Letter to the Editor: Goose and gander

Trish Cook, past president of Iowa Pork Producers and marketer of 40,000 hogs annually in Buchanan County for three decades, has her panties all in a bunch over Prop 12 of California (SL Times, 5/24/2024).  She infers Prop 12 is the sole reason a package of bacon sells for $4.98 in her locale but fetches $10.99 in California.

Prop 12 requires a pregnant sow be held in a pen that not only allows her to stand up but to also turn around.  Draconian.  Trish implores her Iowa representatives to hurry and pass a new farm bill that will somehow reverse another state’s law. Her main concern is that we will have “a state-to-state patchwork of rules.”

You mean like ... abortion?  Iowa just passed a heartbeat law for that. Iowa court not too sure.

Or marijuana? Weed is totally legal in 24 states, 34 for medical use. Passed in Iowa for restricted medical use so long as it is not smoked. Or even the price of gas? Or cigarettes? Varies with tax in each state.

Trish, you say you are mainly concerned some Californians are going hungry. I read that plenty of kids in Iowa are going hungry thanks to your governor's stinginess. Maybe direct your efforts where you have some influence, and a vote.

Ron Platt | Overland Park, Kan.