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Letters to the Editor

Term Limits Will Wipe Out Experience

Carma Hanson , NDGOP 2nd Vice-Chairwoman , Grand Forks The backers of term limits certainly have a compelling case giving the politicians an expiration date. I fear, however, that my fellow North Dakotans are being misled by an out-of-state spending campaign that will ultimately harm our great record of leadership. For that reason, I urge voters to reject Measure #1 on the ballot this November. There are many parts of governing that aren’t exactly glamorous: hearings, bill drafting, and navigating government bureaucracy. When we involuntarily replace the individuals most familiar ...

Vote yes on Measure 2

Eric Johnson , Minot With the upcoming election less than two weeks away, I would like to talk politics. Before opening a local brewery, I was a teacher. I want to share an experience I had, that I believe is relevant to current politics.  Back in the 2016 legislative season, one of the topics at the time was medical cannabis. I ended up traveling to Bismarck to testify to the state legislation in favor of the bill. I have many reasons for doing this. One reason is growing up with a father who was fighting cancer multiple times, and I know it would have helped him. There are many ...

Cost of living compounded by discrimination

Edana Kitzmann , Minot Yes, there have always been social functions in the community to do when someone does not have to work six days out of seven (in a week) to survive, with church on Sunday. Survival means pay the rent, food, transportation, medical expenses (when there is no insurance), household bills (whether buying or renting a home), etc. (even with a spouse or roommate). Why would someone have to pay for all of that? Because that is what living is about (in America). Having diversions and/or distractions from the reality of low wages, lack of employee benefits, high rent ...

Vote yes on term limits

Bob McNamara , Upham There was a time I believed we had term limits. It was called voting someone out of office if they were not effective. However, money in politics made that a myth. I’ve seen plenty opposed to the term limits measure and often the cry seems to be to not let out of state influencers impact your vote. I’ve yet to see anyone name those out of state influencers but I have seen the names of those who oppose the measure. They are the legislators who get to stay in Bismarck. They are the lobbyists who have built influence with the legislators who get to stay in ...

Good points, very little differences

Ron Chittum , Bottineau It appears the Republican Party will gain control of at least one chamber of the legislative branch come November. Many are excited by this, but I am afraid they are going to be very disappointed. The truth is nothing will change; our representatives will continue to ignore their constituents, and answer to the Super Pacs, Special Interests, mega-donors and any other group who can get them elected. Over the past 30 years I have reached out to my local and federal representatives about various issues. I have only had two who actually expressed a genuine ...

Do not give away voting rights

For years we have heard about our right to vote. With the term limit measure on the ballot, we run the risk of losing some of our voting rights in North Dakota. Those who follow the legislature know there is a constant turnover.  Some are voted out, some do not run again, some move out the district, and some die. Some serve longer at the public’s pleasure and provide the necessary experience.  To limit one from running who could be the best candidate is taking away our right to choose. Otherwise, we vote for someone else. There should not be a law to disqualification ...