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A small group of Sac City residents recently attended several open forum meetings which hosted two of our Iowa legislators. The topics raised consisted of deportation, DOGE, high cancer rates in Iowa, Social Security, education and veteran assistance to name a few. We left the forums feeling disregarded and disrespected.
From that and because there are a lot of controversial issues affecting our state and our nation right now, we reached out and held a meeting with around 20 in attendance. We shared our fears and concerns of what feels like the dismantling of our Constitution.
Thus evolved our group, Concerned Citizens Of Sac County.
We want to let others in Sac County know that they are welcome to share their stories and/or express their views of how the changes being made in the state and federal government have affected their lives or the lives of someone they know.
We hope to find peaceful solutions by raising awareness, writing to our current legislators and seeking out new representatives that share our concerns and believe in defending the constitution.
Other concerned citizens are welcome to join us Tuesday, April 15 at 7 p.m. at the Rec Center in Sac City.
Michelle Quail, Sac City
“Taxpayer investment should be met with taxpayer return. The state has a vested interest in ensuring state dollars are being used to address workforce shortages rather than enforce ideological agendas,” from Pat Grassley’s newsletter of March 27.
I had to read that twice. Whose ideological agendas are we now being forced to follow in Des Moines? The one where over 60% of Iowans were opposed to using public dollars to support private schools which have no oversight, no rules to follow? Or the one where thousands of Iowans were opposed to dismantling the AEAS and were instead asking for a study and thorough review? Then of course there’s the book banning, taking away rights of healthcare decisions from women and their healthcare providers and so much more.
Grassley said in his postelection column that he would “continue to fight for the freedoms of Iowans.” Who is feeling freer in Iowa? Women? Doctors? Teachers? Librarians? Public school administrators, parents, farmers who want to control the ownership of their land? Grassley says we should address workforce shortages in Iowa in his statement above. With the constant assault of our human rights and the misuse of public tax dollars, is it any wonder people are leaving Iowa?
The current leadership in Des Moines isn’t listening to Iowans, even when the majority of Iowans oppose their bills. So whose ideological and self-interest agenda are we following? Until we get the balance of power back in Des Moines, where legislators are forced to reach across the aisle and talk to each other and listen to their constituents, we will be at the mercy of their extreme agenda.
Kathy Folkerts, Waverly
If voters think President Trump and Elon Musk are doing what they are doing to help the United States, they need to understand the nature of Narcissistic Personality Disorder and the nature of billionaires who never have enough money.
People with Narcissistic Personality Disorder have a grandiose sense of self-importance, require excessive admiration, are exploitative, lack empathy, resent anyone who challenges them, etc. Narcissists cater to those who seemingly admire/support them and attack/belittle those who challenge them. Donald Trump fits this definition to a tee! His psychologist niece agrees. His motivation is to prove everyone is wrong but him and to punish anyone who challenges him — not for the good of our country.
Then we have billionaires who never have enough money so they want to get their taxes reduced/eliminated and get rid of regulations that interfere with their ability to make more money. Obviously, Elon Musk wants fewer regulations and bigger contracts with the United States for his companies. Musk and fellow billionaires could put a big dent in our federal deficit if they would just pay their fair share in taxes. They would still have billions left to spend on themselves.
The bottom line is that I don't understand how so many people are taken in by these two individuals who really don't care about the middle class or poor disadvantaged citizens but only about themselves.
Ann Knutson, Sioux City
I read Art Chllen’s screed in the Cedar Rapids Gazette today.
Funny, courts demurred when the last admin allowed millions of criminal illegal aliens through the border but now want to recall a Tren de Aragua gang member from El Salvador.
2026 is your last resort to eliminate democracy when you have a set of agendas where public opposition is 80% to your top ideas to control the population
Please stop with the misinformation on Medicaid and Social Security. The last admin gave millions of illegals Social Security benefits and numbers
Wishing “if the economy tanks hard enough.”
Gary Ellis, Cedar Rapids
It’s time to put journalist H.L. Mencken in your “Notable & Quotable” section. I’d suggest this, from the July 26, 1920 Baltimore Evening Sun:
“The larger the mob, the harder the test. In small areas, before small electorates, a first-rate man occasionally fights his way through by force of his personality. But when the field is nationwide, and the fight must be waged chiefly at second and third hand, and the force of personality cannot so readily make itself felt, that then all the odds are on the man who is, intrinsically, the most devious and mediocre — the man who can most easily adeptly disperse the notion that his mind is a virtual vacuum. The presidency tends, year by year to go to such men. As democracy is perfected, the office represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. We move toward a lofty ideal. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of this land will reach their heart’s desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.”
Which, other than the denigration of morons, is where we find ourselves.
Jim Walters, Iowa City
Hey Art — watching you on Stephanie Ruehl tonight. I’m 68, went to Grinnell 74 - 78, lived in Grinnell for the duration, working summers detassling corn, painting houses, short order cook at the Skelly Diner on route 80.
You’re misguided if you think Iowa can’t go back to being the reasonable mildly liberal state it was in the early 70’s. It starts with you. Don’t try — do better!
Adam Leavitt, Lakeside, Calif.
I like the new once-a-week. Lots to read!
Kudos to Allison Moore’s in-depth above-the-fold front page reports in March 21 issue. Excellent work!
And always good reports from Madeline Combs and Tom C. A whole page of editorial comment, letters from readers, Mary and Dolores on the human face of Storm Lake and lots of sports pics and scores which parents want to see.
All in all, enjoyable and informative. Just wanted you all to know. Good job and as my husband likes to say, “Carry on.”
MICHELE CULLEN, Adair
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