Opinion

The United States of America, deemed the greatest country on earth, was purchased with the courage, fortitude, blood and sweat of the men and women who knew that the price of losing was far greater than their lives. Time and again, generation after generation has fought to leave an inheritance, something better for the next generation.

As we near the caucus date, we also near the time when Iowa will become “Fly-over County” once again. Our phones will be silent to calls from supporters anxious for our financial backing and assistance. Caucuses are attended by citizens seriously interested in shaping the future.  It may seem small to many, but in reality the national spotlight is on Iowa, if only briefly.

Recent attacks against Ted Cruz concerning his support for phasing out the Renewable Fuels Standard have no basis, and have been solely used to create fear among Iowans. Ending market distortions, like the RFS, will enable more efficient prices for energy. The federal government should not be in the business of picking winners and losers.  

With the 2016 Iowa Caucus on Feb. 1, I would like to urge voters to not support Senator Cruz because of his position on the Renewable Fuel Standard  and the impacts his position will have on Iowa and all of the Midwest. I have detailed a few of the major considerations in this letter.

BY ART CULLEN

Storm Lake Elementary School has  made a concerted effort this year to help all families understand the importance of daily attendance at school by every students. We want to reach out and say “Thank You” to all who help our students arrive by 8:25 each and every day — children can learn so much when their education is continuous.

BY ART CULLEN

Ten turkey-producing complexes in Indiana were shut down and quarantined on Friday as a new strain of avian flu emerged. Some 250,000 birds were destroyed. USDA reports that the problem has been nipped in the bud by rapid response and enhanced biosecurity. Which makes us nervous.

BY ART CULLEN

Ted Cruz alleges that Donald Trump carries New York values in his carpet bag. Cruz is a senator from Texas. He likes Lone Star values. They are still remembering the Alamo down there, which was the last stand for the Republic of Texas or whatever it was. New York values money, mainly, and the Yankees, which is a baseball team built around money to make even more money.

I guess I prefer New York values since I am not at all sure whether Santa Anna or Sam Houston was right. I vaguely remember the movie — did Fess Parker play Davey Crockett?

BY DON BEHM

Many years ago, women came out with longer dresses and it was called, “The New Look.” It lasted for a few years and the women gradually went back to their old looks.

Education funding has been a challenge for nearly a decade in the state of Iowa. Over the last 10 years, the PAC district’s net New money from the state has been –$436,085. Put another way, we have $436,085 less today than we had in 2005-2006.