Don’t try to rule me   
The former Republican president feels he cannot rule properly if he’s re-elected unless he has complete immunity from whatever he might do in office.  Does that mean that four years ago he was ineffective as president, that he accomplished little, because he didn’t have that immunity?
The key word is “rule.” Too many who seek public office do so because they want to rule others, from city officials and county commissioners, all the way up to president. If someone is ruling over us, that’s not a democracy, is it? It’s autocracy, monarchy or dictatorship.
Our form of democracy is structured to take the needs and desires of disparate groups of people, send representatives to a common place to work out differences the best way possible, and have someone (a governor or president) oversee the results. In no way – local, county, state, or federal – do we want someone “ruling” over us! Our democracy is a “do-it-yourself” form of government: the citizens rule themselves.

We hire people to do these government jobs for us; we pay them. They’re our employees, whether as representatives in congress, or as governor or president.  Their job is to find out what the people want, then find ways to accomplish it.  In no way should they expect to rule us!  We assign them some of our power by voting; it’s only a loan.

Lazy people want others to rule over them and to make their decisions for them. They’ve become a nuisance. Most of us have enough gumption to want to do our own thinking. Too many regular citizens, and also government officials, have forgotten this. They’re unaware of our Democrat Gov. Walz’s slogan, “mind your own damn business!”  

And the worst offenders and deniers of democracy and freedom have become many of the organized religions.
A. Martin
Merrifield, Minnesota

Remember the 5th of November
Does a song and its lyrics hit home and make you think? 
“Something More Than Free” by Jason Isbell is one of those songs.
“I don’t think on why I’m here, where it hurts, I’m just lucky to have the work.”
“I thank God for the work.”
Are you thankful for the crews who work in the hot blazing sun, in the rain and in the winter to fix our roads, streets and bridges; and plow the snow and keep the roads safe?   
Are you thankful for the $550 billion over fiscal years 2022-2026 from the Infrastructure Act that will provide jobs to build mass transit, water infrastructure, broad band and other critical services? 
Are you thankful for the farmers – small and large – who grow our crops, fruits and vegetables, and the food that we all need to grow and thrive?
Are you thankful for the millions of workers who work on the farms, including the dairy farms, that are so crucial to our well being and economy? As I drive in Wisconsin in the rural areas, I am in awe of the beauty that is everywhere. I say a prayer of thanks to everyone who makes this possible. 
Are you thankful for doctors, nurses and other staff who work with us when we are ill and encourage us to stay healthy?
Are you thankful for the Affordable Care Act? From the HHS website: 45 million people are now covered and “the data shows how profoundly it has shaped what healthcare looks like for so many Americans.”
Are you thankful for Social Security? As of September 2023, 67 million, one in five, people, are covered. 
Are you thankful for Medicare? As of March 2023, 65,748,297 are enrolled in Medicare. 
As the new school year approaches, are you thankful for the teachers and staff as they meet the diverse skills needed by our students and young people.
Are you thankful you live in the USA? When I was kid many, many years ago, we sang “This Land is Your Land,” “America the Beautiful” and others.
Are you thankful for the millions of veterans who have fought in the wars?
Are you thankful for everyone who works at the polls during the elections? 
As we are fully aware, Project 2025 and Agenda 47 will eliminate many of these programs that have been in place for many years and have worked for millions and millions of people. 
Please vote on November 5th, our very form of government depends on you.
 Joyce Luedke 
Mahtomedi, Minnesota