LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Of course proposals to limit power of auditor are political

I would take issue with state Sen. Michael Bousselot’s statement that “only in politics can hiring an independent … accountant be political.” The context is reducing the authority of the state auditor. You don’t have to be a CPA, which I am, to know that last year the allowing the audited departments to withhold documents would make it impossible to have a complete audit. This year Bousselot wants the departments to hire their own auditors rather than use the state auditor, though that office would be allowed to review the work. Not very economically beneficial.

These two attempts to reduce the authority of the auditor are political, as the auditor is the only state office not held by the party in power. These provisions are insulting to our intelligence and insulting to the voters who elected the state auditor, and now these limitations are an attempt to overturn that election.

These same attempts were used to try and limit the authority of Tom Miller. the previous attorney general. No limitations are proposed for the new attorney general.

This would seem to support the old saying “power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” With these provisions in place, corruption is soon to follow.

Roger Jacobsen, West Des Moines

Public transit projects deserve more investment

I’m amazed that the Des Moines City Council is considering cutting back an already inadequate public transit system. I learned the importance of public transportation during my final 10 years of my working career moving homeless people into “productive society.” It can’t be done without a good transit system. Most of today’s jobs are located where the poor can’t afford to live. Most poor folks live a good distance from a grocery store or a doctor.

This council likes to pass resolutions about the city becoming carbon neutral, but when it comes to funding public transit, it ain’t worth a 2.5% franchise fee. All talk and no hat.

Jeff Clingan, Van Meter

Are all lives precious?

So, in Alabama frozen embryos are protected, but the death penalty is in full effect? I’m beyond confused.

Mark Mahoney, Urbandale

Iowa representatives should force a vote on Ukraine aid

The United States is in danger of breaking a promise to provide military aid to help Ukraine fight Russian invaders, simply because House Speaker Mike Johnson won’t allow the House to vote on a Senate bill that allocated $61 billion in military aid for Ukraine.

While Donald Trump and his devotees play political games, Ukrainian troops are forced to ration ammunition, which puts them at a considerable disadvantage when fighting the Russians. The Ukrainian people are dying every day from Russian bombing and rocket attacks, because Ukraine no longer has the necessary ammunition and equipment to defend its people.

The only way to bring the Senate bill to a vote without Johnson’s consent is to use one of several arcane parliamentary rules, all of which would require at least four Republicans to vote with Democrats. All four of Iowa’s representatives should take a cue from our senators and put the need to support a democratic ally above the political whims of one man. If we abandon Ukraine now, we will be responsible for hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian deaths, not to mention the other depredations inflicted upon them by vengeful Russian conquerors.

Jim Whalen, Des Moines