Letters to the Editor: How to bridge a gap

Kudos to Joan Zwagerman’s Aug. 8 column about the current state of political differences.

In another life, when I had an op-ed column years ago, I wrote that a centrist movement might be on the way politically. Most people cross over on quite a few issues believe it or not — Rob Sand is for Second Amendment rights, and personally, not being a gun owner, I would trust someone with extensive knowledge of firearms and safety to own one (there are quite a few people out there in my circle with such credentials).

Joan also touched on RFK Jr’s assessment of the American diet — it can be horrendous, and even in food pantries, donated items can be in supply on cheap, professed foods with no redeeming nutritional value. Part of the reason people get preventable medical conditions can be linked to their diet. I don’t agree with him on a lot of issues, but I'll side with him on that.

America’s differences can boil down to the same old same old — fractions in religious, economic, societal, and cultural stands. Plus, if an issue doesn’t hit you personally, be it in your heart, head, or pocketbook, very few people will budge on what their viewpoint is. I remember someone booing from the crowd during a gig in the area when I mentioned that I was from Des Moines (sorry pal, you're stuck with me). Some views can be loathsome and myopic, but when they are your views, I guess you have to own that.

Want to bridge a gap? Grab a cold one, sit down, and explain why you hold the views that you have. Oh yeah, listening helps as well.

Mick Polich, Storm Lake

Unanswered questions need answering

In addition to the good questions posed by Randy Evans I have another in regard to the proposed ballroom annex at the White House: What shall it be called? There are rooms named in honor of past (p)residents like Lincoln and (Teddy) Roosevelt. And monuments to others are scattered throughout DC, including Washington and Jefferson. Trump’s claim that this boondoggle will be paid for by private donations is dubious, but let’s say that proves out. Will any of the donors be granted naming rights in exchange for their ante, as often happens to get edifice projects off the drawing board? I suspect he’ll reserve that privilege for himself, free of charge. I think I know what he plans to call it and it’s not the White House State Ballroom, as previously announced. Fire up the branding iron.

Mike Wellman, Des Moines

Trump the tyrant

Our “President” is a bald-faced tyrant masquerading as a true leader.

Recently he enacted a 50% punitive tariff on the Brazilian people merely because those people saw fit to investigate and prosecute crimes committed by former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. This is clearly an impeachable abuse of power.

What is also clear is that Mr. Trump holds the same socio-economic view that political and economic monopolists did during the Dark Ages in Europe. That philosophy states that rich and powerful monarchists must never be held accountable for their criminal misdeeds. Why? Because they are rich and powerful.

In America he sends the Department of Justice to investigate anyone who has ever given him the side-eye or doesn’t think he is God Almighty.

He is the most immature, overrated, immoral president this country has ever seen.

Kimball Shinkoskey, Woods Cross, Utah