Viewpoints

My dear brothers and sisters, we as members of the human race and the Body of Christ simply must stop hurting each other. Last month I wrote about the Golden Rule and how we’re to treat others the way we want to be treated. Well, as we move into the highly charged presidential (and others) campaign, I believe we need to be reminded of this! There’s also an old saying, “if you can’t say something nice about someone then don’t say anything at all!”

Jesus embodied all that is good about humanity - he was perfect in his thoughts, words, and deeds. Folks who run the campaigns are not! They say terrible things (even lies) about their opponents and they have found that this is a successful way to win voters! What is wrong with us voters?

To the Editor:

Like most Iowans, we vote for the person we trust to represent us in the U.S. House of Representatives and who will pass legislation that helps solve problems and improve our lives. We do not want a politician who prioritizes campaign donors, corporations, and the ultra-wealthy. Unfortunately, that is who we have in congress today.

Politicians of one party call for renewing the 2017 Tax Cuts, which benefited corporations and the top 1% and added $2.5 trillion to the national debt. This law is a scam because the benefits from the tax cuts were supposed to trickle down from the wealthiest to everyday folks like us. That didn’t happen.

In contrast, the Biden Administration has been committed to serving everyday Iowans. Thanks to them, high speed internet is being built in Allamakee County, Highway 76 has been paved and the Black Hawk Bridge in Lansing is under construction. These improvements help all of us and our communities.

Words matter, so you need to say it, believe it, and receive it: You are enough.

YOU are enough. You ARE enough. You are ENOUGH.

If you’re at all like me, you’ve experienced moments, times – or maybe even whole seasons – when you felt as though you weren’t enough. So, just in case you woke up this morning feeling like you are not enough, just in case someone with whatever intention made you feel like you are not enough, just in case your lot in life tempts you to believe that you are not enough, please be of good courage!

No, you don’t have to have all your ducks in a row. No, you don’t have to be all things to all people. No, you don’t have to do everything, go everywhere, and be everything. No, even if you don’t accomplish or achieve any or all of your dreams during your earthly lifetime, the fact nonetheless remains true: You are enough, and so am I.

To the Editor:

Remember back in 2017, when the massive tax cuts were passed for corporations and the “American people”? It was called the “2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” and it was supposed to increase every American’s wealth.

Well, guess what gang, it didn’t work! Sure, the wealthy top 1% saw a cut of $60,000, but what did you get, a couple of hundred?

Corporations were supposed to put their windfalls back into the business, raise wages... yada, yada, yada. Instead, the top executives got huge increases in their salaries and bonuses.

I just read an article by Jean Ross that shows in boring, technical charts and graphs what we already know. We didn’t get squat for our working families and the country now has even less money to keep our government functioning. And the wealthy are really wealthy now! When the top one-tenth of the 1% got tax breaks amounting to $252,300 and the four lowest brackets got $70 to maybe $1000 back, that’s obscene!

To the Editor:

In reference to my earlier letter (August 14, 2024 edition of The Standard) concerning transportation to the State Fair, Freedom Bank, with a branch in Waukon and based in Elkader, did sponsor a large passenger bus for customers, including myself and others, to Des Moines, along with two employees to facilitate and coordinate the logistics. It was a good trip in meeting new people/old friends and seeing a lot of green lush Iowa, as no other state is an equal.

The State Fair, with its many exhibits and attractions from 99 counties, is a bit much to see in one day. The butter cow starts to get dull but the 3,000-pound bull is worth a second look (how many hamburgers?).

I saw red John Deeres, and I didn’t know Iowa supported such an extensive apiary industry, as natural honey of many different flavors was available. I appreciate Freedom Bank for making the bus trip available.

Jim Magner
Waukon
 

To the Editor:

Well, as a combat veteran and a believer in the United States Constitution, I was just wondering how many people who served in the military for Iowa and this country will join in soon to celebrate our 250-plus year old United States Constitution. I know many members who will and did follow a man who wants to destroy our United States Constitution and to just throw it away as if it never meant anything.

So, why would they celebrate only to benefit a very few? Sounds just like a big money draft to me. I asked our State of Iowa senators to stop using our United States flag to represent a cult, and got no reply. That shows me their real color.

Pat Ward
Waterville
 

To the Editor:

Be happy. Don’t worry.

Satan the Devil loves abortion. Satan loves those who promote abortion. Satan loves transgender sex-change surgeries for minors. Satan loves same-sex marriages. Satan loves no prayer or Ten Commandments in public schools.

Don’t worry. Be happy.

Tom Teff
Dorchester
 

To the Editor:

Recently, I needed to have some foot surgery. Living in Lansing, I had many choices for my surgeon and the surgical hospital team. I chose Craig P. Sullivan, DPM at the Gundersen Clinic in Decorah. Dr. Sullivan gave me the choice of which hospital I wanted for my surgery, to which I replied, “Why not Waukon VMH!”.

The surgery was scheduled for eight o’clock and right on time after the surgery prep, I was wheeled into the surgery suite. I had to return to VMH to remove a pin that was placed into my toe. A special effort was made to fit this second visit to the surgeon into my schedule. A special expression of appreciation goes out to Dr. Sullivan, the surgical team at VMH and staff for their friendly, professional care.

Arlen L. Wonderlich, DVM
Lansing
 

To the Editor:

Like most Iowans, I believe in fairness. I believe that my tax dollars should be spent for public goods - public education, public roads, public court systems, public fire and law enforcement, etc.

With over 30,000 approved vouchers for 2024-2025, the cost is over $234 million going to private schools and an additional $1.1 million of fees going to an out-of-state business.  According to the Iowa Department of Revenue, there are 1.71 million individual taxpayers. This computes to $137/taxpayer that will go to private schools and an out-of-state business.

An average of 61% of rural counties do not have private schools. Most private schools are in large cities. That means that rural tax dollars (my $137 and your $137) are being given to large cities, not to rural communities.

Is this fair? Why should my tax dollars go to private schools and an out-of-state business?

To the Editor:

The Allamakee County Fair Board did a great job of putting together a week of entertainment for county residents and visitors. It all appeared well attended each night, and while working a booth during the day, plenty of activity was happening.

New improvements, such as the extended beer tent area and allowing single-night grandstand tickets, were excellent ideas. More food stands and vendors give more choices to visitors and also complement the regular 4-H food stand with more people eating out at the fair.

On another note, our State Fair is upon us and the Iowa State Fair is rated in the top five of State Fairs in the nation, last I read. It would be nice if a county institution or organization would sponsor a bus or transportation to our state capital for senior citizens and others who would like to attend but lack the means to get there.