Readers sound off on Iowa issues: July 7, 2026
Do you support a 5% tax on billionaires?
“Abso-f**king-lutely.” — Bill R., Iowa City
“[thumbs up emoji]” — John K.
“I’d for sure support a 5% tax on billionaires!” — Taylor N.
“You bet I’d be for a tax on the wealthiest.” — Donna N.
“Absolutely I will support a tax bill IF IT GOES ONLY TO JOB TRAINING AND SOCIAL SERVICES.” — Chase H.
“Yes, I would absolutely support a bill taxing billionaire 5%.” — gohawks4ever
“5% is too low!” — Stephen M.
“Only 5%? Hell, yeah. What I’d like even more is that the very wealthy start paying more of their fair share of Social Security tax. The tax cap is ridiculous. Do away with it or raise it MUCH higher.” — Joan Z.
“Yes I would support a 5% across the board tax; it would be a good start to getting a more equitable tax structure for all Americans. The rich also need to contribute more equally to Social Security so that the system can be funded properly.” —JoEllen B.
“Yes, it is long past time that Billionaires pay their fair share. I believe that a 1 time 15% tax on their wealth over $500 million is very fair and would enable the USA government to assist the majority—which is the working poor class that enables this nation to function.” — Jason B.
“Yes to 5% tax on billionaires. But it needs to be higher. Like 99% on anything over 1 million.” — Joseph W.
“A DEFINITE YES for 5% for millionaires, billionaires and trillionaires!!!” — Michele S.
“Absolutely. It should also include a larger percentage of tax on earned income at that level.” — Claire L.
Whirlpool wages:
“55 years ago, my late brother worked as Summer relief at the Clyde Ohio Whirlpool plant. With this employment, he financed a Bachelor’s degree in accounting and launched a successful career. His last check was around $7.00 an hour with night premium. He was one of hundreds of kids who did the same and got out of town.
Several years ago, while living in North Liberty, I met a couple of kids from Chicago who had moved to Iowa for a ‘good job’ doing contract work for the Whirlpool distribution canter. They told me they were making a little over $10 an hour. I’m guessing those guys are unemployed.” — Doug N.
IT layoffs:
“How ironic to read these two paragraphs, one after the other:
- Gov. Kim Reynolds is eliminating 200 information technology (IT) jobs and transferring them to a private company—blindsiding state workers who say they’re worried they’ll lose their jobs and state IPERS pensions.
“Iowa jobs are for Iowans, not corrupt New Jersey tech bros,” said State Rep. Brian Meyer, the House Democratic Leader. “Laying off 200 Iowa AFSCME members who work hard and get good benefits in favor of out-of-state consultants is outrageous.” Meyer added it was “disappointing that Governor Reynolds is partnering with Cognizant Technology Solutions, whose executives were charged with foreign bribery in 2019.” - Ottumwa Job Corps students learned all about high-speed fiber-optic networks during a job training day hosted by the Iowa Communication Network this month.
So, we want to train workers for Iowa, yet our governor is eliminating tech jobs, which will likely chase even more Iowans out of state for work. I can’t wait until she is gone.” — Joan Z.
“This is the payoff on my tip a couple of months ago about state layoffs. Glad to see your story.” — Bill R., Iowa City
Lack of local news:
“There is no local news in this area of Iowa.” — Toni G.
On moderation:
“What I’d like to hear and see is less about the hatred for Trump and the division in politics and a lot more about plans to move forward with bipartisan answers.” — Arnie H.
Grassley’s screwworm screw-up:
“Your section on [US Sen. Chuck] Grassley and screwworm is wrong. Correct it. They are treated by injections.” —stanlh [NOTE: They are not treated that way, per the CDC, and Grassley was asking about a vaccine preventative, not treatment.]
LGBTQ-IA series feedback:
“Please remove me from your mailing list. The rainbow is Gods” — Annette T.
Cedar Rapids superhero info:
“Hi! Not sure if this is your guy, but can’t imagine too many folks out there in superhero outfits.” — Natasha N. [NOTE: Thanks, reaching out!]
Books you’ve been reading:
“[Two] books I checked out from Carnegie-Stout:
‘The Most Awful Responsibility: Truman and The Secret Struggle For Control of The Atomic Age’ by Alex Wellerstein is a fine addition to my weird interest in nuclear war. Wellerstein is a talented writer who shares an academic style which is casual and easy to read. I learned so many new things from the early days of The Manhattan Project to the debate over custody of nuclear weapons between the Atomic Energy Commission and the military to the discussion about possibly dropping The Bomb during the Korean War. Harry Truman is presented as a president who knew of the need to use the weapons at the end of World War II, but dreaded the thought of using them again while acknowledging it may be necessary. This was a fascinating and fun read.
‘American Struggle: Democracy, Dissent and The Pursuit of a More Perfect Union’ is an anthology put together by Jon Meacham featuring speeches and essays by Americans dating from the 1600’s to today. Meacham has put together an amazing collection of American history through the words of those who were living through their various moments of history. Many works are from this country’s most tumultuous times with both sides of debates being offered. Meacham’s well written introductions to the chapters and essays/speeches guide the reader about the authors and their point of view. There are many works which are famous for a line or two and to read the complete pieces was like discovering those moments all over again. I was especially happy to see the anti-war radio address given by Charles Lindbergh in Des Moines on September 11, 1941 included. I recently discovered that the Cascade Public Library also has this book and it is well worth your time.” — Don C.
