Published in the Midland Daily News:
October 21, 2026 | Midland Daily News (MI)
339 Words | Readability: Lexile: 1090, grade level(s): 8 9
TO THE EDITOR:
On Saturday afternoon I had the opportunity to hear U.S. Senate Candidate Dr. Abdul El-Sayed at the "Shouldn't Be This Hard Town Hall" in Midland at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Midland.
I was uplifted by the energy in the room.
El-Sayed's message was hopeful. One thing that struck me was that in response to an audience question from a parent concerned about college affordability, El-Sayed talked about building a world together where young people would be excited about their futures. This is a stark contrast from ICE raids and wars that are costly to our mental energy and the governmental budgets, not to mention the individuals directly affected by these policies.
Instead of costly policies to preserve a flawed past remembered in nostalgic terms, El-Sayed is looking toward the future and taking action to improve people's lives. This shift from past to future is energizing. It makes me feel like in America, anything is possible again.
I think this is largely due to Abdul's promise not to accept money from corporations or PACs like AIPAC. By getting money out of politics, El-Sayed is freed up to do what is good for Michiganders rather than campaign donors. The French philosopher Jacques Derrida said that there is no such thing as a gift. According to Derrida, a gift is a paradox because it is expected to be reciprocated. I think this is true.
When politicians take money from special interests they might say that they think independently, but human nature makes them beholden to them. I'm excited to think about a future not of funding weapons in the Middle East but investing in schools and hospitals right here in Michigan. Abdul's support of Medicare would be both good for the economy and the ethical thing to do.
Working together to solve problems and investing in infrastructure for the future are American values. I would like to see this championed by politicians more often, so it was refreshing to hear Abdul speak in Midland.
Let's vote on Nov. 3 to invest in Michigan's future.
EMMA JOHNSON
Midland
