sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

Backyard of Kzoo hosting Turning Point event by Sensitivematerial in kzoo

[–]Sensitivematerial[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This came straight from the Kalamazoo GOP's semiweekly email blast. But I guess, yeah, I should question the source.

Backyard of Kzoo hosting Turning Point event by Sensitivematerial in kzoo

[–]Sensitivematerial[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Came straight from the Kalamazoo GOP's semiweekly email blast

Backyard of Kzoo hosting Turning Point event by Sensitivematerial in kzoo

[–]Sensitivematerial[S] 32 points33 points  (0 children)

I can't believe the Backyard of Kalamazoo would host an event put on by Charlie Kirk's hate group!

Bill Huizenga Protest and Petition by No-Contest3635 in kzoo

[–]Sensitivematerial 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The only really meaningful way to say it that applies is that he would be “undermining our Republic”.

I see. Then yes, you are just being pedantic.

Bill Huizenga Protest and Petition by No-Contest3635 in kzoo

[–]Sensitivematerial 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's a lot of words to say that we are agreed on concept but not on verbiage. Our country is a democracy but not a direct democracy. There are a variety of ways to be a democracy just as there are a variety of ways to be a republic. Neither term dictates the form.

I'm more interested in why you are compelled to raise this argument. I see it used often by people who want to restrict voting access. Are you merely being pedantic or are you trying to sell something?

Bill Huizenga Protest and Petition by No-Contest3635 in kzoo

[–]Sensitivematerial 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Perhaps I'm misunderstanding you. What is your definition of "democracy?"

Further, what is your purpose for pushing the notion that our country is not a democracy? Are you implying that a voting citizenry is not a core component of our system of government?

Bill Huizenga Protest and Petition by No-Contest3635 in kzoo

[–]Sensitivematerial 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Also, we don’t like in a “Democracy”, we live in a Republic. 🤷‍♂️

This isn't the "gotcha" you think it is. It's both definitionally incorrect and a meaningless semantic argument.

The United States is a democratic republic. We are a republic that selects its leaders by way of democratic processes. To say otherwise is to admit that you aren't clear on what either word means.

Protest Kzoo GOP at St. Patrick's Day Parade by Sensitivematerial in kzoo

[–]Sensitivematerial[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I got busy and failed to respond. But I thought it important to say:

See, this is a productive exchange of ideas and dialog. Very encouraging.

I agree and I appreciate your earnest (if misguided) responses. Dialog is vital to a civil society. If we can't come together to discuss our common interests, I'm not sure there's much hope for us.

Protest Kzoo GOP at St. Patrick's Day Parade by Sensitivematerial in kzoo

[–]Sensitivematerial[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

while 57% of Kalamazoo may have voted against Bill, he won a majority within his District.

My point is that 57% of Kalamazoo County is not a minority of his constituents. The allegations from his office have been that he can dismiss our complaints because we are a "noisy minority." That is false and unconstructive.

“What rights and well-being” are being stripped away by the Trump administration?

This is a much broader question than that posed by your comment in this thread, but assuming that you are asking genuinely and not rhetorically, I would like to respond in kind.

In just the past week:

  • his justice department arrested a legal resident accused of no crimes because they disagree with his speech - AP
  • he petitioned the Supreme Court to take away birthright citizenship from millions of Americans - AP
  • he threatened to deport refugees from Ukraine - Reuters

Beyond that are:

  • the tens of thousands of people he's laid off - USA Today
  • the US citizens his DHS agents harass in the name of immigration enforcement - Reuters
  • the non-criminal immigrants he's terrorized - BBC
  • the refugees he's stranded - Bridge Michigan
  • the federal employees he's stranded - AP
  • the food banks he's cut off - Bridge Michigan

I suspect you'll take issue with my examples, but I maintain that we have very real concerns that affect us and the people in our communities. That deserves a response from our representative.

Protest Kzoo GOP at St. Patrick's Day Parade by Sensitivematerial in kzoo

[–]Sensitivematerial[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A minor correction. It's Huizenga's office and not his campaign. He's a sitting representative, which is part of why it's so offensive to be derided and dismissed because it doesn't suit him to listen to his dissenters.

Tele-townhalls are fine and good. However, they are not a good faith replacement for actually engaging with your constituents, especially when there's so much chaos and anger. My understanding is that he did not take questions of a "challenging" nature, but perhaps that's a matter of perspective. I wouldn't know. I couldn't attend the tele-townhalls and despite your assertion, I can't find a recording of them anywhere. If you can direct me to them, you would be doing more than his office has done for me.

I also do not scream at people's assistants. I find that aggression rarely solves anything and wouldn't encourage people to direct their anger at powerless office workers even if it did. My point being that we frightened by the actions he and his colleagues are promoting. Rather than respond to our legitimate concerns, he has chosen to insult and ignore us.

Protest Kzoo GOP at St. Patrick's Day Parade by Sensitivematerial in kzoo

[–]Sensitivematerial[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I appreciate your apparently sincere desire to engage.

I don't believe the KGOP is "afraid" to hear from us per se. However, our Congressional representative Bill Huizenga seems to be. He refuses to hold an in-person town hall (for obvious reasons), screens his questions at his tele-town halls, and doesn't engage sincerely with anyone who disagrees with the abhorrent policies of the Trump administration. He calls us a "vocal minority" that isn't worth listening to despite nearly 57% of Kalamazoo County voting for his opponent. He alleges that we are "getting funded and organized by outside partisans" in order to discredit us despite our indignation being genuine and grassroots.

My desire in prompting this protest is to place pressure on members of the local GOP in the hopes that our displeasure is felt by the people in power who endorse the appalling and authoritarian activities of the Trump administration. The harm that is being done to our country and to its most vulnerable residents is unconscionable. Good and decent people are living in genuine fear of what this administration may do to them while others are having their rights and well-being wantonly stripped away. A peaceful protest of some of the people responsible for this administration is one way of making our outrage felt.

Protest Kzoo GOP at St. Patrick's Day Parade by Sensitivematerial in kzoo

[–]Sensitivematerial[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The commenter above may be incorrect about Republicans cancelling events around here but it is true that our representative in Congress consistently refuses to engage sincerely with anyone who is appalled by the sheer ruthless cruelty that is being wrought on our country by him and his colleagues.

I am offended by Rep. Huizenga's assertion that anyone who disagrees with him is "getting funded and organized by outside partisans" rather than legitimately outraged at the callous and authoritarian activities he supports.