To the editor:

Reading what Speaker Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House, said this morning about this year’s National Defense Authorization Act made me cringe…and wonder what is happening to our country.

I believe we should be diligent in the battle against drugs; but, I don’t think that means becoming a ‘police state’.  Control should be done, civilly, at our borders and ports of entry… not by invading, or threatening to invade other countries.

Prohibiting diversity, equity and inclusion programs in the Defense Department keeps intelligent, innovative, exceptional minds from being considered as possible employees.

“Restoring our warrior ethos” is a horrible goal. I don’t want to live in a world at war. We should be encouraging conversation, collaboration and cooperation.

We seem to have forgotten the “welcome” inscribed in our Statute of Liberty …

“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses, yearning to breathe free”. It seems even many of us who are already here, are no longer welcome, and….becoming less free.

Deb Egeland

New Ulm