America needs to be one team
“Go Navy! Beat Army!” We recited that phrase every day, for four years at the US Naval Academy. Only one game REALLY matters each year – America’s Game, Army Navy football. Midshipmen/Cadets stand cheering with everything they have to support their team. The football team fights until the very last second, leaving everything on the field.
Game complete, both football teams join arms, stand proudly in front of the Brigade of Midshipmen and Corps of Cadets and sing BOTH Alma Maters. Regardless of the outcome, each Alma Mater is followed by “Go Navy! Beat Army!” or “Go Army! Beat Navy!” Hope springs eternal for victory next year.
Four years of intense academics/physical fitness/leadership development, four hard-fought Army Navy games and these young men & women don the uniforms of our Nation. They serve side-by-side in our Military, with one common goal – “…..support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic …..” America selected them to do a job. Now, “Brothers & Sisters in Arms,” focused on their duty of defending America. ONE TEAM, doing everything in their power to accomplish their tasks. They will give everything they have on the field, at sea and in the air – up to and including their lives.
Another election season, of hard-fought battles, is over. I implore our elected officials to find the courage and strength to follow the example of America’s sons and daughters at our Service Academies and our Military.
America has selected their elected officials to do a job and that job requires teamwork. It is time to join arms and work for all Americans. To succeed, they must become ONE TEAM, doing everything in their power to accomplish their task—governing America.
Joan Platz, Mason City
Voter turnout disappointing
Ironically BUT very appropriately, Election Day occurred just six days before Veterans’ Day. Millions of Americans have fought to maintain our right to vote in a democracy, tens of thousands have died. As we read this, our armed forces, ALL volunteers, are constantly insuring we may vote freely for whomever or whatever we please. Our daughter is one of them (USN based in San Diego).
This fact is diminished by far too many “citizens” NOT voting AND potentially by miscreants here and abroad (Russia!) who may attempt to interfere with our tradition of free and honest voting. This Presidential election with many “down-ticket” races, Judicial retentions, etc. saw 36% of eligible votes staying home. That’s nearly four out of 10! Some complain that elections are “fixed” or unsafe. I don’t believe that, but let’s reassure our fellow citizens that voting is safe and easy.
Unfortunately, even with a growing population, we spend far less today than just a few years ago to insure an honest and safe vote. I encourage readers to ask Senators Grassley and Ernst to pass the Senate Appropriations Committee’s non-partisan effort to earmark $75M to protect election workers and the entire voting process. (As recently as 2020 it was $400M but the current appropriation is only $75M).
Next time, get out and vote folks!
Gerald Edgar, Garner
Democrats not as tolerant as they say
Democrats have called President Trump and his supporters deplorables, fascists, Nazis, garbage, and most recently in a letter to the editor a writer suggested dismay that the assassins bullet missed its mark on Trump by an inch.
Democrats call themselves the party of inclusiveness and tolerance…..maybe not so much after all. More like the party of hate, at least when it comes to Republicans. Yet they wonder why they got creamed in Iowa local, state, and national elections. A hint, hate doesn’t play well with Iowa values.
Patrick Ropella,
Mason City
Climate change must be a priority for lawmakers
The power in Washington is transitory but the relentless damaging power of climate change is not. Action to prepare for the extreme weather events that have and will continue to devastate areas of Iowa must include an all of the above energy strategy to : 1. enact permitting reform to streamline the electric grid and 2. reduce fossil fuel emissions by substituting wind, solar and nuclear power sources through market forces, i.e. a price on carbon emissions. The legacy of Senators Grassley and Ernst and Representatives Miller-Meeks, Hinson, Nunn and Feenstra will rest on the lasting impact they make for future generations long after the short term issues of the day have faded.
Jackie Armstrong,
St. Ansgar
