A conversation with U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman
Mark Constance, the owner operator of the UpNorthVoice, had a 30 minute interview with Rep. Bergman and we share that with you by clicking the link above.
What’s buried in the big beautiful (ugly) budget
The press informs us that if the House budget is passed by the Senate, it will cut funding for Medicaid, increase the national debt by trillions of dollars, and provide tax cuts that favor the wealthy. Citizens are less aware that Devious/Sneaky Don and his followers have buried in this document of over 1000 pages, provisions that strengthen the president’s power at the expense of the Judicial system. After listening to Trumps verbal attach on judges, we should not be surprised at this action.
Buried in the budget legislation is a section that will restrict the authority of the federal courts to hold government officials in Contempt of the Court if they violate judicial orders.
When a governmental official violates a court order, the federal judge who issued the ruling has a few different options to force them to comply, including holding them in contempt and issuing sanctions, fines, or even jail time until the order is followed. By restricting this authority, the House bill threatens the power of the Judicial branch, and the balance of power provided in the constitution.
The authors of the constitution believed that elected officials would respect the intent of the constitution and the judgments of the courts. They could not envision a president governing with little respect for the constitution who is supported by a US Congressman who is a blind follower. .
This provision cannot stand; it’s an attack on the rule of law and the separation of powers that underlies our democracy. No government official, including the president, should be able to simply ignore court rulings that find their actions illegal or unconstitutional.
Ask our US Congressman why he voted for this budget and this provision.
Cuts in Medicaid and the Republican lies to citizens
Representative Mike Johnson, Speaker of the US House, said in an interview that the big beautiful budget bill will not cut Medicaid. Please see his comments at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQED__IZL9c.
On June 4th, the Congressional Budget Office updated its cost estimates stating the bill would cut gross spending for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) by $863.4 billion dollars over the next 10 years.
Would somebody explain to me and our contributors why the Big Ugly Bill is not be a cut in Medicaid. Our congressman should have answers, he voted for this bill.
Also, please ask him how many citizens in his congressional district will lose health insurance under this bill and what the impact will be on health care facilities. The contributors to this page doubt he will answer this question.
Residency of our US Congressman
The U.S. Constitution sets basic age and residency rules for House members. The founders intended the "House" to represent people from all backgrounds. The Constitution states: a Representative must be at least 25 years old, a citizen for seven years, and live in the state they represent.
Our congressman's residency has been questioned. Since 2020, he claims to live at N3465 Sylvan Isle Drive, Watersmeet, Michigan. Source, https://www.miningjournal.net/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/2020/11/rep-address-questioned/
Its interesting, Google Maps do not reach this address. See below.
Reports indicate this road isn't maintained from Labor Day to May, and during this time, his mail is sent to 13729 Oakley Lane, Saint Francisville, Louisiana. Congressman, since you must also stay in Washington, D.C. during sessions, and you have an address in Louisiana, we want to know how much time you spend in Michigan each year, and how you’re connecting with the citizens you represent.
Our US Congressman’s voting record for health care
HR 3799 2023-2024 Choice Arrangement Act: The congressman voted wrong on this Act, which weakens rules for association health plans. This allows employers to create plans that do not offer essential health benefits.
HR 2811 2023-2024 Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023: The congressman made the wrong choice by supporting this bill that cuts domestic spending by $144 billion, affecting important programs by up to 22%. These cuts threaten Medicaid for 10 million low-income Americans, take away food assistance for countless families, and stop debt relief for 40 million student borrowers. The plan also risks funding for veterans' healthcare, clean energy projects, COVID-19 vaccines, and public transit.
HR 8296 2022, Women’s Health Protection Act: The congressman voted wrong on this bill that would stop governments from placing restrictions on abortion services. It would ensure providers can prescribe necessary medications, offer telemedicine services, and provide immediate care when delays could harm patients’ health.
Our conclusion, our US Congressman is voting consistently with the Republican Party, disregarding the wishes and needs of the citizens he represents. What are your thoughts?
Source, https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/3799
Source, https://justfacts.votesmart.org/bill/39175/106638/170172/establishing-the-congressional-budget-for-the-united-states-government-for-fiscal-year-2025-and-setting-forth-the-appropriate-budgetary-levels-for-fiscal-years-2026-through-2034#106638
Our US Congressman, AWOL at town hall meetings
The last town hall meeting with our US Congressman was on April 19 and 20, 2017, during his first term in office. Local media described the crowds as “tough.” Attendees couldn’t ask their own questions; they were chosen by someone else. Our Congressman hasn't held an open town hall meeting in the 1st Congressional District since then.
Is this the kind of Congressman we want?
USDA, Economic Research Service (ERS) April 2025 Forecast
In 2025, overall food prices are anticipated to rise slightly faster than the historical average rate of growth. In 2025, prices for all food are predicted to increase 3.5 percent, with a prediction interval of 1.9 to 5.1 percent. Food-at-home prices are predicted to increase 3.2 percent, with a prediction interval of 0.9 to 5.7 percent. Food-away-from-home prices are predicted to increase 3.8 percent, with a prediction interval of 2.8 to 4.7 percent.
REMINDER, OUR US CONGRESSMAN IS AN ELECTION DENIER
Our US Congressman joined 146 other Republicans in the US House to refuse to certify the election of President Biden.
On Dec. 10, 2020, our US Congressman signed an amicus brief in a Texas lawsuit urging the US Supreme Court to overturn the results of the election in four states, including Michigan.
Both of these actions rejected the ability of our fellow Michiganders to be honest election judges. Our US Congressman was willing to discard our votes to support Donald Trump. How distasteful.
According to Republicans there are large numbers of non-citizens illegally voting!
There is an idea loose around this land that a large number of non-citizens vote in federal elections. The story is continually reinforced by President Trump and his fellow Republicans, they offer no proof, but they are relentless in telling the same alarming story. Don’t you know, elections are rigged
Democrats ask this question of Republicans, what have you personally seen to document that a non-citizen has illegally voted? Please describe a person or an incident. Democrats are critical thinkers, we want proof of the allegations, not more glittering generalities and unadulterated you know what.
There is no evidence to support claims that large numbers of noncitizens have voted in past elections or are registering to vote. In fact, the name of everyone who registers to vote in an election is a public record, it’s easy to check names. We have honest civic minded election judges, sometimes our neighbors, who guard the integrity of our elections.
Democrats know this nonsense is another Republican storyline providing them a reason to enact voter suppression laws and give them an advantage at the polls.
Here we go again, voter suppression laws
Republican lawmakers, including our US Congressman, often try to pass laws that make it harder for people to vote, which helps them win elections.
Here are some facts about the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE ACT) also called HR 22 that you should know about.
The US House has voted to pass the SAVE Act, and it was received by the US Senate on April 10, 2025. While it has not been acted on by the Senate, Democrats are concerned.
The core requirement of the Act is that individuals must be present, IN-PERSON, to register to vote with some form of documentation of citizenship possibly including a passport, official birth certificate, Real ID compliant driver’s license, military ID or others specified by each state.
If enacted, every eligible voter could be burdened by the SAVE Act when they update or change their voter registration information because of a change in their life. For example, women who change their names or when we move our residence.
To register to vote in Michigan, you must be: A U.S. citizen (we are required to sign a statement under the threat of perjury), at least 16 years old to pre-register and at least 17.5 years old to register (must be 18 years old by Election Day to vote), a Michigan resident for at least 30 days by Election Day and not currently serving a sentence in jail or prison. Michigan laws state that only a U.S. citizens can legally vote in Michigan.
This bill, aimed at "securing our elections," actually makes it harder for eligible Americans to register and vote. State election officials already have systems to check voter eligibility and keep voter rolls accurate. The bill's requirement to prove citizenship for voter registration is not needed. It only adds another hurdle to voting since many eligible voters struggle to obtain the necessary documents.
You guessed it, our US Congressman voted on the wrong side for the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act which if passed by the senate and signed by President Trump will make it more time consuming and sometimes more expensive to register to vote.
THE LEADERSHIP STYLE OF AUTHORITARIANS AND DICTATORS
Authoritarian leaders prioritize strong, centralized control, expecting unquestioning loyalty and action that supports their beliefs and ego. They reward loyalty and manipulate communications to maintain power.
Authoritarian and dictator leaders:
Make decisions on their own, often to protect their ego or to satisfy past personal grievances, and sometimes with input from loyal followers
Attempt to punish those who do not comply with or challenge their statements, beliefs, wishes and actions
Reward loyal supporters and publicly praise those to enact their orders and wishes
Actively try to silence opposition with threats and bullying to limit freedom of expression
Use various methods, including propaganda, intimidation, and misinformation, to control the message of media outlets, engage their loyal followers, and limit criticism
Take action that undermines independent institutions that have in the past distributed power among government
Deny accusations that challenge their decision-making authority
Create scapegoats of general populations of people to create division among groups, create mistrust and distract from their own actions
Disregard court orders, attack judges, and abuse executive power
Blame others for their problems detracting from their own shortcomings
Attempt to label others with negative terms or descriptions
Live in a self-centered world, critical of others who have not had the advantages they have had.
Your thoughts please. Edits are invited and welcome.