March 18, 2024

Steve Waterman Osceola

Last week Father David Polich, priest of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church wrote meaningfully about two social topics. I stand four square with my friend.

He wrote of disrespect for public servants by the current statehouse. When the current legislature and governor approved a law that basically destroyed the right to collectively bargain, the rights of many were weakened if not totally damaged. On this matter, my church, United Methodist, agrees with Father David. United Methodists public a Book of Discipline. The Book “is not infallible but is the most current statement of how United Methodists agree to live together.” Following is the 2012 Book of Discipline statement regarding Collective Bargaining: “We support the right of all public and private employees and employers to organize for collective bargaining into unions and other groups of their own choosing.”

The second issue he addressed was the right of Iowa counties to increase the minimum wage in their counties. Whether or not you agree with the county control of minimum wage, is there really any question that the State of Iowa needs to raise the minimum wage?