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Opinion

Democracy or republic?

Letters to the Editor

To the editor: People in the news have referred to threats to our democracy. But the Constitution states “The United States shall guarantee to every state in this union a republican form of government.” So are we a democracy or a republic? Or both? In Federalist Paper No. 10, “Father of the Constitution” James Madison defines democracy as a “society consisting of a small number of citizens, who assemble and administer the government in person.” A republic is “a government in which the scheme of representation takes place.” For example, the legislature crafts laws, ...

Beware of propaganda

Letters to the Editor

To the editor: If you don’t like being fooled, then why give any credibility to the sources that also brought you such facts as the Hunter Biden laptop being Russian disinformation (not), our southern border is closed and secure (not), Joe Biden is on top of his game and runs circles around the White House staff (not). There are many more subjects once presented by the White House and network news and social media as facts that were later proven to be false. The saying goes ”fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.” So when the White House, network news and social ...

It’s time to support Community Health Center

Editorial

In Fort Dodge, those who do not have health insurance have an option for getting high quality medical care. It’s called the Community Health Center of Fort Dodge and it offers medical, dental and behavioral health care. While most insurance is accepted there, those who need a financial break will have their bills based on their ability to pay. It opened in 2006 and has been a key source of care for thousands of area residents since then. A chance for everyone to support the Community Health Center that helps so many of our neighbors is now underway. It will conclude this coming ...

10 ways that United Way is helping youth in our community

Local Columns

The quality of any community is often measured by the commitment citizens in that community make to support their youth. According to updated census data, one out of five children and adolescents in Fort Dodge live in poverty-stricken homes and are coping with the social ills of poverty. Too many lack the basic living needs to help them grow and develop in a healthy way. In total, two-thirds of our kids are in families that struggle to pay their basic living bills for rent or mortgage, food, clothing, insurance, transportation, child care and health care. Here are 10 ways that United ...

Corn syrup production is good for Webster County

Editorial

Webster County has developed a sterling reputation as a place for value-added agricultural production. Plants in the county, especially in the industrial park called Iowa’s Crossroads of Global Innovation, produce ethanol, dextrose, and amino acids, to name just a few products. But none of those plants have produced anything that would be an ingredient in foods that people would eat. Until now. The Cargill facility in Iowa’s Crossroads of Global Innovation now makes corn syrup, much of which will be used as a sweetener in candy. This corn syrup has been heralded as the first ...

Make America truthful again

Letters to the Editor

To the editor: The Republican presidential and vice presidential candidates continue to spew lies about immigrants, “after birth” abortions, FEMA, the economy, COVID -19, Jan. 6 and many others, including the big lie about the 2020 election. I encourage you to do your research on statements you hear. There is a difference between a false/misstatement and acknowledging the error compared to often repeated lies. It was very revealing during the vice presidential debate when J.D. Vance stated “Margaret, the rules were that you were not going to fact check…” Did he expect to lie ...