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OPINIONThe North Scott Press was judged First Place for Best Editorial Page, Iowa Newspaper Association, 2018
www.northscottpress.com | Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019 | The North Scott Press of Eldridge, Iowa 21A
Editor:I am a retired U.S. and World History
teacher at North Scott High School. I have been looking for ways to volunteer some time to give back to the taxpayers that supported me and my family for 34 years. Due to President Trump’s Ukraine problems, an impeachment inquiry has begun. I am writing this at a time when 216 Democrats and one Independent in the House of Representatives favor impeach-ing the president. ZERO Republicans are in favor of impeachment.
So, maybe I should spend some time in our nation’s capital and stand in the middle of first the House, and then the Senate, and introduce the Republicans to the Democrats and get them to pass leg-islation that will HELP THE AMERICAN PEOPLE on the issues of gun control, infrastructure, climate change, immigra-tion reform, etc.
With a two-thirds vote in both houses any legislation will be veto-proof.
Then, I will visit our two Republican senators, Joni Ernst and Charles Grassley, and start my own inquiry on why they have kept quiet so far. Maybe they voted no on the legislation that sent at least $250 million to the Ukraine to help them fight the war against Russia.
The White House is going to "H— in a Handbasket" (as my Grandma Shufelt used to say), and it is sad to see.
Since this is an opinion page, I be-lieve President Trump has committed TREASON, and although I believe in non-violence I think he should be sent to jail when he leaves office, not the golf course, and his property should be sold at public auction, like unfortunately some of our family farms due to Trump’s Tariffs.
Randy Denner111 N. 9th St., Eldridge
History teacher: President committed treason
Editor:What great irony and poetic justice.
President Trump's recent most egregious crime, along with his possible downfall, were likely set in motion by his TV mouth-piece buddy, Sean Hannity.
Hannity's heavy promotion of John Solomon's right-leaning editorials on Biden, which were intended to make those that desperately want to believe there were crimes, think there were, without actual proof. Trump apparently became so obsessed with the idea (reminiscent of his birther obsession) that it pushed him into trying to strong-arm the leader of
a foreign government into "doing him a favor" to get dirt on his political opponent.
Those that believe in the rule of law and the Constitution of the United States, can give thanks to Sean for his unintentional help in pushing Trump over the edge to act, which exposed exactly how low Don-ald is willing to go.
There is a possible double irony be-cause I've doubted from the beginning if Joe Biden would even end up being the Democratic nominee, which will make the whole effort a waste-of-time crime.
Tom Hebbeln2320 W. 59th St., Davenport
Were crimes set in motion by Sean Hannity?
Editor:As a proud graduate and retired
teacher of the Davenport schools, I want to continue my involvement and support for our public schools by running for the Davenport School Board and to help lead them forward in a way that serves all students. The problems cited by the Iowa Department of Education are a wakeup call for the Davenport School District. I will make sure students are prepared to lead productive lives whether they go to college or enter the work force.
Our schools need to give students more opportunities to discover their passion and develop marketable skills; we need to restore trust in the areas of finance and special education. The district needs to balance the budget while keeping student learning a top priority.
If you trust me with your vote, you can be sure I will demand the best deal for any property we sell, or purchases we make. Teachers should be the last fired when cuts need to be made. I have the experience and skills to provide local oversight for our special education programs to make sure all laws are followed and students receive the education they deserve and parents are informed. Communication will also be my priority.
Having taught in the Davenport district for over 32 years, I know there is a lot of great teaching and learning going on, and I want to make sure that this great teaching and student achievement is rec-ognized. Please support me for Davenport School Board.
Karen Kline-Jerome6 Lambs Lane, Davenport
'I want to lead the Davenport schools'
Editor:IF YOU:- believe that desired goals justify any
means;- believe that a president has the power
to defy the Constitution;- praise your idol in the White House
above the God of Christianity;- are content to see children taught that
lies, corruption and slander are accept-able tools for getting your way;
- believe that public office can be sought for financial gain;
- believe that your personal comfort at the expense of others justifies sacrifice of morality;
- believe that voting should be denied people of color and others of different ethnicities or religions;
- believe that women should cede all authority to men;
- believe that chest thumping without actual service or sacrifice is patriotism;
- believe that oaths of office are formali-ties to be ignored;
- believe that the current Republican Party still holds to its original principles;
- believe that lies repeated become truths;
- believe that empathy and compassion are weaknesses;
- believe that boasting and self-promo-tion are positive character traits;
- don't care that your children's future is threatened by climate change;
- believe that the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes don't apply in the White House and Capitol Building ...
IF YOU BELIEVE THESE THINGS, you must vote Republican;
IF NOT, you must vote Democratic.It's that simple.
Richard Kuehl1415 Talmage-Mayo Road,
Harrodsburg, Kentucky 40330( former Scott County resident)
If you believe these things, then vote ...
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Letters to the editor must be signed and include your street address. Submit them to: North Scott Press, P.O. Box 200, Eldridge, IA 52748, or email: btubbs@northscottpress. More columns are on page 22A
Editor:Many vets suffer from service-related
PTSD, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. PTSD can cause intense, disturbing thoughts and feelings, including flash-backs and nightmares.
Vets with PTSD can feel estranged from other people, including their families. Severe PTSD can even cause premature death.
Current PTSD treatments often include prescriptions for addictive, potentially deadly opioids. And those treatments don’t always work.
Most veterans live in states where it is legal for them to treat PTSD with safe, effective medicines made from cannabis. Currently, that’s a choice that Iowa veterans can’t legally make.
You can help change that. On Nov. 1, the Iowa Medical Cannabidiol Board will vote on adding PTSD as a qualified
condition under Iowa’s medical cannabis program. If the board votes yes, Iowa vets will have the access to effective medicines made from cannabis that most other American veterans already have.
To help Iowa veterans, call the Medi-cal Cannabidiol Board at (515) 725-2076 ASAP. Urge them to allow Iowa vets to legally treat service-related PTSD with safe medicines made from cannabis.
If you are an Iowa veteran who would like the option of treating PTSD symptoms with legal medical cannabis, please let me know. My email address is [email protected] and my phone number is 319-337-6280.
Let’s all work together to give Iowa veterans legal access to safer, effective medicines made from medical cannabis.
state Senator Joe Bolkcom1235 Oaks Drive, Iowa City
How you can help veterans now
By Bill Brauch
When we file our tax returns, we don’t want is to learn that someone already filed for us
and tried to claim our refunds!Since 2000, tax-related identity theft
has grown significantly. The IRS, the Iowa Department of Revenue, state and federal consumer protection agencies, and taxpayers have all fought back. But tax-related identity theft remains a threat.
Identity thieves may try to steal an income tax refund by using the tax-payer’s Social Security number to file a tax return. Similarly, they may use a victim’s SSN to earn wages that are reported to the IRS as the victim’s in-come, thereby avoiding paying taxes themselves on the earnings.
Identity thieves get hold of Social Security numbers through various means. They make telemarketing calls to trick victims by saying they are with the IRS or some other agency and want to confirm the number. They buy Social Security numbers obtained through data breaches. They also trick victims through scam e-mails.
You may find out you’ve been a vic-tim of income tax identity theft when you receive a letter from the IRS or the Iowa Department of Revenue saying more than one return was filed in your name or that you earned income you didn’t report.
If you have been notified someone has committed tax-related identity theft with your personal information report it promptly. Go to IdentityTheft.gov to complete and send the IRS Iden-tity Theft Affidavit. By doing this, you
will also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission and obtain an ID theft recovery plan. Report it, even if you just think you are a victim but haven’t gotten confirmation.
Do not delay filing your income tax returns! Though you may be a victim of tax-related identity theft, you are still ob-ligated to file your returns on time.
Unfortunately, tax-related identity theft affects Iowans every year. But, you can decrease the chances you will become a victim by filing your return as early as possible. Also, avoid giving personal information to someone who calls or emails you unexpectedly and says they are with the IRS. The IRS will generally only contact you by mail. If you are mailing your return, place it in a postal mail box – do not leave it in your home mailbox to be picked up by the mail carrier. Finally, when filing your return online, make sure you are using a secure server and never file your tax return on a public wifi.
For more information about all forms of identity theft, go to our website: Io-waIdTheft.org.
Bill Brauch is the director of the Iowa Identity Theft Victim Assistance Coali-tion. He can be reached at: [email protected], or (515) 314-9591.
Tax-related identity theft on the rise'Unfortunately, tax-related identity theft affects Iowans every year.'Bill Brauch, Iowa Identity Theft Victim Assistance Coalition
