Within a month, Iowans born in Storm Lake could have their birthright citizenship revoked, allowing the government to deport them anywhere it chooses. Iowa is among 28 states that did not join a lawsuit that successfully challenged birthright citizenship as part of the 14th Amendment. The US Supreme Court ruled that a federal district court judge could not issue a nationwide injunction. Iowa is not part of the injunction because Attorney General Brenna Bird opposes it.
That is where the matter stands for now. Other avenues exist to pursue nationwide injunction, such as class-action filings. The supreme court did not rule on birthright citizenship; it ruled on whether an injunction can be imposed nationally. Another lawsuit could determine whether the 14th Amendment means what it says:
“All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”
President Trump by executive order denies the Constitution. The district court said the order cannot stand. The supreme court delayed the question over process. It must eventually recognize the clear language of the 14th Amendment.
Everyone deserves due process — a hearing before deportation to El Salvador or Sudan. Everyone gets equal protection under the law from government agents seeking to detain and deport.
“All persons born or naturalized in the United States.”
If you can deny this language, then anyone can be dragged away for just being here. Just for being in the town where you were born.
Immigrants are afraid. The government already has tried to deport US citizens.
If federal agents raid Storm Lake, high school students who were born here could be deported to a country where they never set foot. This denies every idea about America being the land of the free. It dismisses the Constitution.
We are heading down a path where civil rights cease to exist. The court is ceding its authority to the executive, as is Congress. We pray the Constitution will hold, but the high court does not instill confidence.
Denying birthright citizenship will be a catastrophe for Storm Lake. It will be a tragedy for families torn apart by government malice. It is a shame on the brave patriots who fought the rule of monarchs in the Revolutionary War, which we celebrate July 4. We are one United States that extends its liberties to all. That is what people fought and died for.
Our gratitude goes to Ryan Melton of Webster City, who just suspended his campaign as a Democratic candidate for congress from the Fourth District. Melton recently was laid off from Nationwide Insurance, and he understandably needs to take care of his family. It’s a shame because he is right on the issues and would force the Republican establishment to defend itself. No Democrat has stepped into the breach.
We live in a one-party state. Whoever has an “R” behind his or her name wins. When we had our good sense several years ago, we would occasionally elect a practical Democrat like Berkley Bedell just to keep them honest. Times changed us.
Melton ran a quixotic campaign against steep odds but spoke the truth against consolidation and corporate greed.
His withdrawal leaves the seat wide open for State Sen. Lynn Evans, R-Aurelia, who has indicated that he will run if incumbent Congressman Randy Feenstra, R-Hull, runs for governor. It will be more of the same.
We deserve a debate in Northwest Iowa over such matters as birthright citizenship, and why Feenstra could not produce a farm bill despite being in the majority. Melton was a voice reminding us of what the real issues are. When Democrats get clobbered in this red patch nobody is rushing to fill the void. That’s a loss for democracy. It hardens our divide: Democrats can’t lose in urban House races, and Republicans can’t lose in Iowa’s Fourth. This is a huge reason Congress is dysfunctional.
Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, has drawn a lot of attention for her dismissive remarks over massive cuts to Medicaid funding: “We’re all going to die, for heaven’s sake.” Democrats sense an opening, and several candidates have jumped in. First was Nathan Sage of Winterset, who brings a working-class background to the fore. After the Ernst quip, others followed.
Our friend JD Scholten of Sioux City, who ran within three points of Rep. Steve King, R-Kiron, in a Fourth District Congressional race, is a bona fide progressive populist who talks about our tin-cup health care system. He’s pitching for the Sioux City Explorers this season, which is more fun than working as a paralegal.
The estimable Jackie Norris is staking a claim. She is a former chief of staff to Michelle Obama, and a well-respected organizer who understands Iowa politics at the grassroots. Her husband John was Tom Vilsack’s right-hand man for years, and is a cherished friend.
Then there is Zach Wahls, a state legislator from Corvalville with an interesting life story, having been reared by two women. He studied at Princeton, a great resume.
Primary voters in June next year will have an impressive field from which to choose.
Ernst will have a primary challenger as well: Jim Carlin, who ran against Sen. Chuck Grassley and drew about 30% of the vote, said he will challenge Ernst in the Republican primary. Carlin is a fiscal conservative.
We sense that Iowans don’t appreciate the chaos in Washington, and they wish there were more restraint in Des Moines. They are nervous about rural nursing homes and hospitals, and how Medicaid funding cuts will impact them. Costs are not under control. Ernst was reported to be consorting with military brass while serving on the Armed Services Committee — we are not sure that shocks anyone anymore, but we would like to think that some sense of ethics would prevail even if it is merely a defense of the pocketbook.
Storm Lake Fire Chief Glenn Schlesser gave the city his two-week notice and soon will take a new job somewhere near Chicago to be closer to family. Schlesser did not comment on his departure. The city in a prepared statement wished his family all the best and cited Chief Schlesser for “exceptional service.”
The city posted a job opening just before the announcement.
Schlesser came to Storm Lake from the Chicago area. His wife Trish worked at the BV County Communications Center as a dispatcher. We can understand his wish to get back home. We didn’t even get a “see ya later alligator.” Fair enough. It just makes us wonder what happened. These days at City Hall, you just never know.
The Iowa Pork Producers Association cannot tell the people of California how they want their livestock raised. The US Supreme Court earlier ruled that California may require producers to give sows 24 square feet of space. Pork producers asked the court to reconsider, and on Monday were denied that hearing.
It means that the industry must conform to consumer wishes. The burden falls on the pork integrators who must expand their facilities to give sows enough space to turn around. Instead of spending money on more appeals, the industry should invest in more efficient, productive and humane systems.
Consumers demanded cage-free laying hens. McDonalds then demanded it. The egg industry changed to meet demand. The pork industry must do the same. Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig reacted by pulling his head out of the sand and blurting that this threatens our “way of life.” What threatened Iowa’s way of life was the destruction of the sow market in 1998 by corporate design. This litigation is a direct result. Some of us live in denial. Some of us move on, innovate and prosper by remembering that the customer is always right, and California is our customer.
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