(Editor’s note: Due to space constraints, the Patriot will publish up to 5-6 LTEs a week as space allows and carry over unpublished letters to the next week, if able. Also, we no longer have a policy which restricts letter writers from submitting political editorials a week prior to an election.)
TO THE EDITOR:
What do we want the legislative bodies to do for us and our country/state? I believe that our elected officials should do the following: 1). Change executive orders and emergency powers so that they can only be in place for 30 days before they will be cancelled. During those 30 days, the representatives and senators would prepare bills to be signed by the Governor in MN or the President of the United States to address the emergency. 2). We need to simplify tax laws and lower the rates. I propose a flat tax on all gross income earned, probably at 5% in MN and 10% at the federal level. 3). Eliminate taxes on Social Security, as well as the Estate Tax. People have already paid taxes on their earnings and assets and should be able to do what they want with them. 4). Governmental departments and agencies may advise the lawmakers, but our elected officials, not government workers, should pass and sign bills into law. I know that if conservatives do not control both the legislative and executive branches, these proposals will not succeed. I believe that most of us want more fiscal responsibility by government. Please vote Republican.
Barry VanBuren
Clearwater, MN
TO THE EDITOR:
The citizens of the city of Big Lake and Big Lake Township have a great opportunity this November to elect Paul Fanberg as their county commissioner. I have known Paul for several decades and have dealt with him on a professional and also personal level. He is a man of integrity, a hard worker, is open minded, generous and team oriented person who works well in a group setting. His background in the trades and as a truck driver has prepared him well to understand the value of our hard earned taxes and he will be fiscally responsible. In my opinion as a 52 year resident of the Big Lake area, a vote for Paul Fanberg is a vote for good government. Don’t miss this opportunity to elect him to the county board this year. You won’t be sorry.
Barry Fluth
Big Lake, MN
TO THE EDITOR:
Political signs are put up across a community WITH THE CONSENT of a property owner. A candidate’s committee pays for the sign, GETS PERMISSION to put up the sign, and takes it down immediately after the election. Unfortunately, three of my signs have been removed BEFORE the election, in fact, STOLEN ($300 worth). Stealing my signs was not an easy task as they were each positioned with three fence post stakes pounded into the ground 8-10 inches. Not only have my property rights been foliated, but also the property owners’ property and freedom of speech rights were violated when someone trespassed their properties to remove my signs which they requested to be place on their properties. Does this sound like we are all interested in the democratic process of an honest and fair election?
Paul Fanberg
Elk River, MN
TO THE EDITOR:
When I was a child in school, we said “God bless you” and we sung the national anthem - and we did not look down at the kids who didn’t. When I was a kid, we had respect for each other and were taught to give respect to others or pay the consequences. What we have lost in this country is decency and faith, and the drive to work hard and achieve goals. When I vote for someone for office - whether it be school board or city council, mayor or governor, and even all of the way up to president, like most people, I vote for people whose beliefs generally align with mine. This year I will be voting for Kim Noding hands down. I believe she is a conservative like me – which means she believes in constitutional rights and liberties - and I know she will make the best decisions for Big Lake residents and businesses. When we vote for someone in any kind of elected office, we need to be assured that the person we vote for is honest, trustworthy, and that we can have faith in their ability to represent us with integrity - and Kim gets a hat trick. Thank you for your time. Please vote for Kim Noding for Big Lake City Council!
Joe Reed
Big Lake, MN
TO THE EDITOR:
As election day approaches election ads are ramping up. Most campaign messages today do not focus on what a particular candidate has accomplished, but how bad their opposing candidate is. I wonder, do they not talk about their accomplishments because there are not any to talk about. This leads me to discuss a candidate for the 4th District, Gary Gray. I have worked with Mr. Gray on the Clear Lake Township Board and experienced, firsthand, his leadership. He listens to residents and is willing to provide solutions that are in the best interest of the residents, as well as the Township. Mr. Gray has been out in the 4th District meeting residents and listening to their concerns. When he knocks on your door, please take the time to meet him and experience firsthand the type of person he is. Mr. Gray will be a great County Commissioner that will listen and make decisions based on the concerns of the residents, as well as Sherburne County. Please take your give right to vote and please give Mr. Gray the opportunity to represent you as the 4th District County Commissioner!
Paul L. Goenner,
Clear Lake, MN
TO THE EDITOR:
Time to remind everyone we know, especially the Republican friends and family members that we are still in contact with, that there is nothing more hysterically absurd than expecting that the Republican Party is the answer to taming inflation. The GOP is owned lock, stock, and barrel by the top ten percent in this country, and their incessant tax cutting for their benefactors is in no small part, why our deficit is stratospheric and our infrastructure both hard and soft resembles undeveloped nations. Our airports, roads, bridges, electrical grids, and sewer systems in many parts of the country are a global embarrassment. On November 8th, everything worthy of the idea of civilization is on the table: democracy, human decency, Women’s rights, voting rights, a sustainable climate, environmental diligence, fair taxation, an impartial justice system, an immigration policy that can be developed that respects human dignity and the rule of law, and relief from abusive drug prices, predatory student loans, and protecting Social Security and Medicare. Voting for the GOP will result in autocracy, vengeance, amygdala level contempt for otherness and an ideology steeped in the belief that tax cuts are the answer to every problem. Remember in November that R, after a name means remove with the knowledge that you are preserving democracy.
Steve Carr
Big Lake, MN
