Letters to the Editor: The national debt, taking action and defending our election clerks
See what Ottawa County residents are thinking about.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The views and opinions expressed are those of the writer and not of Ottawa News Network.
Our national debt
The Trump Administration has increased the national debt in just one year by $2.25 trillion. The national debt is now $38.5 trillion.
The Republican Party used to stand for fiscal responsibility. No more. And rarely do any Democrats mention our rising debt.
America is a bloated ship heading for the iceberg of a financial crisis that will dwarf 2008.
Americans have their heads in the sand. The media focuses on many important issues, such as the murders in Minnesota, the cover-up of the Epstein files, the use of military force around the world, etc. So the national debt and the looming crisis rarely get a mention.
Our annual deficit is now 125% of GDP. Trump has never been concerned about debt, both personal and national. So who is going to be a Paul Revere to warn the nation of the catastrophe that our national debt will bring upon us?
Why do we have inflation? In 1969, the average new house was $15,525. The average income was $8,547. The tuition at Harvard was $2,000 a year. A first-class postage stamp was 6 cents.
I would argue that the main factor in our inflation is our federal government's deficit spending, which has poured trillions into our money supply on a credit card. We must pressure our politicians in both parties to address this looming crisis and offer some solutions about how we pay our bills without borrowing, which means most likely both tax increases and cuts in spending.
Sadly, I doubt any politician will have the courage to speak honestly to the American people about the dangers of annual deficits and a rising national debt.
Henry Idema
Grand Haven
Elections are foundational
The mission of Ottawa Integrity PAC is to support candidates for office in Ottawa County who reflect our values and commitment to democratic processes and fair elections. Because we are a state PAC focused on local elections, we generally do not take positions on national issues. However, there is an issue of grave importance to all of us, in Ottawa, and throughout our nation.
The recent FBI raid in Fulton County, Georgia, and seizure of ballots should be of concern to us all, along with the director of National Intelligence assessing voting machines in Puerto Rico, an area where the DNI has no purview. Election integrity is the hallmark of our system.
We have confidence in our elections in Ottawa County because our clerk, Justin Roebuck, provided public instruction on the voting process and election security. We are informed on the chain of custody of ballots, how votes are tabulated, and the canvassing process.
Four board members have run for office — two of us were elected and served — all four also lost elections. We did not question the results of those elections five years later. Undermining elections is antithetical to everything we stand for — we must stand up for our clerks and election workers and keep federal authorities out of our elections.
Discussion of “taking over” or “federalizing” elections disregards our Constitution, Article 1, Section 4: “The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof;” and the 17th Amendment allowing the direct election of senators, superseding Article 1, Section 3.
Our election process and tabulation is very solid in Ottawa County and are held up to be one of the best in the state of Michigan. Other county clerk offices revere Ottawa County as a model to follow. We encourage you to reach out to your Congressperson via email or phone call to reinforce our confidence in the people who manage our elections — no federal help required.
Ottawa Integrity Board
Sara Bajema, Larry Cole, Matt Fenske, Glenn Kass, Kim Nagy, Tina Pawlak, Mary Persak
Don't despair, take action
To friends distraught at the imminent loss of our democracy, might I suggest:
- Write to your congressional representatives; it is fast and cheap. A letter need not be long: "Defund ICE!" will do, and Google will tell you how to spell Huizenga.
- Contribute to your congressional reps if it won't cause hardship.
- Be at No Kings Day and any other rallies that represent your views.
- Write your opinion on the above.
- When friends feel there's nothing we can do, suggest the above.
- Don't miss any chance you have to vote
Donald Bruggink
Holland
How to submit an opinion
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