Viewpoints

To the Editor:
House File 3 revises the SNAP program:
1. Adds an asset test.  Households cannot possess more than $2750 worth of assets, excluding their house and one vehicle (even if there are two working people in the household), or $4,250 if there is at least one member of the household with a disability or age 60+.
2. Adds a work component of 20 hours per week, with a few exceptions.
3. Limits the foods eligible to be purchased with SNAP funds to WIC approved foods (no meat, fresh vegetables or fruits).
4. Will contribute to additional hunger in Allamakee County.

Who will this affect in Allamakee County?
• 874 individuals, 393 households, who now receive SNAP benefits
• Over 50% of those on SNAP are children or elderly
• Monthly benefits of $152, or only $1.69/meal
• Economic impact of SNAP is over $200,000 for Allamakee County.

To the Editor:

Our representative, Anne Osmundson, in the Iowa House, has cosponsored House File 3 which adds eligibility obstacles and restrictions on individuals and families receiving SNAP.  This is a program that provides financial support for people in need to provide food on their table.

An average of 50% of the people who are nourished with this support are our northeast Iowa children and 24% are our northeast Iowa elderly. The money does not come from our Iowa state taxes. It is a federal program so it is already coming to the state.

SNAP is a program where eligibility is based on income. This bill would add obstacles including having to meet monthly red tape requirements so that our friends and neighbors would lose eligibility and access to food for our northeast Iowa children and elderly.

To the Editor:

Iowa conservative MAGA Republicans are showing us great examples of hypocrisy. They want to eliminate a woman’s right to choose, ban abortion, criminalize dispensing abortion pills, and force women to have babies. Then, once these children are in the world the HF-3 “SNAP” bill (Food Stamps) that these same conservative Republicans are pushing will limit who can access the needed food to help these children thrive. Approximately 300,000 Iowans receive this federally funded program; half of them are children, disabled, or elderly.

A total of 39 Republican legislators, including Anne Osmundsen, want to institute a means testing for recipients. That means if you have over $2,450 - or $4,250 if over age 60 - in household assets, you won’t qualify for SNAP. If you have two cars, you won’t qualify. Do you know anyone in Allamakee County who can get to work without a car?

To the Editor:

Iowans value their freedom to make their own healthcare decisions without interference from the government. This attitude extends even to the emotional issue of abortion. The majority of Iowans believe such pregnancy questions should be left to a woman and her physician.

A recent Iowa poll found that 61% believe that abortion should be legal in most cases, while only 33% felt it should be illegal. And yet, extreme Republicans who are in control of our state government intend to restrict that freedom as much as possible.

The latest example is House File 146, which is supported by State Representative Anne Osmundson. The bill would make it a felony to “manufacture, distribute, prescribe, sell or transfer” abortion drugs in Iowa. The use of pills to cause an abortion (called a medical vs. a surgical abortion) was the most common approach used in Iowa in 2020 at over 79%.

Recently I took a friend to a hobby expo.  He’s a great guy, but as the years have passed, dementia has slowly stolen away the friend I once knew.

He shares the stories of the past, a walk down memory lane, the same lane over and over again.  Sometimes I’m tempted to be bothered by the repetition, but then I am reminded that the Bible says, “Love is patient.” (I Cor.13:4)

We used to have great conversations; he has so many experiences and travels to draw from. Now a comment can derail his mental train and he starts up a new story. It’s tempting to feel annoyed, but then I am reminded that the Bible says, “Love is kind.”  (I Cor. 13:4)

My friend used to ask about my life. His understanding and advice were always helpful to me. But the slow twilight of dementia has taken that away. Sometimes I find myself wishing that we could talk about me (does that sound selfish?).  Then the Bible reminds me, “Love seeks not its own.”  (I Cor. 13:5)

To the Editor:

School finance is confusing. As a teacher and school administrator for 36 years, I didn’t fully understand the process until I took classes for my superintendent’s endorsement.

I understand why ordinary tax payers have bought into Governor Reynolds’ argument that parents get to direct their roughly $7500 per student to whichever school they choose, including private schools.

However, the Governor is misleading by attaching that $7500 to the idea of a single child or taxpayer because their tax contribution is not based on the number of children that tax payer has. I have no children, so can I opt out of that portion of my property taxes? If someone has four children do they pay $7500 x 4? No, that is not how taxes work.

To the Editor:

Casting your vote for the person who will  represent you is fundamental to having your voice heard. Voters in Allamakee and Clayton Counties elected Anne Osmundson to represent them in the Iowa State House of Representatives. But, she did not vote on our behalf when it came to school vouchers.

Iowans have always taken pride in our public schools and want them supported. This overwhelming support was evident at the large number of individuals and groups who spoke out against private school vouchers at the State Capitol and at town halls.

To the Editor:

The Iowa legislature passed the Senate File 94 that will provide $7600 per year as an “educational savings account” (ESA) for students attending private elementary or secondary schools. This bill did not have to pass the House Education Committee, go through the Appropriations Committee, nor were any amendments allowed, thus restricting debate over budgets and additions.

To the Editor:

I am writing to express appreciation to Allamakee County​​​-area residents for sharing the true meaning of Christmas with children in need this past holiday season. Generosity throughout contributed to a successful shoebox gift collection season at drop-off locations for the Samaritan’s Purse project Operation Christmas Child.

Across the U.S., the project collected over 9.3 million shoebox gifts in 2022. Combined with those collected from partnering countries in 2022, the ministry is now sending nearly 10.6 million shoebox gifts to children worldwide.

Through shoeboxes - packed with fun toys, school supplies, and hygiene items - Allamakee County​​-area volunteers brought joy to children in need around the world. Each gift-filled shoebox is a tangible expression of God’s love, and it is often the first gift these children have ever received.

Are you a member of a church?

Lots of people aren’t. A 2020 Gallup poll found that only 47% of U.S. adults belonged to a church. It’s not the norm anymore.

Nevertheless, many people find great value in belonging to a church. Let me share with you some of the important benefits.

Sense of community
Personal connections are vital to our health. High social relationships can lower rates of anxiety and depression, heighten self-esteem, and even increase longevity by 50%. Historically, churches have provided people with a sense of community, friendship and belonging. According to an article in Psychology Today, feeling that you belong is most important in seeing value in life and in coping with painful emotions. Research also shows that it improves your motivation, health and happiness. After the isolation caused by the pandemic, our need for community is greater than ever.