Opinion

To the editor:With fewer citizens able to support themselves due to a lack of jobs in this nation that provide meaningful, living wage employment, it is no wonder that more American citizens are paying fewer taxes.This nation has become purchasers (users) instead of producers. Producers provide job creation, and income provides tax revenues. Purchasers eventually run low on expendable income as higher prices, ...

To the editor:October is National Principals Month, and Gov. Terry Branstad has also issued a proclamation honoring elementary, middle and high school principals and recognizing their importance in ensuring that every child has access to a high-quality education.I want to capitalize on this occasion to thank the principals of the Fairfield Community School District for their commitment to the students and staff ...

The Hawk Eye, Sept. 22Offensive suggestion: Republican-led House-passed bill would add drug testing to food stamp recipients If House Republicans had their way, the 47 million Americans now having to sustain themselves on food stamps first would have to pass a drug test to get them.That?s part of a House-passed measure that slices $4 billion a year from a program that is providing assistance to 1 in 7 ...

Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, Oct. 6The circus comes to the Capitol It?s like the big-top circus came to town in national news last week.The federal government shutdown played the role of the lion show, with the nation?s eyes glued to the center stage, glancing briefly at the clowns while paying rapt attention to see who would flinch first inside the cage.However, high above and drawing less attention, the ...

To the editor:It?s amazing how these men can make it look like the conservatives are the ones at fault. Just like every other lie the president has gottenby with. Do you think our forefathers would approve of any of theevents that have taken place in the White House in the last four years?These men aren?t working for the people, they are working for eachother. Remember to oust the president on Nov. 19. Take ...

To the editor:I am Jordan Morris, an Iowa native (early childhood in Muscatine, then a move to Fairfield when I was 14).I am an enterprising 21-year-old young man who wants to become a farmer. Iowa is home to 93,000 farms and 10 percent of the world?s most productive farmland. Iowa is currently in negotiations with China for hog exports. I want to be a farmer who feeds the state, the nation and the world.I ...

To the Editor:As you may know, Bob Krause announced as the ?GMO Labeling Candidate? ? and has finally ?belled the cat.?He is the voice of reason on genetically modified organisms and has taken a solid stand: unlabeled GMO input into the food chain breeds distrust for Iowa?s most important product.What are we hiding? If we expect transparency in government, we need to expect transparency in what we eat. As food ...

Quad-City Times, Sept. 27?No Child? continues its miserable failure Education is evolving at lightning speed. High school students are earning college credits before their graduation. Students are blogging homework assignments so their work can be evaluated by peers as well as teachers.Many school districts are putting laptops and tablets in the hands of every student, allowing access to online instruction, ...

Sioux City Journal, Sept. 8Incentives help level playing field for Iowa Largely because of our proximity to tax friendly South Dakota, we in northwest Iowa have a unique understanding of and appreciation for the importance of state economic development assistance.In its 2013 State Business Tax Climate Index, the Tax Foundation ranks South Dakota number two in the nation; Iowa, 42. This ranking speaks volumes ...

To the editor:As a member of Service Academy Graduates Against The War, I oppose the Obama government?s plan to bomb Syria. Its use of chemical weapons remains highly speculative. We fear that self-serving evidence combined with expedient reasoning will lead to yet another immoral campaign of death and destruction. And the majority of victims will again be innocent civilians, this time Syrians.The president ...

To the editor:On the evening of Aug. 19, we had the unfortunate experience of a passenger side blowout of the front tire on our fifth wheel RV resulting in the failure of the second tire. This happened on Highway 34, halfway between Fairfield and Mount Pleasant.The help, concern and kindness of Jefferson County Officer Mark Miller, Smithburg Automotive and Dave Spees, the Larry Horton family and two unknown ...

To the editor:Thanks for the fun at Open Class at the Fair!Town and country people enjoyed the fun contests ranging from the rubber chicken-throwing contest to the frozen t-shirt contest. Many, many coupons for tasty treats from local merchants and goodies were given.We want to let you know the participants of each event. Each event was divided into age levels to encourage the fun. Decorate and eat cup cake ...