By the way, do you suppose it has crossed the minds of our Congress that they are simply superfluous and could be abolished? The attempt to destroy agencies is only step one. The handwriting on the wall seems clearer by the hour.
Doubtful! These officials only seem to respond to single issue letters. Too dangerous to respond to “crackpots” who think the Congress has lost its marbles.
Well said. I’m trying to make a copy(computer illiterate old fogey, I am) and send to all 3. I’ll give the author credit, of course. Flooding the mailboxes is at least something we can still do! Thank you!
Thanks for your words. I am wondering if the Dogers passed civil service exams; what is their pay grade?; who supervises them?; what are their qualifications for their “work”? I have written Chuck and Joni with these questions—hmmm…suppose I will get an answer??? Dunno!
Yes all good questions. And why hasn’t the Republican majority in Congress attempted its own reform of agencies instead of leaving it to these idiots called DOGE? Sen Grassley’s schtick has always been oversight and cost-cutting, yet now he’s switching to asking for judges to be impeached? It’s nuts.
I watched Chuck’s town hall in Franklin County on Friday. People were begging him to do his job on oversight. Sadly, he is a place holder for his grandson. This once “proud” watchdog over federal dollars is simply too old for the job. People were/are justifiably afraid of what is going on. Chuck is in a powerful position to do something, but he lacks the imagination, the courage to do the right thing or anything. He has nothing to fear—he is not going to get primaried—he just won a six year term. This old man is holding the barn door for the Dogers to steal the horses. BTW—this is not ageism on my part—this 83 year old is tellling her 90 something senator to get out of town—leave this important job and go back to the farm. The time to retire was before the last election.
Sen Grassley has always claimed to want fiscal responsibility, but his primary goal has been cutting taxes and shrinking government. I have never heard from him a vision for a better Iowa or nation. But voters in Iowa seem to like his narrow goals. And now he’s passing the torch to someone with equally narrow vision. Very sad.
Thanks. I remain appalled that no Republican has the guts to speak up. They seem to be listening to polls and to tweets and have no care for the country. I wonder if they even like going to our National Parks, let alone Canada?
I decided today to send this to all three once again. I noted that their first responses were inadequate (trying to be polite). As Ralph Rosenberg continues to remind us, it doesn't hurt to flood the mailboxes.
Excellent format. Excellent detail. Later telling us the responses you got was brilliant. Most of us get similar responses, but "the telling" of your responses to your readers is equally powerful. Thank you.
Thanks for your encouragement. Today’s news about renditions of Trump’s enemies is probably the MOST DISTURBING of MAGA actions so far. They’re using the same laws that put my wife’s mother and grandmother in Minidoka. Completely uncalled for.
Thanks Josiah I used my substack to publish a string of correspondence to Sen. Ernst; I included my initial letter (which was also sent to Feenstra and Grassley), the Senator's response, and my reply. I received quite a bit of 'feedback'. I hope you will consider publishing the response to your letter.
I do caution that you may only get a response on one or two issues. You will just have to keep on the correspondence. The letters and responses are valuable. You can use in future columns, compare it with what they say in public and help keep issues in front of Iowa. PS My spouse is from SW Iowa
Yes, the response from Sen Ernst was solely re Ukraine, probably because when you email her you must identify a single issue as the topic. The response, or I should say, non-response, was exactly like the one you published. Nary a hint of criticism of Trump. Nor a hint that Trump repeatedly lies about the fact that Russia invaded Ukraine.
The response from R Feenstra was pathetic and said nothing, mentioning Bible, Second Amendment, defending life, rebuilding our economy, our agricultural community, the Constitution. He obviously has no desire to debate or even think about the crises we face.
Sen Grassley has not responded beyond acknowledging receipt. Two more weeks of silence…..
Yes 5Calls gives good short blurbs for personal phone lobbying. Right now I would just want to ask the Iowa delegation, “Why are you holding office if you just want to cheerlead a dictator? He has no real use for Congress. Don’t you get that yet??”
I have written and asked them to speak out against Trump. I have asked our delegation to use their moral authority to speak out and to use their megaphones. I will keep asking. We need candidates to step up and hold our incumbents more accountable.
Thanks. Let’s hear what others would add: renditions in complete violation of Court orders; repeated contempt of Courts at many levels; gutting EPA; slashing V.A.
I’m hoping people will cut and paste and keep pestering their Representatives and Senators. Futile perhaps, but we need ton make a record….
Joni tends to have cut and paste responses to an issue. This will make her assistants have to read and work harder at the very least.
By the way, do you suppose it has crossed the minds of our Congress that they are simply superfluous and could be abolished? The attempt to destroy agencies is only step one. The handwriting on the wall seems clearer by the hour.
Doubtful! These officials only seem to respond to single issue letters. Too dangerous to respond to “crackpots” who think the Congress has lost its marbles.
Well said. I’m trying to make a copy(computer illiterate old fogey, I am) and send to all 3. I’ll give the author credit, of course. Flooding the mailboxes is at least something we can still do! Thank you!
Thanks, bit I don’t need credit. Just sign your name too! If I could direct message you, I would send a Word version.
Thanks for your words. I am wondering if the Dogers passed civil service exams; what is their pay grade?; who supervises them?; what are their qualifications for their “work”? I have written Chuck and Joni with these questions—hmmm…suppose I will get an answer??? Dunno!
Yes all good questions. And why hasn’t the Republican majority in Congress attempted its own reform of agencies instead of leaving it to these idiots called DOGE? Sen Grassley’s schtick has always been oversight and cost-cutting, yet now he’s switching to asking for judges to be impeached? It’s nuts.
I watched Chuck’s town hall in Franklin County on Friday. People were begging him to do his job on oversight. Sadly, he is a place holder for his grandson. This once “proud” watchdog over federal dollars is simply too old for the job. People were/are justifiably afraid of what is going on. Chuck is in a powerful position to do something, but he lacks the imagination, the courage to do the right thing or anything. He has nothing to fear—he is not going to get primaried—he just won a six year term. This old man is holding the barn door for the Dogers to steal the horses. BTW—this is not ageism on my part—this 83 year old is tellling her 90 something senator to get out of town—leave this important job and go back to the farm. The time to retire was before the last election.
Sen Grassley has always claimed to want fiscal responsibility, but his primary goal has been cutting taxes and shrinking government. I have never heard from him a vision for a better Iowa or nation. But voters in Iowa seem to like his narrow goals. And now he’s passing the torch to someone with equally narrow vision. Very sad.
Thank you for being forceful in your tone and demanding accountability.
Thanks. I remain appalled that no Republican has the guts to speak up. They seem to be listening to polls and to tweets and have no care for the country. I wonder if they even like going to our National Parks, let alone Canada?
I decided today to send this to all three once again. I noted that their first responses were inadequate (trying to be polite). As Ralph Rosenberg continues to remind us, it doesn't hurt to flood the mailboxes.
Excellent format. Excellent detail. Later telling us the responses you got was brilliant. Most of us get similar responses, but "the telling" of your responses to your readers is equally powerful. Thank you.
Thanks for your encouragement. Today’s news about renditions of Trump’s enemies is probably the MOST DISTURBING of MAGA actions so far. They’re using the same laws that put my wife’s mother and grandmother in Minidoka. Completely uncalled for.
Thanks Josiah I used my substack to publish a string of correspondence to Sen. Ernst; I included my initial letter (which was also sent to Feenstra and Grassley), the Senator's response, and my reply. I received quite a bit of 'feedback'. I hope you will consider publishing the response to your letter.
I do caution that you may only get a response on one or two issues. You will just have to keep on the correspondence. The letters and responses are valuable. You can use in future columns, compare it with what they say in public and help keep issues in front of Iowa. PS My spouse is from SW Iowa
Yes, the response from Sen Ernst was solely re Ukraine, probably because when you email her you must identify a single issue as the topic. The response, or I should say, non-response, was exactly like the one you published. Nary a hint of criticism of Trump. Nor a hint that Trump repeatedly lies about the fact that Russia invaded Ukraine.
The response from R Feenstra was pathetic and said nothing, mentioning Bible, Second Amendment, defending life, rebuilding our economy, our agricultural community, the Constitution. He obviously has no desire to debate or even think about the crises we face.
Sen Grassley has not responded beyond acknowledging receipt. Two more weeks of silence…..
Thanks Josiah ,
I will be replying to Ernst.
The general rule is to only write on one issue. I will address that in my next letter to our federal folks.
Recently, people have been telling me how much they like 5 calls for their source of what they should be saying to federal delegation.
PS Feenstra has replied once in last 5 emails and 5 calls, total.
Yes 5Calls gives good short blurbs for personal phone lobbying. Right now I would just want to ask the Iowa delegation, “Why are you holding office if you just want to cheerlead a dictator? He has no real use for Congress. Don’t you get that yet??”
I have written and asked them to speak out against Trump. I have asked our delegation to use their moral authority to speak out and to use their megaphones. I will keep asking. We need candidates to step up and hold our incumbents more accountable.
Thank you! Yes, what motivates new fresh candidates?
Thank YOU for writing the TRUTH, which is many times difficult to see and understand. WAKE UP IOWANS!
Do your jobs of check and balance senators and representative for now, and the future of our state and nation!
Thank you. Cut and paste and pass it on…
AMEN
Thanks. Please pass the letter on, even if or especially if it will rile someone up.
Thanks for laying it on the line - even though your list is, indeed, too short!
Thanks. Let’s hear what others would add: renditions in complete violation of Court orders; repeated contempt of Courts at many levels; gutting EPA; slashing V.A.
I’m hoping people will cut and paste and keep pestering their Representatives and Senators. Futile perhaps, but we need ton make a record….