To the editor:
The Enterprise should enforce accuracy and civility standards. But rejecting letters that discuss changes beyond this county or Michigan is a disservice to readers.
Consider recent front page stories: “Bergman declines town hall invite,” “Superintendents mull Dept. of Education cuts,” “Library programs at risk of funding cuts,” “NPS layoffs trigger Dune protest,” “Tariffs impact in the county,” “Bridge project halted by tariffs,” “ICE enforcement under question,” “ Sheriff offers aid to ICE,” “Local agencies brace for funding freeze.” Indeed, some weeks most of the front page would be blank if the Enterprise applied the letter strictures to editorial policy.
Planned Social Security staffing cuts affect the 42% of residents over 60. Planned cuts to Medicaid will affect many county residents. Others have student loans that will be affected by planned changes.
Trump erodes First Amendment rights, certainly concerning to a newspaper. Trump attempted to deport without due process a green card holder who participated in a lawful, peaceful demonstration. The administration “seek[s] sanctions against attorneys and law firms who engage in frivolous, unreasonable and vexatious litigation against the United States.” (NYTimes, 5 22 25). Their “crime?” Representing people who disagree with the president. If not stopped, these attacks against free speech and association will only grow and affect locals.
Saturday four thousand local people in Traverse City protested the harmful local consequences of Trump policies. How will you censor letters when national policies change daily in ways that will affect local residents? It’s time to reinstate the previous letters policy.
John O’Neill Cedar
