Dear Editor,
My father died in the Korean War when I was 2. My grandparents rode in the Memorial Day parade in Appleton, Minnesota every year to honor their son’s sacrifice. Donald Trump said Gold Star Parents and prisoners of war are losers. He dishonors all who have suffered loss, and all who have served in our armed forces. With these hateful words he dishonors my grandparents, my father and me.
For 30 years I taught Special Education, working with children with disabilities. Donald Trump openly criticizes, mocks, makes fun of, and laughs at persons with disabilities. He told his nephew that his son who has a disability, along with others who are disabled, are better off dead. With these cruel words he dishonors all my students, their families and all persons with disabilities, and me.
Only when we honor the memory of all who have served our nation, and provide care, love, respect and kindness to those of us in need are we then a strong nation. Donald Trump does not demonstrate the genuine fortitude and character to led our country as President. All that falls from his mouth is an endless stream of lies, vanity, hatred, callousness, racism, misogyny, prejudice, fear mongery, filth and disrespect for us all.
Steve Dahlstrom,
Silver Bay, MN
I want to compliment the Journal for their recent coverage of the criticism of the Silver Bay Mayor and City Council. Also for Rick Evans and his last two discussion about election issues. The message from both the local and national perspective is to make sure you look into the facts before weighing in with your opinion. And to do your homework by attending or watching the meetings where plans are discussed and decisions made.
In Two Harbors we went through a period where the former Mayor provided a wakeup call to the City. We learned a lesson. You can’t sit back and assume what other people tell you is the straight scoop. You need to find out for yourself, show up at meetings to ask questions, and support actions that you feel benefit others, and the community.
On the national level, we are being bombarded by messages and half truths designed to polarize us. That keeps us from working together to come up with win-win solutions to the problems that affect all of us. Let’s set the example where we have some control – the local level.
Phill Arnold
Two Harbors, MN
Democratic Values
As the election season heats up, so has political advertising—not just in quantity but also in emotionally distracting content. That makes it important for us as voters to keep educating ourselves with facts.
The core values of a political party are listed in it’s “platform.” These lists guide party decisions and are available to the public. Party platforms are a good place for voters to get factual information.
The core values of the MN DFL (Democratic Farmer-Labor) party, for example, are based on investment in the common good. This means that the DFL supports freedom, empowerment, protection, dignity, equity, opportunity, social responsibility, and empathy for everyone. The DFL is inclusive! Everyone’s social, economic, racial, gender, sexual, or religious status is welcomed and valued.
You can find the DFL platform by googling “Mn Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Ongoing Platform” or going to https://dfl.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Ongoing-Platform-2022-0813.pdf.
If you believe that everyone deserves care, compassion, and opportunity, you just might be a Democrat!
Jennifer Schulz
Grand Marais MN
