Category: The Real Erik Paulsen

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”

Question Paulsen’s support of Trump

In a recent fundraising letter, Congressman Erik Paulsen went beyond his usual partisan talking points and sprinkling of half-truths and waded into the territory of unfounded conspiracy theory.

He warned against a “flood” of outside “paid liberal activists” and labeled opposition in his district as “all the paid volunteers George Soros’ money can buy”. This is the same language used by extreme-right conspiracy theory sites like Info Wars and Breitbart.

Of course, there’s no evidence to back up these claims, and it’s insulting to his constituents to dismiss their concerns this way. It’s deeply cynical and un-American to falsely claim that those engaged in the political process are only doing so because they’re being paid. Continue reading “Question Paulsen’s support of Trump”

Erik Paulsen’s staff showed me lack of respect

To the Editor:

As a senior citizen and long time resident of CD3 I am writing to express my incredulousness about recent interactions I have had with members of Rep. Erik Paulsen’s staff.

The first incident occurred on Jan. 9, when a group of 20 constituents went to Paulsen’s Eden Prairie office to communicate our dissatisfaction with his policy positions. The response? A staff member opened her office door and sprayed air freshener into the hallway where we were standing. I have asthma and did not have my inhaler with me, so I left quickly. The staff member stated that she wanted to “get rid of the stink.” We were stunned. Continue reading “Erik Paulsen’s staff showed me lack of respect”

A case of disrespect and incivility

I was struck by the rich irony of the news that my Congressman Erik Paulsen was selected as a member of the recently created Congressional Civility and Respect Caucus. The caucus states its mission is to “encourage all members of Congress to act with civility and respect in their political discourse in their congressional districts and in Washington.”

Congressman Paulsen doesn’t respect his constituents enough to talk with them in a public town hall setting and, in a recent letter to donors, called his constituent detractors “trolls.” Continue reading “A case of disrespect and incivility”

Paulsen Constituent’s Interaction with Staff After Florida School Shooting

On Thursday, I called the D.C. office of U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen. I identified myself as a constituent, the mother of three children who attend public schools and a substitute teacher in those same schools. I said it’s time to stop with the “thoughts and prayers” and do something about guns.

The person on the other end tried to end the call, but I asked him to take more specific notes about policy measures I would expect the congressman to take, including ending the loopholes in gun-buying laws, retracting the concealed-carry reciprocity that he should not have voted for in the first place given Minnesota’s relatively strong laws and sending back contributions from the National Rifle Association so that he frees himself up to actually work on this problem.

I asked for my notes to be read back so that I’d be sure the message went through correctly. The staffer said, “You are in favor of stronger gun control.” I said: “Wait a minute, I gave you more detail than that.” He hung up on me.

Paulsen’s staffer hung up on me, a mom and teacher devastated by Wednesday’s news of a school shooting. And a constituent. He. Hung. Up.

Anne Holzman, Bloomington
Star Tribune, February 16, 2018

Minnesotans respond with horror, anger at Florida school massacre

The following article by Adam Uren was posted on the GoMN website February 15, 2018:

Seventeen people – most of them students – died in the mass shooting.

Credit: AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee

The tragic massacre at Parkland High School in Florida has been met with sorrow and pleas for change from Minnesotans.

The horrific aftermath of a mass shooting that has left at least 17 dead – most of them students – is once again leading to calls for those in power to take action on gun control.

It is now one of the top 10 deadliest mass shootings in modern U.S. history, CNN reports. Continue reading “Minnesotans respond with horror, anger at Florida school massacre”

Christians were once aliens, too

In Exodus Chapter 22:21, the Bible states “Do not mistreat an alien or oppress him, for you were aliens in Egypt.”

This verse reminds all United States citizens that at one time or another, we were all aliens in this country. Even Native American ancestors came from Asia. It is our moral duty to welcome the strangers to the United States no matter how they came to our country.

According to a poll released by CBS News, “nearly nine in 10 Americans (87 percent) favor allowing young immigrants who entered the U.S. illegally as children to remain in the U.S.” Continue reading “Christians were once aliens, too”

Minnesota now has 4 ‘toss-up’ races for the U.S House

The following article by Adam Uren was posted on the GoMN.com website February 8, 2018:

Erik Paulsen’s seat has shifted from ‘leans Republican’ to a ‘toss-up.’

Credit: FaceBook

What’s happening?

The Cook Political Report has shifted its ratings for 21 U.S. House districts ahead of the November mid-terms.

The independent, non-partisan election analysts use data to predict which will be the most competitive races in the coming elections, highlighting those that are “likely” or “lean” Republican or Democratic, or those that are “toss-up” races.

What’s this have to do with Minnesota?

Minnesota is one of the states to have a ratings change, and it’s Republican Erik Paulsen’s in the 3rd Congressional District. Continue reading “Minnesota now has 4 ‘toss-up’ races for the U.S House”

Erik Paulsen plans to teach his constituents civility. While hiding from them.

The following article by Pete Kotz was posted on the CityPages website February 6, 2018:

Republican Erik Paulsen, Minnesota’s most corrupt congressman, is about to teach you how to be a better human being.


Paulsen is among the most partisan members of Congress, voting with Trump 98 percent of the time and routinely carrying the water of his biggest donors. Credit: Fibonacci Blue

He’s an inaugural member of the Congressional Civility and Respect Caucus, in which the blowhards, ankle-biters, and rabid vermin of America’s most depraved institution will hold themselves out as beacons of social etiquette.

Yes, it will get weird.

Members of the newly formed group plan to tour their districts to “promote the use of a respectful dialogue on tough issues.” This, according to Paulsen, will allow us to live in something akin to peace and togetherness. Or, in other words, not behave anything like Congress.

“No one party has a monopoly on good ideas,” Paulsen announced in the group’s press release. “And I believe this caucus will help foster an environment to cooperate, work together, and find common ground on solutions that help Minnesota and our country.” Continue reading “Erik Paulsen plans to teach his constituents civility. While hiding from them.”