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Letters To The Editor

Critical services harmed

While President Trump and his allies continue to justify their economic policies as necessary to address the national debt and deficit, they simultaneously support a budget projected by the Congressional Budget Office to increase the deficit by an estimated $6 trillion. Why? To fund Trump’s tax plan, which disproportionately benefits billionaires. Meanwhile, here in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, we are being asked to shoulder devastating cuts to vital public services. These include: - Closure of Social Security Administration and Bureau of Indian Affairs offices. - Closure of ...

Troubling times

These are both uncertain and frightening times for those who are employed by the federal government. We are reaching out to offer our Upper Peninsula Federal community another “tool in their toolbox” as we grapple with daily threats coming from the current administration. We are NARFE, the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association. Since our founding in 1921, the association’s mission has been to protect the integrity of the nonpartisan, merit-based civil service and to defend and advance the earned pay and benefits of America’s civil servants. We are the only ...

This is not normal

There is lots of talk about Executive Orders these days. It seems there are so many! Or is there just increased scrutiny? What is “normal” anyway? According the Federal Register, in the first 100 days, President Trump signed 139 Executive Orders. This is compared to President Biden signing 162 in 4 years. Yes, Trump has signed almost as many in 100 days as Biden signed in 4 years. But what about Trump’s first term? Is this just his style? In the first term, Trump signed 220 orders in 4 years. The last 10 presidents (starting with Nixon) have averaged 266 per 4 year ...

True art of deal?

Ishpeming, and the west end is the perfect community to show the rest that we can have conversations with each other without everything turning negative, political, or rude. When the chips are down, our community has always come together, it's part of the fabric of the community. We cannot lose that. People who don't even know one another insult each other because they won't take the time to get to know them, or be open-minded to what they are saying. Disagreements are fine, having discussion and debate is great, but expecting each person to believe in the same things that you do is ...

Time to start talking

A reply to U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman's statement of “it's not what you’re against. What are you for? Show us what you’re for and then let’s have a dialogue”, from his interview with (local television). The protests you have been seeing stand for the Constitution. All of it, not just the parts that are most valuable to us, and not just at times that are opportune to the moment or to those who wish to lead us. We support the division of powers. May the legislature legislate, may the judicial adjudicate, and may the executive execute. Each should perform its own role, without ...

Save our democracy from the consequences of the SAVE Act

The SAVE Act (Safeguard American Voters Eligibility Act) creates barriers to register to vote. It will greatly impact women, low-income voters and new voters. The SAVE act is not based on facts. There is no evidence of widespread non-citizen voting affecting elections. There is already a law prohibiting non-citizens from voting. This act requires voters to submit documentary proof of citizenship in person when registering to vote. The League of Women Voters and similar groups drives to register voters will no longer be allowed. Americans would not be able to register to vote by mail or ...