Rep. John Sellers’ recent letter (“Why Shoot Trump?” July 18), has the answer in his 3rd sentence: “…the people have been sold so many lies they cannot distinguish it from the truth.”
You are Canaan’s representative, but what have you done for us? Have you come to talk with folks you represent? Have you listened to our concerns? Or are you more motivated by all the culture war items you elevate? Do you think people in Canaan, challenged to pay bills and feed their families, care about drag queens reading at story hour? Why do you vilify “illegal aliens,” in a blatant display of racism, when they are one of the supporting backbones of our economy? Why don’t you, instead, support work training programs for young people so they can begin on the right foot financially after high school? If you spent as much energy helping your constituents in Canaan as you do scapegoating trans people, immigrants fleeing hopelessness and violence, and women seeking power over their own bodies, maybe we’d start to respect your work.
You are simply a mouthpiece for a Republican presidential nominee and a party corrupted by its lies, self-serving legislation, and criminality. The “so many lies” thrown at “the people” come thick and fast from your side of the aisle. Why don’t your legislative priorities help us, instead of making things worse for Canaan’s working-class folks, public school students and families, small business owners, elderly residents, and people struggling to pay for decent food while trying to pay higher bills from unforgiving corporations?
Alix Olson
Canaan
A candidate who knows
New Hampshire
Strongly endorsed by Rep. Annie Kuster along with many current and former elected officials and countless grassroots leaders, Colin Van Ostern has earned our support for Congress. Colin has lived, worked and raised his family in New Hampshire, serving us wisely as a member of the Executive Council. Colin was instrumental in securing renewed funding for Planned Parenthood (named Champion for Choice by NARAL), expanding Medicaid to 50,000 residents and bringing the Affordable Care Act to New Hampshire. Colin has worked as a business manager and executive at some of the state’s most innovative companies, including Stonyfield Yogurt. He helped launch a new, nonprofit online college that slashed higher ed costs and enabled thousands of working adults to earn college degrees, most with zero student debt.
Unlike his opponent in the Democratic primary, Maggie Goodlander, who has spent her impressive career in Washington with no real involvement in New Hampshire, Colin knows the state inside and out. In addition to endorsements, sources of funding reveal the genuinely grounded candidate. Through June 30, of the approximately $1.5 million raised by Goodlander only 12% came from New Hampshire residents. Compare that to Colin: 68% of the $1 million raised came from Granite State residents. Goodlander’s campaign is also helped through the numerous and costly mailings sent by a political action committee based in Alexandria VA.
Let’s elect one of our own, Colin Van Ostern, a principled, experienced and knowledgeable public servant who, like Annie Kuster, will serve us with passion, commitment and integrity.
Ralph Fine
Hanover
Grace and its opposite
Joe Biden made the hardest decision of his life, putting country above all else. Most Democrats are sad and grateful to this man, who has always put country first. How painful this must have been for Biden.
And how does Trump respond to this hugely consequential moment in American political history? He responds with his usual lack of grace and lies as he says that Biden will go “down as the single worst president by far in the history of our country.” Trump ignores his own sad presidency, which oversaw high rates of unemployment, an economy in free fall, more persons from a cabinet and political partners jailed, convicted, disbarred and oh — an assault on our capital to overturn an election which has been upheld in every court case brought against the open and free election we enjoyed in spite of his and the Republican Party’s efforts.
The lack of integrity, grace, truth, compassion, heart, honesty, intelligence is the hallmark of an authoritarian person and party.
We have only weeks to decide which path we take. May we take stock — our nation is truly on the line. For some of us the road is clear — integrity, honesty, humility and patriotism lead the way.
Karen Blum
Grantham
Grateful for an essay
What a lovely and heartening piece you published by Diane Roston (“A child’s spirit eases us into the world of work”; July 13). In the midst of a daily overdose of negative news, this was “just what the doctor ordered.” Thank you, Diane, and thank you VN!
This little essay ticked all the right boxes: the younger generation learning from the older, intergenerational communication, the dignity of all human labor, and — of course — the great satisfaction to be found in weeding. It’s good for the soul. With my very grateful thanks.
Eric Esau
Newbury, Vt.
The hand of God
Be very, very wary of a theology that says God intervenes to save a candidate for president but not first graders and teachers at Sandy Hook and third graders and teachers at Uvalde.
Rev. Robert W. Wohlfort
White River Junction