Letters to the Editor: Don't be complacent — VOTE.

I will vote ...

I will vote a Democratic choice in the upcoming mid-term election.

I grew up in a home with parents having great pride in the strength and character of presidents like West Michigan’s Gerald R. Ford who led this nation so wisely at a difficult time.

My sentiment, and that of many of my friends, is that leadership of the Republican Party has gotten out of touch with the strength and character we saw in President Ford. Something needs to bring this back.

I am deeply troubled by what Republican leadership, including local Republican congressional and state legislators have been willing to embrace — still denying a valid election outcome — indeed looking past things repeatedly including the unbelievable actions surrounding the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection and locally, allowing a small group to oust a responsible, Republican county commission while complacent voters stayed home.

I moved back to this home area because of the values I believe influence the quality of life here. What I have seen in Republican leadership of late no longer matches that.

I hope others of you who feel similar discomfort may join me in sending a message that change is needed urgently and vote Democratic when you vote on Nov. 8.

Norma KillileaHolland

DeBoer and Huizenga: Neither one is a real leader

I have campaigned and run for office; I know the sacrifices involved; and I salute and admire those individuals who put themselves in the arena and become candidates. But our choices on Nov. 8 include two candidates who should have stayed in bed.

Nancy DeBoer and Bill Huizenga are undoubtedly well-meaning. Nancy is running for state representative. Bill is running to be re-elected to Congress. Neither one is a leader. Over a lifetime, neither one has grown in the sense of becoming “educated.”

Sadly, they represent allegiance to a political party over country. A party today that Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and many other respected Republicans would not recognize. Nancy and Bill do not question the Big Lie. They do not understand that trust forms the basis for sports competitions and financial transactions, as well as election outcomes.

Following the 1776 revolution, our founders who wrote the Constitution decried any state religion and believed a militia would be necessary for the protection of all. They never envisioned powerful assault rifles, women voting, gay marriage, rights for non-land holders, dark money influencing campaigns and the Internet. Although in 1776 we were already a diverse nation, many folks were not recognized as citizens.

Today in 2022 we are an even more diverse nation. Our Holland-area represents, in the best sense, a melting pot. And yet, Nancy DeBoer voted against the human rights ordinance. Huizenga voted against women’s health, their freedom to choose, and the assault weapons ban. He parrots the Trump line on every issue. Bill did not vote to impeach this corrupt politician who has never abided by the rules.

Sadly, both DeBoer and Huizenga will go down as nonentities, as tiny footnotes, while their contemporary, Liz Cheney, will be remembered as a modern Joan of Arc. Voters should reject their ilk.

Please vote for Larry Jackson for state representative and for Joseph Alfonzo for Congress on Nov. 8.

Diana NelsonHolland

Huizenga completely content to be out of touch with his constituents

Bill Huizenga persists in voting against anything beneficial to the vast majority his constituents. He again voted "nay" just the other day:

Sept. 21: H.R.8873 – Presidential Election Reform Act. He seems, then, to support having no law(s) on the books that would prevent, among other things, false elector slates and unlawful disruptions of the federal election certification by Congress.

There are no moderate candidates in the Republican Party. There are only overt and covert insurrection supporting sycophants in thrall to a disgraced and discarded (and likely felonious) former president. This applies at every level of candidacy.

Moderate Republican voters, however, those many people in possession of a sober conscience, have exceptional alternatives.

Joseph Alonso is running against Huizenga for Michigan’s 4th District congressional seat. My Sept. 25 column erroneously stated that Huizenga would run unopposed. I have since been corrected by more than a few Sentinel readers who advise that, after having garnered nearly 11,000 write-in votes, Alonso’s name will appear prominently on November’s ballot.

Regarding the Michigan House (86th District):

In a July 12 MLive article, Nancy DeBoer said: “I think we have to have at least three things to protect election honor: Voter ID, no ballot harvesting, and no unsolicited mailing of absentee ballot applications.”

Everything DeBoer lists was present in the November 2020 election. More than 250 audits conducted post-election reported, at best, minute instances of voting misbehavior.

On Sept. 12, End Citizens United — a leading anti-corruption and voting rights group — endorsed Larry Jackson, stating “[Larry Jackson] will fight to root out corruption, protect the freedom to vote, and give a voice to the hardworking families in their states."

I believe Joseph and Larry will represent our interests more admirably than their Republican adversaries.I unreservedly support both.

Richard WolfePark Township

Kraus highly qualified for new family judicial position

On Nov. 8, 2022, Ottawa County voters will go to the polls to elect a new judge to an open judicial position on the 20th Circuit Court. This person will be assigned a caseload in the family division of the court.

This important role requires someone with the right experience, knowledge and temperament. There is nothing more important than the just and compassionate treatment of children and families in our community.

I believe Paul Kraus is very well qualified to handle this responsibility and I endorse his candidacy for this office.

Mark A. FeyenOttawa County Probate Judge

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Letters to the Editor: Don't be complacent — VOTE.