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Making life more affordable for Iowa families

Columnists

This year, working with President Trump, I was laser-focused on lowering costs for Iowa families, farmers, seniors, workers, and small businesses after four years of the Biden administration’s disastrous economic policies and skyrocketing inflation. As the only member of Congress serving on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee and the House Agriculture Committee, it was my mission to advance policies that drove economic growth in our communities, helped to create new jobs, and let Iowans keep more of their hard-earned money. I’m glad to say that – by making Republican ...

Respect or Fear?

Columnists

In the course of his losing race with the teleprompter during his Oval Office address on Dec. 17, President Donald Trump returned to a theme that obsesses him — respect. Even before his entry into politics, Trump was convinced that “weak” leaders including Reagan, Bush, Clinton and Obama ...

A last hurrah

Columnists

You, editor, asked for a “last hurrah” column as the outgoing mayor. Parting is such sweet sorrow — that’s a lot of alliteration. Here ‘tis, mostly in lists. Challenges Tornado, derecho, COVID pandemic, Legionnaires, legislative cutbacks, the loss of three top level city staff, and the never-ending need for road repairs. It was a bit of a personal challenge to serve as acting city administrator for many months, while still having an active civil jury trial job, but it was survivable by the help of Jessica Kinser and Cindy Kendall, who were temporary contract ...

What ‘A Christmas Carol’ taught me about Purgatory

Columnists

There is a doctrine in Catholicism that not all souls are prepared for heaven at death, and that some must undergo a spiritual purification in a state or location that the Catholic Church calls “Purgatory.” There are a number of biblical references that undergird the notion of Purgatory, including in the Old Testament. In 2 Maccabees 12:46, it says, “It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins.” Souls in the eternal torment of damnation (complete and total separation from God) could not benefit from prayers, nor would ...

Save our forests, one roll at a time

Columnists

North America’s boreal forests are crucial for wildlife and the climate, but we’re literally trashing them to make pulp for toilet paper and other disposable paper products. Companies are clear-cutting a million acres a year, according to a new report from the Natural Resources Defense ...

Buddy

Columnists

Ginnie canceled her doctor’s appointment so she could go with me to Buddy’s vet appointment. Uh-oh. Buddy is 15 and has had a heart murmur for the last couple of years. Lately he’s had to wear the “cone-of-shame” to keep him from licking his paws until they bleed and become infected. Buddy is a Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, a French breed that won Best of Show at the Westminister Kennel Club Dog Show a couple of years ago. How did I come by Buddy? Buddy is a rescue dog from the Brighton/Wayland area. The Mayor’s wife of Wayland operated an informal animal shelter. I had ...