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Letters To The Editor

Time to wake up

I grew up in a very patriotic home. Every morning my father would put the flag up on a large pole that he cemented in our front yard. Dad was a police officer who believed in our country and following law and order. However, out of all my family members, my mother was by far one of the most patriotic on both sides of the family. She always believed that the United States was the best country on earth. My mom was a naturalized citizen. She was born in Poland and lived with her parents and sisters in a small farming village.   One day in the late 1930's, Russian soldiers burst ...

Open letter to Bergman

Dear U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, You were quoted in the news as saying, “It’s not what you’re against, what are you for? Show us what you’re for and then let’s have a dialogue.” I’m reasonably certain that many of your constituents have already expressed their views on what they stand for. Let me share mine. What I am for, and what I want you and all of my governmental representatives at all levels of government to be for, are... Easy access to nutritious and healthy food for every person to eat, not 46% of our children in the UP being food insecure. Enough fresh water ...

Slippery slope cited

U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, R–Watersmeet, is running an online ad that said he is fighting for our way of life. That choice of words scares an old man like me. During the 1950s, 60s and 70s, those words were a rallying cry for southern segregationists. The way of life those folks were defending was about keeping non-white Americans in their place. Even though the work of those non-white people was vital to the success of the economy, those workers were disrespected, denied equal rights and often considered to be dangerous. My concern is that a lot of talk about immigrant workers from ...

Gratitude for our senators

This past Friday, Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) had an eventful town hall with constituents. Discussing the cuts which Republicans intend to make to medicaid with her constituents, she was confronted by a call that “People are gonna die!” from an outraged audience member, to which she responded, “We’re all going to die.” Despite the callousness of the comment, I had some sympathy for Sen. Ernst. Emotionally, it’s hard to be on a stage alone facing an angry crowd. Imagine yourself in that position for a moment! I know I would not be finding my best words. As far as policy, I would ...

Letter carriers say ‘Thanks’

On Saturday, May 10, the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch #95 hosted a food drive throughout the Marquette area. On behalf of the Marquette Post Office and Branch #95, we would like to thank the residents of Marquette for their generous donations of non-perishable goods. Even in these tough economic times, the people of Marquette graciously donated 4,700 pounds. Those donations supported the pantries of the following Marquette organizations: Janzen House, Room at the Inn Warming Center, Salvation Army, St. Vincent de Paul and the Women’s Center/Harbor House. Thanks ...

Buildings gone but memories remain

I recently spent some time looking at that large empty field that used to be a hospital. For anyone who spent a good portion of their lives working there, it can still feel surreal to look over at it and see nothing there. I think of all the things that took place within those buildings over so many years. People were born there, and people died there. It was a place where patients, families, and employees laughed as well as cried. It was a place where lives were often changed forever. It was also a place where lifelong friendships developed. Unless you lived it, you couldn't ...