I am a retired Alpena businessman, Korean veteran, and believer in our U.S. Constitution. Members of our Michigan Legislature must insist on an investigation of acts of fraud, proces irregularities, cheating, and intimidation during our recent election and also demand a forensic audit. If we want trust in our government, our political leaders and our judicial system, this election year disaster must never be repeated.

Our Founding Father George Mason, the real author of the U.S. Bill of Rights, refused to sign the U.S. Constitution without a Bill of Rights. He said “he’d just as soon chop off his right hand than put it to the Constitution as it now stands.” For one thing, Mason insisted, the document lacked adequate safeguards against the very government it was setting up. Such a “Bill of Rights,” he said, “would give great quiet to the people.” He could draw one up, he told the delegates sweltering inside the Pennsylvania State House (now Independence Hall) in Philadelphia and loath to spend more time debating, “in a few hours.”

Our Founding Fathers risked everything to give us the best system of government possible. We have radical groups wishing to overturn much of what our founders fought for. Where are the statepersons with gumption like George Mason, Elbridge Gerry, Edmund Randolph, and Patrick Henry?

RANDY BAUER,

Alpena