Category: Letters to the Editor

U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen and judicial nominations

I was left agape with incredulity by U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen’s Aug. 25 commentary criticizing Minnesota’s U.S. senators for delaying Justice David Stras’ nomination to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. Paulsen complains that “[s]talling Stras’ nomination is the latest example of partisan game-playing in Washington” and urges Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken “to end their obstructionism and allow [the] nomination to proceed for a confirmation hearing and vote.”

If Paulsen believes this is the “latest” example, I anxiously await his upcoming op-ed piece excoriating the Republican Senate majority for the “greatest” example of partisan game-playing in Washington: the failure to hold a hearing or vote on Merrick Garland’s nomination to the Supreme Court. Garland is a judicial moderate (unlike Stras) and undeniably qualified. Continue reading “U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen and judicial nominations”

The public doesn’t trust the president

I have seen enough of Donald Trump.  He is a threat to democracy, common decency and perhaps even humanity.

After his election, as a good citizen, I felt he deserved a chance.  We need to have faith in the American people.  Trump did win the Rust Belt swing states.

You cannot believe everything politicians say to win votes, and I thought his appalling words in the Republican primary elections were, perhaps, to distance himself from his liberal New York roots. Continue reading “The public doesn’t trust the president”

It’s imperative to invoke the 25th amendment

The following commentary by Peter Dorsen was printed in the Eden Prairie News August 24, 2017:

The 25th Amendment to the United States Constitution deals with succession to the presidency and establishes procedures both for filling a vacancy in the office of the vice president as well as responding to presidential disabilities.

As I have analyzed in a previous commentary titled “A Responsible President,” Donald Trump has clearly demonstrated mental illness:  paranoia and narcissism.  It is time for all members of Congress to cross the aisle and implement the applicable substance of the 25th Amendment to our Constitution. Continue reading “It’s imperative to invoke the 25th amendment”

Federal Taxes: Paulsen ‘touts plan’? Where are the details?

Re: Friday’s subhead “Minnesota Republican touts plan …” — that is, a plan to lower and simplify taxes. What? Where’s the plan? I read the article twice and saw absolutely no detail, none. Sure, there were some vague suggestions, but no plan (“Paulsen pitches lowering, simplifying taxes,” Aug. 18).

What I saw was the Star Tribune running a PR piece for Paulsen. Where are the details? Where is the plan the subhead promised?

We end up with nothing. Come back with a real story when he tells us specifically what he’ll do. Stop being a shill for our elected officials with notions, wishes, slogans, and bumper-sticker sayings.

Without breaking a sweat or doing what the headline implied, Paulsen got what he wanted: a headline someone can place on a piece of campaign literature.

Tom Krueger, Crystal
Minneapolis Star Tribune, August 18, 2017

As super PAC arrives, who will ultimately have Paulsen’s ear?

“Super PAC sets up shop” (July 28) is a chilling precursor to the 2018 election. According to the article, the Congressional Leadership Fund (CLF) will be working to encourage U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen to “take tough votes on issues like health care.” It reports that “when Iowa Rep. David Young announced he would vote against the replacement House bill, CLF closed its office in his district.”

So despite the shiny young people working for CLF, where does this leave Paulsen’s constituents, who may have diametrically opposite views? Will Paulsen hold in-person town hall meetings in order to discover the wishes of those he represents, or will he vote with the CLF and all the money it promises for his votes?

Arthur and Jane Price, Coon Rapids
Minneapolis Star Tribune, July 29, 2017

Two Immigrants

Two immigrants came to the United States searching for the American dream. One came to heal; the other, to protect. Now due to the fear and violence surrounding firearms, both have realized the American nightmare.

State Sen. Steve Cwodzinski, DFL-Eden Prairie
Minneapolis Star Tribune, July 19, 2017

Where was Paulsen for Edina parade?

While excited parade-goers lined the 50th Street in Edina, back in the staging area, Section 16 was curiously empty. That was the spot Rep. Erik Paulsen had reserved, and it was the position in which the parade information materials listed he would be marching.

But as a large group gathered nearby in Section 17, where Rep Keith Ellison and his supporters would march, still not one supporter or staffer for Rep. Paulsen appeared. Let alone the representative himself. And so the parade went on without him.

So where was Erik Paulsen? Continue reading “Where was Paulsen for Edina parade?”

What will happen to my mom?

My mom is 97 years old and has severe dementia.  She has been in a memory care unit for three years.  My mom loved reading, loved book, but now can’t recognize even one written word.  She can’t hold a conversation or count past one.

And mom has outlived her live savings.

The skilled nursing care she is receiving is being paid for by Medicaid.  So if the present GOP health care bill becomes law, Medicaid will be cut. Continue reading “What will happen to my mom?”

Where is the kindness?

Where is America’s heart?

All over the news, I hear politicians reference religion and their belief systems to justify their actions. And that is fine. It’s a right in this great nation to hold those beliefs. However, what’s interesting is that even a cursory glance at all major religions shows one major similarity: treat others with kindness.

Kindness. We don’t seem to see that much anymore. But I ask one question. The new healthcare bill written in total secrecy by the GOP. Does it evoke the idea of kindness to others? Continue reading “Where is the kindness?”

Rep. Erik Paulsen: Still Missing in Action

As a resident of the Third Congressional District, I’ve become accustomed to Rep. Erik Paulsen’s unavailability. His last public, in-person town hall meeting was September 2011, and he refuses to hold another because he doesn’t want people yelling at him. However, his last-minute cancellation at Edina’s July 4th parade took his unavailability to a whole new level. A Paulsen spokesman said he doesn’t make public events like this a priority during “off” years. I guess we can only expect his presence during election years when he needs our votes.

Paulsen recently stated he is “good friends” with former Rep. Gabby Giffords, and even attended the commissioning ceremony of the Navy ship in her honor. I implore him to listen to her advice: “Town halls … were a hallmark of my tenure in Congress. … [L]istening to my constituents was the most basic and core tenet of the job I was hired to do. … To the politicians who have abandoned their civic obligations, I say this: Have some courage. Face your constituents. Hold town halls.”

And, maybe even attend a parade.

Colleen Graf, Brooklyn Park
Minneapolis StarTribune, July 8, 2017