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 for personal use for now and for future generations. This means protecting all of our waterways and aquifers and providing access to potable water where needed.

Enough income to assure an ability to manage day to day without fear of losing everything. A living wage for all jobs. The freedom to work in environments that are considerate, respectful, and safe.

To have an adequate roof over every head. No homelessness, no abandonment onto the street, no displaced people.

No draining of individual and small business assets to line the pockets of corporations, equity firms, and billionaires.

To be safe in our own homes, free from domestic and child abuse. To be safe enough to walk down any street or drive our car on any road without fear of racial profiling. To be safe from brutal police attacks, mass shootings, gun accidents from unsecured guns, and random violence.

To be safe from our own government and know that we won’t be hauled away due to some whim or lie.

To access education that enables every person to thrive in learning and leads to a society committed to evolving toward peace and stability through science and critical thinking.

To have easy and affordable access to healthcare and preventive practices so that everyone may live healthy, productive lives, and those who can’t are supported adequately with quality of life. To be able to live to the end of our lives with dignity, respect, care, and compassion as well as adequate resources.

To be able to follow whatever religion, wisdom tradition, or ethical philosophy we wish, with commonalities of kindness, no harm, and compassion. To be free to develop our highest, best self as individuals and as communities and countries without persecution, condemnation, or killing.

To love who we wish and how we wish without persecution, loss of rights, and fear for our lives.

To live in a country where everyone’s point of view matters and we are free to vote according to our conscience and values, with a commitment to preserving democracy, not creating a king or an autocracy.

To have nature and the earth be accessible to and protected by all. This resource is limited, and we must prioritize its conservation.

There is enough wealth held by the top 1% of the population and the corporations that all of this is doable in our lifetimes.

Please dedicate the remainder of your term in office to focusing on the variables and elements that promote truth, honesty, non-harming, justice, due process, thriving, equality, and democracy.

I spoke about what I am for. Did you hear me? Did you hear the others who have also spoken for these values?

Or do you believe your values and the values of the conservative constituency are the only ones that matter?

Given that you don’t make yourself accessible to have honest and truthful discussions about what your constituents need and want, I don’t expect a reply. I don’t expect that dialogue you were quoted as offering to be an honest and genuine invitation.