Voice: John P. Camilli, Burton In response to the March 14 letter from Bob Milne of Lapeer, “Health insurance reform is a short-sighted, stupid blunder”:  Last year I spent 24 percent of our family income in health insurance premiums, and face even higher expenses because of rate increases in 2010. I am not alone when I say that if... Full story »

Voice: Tony Wiedbrauk, Frankenmuth Rep. Dale Kildee should please explain why he favors a bill rejected by most Americans! Other than returning inane talking points, he has not answered my repeated questions over the last several months why he finds the following Obamacare flaws acceptable: • The Congressional Budget Office estimates the Senate bill will cost $1 trillion over... Full story »

Voice: Earl Hagen, Grand Blanc In the year 1787, a Scottish history professor at the University of Edinburgh by the name of Alexander Tyler was studying “The Fall of The Athenian Republic,” which occurred some 2,000 years earlier, as well as the rise and fall of numerous other historical governments during that 2,000-year span of time. The year 1787... Full story »

Voice: Paul G. Connors, Flushing It’s been almost two years since Flushing Floor Covering at the corner of Main and Maple streets caught fire. Since then the former Cronk Opera House has been boarded up and has become a depressing symbol of encroaching blight.  What is the Flushing City Council’s plan for this prime piece of real estate? Does... Full story »

Voice: William Robinson, Flint I’m deeply concerned about the city of Flint. As a 12-year-old, I’m concerned about the may lives we will lose in fires if the firemen are layed off. I’m deeply concerned about the safety of lives if the policemen are layed off. My suggestion to our mayor is to make cuts somewhere else. The police... Full story »

Voice: Roger Wiles, Linden America, home of the free and the brave. What a joke. We are not free when half of our wages are taken from us by taxation, and legislation continues to take away our freedoms by restricting nearly every activity of our lives from birth ’til death and beyond. It should be no surprise that our... Full story »

Voice: Robert J. Simpson, Flint Township On the 10th anniversary of Kayla Rollands’ death, The Flint Journal revisited the event.  There is a trend in the media that seems to get stronger over the years until it has pretty much become a pandemic. Writers take their reaction or take our gut feeling on a subject and toss it out... Full story »

Voice: Earvin Burnom, Grand Blanc  We need a third party consisting of Republicans, Democrats, Independents, Tea Party, Coffee Party and all interested in building a Washington, D.C., that works for all Americans.  We didn’t hire the politicians to work for the lobbyists. We have unworthy politicians in both parties. So let’s organize “The American Party” and clean up the... Full story »

Voice: D. Jankowiak, Burton I have lived very near Flint’s Kearsley Park Golf Course for more than 20 years, and I know many golfers who have used this course for 40-50 years.  I don’t think it is a good idea to close it, because if it closes, and if it ever reopens, it will need major work to make... Full story »

Voice: Douglas White, Grand Blanc How sad that democracy (rule of the many) no longer exists.  We live in an oligarchy (rule of the few).  The vast majority of Americans are against health care reform, but our elected officials won’t listen to us.  After health care reform passes, it’s going to be interesting how Americans will react to rationing... Full story »

LINNELL JONES McKENNEY FOR THE FLINT JOURNAL March Madness will take place here in Flint, just like it is happening all across the country. Except, it will take place in smaller bodies for the purpose of fun and developmental skills. It is called “Miniature March Madness.” And it will take place this Saturday, March 20, at Kettering University from... Full story »

Voice: Marian Agree, Grand Blanc I don’t feel in the least bit sorry for the two boys who were given life sentences for killing two homeless men in a three-day spree. If killing gives someone such great pleasure, they aren’t, in my opinion, decent human beings. They deserve their sentences. Let them rot in prison. And when, oh, when,... Full story »

Voice: Dorothy M. Cross, Flint Smart move, union rep. You want to sue the city. That means more layoffs for the police department.  Are you working for them or for your own paycheck?  Better to have them take 12 days without pay. You and other political officials are what have ruined this city.  Think about it, rep.  Full story »

Voice: Corin Cody, Flint The United States consistently ranks below other developed nations in terms of health care cost, access, delivery and results. The only considerable difference between the U.S. health care system and the systems of those countries is that those countries have universal coverage. Republicans will not hear of it. So I ask, who are the ideologues... Full story »

Voice: Carrol Ruff-Gilbert, Fenton In regard to the city council not wanting to raise the health insurance cost for non-union employees who haven’t had wage increases or bonus that other employees have: I am non-union (have a college degree) haven’t had a raise in over two years, have had my hours cut, have had to take days off because... Full story »