To the editor: As citizens of the United States, we benefit from many freedoms including freedom of speech, the right to bear arms, the right to vote for officials, etc. We receive many benefits — water, roads, health care, military and police, environmental protection, unemployment, and many others. As citizens we have responsibilities, too. No, not just taxes. We are responsible to protect our world and the people who surround us.

To the editor: The late and venerable John Lewis stated that, for America to attain its goal of full equality and opportunity, people of moral foundation must continue to cause and get into “good trouble.” Now, because of explicit words and actions of leaders such as Ron Johnson and the spineless complicity of leaders such as Mike Gallagher, our state and country is entering a new era of Jim Crow.

To the editor: Based on certain events of the past year including the infamous George Floyd affair, it has become increasingly embarrassing for me to be a White man in America. I have put a considerable effort into learning more about how deeply racism is ingrained in our society. I have come to agree that racism is systemic and that each White American bears a portion of the collective responsibility. Let me give a personal example.

To the editor: Gentlemen, to your corners. In child-rearing terminology, I used to refer to this as a necessary “time out.” Joe Miller’s query about whether Sheriff Adam Bieber was in attendance at the Jan. 6 insurrection was needless energy spent.

To the editor: The Wisconsin legislature is currently considering a bill that would give local governments the option to stop publishing a summary of their actions in your newspaper. Senate Bill 55 would allow local municipalities to post meeting minutes on their websites instead. This is bad public policy under the guise of cost savings that would create considerable disruption for government transparency.

To the editor: The city of Shawano’s tax levy of $14.3 million will not only strengthen the protection within the schools and community, but also be a tremendous developmental change with the heavily awaited plaza project and public works upgrades waiting to take place. The public safety budget increase as stated in the news article is, “a good tradeoff” due to the city only paying for 30% of the expenses for the new school resource officer, whil