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To the editor:
This letter responds to Sen. Chuck Grassley's editorial "Socialism doesn't work" published Monday, Aug. 24, 2026.
Sen. Grassley and Republican senators clearly support tariffs without oversight. Tariffs have raised prices on goods for consumers and farmers.
On Liberation Day, April 2, 2025, Donald Trump imposed tariffs on approximately 140 countries under IEEPA (International Emergency Economic Powers Act). Trump's tariffs are considered a form of taxation and were ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Because those tariffs were ruled illegal, approximately $166 billion are being refunded to large companies that paid tariffs to importers through CPB (U.S. Customs and Border Protection). That transfers wealth from working people to wealthy corporations, the corporate socialism Sen. Grassley claims to oppose.
If Sen. Grassley is truly against socialism in any form, why are our leaders transferring wealth from the working class to corporations? Where is the congressional oversight of Trump's second round of tariffs as he used Sections 301 and 232? Where are the checks and balances in this situation and so many others to protect the consumer and agriculture?
Until Congress upholds their oath, working Americans will pay more while powerful corporations receive protection and billions in refunds. The American consumer receives nothing and that is corporate socialism. Just recently, the administration imposed higher tariffs on our closest trading partner and ally, Canada. It is time to elect politicians across Iowa and our country that don't rubber stamp everything Trump does.
David Mitchell
Duncombe