LETTERS: Readers offer their thoughts on candidates, reiterate non-citizens can't vote

The Inflation Reduction Act has benefited Wisconsin

It is hard to blame folks who feel Washington, D.C. is disconnected and worlds away from Wisconsin. The decisions made across the country, or lack thereof, sometimes seem pointless and detached from reality.

But every so often, legislation is passed that has a profoundly positive impact in the Badger State

The Inflation Reduction Act is such a moment.

We have reaped the benefits of this law. This year, Wisconsin became the first state to launch programs aimed at providing discounts for improving energy efficiency in homes. The Urban League of Greater Madison also seized the opportunity, using the Direct Pay provisions to help build the Black Business Hub. And just this month, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announced it has awarded $4 million in grants to forestry projects across the state.

All told, the Inflation Reduction Act has delivered $920 million in climate projects to Wisconsin.

Not all of those running for office in November supported delivering this funding to our state. In fact, every Democrat voted for the bill and all Republicans voted against it. It even took Vice President Kamala Harris to break the tie. Aside from the latter party trying to take the credit, it is clear that some candidates asking for your support want to get things done, while some want to keep Washington, D.C. disconnected from Wisconsin in the worst ways.

Vik Verma,

Kaukauna

Democrats fight for working class through thoughtful proposals

They say that 4% of the electorate remain undecided this election.

As polarized as we are, it’s heartening in a way that not all folks immediately fall into camps.

For me, though, the choice couldn’t be starker between the two parties and I appeal to those people.

I have four young granddaughters. My work on behalf of Democrats is driven by my love for them and concern for the world they grow up in. I want those young ladies to live in a country whose top leaders exhibit character, morals, ethics and respect for all, not leaders who are driven by self-regard, grievance and divisiveness. I want them to enjoy the freedoms their own grandmothers fought for and won.

We have so much more in common than Republicans would have us believe. Unfortunately their dark rhetoric creates wedges that have us so broken today. My granddaughters should grow up in a nurturing country where selflessness and concern for others is the guiding principle.

Furthermore, I want those girls living in a world of economic fairness, where we recognize the plights of our fellow citizens who are struggling, despite hard work and playing by the rules. And while the Democrats fight for the working class via thoughtful proposals, the Republicans have put forth an irresponsible economic platform based on tariffs and mass deportation that four major non-partisan analytics firms – from Moody’s to the Peterson Institute – have declared a long-term disaster.

Think of your grandchildren when you vote this fall.

Kelly Fenton,

Appleton

Voting by non-citizens is already prohibited in Constitution

As I pushed my way through the Octoberfest crowd in search of a good gyro, I saw a cluster of people in front of a booth bedecked in red, staffed by people in red t-shirts and covered with red signs and banners.

It was the booth of the Outagamie Republican Party and their signs read “Voting is only for citizens” or something to that effect. I put my thoughts of lunch aside and argued with myself. Should I squeeze my way up to the counter and ask them some questions?

“Do you know that voting by non-citizens is already prohibited in the U.S. Constitution? Do you realize that this movement is based on the Trumpian lie that non-documented immigrants are being rounded up and encouraged by Democrats to vote fraudulently in the hopes of winning more elections?”

“Do you understand that this redundant requirement could lead to citizen voters having to show proof of citizenship and that, for many people, getting their hands on such documentation would be very difficult? It could lead to their legitimate rights to vote being taken away.

Do these people really believe Trump’s false claims or are they doing this knowing full well what the impact of this law would be? Either way, it doesn’t bode well for voting in the Fox Valley. I decided to keep looking for a gyro.

Jeff Zdrale,

Neenah

Our state constitution does not need to be changed

This Fall you will be confronted with another apparently endless edition of the Wisconsin Republican Party to whittle away at your voting rights. It is called Referendum One. It is a seemingly harmless exercise that only changes one word in our State Constitution. It replaces “every” with “only.” But the Republican Party didn’t go to the expense (referendums cost taxpayers money) and effort for no reason.

Words have meaning and few synonyms mean exactly the same thing. “Every” is an expansive word that is open and includes everyone. “Only” is an exclusive word that implies some people not others. The Wisconsin Republican’s goal is simple ... create an electorate that fits their image of what a voter should look like. A voter that looks as much as possible like President Trump and as little as possible like President Obama or Kamala Harris.

After they insert the word “only” in the Wisconsin Constitution then they’ll need to enforce it by proof, such as birth certificates, and other “official” documents just like other authoritarian states do.

They do this under the guise of stopping illegal immigrants from voting. The only problem with that is non-citizens already aren’t able to vote.

We have been blessed in our state with probably the fairest elections of any in the world. Elections supervised by some of the most worthy citizens.

In short, if it ain’t broke (and our Wisconsin Constitution isn’t) don’t “fix” it.

Dan Kocher,

Appleton

Hovde’s essay showed clear grasp of best how to address inflation

One of my favorite TV shows used to have a segment called Point/Counter Point which they covered both sides of an issue without bias, something that is sorely lacking in the mainstream media today.

As a retired business executive, I read Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Eric Hovde’s explanations of how they would address inflation (Sept. 15).

I think Hovde approached the issue analytically utilizing well proven economic principles of supply and demand and the overall effect of the significant increase in the money supply on inflation. The increase in the money supply was a direct result of the current administration’s excessive spending and the Federal Reserve printing money.

Baldwin, on the other, hand listed several programs (child care, housing) and blamed corporate America for price gouging. She did not address the core economic reasons for inflation in the first place.

I feel Hovde addressed the inflation issue with an accurate assessment of the problem. Baldwin probably missed Econ 101 in college. Hovde could have taught the class.

Michael R. Thomas,

Appleton

Sampson, 5th District candidate, is committed to serving constituents

Wouldn’t you rather paint your life in light instead of lament? A former pastor, Greg Sampson, is the Democratic candidate for the Wisconsin 5th district. Greg has the experience and willingness to listen and respond in a fair and empathetic manner. Greg supports LGBTQ rights. He supports an expansion of Badger Care through Federal tax dollars. And Greg supports Child Care Counts to help resolve the child care crisis in our state.

Voters are being implored to “do something.” But for whom? A candidate? No, this call to action is for you, your family, your community. It’s beyond time to end the divisive accusations and fear mongering. We will often disagree on some topics but we share common concerns and we have common goals.

Greg credits his call to political action upon cogitating on a Dietrich Bohnhoffer quote: “Not to speak is to speak, not to act is to act.”

Now it’s your turn to speak, and your turn to act. We each have a role in the community, to support each other and that can be accomplished by voting for our common good.

Please vote for the candidate of compassion and commitment to serve – Greg Sampson, Democrat to represent the 5th Assembly.

Lynn Sommers,

Neenah

Lyerly fighting for women’s health, respects democracy

Until six months ago our district had a member of Congress who had integrity. Mike Gallagher cared about our country, and he cared about democracy.

Gallagher was honorable enough that he resigned from his office when he found being aligned with the Republican Party was no longer something his moral compass could endure.

I am calling on all those Republicans who were supporters of Gallagher to choose the only logical replacement for his seat: Dr Kristin Lyerly.

I know of many Republicans who, like Gallagher, are ready to turn the page on the divisiveness, the untruths, the indecency of their party’s leader.

Dr. Lyerly is an OB/GYN in Green Bay who has spent her entire career helping her community. She is smart and fearless. She has been on the front lines of the fight for women’s health freedom, and she respects our democracy.

Her opponent, who proudly lists ‘Trump Endorsed’ in his campaign, wants to take those freedoms away.

Dr. Lyerly grew up in the middle class and has deep roots in dairy farms and the paper industry. She understands the struggles of everyday Wisconsinites. Her opponent inherited a business – nothing wrong with that, but it hardly gives him much connection to the working class.

Lyerly gets it. She will fight for all of us, from expanding broadband to boosting agricultural subsidies to improving access to affordable childcare.

Let’s keep moving forward. Vote for Lyerly.

Gerene Aiko Schatz,

Appleton

8th District candidates show key differences at debate

The two candidates for the 8th district of the House of Representatives, Dr. Kristin Lyerly and Mr. Tony Wied had their first campaign debate (Sept. 27), and it really displayed some key differences. The video is available on WBAY TV-2 Green Bay's YouTube page .

Throughout the debate, Mr. Wied referred back to his platform talking points (inflation, cut spending, cut taxes, border security) without demonstrating that he’d really spent time digging any deeper. Dr. Lyerly however, demonstrated not only a solid familiarity with each of the issues the panel raised, but had already invested the time and effort to consider alternatives and propose some solutions. As the debate continued, I was struck at how this distinction became clearer with each additional question.

An example of Mr. Wied’s lack of understanding of some topics became clear as he returned several times to his theme of “solve our growing debt by cutting spending and cutting taxes”. This makes very little sense: it’s obvious we have a national debt that’s out of control, and cutting expenses seems to move us closer to balancing a budget, but then cutting taxes moves us further away.

My impression is that both candidates are sincere in their interest in representing and helping the people of the 8th congressional district, but I now know that only one of them has invested the time and energy to actually understanding what the problems are, and thinking about reasonable solutions.

Rick Reid,

Appleton

Tseffos believes we can work together to better community

Please support Emily Tseffos for the 56th State Assembly District. She is working hard, talking to many constituents and leaders in the 56th State Assembly District, to determine what will make our community better. She is listening to the needs of Democrats and Republicans in her district. Emily believes there is more that unites us than divides us; she will find ways to unite individuals around good legislation for our community.

What is her opponent doing? He is not showing up or responding to public forum invites. He is issuing press releases, targeting certain groups in our area to create fear without fully knowing all facts. If he was truly concerned about public safety, he would be issuing press releases about all crime with solutions to solve all criminal behavior.

He should be adequately funding our public schools, but during his tenure in office, special education funding is only at 33%. Additionally, he has not increased funding to our public schools to keep up with inflation; the last increase was in 2008. (Research shows investment in public education decreases adult criminal behavior.)

If you live in the 56th, make sure to complete the oval on your ballot next to Emily Tseffos, an individual who will work hard for her entire district.

Julia Squier,

Grand Chute

Alfheim is a balanced candidate who will prioritize the people

Are you tired of having critical needs ignored while the Republican Party focuses on childish nonsense, divisiveness and removal of our personal freedoms? Then let’s be sure we elect Democrats this fall.

If you live in Senate District 18, you have a chance to vote for Kristin Alfheim, a balanced candidate who really knows what is needed for the district and our State.

Kristin understands the priorities that have long been neglected by the Republican majority, from adequately funding childcare to investing in public schools to protecting our environment to reestablishing freedoms for voting rights to women’s reproductive rights. As a member of the Appleton Common Council, she understands first-hand the effects of our legislature’s failure to adequately fund our cities and municipalities, which leaves the burden for paying for essential services on the local governments themselves, resulting in higher property taxes.

As the owner of her own financial services business, Kristin also understands that working families should be keeping more of what they earn.

And unlike her opponent, Kristin believes that a woman ought to be able to make her own healthcare decisions. And while Kristin has been up front with her beliefs, her opponent has thus far refused to even respond to an invitation for a candidate roundtable from the Main Street Alliance, nor has he filled out answers to their questionnaires.

Perhaps most important, Kristin is known as a level-headed negotiator, a council member who tries to forge deals between factions and find common ground. We need Kristin representing us in Madison.

Vote Alfheim and let’s start getting things done.

Mary Kohrell,

Appleton

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY

Editor’s Note: To better prioritize local and state topics, we are not currently accepting letters related solely to the presidential election. Other election related letters will be accepted until 5 p.m. Oct. 22, for publication on Oct. 27. No election related letters will be published Nov. 3.

Letters must include your first and last name, address and phone number. Only your name and community will be published. Letters have a 250-word limit. One letter per person in a 30-day time period. To submit letters, email pcletters@postcrescent.com, visit postcrescent.com or mail to P.O. Box 59, Appleton, WI 54912.

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: LETTERS: Readers offer their thoughts on candidates, reiterate non-citizens can't vote