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The end of democracy?

Republicans and Democrats have accused “the other party” of bringing about the end of democracy. The United States has a representative democracy which assumes elected representatives follow the wishes of the people. The low approval ratings of our recent Presidents and the Congress show the people are not happy. I believe elected officials have worked mostly to get reelected. Many politicians blindly follow their “party line” without even listening to policies and ideas that would be best for our democracy. Today, discussions about political ideas seldom occur. Most discussions ...

Critical pet issues

Our state is one of the worst for allowing appalling puppy mills to flourish within our borders (see Iowa Capital Dispatch, Kauffman article, Feb. 7). With inadequate regulations and monitoring due to lack of funding, numerous adult dogs suffer in small cages with little care during their entire productive lives, often dying in the process. There is no conscionable reason why this should be allowed in our state. Recently concerned citizens have come up with solutions that could help solve multiple pet issues simultaneously in our communities. Proposals: having an “annual pet tax” ...

Governor’s AEA proposals are wrong for Iowa

Fifty years ago, AEAs were created with the help of Senator Chuck Grassley to create equal opportunities for all students, so that regardless of where you lived, all children and educators had equal access and support to ensure Iowa students could achieve to the fullest. Through the AEA, I was able to increasingly improve my teaching as we collaborated to see my students to their next steps beyond school and prepare them for independent living. After teaching, I served as a curriculum director, principal, and superintendent in several rural Iowa schools. I frequently reached out to AEA ...

Eaton and Thompson are the Common Sense Cabal

When people don't like what you are telling them, they often practice deflection to put the onus back on the other person. I had it used on me when I complained about speeding on my street. Ladehoff has attempted to use it on Mark Eaton and Gary Thompson. They are the Common Sense Cabal. I will gladly join it as will many others. I walked my dog this morning. Across the street is a recycling tub full of water bottles. It has been there since before the storm. On the south side is a car parked in the yard with a "For Sale" sign. There were two empty beer bottles — one smashed — ...

I strongly oppose SSB 3131

I strongly oppose SSB 3131. I wonder, why change something that is working? The libraries in Iowa are vibrant community resources that foster lifelong learning. I grew up in Iowa and often visited our public library. As a child and young adult, I enjoyed following my curiosity and learning about the world, inspiring people, and answers to my questions. I learned as a foreign exchange student, however, not to take public libraries for granted. In Vallenar, Chile, we did not have textbooks at school and when I wanted to review topics we studied in school, I was surprised to find out ...

Why I’m supporting the Local Option Sales Tax renewal

Why would I want to support the Marshalltown Local Option Sales Tax (LOST)? Isn’t it just another tax? How is LOST different? If I travel to Des Moines for an event, most of what I purchase has a one percent additional sales tax. Within Des Moines, 50 percent of what they collect goes to Des Moines residents’ property tax relief. This reduces their levy rate. The other percentage goes to community improvement. In Ames, 60 percent goes to property tax relief, the other toward community betterment. I looked around and it looked like no matter where I went to an Iowa community, I pay ...