Gomers

BAD TREND:

The number of human trafficking reports in Iowa increased 71 percent between 2011 and 2013, according to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center's hotline. The Internet is the traffickers' tool of choice in furthering this crime that exploits young people for sex or slave labor. The Iowa Legislature has approved a bill that beefs up penalties for human trafficking and prostitution offenses, especially for those involving a minor. It's one valid response to this troubling trend, and the governor should sign it.

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DITCHES GET NO RESPECT:

Roadside ditches have a public purpose: reduce soil erosion, capture drifting snow, provide wildlife habitat and improve the looks of things. Sadly, many Iowans engage in widespread practices of mowing ditches or cultivating them for crops. It's illegal to grow crops in these public right-of-ways and it's also against state law to mow them before July 15 unless it's within 200 yards of a home or near the city limits.

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OVERREACH:

The NSA and IRS aren't the only federal agencies overreaching these days. Last week, the Social Security Administration backed off its efforts to collect overpayments from relatives of people who mistakenly were overpaid - more than 30 years ago in many cases. After getting a lot of deserved criticism, SSA said it will stop collecting overpayments more than 10 years old.

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