Fight for clean water, or get out

Let’s be blunt: Iowa’s nitrate crisis is a public health emergency driven by agricultural greed and political cowardice. No amount of propaganda from farm lobbyists or spineless officials can hide the truth — this system is poisoning us so corporations can pocket billions. Enough excuses. It’s time to challenge the agribusiness machine, end reckless nitrogen dumping, and protect Iowans before more lives are sacrificed for profit.

As a 78-year-old Vietnam veteran with spots on my lung and pancreas, I’ve watched fellow veterans die after decades of illness caused by Agent Orange. It took Congress 30 years to admit the damage. Now our children and grandchildren suffer over 30 related birth defects and cancers. Don’t let these cowardly politicians condemn you, your children, and your grandchildren to a lifetime of sickness, agony, and premature death to feed corporate greed.

Iowans shouldn’t be shocked we have the nation’s second-highest — and only rising — cancer rate. We are being poisoned by Big Agriculture. Our rivers and land are turning into toxic dumps. How much more evidence do we need?

I will not vote for any candidate — Republican or Democrat — who refuses to confront this crisis. Those profiting from this pollution must pay to clean it up. We need ironclad policies that punish polluters, not taxpayers.

It’s time to drive these farmer welfare queens off the taxpayer trough. End the subsidies — if you misuse them, you lose them. If you won’t fight for clean water, get out of the way.

Joel Wells

Iowa City