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Ernst’s ‘We all are going to die’ comment was uncalled for

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says heart disease and cancer are the two leading causes of death in the U.S. I’d like to add a third one: Iowa Senator Joni Ernst. Her flippant “we all are going to die” comment at a May 30 town hall is one to remember as we look ahead to Nov 2026. Ernst was trying to justify the huge Medicaid cuts in the House-passed budget bill, which analysts say would cause 7.6 million Americans to lose their health insurance coverage. That’s a scary proposition for a lot of people. And yes, life threatening. Seems like Ernst has been ...

Iowans must unite

Iowans must come together to tackle the climate crisis. Climate shocks are expected to impact Iowa soon. We require energy-efficient home upgrades throughout all neighborhoods. This includes improved wall insulation, energy-saving windows, heat pumps, and energy recovery ventilation systems. Regardless of political party affiliation, religious belief, or position on social justice, whether low-income or affluent, everyone must unite and push for government policies to enable our necessary adaptation.

Agriculture and immigration

Representative Feenstra from our District 4 has begun to raise corporate money so he can run for governor. His platform is to support Trump. He is especially proud of Trump’s war on immigrants. We don’t have a border law or a guest worker program for all the farm workers that Iowa needs. JBS announced this week a “historic” contract for workers in their meat processing plant in Marshalltown, among others. I think we can assume that the contract is “historic” to replace immigrant workers that have fled. The salary increase for JBS workers will be passed on to the ...

Loud shout from non-voters

During the last Presidential election the vast majority of eligible voters (a whopping 36%) chose not to vote at all, a visceral scream echoing the current dismay with both our dominant political parties. Only 31% of eligible voters cast their ballot for Democrats, a flailing party whose representatives have long given good talks about helping the lower and middle classes and fixing the sad state of our planet, then after getting elected, pivot to appease plundering capitalist financiers and corporations to secure big bucks and tenure. The only truth-sayer for decades has been Bernie ...

There is hope for today’s youth

I am 90 years old, and walk with a cane. I went to the HyVee gas station to put air in my tires. I pulled in beside another car and was figuring out how the pump worked, when an angel appeared in the form of a young man, who said “Can I help you?” I told him I could do it, he insisted and said “I don’t want you to bend over.” While he was putting air in the tires, we had a little conversation. He said he was graduating and was planning to go to MCC. When he was finished, I thanked him very much and offered him $5. He absolutely would not take ...

Mental health in nursing homes

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and I want to highlight a group that often gets overlooked: residents of nursing homes. It’s just as important to prioritize the mental health of our friends and loved ones as much as we prioritize their physical safety and health. Transitioning to a nursing home can be a significant adjustment for everyone involved, particularly for the loved one or friend moving in. Many people may experience feelings of depression or anxiety after moving in. This can happen for various reasons, such as leaving their home, having to adjust to a new environment, ...