Here are this week’s letters to the editor of the Oshkosh Northwestern. See our letters policy below for details about how to share your views.
Islam’s view of innate moral nature
How do different faiths explain the idea of an innate human moral nature — such as conscience, empathy, and a sense of right and wrong — as a natural, inborn guiding disposition present in all humans from birth?
Various faiths interpret innate human moral nature as an inborn spiritual awareness placed within every person from birth. This inner disposition includes conscience, empathy, compassion, wisdom, and a natural sense of right and wrong that guide humanity toward truth, righteousness, ethical awakening and spiritual growth. It is understood as a God-given inner moral law directing people toward purity, justice and a living relationship with God.
In “The Essence of Islam” by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the Holy Quran is presented as the perfect and living book whose purpose is to reform mankind, remove sin and establish certainty, purity and spiritual life. It is described as a divine light, the straight path, the touchstone of truth and the bright lamp that distinguishes truth from falsehood while freeing the heart from worldly passions. Through its teachings, people gain recognition of God, develop love and devotion for Him, and attain inner peace and salvation.
The Holy Quran is further called the “water of life,” containing unlimited treasures of wisdom and spiritual insights unfolding in every age. Its beauty, perfection, universality and uniqueness restore the unity of God and remove misconceptions and errors. Through revelation, acceptance of prayer and spiritual blessings, it creates a living connection between God and humanity, producing righteousness, trust in God and high moral qualities.
Javaid Mirza
Oshkosh
Why I voted ‘No’
I support lowering property taxes, strengthening public schools and increasing special education funding. My record validates that. So why did I vote “No” on a deal cut between Gov. Evers and Republican leaders? Because as someone with a career in finance, I wasn’t comfortable taking a projected surplus and creating a $2.95 billion deficit.
According to the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau, the deal would have created a $2.95 billion structural deficit by the end of the 2027-29 biennium. If it had passed, Wisconsin would have needed a 4% growth in tax revenue to break even. The growth in tax revenue for the 2023-24 biennium was 1.7%, and 2.07% for the biennium prior. Since 4% growth seems unlikely, that means we would have needed to raise taxes.
On the surface, this deal looks good. But the devil’s in the details, and ultimately it didn’t provide enough sustainable investment or long-term relief to your home budget to justify the serious fiscal problems it would have created down the road.
I voted no because Wisconsin must budget responsibly to sustainably support schools, lower costs for working families and protect critical services without creating deficits that future taxpayers will have to pay. Our work is not done, and I’m committed to continuing to work with all my colleagues to find pragmatic and sustainable ways to lower costs at your kitchen table and create a sustainable plan for school funding that puts less pressure on your property tax bill.
Kristin Dassler-Alfheim
State Senator, District 18
Concerns about Social Security’s finances and accountability
Social Security was created in 1935 to protect elderly Americans from poverty. For generations, it succeeded. Today, the system faces serious financial and administrative problems that deserve honest public attention.
Since the late 1960s, Congress has borrowed Social Security money for pet spending and replaced it with IOUs. It’s time to call in those IOUs. The American people deserve repayment, transparency and accountability for every dollar taken.
Experts warn that Social Security’s trust funds could face depletion within the next decade unless reforms are made. If that happens, benefits may automatically be reduced by roughly 20% to 25%. For millions of retirees already struggling with inflation, health care costs and rising living expenses, such cuts would be devastating.
Reports continue surfacing about billions of dollars in improper payments, outdated records and fraud concerns. Official audits have confirmed that the system still contains millions of inaccurate or unresolved records, including active Social Security numbers connected to impossibly old ages. Americans have every right to ask how a program handling more than a trillion dollars annually can still struggle with basic accountability.
The larger issue is trust. Workers spend their entire careers paying into Social Security with the expectation that the system will be there when they retire. Younger generations increasingly doubt that promise.
Congress must stop avoiding the problem. Whether the solution involves raising taxes, adjusting benefits, increasing the retirement age or reforming how the system is managed, action is needed now. Americans deserve transparency, honesty and a serious plan before automatic cuts become reality.
Peter Stueber
Oshkosh
Concerns about hunger, food aid and federal funding priorities
Ask U.S. senators Tammy Baldwin and Ron Johnson to make ending hunger a priority by restoring cuts to SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and WIC (the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children); by fully funding global food, health and development programs; and by passing a strong bipartisan Farm Bill that supports families, farmers and communities. These proven programs have operated for decades. The claim of fraud needs to stop.
Hunger is rising in the U.S. and around the world, leaving children and families at risk. Cuts to SNAP and international assistance have already affected millions of people.
I volunteer at a food pantry. There are often limits on what people can get because supplies are limited. We, along with other pantries, are already at maximum capacity. The looming Oct. 1, 2026, cuts to SNAP cannot be covered by pantries. More than 50% of people helped at Wisconsin pantries are children and older adults. Most households have someone working, but at wages that cannot be stretched any further.
But hunger is not inevitable. It is a reflection of our priorities and policy choices. We can and must do better. The cruelty of the H.R. 1 bill passed by Congress a few months ago is staggering, and the hunger crisis is one example. Wisconsin counties will have to absorb more costs.
Reduce hunger by restoring SNAP and WIC funds instead of spending $1 billion a day on the Iran War.
Deb Martin
Oshkosh
Concerns about Islamophobia and anti-Muslim violence
On May 18, two teenage gunmen opened fire at the Islamic Center of San Diego, killing three Muslim community members.
With Islamophobia on the rise, it makes one wonder how persistent negative portrayals of Muslims in the media, rising bigotry and hate speech contribute to these avoidable tragedies by reinforcing harmful stereotypes and deepening societal divide.
These kinds of representations narrow people’s ability to recognize a clear and universal truth: every society contains both good and bad people. No religion or race can be defined by the actions of a few.
The Holy Qur’an emphasizes the sanctity of human life, stating: “whosoever killed a person … it shall be as if he had killed all mankind; and whoso gave life to one, it shall be as if he had given life to all mankind” (5:33). This teaching reflects the value Islam places on compassion, justice and the protection of innocent life.
As we mourn the loss of innocent lives, we should also remember that ignorant generalizations about any group only perpetuate more division, hatred and violence.
By promoting understanding and empathy and community dialogue, we can work toward a more inclusive and progressive society.
As an Ahmadi Muslim member of the Oshkosh community, I wish for safety and peace for us all, be it at our mosques, churches, schools or homes.
Fateha Khalood
Oshkosh
Our letters policy
Letters to the editor are published in the order in which they are received and letter-writers are limited to having one letter published per month. Letters can be emailed to oshkoshnews@thenorthwestern.com and Editor Brandon Reid at breid@usatodayco.com. Letters must meet specific guidelines, including being no more than 250 words and be from local authors or on topics of local interest. All submissions must include the name of the person who wrote the letter, their city of residence and a contact phone number. Letters are edited as needed for style, grammar, length, fairness, accuracy and libel.
This article originally appeared on Oshkosh Northwestern: Oshkosh letters cover Islam, taxes and federal funding
Reporting by Oshkosh Northwestern / Oshkosh Northwestern
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By Oshkosh Northwestern | USA TODAY Network
