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.”
You then praised Mr. Trump and asked for donations to your 2018 campaign.
Rep. Paulsen, I voted for you. But what are you talking about? I am one of the people who emailed your office about health care and I couldn’t care less about Nancy Pelosi. I just want to look out for my friends who have survived cancer.
Before this year I’d never even contacted a congressman before. But health care is important, so last month I plucked up my courage and emailed you a request to keep the pre-existing condition mandate in the new health care bill.
Ironically, I was waiting for a biopsy result to come back at the time, so it felt … personal. Your email responses said you would protect pre-existing conditions, but you went back on your word with your health care vote.
I’m sorry that my effort to contact you on behalf of my loved ones was interpreted as part of some liberal conspiracy involving Nancy Pelosi who has noting to do with my life here in Chaska.
And I’m sorrier still that you’re now using my fear and vulnerability to drum up donations to your 2018 campaign. This feels very wrong.
Where is that rational, bipartisan, nice guy I voted for last fall?
PS: My biopsy came back clean. Other people face more frightening results. Please think of them and remember they are children of God (and that you represent them, too).
Margaret Sotos, Chaska
Eden Prairie News, June 8, 2017