Erik Paulsen has repeatedly maintained, “I do what’s right for my constituents regardless of who donates to me.”
And, receive donations, he does: Paulsen ranks sixth of 435 U.S. representatives for the amount of money he receives from PACs: over $2 million. Is it really possible that Paulsen is unaffected by this money?
As a nurse practitioner who prescribes drugs, Minnesota law prohibits me from taking more than $50 annually from any pharmaceutical or other such company. Why? Because research consistently shows that I would likely be influenced by any gift provided me. A 2017 study found that professionals who received gifts from pharmaceutical companies not only prescribe more drugs, but more costly ones, compared to those who did not receive gifts. A big difference in my case: Any company who might gift me with a meal, an education credit, a book a pen or other, is not able to track if I am actually prescribing the drug they are promoting.
In Paulsen’s case, the PACs and other outside interests from which he receives large amounts of money are certainly tracking his votes and basing future donations accordingly. So, is Paulsen really unbiased when his funding depends on his votes? Is he really doing what’s right for his 3rd District constituents? With a voting record at 97.8 percent in line with Trump, I think not. Dean Phillips, who is taking no PAC or outside interest money in order to really represent the people of Congressional District 3 will get my unqualified vote.
Anne Pierce, Plymouth
Lakeshore Weekly, October 5, 2018