Questions for Tony Amsler

To the Editor,

   Nearly every week the opinion pages of this paper are riddled with letters from retired Monticello teachers. Most of them are very active members of the Jones County Democratic Party. Most recently, Tony Amsler and Keith Stamp have both called for a public debate between Steve Bradley and Mr. Amsler, our candidates for the Iowa House of Representatives. I’m not sure why Mr. Amsler, who has used the opinion pages of this very publication as his personal free campaign advertising, doesn’t just state his positions in this paper. Instead, Mr. Amsler used these opinion pages to challenge his competitor to an in-person debate that quite frankly might only be attended by a few dozen people. This publication would reach a much broader audience. If you’re going to take the time to write an “opinion” piece, just tell us your positions. I know exactly what Steve Bradley’s positions are on a wide variety of topics that are important to me. For instance, there is a roadside billboard just south of Monticello that clearly states his position on one important issue. He paid for that billboard to make certain everyone who drove by was aware of his position. He sent out numerous mailers while campaigning in the primary election telling voters why he was the best choice for Republicans as our State Representative.

   I have some pressing questions for Mr. Amsler. After all, you are asking voters to put you in a position to make policy affecting all Iowans.

   What is your position on school choice? Iowa spends, on average, $11,907 per public school student each year. Should the State of Iowa vote to allow parents to choose where the per student funding for each child goes regardless of income? If the money followed the student, the parents could use the funds for a private school, Christian-based school, charter school, home school curriculum, or traditional public school. Mary Melchert wrote an opinion piece several weeks ago lamenting the long hours public school teachers would be forced to work in light of the nationwide teacher shortage. She all but blamed concerned parents. We have them so stressed out. We’re holding them to such an unbelievably high standard. Class sizes are burgeoning. I wonder if it crossed her mind that many public-school teachers are sickened by all the Critical Race Theory and pedophilia they are being forced to present to our children.

   Fun fact – We visited friends near Fargo, N.D., recently. One of the top stories of the local ABC news affiliate was the opening of a brand new school: The Capstone Classical Academy in Fargo opened its doors for Pre-K through 12^th grade on Aug. 29, 2022. Enrollment was just short of double the expectation and Headmaster Paul Fisher stated “despite the nationwide teacher shortage, Capstone had the opposite problem. He says more people applied than they could hire, and most are veteran teachers from across the Valley. I think when you explain the Classical method and the vision for the school, teachers are inspired and then they talk to each other,” Fisher said.

   What is your position on the sexualization of our very young elementary students? How do you feel about the pedophiliac focus on gender identity, transgenderism, and pronoun choice when most of our children can no longer complete basic grade-level math problems? What is your position on the chemical castration and sexual mutilation of our children? Should the parents of minor children have an absolute right to know about and be the final authority over their children’s healthcare?

   We have so many choices to prevent unwanted pregnancy including abstinence, oral contraceptives, condoms, diaphragms, sponges, IUDs, MAPs (morning after pills), and so many others. In the event of an unwanted pregnancy that is detected later, there is always adoption. There are approximately two million childless couples looking to adopt. There are 36 times more childless couples looking to adopt than there are available babies. What is your position on abortion? Do you just see it as healthcare? (We can’t say women’s healthcare because I hear men can now get pregnant. Who knew?!) Are you in favor of killing unborn babies or against it? Any exceptions?

   How do you feel about biological males competing in women’s sports at any level? Do you acknowledge a biological difference between a man and a woman? The newest member of the Supreme Court was unable to define a woman during her confirmation hearing. Can you?

   Should Iowa support The Convention of States legislation to help rein in the over-reaching power of the federal government? To curb corruption of career politicians, would you support term limits for elected officials?

   Are you a supporter of the First Amendment? Should big tech companies, newspapers, and other news media be allowed to censor and silence information that doesn’t align with their own ideology?

   Are you a supporter of the Second Amendment? Would you vote for or against gun control measures in Iowa? Please be specific.

   As a candidate for public office, I eagerly anticipate your very public response.

Jacqueline Jacobs

Monticello, Iowa