LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Still trying to achieve ideals established by our forefathersDear Editor,
Several recent letters have questioned the patriotism of those who do not agree with their political views. Our country was founded on the highest of principles and ideals, offering freedom, liberty, and justice for all, momentous promises for a new country unlike any other. However, our founders established these ideals at a time when slavery existed, when women were not given full citizenship, when immigrants of certain races were denigrated and treated unequally, when many injustices existed. For the next 240 some years, our authors, our critics, our reformers have pointed out these inequities and injustices and insisted that we become more free, more just, more perfect. What is truly great about our country is that we have not given up trying to achieve the ideals established by our forefathers. Our reformers are still trying to create that “city on a hill” that the pilgrims talked about. These are our true patriots. While we certainly don’t have to agree with every opinion that is advanced, those who would send American citizens “back to where they came from,” are fundamentally denying what makes our country great. That is not patriotism! Judy King Kewadin All registered voters can vote absenteeDear Editor,
A thank you to Mr. Passon for clarifying that voters had approved a proposal last fall that allows all Registered Voters to vote via absentee ballot. No Mr. Passon, there was no intention to deceive. I cut and pasted the rules for voting absentee ballots from a web site which I thought was the State’s site and apparently had not been updated. There are other stipulations and provisions for voting an absentee ballot in addition to those mentioned by Mr. Passon, such as the request for an absentee ballot must be in writing, must be received by the clerk no later than 5 p.m. the Friday before the Election and the ballot must be completed and returned to the clerk's office by 8 p.m. on election day. Anyone interested in using this method of voting should familiarize themselves with the process as there are provisions for special situations. Salvatore Castronovo Elk Rapids The legacy continuesDear Editor,
The Elk Rapids Village Gardens are beautiful! A huge thank you to the current members of the Elk Rapids Garden Club for their dedication to maintaining the beauty of the 10 community gardens. A huge thank you to the many former members of the club who helped to establish the tradition of caring for the gardens. The roots of the Elk Rapid Garden Club date back to 1931 and the legacy continues. It is not too late to join one of the garden crews and consider membership in the club. For more information email elkrapidsgardenclub@gmail.com or explore their website at elkrapidsgardenclub.com Deanna Seifried Elk Rapids Need for compassionate immigration policyDear Editor, American law does not typically punish innocent children of lawbreakers. We are doing that today with new state and federal laws, policies and actions that target children of illegal immigrants – akin to legally punishing President Trump, because his father was arrested at a KKK rally. I recommend that everyone read “The Sins of the Fathers: Undocumented Immigrants Pay the Price” from the American Immigration Council. It’s available online. Let's help create forceful yet compassionate, wise immigration policy. Terry Miller, Kewadin |
Lessons from historyDear Editor,
In his recent letter, Mr. Tschudy correctly observes that Christians supported slavery and Jim Crow in this country. But he seems to suggest that all Christians were responsible for these blots on American history. He seems to ignore the fact that Christians led the abolition movement prior to the Civil War and spearheaded the Civil Rights movement which ended Jim Crow. One cannot blame all Christians for racial terrorism nor can one blame all Muslims for Islamic terrorism. History shows that patriotism can be used by scoundrels. But, was Lincoln’s appeal to patriotism in his Gettysburg address the work of a scoundrel? Had Churchill and Roosevelt not appealed to the patriotism of their countrymen would fascism have been defeated? Patriotism is a tool that can be used for good or ill. Pride in one’s country is not necessarily evil. The idealism of socialist movements can also be abused. Remember the purges of Stalin, the Killing Fields in Cambodia, and Mao’s purges. You may criticize Trump but history also shows how the current tactics of the American radical left eerily mimic those of the Cultural Revolution in China. Jim Ribby Rapid City Concern about “some” immigrantsDear Editor,
How could a writer in last week’s “Letters to the Editor” even connect my recent letter to slavery? My concern is about “some” present day immigrants. Don’t put words in my mouth that I never said, trying to make me a “racist.” My letter was about how immigrants years ago came to this country legally, became citizens and adopted the ways of this country and left behind them the hatred for other nationalities imbedded in them from childhood. We have two people in congress who make racist comments based on their past heritage. They are the ones Trump’s audience referred to. If they can’t respect all people in our country, then they should go back to the country whose ideas they support. Most immigrants are happy to be a part of our country, for the most part they are hard workers. Our country was known for years as a “melting pot.” I too acknowledge the atrocities of slavery; it was not something to be proud of – however, I will give you an up-to-date fact. Africa still supports slavery; they have the highest number of slaves in the world. At least in modern day America Black people have some opportunity for success and it is getting better. Mary Skarnulis Rapid City Liberty and Justice for allDear Editor,
A recent letter-writer stated that people who don’t respect Trump should return to the countries from which they came. Bleak alternatives! I’ve spent all my 83 years as an American citizen and definitely don’t respect Trump; so, must I leave, and if so, to where? I always felt that I could express a political opinion, with the underlying hope of someday seeing true Liberty and Justice for All. Is there some reason the four duly elected U.S. citizens, members of “The Squad,” can’t do likewise? Their right and duty, as legislators, is to speak truth to power, seeking that same Liberty and Justice. Neither they nor I are going away. Meanwhile, we of the “Liberal Socialist Democratic Left” find it harder to listen to or watch Donald Trump without sensing the we’re staring into the abyss of madness. His personal shortcomings are as obvious as his ridiculous comb-over. Real respect should be earned. He never truly earned anything, not even his first dollar. John Tschudy Elk Rapids Letters to the Editor:
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