national politics

Letter: Exaggerated election fraud claims don’t justify nationalizing elections

Mar 25, 2026

There are many efforts underway by federal and state governments to manipulate our election process. Of all the actions taken by Donald Trump and his administration to expand and consolidate power of the executive branch, the continual outcry and proposed solutions that elections are rigged is the...

What common ground?

Feb 4, 2026

All sides of the political parties should sit down and have a discussion, I’m told. Find common ground. How do we do that when our current administration continues on this path that wants nothing more than division in this country. Immigration reform, I’m told, should be common ground. Let’s...

Hundreds turn out for local ‘No Kings’ protest

Oct 22, 2025

Demonstrators numbering in the hundreds lined both sides of Lakeshore Drive from the Park Street and Jewell Avenue intersection northward for a few hours Saturday during the local protest in conjunction with the “No Kings” protests around the country in opposition to the actions of President Donald...

Police presence appreciated during demonstration

Sep 10, 2025

A very successful demonstration was held on Labor Day at the Gold Star Mother’s Park from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by a DFL sponsored picnic at Underwood Park. It was an enthusiast group of demonstrators who supported each other with good humor and lively conversation. Most drivers who...

Pay to play policy in effect

Aug 20, 2025

There appears to be a new practice used by the current president to implement his agenda. Before I get into this practice with examples, I want to make the point that it is an American tradition and that most American citizens see public office as a fiduciary position impacting how the duties of...

Fewer have more thanks to big bill

Jul 9, 2025

The beauty of the One Big Beautiful Bill recently signed into law by the president is in the eyes of the beholder. The numbers and statements that follow apply to the next federal budget and do not take into account the long-term impact of this law which appears to be even more severe. Tax cuts...

The time for good trouble is now

Jul 2, 2025

In the Graphic last week, Robert Pope disparaged those of us who choose to protest as if it should not be done. Anyone familiar with our nation’s history knows that protest has played an important role. Specifically, “There is nothing more fundamentally American than protesting injustice. Protest...

Civility, dialogue are two-way streets

Jul 2, 2025

This is a response to Bob Pope’s editorial of June 26. Mr. Pope’s statement that “all they have is an obvious and extreme distaste for anything Trump says or does” is interesting. Could that distaste stem from the years of rhetoric like Mr. Trump’s Easter message that said: “Happy Easter to all...

Veteran: Park was perfect place for peaceful protest

May 7, 2025

I’d like to comment on the discussion initiated by Darwin Meyers a couple weeks ago. I am a little bit mystified. I, too, am a veteran. I was an Army paratrooper back in the ‘70s. I well remember I swore an oath to preserve and protect the Constitution of the United States, an oath I still...

Federal cuts will have local effects