The credibility that Trump is dashing won’t be easily re-won
What’s missing in the news media is a discussion on America turning into a petty, spiteful, undependable and selfish country.
We are all connected. Even poor countries have money in American bonds. And the whole world is selling our bonds, lowering their value, which causes the interest rates to go up (example: if a $100 bond purchased that gives a 5% rate now sells for $80, the return becomes 6.25%). This will raise the interest the U.S. pays on our deficit and will impact large purchases.
Now business expansion plans are non-existent because of President Donald Trump’s erratic leadership. Who in their right mind would want to build a factory? Tomorrow tariffs may be withdrawn or the parts you want to import may suddenly cost more than the market will bear.
Like virtually everything Trump touches, this is a mess. Being wishy-washy and undependable is not a negotiating tool. It’s a suicide weapon pointed at us. Turns out not following the Golden Rule (treating others as you wish to be treated) is really bad business.
Terry Lowman, Ames
Legislature wisely supports free choice on vehicles
As a local auto repair shop owner, I strongly support consumer choice. It’s critical the government doesn’t tell Iowa’s residents what kind of car they can drive or what equipment they can use.
That’s why I’d like to thank the Iowa Legislature for passing House File 860. This common-sense bill protects Iowans’ right to choose equipment and vehicles that work best for them – whether powered by gas, electricity, or anything else. It ensures state and local governments can’t discriminate against certain engines or fuel types.
That matters a lot for small businesses, working families, and everyone else. Electric vehicles still struggle with long distances, are often expensive to repair, and the batteries are less efficient in cold weather than internal combustion engines. Thankfully, this bill safeguards our ability to make the best decisions for ourselves and our families – not suffer from EV mandates or other restrictions.
House File 860 doesn’t pick winners and losers. It simply says the free market will guide what equipment or vehicles we buy, use, and maintain. It preserves consumer choice, flexibility, and the practicality that built Iowa.
Again, I’d like to thank the Iowa Legislature for passing HF860, and I encourage Gov. Kim Reynolds to sign it into law quickly.
Moutassim Meri, West Des Moines
Greed explains how Trump governs
The ultra-wealthy in America chose to hold their noses and provide deep funding to help Donald Trump get elected. In return, Trump does all he can to make problematic, steep cuts in the American budget, thinking this will create the necessary money to finance the tax cuts he has promised his wealthy donors.
Keep in mind, Trump has done nothing to curb his own personal spending. The rich get richer. The lack of conscience of the few now takes precedence over the morality of the people. Do billionaires really need three or more homes and other luxury goods? Is money more important to these people than caring about others or our democracy? How do they sleep at night knowing they are the cause of thousands of people losing their jobs, programs being cut across the country, and America becoming the laughingstock of the world? The love of power is destroying our democracy.
Margaret Havens, Storm Lake
Differing ideas about what it means to follow Christ
The role of the church in society is significantly different for conservatives and liberals. Conservative Christians uphold traditional views on marriage, sexuality’s, gender roles and bioethics. Liberal Christians are generally more progressive on social issues, supporting gender equality LGBTQ+ inclusion and social justice initiatives. They interpret Christian ethics through the lens of compassion, justice, and human dignity.
For conservative Christians, the church’s role is primarily to proclaim the Gospel, make disciples, and preserve doctrinal truth. Its mission is spiritual, not political, although many conservative Christians are politically active, particularly on issues they believe have moral or biblical significance.
Liberal Christians often see the church as a vehicle for social transformation. They emphasize the social teachings of Jesus — caring for the poor, advocating for the oppressed, and addressing systemic injustice. As such, liberal churches are often involved in activism, interfaith dialogue, and partnerships aimed at improving society.
The divide between conservative and liberal Christian theology reflects deeper questions about authority, interpretation, and the interaction between faith and culture. While conservative theology seeks to uphold the faith once delivered to the saints, liberal theology aims to adapt and articulate that faith in a rapidly changing world.
Despite their differences, both traditions contribute to the rich tapestry of Christian thought and continue to shape the ongoing dialogue about what it means to follow Christ in the 21st century.
Wayne Hoffman, Urbandale
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa Legislature wisely supports free choice on vehicles | Letters