Opinion

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.

Legislation has passed Congress and was signed into law by the president, ironically named the “Big Beautiful Bill” that harms millions of Americans while greatly benefiting a few thousand. Among the various cruel and harmful program cuts will be the $900+ billion being cut over time from the Medicaid program. These crafty, extreme conservative politicians were wise enough to have most of the Medicaid cuts take place after the upcoming 2026 mid-term elections. They hope their voters won’t feel the pain until after they have hoodwinked them into voting again for them by downplaying the pain that will be primarily inflicted on their lower-income voters but will impact most Americans.

Dear Editor,