Newaygo County Public Opinion

Letter: Allow Elected Officials to Govern

3/5/2025

To the Editor:
I have sat and watched the comments and actions over the months since President Trump was ELECTED in a democratic process to be the President of our Constitutional Republic. By the definition of democracy, the citizens of the country have spoken with a clear and resounding voice. Note I said, Constitutional Republic. As Ben Franklin said, democracy is the equivalent of "mob rule." To further make his point he added that democracy is like "two wolves and a lamb deciding what is for dinner." And hence the reason that we have a Constitutional Republic and Electoral College. What I have seen is very dismaying as an American and veteran. How can you possibly use democracy as an excuse to physically oppose the direction of the democratically elected president? In a democracy, the losing party is not obligated to change their opinion or beliefs. But they are obligated to allow the democratically elected individuals to govern as they told the electorate they would if elected.

I would argue that what the "losing party" is obligated to do is find areas of agreement and look to get something positive done. But the Democratic leaders have made it very clear, they do not want anything positive to happen while the other party runs the country. They fear it will impact their future if they recognize successes of the opposition or anything that the opposition does. Last night's speech by President Trump provides the clearest evidence possible confirming my argument. How can you sit on your hands and not applaud for a 13-year-old, cancer victim because he is acknowledged by President Trump? How can you not stand and applaud for the son of a dead police officer, lettering in 6 sports in high school, with a 4.4 GPA, who has been accepted to the West Point? It appeared that they don't like the person that nominated him? How can you sit in pink (the accepted color of women's rights) and say that it is now the color of protest? Women have worked hard to get where they are in this world, and you say it does not matter unless you agree with me? How can you not acknowledge the moms of slain girls and their daughter’s recognition? I would say that is not a moral or electorate centric view.

During church this week, we studied the parable of the splinter in your eye. "The Bible parable about a "splinter in your eye" is found in Matthew 7:3, where Jesus says, "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?". This parable is used to highlight hypocrisy, criticizing people who focus on minor flaws in others while ignoring major issues in themselves; essentially, "take the log out of your own eye before trying to remove a speck from someone else's." I know that I took time for self-reflection and my own personal responsibilities. One of the things that came out of that reflection was the need to speak out against the hypocrisy shown during last night's speech. I would suggest that we all give it a try.

I am proudly a MAGA supporter and resent being referred to with bigoted comments such as "un-educated", "misinformed", "deplorable", and "garbage" (just to name a few). I would put my military and Vietnam service, my doctorate in chemistry, and a very successful business career against any of these elitist's credentials.

M.P. Murphy, PhD

18 Comments

Letter to the Editor Policy

Near North Now welcomes original letters from readers on current topics of general interest. Simply fill out the form below. Letters submissions are limited to 300 words.

Only the author’s name and city will appear on published letters; we ask for your email address and phone number so we can contact you if necessary. Letters will be edited, usually for grammar, spelling, clarity and libel. We do not print form letters or open letters addressed to another person or institution.

The choice of letters for publication is at the discretion of Near North Now editors; they will not be able to respond to individual inquiries about letters. Copies of submitted letters are not retained; please save your own copy before submitting the form.

Near North Now is not responsible nor do we agree or disagree with any opinions expressed by writers of letters. Near North Now is also not responsible for possible libel content provided by letters to the editor.

Julie Bedore

3/8/2025 09:47:15 am

80,000 jobs at the Veteran's Administration will be cut in the next few weeks. The majority of those jobs are filled by veterans.

Mike Murphy

3/9/2025 12:26:10 pm

As stated, many times, 80,000 NON-MISSION critical jobs. Staff size does not equate to quality of service. As a vet, I would rather see them cut 80,000 employees if the money can be used to make a more efficient veteran's health service and benefits support. It should be harder to apply for welfare than veteran's benefits. Veterans do not want a job simply because they are veterans. They want a chance for the job if they are the best qualified for that job and that job has meaningful value to the organization they work for.

Michelle Petz

3/10/2025 06:36:28 am

In a democracy, while it’s true that elected officials have a mandate to govern based on the platform they campaigned on, it’s equally true that democracy doesn’t end at the ballot box. A healthy democracy thrives on ongoing participation, accountability, and the protection of minority rights — not just the rule of the majority.

When citizens physically protest or actively oppose the direction of a democratically elected leader, they’re exercising their democratic rights to free speech, assembly, and dissent. These forms of opposition are not only protected but essential to holding those in power accountable and ensuring that governing remains reflective of the people’s will — not just the will of those who won the last election.

Moreover, democratic governance is not a blank check. Elected leaders are still bound by laws, checks and balances, and ethical responsibilities. If their actions undermine democratic institutions, infringe on rights, or go against the public interest, citizens have every right — even an obligation — to push back through nonviolent protest and advocacy.

3/10/2025 03:06:45 pm

Very well said, and I could not be in more agreement. The only disagreement is that the protests and advocacy that we see today are not nonviolent protest or they are small protests represented as the people. The day before yesterday, "protesters" accosted the Vice President and his 3-year-old on a leisurely walk in the neighborhood. They directed their comments to the 3-year-old and their actions were intended to scare the child. This is the behavior that the Democrats encourage with their silence. Like failing to recognize 13-year-old brain cancer survivors or raped and murdered girls and women. It is tough for me to hear that they are the party of women's rights but will not vote for legislation that protects girls in sports or the Laken Rily legislation because they were not the party introducing the legislation. The only people they have to blame is themselves; they could have introduced the legislation. Republicans would have voted for it. And Democrats could have taken credit if that is what they want. Nonviolent protests are a right of the people, but it is misinformation to present it as the will of the people. On a recent liberal news cast (yes, I watch both sides for good ideas), they pointed out that protests were on the raise among the people. One protest had grown by 100% in 24 hours. Pure misinformation, there were 50 people at the first protest and 100 at the second. When they get 77,000,000 people to protest, now the protest has meaning and should cause inspections of the actions causing the protest. Democracy. You are very right "democratic governance is not a blank check." The Administration has not gone against the "will of the people." They elected him to do what he is doing, going against the will of the people is frivolous lawsuits intended to slow the actions of the Administration with no thought of winning or delaying legislation knowing it is going to pass anyway but only wasting taxpayer money. Rather than induce fear about the future and not apologizing when it turns out they were wrong. It would be beneficial for both the country and the Democratic Party to focus on their "Circle of Influence" and not their "Circle of Concern." It might help them in their quest for the mid-terms.

3/10/2025 04:34:36 pm

Protest even when uncomfortable or unpopular is a fundamental part of democracy and a way for people to express their discontent with those in power. The size of a protest does not determine its legitimacy; even small groups have the right to make their voices heard, and history shows us that many powerful social movements started with a handful of committed individuals.

While any acts of intimidation or targeting of children are inappropriate and should be condemned, it’s important not to paint all protests with a broad brush. Most demonstrations remain peaceful, and when individual actions cross a line, it’s the responsibility of those individuals not an entire political party or movement.

As for legislative priorities, the idea that one party’s failure to support specific bills equates to ignoring important issues oversimplifies the legislative process. Parties may disagree on the specifics of a bill, the methods used to address a problem, or the intentions behind it and those differences deserve debate and compromise, not blame.

Finally, democracy isn’t just about the will of the majority it’s about protecting the rights of all people, including those in the minority. Peaceful protest and legal challenges, even when they seem like delays, are part of a system designed to prevent abuses of power and ensure all perspectives are considered. Engaged opposition, far from being a waste of taxpayer money, is a necessary part of holding elected officials accountable and preserving a healthy democracy.

3/10/2025 11:08:47 am

The jobs that are about to be cut include suicide prevention programs, run by vets for vets. This is a "mission critical" function of the VA health system. Your use of the term "non-essential" is disingenuous, as I'm quite sure most veterans do not believe their jobs are disposable and not worthwhile to maintain. The Veteran's Health Administration is a well-run, well-attended health care system that is already woefully understaffed. We have treated our veterans shamefully, and to cut 80K jobs staffed by veterans is an insult to their service. Especially when to do so is to fund more tax cuts to billionaires.

3/10/2025 02:21:58 pm

I am sorry but you are misinformed. The Government Accounting Office (bipartisan), for 10 years in a row, has rated the VA health system as a "failure" and that is well documented. It was a failure when I returned from Vietnam 55 years ago but young soldiers without resources were forced to use it, as they are today. There are many good VA services around the country but unfortunately, they are not the majority by any means. I am in my second service-related bout with cancer, I would not touch a VA hospital with a stick. Veterans that can afford health care, do not use the system because it is so poorly run. And we do what we can to support those that do have to use the system because of unfortunate circumstances. Many of them are on the streets.

As a Vietnam veteran, I take exception to your descriptions about what veterans want. We do not want charity in jobs that are unproductive and not focused on adding value to our existence. I participate in the vet-to-vet suicide program and have not seen any change in our ability to service vets in need. The vast majority of the program is volunteers, like me, and there is NO money changing hands. These programs are not being affected as you imply. What will be impacted is the release of administration/poor regulation money that can then be refocused to improve the system. If you have time, look up the Native-American proverb "When you discover that the horse you are riding is dead, it is best to dismount." Many (if not most) of our government programs are dead horses and we must stop changing saddles, riders, changing feed, that horse is dead. Continuing with the way it has been run is wasting our money and is certainly not a way to honor our veterans. It makes us feel good and we can walk away because "we tried."

3/10/2025 05:30:19 pm

I have personal knowledge of the VA hospital system in my city. It is well-run, well-organized, and extremely effective in meeting the needs of veterans. I am sorry you feel that vets deserve to be pushed out of the jobs they have earned in their service to our country. Thank you for serving our country as a vet. Thank you for not being part of our federal government.

3/10/2025 10:15:30 pm

Thank you for the conversation, you obviously have your heart in the right place. We just disagree on the how. I did not use the broad brush on VA hospitals but clearly stated some were very good. But that the system fails is a fact that is reenforced by the GAO after they investigated all of the hospitals over a ten-year period. That combined with my service to hundreds of vets over years and only hearing less than a handful of times that they had a positive experience while several hundred had a negative experience. The American Legion halls are full every night of the week with vets that have negative experiences with the VA, but I have never seen any outsider there to ask them anything. I never said that I felt vets deserved to be pushed out of jobs. That is how the misinformation network gets it topics. Being pushed out of a job is a fact of life for the majority of Americans. First you do not know if it was one vet or all vets. If it were all vets, the NCO telegraph would be informing all of us, and it is not. Surprising to after 55 years, we still talk to each other because of the brotherhood. I think we have a closer handle on how we feel. Secondly, no one wants a job that is showing up for a paycheck just because they are a vet. If they do, then they miss some important aspects of their military career. Thirdly, they are not uneducated, deplorable, garbage. There 800,000 jobs available in America today (Bureau of Labor Statistics), they will find another. And from my experiences managing people and (unfortunately) having to terminate some, in two years they will say "Getting fired was the best thing to happen to me. I am in a better position today." The hiring based on identity, (man, women, vet, gender) is one of the reasons that the VA "fails." Merit hiring would put the focus on the best people for the right job. And you might be surprised, many of them will be vets. Vets do not want free fish; they want to be taught how to fish. The new VA Administrator is still active in the Reserves and a Chaplain. People should give him a chance; you might be surprised. That probably gets to the root of my concern, the current Democrat approach is to fear monger about the unknown future and continue only see their own approach, which has failed. We the people, democratically elected a new guy with a new approach, don't try to make him fail, that is un-American and violates the principles of our Constitutional Republic. I remind folks all of the time, just because you can and have the Right to, does not mean that you should. If I were a part of the government, it would be a better place.

3/11/2025 03:28:05 pm

In a democracy, giving an elected leader a chance doesn’t mean abandoning critical thinking or blindly supporting every decision they make. The very foundation of our Constitutional Republic is the ability—and responsibility—of the people to hold their leaders accountable. Dissent and protest are not “un-American”; they’re essential elements of democracy.

When a president’s policies raise legitimate concerns—whether about human rights, environmental protections, or economic equity—citizens have not only the right but the duty to speak out. It’s not about wanting a leader to fail; it’s about ensuring that the direction of governance reflects the values and needs of all people, not just those who voted for him.

Furthermore, questioning leadership and advocating for alternative approaches doesn’t equate to fear-mongering—it’s a demand for transparency and accountability. Healthy debate and opposition strengthen democracy by pushing leaders to consider diverse perspectives and refine their policies.

Patriotism isn’t measured by silent obedience but by the courage to challenge injustice and fight for a more just and equitable society. The principle of checks and balances applies not only within government but through the voices of the people. Respecting the office of the president doesn’t mean giving a pass to every action—it means staying engaged, informed, and ready to advocate for the country’s best interests.

3/11/2025 09:08:34 am

"The Vets will march all capitals on March 24, 2025". A nationwide march against proposed cuts to the Veterans Administration. I'll be there, as I'm sure you will be.

3/12/2025 03:32:34 pm

I have a problem with you implying that vets are marching on Washinton therefore that means vet are against the current Administration. A recent survey indicated that 63% of vets are voting members of the Republican party and voted for the President. While 31% were Democrats or Democrat leaning, but did not indicate who they voted for. I do not believe that you will have a majority of vets marching, just some vets (which they are free to do, more power to them). The last thing that I am going to say is that I wish vets had the support you keep espousing in the past. I arrived in Vietnam and rode in a bus with screens on the windows to protect us from the enemy. When I returned to the United States, I rode in a bus with screens on the windows to protect us from American citizens. First off, the only people protected when I came home where those peaceful protesters throwing trash, spitting, and I wonder how they could kiss their moms with the mouths that spewed filth. Many of us would have liked to be given the opportunity to protect ourselves. In 55 years, I have NEVER met a single person that acknowledges they were part of that movement. How can that be if they were the majority sentiment? When the dead Iraq vets were returned home to be buried, it was the vets that had to protect the funerals and families (Patriot Guard). Do you have any idea how many vets have died waiting for the VA Administration to approve their paperwork? If a vet dies from a service-related issue (like cancer), their spouse is entitled to their benefits (as long as they can get it on their death certificate). In the conspiracy world, there would be it is in the VA's interest to delay the paperwork and let them die. Your implication that it is strictly hospital workers being fired is false. It is the administrative sections that keep getting bigger but nothing changes (and some in the hospitals). What the President is doing is much better to make a couple of mistakes on the way (and acknowledge and correct them) while making the system more receptive to vet's need. In the vet world, we have a saying. "It ought to be harder to apply for welfare benefits than veteran's benefits.

3/11/2025 09:17:09 am

: “They died telling their stories. DOGE isn’t real. THIS is real. F*ck Elon Musk.”

9/11 First Responders rip Musk & DOGE after Trump’s administration cut funding for the World Trade Center health program." This is a good example of "Let Elected Officials Govern" when they cut benefits to 9/11 First Responders.

3/11/2025 09:26:25 am

Here's what happens when we "Just Allow Elected Officials to Govern":
The Minnesota Star Tribune
@StarTribune
JUST IN: Ontario slaps 25% increase on electricity exports to U.S. in response to Trump's trade war. Canada’s most populous province provides electricity to Minnesota as well as New York and Michigan". Hmmm. Seems like we could have done better than make Canada an "unreliable partner".

3/12/2025 02:55:37 pm

Once again, you acted without giving President Trump a chance. Those tariffs were removed (in addition to the threat to shut off electricity) as soon as the President had an opportunity to address them. You need to better educate yourself on both the "philosophy" and history of economics in addition to negotiations. When President Trump announced the 10% tariff on Europe for automobiles, I heard the same uproar. As it turned out, they have been charging us a tariff of 10% to ship our cars to Europe for a long time. At the same time, we were only charging them 2.5%. Whether you admit it or not, they were gouging us. When the President stood up for American automakers and workers, Europe immediately changed their tariff to 2.5%. None of the "predicted bad things" happened. They were talking friendship but cheating us. All that you are doing to talking about what might happen, when it doesn't you move on to something else that might happen without accountability for the fear sown with these types of comments. We are going to have to discontinue this conversation. You have your beliefs, I have mine. I feel that I have respected your beliefs but do not feel the same in return.

3/12/2025 09:57:28 am

This weekend, veterans are marching to their state capitals to protest the cuts to the Veterans Administration. The march takes place in all 50 states.

3/15/2025 10:29:21 am

The idea that opposition to Trump’s tariffs was based on a lack of education or patience ignores the broader economic realities and the impact of his policies. Tariffs are taxes on consumers, and while they may have been framed as a way to level the playing field, they often backfired by increasing costs for American businesses and families. The retaliatory tariffs imposed by other countries hurt American farmers and manufacturers, leading to government bailouts to offset the damage.

Additionally, diplomacy and trade negotiations are complex. Simply imposing tariffs without coordinated strategy or long-term planning created instability in global markets, leading to uncertainty that harmed economic growth. Trade should be negotiated through fair, strategic agreements that benefit all parties rather than through reactive and unilateral measures that disrupt industries.

As for "giving Trump a chance," criticism of policy decisions is a fundamental part of democracy. Holding leaders accountable for the consequences of their actions is not fearmongering—it’s responsible citizenship. The effects of these economic policies weren’t hypothetical; they were felt by working Americans, farmers, and small businesses that struggled under the weight of increased costs and retaliatory measures. Addressing these impacts isn’t about differing beliefs; it’s about real-world outcomes that deserve scrutiny.

Alix May

3/17/2025 11:38:48 am

Other veterans on job cuts: https://www.dav.org/protectveterans/

New policies are already impacting my spouse’s access to VA care. My spouse had a tooth break 3 weeks ago and it’s another 3 weeks before he can see someone in Wyoming.

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.

Letter: Allow Elected Officials to Govern

Leave a Reply.

SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE

Letter to the Editor Policy

Submit Your Letter

Archives

Categories

Near North Now

Hours

Telephone

Email