Currently, as well as before Obamacare, one out of every six dollars spent in this county is on healthcare. Our healthcare costs approximately twice as much as it does in any other country. We are 37th in outcomes. What are we defending? If the markets could fix this problem, why didn’t the markets fix healthcare costs and outcomes before Obamacare when it was a free market … [Read more...]
Letter about Our President – flawed and unfit…
To the Editor, If you google Narcissistic Personality Disorder, the Mayo Clinic website is the first one to pop up. It says that if you have this disorder you may come across as boastful and may look down on people you perceive as inferior; you may feel a sense of entitlement and, when you don’t receive special treatment, you may become angry. Your self-image is one of power … [Read more...]
Devil’s Advocate… Land of plenty
Recently, the Minnesota Commissioner of Health visited Fillmore County to speak of the overall health of Minnesotans and ask residents our thoughts on the matter of well-being. I had a chance to ask the commissioner a few questions and to speak to him of my concerns about soil quality and availability. He said our way of farming (worldwide) is not sustainable and there must be … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… Our blank front page?
I know what you’re thinking. We screwed up the front page this week! No, trust me, we didn’t. We intentionally published nothing on the front page to make a statement. This statement was originally fostered by a committee at the Minnesota Newspaper Association. To be quite frank, at first I wasn’t keen on this idea. All newspapers in 87 counties in the State of … [Read more...]
Good communication lies at the heart of our democracy
Do ordinary citizens still have a voice in Washington and in their state capitals? Despite the cynicism of these times, my answer is, yes, we do... But we have to exercise it. I don’t just mean going to a town hall meeting and yelling, or shooting off a letter or email. I mean making an appointment to sit down with your representative — in his or her office, at a cafe in the … [Read more...]
Nobody knew that healthcare could be so complicated! (Words expressed by President Trump)
The Affordable Care Act (The ACA) was signed into law March 23, 2010, in an effort to curb the rapidly escalating cost of healthcare. Among other protections patients were assured, you would not be denied coverage because you had a “pre-existing condition” and annual and lifetime “caps on essential benefits” were banned. The United States is one of the wealthiest nations in … [Read more...]
Why “Sundance” THAT weekend?
By Steven Rowland Chatfield, MN I would like to know what the process was in deciding to have Sundance, previous winner of The Voice, perform in Preston on the same weekend as the 50th Anniversary of Chatfield Western Days! I enjoy watching The Voice and, on any other weekend, I would, in support of another community, probably buy tickets to see Sundance perform, as I am a … [Read more...]
UMN Extension dairy field days in SE Minnesota
Each summer University of Minnesota Extension holds a series of on-farm dairy field days that showcase some of the most successful dairy farms our state has to offer. These field days focus on a range of topics from barn designs to dry cow management. The field days are great opportunities for local producers and the general public to learn from University experts and most … [Read more...]
Letter about Senator John McCain…
To the Editor, Learning of Senator John McCain’s diagnosis of aggressive brain cancer reminded me that there are elected officials that really do work for what is best for the country. He is an honorable man that has earned our respect. We need more men and women with his character in public service regardless of party affiliation. McCain has been able to work with the other … [Read more...]
Getting frank with Franken
On July 14, Minnesota Senator Al Franken put out a press release saying he would introduce legislation to “Address Teacher Shortages in Communities Across Minnesota.” The senator went on to say “I’m going to be working to pass my bill into law so that we can get more teachers to enter and stay in the profession.” While this is a noble idea and I fully support help for new … [Read more...]