Not even close to socialism

People are complaining about price increases and blaming “Socialist President Joe Biden.” I  do not know where they get their information, because government does not regulate consumer prices in U.S.A. 

If President Biden and Democratic Congress were Socialists, we would probably have price control. We have not had price regulations since President Richard Nixon in 1970s when OPEC raised the price of oil.

I remember well that gasoline price went from 29c to $1.29 per gallon and it was a Republican president who imposed price controls.

So many people do not know the meaning of socialism. It comes from Latin and it means people not communists. Communists stole this great idea and provided education, health care and other good programs for people.

The best examples of socialism are Scandinavian countries which have socialism where it belongs and capitalism where it works. We have 100 million people without health care or inadequate care. Canada, Costa Rica and even Cuba have higher life expectancy then United States, because they provide health care for all of their citizens.

Mike Jaros
Duluth, Minnesota

Our community does not talk openly about sexual health and sexuality

Our health classrooms focus on anatomy and reproductive aspects but don’t always have honest and open conversations about sexuality. This needs to change! For that reason, the Duluth Teen Council program is putting on Frames of Sexuality – A Community Health Event.

This project is a collection of photos and quotes from Northlanders, highlighting what sexuality means to them. The purpose is to create awareness of what sexuality means to folks in our community. As well as creating a space for healthy conversations regarding sexuality to take place.

We hope to bring different generations together to normalize these conversations and remove the stigma around them! Photos and quotes will be on display at Zeitgeist Arts Building on Superior Street for the first two weeks of April.

I am a Teen Council peer educator and am passionate about creating opportunities to celebrate and normalize sexuality. Teen Council is a peer-led sex education program through Planned Parenthood.
So far, this year, the Duluth Teen Council has reached more than 1,300 people through formal presentations, community health events and individual conversations with peers.

I am in Teen Council because sexual and reproductive health is something that so many people need education on. This is the kind of education that enables people to make informed decisions regarding their bodies and lives. People in my generation especially need education about sexual health. There is so much stigma around talking about sex and I want to lessen that. I love being able to talk to and spread information to my peers.

The truth is, everyone has a question about something, and everyone should have the space and the resources to get their question answered.

Comprehensive sex education is proven to improve health, relationships, and decision-making. Getting this to students and people throughout the community here is so important and is part of what Teen Council does.

I hope you will join me to normalize experiences and conversations about sexuality and help decrease the stigma!

Leila Hoeschen Ehrbright
Duluth, Superior