Letters 02-02-2015

Feb. 1, 2015

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History Lesson

"The days of cheap oil and easy acquisition are over. " -- President Obama, June 2010

RD Johnson, Gilmore Township

A Study In Mudslinging

In the January 12 issue of Northern Express, Grant Parsons wrote a piece that touched on behind-the-scenes campaign financing. Mr. Parsons referenced attack ads he received in the mail prior to the November elections.

When I started receiving these ads, I decided to keep them and do my own study. The results were this: I received a total of 76 of the high-gloss ads on card stock. Of the 76, 56 came from the Republican Party, eleven from the Democratic Party, and three from thirdparty candidates. Of the remaining six ads, it was not clear who was paying for them, but of that six, five were anti-Republican and one was encouraging me to vote.

Only a couple of the ads stated where they stood on the issues. The rest stressed the evilness of their opponents, mostly exaggerated lies. It appears these candidates don’t want us to know they won’t be supporting issues that are in the best interest of their constituents. Their mud-slinging ads help divert our attention, and don’t inform us of their real intentions.

These 76 pieces of mail also confirm to me how Citizens United is a huge flaw in American politics. Corporations now have representation in Washington DC, but we the citizens do not. In addition, the success of our corporate-owned media to share propaganda is undermining our future by feeding us sound bites and opinions to brainwash, divide and distract us from what’s going on right under our noses. Remember, a country divided is easier to control than one that’s united.

Before the next election, please take the time to research the voting record of the candidates. Don’t fall for the lies on the postcards and on television. Seek the truth.

Michael Paul, Traverse City

Sad Story

I read with sadness in the Detroit Free Press of 24-year-old Angela Marie Alexie, who abandoned her just born baby boy in an unheated Eastpoint, Michigan garage to die alone in the cold, and who had also previously lost 3 children to foster care, the youngest of which, a girl, suffered withdrawal symptoms because of Alexie’s drug use during pregnancy.

But lets look at Alexie’s positives. She did not use any form of contraception, or submit to any abortions. This would suggest that she was strongly pro-life.

Bob Ross, Pellston

Balance On The Page

Having looked through the Northern Express for years, I have finally found something worth reading besides News of the Weird and the Advice Goddess!

The Opinion page when it features Mr. Jack Segal. More truth has been stated in that half a page than in much of the rest of the Northern Express. And the addition of the Comics by Glenn McCoy at the back of the paper balances the overly heavy leaning to the Left of the cartoons otherwise presented! Just a thank you for your attempt at balance and the truth.

Greg Haske, Gaylord

An Eye On Congress

The U.S. Senate on January 21 voted 98 for and 1 against to adopt a non-binding resolution stating, "It is the sense of the Senate that climate change is real and not a hoax."

In other news, by a vote of 50 for and 47 against, the Senate on January 22 failed to reach 60 votes needed to adopt an amendment to S1 concerning the Keystone XL pipeline and the federal Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund. The amendment sought to close a loophole in the tax code that would exempt Trans Canada Corp., the Keystone (don’t forget ) owner from having to pay 8 cents per barrel into the fund, just as U.S. oil producers must. A yes vote was to require an excise tax on Keystone oil for supporting the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund.

Do we know how Congressman Benishek voted?

Also do we know who is responsible for pipeline explosions and spills and for the cleanup costs and loss of life when accidents happen? Again on January 21 the House voted 182 for and 241 against, defeating a motion by Democrats to delay implementation of HR 161 that taxpayers are not responsible and pipeline owners bear full responsibility.

It is hard to discern at times if Congress is "friend or foe." The oil sands of Alberta represent a valuable back-up resource, but why does the U.S. allow that we take all the risks with the Keystone XL line and yet it is contrary to all the efforts of developing alternate clean energy sources?

Thomas Hagan, Empire