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Opinion

Soybeans are big business in Iowa

Editorial

Nobody knows exactly how long humans have cultivated the soybean, but agricultural historians seem quite certain its domestication as a crop in China dates back three millennia. There are actually Chinese records documenting soybean growth as far back as the 11th century. There is some disagreement about who first introduced soybeans into North America, but researchers seem to agree that by the 1760s, soybean seed had reached Georgia. Whatever the origin, few would dispute that in the 21st century soybean cultivation is important to the world as a food source and a great deal more. ...

Strengthening our strategic position against China

Local Columns

For decades, China has threatened our national security through both overt and covert measures. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and affiliated individuals and entities have rapidly increased purchases of American farmland, stolen valuable intellectual property and other critical technologies, infiltrated our schools and universities, and violated our trade laws with impunity. As the world becomes increasingly volatile, we have a duty to protect our country and the American people from CCP influence and interference. That’s why, at the beginning of September, I joined my Republican ...

Critical of tax proposal

Letters to the Editor

To the editor: The Biden/Harris administration is positing the idea of raising revenue by taxing unrealized capital gains. This would entail taxing speculative investments the amount they appreciate even if they’re not sold and no profit is actually realized. If taxing unrealized capital gains were implemented, how long would it be before a voracious government decided to tax the unrealized gains on your 401k and IRA? Of course they say that this tax would only be on the “super wealthy,” but we must not forget that when the income tax was inflicted on Americans in 1913 a married ...

Child homelessness is a crisis

Local Columns

United Way of Greater Fort Dodge is working hard to help homeless children in our community. Inflation is difficult to deal with for most families, but it is devastating for low-income families. In Webster County, the data shows that food costs have risen 21 percent to 30 percent since 2019, and gas prices are up 65 percent and rental rates for houses and apartments have increased by 31.9 percent. Because of this, eviction rates have increased dramatically. Fort Dodge is no exception. The actual number of homeless women and children in the greater Fort Dodge area is not known, but ...

‘Don’t learn safety by accident’

Editorial

Farms can be seen as quiet, peaceful places where the crops grow and animals graze in the pastures. Farms can indeed be such tranquil spots. But as all Iowans know, farming is an industry. And like all industries, there are certain hazards associated with it. Tractors can be in crashes on rural roads. Machines can snag arms and legs. Grain bins can become death traps. Most of those nightmare scenarios can be avoided by using common sense and basic safety precautions. National Farm Safety and Health Week, which begins Sunday and continues through Saturday, is a time dedicated to ...

A day for memories and fierce resolve

Editorial

Sept. 11, 2001, is a day etched in the memories of Americans. The horrifying images of what began as a beautiful September morning and changed abruptly into hellish chaos remain vivid. The heartbreak of that awful day stems not only from the innocent lives destroyed, but also from the shattered dreams of the survivors. These obscene acts of terrorism inspire in our hearts a fierce resolve to take the actions necessary to prevent a similar tragedy from claiming more lives. The American people opened their hearts to the families touched by the evil work of the terrorists. They also ...