I'm reading. And you're absolutely not alone, Julie. We need nuance, and open minds, two things that real history teaches in engaging non-partisan ways (that's my soapbox). Thanks for doing journalism right.
Thank you for being the first columnist/media person to take this 'disconnect' thoroughly head on, along with getting at the various life challenges across Iowa that underlie the failure, largely, of mainstream media to address it upfront nationally.
I read talking heads earlier this week, then we got news of our Nephews 14 year old girl just tried to commit suicide and is in Children's Hospital trying to get her senses back from a drug overdose.
I have reread the whole article now and have some thoughts on a different subject--
Taxes.
You talked about the difficult times some people are having to make ends meet. I want to simplify taxes a little. Property taxes were always the most disliked by I think a majority of people especially back in the 70's and 80's. Then comes Sales Taxes also disliked but people were willing to pay them without too much complaining. Then you have Income taxes which have become a major tax disliked by certain politicians. When you think about it income TAXES ARE THE ONLY TAKES PAID BY THOSE ABLE TO PAY BECAUSE THEY HAVE INCOME. THE PROPERTY TAXES NEED TO BE PAID IF YOU OWN PROPERTY, and SALES TAXES NEED YO BE PAID IF YOU MADE A FINANCIAL TRANSACTIOPN.
Thinking about your article again I have to ask the question why is a state like Iowa wanting to phase out their income tax and give up on the only tax based on ones ability to pay?
it seems to me we already ask those with limited incomes to pay more than they are able..
What good did the Federal income tax cut some years ago do for those least able to pay? It seems to me we are setting ourselves up where another recession will quickly become a catastrophe with a whole lot of Government income trying to be derived from those least able to pay., thereby making things worse for everybody as the Governments fiscal needs rise.
Thank you, Julie, for your story, for your thoughts about the people you have met at your potlucks who have struggled with living day to day and those who continue to struggle. Thank you for showing your empathy for the people you have not met who are suffering. Thank you for the challenge to your readers to remember what it felt like to have little or nothing. I do try to help those who need a hand up to honor those who did that for me, for us, when we needed that kind, helpful hand up.
Kathi, you and Larry have dedicated your lives to the ideals that would make this society more fair. What you have done in terms of the charter for the Zimpleman School of Business at Drake has great potential toward instilling an understanding that business must take a wholistic approach to building community. I remember I first heard the saying from the esteemed John Chrystal years ago. His mantra as a Coon Rapids banker was: Do well while doing good.
As leaders of The Principle, this culture established has served the state, and world well.
If all businesses adopted this approach, we wouldn’t be in the mess we are in.
Julie, thoughtful and thought provoking piece. Yes, Father Rudy is
admired for his servant leadership and presence. Never forgetting challenges in one's life can nurture compassion, service, and generosity. However, as you mentioned, many who have achieved success develop amnesia. Your examples and math are excellent talking points. Thank you.
Very thoughtful and compassionate column Julie. Thank you. I'm an old carpenter, and Annie is a real estate agent. As an old carpenter I drive by houses and look at the roofs, because that is the first sign someone is struggling--if they need new shingles. Once the roof is gone, the house is too. We once drove from Iowa City to Oskaloosa and categorized houses on our perceptions of their conditions. We ranked houses as 1. In good shape. 2. repairable. 3. too far gone. If I remember correctly, the numbers were all close to 30%. More houses needed repair or were too far gone than houses in good shape.
With respect to economics, yes. Reagan's "trickle down" economics have been a disaster, drawing wealth from the middle class and poor to the wealthy, and is the cause of our current income inequality and tension. No question. It's also at the root of our current internal divisions. Reagan's presidency may have done more damage than any other. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tax-cuts-rich-50-years-no-trickle-down/
Great column. I agree, lots of people who have financial security do not understand what life is like for those making minimum wage or facing enormous medical bills.
Yes, I was still reading...and your description of the realities around levels of income are familiar to my family due to high medical bills I had during my struggle with multiple sclerosis. I wish more of our Iowans understood these realities that exist for our state..and how that translates into a quality of life that can be enjoyed by all income levels. Our state leadership is not helping with the decimation of public education, public health, public safety and public resources to help maintain a quality of life. Thank you for your excellent column with meaningful information.
I was still reading when you asked 😉 and I remember the economic struggles in my Iowa life of pay check to pay check. And while we got driven out of Iowa due to hate, we were able to start anew in DC with well paying jobs. So while economically secure now I don’t for a moment forget the struggle and always feel for those struggling. Keep writing! Thanks
Thanks, Bill. I think part of our feeling of isolation occur when we don’t share these personal stories, and think we are alone, and that the rest of the world must be so much smarter because they don’t have these seemingly insurmountable problems.
It's hard to break out of the privileged mindset. I can have sympathy, but empathy---how would I acquire the elements to empathize with someone who holds down three jobs and can't afford gas? And sympathy is as demeaning as pity.
Thanks, Dartanyan. My hope is the more people understand the lives of others, the more likely it is too seek solutions and to realize our common good is good for all.
I'm reading. And you're absolutely not alone, Julie. We need nuance, and open minds, two things that real history teaches in engaging non-partisan ways (that's my soapbox). Thanks for doing journalism right.
Dear Julie,
Thank you for being the first columnist/media person to take this 'disconnect' thoroughly head on, along with getting at the various life challenges across Iowa that underlie the failure, largely, of mainstream media to address it upfront nationally.
I read talking heads earlier this week, then we got news of our Nephews 14 year old girl just tried to commit suicide and is in Children's Hospital trying to get her senses back from a drug overdose.
I have reread the whole article now and have some thoughts on a different subject--
Taxes.
You talked about the difficult times some people are having to make ends meet. I want to simplify taxes a little. Property taxes were always the most disliked by I think a majority of people especially back in the 70's and 80's. Then comes Sales Taxes also disliked but people were willing to pay them without too much complaining. Then you have Income taxes which have become a major tax disliked by certain politicians. When you think about it income TAXES ARE THE ONLY TAKES PAID BY THOSE ABLE TO PAY BECAUSE THEY HAVE INCOME. THE PROPERTY TAXES NEED TO BE PAID IF YOU OWN PROPERTY, and SALES TAXES NEED YO BE PAID IF YOU MADE A FINANCIAL TRANSACTIOPN.
Thinking about your article again I have to ask the question why is a state like Iowa wanting to phase out their income tax and give up on the only tax based on ones ability to pay?
it seems to me we already ask those with limited incomes to pay more than they are able..
What good did the Federal income tax cut some years ago do for those least able to pay? It seems to me we are setting ourselves up where another recession will quickly become a catastrophe with a whole lot of Government income trying to be derived from those least able to pay., thereby making things worse for everybody as the Governments fiscal needs rise.
i
Very well said, Lowell! Thank you, and I’m so sorry your family is going through such a hard time.
Thank you, Julie, for your story, for your thoughts about the people you have met at your potlucks who have struggled with living day to day and those who continue to struggle. Thank you for showing your empathy for the people you have not met who are suffering. Thank you for the challenge to your readers to remember what it felt like to have little or nothing. I do try to help those who need a hand up to honor those who did that for me, for us, when we needed that kind, helpful hand up.
Thank you, Julie Gammack. You are a good one.
Kathi, you and Larry have dedicated your lives to the ideals that would make this society more fair. What you have done in terms of the charter for the Zimpleman School of Business at Drake has great potential toward instilling an understanding that business must take a wholistic approach to building community. I remember I first heard the saying from the esteemed John Chrystal years ago. His mantra as a Coon Rapids banker was: Do well while doing good.
As leaders of The Principle, this culture established has served the state, and world well.
If all businesses adopted this approach, we wouldn’t be in the mess we are in.
Thank you for all you do! Love
Julie, thoughtful and thought provoking piece. Yes, Father Rudy is
admired for his servant leadership and presence. Never forgetting challenges in one's life can nurture compassion, service, and generosity. However, as you mentioned, many who have achieved success develop amnesia. Your examples and math are excellent talking points. Thank you.
Thank you, Mary!
Very thoughtful and compassionate column Julie. Thank you. I'm an old carpenter, and Annie is a real estate agent. As an old carpenter I drive by houses and look at the roofs, because that is the first sign someone is struggling--if they need new shingles. Once the roof is gone, the house is too. We once drove from Iowa City to Oskaloosa and categorized houses on our perceptions of their conditions. We ranked houses as 1. In good shape. 2. repairable. 3. too far gone. If I remember correctly, the numbers were all close to 30%. More houses needed repair or were too far gone than houses in good shape.
Oh, Bob, in your memory, are things worse now than they were, say 40 years ago?
With respect to economics, yes. Reagan's "trickle down" economics have been a disaster, drawing wealth from the middle class and poor to the wealthy, and is the cause of our current income inequality and tension. No question. It's also at the root of our current internal divisions. Reagan's presidency may have done more damage than any other. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tax-cuts-rich-50-years-no-trickle-down/
Great column. I agree, lots of people who have financial security do not understand what life is like for those making minimum wage or facing enormous medical bills.
Yes, I was still reading...and your description of the realities around levels of income are familiar to my family due to high medical bills I had during my struggle with multiple sclerosis. I wish more of our Iowans understood these realities that exist for our state..and how that translates into a quality of life that can be enjoyed by all income levels. Our state leadership is not helping with the decimation of public education, public health, public safety and public resources to help maintain a quality of life. Thank you for your excellent column with meaningful information.
Thanks for weighing in, Diane.
I was still reading when you asked 😉 and I remember the economic struggles in my Iowa life of pay check to pay check. And while we got driven out of Iowa due to hate, we were able to start anew in DC with well paying jobs. So while economically secure now I don’t for a moment forget the struggle and always feel for those struggling. Keep writing! Thanks
Thanks, Bill. I think part of our feeling of isolation occur when we don’t share these personal stories, and think we are alone, and that the rest of the world must be so much smarter because they don’t have these seemingly insurmountable problems.
It's hard to break out of the privileged mindset. I can have sympathy, but empathy---how would I acquire the elements to empathize with someone who holds down three jobs and can't afford gas? And sympathy is as demeaning as pity.
An extraordinary ground level report on Iowans’ reality today. We need a lot more of this and a lot less WHO happy-hate talk.
Thanks, Dartanyan. My hope is the more people understand the lives of others, the more likely it is too seek solutions and to realize our common good is good for all.