Letter: Power of the pen

I was shocked and deeply saddened to learn the Concord Monitor has decided to end its relationship with political cartoonist Mike Marland in the New Year.

Marland’s cartoons are easily the best part of the Monitor’s opinion page.

Over the years, Mike’s cartoons have made me laugh, made me cry, made me angry, made me happy – but most of all they have always made me think. Isn’t that what a newspaper opinion page wants its readers to do?

Why, as we move into the era of Donald Trump, would you make this choice? We live in a political climate where the president-elect deals with issues using 140 characters on social media. There is no better counterpoint than using a picture that is worth a thousand words.

I’m asking the Monitor’s publisher and editors to re-think this decision. Please don’t let Mr. Marland go; don’t silence his unique voice. Please don’t leave your readers without this important resource and deprive us of these cartoons in the coming year.

The pen (and picture) is mightier than the tweet; keep Mike Marland and his wonderful work.

Rep. Katherine Rogers

Concord