To the editor: Horace Mann, “Father of Education,” believed that education should be available to all children, free of charge, and funded by the state. Now, in 2024, a goal of the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025’s is to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, a vow Donald Trump has repeated over and over on the campaign trail. Presently, 90% of children living in the United States go to public schools.

To the editor: America has been referred to as “the world’s greatest democracy.” In recent years, however, there has been an undermining in the confidence in American democracy. Donald Trump didn’t invent the Republican tactic of using racial and religious bigotry to win elections.

To the editor: I am a 70-year-old U.S. Navy submarine veteran who proudly served during the Vietnam War. Normally, I stay away from politics because I’ve seen that too often it serves to divide people instead of bringing them together.

To the editor: Not having gone to our Shawano County Fair for a number of years since the COVID, it was time to return and enjoy all the festivities and participate. It was an outstanding year, the weather was great, and all areas were well attended. Thanks to all the people who make it all happen — visitors, doers and entrants. I appreciated all the many events, animals (especially horses), people, friends you run into, etc.

To the editor: Now that the political conventions are over, it’s time to get serious about how to vote. I hope you will read on so I can help you understand why you should vote for your own interests. I am retired from teaching economics for Northeast Wisconsin Technical College.

To the editor: What motivates someone to be pro-life or in favor of easy access to abortion? Most of the pro-life people simply don’t want innocent people to be killed. What motivates pro-abortion people was more of a mystery. Some of them profit financially and some feel they will benefit politically, but most pro-abortion people aren’t affected by either of these issues.