Category: Letters to the Editor

3rd Congressional District Challengers

I was distressed to see, for at least a second time in the Star Tribune this year, reference to only one Paulsen challenger in the upcoming election. There is a hard-fought battle going on within the Democratic Party between Dean Phillips and Adam Jennings. This will be decided at our Third Congressional District Convention on April 14.

It is unfortunate when the only major newspaper in our area does not acknowledge the correct field of candidates. Indeed, earlier on, there were three candidates. Jennings currently serves on the City Council of Tonka Bay. The Star Tribune would serve our community better if it accurately reported on the status of congressional and other upcoming local, state and national races.

Sandra Larson, Minnetonka
StarTribune, March 13, 2018

What Rep. Paulsen Lacks

The article (“Paulsen flexes his muscle on economy”) summarizes the Dean Phillips campaign in the Third Congressional District as well-funded, then stops, as if funding is all that matters. Ideas, principle, passion and a willingness to listen to constituents also matter. Dean Phillips has these; Erik Paulsen does not.

Rod Fisher, Eden Prairie
StarTribune, March 14, 2018

Don’t talk him up, Star Tribune, and do mention all challengers

Once again, U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen has been showcased in a positive light by the Star Tribune and portrayed as a fiscal conservative who is concerned about the economy, and as a public servant working hard to do what’s best for Minnesota (“Paulsen flexes his muscle on economy,” front page, March 12). When is the sucking up going to stop? This constituent completely disagrees with the Star Tribune’s assessment and knows better. This is a man who self-describes himself as “The Math Guy,” yet voted to increase our country’s deficit and give tax cuts to the wealthiest individuals in our country. How’s that math adding up for our country?

Let’s be clear: Paulsen was only given the appointment to the U.S. Joint Economic Committee by House Speaker Paul Ryan because his job as congressman is in jeopardy! It has nothing to do with his experience or knowledge. Continue reading “Don’t talk him up, Star Tribune, and do mention all challengers”

Medicare Advantage isn’t all that advantageous

To the Editor:

The March 8 edition of the Sun Sailor Plymouth published three letters for or against Rep. Erik Paulsen. Two of those letters were about guns and the third, about Medicare, was apparently sent to you by the vice chair of Senate District 44 Republicans, Tracy Sterk, and is just more of Erik Paulsen’s pandering to seniors.

The writer does not appear to be of Medicare-age based on internet pictures. While this does not disqualify her from writing about it, I really wonder how much input she had into its content and how much was produced by some association of Medicare Advantage plans to thank Paulsen for a vote or for a letter he signed. Continue reading “Medicare Advantage isn’t all that advantageous”

Local commentaries show united agenda

To the editor:

Since Feb. 22 there have been three thoughtful commentaries in the Bloomington Sun Current addressing gun violence.

All of them catalyzed one way or the other by the Feb. 14 killing of high school students and teachers at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

In the March 1 Sun Current there also was an article, ‘Paulsen responds to Orono threat,’ that included thoughts from U.S. Rep Erik Paulsen, potential DFL-opponent Dean Phillips, and co-chair of Indivisible CD3, Laurie Wolfe. None of the comments threatened Second Amendment rights or proposed all guns should be banned. All of the comments agree on one thing – something must be done.

Bottom line for me, this is about killing innocents, many of whom are our children. I was deeply troubled by the words of Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president of the NRA at the recent Conservative Political Action Conference. “There is no greater personal individual freedom than the right to keep and bear arms.”

I was stunned. Don’t our children (and all citizens) have rights, and shouldn’t they have priority concern over far too easy access to assault rifles in the United States of America?

Do something. Something beyond words. Something constructive, meaningful and lasting.

Amelia Kroeger, Bloomington
Bloomington Sun-Current, March 11, 2018

Erik Paulsen’s ‘town calls’ fail to connect with constituents

To the Editor:

Congressman Erik Paulsen is fond of talking about how he connects to his constituents through a method called a “town call.” Paulsen has not had an in-person town hall meeting since 2011, so this is his preferred and main method of connecting with his constituents. I am not sure the “town call” method is connecting as robustly with his constituents as he thinks he is. His preferred method of contact looks a lot like hiding.

I called Paulsen’s Eden Prairie office to learn more about these “town calls,” since I have never received one. According to Paulsen’s staff, they make about one phone call a month to about 40,000 numbers. The calls are each targeted to a certain geography. Out of the 40,000 people called, there are between 2,000 and 8,000 people on the call. Usually, closer to 2,000. There is no advance announcement of when the calls are coming. When I asked why the calls are not announced ahead of time, the staff person told me: “There is no reason. We just don’t.” Continue reading “Erik Paulsen’s ‘town calls’ fail to connect with constituents”

How many innocents must die?

I am proud of Stoneman Douglas High School students. For the first time since Columbine we see real movement on gun violence.

Of all murders in America 64 percent are with guns, in Canada 30 percent, in Australia 13 percent, and in England 4 percent. Students and adults are tired of boloney solutions. What are boloney fixes? Raising the age to buy a gun to 21 does nothing; outlawing “bump stocks” does not fix the problem; blaming mentally ill people, more boloney. There will always be undiagnosed mentally ill people, and other countries have them too. Arming teachers for more guns in schools, another bullsh*t fix. Continue reading “How many innocents must die?”

Word do not translate into action

A recent letter to the editor in reference to U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen’s voting record reminded me of my own experience as a voter for Paulsen (“Paulsen works with both parties,” Feb. 22).

I too considered him a moderate and believed from his words that he had enough of the beliefs and principles I hold to deserve my vote. I was mistaken. Continue reading “Word do not translate into action”

Constituents shouldn’t be criticized for exercising civic duties

To the Editor:

In this era of fake news,” it’s disturbing that an elected representative would try to raise campaign money by lying about people who oppose him. A recent fundraising letter signed by Rep. Erik Paulsen claims that some or all of the people who have been protesting against his votes are “Soros-paid volunteers.” He hasn’t a shred of evidence to prove that claim is true, and he knows it. But that hasn’t stopped him from demonizing people who are taking time out of their days, away from their jobs and family, to express their opposition to Rep. Paulsen’s voting record, behavior toward his constituents, and subservience to his corporate and political benefactors. Continue reading “Constituents shouldn’t be criticized for exercising civic duties”

We need a representative who will champion gun safety

I had a few things I wanted to say about my very serious concerns about the current administration and my congressman, Erik Paulsen. Those had to do with Paulsen’s complicit approval of the president’s behavior in attacking and discrediting the media. The president has, in two short years undermined the belief of an estimated 30 percent of our voting public in the validity of our television media except for FOX.

By saying nothing, Paulsen has shown himself to be complicit about how damaging and destructive the “fake news” claims are to the future of our country. That belief will take decades to undo, if an attempt is even started. Continue reading “We need a representative who will champion gun safety”