DEI is morally bankrupt. Finally, more people are realizing it.

DEI is morally bankrupt. Finally, more people are realizing it.

I am 85. The Register has been always a part of my life, a part of my routine, a mainstay. A special memory is the day Gov. Tom Vilsack's nephew brought the Register to our classroom after 9/11. We shared this valuable resource for the next hour, reading, discussing, questioning, coming to grips with tragedy and evil; a time we'll never forget. Such a good teaching tool for classrooms.

But, frankIy, these past years the Register has taken another path, a different agenda, forgetting the principle of impartiality and fairness, repeatedly in its featured articles pushing readers to adopt policies and laws that are contrary to our basic human values that have existed for thousands of years.

However, I did see a glimmer of hope in an Aug. 30 story . How hopeful to hear of some big companies who are backing away from diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives they say are socially "motivated" and are concerned about their customers! They’re saying "no" to cultural awareness parades, festivals or events.

John Deere , Lowe's , Ford and Harley-Davidson have all announced the same decisions, not bending to the demands that have been made. Finally saying no. Finally having some backbone and making their own decision. Finally beginning to see that right is right and wrong is wrong. Finally realizing "The Emperor has No Clothes”! Gives this 85-year-old lady some hope for the future.

Jeanne Eppard, Ankeny

Few tariffs actually make sense

Our government has been moving our country more and more toward protectionism and away from international free trade. Both Democrats and Republicans want to establish or raise tariffs on many, if not most, products imported to the U.S. with the stated goal of "protecting American jobs” against “unfair trade practices."

In a world where we have actual enemies, certain domestic industries, products, and information need to be protected for strategic reasons. Restrictions on free trade should be limited to strategic defense-related production and technology. Today, most tariffs, subsidies, and other protections are examples of crony capitalism, not strategic defense. Free market capitalism includes the risk of loss. Crony capitalism uses our government to protect favored groups against losses.

Philosophically, people should be mostly free to trade with whomever they want, regardless of national borders. Practically, tariffs may protect jobs and businesses for the favored few, but they significantly increase prices paid by consumers, which is most harmful to those who can least afford it.

At a minimum, there should be no trade restrictions with countries that are friendly to us, which is most of the world today, except for China, Russia, and a few smaller countries. Trade restrictions with our "political enemies" should be narrowly limited to strategic items. We don't put up artificial barriers within the U.S. when a company moves operations from one state to another, or if another state produces and sells particular products at a lower cost. That is the way it should be with most international trade.

Kurt Johnson, Urbandale

Iowans are going out and changing the world

The Sept. 1 story on "Iowa's brain drain" misses the point.

Instead of lamenting that our best and brightest are leaving the state, consider that our state is contributing to the greater enlightenment of the country as a whole. We are sending our best out to do great things in other lands and share the good things they have learned as they grew up here. I'm proud of them for reaching for greater horizons. What a wonderful testimony to our great state. God bless 'em!

David Payer, Des Moines

Remember Agnew’s infamous Des Moines speech?

Thanks for Edward Wasserman's Sept. 1 guest essay comparing Nixon Vice President Spiro Agnew's attacks on the press with Donald Trump's. It should be noted that some of Agnew's most vicious remarks came during a speech at the Hotel Fort Des Moines , which, no joke, was covered live by some networks. But his signature "nattering nabobs of negativity" stab came several days earlier; it just had the oomph to get the VP primetime exposure when he spoke in Des Moines.

I did a quick online check of the Oxford Dictionary to break down what that strange but poetic insult meant. "Nattering:" chatty, casual rambling. Fair enough. "Nabob:" Now this one got me. It refers to someone of great wealth and high status. That is, a blustery snob. Certainly Agnew, who took bribes. But Trump, too.

Rick Montgomery, Des Moines

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: DEI is morally bankrupt. Finally, more people are realizing it.