Letters to the Editor: Let's focus on being united as one country

Let's focus on being united as one country

The "Star-Spangled Banner," written by Francis Scott Key and composed by John Stafford Smith is a poem about struggling, but also hope.

"Lift Every Voice and Sing," written by James Weldon Johnson and composed by J. Rosamond Johnson, is a poem by the two brothers about thanksgiving and hope.

You wouldn't think that there would be hate toward hope, thanksgiving and overcoming a national struggle. In today’s world, hate is sown into each and every one of America's citizens. Hate and distrust has caused major problems for millions of Americans — well before the country was founded. In 1814 during the defense of Fort McHenry, the "Star-Spangled Banner" was seen flying high above the fort and inspired Key.

His poem became a rallying cry that helped unify the 18 states into the United States. In 1931, Congress passed a joint resolution making it OUR national anthem, and it was later signed into law by President Hoover.

The "Pledge of Allegiance," written by Captain George Thatcher Balch in 1885, states that America is one nation, ONE people. The poem is meant to unify the people of America under the flag of America.

The Preamble of the Constitution states "WE the PEOPLE of the United States," again signifying that ALL the people of America are ONE people. In 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. made his most famous speech from the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. In his "I Have a Dream" speech, King gave us a description of his dream: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today."

He goes on to say, "I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together."

All this is to say that until we, the American people, the regular people of the United States of America, stand together as one people, hate will always win. So it's with that in mind that we implore you, the people of America, to forego calling "Lift Every Voice and Sing" the "Black National Anthem" and instead start referring to it as the "national hymn of prayer and thanksgiving."

Today we can end hate, division and distrust TOGETHER as ONE people: The American People.

Robert Kienitz and Terrence Vaughan

Holland

All eyes will be on county commission races this year

All eyes are going to be on the 2024 election of the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners for four-year terms. As a reminder, our county board of commissioners has certain responsibilities as they relate to its budgets and ordinance-making powers. The board is responsible for setting policy (passing resolutions, its main device for stating its policies), as well as providing legislative oversight and constituent services. The county board does not have police powers (health, safety, and welfare) unless specifically stated in state statute.

I believe it is important all candidates should be able to answer the following questions:

1. What are the important issues to all citizens of your Ottawa County district?

2. If new resources were available, what one area of county services would you feel most needs additional resources?

3. Should any part of the county budget be shielded from cuts? And if so, which one(s)?

4. What element of the county’s government is most effective, and why?

5. What do you see as the most pressing needs for infrastructure or capital projects in the county?

6. Should county commissioners write and adopt specific policies, or should the details of these policies be crafted and implemented by boards, commissions or outside specialists?

If your candidate cannot answer these questions and refer you to the talking points of a politically vetted contract instead, they are not ready to represent you in county government. It is time we return to good governance, full transparency, fiscal responsibility and respectful leadership. These individuals need to represent and meet with their entire district and not the political action committee they signed their allegiance.

Nancy Pochron

Georgetown Township – District 6

Veil of democracy

As the presidential primary approaches, voters have an overriding issue to evaluate. It is not border issues, the economy or continued funding for Ukraine.

It is the state of the republic. Choices matter. Does the rule of law matter? Will democracy survive a Trump return to the White House? Donald Trump has made it clear what he has planned. Are you listening? Do you really think the three branches of government will protect us from him? Are you willing to take that risk?

Remember Jan. 6 and the primary actor responsible for the "Big Lie." This election cycle the instrument that stands between Donald Trump and one man rule is the ballot.

Dan Zimmer

Port Sheldon Township

Why 'no-labels' for the US presidency

I would like to share this with all U.S. citizens who vote in the presidential elections.

We could debate for a long time as to why Donald J. Trump won the presidency in the 2016 election. In the run-up to the 2016 election, there were many candidates from both the Democrat and Republican parties. Being someone who first voted in a U.S. presidential election in 1984, I have learned a lot since then and have experienced many changes in the mindsets of U.S. citizens who vote.

Why Trump in 2016? Most U.S. citizens did not want to see a presidential election between two familiar family political names of previous presidents. Most Americans did not want to see a “Bush vs. Clinton” election between Jeb Bush and Hillary Clinton. Most citizens do not want to see a “dynasty” of presidents from the same political family.

Although Trump and Joe Biden are the first in their families to be president, citizens still do not want a “dynasty” in the presidency. A re-match between Trump and Biden would very much look like a “dynasty” election. We could debate for a long time if a two-party system of the Democrats and Republicans makes the U.S. better or worse. Does a two-party system create division among the citizens of this country?

I think it is time for the U.S. to have a president and vice president from different political parties. The vice president could/would/should be the leader of the U.S. Senate and not the leader of a political party leading the U.S. Senate.

Maybe it is time to take a serious look at a new political party.

Ellis Sonatchi

Grand Rapids

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Letters to the Editor: Let's focus on being united as one country