Opinion

Hello, Devils Lake. Did you miss me? Because I missed you! I missed you like a woman misses her good bra after wearing the sports one all day. I missed you like farmers miss sleep in October. I missed you like the Lutheran Church Ladies miss a fresh pot of coffee when someone dares to brew it without an egg!

I consider myself to be a Christian, albeit a struggling Christian who often fails to live up to the teachings of Jesus Christ, yet tries daily. I will admit that I am not much of an Old Testament Christian but rather focus on the teaching and guidance provided by Jesus Christ. For the most part, your beliefs are personal and can vary from one individual to another. I am troubled by something that is mentioned numerous times in the Bible, that we are to love one another, yet most people regularly fail to do so every day. There is even mention of loving your enemy, which seems almost nonsensical today.

When I called to verify an Op Ed for last week’s Journal it reminded me that there IS something we, as consumers, can do, even if the present climate in our politics persists.

Dear Editor,

The latest Republican con is that the country is a hellhole of crime and only a strong unrestrained dictator can save the country. There has always been some level of crime throughout the country, and there will always be a certain level of crime. The current president is creating a narrative where, primarily in Democratic lead cities (it’s about the 2026 mid-term elections), crime is running rampant and must be contained using military force. It essential to realize that the current president will have very little, if anything to promote as positive policies for the upcoming 2026 mid-term elections. He knows the loss of one house of Congress is very bad for him because of his blatant corruption and disregard of the U.S. Constitution. Democratic lead congressional investigations will prove extremely problematic for our current president. He must create a narrative, however bogus, that crime will run wild if Republicans want to continue full control of the government.

I prayed for my pastor today.

In the heart of America, small towns are dying not from lack of will or work ethic, but from the steady erosion of their economic foundations. Among the most critical losses is the disappearance of independent rural grocery stores — once vital community hubs that now struggle to survive. While many blame market trends or consumer preference, there’s a more insidious culprit that too few are talking about: the government’s failure to enforce the Robinson-Patman Act (RPA). This law was designed to protect small retailers from unfair, discriminatory pricing practices.

As doctors and nurses in North Dakota we have grave concerns about the unprecedented chaos and collapse of critical programs at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the nation’s premier public health agency. For over 75 years CDC has protected generations of Americans. Now however, CDC’s capacity has been degraded through actions taken by Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy. We urge the state’s congressional delegation to act immediately to prevent further destruction of the nation’s public health system that is critical to protecting the health and security of North Dakotans and all Americans.

Dear Editor,

Everyone needs to understand if not for a concerted effort by the Republican Party to suppress voters throughout the country, Donald Trump would likely not have won the 2024 election. Also, claiming a mandate when winning the election with less than 50% of the vote is totally bogus. Voter suppression efforts have been taking place by the Republican Party, rarely, if ever, by the Democratic Party, for decades as a campaign strategy to eliminate voters, particularly younger and minority voters, who would most likely vote for Democratic candidates.