Rep. Paulsen needs to hold town hall meetings

To the Editor:

In an April MPR interview, Rep. Eric Paulsen of Minnesota’s Congressional District 3 stated the following regarding his unwillingness to hold a town hall: “Certainly I think there are some that would prefer to have campaign-style events, with shouting, and that kind of thing. And that’s not just very good, it’s not Minnesotan,” he said. “Civility is probably the most important thing that we need right now.”

Does Rep. Paulsen realize it isn’t very civil to make assumptions about his constituents? His assumptions about shouting at town halls certainly aren’t from his own personal experiences holding them.

Furthermore, what has he been doing in Washington, D.C. that warrants us shouting at him? Was it his vote repealing the ACA leaving 24 million Americans uninsured? Or, is it the fact that he votes 97 percent of the time with the Trump agenda, and then tries to pretend he is a moderate working with representatives on both sides of the isle?

Civility is a matter of consideration and respect, and needs to be extended both ways. How much consideration and respect is Paulsen using when repeatedly voting against his constituent’s best interests? Paulsen continually puts his party’s agenda above ours and then has the audacity to bring up civility?

Here’s what isn’t Minnesotan: Rep. Paulsen not facing constituents for six years, and instead hiding behind robocalls. His “robo town halls” are by invitation only, never announced in advance, pre-screened for questions by staff and allow for zero follow-up to questions. These robocalls are not taped nor made available to listen to after the fact. They enable Paulsen to never go on the record and skirt any issue he wants. Robocalls are not town halls.

Minnesota’s Congressional District 3 deserves a representative willing to face voters in person.

We don’t want someone phoning it in.

Colleen Graf, Brooklyn Park
Brooklyn Park Sun-Post, September 14, 2017