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Letters to the Editor

Better citizens badly needed in US

To the Journal editor:

Knowing my penchant for writing letters to the editor, friends have urged a response to (the) letter of Nov. 23.

After some thought I realized that there is no adequate response to (the letter) which would not make me appear as childish and immature, as his letter makes him appear.

Therefore in order to move on I hereby pledge to offer as much support and cooperation to Mr. Trump and the Republicans as they have offered to President Obama for the last eight years.

I sincerely hope that this response satisfies (the letter writer) although I realize that that ‘depends’ on circumstances beyond my control.

Moving on to some serious issues actually affecting our nation, word count permitting, I would like to make a few observations. Gerrymandering is, in my opinion, a large part of why we have the government we have today.

When politicians are able to select their constituents instead of the constituents selecting their representatives we end up with a dysfunctional government.

One of the main Constitutional duties of our representatives is “to meet, debate and come to agreement.” Failure to comply with this duty should be grounds for dismissal from an elected office.

I find it appalling that we have representatives today who campaigned on the promise to completely ignore their constitutional duty. We also have today the technology to draw completely fair and unbiased electoral districts via computer programming.

If we were to have fair districting, I believe, it would result in better government because our candidates would have to appeal to a broader spectrum of voters and therefore would have to have a more inclusive message and agenda.

The year 2020 will be here before we know it. After the next census we will have to redraw district lines again. I urge concerned citizens of every stripe to contact their elected officials and demand fair and unbiased districting, I ask you who could possibly object to that?

A man I admire has said it better than I could: “If you want a better government, be a better citizen” — Jim Wright.

I agree, be a better citizen. Inform yourself on the issues. Learn how to critically evaluate sources. Become engaged in community or political activism. Be a better citizen.

Jeffrey Prusi

Negaunee

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