People Over Profits!
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa —
By STATE REP. JOSH TUREK
Special To The Iowa Mercury
(Josh Turek, a Democrat, represents Council Bluffs and Carter Lake in the Iowa House of Representatives. He is considering a run for the U.S. Senate in 2026.)
I went to the Woodstock of Capitalism to see the Oracle of Omaha.
Although I’ve lived in the Omaha area most of my life this was my first time attending the event. (The annual Berkshire Hathaway meeting in Omaha) A truly unique experience.
I admire what (Warren) Buffett has been able to achieve. An extraordinary and remarkable man. I especially admire his humility, character and generosity, choosing to give 99% of his wealth away.
But I also recognize the flaws in a system that unfairly benefits the ultra-wealthy.
I believe capitalism is the greatest vehicle ever created to generate wealth, but ineffective at distributing that wealth.
As Buffett himself has stated: “The wealthy are undertaxed relative to the general population.”
It gives me great pride to be born in a country and into a society that through talent and hard work you can live a dream uniquely American. I am an example of that uniquely American dream.
But as the wealth divide continues to grow, homes become less affordable and the middle class continues to erode, that chance at the American dream is becoming more difficult to obtain.
It is clear we need a more fair and just taxation code.
We need policies that prioritize affordable health care, affordable homes, our public schools, and working families; not the ultra rich.
People over profits!
About The Iowa Mercury
(Douglas Burns, founder of The Iowa Mercury and a fourth-generation Iowa journalist from Carroll, is a member of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative. Read dozens of the most talented writers in Iowa in just one place. The Iowa Writers' Collaborative spans the full state. It’s one of the biggest things going in Iowa journalism and writing now — and you don’t want to miss. This collaborative is — as the outstanding Quad Cities journalist Ed Tibbetts says — YOUR SUNDAY IOWA newspaper. )
"As Buffett himself has stated: 'The wealthy are undertaxed relative to the general population.'"
I am all-in on discriminating between "rich" and "greedy." Also, the myth that the Republican "brand" is "can't fail formula" of "cut spending on social programs to make room for income tax cuts to the most prosperous businesses and people."