, we reject the chance for a meaningful dialogue.

This kind of behavior only deepens political division. Instead of working towards prosperity, we descend into hostility and chaos. We must do better. If we really do care about the future of our communities and our country, we must foster respectful conversation, even when we disagree.

Cristina Smith
Waukon

To the Editor:

Finally, our congress is addressing the real problem for Americans. Middle-class and low-income people have too darn much money.

They expect to be able to go to doctors and hospitals, to afford groceries, to buy that car they need to get to work. And let’s talk about their expectation for safe childcare so they can go to work. It’s just not fair to ask a billionaire to contribute to take care of them.

Sure, our taxes pay for the highways that the semis use to transport corporate products. The gas tax poor folks pay should be enough to repair the roads and highways those trucks break down. Billionaires should not have to contribute more taxes despite being bailed out frequently by the government during any economic downturn. Why should Elon Musk pay more just because his company Starlink has been given billions of dollars in government research funding and contracts?

To the Editor:

Have you ever taken a minute to consider what alcohol does to your body, and the irreparable harm that could be caused when you drink and drive? Even if you think you’re not affected, science says otherwise. According to the Iowa Driver’s Manual, here’s what even a small amount of alcohol does to your brain:
• Within 20-40 minutes, the areas of your brain controlling judgment and skill are impaired.
• Your reflexes and reaction times slow down.
• You can’t see as well, and you are less alert.
• You have trouble judging distance, speed, and movement around you (such as other vehicles if you are driving).
• Your coordination is reduced.
• Your eye muscles relax, causing your vision to lose its sharpness.
• Your night vision is cut in half, and your side vision is reduced to one-third.

To the Editor:

If you knew that you, your loved ones, seniors, children, parents, patients, taxpayers, hungry people, and indeed every person in Winneshiek, Howard, and Allamakee County were receiving critical services at a cost that’s only a small fraction of their value, would you want to support that?

Of course you would.  That’s the benefit of RSVP, the Retired Senior Volunteer Program right here in our neighborhood. Our own local RSVP is one of the top programs in the country in terms of both volunteer strength per resident and financial value. With our RSVP, nearly 600 volunteers provide over 42,000 hours a year in services to people and communities across Allamakee, Howard and Winneshiek Counties.

And RSVP is such an efficient and cost-effective effort that the program has a budget of only $100,000 yet produces over $1,200,000 of value for our community. When money is tight like it is, volunteer effort is more important to our own community than ever!

To the Editor:

Recently, President Donald Trump completed a visit to the Middle East. He met with the Heads of State of Saudi Arabia, Syria and the United Arab Emirates. On this tour, President Trump was shown the highest honors. When his plane landed in Saudi Arabia, they literally rolled out the purple carpet, used for royalty, for him. The Crown Prince and his entourage were there at the airport to meet and greet President Trump in person as he descended from his airplane! This visit resulted in huge financial investments being made by Saudi Arabia into the United States economy! They stood for President Trump and clapped for him with many happy smiles on their faces. He was treated as royalty and shown enormous favor. It was said, “He created peace like never before!”

To the Editor:

Sue and Lyle Otte  make a scathing accusation against the Trump administration in their May 14 letter to the editor. It only shows their disdain for the facts and the president.

They claim that “many Americans” are showing  shame and fear over the policies of president Donald Trump. That claim is patently false - as is their claim that the world is wondering what is happening to us.

I want to know what is wrong with bringing emissaries from the Soviet Union to the White House to promote an agenda of world peace. Where is the proof that our national security is being endangered on a daily basis? This is just more anti-Trump rhetoric.

Who are the “unqualified and incompetent” people who have been placed in power in Washington?

To the Editor:

Elon Musk and Donald Trump, through the actions of the Department of Government Efficiency, DOGE, have initiated deep budget cuts, including:
· Department of Education lost half of its staff or 1,300 positions
· Department of Veterans Affairs cut 20,000 positions
· Department of Health and Human Services (including Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, Meals on Wheels, and AmeriCorps, to name a few of its programs) lost 20,000 positions.

What do budget cuts mean? Budget cuts mean eliminating services for the average citizen.

To the Editor:

How about one of us Allamakeers invent a way for all of us to avoid ads on TV, laptops and cell phones. We would gladly pay a monthly fee, as would others for the service.

In all likelihood you could tap into a worldwide market. Newspapers and skywriting could be viable alternatives.

Think about the position you would be in - you could make millions by selling out to big advertisers, but, if you have a conscience, you may find yourself in a moral dilemma.

What’s it to be?

Bruce Palmborg
Lansing
 

To the Editor:

There is nothing to celebrate about our current administration’s first 100 days in office. Indeed, there is little more than shame, fear, and distrust that many Americans are feeling.

The World, too, is wondering what is happening to us. A country that was the destination of many seeking freedom, education, and a welcoming hand is now leaving the world behind.

Instead of a careful reorganization of the bureaucracy of government, we have witnessed a “bull in the china shop” approach, a random destruction of anything that personally offends the president or his DOGE collaborator.