LTEs in the Press-Citizen: Helen Van Hoozer & Mike Carberry on Jim Leach

Written by: Mike Carberry on Jul 7, 2006 4:50 PM EDT

Linked to groups: DFA-Iowa 2nd District (DFIA-2D)

www.press-citizen.com/apps/pbcs....

Leach wrong on Voting Rights Act

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is up for renewal. Recently the House Judiciary Committee passed the Act by a 33-1 vote. Then, during debate in the House, Republicans objected to some provisions of the Act, which required nine southern states that have had a history of discrimination against black voters to get Justice Department approval for their election laws. Debate on the Act stopped.

Prior to recent events, I wrote Rep. Jim Leach to urge him to vote to reinstate the Voting Rights Act. Leach's response was that he was "watching this." He said, "At this time no bill has been introduced to begin the re-authorization process and it is unclear what action if any will be taken in Congress."

Rather than taking a leadership role on passage of the Voting Rights Act, Leach was sitting back waiting for some other legislator to take the initiative. I was disappointed to say the least.

We need a change in priorities, new ideas and real leadership in Washington. Our choice this time around is David Loebsack, a professor of political science at Cornell College and a recognized expert on Iowan, national and international politics. Put a big red X on your calendar on Nov. 7. Go to the polls and vote. It's a matter of freedom and democracy.

Helen Van Hoozer
Muscatine



Leach votes for the millionaires

Republican Rep. Jim Leach voted for near total repeal of the estate tax, also known as the death tax (HR 5638). In a public statement, Leach's office claimed that repeal will protect small business owners and farmers. That's a myth. Leach is repeating Republican Party spin.

The estate tax already allows up to a $2 million exemption, so it will not affect the majority of farmers and small business owners. The net worth of most farmers rarely exceeds $1.5 million and for small business owners it's about $800,000. Even the American Farm Bureau cannot produce one farmer who lost their farm to estate taxes.

The answer is in the Democratic proposal that supports reform, not repeal, by simply raising the tax ceiling for 99.7 percent of estates. Repeal of the estate tax is nothing more than another Bush tax cut for the very wealthy, which would cost the American people $762 billion during its first 10 years. George Bush, Dick Cheney, the Cabinet and CEOs of the largest oil companies would receive windfalls well over $91 million if the estate tax is permanently repealed.

Leach is voting to protect himself and his multi-millionaire friends, not hardworking Iowans in the 2nd district. It's time for his constituency to ask Leach the tough questions. In November, I'm voting for Dave Loebsack. It's time to clean House.

Mike Carberry
Iowa City

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Location: Iowa City, IA 52245