Letter: Good luck communicating with lawmakers

I occasionally email those who represent me in the state legislature or the U.S. Congress.

I emailed Sen. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst asking if it would be beneficial to taxpayers if they would fine those who employ immigrants who are here illegally, rather than building physical barriers and paying more border guards. I did get a reply from Grassley's office, but it did not answer my question. I didn't hear from Ernst's office.

I contacted State Rep. Ashley Hinson about her vote to decrease the bargaining power of state employees. 'I am happy to support teachers, nurses, firefighters, police and paramedics.” She was convinced that this bill that she voted for would be good for all of us.

I was a volunteer on the Midland of Wyoming, Iowa, ambulance service. My dad was a volunteer firefighter for the fire department in Belmond.

I am a retired nurse. Because of short staffing and increasing responsibilities, I couldn't recommend nursing as a profession to my daughter. I loved taking care of patients, but became tired of insurance companies saying 'no” to testing and treatment. In 2016, the state of Iowa ranked No. 49/50 states in average pay for nurses.

My husband is a certified teacher. He was laid off in the 1980s due to a 'share” between rural school districts. Because Iowa prioritizes other jobs, he wasn't able to be hired as a teacher again.

Of course, you have the right to communicate with representatives whose salaries you pay. Good luck!

Sue Dirks

Marion