- In Trump’s America, I’m at risk because of my appearance
- U.S. must not abandon families of people who aided our military
- We need unionized nurses if patient interests are to be protected
- We all want America to succeed, and that means Trump
- Closing a north-side pool is an abominable idea
- I thought I was rid of Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk
- Charge suburban residents who work in Des Moines
In Trump’s America, I’m at risk because of my appearance
This is my plea to Iowans. Please protect your friends and neighbors because we may suffer needlessly.
As of Monday, I must drive perfectly. I can’t accidentally clip a white line or go 1 mph over the speed limit. I cannot risk even minor run-ins with law enforcement.
Because I look Latina.
Gov. Kim Reynolds made clear that Iowa’s law enforcement should “fully cooperate and assist” with mass deportation. While I am a law-abiding, Des Moines-born citizen and the child of a retired Des Moines Police Department officer, little will help me. Any officer blindly following orders puts me at risk.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
Will my license, registration, and insurance be enough to protect me? Will my clean record help? Will the fact that I’m not Latina make a difference? I have done nothing but exist in President Donald Trump’s America, yet I lack the privilege to ignore such questions.
Many Iowans carry guns and support deportations because they don’t want to live in fear. What, then, are my options? What do I do when a police officer questions my citizenship? What do I do if a business owner calls the police because I look like I might be “an illegal”?
I hope someone has answers because I’m tired of waiting for my fellow Iowans to care about people who look like me.
Seeta Mangra-Stubbs, Des Moines
U.S. must not abandon families of people who aided our military
It has been the tradition of the United States to help the families of soldiers and citizens who worked with the United States military in countries of conflict. Once the newly resettled soldiers/supporters of the U.S. military get settled in the U.S., get regular employment, and complete documents, they are allowed to welcome their spouses and dependent children to come to the U.S.
Des Moines has a number of individuals who helped the U.S. military in Afghanistan. They are employed locally and attending area colleges. Should they or their families stay in Afghanistan, their lives would be threatened by the Taliban. Recently, the executive branch of the government canceled some 1,600 flights of spouses/dependents of these loyal U.S. government supporters.
To Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst, what can you do to reinstate these flights? Surely these folks enjoy the same safeguards as we have offered to others throughout our history.
Marilyn Dysart, West Des Moines
We need unionized nurses if patient interests are to be protected
I’d like to encourage the UnityPoint nurses who are trying to unionize. What was once unthinkable has now become necessary, because the structure of health care delivery has changed so very much
The big missed story of the early 20th century is the demise of private medical practice. There are very few independent family docs or specialists, because it is so hard now. Big health care monopolies and duopolies have taken over health care delivery, including insurance, and are obsessed with profitability. Health care providers without unions cannot possibly negotiate fairly with the corporatists.
A nursing union is needed to negotiate for the patients’ best interests, fairness in pay and working conditions. It is a matter of time until physicians realize they have to unionize as well.
Long ago I was a unionized resident out east. We wouldn’t strike or slow down to achieve our goals. We ended having housestaff working 72 hours straight, improving patient safety, and won equitable schedules and pay. Patients benefitted.
Good luck to the nurses, our longtime patient advocates who are the key to patient welfare.
Dr. Eugene Cherny, Urbandale
We all want America to succeed, and that means Trump
We have seen a change in American politics. A change that spans a generation. The man who was nearly killed, faced drama and scandal. Spending hours in court and dealing with felonies. After all this and the threats, President Donald Trump surprised them all. He did the unthinkable and massed a magnificent comeback.
However, I didn’t vote for him. Many people didn’t. We have a peaceful transition of power. Administrations work together to prepare for the future. We may not like Trump. We want him to be successful and accept the results of our election. The country will succeed if our leaders can. That means President Trump.
We can disagree and fight. What matters is government carries on, as does life. But, love him, hate him, we want him to do good for the nation.
Tyler Fahey, Anamosa
Closing a north-side pool is an abominable idea
Never did I imagine I’d read that Des Moines might close Birdland Pool.
Des Moines operates two outdoor swimming pools (as opposed to the aquatic centers). One is Ashworth Pool located south of Grand Avenue. The other is Birdland Pool located on the near north side. They are both big, beautiful pools that serve vastly different populations.
I live downtown and can swim anywhere but choose to swim at Birdland. Given good weather, the pool at lap swim time is always full (every lane with people sharing) of a community of neighborhood and other adult swimmers who love this pool. Afterward, families and children are lined up to the parking lot and beyond waiting to swim or to learn how to swim.
Shame on you for thinking about closing this pool and retaining the one close to the western suburbs located south of Grand.
Susan Seitz, Des Moines
I thought I was rid of Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk
Twelve years ago, I got Mark Zuckerberg out of my life when I deactivated my Facebook account. Similarly, I excised Elon Musk when I dropped my Twitter account. Now, these ghouls of greed have insinuated themselves again, not only in my life, but also everyone else’s where they don’t belong.
Steven Orlan Person, Des Moines
Charge suburban residents who work in Des Moines
Many years ago, city councilman George Flagg suggested a “wheel tax” for the suburbs. It’s time has come.
Ron Bassman, Des Moines
