From the beginning of April until mid-June, I have been keeping track of mailings I have received. As of June 17, 79 pieces of literature have been delivered to my home. One day alone brought 15 letters, petitions, polls, etc. I tried to return them with no luck. Then I began sending letters back, requesting my name be taken off their mailing list. This has made no difference; I continue to receive mail from various agencies.
My concern is that the amount of paper, favors (I never contribute to an organization which sends unsolicited gifts such as address labels, bags, nickels, calendars, crucifixes, magnets, note paper, stickers, pens, etc.) and postage could make a big difference for the cause they are representing. In addition to the cost, I feel for the poor postal deliverer who has to lug around all that unnecessary mailing which will end up in a landfill. I also resent the amount of time I spend filtering through my daily mail.
If anyone has a solution, I would be very interested in hearing from them. This has to be a problem for others as well as myself.
Rebecca Smith
Mishawaka
Our heritage
Most of us descend from murderous barbarians. It wasn’t our choice. It’s not our fault. But it remains our heritage.
Consider what people needed in order to survive in a barbaric world where genocidal enemies were a constant threat.
1. Unquestioning, unshakeable tribal loyalty.2. Blind loyalty to a strong leader.3. Hatred of anyone who threatens social cohesion by failing to conform to tribal norms.4. Instinctive fear and hatred of outsiders.5. Hair trigger rage and violence directed toward all perceived threats.6. Lack of empathy for perceived enemies.7. Dehumanization and demonization of perceived enemies.8. Reliance on quick action, and contempt for calm analysis and discussion.
Today we are facing issues that involve more than disagreements over political philosophy. We are confronted with a collection of adaptations that were necessary for survival in a long, brutal period of our history.
Today’s Republican policies are well adapted to our barbarian past, but maladapted to a modern civilized society.
Dave Coyne
Goshen
No thanks
I find myself angry over the “Big Ugly Bill.” It is the most immoral bill I have ever seen.
The Republicans have given up one of their best leadership platforms: fiscal conservativism. This bill increases the debt by nearly $3.4 trillion. Add the $7.8 trillion over Trump’s first administration, it appears Republicans are fiscal conservatists in name only.
Republicans cradle the wealthy, while having a distain for the poor, with the top 1% receiving a $1 trillion tax break. The Republicans cheered the bill in which 11.8 million Americans could lose health care, 18 million kids could lose school meals, 3 million Americans could lose food assistance. It will force rural hospitals to drastically scale back services or close. Nearly 600 nursing homes nationwide are at a high risk of closing due to the bill’s Medicaid cuts, per researchers at Brown University’s School of Public Health. The Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics project that the bill’s Medicaid cuts, shortened Affordable Care Act enrollment windows, and new admin hurdles could increase the nation’s uninsured population by 60% and could result in more than 51,000 preventable deaths each year.
The Republican Congress seem proud of what they have accomplished. No thanks.
Darrell Chalstrom
Mishawaka
Raise your hand
As clean, affordable energy spreads across Indiana, we need to make sure that local voices help guide how and where those investments land. That’s why Solar Opportunities Indiana has launched a resident-led advisory board to ensure hard-working Hoosiers shape the future of solar in their communities.
Solar Opportunities Indiana is a coalition of municipalities, advocacy organizations, faith-based groups, educational institutions and renewable energy experts working together to deliver equitable solar access and workforce development throughout Indiana.
You don’t need to be an energy expert to join the board. We’re looking for Hoosiers who want to reduce energy costs and represent their neighbors to help ensure the investments made through Solar Opportunities Indiana truly benefit their communities.
Board members will meet regularly, receive training and support and earn a modest stipend for their time and travel. Most importantly, they’ll have a seat at the table as SOI builds out a more fair, affordable energy future through community and residential solar projects in South Bend.
If you or someone you know is passionate about your community, please raise your hand. Details are available on the Solar Opportunities Indiana website.
Let’s make sure the transition to clean energy in South Bend includes everyone and the benefits reach those who most need support.
Alison Becker
Program director, Solar Opportunities Indiana
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Anyone else receiving a ton of unwanted mail? | Letters
Reporting by Letters to the Editor / South Bend Tribune
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