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.

It's time!

It's been a busy month!  We had an amazing Rural Caucus and then our official election. I drove downstate on Sunday April 27, was officially elected as the 3rd Vice Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party. 

In this role, I will serve as an officer and on the State Central Committee; I am grateful to represent Iosco County and rural voices around our state. I will share more as I step into the role. 

During Chair Hertel’s introduction, he shared how important it is to support the Michigan Democratic Party. We all know, there are many financial requests made of us; we support our party and office, assist with local events, and help so many community organizations. The MDP provides support including a Political Specialist (the incomparable Jaime Brants), grants from Contest Every Race, communications and social media tools. 

Any amount you can contribute to our state party is appreciated. Donations can be made via Act Blue here or by mailing a check to Michigan Democratic Party, 606 Townsend Street, Lansing, MI 48933.

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Mark your calendar for our Empty Chair Jack Bergman Town Hall! 

We will be hosting our missing Representative, Jack Bergman on Saturday May 17, 2025, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. We will gather at the VFW located at 240 Chrysler Rd, Oscoda Twp, MI. 

Registration is required; sign up here or call 616-284-1416 with questions.

Please bring your questions to the town hall; you will have two minutes to ask the empty chair whatever is on your mind. If possible, bring a copy of your question(s); it is our plan to collect the questions and mail them all to Bergman’s office.

Another day, another NO SHOW for Jack Bergman

Saturday afternoon, I joined almost 700 of your constituents online and watched several hundred people who showed up in person in Traverse City for another town hall. And, no surprise, you didn’t show up. Again.

This time, your excuse was some imaginary boogeyman, George Soros. I can tell you with great certainty that no one in Iosco County gives a flying leap about whoever George Soros is. What our community does care about is your complete and utter abdication of your responsibilities to your constituents. Voting to cut individual benefits, educational resources, veteran benefits, and putting social security, Medicare and Medicaid in your crosshairs will cause extreme hardship in our small, rural community. All of this to benefit your wealthy friends.

You have unilaterally decided you only represent those who agree with you. As a former human resources professional, if I had an employee who unilaterally decided to skip a third to a half of the job, they would be fired. FIRED. There is a word for this: insubordination.

Insubordination occurs when an employee, after understanding an instruction, refuses to carry it out, either explicitly or through non-performance.

This Representative Bergman is YOU. According to Congress, your responsibilities include: [t]he duties carried out by a Member of Congress are understood to include representation, legislation, and constituent service and communication, as well as electoral activities.

Where Representative Bergman is OUR representation? Where is OUR communication? Where are OUR constituent services? You are not performing the responsibilities of the position. You should be fired.

As the spouse of a Navy veteran, I know many veterans including Marines. These veteran friends are some of the bravest people I know. You, Representative Bergman, are not brave. You are a coward. Woman-up (I would say man up, but you have shown that to mean run and hide) and show up for your ALL your constituents.

We deserve better.

Hey Jack Bergman, what do we get for our money?

 Representative Bergman, 

From public records, your salary is $174000, paid for by Michigan taxpayer dollars. What exactly do we get for our money? You haven't had a town hall since 2017 and apparently "don't like drama." 

You don't like drama? Your party is creating chaos and drama never before seen in this country.  

You don't like drama? And you vote to cut jobs and resources in Congressional District 1.  What kind of drama do you think that creates? 

You don't like drama? Our residents in Iosco County may lose their financial and medical support and potentially their homes because you are voting for tax cuts for the rich.  

You apparently don't like snow either. I found this from your retirement notice:   

Closing out a 40-year career as a military aviator -- eight of them in New Orleans -- Bergman on Saturday handed command of Marine Forces Reserve to Lt. Gen. John Kelly, a father of two Marines who has served three tours in Iraq, including a stint overseeing coalition forces in Anbar province that ended in early 2008.

On Monday, Bergman said he and his wife, Cindy, know that most of their days in retirement will be spent in Louisiana. They have a home in St. Francisville, far south of their native states of Minnesota and Iowa.

"We quite honestly fell in love with New Orleans and Louisiana, " Bergman said. "Pure and simple. It's not any more complicated than that. We feel this is a community and a state that we want to be part of. And it doesn't hurt that we don't get 10 feet of snow here in the winter."

Do us a favor, Representative Bergman. Let us hire someone who actually cares about the wellbeing of her constituents, votes to keep jobs here, votes to support and aid veterans, votes to feed the hungry, clothe those in need and provide medical insurance, and lastly, votes to hold felons accountable (you know, those peaceful January 6th tourist felons). 

Please go back to Louisiana so we may have someone who loves 10 feet of snow, will show up for town halls and meetings, and actually vote in the best interests of the residents in Congressional District 1.