Harreld only a symptom

I’m not going to say that University of Iowa President Bruce Harreld isn’t corrupt, because we do not have strictly conclusive evidence to verify that. Nor will I say that he is, for exactly the same reason. When he took the job, I had exactly as much faith in him as the next guy, which was zero.

Whether Harreld was complicit in the dubious means that got him hired is arguable. Knowing that the process that got him the job was irredeemably corrupt, the most moral thing for Harreld to have done, would have been to voluntarily step down. Instead, he chose to remain. I do not know if this was a desire for the salary that is very significantly higher than that of his female predecessor or if it is because he decided to rise to the challenge set before him.

Therefore, since we are stuck with him for the foreseeable future, it seems prudent to give the man a chance. Perhaps we are giving him just enough rope to hang himself, although, to date he seems to be doing a fairly decent job. I STILL have little confidence in Harreld, but that is a big increase from ZERO. You can’t simply reverse my opinion in a few short months.

My main point is the that we SHOULD keep an eye on Harreld, who, corrupt or not, needs watching by reason of simple in-experience. Where we really need to focus our efforts however, is on the CLEARLY corrupt state Board of Regents.

In an adjunct to that would be Gov. Terry Braindead, or Branstad, who appointed most of the current regents and who has turned what should be a temporary post in to a decades-long kingship.

When is the last time I was invited to stand up against the regents? When is the last time that we asked Branstad what his agenda was? Everyone knows that NO ONE wanted Harreld, but we have him and should make the best of it for now. You don’t have to like it, I certainly don’t, but because he is there, we have to give him a fair shake. What I don’t like, and you shouldn’t either, is the B.S. the regents pulled, with the explicit consent of Branstad. So let’s focus on the PROBLEM and quit worrying about the symptoms until then.

­— Craig Hall

Making our state better

Caucuses are over, and now it is time to concentrate on making our STATE better.

We need good public schools. Extend the state school tax many years at full support. Use the ever-growing rainy-day fund for school repairs and helping with busing or after-school programs.

We need better health care. Reduce administrative costs created by numerous insurance companies with their different rules and forms. Stop making everyone pay for indigent care in ERs by entering more people into the federal Medicaid system, not pay for another layer of private bureaucracy.

We need clean water and air. Voluntary is not working, so legislate with penalties. Use the expertise of those who are doing a good job in our state.

We need safe food. Increase the number of inspectors, and give them the power to demand best practices.

We need tax revenue. Increase the number of people working in the state tax department. Review ALL forms of tax credits to determine if any are still needed. Allocate more funds to towns for infrastructure. We do not need a Flint problem with our aging pipes.

We have the resources to be the first clean-energy-run state. Make wind turbines as major an export as soybeans.

Iowa can then be at the top of all the best-places lists.

­— Judy Pfohl

Unique items from Iowa

My name is Karam; I am a fourth-grader from Evansville, Indiana. I was born in University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. My class is doing a state report, and I chose to research Iowa because I was born there. For my presentation, I would like to include unique items from Iowa. If you would be willing, could you please publish this for your readers to see? For my project, it would be helpful to receive brochures, pamphlets, postcards, pictures, and any other special items about your state.

Could you please send these items by March 1 to the address below?

Attn: Fourth-Grade Class

Evansville Day School

3400 N. Green River Road

Evansville, IN 47715

Thank you for your participation and generosity.

­— Karam Rimawi