Letters to the Editor: Huizenga, volunteering and a clarification

EDITOR'S NOTE: The views and opinions expressed are those of the writer and not of Ottawa News Network.

Questions for Bill Huizenga

Ten “yes/no” questions for Bill Huizenga, running for his ninth term (would total 18 years) as congressman for Michigan’s 4th District, competing for the Republican nomination against former Holland Mayor Phil Tanis in the Aug. 4 primary:

1. Trump has repeatedly claimed, without evidence, that the 2020 election was rigged — do you believe Biden was legitimately elected president?
2. You haven’t held a single open in-person town hall; will you commit to hold at least a few if elected to another term?
3. Are you satisfied with the Justice Department’s compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act?
4. Are you comfortable with the time and our money spent on Trump vanity projects — White House East Wing destruction to build a ballroom, putting his name on the Kennedy Center, the proposed 250-foot arch, etc.?
5. Do you agree with pardons Trump has granted to Jan. 6 rioters, crypto executives, insider traders, tax defrauders, and drug dealers?
6. Do you or your immediate family own any financial investments other than mutual funds?
7. Any concerns about the Trump family’s involvement in, and wealth creation from, companies that have won government contracts or received lenient regulatory oversight?
8. Have you, during the current term, cast a single vote contrary to the wishes of Speaker Mike Johnson?
9. You unconditionally and 100% support Trump — do his words/actions ever make you cringe?
10. The Kalamazoo GOP twice, unsuccessfully, tried to disqualify petitions submitted for Phil Tanis to be on the ballot; did you ever discourage their actions to squash a competitive voice?

Daniel J. Boote
Holland

Come volunteer at the county fair

My name is Max Poehlman, and I'm a summer intern with the Ottawa County Democratic Party.

This year, we're excited to have a table at the Ottawa County Fair (July 27-Aug. 1); however, we need volunteers in order to help run a successful table for the length of the event.

Our table is crucial because it provides a great opportunity to represent the party and promote Democratic candidates running at the state and national level.

Volunteering at the table is a great way to interact and meet new people, while helping a cause you support.

To sign up for shifts, click here. Thank you for your help!

Max Poehlman
Summer Intern
Ottawa County Democratic Party

Correcting a previous letter

If you could see me right now, you would be able to see the egg splattered on my face. In my letter published in this publication on June 24, I got my millions and billions mixed up. I was off by a factor of 1,000! My apologies.

My letter warned readers that because of last year’s H.R. 1 (One Bill Beautiful Bill Act), Michigan’s share of the cost of SNAP benefits will increase dramatically. Here is a corrected version of the flawed sentence in my letter: “Michigan’s SNAP costs are projected to increase by more than threefold: from $192 million to $629 million.” The recommendation of Bread for the World and others is that Congress should at least delay the cost sharing so that states have more time to prepare. So, if you haven’t done so already, now is the time for you to contact the folks in Congress.

While I am addressing the topic of SNAP cost sharing again, I’d like to add three updates.  First, I have learned from Representative Nancy DeBoer that Michigan is in no position to absorb the cost-sharing increase.  Second, the House version of the Farm Bill does not include the delay in the cost-sharing, and so far, the Senate’s draft doesn’t either. But since the Senate will be working on the Farm Bill over the month of July, there is still time for the Senate to add the delay into its Farm Bill.  

Third, according to the book "Burned by Billionaires" by Chuck Collins, over the last 50 years, Congress has been shifting more and more responsibility for basic services. Thus, the increase in SNAP cost sharing is part of a larger unhealthy trend.

Mary Johnson
Holland

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