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Letters to the Editor

Making a difference

To the editor: This season reminds us of the power of community and compassion. Yet, with today’s economic challenges, more of our neighbors are struggling than ever before. Local programs are stretched to their limits trying to meet these growing needs. I grew up in Lake Benton and have called Marshall home since 1997. I know firsthand the strength of this community—and I also know the challenges many families face. Whether your gift is large or small, every donation matters. Every dollar brings hope and help to someone who needs it. When you give to United Way of Southwest ...

This is only year one, what’s next?

To the editor: We are on the verge of 20 million people losing their health care. My personal health care premium will increase 215%. It sounds like a lot, that is more than triple my premium this year, for the same policy. What is Michelle Fischbach doing about Minnesotans losing health care? I have sent her a dozen emails on her contact site. She has not sent one single answer. In fact, she has voted against any extension of health care subsidies. She did approve of $40 billion being sent to bail out Argentina. At the same time only allotting $12 billion to American farmers, none ...

Whose beans are getting crushed?

To the editor: In 2024 China imported about 26.81 million metric tons of soybeans from the US. So far, just before the October China — USA meeting, China purchased 5.93 metric million tons with a promise of 12 million metric tons. This is less than half of 2024. China has been quietly adjusting imports away from the U.S. to decrease dependence on the U.S. for a number of years. With the government shutdown some numbers are not up to date and even adjusted to reflect political interests. Using non-government sources like the American Soybean Association the numbers should be ...

Challenging the ‘single story’ of Somali immigrants

To the editor: When President Trump labeled Somali immigrants “garbage,” he weaponized presidential power to diminish an entire community. As novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie warned in her TED Talk “The Danger of a Single Story,” power lies not only in the ability to tell another person’s story, but to make it the definitive story of that person. Yes, some Somali Americans in Minnesota have been implicated in financial fraud. That fact should be reported, but it should never become the sole lens through which we view an entire community— thousands of Somali families ...

It’s the seriousness of the charge

To the editor: That was the battle cry of the Democrats whenever a non-Democrat was “allegedly” accused of a misspeak, misstep or impropriety not so long ago. That’s all it took to cause a person accused of anti-Democrat policy to be removed from a committee, censured and/or be forced to resign from office. Those found guilty of committing some impropriety was justified, however, many innocent people were forced out due to the political pressure applied by Democrats and their accomplices in the media. However, when President Trump calls the Minnesota governor a “retard” ...

Trump faces karma

To the editor: “Sedition” — (President Trump’s) newest tool against reasonability and accountability. (Trump) has recently pulled a rabbit out of his hat by insinuating that some members of Congress have committed “seditious” behavior by openly reminding members of the military that refusing to obey and carry out illegal orders is their right and duty according to the terms of their oath and the terms of the UCMJ, “Uniform Code of Military Justice”. Ironically, (Trump) himself has been found to have been involved in planning, encouraging, and even facilitating ...