Iowans need to examine Sen. Chuck Grassley’s record and his questionable support for the voters of Iowa. He has held past chairmanships of the Senate Finance Committee, and is currently the committee’s ranking minority member. When discussing the national debt, this committee is the most powerful and influential committee of which Grassley was a key member. When you look at Grassley’s contributors, it is apparent what is driving his decisions.

The nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics lists the largest contributors to Grassley during his political career as health professionals ($1 million in contributions), insurance industry ($997,674), lawyers/law firms ($625,543) and pharmaceuticals/health products ($538,680).

Grassley was a co-sponsor of a 1993 Senate bill that would have mandated health insurance for Americans. Now, he’s flip-flopped. Grassley voted in favor of end-of-life counseling as part of the 2003 Medicare prescription drug bill. Now, he’s flip-flopped again.

Iowans, also consider that Grassley has the third-worst veterans voting record in Congress as rated by the Disabled American Veterans.

Larry Peter
Manchester

West Branch Times
 
Grassley voted against investing in future

In the article, “Grassley: Oil spills may help wind, biofuels,” on May 13, Senator Grassley took credit for stimulus dollars that will help West Branch school system close a $367,000 dollar gap. This is the same stimulus package that he voted against.

In the article, Grassley also states, “A lot of the money given to states was earmarked for education for 2009 and 2010.” As a parent and a teacher myself, I find it truly discouraging that Senator Grassley voted against an investment for our children’s future and the greater good of our education system. I find it equally appalling that he is yet again taking credit for something he voted against. Senator Grassley is out of touch with Iowa and we can do better.

I will be supporting Roxanne Conlin in the election for U.S. Senate, because she will stand up for the needs of Iowans as she has done so many times before.

Sue Dvorsky
Coralville

Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil

Frustrated with GOP candidates

I am frustrated that the three Republicans running for governor don’t seem to understand what’s best for our state.

Planned Parenthood of the Heartland directly serves Iowans who would otherwise go without any health care at all. Let’s get the facts straight: 97 percent of the services provided by PP Heartland are preventive. Defunding those services would negatively impact low-income women and families. Our elected officials should be working toward helping not hindering progress.

Janet Sutherland, Council Bluffs

Disappointed in King

I live in Council Bluffs, Iowa and have been more than disappointed with the congressional leadership. Steve King cannot possibly be the district’s best option. He is constantly complaining about issues such as immigration and taxes but never puts forth a practical solution. He has gotten national media attention in the last few months for some of his incendiary comments.

I found many of these comments to be immature and irresponsible for someone in his position to be making. He draws attention to the district for all the wrong reasons. That is why I am supporting Mike Denklau for congress in November. Mike has a youthful energy and intelligence that is needed in political leadership. He is also providing practical solutions to problems, which is a great departure from the current representation.

Patrick Morgans, Council Bluffs

Dubuque Telegraph Herald

Gulf woes show need for regulation

I know it's a favorite fantasy of conservatives to have little or no regulation for business. What has that gotten us? It brought us to the edge of a Second Great Depression as our economy almost collapsed.

And now we have an ongoing disaster in the Gulf of Mexico that is doing long-term damage to our planet. A disaster that could have easily been prevented if companies drilling off our shores were required to install the same safeguards that countries like Norway or Brazil have on their rigs.

In a perfect world, we would not need regulations and businesses could be trusted to act in a responsible and ethical manner. But we are not in a perfect world. And too many companies have shown through word and through deed that the only way they will act in a responsible and ethical manner is if the government demands it of them through with the force of law.

~Its absolutely impossible to describe the depths of DEPRAVITY of Chuck Grassley, this man has sold his soul years, aeons, decades ago, when he goes to the hereafter he'll have to answer; for Iowa in the here and now, his way ward star has steered Iowa so off course,so off kilter its been a complete, utter and absolutely obscene DISASTER (disaster meaning diseased star) and that's what the Grasster in his obscene abominations in bombing any nation has been. And Good Iowans have had to carry and bear the burden of his complete and utter SHAME for forty years,
          Yes Brothers and Sisters, Iowans have been in the Desert of Grassters deceit, corruption, cunning, treachery, manipulation and lies for FORTY YEARS,
           Sounds Apocryphal doesn't it. Well…it IS!
           Just imagine it…Forty Years in the Grass Man's Desert
             doesn't that sounds like a sentence right outta hell
               Well, hell YES it does!!!
                 This is the peonage, penury and penitentiary we've been in, no worker's (or anyone else's) RIGHTS
                    Iowa a Good Plantation State that the Good Ol' Marster Grassley can ride herd (and roughshod) over us
                     as wage slaves in Plantation Iowa
            Well, it's TIME
                  for EXODUS
                   of Iowa's People
            And It CAN Be Done
               And it WILL BE DONE!!!
       Have FAITH Dear Beloved Good People of Iowa
     The Time in the Hourglass of the Grassman's Saddle is quickly, swiftly, quietly running out
          and he's gonna have to SKIDADDLE!
                The Grass Man's Time Count is ON!
                                 168 days
                                   and COUNTING
                                        YEAH!!