Letter to the editor – Southeast Iowa Union

Results of Democrats policies all around us

A writer to the Union (Community, Sept. 8, 2023) is correct that after many years of walking in local Fourth of July parades as a registered Henry County Democrat, I was absent this year. The parades are truly a fun and patriotic celebration of the Fourth.

The writer is wrong to infer there is no Democratic presence on the parade route. Most of those lining the streets have benefited from the policies of Democratic administrations.

Many would not be at the parade if it were not for the hard fight by Democratic Presidents Franklin Roosevelt and Lyndon Johnson to provide Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Before these landmark initiatives many seniors moved in with the kids, died in abject poverty or were shipped off to the county poor farm. These were not Republican ideas and, in fact, Republicans have subverted them for decades as the wealthy don't want them.

Many children on the parade route have benefited from food stamps and Head Start. Thank Roosevelt, Johnson and John F. Kennedy for these vital Quality of Life programs.

Most Iowa communities have subsidized housing for those in need. Initiated by Kennedy and affirmed by Johnson and a Democratic Congress the Department of Housing and Urban Development provides for the housing. Republicans annually attempt to slash the budget.

Nutrition programs and congregate meals are the work of the Democratic Older Americans Act.

Who on the parade route does not know of friends and neighbors who are disabled? Iowa Democratic Senator Tom Harkin championed the ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act.) This was not a Republican idea and many opposed it as hotel and restaurant campaign contributors did not want to foot the bill for doorways, ramps and restrooms.

Roosevelt and Henry Wallace initiated Depression era farm programs heralded today. And, even with the expense of these programs Bill Clinton is the only President in recent memory to actually balance the Federal budget.

Republican and insurance industry kingpins fought Obamacare which provides insurance to many in need.

Locally, the Vision Iowa Program of Governor Tom Vilsack was critical to the Old Threshers carousel and our Salem library. Iowa Republicans axed the program.

Today, President Biden has dramatically lowered the cost of insulin and in a tough fight with Republicans and drug company profiteers is lowering the cost of ten of the most widely used medications.

I have proudly marched in dozens of Henry County parades. I join many in waving the flag for the achievements and policies of our nation's Democratic leaders.

David Hellman

Salem

Dont like direction of Fairfield

What does Fairfield have against the poor and elderly? There have been two articles in recent weeks that have me questioning just what Fairfield has against the poor and elderly.

The first was an article notifying the public of an upcoming vote on the Capital Improvements Levy. The levy is currently at $0.37 per $1,000 dollars of assessed value. The proposal is to raise it to $0.68 per $1,000 dollars of assessed value. I can understand needing some sort of an increase, as these levies are for 25 years, but almost double? And that is coming on top of the new assessment, during a spike in inflation and high gas prices. Even if you are a renter and not an owner, you will be affected. Your rent will go up.

Next up in the why-does- Fairfield- hate-poor & elderly docket is the proposed maintenance ordinance. The City Council is overreaching with this. The Government has no right to take people's homes. Look at the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution which guarantees our right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure. As long as my activities are not illegal, what happens in my home is no one else's business. And to say that the Government can seize my home because it is in poor repair, not only violates my rights, it places an unfair burden on one sector of the population. It is in effect, telling the poor and elderly, that you have no right to home ownership.

Does the City of Fairfield really believe that if people had the means and opportunity, especially the opportunity, to make repairs that they wouldn't have already done so? The City has put the new fire station off because of high building costs but then turns around and punishes others for the same thing? It is well and good to claim that there are grants available but we all know that is going to apply to a very small number of people. Others, in an effort to keep their homes, will be forced into HELOCs or loans of which they cannot afford the payments.

Then, under the pretext that if the exterior is "bad" the interior needs inspection too, they can force their way into your home like you are a common criminal. Being poor and elderly means you lose your rights.

I grew up in small town Iowa during Governor Ray's reign. We were proud of our ability to "make do, use it up or do without." This has been a large part of the American Way. Now it will no longer be tolerated in Fairfield. Now it is "fall in line or we take your house.

Dianne Brandt

Fairfield

Opinion content represents the viewpoint of the author or The Gazette editorial board. You can join the conversation by submitting a letter to the editor or guest column or by suggesting a topic for an editorial to editorial@thegazette.com

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Letter to the editor - Southeast Iowa Union