Letters to the Editor: Rob Sand’s false claims

Rob Sand falsely states, “As it stands, the private school voucher system requires no accountability over how tax money is being spent. There are no audits to check.”

The Students First Act provides the Director of the Department of Education with the power to “Conduct audits or other reviews necessary to properly administer the program.” Iowa Code section 257.11B(5)f. The act provides, “A person who makes a false claim for the purpose of obtaining an education savings account  payment or who knowingly receives the payment or makes a payment from an individual account within the fund without being legally entitled to do so is guilty of a fraudulent practice under chapter 714.” Id. at 257.11B(7). It also provides, “The state board of education shall refer cases of substantial misuse of education savings account program funds to the attorney general for the purpose of collection or for the purpose of a criminal investigation if the state board of education obtains evidence of fraudulent use of an account.” Id. at 257.11B(9)b.

Rob Sand also doesn’t understand the way a capitalist economy works. Our economy responds to supply and demand. But, if their supply of services is limited and demand increases, price goes up. Obviously, it is not the goal of private schools to make their services “unaffordable.”

Is Sand unaware that public school districts are provided $1,250 in new funding for each private school student in their districts? Given that there were 34,000 private students in 2023, at the beginning of vouchers, that yielded $40,970,000 in new funding.

It is false to pretend that private schools are never a choice for students living in rural areas. 41,044 students receive vouchers. Does anyone believe they are all city dwellers?

Donald Bohlken, Indianola

Chaos in 2028

If Trump can create enough chaos in the 2028 presidential election to make it impossible to count the votes, by seizing ballots and voting machines for example, the Constitution requires the election to be decided by the US House of Representatives.

The Constitution gives each state one vote, no matter how big or small the state.

Republicans in sparsely populated states help the Republican Party control a majority of the state legislatures nationwide, which gives them more votes.

This will allow Republicans to decide the 2028 presidential election, regardless of what most voters might want. And there's nothing Democrats can do about it.

Unless Democrats win enough seats in Congress this year to impeach Trump and make it stick this time.

Dave Coyne, Goshen, Ind.

Hinson bought and paid

For months, Ashley Hinson refused to join a bipartisan push in Congress to release the Epstein Files. Despite being one signature away from forcing a vote on the release, Hinson chose to block it. There was no obvious reason why she delayed efforts to bring Epstein’s crimes to light, and her refusal to release the files sooner delayed justice, transparency and accountability for Epstein’s many victims.  Her excuse was victim protection, yet dozens of their names were still released.

We have learned that, at the time, Ashley Hinson was quietly accepting tens of thousands of dollars from billionaires linked to Jeffrey Epstein, individuals mentioned hundreds of times in the files. It appears that Hinson is trying to please her wealthy donors by cutting their taxes in Congress, while we all have to pay more for gas, groceries, and healthcare. 

A bought-and-paid for politician by the Epstein class is the last thing Iowa needs right now.  We need someone committed to fighting for Iowans — not their billionaire donors who only care about getting their taxes cut at our expense.

If Hinson is willing to taking money from billionaires linked to Epstein, what might she be willing to do in the U.S. Senate?

Jo Ann McNiel, Cedar Rapids

A new low

Electric-shock gloves are being considered for purchase for ICE officers using $20 million of our taxpayer funded money.

These gloves can deliver up to 380 volts of electricity and will be used when immigrants are being detained by ICE officers. The proposed contract with Compliant Technologies is expected to be no bid.

This is despicable and inhumane treatment of humans. Civil rights groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union, have expressed alarm over its use.

Iowa’s animal-cruelty law regarding restraint and control prohibits intentionally inflicting injury or death on an animal by electric shock. If this is considered inhumane use on an animal, how can we accept this use on humans?

Animals and livestock are given better protection than the U.S. government gives when treating immigrants. Any proposed purchases should be rescinded. We know ICE agents will use these if made available to them and should NEVER be used.

How have we stooped so low in our country? Call or write your lawmakers today and demand they stop the purchase and use of electric-shock gloves.

Sharon Poplawski, Cedar Rapids