Letters: Republicans have chance to rid themselves of Trump

Republicans could have rid themselves of Trump

June 9, according to Gov. Kim Reynolds, was a “sad day for America”. Her response to Donald Trump’s indictment was indeed sad and shows her lack of and style of leadership and is in itself sad.

And for the record, President Joe Biden has not been accused of the same thing for which the government is prosecuting Trump. Far, far from that, Trump has 37 federal felony counts for which he is indicted, having sufficient evidence of federal law wrongdoing to will bring him to trial.

Republicans could use this opportunity to rid themselves of the toxic conspiracy-based cult that is Trump politics. They have much to gain by unloading that burden. It is a burden that has and continues to threaten the democracy of this country. The door is open for that great opportunity. Republicans should not slam it shut.

— Phillip Thien, Des Moines

Reynolds isn’t describing equal justice

Gov. Kim Reynolds calling Donald Trump's federal indictment a “grave warning sign for the state of equal justice” is indeed a warning to the state of Iowa that our governor believes the laws of our country need not apply to everyone and that politics should override equal treatment under these laws.

— David Dahlby, Bettendorf

Name-calling is central for Trump

D.C. Larson's June 11 guest essay was puzzling. He's sampled a full 360 degrees of populist politics in his life, but he can't seem to offer anything but platitudes.

He paraded a lot of them, but the one of the last blew a hole in his logic. He wrote, "Gratuitous name calling is not a tool of serious thinkers." That immediately calls into question why Mr. Larson chose to twice vote for a man, Donald Trump, who literally built his campaigns on gratuitous name calling.

— Jamie Lewis, Charles City

Likely culprits easy to name

I am pretty sure that trans children are not the problem.

A new election is brewing in which both sides will excoriate the other with accusations. An arrogant ex-president has been indicted for thumbing his nose at national security. A sitting president is being investigated for using his family to benefit from his office. Neither of these men nor their actions are exceptional as politicians go. No one knows who to believe because both parties have moved beyond a world where belief matters.

Black lives continue to be lost at the hands of those who are supposed to protect them.

People of all skin colors continue to die at the hands of a gun-loving populace. White men continue to be the most dangerous people in America. We arm other countries to carry out wars that benefit only the wealthy among us. The Supreme Court is doing the bidding of billionaires posing as religious zealots posing as representative of the people. Wildfires envelop our forests; smoke envelopes our cities leaving our people gasping for relief. Water is wasted in the never-ending search for profit and growth. Books are being banned because some people are so repressed, they cannot conceive of more than one way to live. Iowa’s governor openly wishes for a one-party system. The Legislature kills oversight in an effort to protect cronies.

I am pretty sure that trans children are not the problem.

— Lonnie Cleland, Des Moines

Freedom is on the line in America

Americans value our freedoms – our freedom to elect leaders who respect our will, protect our interests and govern in our name. Now, a grand jury of everyday Floridians across race, background, and party issued a federal indictment of the former president for threatening America by stealing national security documents, conspiring to obstruct justice, and lying to cling to power. Yet the MAGA Republicans in office today who supported, schemed and covered up for him want to overturn our legal system to allow him to evade consequences, carry on this criminal conspiracy and seize power unchecked.

From the House of Representatives to the Supreme Court to state legislatures, including the very scene of the crime in Florida, they want to take away our freedoms and rule for the wealthy few. We must come together and demand that anyone who aided, abetted or excused the MAGA criminal conspiracy be held accountable so we can make this a place where our leaders honor their oaths, protecting our country and our freedoms.

— Pat Bowen, Iowa City

Authoritarians mistreat

The other night I watched an old (1994) TV program. It was Ken Burns' documentary “Baseball.” It made me so upset that the rich and powerful baseball owners treated their Black players so poorly, controlling where they ate, slept, and basically treating the players like animals. The owners were able to hide behind the national pastime while doing that.

As I watched it and learned from it, I thought about how Iowa students are not allowed to watch it (either in its entirety or certain scenes) for historical reference. This is thanks to Iowa’s Legislature who banned teaching any history that may make white people uncomfortable. As an angry old farmer, I have never been so embarrassed by Iowa’s so-called leaders as I am about Gov. Kim Reynolds, the Republican-controlled Legislature, and the ultra conservatives who control us now.

— Marvin Shirley, Minburn

California didn’t think through pork rules

Sometimes legislation passed in ignorance is worse than no legislation at all. We have people who think hogs should not be confined. I grew up in the era of free-range hogs. The hogs could be dangerous when not confined. I once had a sow charge me with teeth bared. I had a club with which I gave the sow a sharp blow to her snout to get her to back off. I knew a man who picked up his brother in a wheelbarrow in a hog lot. The brother had been killed by hogs. Farmers knew to be careful when feeding hungry hogs not to let the hogs get them down.

Sows are really large compared with newborn pigs. They frequently laid on one or more of their little pigs and killed them. It was not unusual to race to the hog house and grab a pitchfork to get a sow off a squealing little pig. The birthing crates saved a lot of little pigs and reduced financial losses for farmers. People need to look at both or more sides of an issue before making decisions with limited knowledge. California seems to have completely ignored farm safety when passing ”feel good” pork legislation.

— Dennis Havran, Milo

Haley offers candor

I attended Nikki Haley’s town hall in Ankeny and was impressed by her willingness and ability to offer real solutions to real problems: our out-of-control debt, record-high inflation, and the crisis at the southern border. I also admired her honesty. She didn’t beat around the bush. She doesn’t tell people what they want to hear—but what they need to hear.

While a lot of other candidates just talk about the issues we face, Haley is clearly a person of action who will fix our broken government. That’s what our country needs.

— Liz Lee, Urbandale

Senators fall short with Trump reactions

I was disappointed by the responses Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst offered to the indictment of Donald Trump. As a nation we already put too much energy into being angry partisans, and not nearly enough energy into being thoughtful patriots. Apparently it's now the fashion for Iowa Republicans to write off the value of thoughtful discussion and reach instead for raw passion. If we Americans are to become a people good at moving the nation forward, we will be better served by politicians who value a "Thoughtfulness First" approach to civic life. As Iowans, Grassley and Ernst should have reached for a far higher standard.

— Steven H. Johnson, Ames

Society rejected Trump’s outlook 800 years ago

On June 15, 1215, the barons, burghers and bishops of England forced King John to promulgate Magna Carta, accepting that even the king is not above the law. Many of Donald Trump's claims regarding classified documents and document retention are based on the idea the law does not apply to presidents. Magna Carta made it plain King John was wrong 808 years ago. Donald Trump is wrong today.

— Ivan T. Webber, West Des Moines

Embrace short-term pain for a vibrant Ingersoll Avenue

The transformation of Ingersoll Avenue into a pedestrian and bicycle-friendly boulevard may bring short-term traffic and parking challenges, but the long-term benefits for the neighborhood are worth it. By investing in increased density, walkability, bikeability, and transit, we are creating a more vibrant and attractive community.

While some business owners express concerns about the loss of parking spaces, it is important to remember that change often comes with temporary inconveniences. Prioritizing pedestrians and alternative transportation modes has been proven to drive economic growth and enhance quality of life in cities across the country. Ingersoll Avenue can be a thriving hub where people can stroll, cycle, and enjoy the vibrant mix of boutiques, restaurants, and bars.

We should not lose sight of the bigger picture: The revitalization of Ingersoll Avenue offers an opportunity to shape a more inclusive, sustainable, and people-centered neighborhood. Let us embrace the short-term pain for the long-term gain of a vibrant and livable community that attracts visitors, fosters community, and promotes active lifestyles.

— David Jennings, Des Moines

Republicans focus on wrong issues

Kathie Obradovich, in a recent commentary in the Iowa Capital Dispatch reporting on Sen. Joni Ernst’s Roast and Ride event on June 3 where she hosted eight Republican presidential contenders, indicated that none of the candidates spent any time talking about issues most concerning to average Iowans.

I’ll bet the average mother in Iowa is less concerned about her neighbor getting gender-afirming health care for her trans daughter than she is about finding health care for her own three kids now that the local hospital has closed down and she has to drive over 100 miles one way to a provider. This may be made even more difficult because more middle-class people have to work a second job just to pay rent and put food on the table. Did any of the potential candidates have a solution to rising inflation besides to billionaires’ and corporations’ taxes?

With over 600,000 Iowans on Medicare, were they asked if they would protect Medicare as president? Obradovich reported that Florida Gov. Ron De Santis used “woke” four times in his speech. It’s time we elected better leaders focused on solutions rather than name-calling

— Kim Thompson, Fruitland

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Letters: Republicans have chance to rid themselves of Trump