Have you been feeling concerned about reduced benefits for veterans, the possible closure of rural hospitals, expected insurance premium increases in January, having the military deployed against U.S. cities, the lack of due process, and infringements on freedom of speech?

I know I am concerned.

I remember a time when people could disagree about politics or cultural and social norms without thinking ‘the other side’ is evil.

I yearn for a return to civility, so we can all be in a community where we might not agree, but where we treat each other respectfully.

In July a bill was passed in Washington that guts funding to medicaid, rural hospitals, food stamps, ACA tax credits, battery operated cars, and solar energy and that gives a HUGE increase for the military and luxuries for the president and big tax cuts for very wealthy people.

Our tax dollars are being spent on national guard members, pulled from their normal lives, to be in cities like Los Angeles and Washington D.C. for apparent political reasons.

If enough of us – regular citizens – say, “No” to this kind of use of our tax dollars, maybe the people in Washington will shift some of their actions.

I am grateful that Senator Gary Peters and Senator Elissa Slotkin are ‘Saying No’ to the current budget unless ACA tax credits are restored indefinitely, medicaid cuts are rolled back, and that money agreed upon in congress will REALLY be spent on what was decided instead of having that money rescinded like money slotted for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting was.

We can all say,“No” and resist by:

Contacting our members of congress: U.S. senators Elissa Slotkin and Gary Peters; U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman; state Senator Ed McBroom, state Rep. Karl Bohnak.

Voting and encouraging others to be informed about candidates and issues and the significance of voting.

Joining Indivisible.org at the national level or Lake Superior Region Indivisible lsrindivisible.org locally.

Showing up in the streets for No Kings 2.0 on Saturday, Oct. 18.

• In Marquette: 10:30 a.m.-noon, U.S. 41 and Wilson Street

• In Newberry: 11 a.m.-1 pm

• In Sault Ste. Marie: 1-3 p.m., Market Corner

• In St. Ignace: 11 a.m.-1 p.m., 13 S. State St.

• In Escanaba: Noon -2 p.m., 2301 Ludington St.

• In Crystal Falls: 10:30 a.m.-noon, Iron County Court House, 2 S. 6th St.

• In Ironwood: Noon-2 p.m., Ironwood Historic Depot Park, 150 N. Lowell St.

• In Houghton: Noon-2 p.m., Bridgeview Park, Quincy Street and East Lakeshore drive

The president appears mentally unfit to lead, and decisions being made are hurting us all and putting the country at risk. Let’s resist and take care of each other and the country.