Tag: MN03

How the Financial Choice Act Hurts Americans

NOTE:  Minnesota CD3 Representative Erik Paulsen voted to enact this bill June 8, 2017.

The following article by Aaron Klein was posted on the Fortune Magazine website June 7, 2017:

Shoppers peruse supermarket aisle. Photograph by Tim Boyle—Getty Images

Congress this week is considering the Choice Act, which would roll back regulations enacted after the 2007 financial crisis, particularly those designed by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Yet, the legislation goes even further and limits consumer access to information that could help them make better choices.

One of the hallmarks of conservative regulatory philosophy is that educated and empowered consumers are preferable to government bureaucrats, regulations, and prohibitions. Yet, the conservatives in the House of Representatives appears ready to pass the CHOICE Act this week and in the process legally prohibit publishing data the government collects on consumer complaints on financial services. This is a mistake and would cost consumers and businesses. It would also go against the universal values of fair markets and informed consumers. Continue reading “How the Financial Choice Act Hurts Americans”

Paulsen Vote Tracker H.R. 10 Financial Choice Act of 2017 #badvotes

Status:  Passed in the House of Representatives

SUMMARY:  Rolls back the Dodd-Frank regulatory protections that were implemented following the 2008 economic crash.  The bill weakens the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).  The CFPB would be restructured as an executive branch agency with a single director who could be removed at will by the President.  The bill would remove the CFPB’s authority to police abusive acts and practices, including removing oversight of payday loans and arbitration agreements.

The bill removes the authority that provides regulators with a process for winding down large financial institutions in distress.  It would eliminate the ability of regulators to designate large non-banking financial institutions as systematically important, a label that comes with heightened oversight. Continue reading “Paulsen Vote Tracker H.R. 10 Financial Choice Act of 2017 #badvotes”

Spreading conspiracy theories in letter

Congressman Erik Paulsen is misrepresenting himself to his constituents, and it is unacceptable.  He wrote a commentary in the Chaska Herald last week, June 1, titled “Government can do better for veterans.”

In this article he discusses various “bipartisan” actions he is taking and also expressed concern for the number of veterans facing unemployment.

Yet, Paulsen voted for the American Health Care Act which, if put into law, would actually hurt our veterans.  The cuts to Medicaid alone would affect nearly one out of 10 veterans, according to Families USA. Continue reading “Spreading conspiracy theories in letter”

Where is the guy I voted for last fall?

This is an open letter to Congressman Erik Paulsen.

A neighbor showed me the letter you mailed to your donors this weekend. In it, you warned about “radical left-wing” Democrats paying outsiders to protest your recent health care vote.

“Their mission, of course, is to take back the majority and re-install San Francisco’s Nancy Pelosi as your Speaker.” Continue reading “Where is the guy I voted for last fall?”

Tevlin: Health care debate is ‘legacy’ of the times

NOTE:  Minnesota Third CD DFL was not involved in the organization of this meeting.

The following article by Jon Tevlin was posted on the StarTribune website June 6, 2017:

Across the country, angry crowds have gathered at public forums on health care changes, booing and heckling members of the U.S. House of Representatives who voted for President Donald Trump’s American Health Care Act (AHCA). On Monday, more than 200 people in Eden Prairie, in Minnesota’s Third District, flipped the script, giving standing ovations to a congressman.

That congressman, however, doesn’t represent that district, and most of the people in the crowd can’t vote for him. Continue reading “Tevlin: Health care debate is ‘legacy’ of the times”

The thirst for town-hall interaction is not partisan

As a voter in Minnesota’s Third Congressional District, I take some issue with the Star Tribune’s description of Rep. Keith Ellison’s town hall in Rep. Erik Paulsen’s district. Jon Tevlin, in his June 7 column “Health care debate is ‘legacy’ of the times,” describes the audience as a “clearly partisan crowd.” I disagree. There were Republicans, Democrats and independents present. It was a publicly posted and advertised meeting, and all were welcome to attend. The “partisanship” we felt was frustration at Paulsen, who refuses to engage in public discussions, and our combined desire to finally hear from someone in Washington about what is happening — someone willing to take unscripted questions and give us sincere answers of what he believes, whether we agree with him or not.

Paulsen was specifically invited but chose not to attend. He did, however, send one of his lesser-known and recognizable district staff members to sit near the back and listen in. I can only hope that he heard what happened and decides that perhaps hosting a real town hall meeting with Minnesota Nice voters is not as scary as he thinks it is. Rep. Tom Emmer did it. From all accounts, there were disagreements, but the Emmer town hall remained civil and orderly. Why is Paulsen so afraid of his own constituents? Could it be that he knows his votes and position statements are indefensible?

Gretchen Haynes, Eden Prairie
Star Tribune, June 8, 2017

NOTE:  This event was organized by Indivisible MN03, a group not part of the Minnesota DFL. We report on their efforts along with other organizations’ on our Activist Alerts page. 

Al Franken Comes Out and Says What Most Americans Really Think of Trumpcare

The following article by Alexandra Rosenmann was posted on the AlterNet website May 30, 2017:

The Minnesota senator calls on his Republican colleagues to kill an “awful bill.”

While they review the much-maligned American Health Care Act, Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) issued a stern warning to his Republican colleagues in the Senate.

“I don’t think the Republicans can do this themselves, and they shouldn’t,” he said in a “CBS This Morning” interview May 30. “What came out of the House is just dreadful.” Continue reading “Al Franken Comes Out and Says What Most Americans Really Think of Trumpcare”

Reading Erik Paulsen’s hate mail

The following article by Mike Mullen was posted on the CityPages website May 24, 2017:

Erik Paulsen’s vote for the AHCA, aka Trumpcare, has pissed off a few of his suburban constituents.Star Tribune, Glen Stubbe

Last week GOP U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen picked up a Democratic challenger: Dean Phillips, heir to the Phillips liquor brand and grandson to the nationally syndicated advice columnist Dear Abby. Not unlike Dear Abby, Paulsen’s been getting a lot of questions by mail lately.

Dear Congressman Paulsen,
We don’t see you around here much anymore, but I know how busy the people’s work must keep you! I write because I think you made a mistake when you voted in support of the American Health Care Act. I myself am a physician — with “one foot firmly on the golf course,” my wife says — and I worry about the effect this plan will have on my lower-income patients, facing less-certain retirements than mine. Won’t you reconsider?

Sincerely, Uneasy in Eden Prairie Continue reading “Reading Erik Paulsen’s hate mail”

Don’t kick them when they’re down

To the Editor;

Brain cancer. Organ transplant. Heart Disease, Asthma.

These represent just a few of the health issues many of our friends and colleagues have dealt with in the last year. Many of you likely have a list of your own. Some of us have lost loved ones to sickness, while others have struggled to make ends meet, while they battled for their lives.

No one asked to be sick. It’s often thrust upon us — even when we’re trying to prevent it. It could happen to anyone. That’s the one truth about sickness and disease: It’s blind to the contents of our wallet; it doesn’t have a plan. Continue reading “Don’t kick them when they’re down”

#QuestionableVotes Paulsen Vote Tracker: HR487 Better Care, Low Cost Act

Summary:  Introduced to the House on March 23, 2016, this is an amendment to the existing Medicare/Medicaid Rules. In the Republican-controlled House members’ eyes it is intended to bring to the forefront chronic injuries and illnesses and making sure that as they call it “BCP”‘s (Better Care Program”) is available to those who qualify. It lists MANY situations and conditions and coverages that seem to apply only to certain people based on Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D.

Takeaway:  Rep. Paulsen voted for this amendment.  While there doesn’t appear to be any major wording changes from what’s already law, the most recent Medicare coverage booklet was release in October of  2016.

Although this bill died,  it’s worth re-reading your booklets.ANYONE, who is on Medicare or Medicaid  should review their booklet to become completely aware of what does affect you based in your situation.