Letters 11-03-2014

Nov. 1, 2014

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Cherish Your Right

Americans can be assured and proud of the way elections are conducted in the United States. Laws and policies provide guidelines and rules which assure that elections are honest and results are accurate. Americans should be embarrassed and alarmed about the poor turnout of voters in all elections and particularly the mid-term elections. The low voter turnout in all elections is pathetic. It seems to me non-voters might consider leaving the U.S and residing where this precious freedom does not exist. Nonvoters do not seem to mind enjoying and taking advantage of the many benefits, freedoms, and protections Americans are "entitled" to. Thousands, maybe millions, of folks around the world would be happy to come here and enjoy what so many Americans take so lightly. I have heard every excuse imaginable about why one does not vote, but I’ve never heard a valid reason. If one chooses not to vote, there is no reason to complain about anything. Non-voters are takers. When our Democracy is gone, it will be too late. Register to VOTE and VOTE! Voting is an honor and a privilege.

Laurel Mason, Arcadia

Land Swap Respectful To Native Americans

My wife and children are proudly Native American, so our family cares deeply about tribal culture and heritage.

We are pleased to know that my employer, St. Marys Cement, has completed an archaeological study in conjunction with the proposed land swap in and next to Fisherman’s Island State Park.

As we all know, Native Americans lived and thrived in many places across Michigan long before there was a Fisherman’s Island State Park and long before there was St. Marys Cement. May places throughout northern Michigan are very important to the culture and heritage of Native Americans and must be respected and preserved. The archaeological study helped produce a land swap proposal that is respectful of Michigan’s native people.

Dan Zipp, Charlevoix

Peace Be Upon Him "¦a Question:

Mr. Obama tells us that Islam is not at war with the United States, and we can "reset" to a new, kinder, gentler, more productive relationship with the Moslem world. We’re also told that religion is not an issue between the people of Islam and the sinful people of America. "Politics is the issue," he tells us.

Well, religion might not be the issue to the agnostics in Washington, but it certainly is everywhere else in the world; religion is their politics. And since more than 90 percent of Americans profess to be people of the Book and 80 percent of those are Christians and Jews, I suspect it’s a very important issue to a large number of religious Americans as well.

The Prophet tells us that no child is born but as a Moslem. It’s the parents who make the child a Jew or a Christian or something else. We’re also told that those who renounce Islam are more egregious sinners than transgressors and unbelievers; there is no forgiveness, only eternal fire. It appears, the President’s view notwithstanding, religion is an important and very serious element in a Moslem’s view of the world"¦ political and otherwise.

The President writes that his father was a Moslem who renounced Islam and became a devout atheist and communist"¦And it was the President’s personal choice to become a Christian.

The faithful tell us they do not believe that the "sins of the father" pass to the child"¦ so be it. But given that the President has consciously chosen to abandon Islam, why would this apostate’s son believe that he would be able to develop a respectful, productive relationship with any Islamic country?

Frank Liebert, Harbor Springs

Support Our Children

Education is paramount to a vibrant and thriving community. Our schools are some of the best in the state offering worldclass education opportunities in pre-k through 12th grades including two high schools recognized as "top high schools in the nation", Advanced Placement and early college courses, International Baccalaureate and Montessori programming, fully funded early childhood for those eligible, and, athletic and fine arts programming second to none.

They prepare our children for college and careers. They offer opportunities to learn skills and earn college credit tuition-free. They provide places for the community to gather and remind us of why we are all here; to make the future brighter.

In 1994, voters in Michigan approved a change to the way that schools are financed. It was designed to take the pressure off of homeowners, who do not pay a nonhomestead millage. The change came with the understanding that communities would approve non-homestead millages, or taxes on second homes and commercial properties, in order to receive their full funding.

Now our children need us to vote yes on November 4th. The TCAPS request is for a millage renewal, not an increase and it is a must for our community.

Failing to pass it would have a direct impact on our students. The funding from the millage represents 36% of the TCAPS operating budget. Without it our community cannot continue to expect our children will have the same opportunities that they do today.

Good schools keep property values high and help attract new businesses and talent to the area. Our schools and the students that fill them offer an endless source of pride for our community.

Support our children, our schools and our community with a YES vote on Nov. 4th.

Jayne H. Mohr, Traverse City