Kyle Erickson, Minot

I’m writing this on the Fourth of July — a day meant to celebrate the promise of our country. But this year, I’m not celebrating. I’m grieving.

Yesterday, on the eve of our nation’s birthday, North Dakota lawmakers passed the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” — a piece of legislation that does the exact opposite of what its name suggests. It’s cruel. It’s calculated. And it’s a betrayal of the people they were elected to serve.

While families across the state gathered to prepare for fireworks and freedom, our representatives quietly gutted critical supports for some of the most vulnerable North Dakotans. People with disabilities. Seniors. Low-income families. Veterans. The ones who are already doing everything they can to hang on.

To those legislators: You have failed us. You’ve failed basic human decency. You’ve failed your oath of office. You serve the people — not your donors, not your party bosses, and not your personal ideology.

The last time your name was on the ballot, we believed your promises. This next time? We’ll remember your votes.

You’ve lit a fuse. And no, we’re not waiting quietly for it to burn down.

This is not just about policy — it’s about dignity, accountability, and the soul of this state. You’ve shown us who you are. Now we’ll show you who we are.

We organize. We vote. We run. And this time, we don’t sit back.