Hey Jack Bergman, where are you hiding today?

 I am writing as a voter and resident of Michigan’s 1st Congressional District to express serious disappointment with Representative Jack Bergman’s record and his lack of accountability to the people he is elected to serve.

Representative Bergman is absent when we need him most. Public service requires showing up, listening directly, and answering hard questions – not avoiding the people whose lives are affected by decisions made in Washington. He has not hosted a meet-and-greet or town hall in eight years.

I am troubled by reports about “pay-to-play” politics and possible staff misconduct. The ethics complaint filed highlights our Rep. Bergman regularly endorsed and campaigned for Republican candidates in Michigan who had hired his aides’ consulting firm, raising conflict-of-interest and pay-to play concerns. We can’t afford a representative who gives special access, influence, or constituent services based on political connections; we deserve full transparency, independent review, and direct answers from Representative Bergman’s office.

Representative Bergman’s votes and legislative priorities also raise alarms for seniors, working families, and veterans. He supported congressional budget resolutions that will cut funding to Medicare, Social Security, Medicaid and other essential programs. These are not abstract numbers on a spreadsheet; these programs are lifelines for Iosco County.

As a district with many veterans and military families, we should also be especially wary of his efforts to shift veterans’ services away from the Veterans Administration and toward private companies; these companies may charge vets for their services. Our veterans earned their benefits through service and sacrifice. They should not have to navigate a privatized maze or pay extra to access what they are owed.

Representative Bergman owes his constituents more than press releases and talking points. He owes us accessible town halls, honest answers, clean government and votes that protect Medicare, Social Security and veterans’ care. We deserve representation that is present, transparent, and accountable to everyone – not just donors, insiders and private interests.

–Deirdre Honner
Au Sable Township

Original letter to the Iosco Newpaper

This is who we are now

 This is a true story. And it is a heartbreaking one.

In our community, there was a young man who would stop by our Dem office for a cup of coffee. We keep a Keurig there and encourage visitors to help themselves. He took us up on it.

The first time he came in, he was wearing a MAGA hat. After a while, we told him he was welcome to the coffee, but he needed to take the hat off while he was in the office. He did.

Over time, we got to know him. We heard pieces of his story. He worked part-time as a dishwasher. He relied on disability funding, food assistance, and subsidized housing. And he voted for Trump.

When we had the chance to talk with him, he tried to explain why. He felt pressure from his friends. His father supported Trump. He felt boxed in, like the choice had already been made for him.

And then the consequences stopped being abstract.

He lost his job. He lost his housing assistance. His SNAP benefits were gone. He was homeless, sleeping in the park. For some, this may look like the FO part of FAFO. But when the person living it is vulnerable, isolated, and already hanging by a thread, it feels less like a lesson and more like a failure.

Who are we, as a society, if we allow the people with the fewest resources to lose access to the most basic necessities? Who decides that food, shelter, work, and medical care are only for those who can afford them? And then tell ourselves and others they should have known better?

He came into the office to say goodbye. He was heading west with a cousin. Their plan was to stay in a shelter, look for work, and hope they could eventually find a place to live. That was the plan: leave the community where he had come in for coffee and go looking for survival somewhere else.

When we stop caring for those who struggle to care for themselves, who are we?

Land of the Free because of the Brave

At home, we have a coaster that reads, “Land of the Free because of the Brave.”

It is a lovely sentiment. I know it’s meant to stir gratitude for our servicemembers who have defended this country and helped our allies around the world.

But the question I have to ask is harder than the slogan: are we truly the Land of the Free?

My husband served 22 years in the US Navy and there is no doubt that this country is full of brave people. I have seen that bravery up close. We know people who paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving. But bravery alone does not guarantee freedom. Freedom is not measured by how proudly we say the word; it is measured by whether we, the people can live it.

If our movements are be tracked by surveillance cameras, if women can be monitored for reproductive decisions, if our reproductive rights are eliminated, if our right to vote is made harder to exercise, and if our freedom of speech is treated as a threat rather than a right, then we need to be honest about what that means.

It means freedom is not being protected equally. It means some people are freer than others. And a country cannot honestly call itself free while basic rights are being stripped away from the people who need those rights most. My favorite meme is this: Men’s rights don’t change from state to state.

 

If we want to call ourselves the land of the free, then freedom has to be more than a slogan on a coaster, more than a phrase we repeat on holidays, and more than a tribute we offer to the brave.

Freedom must mean the right to vote without unnecessary barriers. It must mean the right to make decisions about our own bodies. It must mean the right to speak up without fear. It must mean the right to live without being constantly watched. The brave have defended this country. Now the rest of us must show up and be brave enough to defend the freedoms that make it worth protecting. 

Hey Michigan, today is our day to vote!

Today is our day to vote.

Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. local time. If you are in line by 8:00 p.m., stay in line—you still have the right to vote.

Find your polling place, check your registration status, view a sample ballot, or track an absentee ballot at Michigan.gov/vote.

Questions about candidates or what is on your ballot? Review your sample ballot before you go so you can make informed choices.

Bring a photo ID if you have one. If you do not have photo ID, you can still vote by signing a brief affidavit at the polling place.

Need to register or update your address today? Visit your city or township clerk’s office with proof of residency. Your clerk can also answer questions about absentee ballots and local voting procedures. We have SAME DAY REGISTRATION to vote. 

Need assistance at the polls? Ask an election worker. Accessible voting equipment and help are available for voters who need them.

Please be kind to the poll workers. We are certified every two years and are here because we are committed to serving our communities—not for the money.

Questions about voting? Visit Michigan.gov/vote for official Michigan voter information.

GOTV!

 Well, it’s political season, which means many of us are getting calls and texts from candidates and campaign volunteers about the upcoming primary.

A couple of friendly reminders: if you receive a text and do not want more messages, simply opt out. 

If you receive a phone call, please remember that the person on the other end is likely a volunteer. We may be calling during dinner time or when you are trying to relax, but we are donating our time because we care deeply about getting out the vote.

The person calling could be Paul. It could be me. We are calling and texting to help GOTV in August.

If you answer, please be kind. Thank them for calling, thank them for their work, and let them know if you have already voted or plan to vote. And if you are not up for a conversation, no problem—just let it go to voicemail.

Show up and vote on August 4th! 

Stop the f*cking election lies. Stop it.

Quite the timely post. I am an election worker and the chair of my precinct. It’s good to remind you of these safeguards. 

I spent the last hour with my fellow poll workers: we are in different parties and all with one goal. Ensure our voters are processed fairly, quickly, and expeditiously.

In Oscoda, we have consolidated precincts from four to two.  We have our AV board ready to go. Our precincts must be comprised of Democrats AND Republicans; we must have a balanced team. 

Voting is a PUBLIC PROCESS. If you want to walk into a polling place, there will be a place for you to sit and observe. You can’t interfere or speak to anyone, but you can watch! 

Equipment testing is July 21 at 1pm. This is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. 

Public Accuracy test is July 21 at 3pm. Again, this is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. 

Only people registered can vote in my precinct. They have to be in my e-pollbook as a registered voter. If they have received a ballot by mail, it will show up in my e-pollbook and I will NOT issue them a ballot until we check on the status of their ballot. (This happens: like homework, people lose their ballots, a dog destroyed one, etc). 

On election day, NOTHING is connected to the internet. Not my e-pollbook, not our tabulator, not my ICX machine, only my phone when I can get a signal. 

When closing out our precinct, every report is SIGNED BY ONE DEMOCRAT AND ONE REPUBLICAN. 

Every tabulator tape is signed by EVERYONE WORKING. All the parties. 

Every report is signed by EVERYONE WORKING. All the parties. 

When locking ballots, the serial number is recorded in our report and is SIGNED BY ONE DEMOCRAT AND ONE REPUBLICAN. 

When sealing the envelopes – one each for the local clerk, county clerk, and Board of Canvassers, the seals are SIGNED BY ONE DEMOCRAT AND ONE REPUBLICAN.

The receiving board, who checks our work, is comprised of ONE DEMOCRAT AND ONE REPUBLICAN.

We also have trained poll challengers. Challengers can be in the area to watch us work. We don’t know their party affiliation and we are always happy to have someone watch. 

Whatever you hear tonight, know this: it’s BULLSHIT. 

And if you buy the lies, I need you to CALL ME and explain EXACTLY how the alleged fraud worked. Because it can’t. 

Let's talk about the SAVE Act (and dispel the bullshit)

 I recently received an email from a local resident. He wrote this:

CAN YOU TELL ME IF THIS PARTY SUPPORTS THE ... SAVE AMERICA ACT ? PLEASE EXPLAIN WHY OR WHY NOT THANK YOU

One thing that seems to consistently distinguish MAGA email writers is the style: ALL CAPS, scattered punctuation, and a tone that suggests the conclusion was reached long before the question was asked. I knew this was unlikely to become a friendly exchange, but I responded anyway:

We do not support the SAVE Act. In fact, we are working hard to prevent its passage because it is a bad-faith political effort designed to sow doubt in our elections and undermine public confidence in the voting process.

As an election worker in Oscoda, I know firsthand that every voter who comes through our polling place has already completed the required process to establish their identity and eligibility.

Adding unnecessary federal requirements would create confusion, place additional burdens on voters and election officials, and make it harder for eligible citizens to participate in our democracy.

If you have additional questions, please stop by our office or contact your local clerk’s office.

And of course, he had to respond. This time, the CAP LOCK was off but still struggled with proper punctuation.

Sow doubt,make harder ,undermine ,confusion that’s what not having the save American act would do sorry but your wrong we need this passed before the mid terms

I guess that was all, but he forgot the period. And the reference to the Act was incorrect.

As an election worker, I am on the front lines of our voting process, and I am tired of hearing baseless and reckless claims from people who have clearly never worked an election.

Voters do not just waltz in and vote. Ballots do not magically appear in tabulators or ballot bags. They CAN’T. Every voter is checked in, every application is processed, every ballot is accounted for and reconciled with the e-pollbook, and every step is handled by trained workers following strict procedures.

The people spreading these fantasies are not exposing fraud; they are exposing how little they understand about how elections actually work.

Stop it.

Michigan's Rural Caucus Summit

 Join us! 

Are we great yet?

 Gas just hit $5/gal where I live. Diesel is $6/gal. Hey, are we great yet? 

The same day, I received an email about a general strike on Friday, May 1.   No work, no school, no shopping. 

I have friends who can’t afford to put gas in the car to travel downstate to see family and friends. 

I also know people who can’t keep their kids home from school because they can’t miss work. If they do keep their kids home and must go to work, they might need someone to watch the kids and that costs money.  Money that is already squeezed by increased costs. 

Many people I know simply can’t afford to take a day off, as their wages cover essentials like rent or mortgage payments, groceries, and fuel. Without mandated paid time off, missing work means losing pay.

I believe strongly there is a place for a general strike. I also want to acknowledge those who can’t afford, for whatever reason, to miss school or work or need to shop.  

An Easter Sunday Reflection: Hope Amidst Harsh Realities

For countless people across the world, today, Easter Sunday, is meant to be a beacon of hope—a celebration of renewal, resurrection, and the promise of a better tomorrow. It is a day traditionally filled with bright expectations and profound spiritual significance.

Yet, as we look beyond the brightly colored eggs and the joyful church hymns, a stark and unsettling reality emerges: for a growing number of people, that hope is rapidly diminishing in real life. The promise feels increasingly disconnected from the harsh socioeconomic and political climate we inhabit.

Over the past several weeks, I’ve been called a number of names. My posts and advocacy for basic human needs have drawn a torrent of vitriolic language. I’ve been called  a "snowflake," "libtard," and "Demoncrat." It is curious to me that these names come from people I don’t know, will never meet, and who, frankly, say more about the depth of their own anger and brokenness than they do about me.

What is truly bewildering—and the source of this conflict—is the simple set of values that provokes such fury: I believe that every single person—EVERYONE—in this wealthy nation should have their fundamental needs covered. This is not radical ideology; it is a basic plea for human dignity. This includes:

• A safe place to lay your head: The human right to stable, secure, and affordable housing, free from the constant threat of homelessness.

• Medical care when you are sick: Access to quality healthcare as a right, not a privilege reserved for the employed or the wealthy. No one should face bankruptcy or death because they cannot afford a doctor.

• Food on everyone’s table: The elimination of food insecurity and hunger, ensuring that every family has nourishing meals.

• A good job with decent pay: The opportunity for meaningful employment that pays a living wage, allowing workers to support themselves and their families and addressing income inequality. 

Pause for a moment and truly grasp the gravity of this situation. Imagine being so utterly hollow, so consumed by political resentment, or so profoundly broken in spirit that these fundamental goals—safety, health, food, and work—create not consensus, but immediate and overwhelming anger, hostility, and deep-seated resentment.

Also imagine being so shallow and broken that this anger translates into a voting pattern that actively supports an administration committed to the punitive dismantling of our country’s social safety nets. This ideology, which thrives on cruelty and the belief that suffering is a deserved punishment for the poor or the vulnerable, is the very antithesis of the message of hope and compassion that this day is supposed to represent.

To those who are celebrating Easter Sunday today—who honor the message of sacrifice, resurrection, and boundless love—but simultaneously lend their support to an administration focused on removing the pillars of support for millions for our neighbors: I strongly encourage you to critically reconsider your choices.

There is a profound and hypocritical disconnect in celebrating the spiritual ideal of hope while actively voting to remove that very hope, safety, and security from millions of our neighbors. This day is about lifting people up, not tearing down the nets designed to catch friends when they fall. True faith requires action, and that action must align with compassion. You cannot claim the mantle of hope while systematically destroying it for others.

 

Another horrific shooting

Alex Pretti was a veteran, an ICU nurse, had a permit to carry and was executed just like Renee Good. 

Let me say a few things. 

One, I know many of you reading this voted for this fascist regime. What these Nazi thugs are doing in Minnesota, they would do anywhere. Executing people in other states will easily translate to executing people here.

It is horrific to think people I know support the execution, the KILLING of people who are Democrats, work for Democrats, who show up to protest, to help neighbors, and demand the rule of law. 

Anyone who voted for and supports any of this bears the responsibility of these atrocities. 

These are our CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS. It's sickening to think people I know - former colleagues, neighbors, and community members - support these kinds of atrocities. 

If you believe anyone deserves this, if I deserve it, Paul, who served our nation for 22 years, deserves it, a mom driving her van to help her neighbors deserves it, an ICU Nurse protesting deserves it, or a migrant family here deserves it, I want nothing to do with you. 

I will say this again: I want nothing to do with anyone who supports the execution, the vilification, and the character assassination of anyone standing up for our Civil Rights. 

Paul didn't serve and we didn't sacrifice to sit this one out.  

All of this sickens me. But I will not stop fighting, protesting, marching, and standing up. 

Fuck you, fascists. 

Gestapo Nazi fascists also known as ICE

This has been an absolutely horrific week. From January 6th to the murder of a woman in MN, we are less and less safe from the Gestapo Nazi fascists in the current regime.  

For those of you who voted for this, especially the 'PRO LIFE" voters, perhaps you can help me understand how murdering a woman and preventing medical care in the moment is PRO LIFE? 

This could be any of us. This murder will enbolden other wannabes to infringe and interfere with our First Amendment rights. 

And about Renee Nicole Good. From Heather Cox Richardson this morning: according to Minneapolis leaders, Good was a legal observer: a volunteer trained to observe police conduct in case of future legal action.

THIS IS OUR RIGHT. And we shouldn't be murdered for exercising it.  

Jonathan Ross murdered Good. Shot her point blank in the face and called her, "a fucking bitch." And while authorities maintain Ross acted in self-defense, these "authorities" are known liars. Same people who maintain January 6th was a peaceful event. 

In case you have forgotten, a picture of January 6th. Because peaceful visitors always push over barracades and scale walls. 

And, the liar in chief and his murderous, lying cabal, still have not released the Epstein files. 

So some of you will continue to drink the koolaid and support these fucking goons.  Me? I will keep fighting tooth and nail even if it means I end up dead.

Christmas Eve

I have changed my blog font to Calibri. IYKYK. 

And for the record, I have always said, "Merry Christmas" to those who celebrate. Happy Hanukkah to those who celebrate. And happy holidays to those who may celebrate the Winter Solstice.

Tonight, we celebrate Christmas Eve with Paul's amazing filet mignon recipe and this magnificent cabernet, recommended by our friend, Erika.

May you enjoy some down time this holiday season. January we will be off to the races. Literally. All the races. 

Cheers.   

 

Gratitude

 As we head into the holiday, I am grateful for so many things. 

- For my clean and clear mammogram. Many of my friends are fighting or have fought for their lives. I don’t take this for granted. 

- For insurance that covered my mammogram, my dermatologist, and my dentist. Many people right now are dropping insurance because of the costs. 

- For the Canadians. These dear neighbors to the north told CBS to “hold my beer” and released the horrific story on the brutality of CECOT. That new “leader” of CBS is on par with the other morons in this administration. 

- For the Danes. These dear friends across the pond have told Trump and his lackeys to fuck off; and if this “special envoy” shows up in Greenland, will have their sorry asses arrested. Please, can we send the entire administration to Greenland? 

- For Jack Smith. The brave man sat in front of lying Gym Jordan and told the world the Orange Felon SOLD OUR NUCLEAR SECRETS.  Somehow this is not making any news. Are we great yet? 

- For the victim/survivors of Trump and Epstein. May your courage be rewarded and may justice be served.  

- For all the good people, and my favorite, Callie Barr, who have the courage to step up and run against these liars, cheaters, and grifters. Be like Callie. 

Keep fighting, good people. We are on the right side of history.

Why are you protecting rapists?

Before politics happened, I had a long career in Human Resources. The last few years of my career, I worked in Title IX, conducting investigations. Some of those investigations involved sexual assault. 

Telling the story is horrific for the victim/survivor. Every time the person has to retell the story, they experience again the assault and the trauma. 

As someone who worked in this area, I will be CRYSTAL CLEAR here.

If you aren't doing something to stop this horrific administration from shielding rapists, you – YOU - are complicit. YOU are complicit in supporting, shielding, and protecting RAPISTS.

These men RAPED children. 

I don’t care who they are, what party they are in, the inconvenience it will cause you, the financial impact it might have or the reputations these reports will shred. 

If YOU voted for these people and are supporting them, YOU are the enemy of the state, not me.  

And I will keep fighting for the voices YOU are trying to silence.  

ProLife? Bullshit.

 I have been on the road for several days and while it’s overcast and lugubrious, I am glad to be home.

We saw a billboard on one of the backroads: Prolife. It’s the only option. I am curious to what this actually means. If you use the term Prolife, tell me this:

- how do you support the cuts to SNAP/Bridge Card/feedling hungry children? How are these babies going to eat?
- how do you support the cuts to housing assistance? Where are these babies with their parents going to live?
- how you support the death penalty?
- use the term Sanctity of Life and you cut food and shelter?
- made in God’s image but only if you are white and Christian do you get help

I am really fed up with you bullshit prolifers who are voting to hurt people, especially children. 

You have lost the right to use that term. Instead, call it what it is and that’s Forced Birth. And hypocrite.

Why is there even a debate?

 It’s been horrifying really to watch the “debate” regarding the release of sex trafficking files. As many of you know, I worked with victim/survivors for the last few years of my career and the impact of assault, violence and abuse lasts a lifetime.   

What is most stunning to me truly is the number of women who support these abusers.  I know one woman who suffered terrible abuse and is a staunch MAGA supporter.  

HCR wrote a difficult post about a homeless highschooler in FL, worked at McDonald’s and was saving for braces. FOR BRACES. She was paid to have sex with, I will say r@ped by, Matt Gaetz. 

If you ever wonder why women don’t come forward with reports on sexual assault and violence, just pay attention to these stories. Anita Hill, Christine Blasey Ford and a long line of women who came forward, were vilified, smeared and ridiculed.  I don’t know one woman who has not been sexually harassed in the workplace, including me. 

The influences of misogyny and patriarchy are embedded within societal frameworks. I will not stop fighting for the younger generation of women who will have to deal with this backlash and bullshit. 

If you are supporting these assholes, I really would love to understand how and why.  Because if you are supporting them, you are an accomplice.

Let them eat cake ... or go hungry.

 We have the financial means to feed all the hungry people in the United States. 

I will NEVER understand why many of you voted to punish the poor, the elderly, the disabled, the sick, and the hungry. 

In Iosco County, we have a little over 25,000 residents and about 20% of them rely on SNAP, which is the Bridge card. That Bridge card allows those who are hungry to eat. 

Other facts (Katie Phang)

- 86% of all SNAP benefits go to households that include a child, an elderly person, or a person with disabilities

- 40% of SNAP recipients are children

- 1.3 million recipients are active duty service members and veterans

I don't give a shit about how people with a Bridge card spend their money. Children deserve a birthday cake, people deserve celebration and happiness, and I will happily pay taxes so everyone can experience some joy. 

And if you have an issue with this, that's on you. Just tell me you don't go to church on Sundays because that just screams hypocrite to me.

DISGRACEFUL

I am trying to imagine a scenario in which we watch another country's leader post an AI-generated video of said leader dumping shit on its citizens. 

Imagine what we would all think of such a disgusting, vile, and juvenile video. I would be embarrassed for the country. 

Now imagine the supporters of said leader scrambling to explain such a disgusting, vile, and juvenile video: it's satire! it's a joke! the citizens with shit on them are terrorists! 

I am wondering how anyone, anywhere can support this. 

We are literally the laughingstock of the world right now. If we ever recover, it will take decades to repair what is left of our country's shredded reputation. 

Paul served our country for 22 years. Of those 22 years, he was gone/deployed for 14 of them.  He didn't serve and we didn't sacrifice to watch this degredation of our great country. If you think we are terrorists, so be it. But we will continue to fight, march, write, and protest.  

And those of you who support and defend this, it's on you. 

Stop voting for the Liars!

 Please BEFORE YOU SIGN ANY PETITION, make sure you know what you are signing.

At the rest stop today on I-75, a person was collecting petitions to "secure our voting." I asked him what that meant. He told me that election rules and identification were up to the County Clerks and my signature would ensure state wide consistency with identification.

THIS IS A LIE. ALL LIES.

The Secretary of State governs elections and County Clerks have no jurisdiction to waive identification requirements.

When you register to vote, you MUST SHOW IDENTIFICATION. When you show up to vote, if you are in my e-pollbook, you have ALREADY SHOWN IDENTIFICATION.

STOP VOTING FOR THESE LIARS.

Good lord, people. Stop it. This is utter bullshit and nonsense.