Letters: Ballots and voter information should be only in English

Ballots and voter information should be only in English

I must take issue with the Oct. 8 Register editorial on voting rights.

There is no reason to print voter information or ballots in any language other than English. Voting is a RIGHT reserved to citizens only. Anyone who immigrates to the U.S. must be a citizen to vote, and one of the requirements to becoming a citizen is a working knowledge of the English language. There are other requirements to becoming a citizen. There are also exceptions to the requirements to become a citizen, but only with approved waivers.

If anyone wants to print election forms, or ballots in other languages, they had better be prepared to print ballots in hundreds of languages to accommodate everyone who does not speak English.

If you want to be an American citizen, then learn the language and laws and be a responsible citizen.

— Francis Picray, Des Moines

Reduce Ukraine aid, spend to protect home and rebuild

Since the Ukraine-Russia conflict started, the Biden administration has directed more than $113 billion in assistance to Ukraine. This has included humanitarian, financial, and military support. The United States, having already spent this staggering amount of money, should not provide Ukraine with any new taxpayer money going forward.

No tax-paying American should have to defend someone else’s border if we can’t first defend our own American border. We should use the same resources and military power to protect against an invasion of illegal immigrants along the southern border. Along with the border, these resources should be redirected to help our country’s failing infrastructure. The United States was given a C-minus by the American Society of Civil Engineers in 2021 for our infrastructure. Here in Iowa alone we ranked dead last in road and bridge infrastructure, all while billions of dollars are being sent overseas.

We need to focus on and fix our own problems, before turning our focus to other nations in need of help. Our inability to solve our problems on our own soil has put us in a vulnerable spot as a world-leading superpower.

— Nicholas Haberl, Halbur

Pursue peace amid conflict

The recent conflict between Hamas and Israel has left me deeply troubled by the loss of innocent lives and the distressing images of hostages paraded through the streets. The human toll of such conflicts is a stark reminder of the urgent need for peace in our deeply troubled world.

It is clear that most people yearn for peace and stability, regardless of their background or nationality. Yet wars are abundant in many parts of the world. To achieve peace in our lifetime, we must advocate for dialogue, diplomacy, and understanding. We must elect and urge leaders to prioritize peace, embrace diverse perspectives, foster cultural exchange, and support humanitarian aid in conflict-affected regions.

Unfortunately, achieving lasting peace seems like a pipe dream. World conflicts have been abundant for centuries. And as a society we have not yet figured out a way to foster global cooperation and a commitment to finding common ground.

However, this is our lifetime! If not now, when? It's time for us to come together, transcending differences, and work toward a future where conflicts are resolved through respectful dialogue rather than violence.

— Marcia Wanamaker, Waukee

Save the book sale

This fall has a feeling of nostalgia already for next year with Planned Parenthood's surprise announcement that this will be its last highly successful annual book sale at the State Fairgrounds. For the last 50 years I have attended, purchased and donated books, volunteered and visited with friends there whom I hadn't seen since the previous year. People of all ages and social economic class would take in the fun of looking through the tables of very reasonable prices of slightly used donated items. People would be seen filling up grocery carts while looking for novels, scholarly texts or even out of print and antique publications.

The bonus was that monies from one's purchase would go for charitable purposes. But it will now end, for no credible reason given.

In the face of such a community loss might I now suggest the Des Moines Public Library Foundation take over this successful annual event for their own fundraiser? The goodwill, volunteers and blueprint for success is already there and require minimal paid staff. Surely there are corporate donors willing to provide the warehouse space needed. Please don't let this event filled with goodwill and charitable intent end. It will be a loss in so many ways.

— Lloyd Kaufman, Des Moines

More: Planned Parenthood book sale volunteers in Des Moines 'heartsick' as its last chapter begins

Let’s try something completely different on the border

I'm old enough to remember when all immigrants passed thru Ellis Island, a sort of “funnel” to entry into the United States. And it worked.

As much as I hate to admit it, perhaps a "wall" is the solution, although, logistically and fiscally, it could be a nightmare.

IF, and it's a big IF, such a "wall" were completed, the need to deal with the vast number who wished to emigrate would still be a huge problem.

Getting back to Ellis Island, and its function as a "funnel" for entry: Why not build several "Ellis Islands" along the border, with proper security? Immigrants, in an orderly fashion, could apply at one of these "Islands," and wait across the border until their name was called for processing.

I can't even begin to imagine the cost; better minds than I could put a handle on that. But a cost/benefit analysis of what we are doing now, and need to do in in the future, could put it in perspective. But what we are doing, or not doing, now is a disgrace.

The problem is not Republican or Democratic. Both parties share the blame.

It would certainly be more humane. If immigrants knew their name would be eventually called, the need to enter illegally would be mitigated.

We could partner with Mexico to cover the costs of facilities for providing temporary safe living quarters.

This idea will be considered by some to be way out it left field. Fine. Let's hear their ideas!

— Frank Henderson, West Des Moines

Vote Rob Barron for Des Moines City Council Ward 1

We need to invest in our future by electing proven leaders who have a wealth of diverse experiences. Rob Barron has served on the Des Moines school board and co-founded the Latino Political Network. His community experience uniquely qualifies him to represent the diverse neighborhoods in Ward 1. It’s time to elect a new generation of leaders.

— Mitch Henry, chair, Iowa Unity Coalition, Des Moines

Kaul helped preserve Trice’s story

Donald Kaul deserves considerable credit for naming the Cyclones’ stadium Jack Trice. He advocated for this in his column for many years!

— Sue Sharp Johnson, Oelwein

More: Peterson: Iowa State football players, coaches are emotional about Jack Trice's legacy

Ramaswamy lacked perspective

Vivek Ramaswamy’s overreaction to the “parking lot incident” in Grinnell on Oct. 5 is troubling. What would his reaction be if there were an international “parking incident”? Would we go to DEFCON 1 in preparation for a terrorist attack on the US? Rather, how about taking a big breath, talk to the party(s) involved, exchange insurance information, and wait for the police to sort things out. I don’t think I want a leader with such thin skin and short fuse.

— Phil DeLong, Indianola

Iowa has public needs that public money could help with

Gov. Kim Reynolds sees a budget surplus and wants to cut income taxes. I would argue that first we need more spending on specific, underfunded needs. We have many bridges in need of repair. More DNA analysis machines would speed up the work of law enforcement. The budgets for our state universities have been cut frequently, contributing to the falling standards of education in Iowa. The shortage of qualified, properly paid public defense lawyers tilts the scales of justice against poor people. The shortage of judges slows the whole legal system. And so on. Others will have equally important spending priorities. When state services are functioning properly would be the time to consider cutting income taxes.

— Paul Morris, Des Moines

Where is care for dependent adults in central Iowa?

Technology has allowed for children like my daughter to thrive into adulthood. My beautiful daughter has a rare neuromuscular disease and has been ventilator-dependent since infanthood. We have managed to lovingly care for her in our home for 22 years, but due to the nursing crisis, we recently had to make the excruciating decision to place her at Childserve. She will age out at 30.

For being the most populated area in Iowa, the metro area is a barren landscape for the care of medically complex young adults. There are NO group homes or alternative facilities available for ventilator dependent young adults. So, as the state hoards a $2 billion surplus, I have to wonder what has happened to our humanity. A lot of good and humane projects could blossom from those funds, and maybe the moniker “Iowa Nice” could be aptly applied.

— Julie Simanski, Ankeny

The migrant crisis can’t be ignored, and we need a new, humane solution

I’ve come to “yes” on a border wall to make it harder to cross in dangerous areas and funnel refugees and asylum seekers into smaller choke points to make it easier for Border Patrol agents to assist and process their asylum and immigration claims.

I call on all Americans to acknowledge this is a national issue and all states should share in resettlement. In Iowa we have the example of Gov. Robert D. Ray, who resettled our allies fleeing Ho Chi Minh. How are Venezuelans fleeing a failing Cuba-style dictatorship any different from Cubans fleeing Castro? We need workers. What is the difference between fleeing a gangster regime and fleeing actual gangsters in Central and South America? How are Afghan allies any different than Vietnamese a generation ago?

Don’t send Iowa Guard troops to the border. Send buses to bring our fair share of refugees to Iowa for resettlement. Open your hearts!

— Ken Wymore, Cedar Falls

Iowa’s surpluses and tax cuts are no triumph

The Wall Street Journal had an editorial lauding Kim Reynolds on her "tax cut triumph." I would like to offer an alternative view. The consequences of her tax cuts are dramatic. According to the National Assessment of Education Progress, Iowa now ranks at No. 24. In the 1990s, Iowa was ranked in the top five. Iowa spent more per pupil in the 1970s and 1980s. By 2019 Iowa was spending $1,254 per pupil below the national average.

Iowa ranks 33rd lowest on health care spending per person.

And Iowa is ranked 50th, by the Treatment Advocacy Center, with only two mental health hospital beds per 100,000 people.

Reynolds has not allocated money to meet the needs of the public schools, health care or mental health care needs of Iowans' citizens. Instead she has focused on anti-LGBT laws as well as denying women their ability to make their own basic health care decisions.

— Nancy Lynch, Des Moines

Palestinians, Israelis deserve peace with justice

We grieve the deaths of the Israelis killed in the recent attacks by Hamas. We are not blind nor indifferent however, to the Israeli policies that led predictably to this moment.

Israel has now declared war on this “open air prison” (blockaded population) known as Gaza. Jewish Voice For Peace notes, “The Israeli government may have just declared war, but its war on Palestinians started over 75 years ago. Israeli apartheid and occupation — and United States complicity in that oppression — are the source of all this violence.”

So today, while we mourn the Israelis killed in the weekend attacks, we also mourn the thousands of Palestinians who have been, and still are, being killed as Israel builds its apartheid state.

Palestinians and Israelis deserve an opportunity to live in peace with justice. To get to that place it is imperative that:

• There be no expansion of the violence, an immediate cease fire, and all hostages are released.

• The US stop funding Israel’s illegal and brutal occupation of Palestine and siege of Gaza.

• All parties, including Hamas, are brought to the negotiating table.

• A credible arbiter, not the US, is brought in to guide the negotiations.

The way to peace is peace.

— Kathleen McQuillen, Catholic Peace Ministry director, and the Rev. David Polich, Catholic Peace Ministry board member

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Letters: Ballots and voter information should be only in English