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Letters to the Editor

Venezuela failed under socialism

Venezuela has the largest oil reserves in the world, larger than Saudi Arabia’s. They just can’t get it out of the ground because socialism has destroyed the pricing system and government overspending and debt has caused hyperinflation of their currency, causing it to be worthless. In 1975, the government implemented a massive welfare state to transfer wealth with the goal of “eliminating income inequality” and took control of Venezuela’s entire petroleum sector to finance the program by oil profits. Over time those living below the poverty line fell from 50.4% (1998) to 33.6% ...

Amazing grace over fear, hate

EDITOR: I was at the peaceful protest June 28 in front of Charmaine’s Beauty Bar in Iron Mountain, hosted by Charmaine Cain, believed to be the only Black business owner in Iron Mountain, and her cousin, Tia, from Milwaukee. This was the fourth peaceful demonstration in Iron Mountain for unity and equality. The purpose of these gatherings is to bring attention to how our justice system in some circumstances does not serve people of color in communities around the country, as the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25 demonstrated. Our gathering in downtown Iron Mountain ...

Women veterans office proposed

EDITOR: Women veterans have always played an active role in the United States military, dating back to service to our nation’s first military in the Revolutionary War. Now, they serve all of us in roles in every branch of service, ranging from fighter pilot to intelligence analyst to infantry to medics and many, many more. These women who have signed up to serve our nation deserve our respect and support - and there are more than 43,000 women veterans in Michigan alone. Unfortunately, women veterans face challenges in returning to civilian life. Women veterans face higher ...

Support for local law enforcement

I am outraged at what is happening in our major cities today. Police officers are being ridiculed, attacked and beaten. These people are not protesters. They are criminals. I would like to thank the men and women of our community who protect and serve. Kingsford Public Safety, Iron Mountain Police Department, Dickinson County Sheriff’s Department and the Michigan State Police. You are appreciated. May God bless each and every one of you.

Absentee ballot safest way to vote

We are volunteers with Voters Not Politicians and citizens of Iron County concerned about the effects of COVID-19 on voter safety in polling places during the August primary and November general elections. VNP has launched the VoteSafe program to ensure safe, secure access to the ballot for every Michigander. Normally, polling places are ideal — they offer specially trained people who care about fair elections to help us; we also get to see our neighbors. But these are not normal times. Many older residents in our county are especially vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic and we’ve ...

With freedom, responsibility

We’ve heard it before — with freedom comes responsibility. We have freedom of speech, but it’s a crime to yell “fire” in a crowded movie theatre when there is no fire. We have freedom to drive a car when we’re old enough, but we must have a license, proper registration, insurance, wear seat belts and not be intoxicated to be a legal driver. It is illegal to park in a handicapped space without a permit. These freedoms are sometimes limited not only to protect ourselves but just as importantly to help and protect others. Let’s get to the main issue affecting all of us ...