Opinions: Letters about Derrick Van Orden’s temper and Bryan Steil putting healthcare providers at risk of prosecution

A sample of reader opinions sent to us in the closing weeks of the campaign.

Letter to the Editor: Van Orden’s Temper Tantrums Hurt Our Kids

As a teacher with 26 years of experience in La Crosse, I’ve dedicated my life to shaping young minds, teaching not just academics, but also the values of respect, empathy, and responsibility. It pains me to see my own representative in Congress, Derrick Van Orden, displaying none of those qualities, instead becoming notorious for his bullying behavior and volatile temper — often teenagers. 

Van Orden’s name has quickly become synonymous with intimidating young people. Just last year, he made national headlines after screaming and cursing at teenage Senate pages in the U.S. Capitol. Instead of showing remorse, he doubled down, calling the teens “disrespectful.” I have spent nearly three decades working with young people, and I know that guiding them requires patience and understanding — something Van Orden lacks completely.

And this isn’t an isolated incident. In my home state of Wisconsin, Van Orden reportedly became “aggressive” with a teenage library worker over a book display, escalating the situation to the point of being labeled “threatening.” These temper tantrums aren’t just a poor reflection on Van Orden’s character; they send a terrible message to the very people my fellow educators and I work so hard to inspire. 

Van Orden’s behavior also extends beyond children. Earlier this year, he disrupted the State of the Union Address, shouting “lies!” — not in defense of facts, but of former President Trump, a man with his own long list of legal troubles. He even yelled at White House officials during a national security briefing. This pattern shows Van Orden’s inability to handle the pressure and responsibility of his office.

As an educator, I believe in setting a positive example for the next generation. Van Orden’s behavior shows he’s unfit to serve as a representative for our community, much less a role model for our kids.

John Havlicek

La Crosse, Wisconsin

Letter to the Editor: Rep. Bryan Steil Puts Medical Professionals in Danger

With 21 years of experience in healthcare, I’ve dedicated my career to saving lives and providing compassionate care to my patients. But Rep. Bryan Steil’s record on reproductive healthcare has put professionals like me in impossible situations.

Steil’s role in signing an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade is just one example of how he has jeopardized our ability to practice medicine safely. When Roe was overturned, Steil celebrated the decision as a “great victory,” despite it leading to Wisconsin’s 174-year-old abortion ban going into effect. For more than a year, almost all abortions were outlawed in our state, even when women’s lives were at risk. Steil could have acted to restore the reproductive rights of his constituents, but instead, he voted twice against codifying Roe v. Wade.

Steil has consistently voted to restrict abortion access across the country, including punishing doctors who provide necessary care and even spreading misinformation to pregnant women using federal funds. His actions have targeted the healthcare of women in the military and restricted access to safe and effective medications like mifepristone, making it harder for medical professionals to deliver the care our patients need.

I chose to become a nurse to help people, not to be threatened with prosecution for providing the best medical care possible. Bryan Steil’s dangerous record makes it harder for us to do our jobs, and it’s time we hold him accountable.

Mrs. Coleman

Nurse, Racine, WI