Letters to the Editor: Unite for Veterans Rally in Storm Lake June 6

June 6 is the anniversary of D-Day, the invasion of Normandy, France, in 1944. Many events will be held around the country in commemoration. We will hold one here in Storm Lake Friday, June 6, at 5:30 p.m., at the Buena Vista County Courthouse. 

Unite for Veterans will be a nonpartisan event to thank all veterans for their service and sacrifice, those who came home and those who didn’t. Bringing flags, shirts, and signs celebrating veterans and the military is encouraged, but please don’t bring political signs and/or shirts. Going to war is a political process, authorized by Congress and led by the president.  But serving in the military is not political, and our people in uniform serve the country, not a political party. Serving can be dangerous, even in peacetime. My father served in the navy aboard an aircraft carrier and shortly after he was transferred his replacement was killed in a deck accident.  Serving often requires spending months overseas, away from family and friends.

Remembering D-Day also remembers fighting alongside allies. Americans invaded only two of the five beaches; Canadians invaded one, and British two.  Ships from France and the Netherlands as well as the US and UK supported. Of the three airborne divisions that jumped that day, one was British. 

I hope you will come to the rally, but there are many other ways to support veterans. I’m one of two who drive veterans to medical appointments if they are unable to drive themselves. Sometimes both of us are unavailable and last week an appointment was missed. If you’d like to help, contact Louie DeRoos or Jerry Weiland at 712-749-2562 or at the VA office on Cayuga Street next to the library.  Many other organizations support and celebrate vets. I donate to some of them and I suggest that you do too.

Jim Eliason, Storm Lake

Reviving the Sac County Democratic Party

In April I had shared information about the development of the Concerned Citizens of Sac County.

This has been and will continue to be a safe place to share concerns about controversial issues affecting our state and federal government. We have a current email list of 50 people with different backgrounds, experiences, educations, etc.

One of our goals is to seek out new representatives that share our concerns, believe in respecting the rule of law and defend the principles of the constitution.

With a primary election year coming in 2026, we know more must be done to support, represent and caucus for new candidates. To do this we must revive the Sac County Democratic Party. There will be a reorganization meeting Tuesday, June 17, at 6:30 p.m. at the Sac Community Recreation Center in Sac City. Those interested are welcome and we look forward to working more closely with our State Democratic Party which is, Of, By and For the People.

We believe every Iowan has an ally and an advocate in the Iowa Democrat Party. We stand for people. That means living wages, world class public education, strong unions, quality affordable healthcare, equality and opportunity for all.

Amended Text Passed in Platform Committee 6.15.2024: Statement of Principles

1. Iowa Democrats believe passionately in the ideals set forth in 1787 in the Preamble to the United States Constitution, embedding in it the wisdom to construct a democratic republic, which would “form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.”
2. Democrats believe the purpose of government is to act on behalf of everyone’s human rights equally, to engage in environmental stewardship and establish the right to clean air, soil, and water, and to oversee the equitable distribution of resources, affording all citizens the opportunity to attain their highest level of social, cultural, economic, mental and physical well-being.
3. Iowa Democrats support the equal application of justice in all courts, a government separated from the influence of a particular religious belief, respect for each person’s liberty and potential, and religious freedom while respecting the beliefs of others and their rights.
4. Iowa Democrats support the progressive taxation of public dollars for PreK-14 public education and area education agencies to provide special education, training, and media services to all certified schools in the state.
5. We support honesty and transparency in government and political communications and political contributions, divestment from monied influence in campaigns and elections, and elections that focus on policy issues.
6. Our young and idealistic democracy, nationally and in Iowa, has been a testament to the advancement of the ideals bequeathed to us in our founding. We are proud of the Democratic Party’s contributions to our nation’s heritage, accomplishments, diversity, and movement toward a “more perfect union.” We preserve and advance diversity, sustainability, opportunity and equality. We embrace our rights and sacred duty to continue the work of national improvement that began over two centuries ago.

Micki Quail, Sac City

Ernst’s “We all are going to die” comment was uncalled for

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says heart disease and cancer are the two leading causes of death in the U.S. I’d like to add a third one: Iowa Senator Joni Ernst. Her flippant “We all are going to die” comment at a May 30th town hall is one to remember as we look ahead to November 2026. Ernst was trying to justify the huge Medicaid cuts in the House-passed budget bill, which analysts say would cause 7.6 million Americans to lose their health insurance coverage. That’s a scary proposition for a lot of people. And yes, life threatening. Seems like Ernst has been infected with the Trump virus, a fairly common disease nowadays that makes people — especially elected officials — say and do stupid things.  

Hugh Espey, Des Moines

Open letter to Joni Ernst

In your military career you learned the necessity of following orders without asking too many questions. The record shows that served you well.

Your job now is different. Stop the boundless loyalty to your party’s masters and defense of their script. Listen to the people you represent. Ask questions. Carefully consider what you learn. The Constitution and your constituents demand it.

Oh, and instead of arrogantly advocating your faith you might consider imitating the behavior of Jesus. That would be nice.

Robert Uetz, Ames

When did “education” and “educated” become dirty words in Iowa?

When I grew up in Storm Lake, kids were encouraged to learn, to get good grades, to go beyond high school, to aspire to being educated people who could solve problems and do things in a smarter way. Iowa’s state universities and its many fine four-year colleges were revered. Buena Vista College (as it was then known) was a star in Storm Lake’s crown, attracting well-educated professors and students on the rise, bringing a measure of sophistication to our town.

Now, it seems, scientists and educated people are the enemies. As Art Cullen reported in his last column, more than half of Iowa farmers surveyed are either uncertain or opposed to changing farm practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  Iowa is more interested in banning books than in encouraging people to read books. Roundup is used with abandon. Drinking water is not fit for drinking. Iowa supports a president who wants to dismantle the Department of Education and cut funding for K-12 public schools.

“Keeping things the same” has appeal for many, but ignoring science, facts and the advice of educated experts is idiotic and will prove to be self-destructive.

Carolyn Wolski, St. Paul, Minn.

The future of private property rights in Iowa rests in the hands of Gov. Kim Reynolds

The future of every Iowan’s right to own private property rests in the hands of Gov. Kim Reynolds. At question is whether the governor will sign HF639 into law to curtail the use of eminent domain for CO2 pipelines by private companies for profit without public necessity. Hundreds of impacted Iowa landowners anxiously await her decision.

Summit Carbon Solutions has conditional approval to exercise eminent domain to take our land for its Midwest Carbon Express under the authority of the Iowa Utilities Commission (IUC). Landowners have pushed back against Summit’s plan since 2021 when we first received certified letters and realized this isn’t “just another pipeline.”

It will not transport oil, natural gas, water, or any other substance needed for public comfort and convenience. Summit’s CO2 pipeline is a private project aimed at reaping hundreds of billions of dollars in taxpayer-funded 45Q carbon credits for every metric ton of CO2 captured and sequestered in the caverns of western North Dakota.

The bill on Gov. Reynolds’ desk will not stop the construction of Summit’s pipeline. It will, however, curb the use of eminent domain by requiring the company to build its pipeline solely with voluntary easements. Those who do not want a hazardous CO2 pipeline on their property will not be forced to do so. HF639 will also protect landowners from catastrophic monetary loss by requiring pipeline companies to carry liability insurance or pay increased premiums on landowners’ policies in the event of a pipeline break. The bill also addresses land restoration, IUC reform, and limits on CO2 pipeline permit renewal.

A recent poll in The Iowa Standard shows 93% of Iowans think the governor should sign HF639. If Summit Carbon Solutions, a venture capitalist company, succeeds with this unconstitutional land-grab, any Iowa property owner could be the target of the next money-making scheme coming to the state.

This isn’t complicated. Any high school student taking the new Iowa Civics Exam knows the Constitution grants power to use eminent domain to the government alone with just compensation and only for the public good. Three states on Summit’s route understand this. Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota do not allow eminent domain for CO2 pipelines.

Gov. Kim Reynolds has shown the courage needed to speak truth to power many times in the past. By signing HF639, she can ensure her legacy and protect the constitutional property rights of every Iowan by curbing the use of eminent domain for profit without public need.

Bonnie Ewoldt, Crawford Co.; Glen Alden, Hancock Co.; Brenda A. Barr, Hancock Co.; Patty Beyer, Cherokee Co.; Kathy Carter, Floyd Co.; Michael Daly, Johnson Co.; Paul and Julie Glade, Wright Co.; Anne Gray, Sioux Co.; Barbara Henning, Buena Vista Co.; Janette Henning, Greene Co.; Mike Henning, Greene Co.; Willard Hostetler, Greene Co.; Wilmer Hulstein, Sioux Co.; Don Johannsen, Cherokee Co.; Wayne and Dee Johnson, Clay Co.; Denny and Kerry King, Clay Co.; Cindy Kruthoff, Crawford Co.; Candi Brandau Larson, Floyd Co.; Alan Laubenthal, Kossuth Co.; Sioux Lawton, Hancock Co.; Marty and Wanda Maher, Page Co.; Tom and Susie McDonald, Montgomery Co.; James and Jan Norris, Montgomery Co.; Kimberly Oldenburger, Blackhawk Co.; Mary Powell, Shelby Co; Peg Rasmussen, Montgomery Co.; Romona Jean Ritter, Wright Co.; Barb Shomaker, Clay Co.; Casey and Lisa Schomaker, Clay Co.; Meghan Sloma, Sioux Co.; Marjorie Swan, Wright Co.; Terry Thompson, Hancock Co.; Raymondand Katherine Stockdale, Hardin Co.; Sherri Webb, Shelby Co.; Debbie Wheeler, Page Co.; Hilary Ziols, Hancock Co.