Sometimes we just have to live a little smaller By Justin Zmyewski The Houston County tax levy has increased by approximately 116% since 2005, more than five times the national inflation rate within the same time frame. Since 2014 ,the county tax levy has increased by 10.5% (nearly $1.4 million) continuing to outpace the national inflation rate. With a population that … [Read more...]
A clear choice
The person who is elected as our next president will most likely have some affect on all of us and the future of our country for good or for ill. I am amazed and troubled by the apparent support Donald Trump has been able to amass. In my opinion, Trump is totally unfit to serve as our President and Commander in Chief. The fact that there will be a cabinet, a seemingly … [Read more...]
Why this Democrat wants a strong Republican Party
I’ve been a Democrat all my life. I believe in the party’s values, I’m pleased when its candidates win elections, and I’m persuaded the country is better off when Democratic ideas get a fair shake in the public arena. But none of this means that I favor a weak Republican Party. Indeed, just the opposite. Before my Democratic friends drum me out of the party’s ranks, let me … [Read more...]
Letter about Trehus and the pro-life issue…
To the Editor, I was outraged to learn that Democratic state representative candidate Thomas Trehus thinks pro-life initiatives are simply “wedge issues.” At a town meeting a while back, Trehus was asked about pro-life issues. Not only did he insist on not answering whether he was pro-life or pro-choice, he said, “Making this a political issue and a wedge issue is … [Read more...]
Letter about Trehus and gun rights…
To the Editor, Do you want government to take your guns? DFL state representative candidate Thomas Trehus does. When asked about gun control at a recent town meeting, he stated that when it comes to some high-pwered rifles, “I don’t think they have a place in civilian life,” and that, “I don’t see a lot of folks hunting with them around here.” That sound you just heard … [Read more...]
Is legacy or hatred a reason to vote?
“The charge is often made against the intelligentsia and other members of the anointed that their theories and the policies based on them lack common sense. But the very commonness of common sense makes it unlikely to have any appeal to the anointed. How can they be wiser and nobler than everyone else while agreeing with everyone else?” Tom Sowell makes a great point here in … [Read more...]
Job available as President of the United States. No experience necessary!
For the past months, our patience has been tried by Donald Trump, who has managed to dominate the media. He distinguishes himself by operating in a “fact free” zone and making up his personal version of “reality” as he goes along. While this may have a certain entertainment value, his continuous lies leave us feeling uneasy. We haven’t the vaguest idea what he stands for. He … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… Our youth, future leaders
Recently, I experienced something refreshing that I never never anticipated. Our daughter was challenged with the assignment of reading a local newspaper and pointing out specific references in the article. When I saw my 11-year-old daughter intensely reading the Fillmore County Journal, I had to ask her what she was reading. She has looked at the newspaper, but not … [Read more...]
Devil’s advocate… beyond red and blue
Let there be a discussion on diversity as it pertains to politics. Currently, there’s a story told about a line where people may have perspectives from the red right, the blue left, or sometimes the purplish middle. The recognition that there are more than these two main points of view — at the far ends of this line— is crucial if we as a society wish to progress … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… Mobile viruses
On Sunday, September 11, 2016, I received my first of what will probably become numerous spam text messages. “Your friend XXXX XXXXXXX just recommended you check out your photos on Everalbum. Link expires tomorrow: (and then there was this link).” The number had a 910 area code, and was not a recognizable contact within my phone. Something seemed fishy. So, I sent a … [Read more...]