Page 30 - Flathead Beacon // 11.23.16

LIKE I WAS SAYING 32 DRAWING BOARD 33 Viewpoints
LETTERS
Free Fannie and Save the Dream
The time has come for President Barack Obama to release the govern- ment-sponsored enterprises from a debilitating “conservatorship” and end the “pro t sweep” which is an uncon- stitutional, de facto, nationalization of two private corporations. It is the last major un nished piece of business from the 2008 recession. Obama has claimed that he rescued the nancial sector, and the auto industry. Now he must release Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to save the housing industry and the American dream of homeownership.
Homeownership is at its lowest level since 1965. For many in the mid- dle-class, owning a home is one of the few ways to begin to acquire some mea- sure of wealth and security. Since the Great Depression, Fannie Mae has made home ownership a ordable for millions of Americans. Fannie and Freddie have also served the greater good with their a ordable housing initiatives.
Obama’s term is nearing its end. Within months, the Republicans will control all three branches of govern- ment. Many Republican politicians dis- like the GSEs’ a ordable housing ini- tiatives, which are vital to struggling Americans. If the president takes action now, the GSEs (which have helped Americans and the American economy since the New Deal) can be restored to full vitality. If not, then their fate will be left in the hands of President-elect Don- ald Trump.
It is rumored that the Trump admin- istration may be sensitive to the legiti- mate claims of the GSE sharehold- ers whose property has been illegally taken. Perhaps Trump will release the GSEs, or perhaps, he will just dismantle the GSEs, and in the process, disman- tle the dreams of so many Americans. Obama must take action now in order to insure the future of the GSEs and the middle-class. If Obama frees the GSEs, then his legacy can include: “Saved the American Dream.”
Link Neimark White sh
Respect Di ering Opinions
What is it about human nature that makes seemingly rational loving people do and say horrible things in defense of their opinion? If my opinion is di er- ent than yours that does not make my opinion right and yours wrong ... it’s an opinion!
In my humble opinion, Donald Trump will not be a good president. Let me be perfectly clear here, by ques- tioning his leadership ability I am by no means insinuating (as those reading this may assume) that I believe Hillary Clin- ton would have made a good president; she is, in my humble opinion, equally as bad. It boggles my mind that with over 350 million people in this country these are the two best people we could come up with to choose between for the leader of our country. I, in good conscience, could not, and did not, vote for either of these candidates.
If you disagree with my opinion, that is your right, however it does not give you the right to attack me and assume that I have not done my homework or that there is something wrong with my mental faculties. Don’t assume that because I don’t like Trump that I am a liberal left-wing Clinton supporter and don’t assume that because I don’t like Clinton that I am a conservative right- wing Trump supporter. I am an intelli- gent, educated voter who looks at each issue and candidate and votes for or against based on the issues, not party lines. Before this year’s election I spent several weeks researching candidates and issues, as I believe making an edu- cated vote is way more important than actually voting.
I hope that I am wrong about Trump; I hope our country does great things in the next four years. Your opinion may be that under Trump we will thrive, my opinion is that we will not, but the only real judge will be time. Time is the only one that has an opinion that really counts.
If you agree with what I have writ- ten, fantastic, if you don’t agree, again, fantastic. We are all di erent and all of us see things from our own unique perspective, but if you don’t agree with me, be mature enough to enter in ratio- nal debate rather than comments lled with slander and insults. I realize we as humans are passionate, and there is nothing more polarizing than race, religion or politics, but that does not mean our passionate pursuit of what we believe has to come at the expense of common courtesy and respect for those who disagree with us.
Day Scovel Kalispell
‘God’s Ten Commandments’ Road Signs Only Half the Story
After the awe-inspiring views, one of the rst things a visitor to the Flat- head will notice is the numerous “God’s Ten Commandments” signs along road- sides. As someone who grew up attend- ing a Baptist church, I agree that the 10 Commandments are the backbone of Western Civilization and our legal sys- tem. Period.
However, standing there in isola- tion, these signs are only half the story of Christianity, which needs to include Jesus Christ’s message of compassion and salvation. Christianity is much more than a list of ancient “thou shalt nots.” And as hate and vitriol dominate our discourse, we need to be reminded of this now more than ever.
Jesus was many great things. Jesus spoke truth to power and he ques- tioned materialism as an impediment to spiritual growth. Certainly, those two aspects of Jesus’ teachings are needed in our society today.
But above all else, Jesus preached expansion of empathy to those other- wise excluded. This is the central tenant of Jesus’ teachings. Jesus’ actions and teachings showed that he was a cham- pion of the poor, the outcasts, and the weak. He preached compassion for “the other” in his account of the Good Samaritan. He showed love towards the unlovable, the lepers, the tax col- lectors, the prostitutes, and even those who showed him ill-intent. And, he com- manded his followers to do the same.
When I read the Beatitudes, the Ser- mon on the Mount, and then I look at our society today, I see a huge, ugly contra- diction that we must address. How can some call us a “Christian Nation” if so many embrace ethno-nationalism and express open hatred towards minori- ties? There is nothing more un-Chris- tian and un-American. If Jesus com- manded his followers to love their neighbors – and even their enemies – where is that love?
This is something that can bring our nation back together. Thomas Je er- son, one of the biggest proponents of “a wall of separation” between church and state, recognized this centuries ago and even wrote a book about the unique moral teachings of Jesus. What we have here is a moral message that is needed now more than ever. Let’s put the Beat- itudes on a road sign, and practice what Jesus actually preached.
Bjorn Beer Kalispell
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NOVEMBER 23, 2016 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM
LETTERS
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