Letters: Gun regulations stymie only people who obey laws

Regulations stop only people who obey laws

The Register’s own polling suggests that 58% of Iowans support Public Measure 1, which affirms and guarantees that Iowans may own firearms for their own use and purposes. Despite this, the Register editorial board and other non-public influence peddlers have decided to line up against it.

An Oct. 30 editorial contained primarily hyperbole and “what if” scenarios attempting to sway public opinion against the amendment.

Conveniently left out was the single most important fact, and possibly the one very reason all Iowans should support this amendment: Public Measure 1 does not mean that those people who are now prohibited from owning firearms will somehow be able to legally acquire them after ratification.

Prospective buyers will still be required to undergo a NICS background check, and any convicted felon or domestic abuser, among others, will still be denied legal purchase. The primary issue of this amendment should not be “strict scrutiny” by which it should be measured, but the legal obtaining of a firearm.

Firearms, drugs, vehicles, and just about any other type of property or services are readily available through illegal, and seemingly non-difficult, means. Most violent crime nationwide is the result of known career criminals obtaining weapons illegally, and then breaking additional laws using them to intimidate, rob, maim or kill others.

Iowans do not ordinarily commit crimes, and laws regulating citizens from obtaining anything will only affect those who do not break them. Legalese on paper has little effect on an intentional lawbreaker; only swift and sure action by those in authority can keep repeat offenders from continuing to prey on the residents once they have been caught, tried and convicted.

The trend today in states within easy driving distance from central Iowa, however, has been to release violent criminals back into the general public, often without even having to post bond. It has also become fashionable in large metropolitan areas to simply release violent prison inmates without serving sentences, or to allow rioters, not protesters, to take over entire sections of cities, completely abandoning the citizens whom elected officials have been sworn to protect.

Public Measure 1 merely affirms the US Second Amendment process into the Iowa Constitution and insists that what it says on paper is how it shall be enforced. This is how all law should be judged, and as such, Public Measure 1 should be overwhelmingly supported and passed on Nov. 8.

— Craig L. Swartz, Adel, National Rifle Association board of directors, Iowa Sportsmen's Federation executive director, Iowa State Rifle and Pistol Association board of directors

Cherish liberty and vote ‘yes’

I urge Iowans to vote “yes” on the “Freedom Amendment” to add recognition and protection of the right to keep and bear arms to Iowa's Constitution.

Three Iowa general assemblies have approved this amendment. California, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York and Iowa are the only six states that do not recognize or protect this right in their state constitutions. Most of those states are notorious for abusing this fundamental right. This is not a club in which Iowa should remain.

Many who oppose the “strict scrutiny” provision of this amendment applauded when the Iowa Supreme Court applied that standard in the case of Planned Parenthood of the Heartland v. Reynolds. Strict scrutiny, the highest level of judicial review in a three-tiered framework used by the courts, is the appropriate standard of review when challenges are made to laws that may affect the core of fundamental rights.

Don’t believe fearmongering claims that this amendment will overturn laws that prohibit violent criminals or those who have been judged “mentally defective” from possessing firearms. Those laws mirror federal law and are “narrowly tailored” to achieve “a compelling state interest” and will certainly survive strict scrutiny.

Liberty is to be cherished and defended, not feared. Vote “yes” on the statewide ballot measure.

— Richard Rogers, West Des Moines

GOP’s obstruction shouldn’t be rewarded

Nobody likes inflation, but what can you do about it? Most economists agree that to lower inflation, money must come out of the economy. Republicans want the money to come from you. Democrats want it to come from corporations and the rich.

If the Republicans retake Congress in November, they will follow through on their promise to lower taxes on big business. This will only destabilize the economy and make inflation worse. Big corporations will just continue to pay their CEOs increasingly ridiculous salaries, while short-changing their workers. Their prices will not come down.

The Democrats, in contrast, will continue to fight for the workers and middle class. They have already passed legislation for federal health insurance subsidies, lowering drug costs to seniors, and capping insulin costs. They are trying to pass the Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act and the Big Oil Windfall Profits Tax Act. Republicans are blocking them.

So, yes, be angry about inflation! But don't reward the Republicans for their obstruction and their everlasting, knee-jerk "solution" of cutting taxes to Big Business and the wealthy. Give the Democrats the majorities they need to keep fighting for all of us! Our democracy depends on it!

— Barbara Aszman Stone, Grinnell

Bob Ray and Kim Reynolds could hardly be more different

Having recently watched the documentary about Robert D. Ray, I was struck by the stark contrasts of Gov. Bob Ray’s and Gov. Kim Reynolds’ leadership styles.

Ray was even-handed and worked for legislative compromise. His decision-making process was devoid of politics, instead he based decisions on what he thought was the “right thing.” He was considered a mainstream, center right Republican. Ray believed there was no place in the Republican Party for hate and dangerous extremism. He wanted to be seen as progressive, and as one who readily found solutions to problems. He championed debate. He was pro-choice. He held daily press briefings, actually wanting to talk to the press. He did not see the media as an enemy. He went out of his way to welcome refugees because he had seen, and truly understood, the gravity of the situations they were facing. He felt it was a tremendous responsibility to represent over 3 million Iowans. He wanted people to be proud to be Iowans. When asked his philosophy of life, Ray replied, “I would like to be a person of values, not a person of name or title.”

Reynolds seems to base her decisions on politics, and forgets that she is governor for all Iowans, not just those that voted for her. The bills that she has championed have been extreme, most authored by the American Legislative Exchange Council, and she seems to want to stand next to Donald Trump as often as possible. She has usurped local control, she has ignored the separation of church and state, and she has vilified the press. She actively campaigns for a gun amendment that only Alabama, Louisiana, and Missouri have passed. She has no heart for refugees. More than 10,100 Iowans have died of COVID-19 on her watch. She seems to enjoy her title, and cares little about values.

People still identify as “Bob Ray Republicans.” Unfortunately, there are no Bob Ray Republican candidates running in 2022. I want to be proud to be an Iowan. I am tired of the mean spiritedness of Governor Reynolds. I’m ready for inspired leadership, and a return to caring about one another. I’m voting for Deidre DeJear.

— Jean Swenson, Waukee

A simple way to help people live

If we could save a child, a family member or a stranger from harm we would not hesitate to do so. Here is your opportunity to do just that. Vote “no” to “strict scrutiny.”

— Carolyn Suggett, Pleasant Hill

Abortion bans don’t change the need for safe abortions

Something that doesn't get said enough: The object of legalizing abortion was to make it safe.

Since the beginning of time some women have needed an abortion at some time. This will not change just because you make it illegal. Someone will still need an abortion. And that need covers a full spectrum and is private and a decision for the person in need. So all that is being done by making it illegal is sending us back to the time of the wire hanger technique, knitting needle technique, flight of stairs technique, and back alley technique.

Unsafe techniques!

Women don't spontaneously become pregnant. It takes a man to make a woman pregnant. So I would rather make it illegal for men to make a woman pregnant rather than that woman have to risk her life to abort what the man has done. The "blame" does not belong to the woman. So don't make her pay the price.

There should be no blame. But there is. Women are blamed.

Sexual relations are a part of nature. Take the blame out of it, or place the blame on the right gender. Men need to stop having sex with women. That is anti-abortion: when no baby is made.

— Robbin Mensching, West Des Moines

Democrats did not cause this inflation

The claim made by nearly all Republicans running for office that President Joe Biden and Speaker Nancy Pelosi are responsible for the inflation in the United States today is yet another lie.

The implication of these claims is that if you vote for the Republicans making them, they will tame inflation and save you money.

Nothing could be further from the truth. If these claims were true, then why is inflation over 10% in the Conservative-controlled United Kingdom? Why is inflation some 83% in Turkey? The answer is simple. Inflation is a monetary, not a political, phenomenon. It is created by too many dollars chasing too few goods. To whip inflation, we should reduce the money supply (the Fed is working on this by increasing interest rates) and increase productivity. The latter is not easy.

In fact, it is the reduction in productivity due to the supply-chain interruptions caused by COVID-19 that has caused the current high level of inflation, not the so-called reckless spending by Democrats.

The change over from summer to winter blend gasoline has also caused a temporary reduction in the supply of gasoline and the usual increase in its price every fall. You will note that no politicians are responsible for inflation any more than any politicians can single-handedly whip inflation. Again, inflation is a monetary, not a political, phenomenon. So, do not believe the Republicans who claim otherwise.

Now, let’s consider the Republicans' favorite bogeyman, the so-called “reckless” Democratic spending that allegedly “pours gasoline on the flames of inflation.” Again, nothing could be further from the truth. Federal spending does NOT fuel inflation. If the spending is not paid for with increased taxes, it merely increases the federal debt. That means that the federal government is borrowing money by selling bonds. If the Fed buys these bonds, it’s called “monetizing” the debt. That action by the Fed could increase the money supply. If the economy does not grow as fast as the increase in the money supply, the Fed’s action could increase prices. But the federal spending in isolation is NOT inflationary. It is inflationary only if the spending is not paid for with increased taxes, and if the Fed monetizes the difference, and if the economy does not grow enough. A lot of ifs in there, and yes, it is complicated. But do NOT believe that simplified version that the Republicans are trying to sell you. Federal spending, whether by Biden and Pelosi or Trump and Pence, is not gasoline poured on the flames of inflation.

— Hans Isakson, Cedar Falls, emeritus professor of economics, University of Northern Iowa

Grassley has no apparent principles

Twenty-four years ago, Sen. Chuck Grassley voted to impeach and remove a sitting president from office for lying about a consensual affair.

Three years ago, he reviewed evidence that Donald Trump tried to extort the president of Ukraine, shrugged, and voted to acquit. Last year, after Trump tried to forcibly overturn an election, he declared it wasn't his business, and voted to acquit him again.

Not long after, he stood on a stage with that former president and accepted his endorsement, saying, "if I didn’t accept the endorsement of a person who has 91% of the Republican voters in Iowa, I wouldn’t be too smart."

No, Senator, and you aren't very brave because you did.

Grassley stands for nothing but his own hold on power. He needs to go home.

— Jon Greising, Johnston

Democrats have America on the brink of collapse

The Democratic Party has become an extreme caricature of itself and is a danger to our republic.

Democrats' behavior this election cycle has removed any doubt. Rather than concentrating on kitchen table issues, they scream abortion, Trump and Jan. 6. Opponents are depicted as racists, misogynists and/or enemies of democracy itself.

The Dobbs decision, which pushed abortion decisions back to the states, seems to have sparked a special fury and now near-panic as Democrats fear power slipping away. Sadly, Democrat politicians see abortion only as a cudgel, not human life.

The explosion of debt in this Democrat-led Congress and higher interest rates will soon push the cost of servicing our debt higher than the cost of defense. This tsunami of debt portends stagflation at best or the real possibility of another 1930s-style collapse.

Mindless devotion to "green" energy, demanding an end to fossil fuels without adequate bridging technologies, will push us back 100 years. Get ready to make a list of modern comforts you can live without.

Finally, the two-tiered justice system evolving in Washington already gives us a banana republic feel. One standard for the favored, another for the rest of us, enforced by a compromised government. This is a recipe for disaster.

We're reaching a point of no return; this has to be stopped Nov. 8.

— Jon Johnson, Grimes

Only Democrats take inflation seriously

Inflation hurts, and it occurs under both Republican and Democratic administrations, with responsibility for controlling it assigned to the Federal Reserve. The Fed will increase interest rates and eventually inflation will recede; it always has before. Meanwhile, what are the two parties saying they’ll do about inflation?

Sen. Chuck Grassley says inflation is caused by overspending under President Joe Biden. But Grassley voted to lift the debt ceiling three times when Donald Trump’s spending increased the national debt by almost $8 trillion, a spending spree that began before COVID. Some prominent Republicans plan to cut Social Security and Medicare benefits, which would increase poverty for vulnerable populations. How does that stop inflation?

Biden has worked to get gas prices down from their peak. Democrats passed the Inflation Reduction Act that requires drug companies to negotiate prices with the government. Republicans opposed that. Corporate profits are increasing because companies are raising their prices faster than their costs are increasing. A Stop Corporate Greed bill modeled after excess profit bills imposed most recently in the 1980s was proposed by Democrats but has no Republican sponsors. Because of cuts to IRS staffing, audits of the very wealthy have decreased. With more trained staff, the IRS could collect some of the “tax gap,” the estimated $600 billion mostly wealthy taxpayers owe but don’t pay each year. How do Republicans address the issue of the unfair tax gap? By airing ridiculous ads with IRS agents running around in corn fields.

When it comes to inflation, no party has any magic bullet. But the Democrats are taking measures, while the Republicans’ only plan is to threaten entitlement programs that working people have paid into and planned on for years.

— Sue Ravenscroft, Ames

Why is crime higher in red states?

Alaska, New Mexico, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, South Carolina, South Dakota, Arizona and Michigan. These states have the highest crime rate in the United States. Eight out of the top 10 are Republican-led states. Why are these right-wing politicians telling voters that Democrats are weak on crime? Simply not true.

— Richard Hale, Madrid

No longer independent

All my adult life I have voted for the person most qualified for a position rather than the party. That includes many Republicans. But the party has changed. The GOP is now the party of greed, oligarchy, and power. Leaders have adopted tactics used by autocrats throughout history such as misinformation and undermining education, free press and justice department. An example of misinformation is saying an election was rigged in order to justify implementing procedures to rig an election to their benefit.

So how can they regain my vote? By their actions. Go after people like Donald Trump and his allies who want to gain power by any means including violence. I pray that they can return to their conservative values and work in a bipartisan way, but until they do, I will not vote for any Republican at any level of office, national, state or local.

— Leon Hofer, West Des Moines

Reynolds commercial demeans Iowans

Gov. Kim Reynolds makes an incredible statement in her political commercial when she says: Iowans “still know boys from girls.” Why? Why would she make this statement? One can only assume that she is addressing people who demonstrate any deviation in gender identity.

Her statement hurts feelings, creates anger, and only intensifies the agony people who are struggling with gender identity are experiencing. Our goal in Iowa should not be to divide us depending on our gender but to unite us as caring, accepting, understanding and non-judgmental people. We are all imperfect people; our goal should be acceptance, not rejection!

Please, Governor, treat all Iowans with respect and understanding.

— Nan Kloberdanz, West Des Moines

Newton stifles dissent

When the mayor of Newton forbids an individual from calling the mayor a "fascist" during a City Council meeting, the mayor is pretty much proving that the individual is correct.

— Stan Siebke, Urbandale

Republicans mislead with tax-cut math

Virtually all the Republican campaign ads running on TV mention a tax cut, usually stating your savings at $1,000 to $1,300. This is an average, where low earners get little or nothing, and the wealthy get many thousands. When the Democrats were presented this proposal, they called "foul" as it was another tax giveaway to the wealthy. Also, schools, colleges, clean water programs, and all state services would be further starved, so Democrats refused to vote for it.

This gives Republicans a double benefit. They can make it sound like they gave everyone the $1,000-plus cut (which they didn't), and they can say the Democrats voted against a tax cut. Win-win for the Republicans, lose-lose for Iowa.

— Frank McCammond, Redfield

GOP can’t be allowed to wreck democracy

I hope you'll vote. This is a critical election. They say democracy is at stake, and given everything we've been through in the past six years, I believe it. If you've always voted Republican no matter what, you have to know, this "Republican" party is not Ronald Reagan's Republican party. This is the cult of Donald Trump. It gives its allegiance and bends the knee to Trump alone. If you are not a supporter of Trump, this party doesn't want you. If you hold the Constitution and the rule of law in high esteem, this party is not for you.

Some people say they held their nose and voted for Trump at the 2016 presidential election. I'd ask if you are a true conservative Republican to do the same this time and vote Democrat, because if the current "Republicans" take control of Congress, we'll be living with the stink for years to come.

— Pam Robins, Indianola

Speak out against alcohol abuse

Again we read about Iowa's high rate of alcohol-related deaths and our increased use and purchase of alcohol this past year. The governor's own Office of Drug Control Policy predicts this number will increase this year.

With Iowa rating towards the top of alcohol use among all the states, it amazes me that not a word of response or caution has come from the governor's office. Even though alcohol use has become a culturally sanctioned activity supported by advertising and marketing moguls, it still perplexes me that we do not address the reasons, given how incredibly dangerous and destructive physically and socially this can be. We are told by sports teams after a big win there will be a lot of drinking going on tonight and at the same time losers talking about drowning their losses.

Responding to both celebrative joy and dismal loss with excess alcohol use seems strange. Yet most of us accept such behavior and just chuckle. This sounds like a win-win for the alcohol industry and a loss for our society. One researcher has referred to it as a pharmacological hand grenade. I would prefer to spend research monies on the why of this increased usage as well just expanding treatment opportunities. Just like any other disease.

— Lloyd Kaufman, Des Moines

Anti-choice is not pro-life

I am frustrated with the term "pro-life" as it is used by conservative advocates and the media. Who is not pro-life? Certainly I, as a Christian, choose life over death, and I believe it is human nature to do so regardless of your faith.

Years ago, when my husband was in graduate school at Iowa State University, I volunteered for Planned Parenthood. Wwe did intake and educated women on their options with unwanted pregnancies. They were asked to imagine how they would feel years later. Many chose against abortion. Those who decided on abortion were given a phone number in New York, because they could not get an abortion in Iowa (this was before Roe v. Wade). That is when I realized I had no authority to make such a decision for any other woman, or judge the wrenching decision she had to make for herself and those who were affected by the decision.

The law will not allow you to donate a kidney or other body part without your consent. No medical decisions can be made without your consent or that of someone given authority by you. You have the right to refuse vaccinations. The law recognizes that you should have the right to make decisions for your own body in these cases. The dilemma facing a literal conservative is whether or not life begins at conception, and then the choice becomes "which is the more loving, humane approach for all concerned?" Oddly, the same people who vote for the death penalty insist on voting against abortion at any stage of pregnancy.

Whatever the decision, it is not without consequence, and the law cannot consider the situation in each case. I am pro-life. But I am not anti-choice because I am not in their shoes.

— Judy Krase, Ankeny

Grassley’s seniority can help Iowa

Iowa’s power in Congress is limited; we only have four representatives and two senators. Small states like Iowa can increase their power by re-electing members of Iowa’s congressional delegation each election until they achieve “seniority.” Seniority enables them to chair powerful committees that determine the laws, helping Iowans.

Tom Harkin and Chuck Grassley were teammates, powerful senators with seniority, helping Iowans. Now, only Grassley remains.

Please vote to re-elect Chuck Grassley. He will be number one in Senate seniority. The most powerful man in the Senate will vote for Iowans. Please vote for Grassley.

— Jim Doorley, Iowa City

Broadlawns engages in discrimination

A few weeks ago, the Broadlawns Medical Center Board of Trustees approved a staff recommendation to cancel the contract with Freedom Coffee, a vendor to the public, taxpayer-funded, hospital.

The cancellation was simply because Freedom's parent company interprets the Bible to say that homosexual behavior is a sin. The governing council of the Methodist church has expressed a similar view. Recently, the Southern Baptist Leadership Council, representing over 70 million evangelicals, has taken that same position. I am sure that the leadership of the Catholic Church, the Mormons, the Muslins, other Christian organizations, and many other religions believe that position is valid.

If that is all true, how does Broadlawns vet future vendors as to their religious beliefs? Will they ban other vendors because their religious beliefs, that do not affect their contractual duties, conflict with the PUBLIC hospital's mission statement? The irony in this is that Broadlawns’ own Diversity and Inclusion office recommended to exclude an organization, not because of performance, but because the organization supposedly did not represent Broadlawns values.

Broadlawns is a PUBLIC hospital and is required to serve all Polk County entities equally, even those operated by evangelicals. If this behavior continues, Broadlawns may have difficulty finding vendors to meet future needs.

— Ray Sears, Pleasant Hill

Report on houselessness was informative

The Register’s series on homelessness in Iowa was excellent. I worked for PHC for 10 years, and these articles are the most in-depth and accurate I've seen on the subject. Being unhoused really is a vicious cycle, and the stigma on the unhoused is a major part of the problem. I hope you will continue to shine a light on the problem.

— Jeff Clingan, Van Meter

Who’s most like Ray? Not the Republican candidate.

Bob Ray was Iowa’s most popular governor. A Republican, Ray frequently worked across the political aisles and always sought to listen to and represent all Iowans. During his tenure as governor, he built Iowa’s community college system, established collective bargaining in public schools, and made Iowa number one in education.

He opened Iowa’s doors to Southeast Asian refugees, expanded energy conservation through the Iowa Policy Council, and advanced renewables through Iowa’s bottle deposit. He expanded health coverage for children, pregnant women, and seniors under Medicaid. He stressed fiscal responsibility and a tax system that financed essential government services. He embraced the Equal Rights Amendment and strong civil rights.

Today, however, the Republican Party and Iowa’s Republican governor have advanced a very different agenda. They have taken unilateral action to erode public education and represent only part of Iowa’s population. The Republican Party should not be the party of conspiracy, attacking teachers as engaging in divisive indoctrination, restricting voting rights, and denying a woman’s right to choose, but for all practical purposes, it is.

This year, those in the Republican Party who remember and would like to elect a Governor like Bob Ray, should vote for a Democrat like Deidre DeJear.

— Charles Bruner, Ames

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Letters: Gun regulations stymie only people who obey laws