Judge more on merit

BEATRICE WENDEL

WATERLOO -- The recent article in the Cedar Valley Business Monthly publication regarding a woman's appearance in the workplace left me with mixed feelings.

I agree that a woman should listen to her gut when a shirt just might be too racy for work and put it back in the closet. However, the author's suggestion that makeup and polished nails are essential to a woman's success made me feel unnerved.

Attention to grooming and personal presentation are certainly key to building a solid career, but confidence and professionalism are more important. Are we to think, then, that a woman who walks into a meeting in a tailored shirt, skirt and heels, head up, shoulders back, with a warm smile and a firm handshake is out of professional uniform if she isn't wearing lipstick?

All professionals should consider the impression their appearance will make, but when will women be judged more on their merit than the color of their nails?

'Show the work,' Courier

DAVID G. SPARKS

WATERLOO -- School teachers routinely require students to "show your work" on math tests. There's a reason, as Courier Business Editor Jim Offner would no doubt agree.

In his column Oct. 5, Offner suggests that members of Congress "don't have much of a grasp" on the magnitude of the financial markets intervention bill they passed. He offers to put the problem into context. "For $700,000,000,000 you could build a new $250,000 home for each man, woman, and child in a town nearly as large as Cedar Falls."

According to the U.S. Census (http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/19/1911755.html) the population of Cedar Falls is about 37,000. Judging by that phrase, "nearly as large as Cedar Falls," Mr. Offner must have calculated a number smaller than 37,000 when he divided $700 billion by $250 thousand. It would be interesting if the Courier would "show the work" and publish the arithmetic.

The correct answer to that calculation is larger than 37,000. It is 2,800,000. In other words, to really put it into context, $700 billion would afford a new $250,000 house for almost every man, woman and child in Iowa not just in Cedar Falls.

Of course the right context is not to build more high-priced homes, but to deal with the present surplus of them. A growing backlog of unsold homes nationally is clogging the market, pushing prices down and prolonging the misery.

Help fight SIDS

DEB WESTERGREEN

DUNKERTON -- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Everyone can help fight this terrible baby killer by following a few simple rules:

Place baby to sleep on a firm mattress.

Remove fluffy blankets, comforters and other soft items from the sleep area.

Don't let baby get too warm while sleeping.

Make sure baby's head and face stay uncovered while sleeping.

Offer baby a pacifier.

Do not smoke around baby.

Get good health care before and during pregnancy.

Take baby for well-baby check-ups.

I would also like to thank everyone for helping to make the first Cedar Valley SIDS walk a success. We raised about $15,000 to fund peer-to-peer training, community awareness, educational training for medical professionals and research.

Catchy phrases

BILL FATHAUER

NASHUA -- This country's history is replete with catchy phrases like "white collar" crimes. Well, another "white collar" crime has just been committed -- $700 billion is being taken out of our pockets in broad daylight. Yet, not one broker or banker has had their license pulled. Not one "white collar" criminal has been arrested or spent time in a prison -- minimum security or otherwise.

One more catchy phrase -- bailout. No jumping out of tall buildings. Just strap on your "golden parachute" and take your millions to a safer, warmer climate. Bailout at one time meant to leave a sinking ship. It may still mean that.

Put residents first

CHRIS HOEFER

WAVERLY -- I am amazed at the lack of compassion and concern exhibited by a majority of the Waverly City Council in its vote to continue on with the construction of a new recycling center in the north part of town. While all the other communities that were flooded this summer are delaying construction projects and other expenditures and using the money for immediate flood relief for their citizens, a majority of the council thumbs its noses at Waverly residents.

I also found it interesting that one of the council members applying for assistance through the state's Jumpstart program, which contains money from the state delaying its own projects, doesn't believe that Waverly should do the same for its residents and businesses. Talk about a double standard.

Voting for the recycling center were councilmen Boorom, Ecker, Grace and Ribich. Bricks and windows may provide something to show off to visitors, but they don't help the people. This lack of interest in helping the people of Waverly will be remembered and accountability for these actions will be demanded.

Thanks to councilmen

DEB TURNBALL

President, Waverly Citizens United

WAVERLY -- At the Oct. 6 Waverly City Council meeting, action was taken on continuing the construction of a new recycling center. This matter had previously been tabled by the City Council in response to petitions Waverly Citizens United had collected asking the city to delay construction of the facility and use the funds to assist our residents and our businesses in their flood recovery.

Unfortunately, a majority of the council did not see a need to help our community as we try to find the resources to meet all the needs created by this horrible disaster. Unlike other flood impacted communities and the state of Iowa who have put capital projects on hold and are using the money in flood-related projects, a majority of the council decided to simply charge ahead with the recycling center.

Waverly Citizens United wants to thank the three councilmen who were willing to put the needs of our residents and businesses as the top priority of the city and voted against this unnecessary project: Duane Liddle, Gene Lieb and Jim Vowels.

Maybe we need a king

BOB TOMKIN

WATERLOO -- Congressman Bruce Braley's recent change of vote on the supposed financial rescue bill was a perfect example of all that's wrong with Washington. He apparently voted his conscience first and voted against, at best, a confusing bill. Then when incentives were added that included dollars for Iowa, that made the bill OK.

Never mind that an additional $100 billion was added that will be wasted and the taxpayers will be stuck with. When politicians reach Washington they are generally a disappointment, regardless of party. Maybe it's time for a king; maybe a heavenly one at that.

Rights being taken away

DARCI HARTKE

WATERLOO -- Fascism is on its way. When the government passes laws to "bail the economy out," limit where we can smoke, etc. They tell us this is for our own good. The government is taking over this country, and they are the ones who put us here in the first place.

As far as I can see, both candidates are scary. It will be a choice of a lesser of two evils, which is not much of a choice. Character matters. Show me your friends, and I will show you your future.

When you go to the polls this November remember this: Americans' basic rights, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and the Bill of Rights, and the government out of the way so we can pursue them. It is not the government's job to take the fear out of your life, that's your job.

Look for candidates who are not looking to take away these rights, because they are slowly being taken away.

I think Benjamin Franklin said it best: "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."

Vote for Cayla Baresel

BILL HECKROTH

WAVERLY -- I am writing to encourage the citizens of Iowa House District 17 to vote for Cayla Baresel to represent them in the Iowa House of Representatives.

I am confident that Cayla will provide us with the type of representation we want and need in Des Moines. Cayla is an Iowa native and graduate of Wartburg College. She is smart, personable, energetic and trustworthy. I have had the opportunity to join her in several of the communities in House District 17 when she is door-knocking, and I have seen firsthand that she is a terrific listener and someone people feel comfortable talking to immediately.

Being a state senator, I have the opportunity to see other legislators in action. In my Senate District, there are two House of Representative members -- Andrew Wenthe for House District 18 and Pat Grassley for House District 17. Both were newly elected in 2006. However, when you compare their records, you quickly find out that those of us in House District 17, represented the past two years by Pat Grassley, have been greatly underserved. We need someone like Rep. Wenthe representing us; someone who really wants to listen to our concerns, sponsor legislation on our behalf and work for our well-being. That is not happening today in House District 17. But, if we elect Cayla Barasel to the Iowa House, it can and it will.

Re-elect Tom Little

CANDY MOORE

WATERLOO -- Let's continue the positive trend that has been happening at the county level by voting Nov. 4 for Tom Little.

Tom is willing to work with everyone and possesses excellent, responsible leadership skills. He is a fine example of how a supervisor works effectively to represent every taxpayer.

Vote to re-elect Tom Little Black Hawk County supervisor on Election Day, Nov. 4.

Re-elect Tami Wiencek

CINDY WELLS

WATERLOO -- I will be casting my vote to re-elect Tami Wiencek for Iowa House District 21.

Tami has shown us how truly caring, capable and devoted she is to the district. She proved that she is a strong leader in Des Moines and an advocate for Waterloo. In June, she devoted countless hours to her constituents that were affected by the floods. She helped many of them through the difficult process of cleaning up and securing funds to cover their losses.

Tami also faced many difficult decisions with the budget and laws. She carefully looked at all sides of the issues before casting her vote.

I know that Tami will continue to invest the much needed time and energy to the issues that the Statehouse will face.

Please join me in re-electing Tami Wiencek on Nov. 4.

Obama wrong choice

DAVE SMITH

WATERLOO -- What can we tell about someone by their association? I have been known to vote for Democrats and Republicans, but one Democrat I cannot support is Sen. Barack Obama.

Consider some of his associations: Bill Ayers, a known terrorist; the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, minister of a church that has welcomed U.S. Communist party organizational meetings and Frank Davis. Mr. Davis was a member of the U. S. Communist party. In Obama's book "Dreams From My Father," you will find that Mr. Obama met Davis in Hawaii. Obama freely admits to learning and taking advice from Davis. What advice? Obama writes that he was hanging out with the "Marxist professors" and attending "socialist conferences." In Obama's book "Audacity of Hope," Obama cites several members of the radical left as mentors, and even draws from their messages in conceiving the titles of his books.

Like Obama, the liberal press can never be fully open about its thinking and intentions. And liberals in the press, by and large, clearly want Barack Obama to be president, a bias that clouds their judgment and hinders their ability to do objective reporting.

Is Mr. Obama the man who we want as the president of the United States of America?

Vote for Obama

DAVID FREDRICK

WAVERLY -- I am one of a diverse group of 324 former Foreign Service officers, with extensive experience in implementing the international affairs and national security policies of both Republican and Democratic administrations. We have firsthand knowledge of the grave challenges of the Cold War, a period of peril but one in which the United States of America wore with honor the mantle of leadership. In cooperation with other democracies, and dialog with countries that were not, our nation found solutions to problems which seemed intractable. Sen. Barack Obama can place our nation again in that position of trust, credibility and respect.

With him, we call for a return to the successful reliance on bipartisan cooperation at home and active diplomacy with our friends and allies abroad, to face the challenges posed by those who are neither. We have watched with profound regret the frequent, costly failures of the current administration.

We are convinced that new American leadership is critical now. We urge Americans, regardless of party affiliation, to select as our next president, Sen. Barack Obama, a leader with courage, intelligence, energy, a fresh perspective and a focus on the future. We believe based on our foreign policy experience that he has the qualities needed to restore American leadership, credibility and respect in the world, the person to make bipartisanship possible again, and the judgment and vision to set our nation on the path to a better future.

Re-elect Doris Kelley

MIKE WAGGONER

WATERLOO -- I am writing to urge your support for the re-election of Doris Kelley for representative, House District 20. She has been a hard-working legislator for our district, and I have been particularly impressed by her efforts in the areas of education and health care.

As an educator, I appreciate that she voted to increase K-12 teacher salaries from 42nd in the nation to 25th; expand access to preschool for 5,000 four-year olds; double the number of math and science teachers; and increase funding for UNI and Hawkeye Community College.

In the area of health care, she voted to expand health care coverage for all children. She also helped small businesses by creating group insurance pools that allow small-business owners to join together in providing quality health care for their employees.

Doris is an articulate advocate and a skilled legislator who is in tune with her constituents in District 20. She has already established an excellent track record and built strong relationships that will serve her and us well in this upcoming important legislative session.

Please join me in voting to re-elect Doris Kelley.