Spectator/Stephen Tuttle

Continued from page 3 benefit to us and the country in accomplishing common goals to provide a good life for all of us.

If we recognize the humanity of all and offer respect, a dialog can commence that will not have us all agree on everything but can bring us closer to the goal of liberty and justice for all.

John Snow, Traverse City Biased Opinions

I noticed in your recent edition that out of 11 published opinion letters, only two were not specifically anti-Trump. And the news bias knows no end. So my question is: Why all the focus to prevent Donald Trump from running again? I thought a democracy was to let the people decide. What — are people so afraid he might win again? Is that the reason there is such a huge effort underway to destroy him? The hatred of Trump is so intense that anyone who considered themselves a conservative is now also a target. So much for “unity.” Linda McDonald, Central Lake

No amount of misinformation can blur the economist, believed we must make the markets scientific methods, and most importantly, truth-telling are all needed as we grapple with the pandemics, the climate crisis, and racial and social justice.

Only when the government is “of the people” will all the people trust again and collaborate for solutions to the many serious problems ahead.

Ann Rogers, Traverse City Worth a Read

Stephen Tuttle’s Jan. 18 column, “Dear Trump Supporters,” was a well-reasoned appeal to Trump followers that clearly refuted many of the fallacies they have been led to believe. The root of our political and social problems is that far too many people believe things that are not true. I have doubts that Mr. Tuttle’s words will be taken to heart and serve to change minds, even if some of those who would benefit most even read those words. Nonetheless, the column thoroughly summarized a host of the lies told by selfserving individuals that have clouded people’s minds and brought our nation to the state of

Affordable Healthcare Bill Ward, Honor

basic fact about our healthcare system: We pay more and have poorer outcomes. Many will say we cannot afford change, despite the fact that our system is not cost-effective. We pay more for healthcare than do people in comparable countries, and we get far less. A failure in public health, the novel coronavirus epidemic, cost taxpayers trillions of dollars and crushed the entire economy. Allowing people to fall ill is profitable for certain sectors — the ones who will defend the present system — but it makes the country poorer and the economy smaller. Healthcare that is too expensive is healthcare Wait for Non-responders What looked to be an enticing article due to its headline, “Are Co-op Customers Subsidizing Dirty Energy?” instead turned out to be a recital of an opinion piece by a partner in a competitive business. Next time, please eliminate stakeholder quotes of “this is my opinion ... “ and “I think they can get out of it ... “ and wait for publication until all sides have provided facts. Otherwise, I love your paper and appreciate the reporting. that does not work. Many Americans avoid medical treatment because they cannot pay for Jane Ellen Bush, Lake Ann it. Millions of Americans remain uninsured, and millions more have insurance that is inadequate. Even worse, during the pandemic, millions of Americans lost their insurance because they lost their job. We all then suffered because the unemployed were left behind. Since they were undiagnosed, they unknowingly spread the disease, and since they were untreated, many suffered and died. Even Fredrick Hayek, an advocate of liberty, took for granted that in a civilized Eating In for the Duration I can’t say I am enthusiastic about the return of indoor dining on Feb. 1. Here in Antrim County, we went for most of the summer with only 12 COVID-19 cases and no deaths. Then the bars and restaurants re-opened. When I went into one to pick up takeout food, people were crowded together, singing. We now have had 807 COVID-19 cases and 17 deaths. country everyone would have access to care. Hayek, who is the most influential market Bruce Laidlaw, Eastport conflict we experience today. work for everyone. We can simply do this by making Medicare a public option in which anyone can enroll. The goal for public option healthcare is to create a more affordable health insurance option for individuals who cannot afford to purchase private insurance. It would also offer coverage to people who do not usually qualify for private plans, such as individuals with preexisting health conditions. Pistol Polishing, AR Brandishing At the Jan. 20 Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioner’s Meeting, Commissioner Ron Clous — while on the county’s taxpayer funded payroll and in response to a constituent’s concerns about the board’s tacit approval of the Proud Boys — proceeded to fetch and display an AR-style assault rifle. Needless to say, that caught my attention. Here’s the thing though: Technically, Ron didn’t bring that Ronald Marshall, Petoskey weapon into a real meeting. He brought it into a “virtual” meeting. So, maybe we should give the guy a break. Where is the Trust? Long ago I was taught in civics class that governments were supposed to be “of, by, and for the people.” It seems today that they are operating as if they are independent of us pesky citizens. Where is the transparency? Where is the accountability? We who are isolating during the pandemic in order to protect others, can only call or write in. But then we are (figuratively) patted on the head and ignored. These are times of great change but also great opportunity. Making the changes needed Sure, a few notorious school shooters were known to display pictures of themselves brandishing their guns on the internet. And, yes, research shows that the guns of many mass shooters come from their homes. But Mr. Clous didn’t shoot up a school. And I don’t think he will. Having said all this, however, I am reminded of the story about New Yorker writer Jeffrey Toobin, who, back in October, was caught on camera in a Zoom meeting, exposing himself. Guy caught polishing his pistol during Zoom meeting. Or guy deliberately displaying his firearm. You chose which is more offensive. will take all of us. Long-term vision, creativity, Bill Brown, Traverse City 6 • jan 25, 2021 • Northern Express Weekly spectator by Stephen Tuttle

This isn’t going to be easy. President Joe Biden and his thin congressional majority are walking into troubled times both domestically and internationally. control of the House in Barack Obama’s first term in 2010, and the Democrats returned the favor in Trump’s first term, regaining control in 2018.

The divisions we now see and must somehow But Democrats lost House seats in the 2020 confront, ably abetted by silent or overtly presidential race, and their margin is now enabling politicians, have spilled into a paper-thin. They’ve regained control of the contentious Congress. Biden’s agenda will Senate (technically, there are 48 Democrats not even partially succeed unless he can and two Independents, but the Independents somehow bridge that gap. And that agenda is caucus with the Democrats, effectively giving plenty long. them 50 seats) but with no margin at all; with a 50-50 split, Vice President Kamala Harris He has proposed a $1.9 trillion stimulus becomes the tie-breaking vote. package that includes another $1,400 bucks for most of us, help for small businesses, All House seats, as ever, are up for grabs in money for states and cities, and well, pretty 2022, and Republicans can regain control much something for everybody. Plus 100 by flipping just five seats, well below the million vaccines in his first 100 days. historical average for the party in the He would also like to get his cabinet nominees minority in the first midterm election. The real downside is that Biden and his

Democratic majority will have about six months to do something about all of it. Beyond that, the 2022 mid-term election circus will begin in earnest.

confirmed, expand the Affordable Care Act, raise corporate taxes, reverse most of former President Trump’s environmental regulation rollbacks, reform our immigration system, rescue Social Security, re-establish some treaties and trade agreements, and assuage cries for social justice.

Circumstances outside the U.S. aren’t appreciably better. Biden will face an evermore adventuresome Russian adversary that has made inroads in Eastern Europe and Africa while we fiddled. The Middle East, as it has been for a very long time, continues to be a smoldering cauldron. China keeps right on piling up huge export surpluses with us, is still profiting from purloined intellectual property, and has been little impacted by our tariffs, for which American importers pay. North Korea is building more missiles, and the Iranians, free from the restraints of a previous agreement with the U.S., are increasing their production of enriched uranium beyond what could be considered benign domestic use.

In the middle of this, the Senate and some Democratic House members, at least for a while, will be consumed by another impeachment trial.

The real downside is that Biden and his Democratic majority will have about six months to do something about all of it. Beyond that, the 2022 mid-term election circus will begin in earnest.

Republicans are already salivating at the prospect of taking back both the House and Senate in ‘22, so they aren’t likely to be all that cooperative legislatively. Democrats will be scrambling to save what they already have.

The first midterm election for a newly elected president has not been historically kind to the party of that new president. The so-called red tide swept away Democratic The Senate is even dicier for Democrats. There will be 34 Senate seats up for grabs in 2022 — 20 now held by Republicans and 14 held by Democrats.

Currently held Republican seats are being vacated through retirement in both Pennsylvania and North Carolina, and there is an at-risk incumbent in Wisconsin and potential GOP trouble in both Iowa and Florida. But Democrats are vulnerable in New Hampshire, Nevada, and, especially, Georgia and Arizona. Both of the latter two states surprisingly voted for Biden, elected Democratic senate candidates, and will have newly elected senators forced to run again in ’22.

In Georgia, Raphael Warnock beat Kelly Loeffler, who had been appointed to replace a retired Johnny Isakson. Warnock will have to run again in 2022 for a full term in a state that had been reliably red until two months ago.

Arizona’s newly elected senator, Democrat Mark Kelly, must also run again in ’22. He’s now finishing the term of the late Senator John McCain, who was replaced by retired senator Jon Kyl (appointed in 2018), who was replaced by former U.S. Representative Martha McSally (appointed in 2019), who was then defeated in the November special election by Kelly.

But neither Arizona nor Georgia is used to having two Democratic senators at the same time; it has been 68 years since that last happened in Arizona. It is not at all clear Democrats can repeat their massive turnout in either state absent Donald Trump to vote against. And Republicans need flip but a single seat to regain Senate control.

Biden and his Democratic allies have a very long to-do list and may have a very short time to get it done. They need to get very busy very fast.