Letters: Verifying identities should not be controversial

TO READERS: This compilation has been updated to reflect a correction. Two letters have been updated to list the correct authors, which were incorrect in an earlier version. "Trump leads the charge on bullying" was by Margaret Stone of Boone. "Verifying identities should not be controversial" was by Fred Johnson of Ames.

If you serve the public, you must serve the public

I am troubled that Iowa lawmakers passed a “religious freedom restoration act.” This bill certainly does not “restore” religious freedom. The First Amendment is meant for all. What if a business owned by a Muslim woman would serve only women who wore a hijab? What if a store owned by Jewish people served only men who wore a yarmulke on their heads? What if medical services were denied to LGBTQ people? (Oh, is that the intent of the bill?)

Specific practices are appropriate within a faith community. However, when a place is open to the public, all must be served so that all have free exercise of religion (second clause of 1st Amendment). “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.” (First clause of First Amendment.) To serve everyone need not be a “burden.”

Religious liberty refers to people of all religions in this pluralistic nation.

The Rev. Norma Cook Everist, Mason City

Biden is the better old guy

Looks like it's coming down to "grandpa vs. grandpa" in the 2024 presidential election. So who would you rather have: the old, doddering one who is kind to everyone, or the crazy one, who always shows up shouting, and only talks about himself. Easy choice for me.

Jim Walters, Iowa City

Republican-supported bill fosters poverty

It is so sad that the Iowa Republican Party has become so hateful and uncaring. House File 2319 would ban the guaranteed-income program UpLift and programs like it that are trying to lift people out of poverty. By banning this $500 monthly stipend, Republicans are taking away chances to get out of poverty. Recipients could use the money for anything such as transportation to work or help with child care, which are necessary for people to get out of poverty. They could use the money to afford housing or for food for their families.

It's scary to think Republicans might use this same rational to do away with the food bank or other food pantries.

Our state would do better if we all do better.

Jean Richey, West Des Moines

What would be the consequences of no state income tax?

There is currently discussion about eliminating the state income tax. This is all well and good but, there are other things to consider.

Revenue must be raised elsewhere. The sales and property taxes will be raised. This will be a greater burden on lower-income households. Rents will have to be increased to reflect higher property taxes. Gas taxes may go up.

Be careful what you wish for.

John A. Gersib, Des Moines

Verifying identities should not be controversial

Regarding Kevin Baskins' March 3 story on workers, I believe Joe Henry of the League of United Latin American Citizens Council 307 needs to recognize several facts.  First, Henry has ignored our growing undocumented immigrant population, in relation to Iowa businesses' needs for qualified Iowa workers.  He has completely avoided comparing our "Help Wanted" sign for newcomers to the political aspects of our emerging immigrant population.

Henry appears to find fault with our employee quality standards, which require employers to verify the status of possible "Help Wanted" prospects, through our federal E-Verify system.

This, in my estimation, is similar to getting medical treatment from a back-alley medical practitioner versus getting accredited treatment from somebody certified. It might work out, but we have no standard of justified competence, even forgetting the medical ramifications of this behind-the- scenes illegal operative.

Henry also seems to have a large problem with requiring college students to provide proof of Iowa citizenship, before we give them our hard-earned Iowa dollars through in-state tuition.  Accordingly, Henry seems to believe it is permissible to allow undocumented drivers to possibly participate in human trafficking, by transporting a person under the age of 18.

The act of requiring a valid driver's license does not make Iowa an "unwelcoming state," as Henry implies. The act simply provides protection by requiring vetting, prior to issuance of a driver's license. To quote Joe Murphy, Iowa Business Council president, "Iowa has a rich history of welcoming people from across the world."  Proof of vetted information is normally required for you to cash checks and board aircraft. Since when is requiring a valid driver's license to be regarded as a political point?

Fred Johnson, Ames

Trump leads the charge on bullying

A common factor in most school shootings (besides guns) seems to be bullying. It's really difficult to convince the youth of our country not to bully when they hear the leading Republican presidential candidate bully, name call, and degrade others almost daily. Voters should think about what kind of example Donald Trump is setting for our young people and the ripple effects of his behavior.

Margaret Stone, Boone

State employees should be able to share sick time

Sen. Brad Zaun is trying to get a bill passed that will allow married or relative state employees to share vacation and sick time at anytime. This would prevent a spouse, child, parent from having to take sick time without pay. It would also allow for vacation time when one is low. The hope is for Iowa to be one of the first states to adopt such a bill. Also, this would allow for private companies to allow this with blood related employees. This is the third year Zaun has tried to push this bipartisan bill through. This bill would not be a cost to Iowa taxpayers. Please reach out to Senator Zaun in support.

Crawford Norwood, Bondurant

Biden’s proposed menthol ban is a continuation of the war on drugs

The War on Drugs has been an abject failure. A trillion dollars spent for half a century to keep recreational drugs out of the United States, but today a fentanyl crisis ravages Iowa families. In Iowa, marijuana use can result in jail time, children being taken away from their parents, and a revoked driver’s license. These are the consequences of the drug war championed by both Republicans and Democrats.

Despite this obvious failure our nation continues to fund the War on Drugs and even expand its efforts. President Joe Biden’s proposed ban on menthol cigarettes is just the latest example.

The demand for menthol cigarettes won’t disappear should a ban be signed into law. With the stroke of a pen, Biden will instead be creating a black market fueled by demand from millions of menthol smokers who are willing to spend billions of dollars a year to smoke their preferred products, as they have done for many years. Instead of Iowa collecting tax revenue, criminal organizations will fill the demand for these products and collect millions in black market income to fuel their criminal enterprises.

Because cigarettes are highly taxed in states across the country, it is estimated up to 21% of cigarettes sold in the United States are already sold illegally. Without doubt, this figure will rise dramatically should a menthol ban come into effect.

Besides the illicit market that will undoubtedly arise if menthol cigarettes are banned, Iowans' personal autonomy will also be reduced. We are a state that values our liberty and limited government interference. While cigarettes are harmful, and I won't encourage anyone to begin smoking, those who do enjoy them should have the right to continue buying their preferred products legally, rather than being forced to buy them from criminals.

Smoking rates have declined for decades due to educational campaigns highlighting the harms of smoking. Education and prevention have proven to be far more successful than prohibition in curbing the use of harmful drugs.

The proposed menthol ban is a misguided policy that threatens to repeat the failures of the War on Drugs. President Biden, I urge you to ignore the calls of prohibitionist special interests. Remember our nation’s history of failed prohibitionist policies and abandon the proposed ban on menthol cigarettes.

We should support those battling addiction, not criminalize them. It’s time for a new approach to curb harmful behaviors — one that prioritizes education, public health, and individual freedoms.

Rick Stewart, Cedar Rapids

Extreme weather is just what’s been predicted

Right now, the upper Sierra Mountains of California are getting 10 feet of snow with 100 mph winds. But, as well, Texas is hot, windy and very dry. It is therefore having its largest wildfire in history. Dubuque has had the warmest March 3 on record (by 5 to 10 degrees).

It's winter in America with the new normal. The new normal is that there is no normal. During the 1980s, it was predicted by climate scientists that global warming would result in "extremes" in weather. Not just the occasional extremes but their more frequent occurrence in different parts of the world (or country). And sometimes at the same time! Welcome to the Anthropocene.

Gerald Eagleson, Dubuque

Teachers with guns will not deter

I would like to ask Todd Blodgett after his March 3 letter: Do you really think that having armed teachers at a school will stop emotionally troubled children bent on self-destruction and looking to take a few others with them from bringing a gun to school? They already know they are likely to die. Why would a teacher carrying a gun deter them?

Roni Wilson, Stuart

It’s easy to understand Iowa’s lack of workers

I read in the Sunday Register about our state’s worker shortage, and the only surprising thing about the shortage was that some people were surprised about it. Businesses have no one to blame but the governor and her Legislature, whom they have consistently backed.

What workers are there for businesses to choose from? Immigrants? No, the legislative welcome mat has been rolled up for them.

People with families? Let’s see; some OB/GYN doctors will be leaving the state because of the lack of reproductive freedom, and training them in Iowa City has become more complicated. The possibility of the denial of access to birth control and laws concerning IVF is getting more real. Public schools and universities, their teachers and professors, and now the AEAs have been under attack every year.

College graduates? With the religious freedom bill, anyone who doesn’t like your lifestyle choices can legally discriminate against you. Also, no LGBTQ+, either you or your friends, are welcome here.

There is no one you can take your concerns about the legalities of these oversteps into personal freedoms; our attorney general is much more interested in bringing suits against the Biden administration than to care about Iowa citizens’ rights. Our Supreme Court just prefers to look the other way.

Who do you think is going to stay around for all those open positions, businesspeople? Oh, I know; retirees and the small farmers who are being edged out by the large, corporate concerns which receive the tax breaks, financial grants, and no-holds-barred laws on pollution.

Silly me, I am sure that those numbers will meet your needs.

Barbara Persoon, Pleasantville

Gun regulation limits gun deaths

In the March 3 Register Todd Blodgett argues, in support of guns in schools, that we do not see mass shootings at gun shows.

More to the point, one does not expect or see mass shootings in places like Germany, Italy, France, Britain, Canada or Japan, the other six of the G-7.  Indeed, in those countries the policy behind the first three words of our Second amendment, "A well regulated,'' actually leads to regulation that protects people and does not expose children and others to more threats of gun violence. The regulation common in the rest of the G-6 would be much more helpful than turning life over to the not so tender mercies of gun show profiteers and merchants of death.

Ivan T. Webber, West Des Moines

So school should be like a gun show?

I’m sorry but I can’t help but respond to the Register printing of a letter by Todd Blodgett, who poses the penetrating question, “When was the last time a would-be (what-ever-that-is) shooter opened fire at a gun show?”

I'm assuming he is in favor of a potential shooting gallery in the school room with everyone armed just like a gun show.

Jerrold Jordan, Johnston

Armed teachers can go wrong in many ways

Leave it up to the Republicans to pass a bill allowing Iowa teachers to pack heat in the classroom. This is a crazy and very bad idea for a few reasons, if not more:

1) Students are already anxious about problems in school and in their personal lives. How can they pay attention to the teacher when he/she is walking around with a 9mm Glock strapped to their waist?

2) A well-meaning teacher may respond to a perceived emergency and accidently shoot and kill innocent students or other faculty and staff.

3) The students could gang up on the teacher, take his/her gun from the teacher and proceed to kill the teacher and a lot of innocent students.

If anyone is allowed to carry a firearm in school, it should only be a professional police person, not a teacher. Iowa has a teacher shortage the way it is. Passing a ridiculous law like this will only cause more teachers to leave the profession, creating an even bigger problem.

Michael Prindle, Ankeny

Religious freedom law grants special privileges to some

With the so-called Religious Freedom Restoration Act, Iowa Republicans will grant a special right, to ignore laws they say conflict with their faith, on a favored group: religious believers.

Another Republican-backed bill — to define “man” and “woman” and exclude people from accommodations that align with their lived gender — would restrict the rights of a minority: transgender Iowans.

Both laws permit discrimination against marginalized people.

History shows a government that affords special rights to one group while discriminating against another borders on fascism.

Someday, and it may take decades, Iowans will see this period as akin to the Jim Crow era, and hang their heads in shame.

Thomas R. O'Donnell, Keosauqua

Some great moments in American history

I am confident the following US historical events, to name a few, will not reach the “exceptional and praiseworthy” status of the new Republican social studies curriculum:

In 1830, President Andrew Jackson forcefully removed all the Native Americans from their land in the southeastern part of the US so the land they were removed from could be purchased by enslavers, grow more cotton, and purchase more slaves.

From 1863 to 1950, 6,500 African Americans were publicly lynched by white supremacists to intimidate and traumatize the Black population.

Because of unwarranted fear, Japanese Americans were forcefully removed from their homes and properties to detention camps during World War II.

Many African Americans who served honorably during World War II came home to discrimination and abuse because of the Jim Crow laws.

Thousands of Native American children were rounded up starting in 1879 and placed in boarding schools with the intent of “civilizing” them, removing the tradition and customs of their tribal nations.

Denny Coon, Ankeny

I’ve taught and trained gun users. Don’t arm school staff.

Complex situations rarely have simple solutions. My experiences include being a classroom teacher and being an instructor of both law enforcement officers and civilians in the use of lethal force. Arming teachers and other school staff folks is not a solution to prevent violence in schools.

The first step is to reduce the opportunity to bring a weapon into the school, then, the next step is to have resources available to mitigate the impact of any dangerous situation. The first thing I address with any whom I train in the use of lethal force is whether they understand the complete aspect and consequences of using lethal force against another person. Those who teach should be allowed to teach students who do not need to be in an environment where they do not feel secure.

The answer is to harden the access, allow the students and faculty to feel an experience of a cocoon of safety, and have competent people in place to maintain the safety.

Michael Rice, Pleasant Hill

People on death row forfeited right to life

All life is most certainly precious.

Alabama’s new law protecting frozen embryos is in no way related to the state also having a death penalty statute. Life being precious is the very reason some societies have adopted such a harsh penalty for the most egregious of crimes. I would agree that one could argue against the death penalty for a variety of reasons. That the unborn, (frozen or not), are on par with those convicted of a crime and sentenced according to the law, is not one of those arguments.

Steve Lame, Des Moines

Of course starved cities turn to traffic cameras

Could it be coincidental that more communities in Iowa are setting up speed cameras (yeah, looking at you Newton, Le Claire, Grinnell, Prairie City, to name a few) as the Republican majority keeps bragging about lowering taxes? What better way to get a few bucks without much work?

Here’s an idea: Let’s make I-80 a toll road from the mighty Mississippi to the muddy Missouri? Hear me out please, every town in Iowa gets to share in the profits, potholes are fixed, gas taxes go down, and maybe a tenderloin sandwich in Prairie City is cheaper, to just start with. Nobody likes taxes, but what do you want to give up without them? I always say I want the end side of a bridge to be there after entering the start side of the same bridge.

Mark Mahoney, Urbandale

Most of us descend from foreign owners of Iowa land

It is interesting that the Iowa Legislature has passed a measure to strengthen enforcement of laws on foreign ownership of farmland.  Had there been strong enforcement in the 1800s, most of us would not be here. The indigenous tribes fared poorly on that score.

The Rev. David Polich, West Des Moines

Government isn’t required to deal with unions

I disagree with state Rep. Sami Scheetz saying in an essay in the Register that Senate File 2374 "...strikes at the heart of fundamental rights."  I agree that workers, including public employees, have a right to form a union as part of a fundamental right to freedom of association and to peaceably assemble. But, that right does not include any right to force our government to negotiate with or even recognize a union as a bargaining unit.

If our government establishes laws allowing or requiring governments to recognize and negotiate with public employee unions, those laws may be amended or abolished.  Neither side of an employee-employer relationship should be able to use force, including the force of government, to require the other side to agree to anything. The association should be voluntary.

Kurt Johnson, Urbandale

Joni Ernst’s tale of woe is a profile in cowardice

It was touching and a little sad to read that Sen. Joni Ernst admitted at a Boone event that she didn’t have the courage to vote for the bipartisan border deal even though she supported it (Feb. 24). Despite the excuses she makes, the fact is she didn’t have the nerve to go against Donald Trump and his very vocal supporters. They opposed the deal because it would actually improve the situation at the border when Trump wanted chaos there so he could blame Democrats and run on the issue.

The bill failed by one vote. Ernst could have made the difference, if only she had the courage to vote her conscience, like her fellow Republican the late John McCain did when he bucked his party to save the Affordable Care Act by one vote. She blamed “the public” for making it hard for her to do the right thing, but most Iowans want revamped border and immigration policies.

Later in the story she named the real culprits, “my own colleagues” who “were out there knowingly putting out misinformation about the bill because they wanted to tank it,” and “a former president who even before the bill was written said, ‘It’s garbage.’” So first she went along with Trump and her disinformation-spreading Republican colleagues, who whipped up their supporters to call her office, and now she complains she had no choice. As that former president is fond of saying, “sad.”

David Russell, Ames

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Letters: Verifying identities should not be controversial