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Letters

Just go; just speak up

To the editor: Many years ago in a classroom not so far, far away, having finished the day’s lesson, I was sitting at my desk and recording scores in my grade book. I was disturbed in my efforts by the rustling of a notebook from a nearby student. I looked up to see him holding the offending notebook with a scrawled message that read, “I have throw-up in my mouth.” I immediately told him he was free to go to the restroom. He returned in short order and proceeded to get back to work. A few minutes later a familiar, urgent fluttering interrupted my scribing, and it was the same ...

Brad Finstad is selling out our future

To the editor: Congressman Brad Finstad remains on the DOGE caucus in full support of Elon Musk’s illegal dismantling of important services. The firing of Social Security Administration employees further shows that this unelected billionaire and his team of rich kid sycophants don’t care about the 72 million Americans who depend on Social Security payments, funds which they have already paid for throughout a lifetime of working. You might be one of those Americans reading this now. Musk has never had a real job in his life, and has no place jeopardizing the retirement and ...

US House budget resolution threatens your health care

To the editor: Brad Finstad, along with 217 Republican Representatives voted in support of the budget resolution that cuts billions of dollars from social welfare programs. If this budget passes in the Senate and is signed by the president, it will lead to massive cuts in Medicaid. Medicaid provides health care to nursing home residents, disabled citizens, the working poor, and low-income families. Without the health care coverage provided by Medicaid, people requiring 24-hour nursing care will go without care, placing a burden on them and their family.  Young children will not ...

A great dealmaker’s bad deal

To the editor: A Social Security Administration audit by an Inspector General (“Preventing, Detecting, and Recovering Improper Payments”) was released in July. It found less than 1% in improper payments from 2015 to 2022. An actual audit is what Congress should be using in the process of increasing efficiency and addressing waste or fraud. Inspectors General, ethics officials and other federal watchdogs have been fired. The current administration seems to agree with recently pardoned Charles Kushner, who said, “You want to know what I think about watchdogs? All they want to do is ...

Stand with Ukraine

To the editor: I have been watching in disbelief and horror as President Trump recently and dramatically reversed the US position on the Russia/Ukraine war. Within the past two weeks Trump has attacked President Zelenskyy, calling him a dictator (“Did I say that?” yes, you most certainly did.). Trump also repeatedly and falsely claimed Zelenskyy is responsible for starting this war. Another outrageous, unfounded accusation directed at a leader who has exhibited incredible strength and resilience in the face of an unprovoked brutal invasion of their country. One person is ...

Watching it happen all over again

To the editor: In my 76 years living and prospering in this great state and nation, I have seen many great achievements and great failures. I remember JFK assassination. I was in the National Guard during the Vietnam mistake. We saw the planes hit the World Trade Center, thankfully on TV. We saw Trumps first term and thought we would never see it again. I watched President Trump and Vice President Vance deliver a gift of a nation to Vladimir Putin. The USA has made a grave mistake. It’s enough to make an old man cry. Greg Merkel New Ulm