Thank you to reporter Patty Dexter for the June 22 edition by providing Congressman Erik Paulsen’s reaction to the attempted murder of congressmen in Washington, D.C. This terrible assault on our democracy is a local issue because it was an attack on all Americans.
The also also demonstrated access community news organizations have to our elected representatives. This is important because Congressman Paulsen ignores rank-and-file constituents.
Lakeshore Weekly News is well-positioned to promote political discourse due to its access to Paulsen — access that has not been afforded, or is affordable, to district residents. Lakeshore Weekly can raise the bar in reporting on Paulsen by asking him rigorous questions on his positions that affect our district and demand complete and truthful answers.
For example, Paulsen voted for legislation (H.J. Res. 40) making it easier for those suffering from severe mental illness to purchase firearms. This regressive legislation was rejected by over 70 percent of voters and his friend, Gabby Gifford. The reporter could have asked Paulsen why he voted to remove checks and balances on the purchase of firearms by those diagnosed as a risk to themselves and others.
For future articles, Lakeshore Weekly could ask Paulsen to explain his eight years of votes supporting atrocious health care legislation that will harm tens of millions of Americans: low-income families, self-insured, veterans and those over 50. Lakeshore Weekly could ask him to explain why he voted to eliminate funding of health care access for millions of of low-income women or his justification for his many votes to remove protections on the environment and consumers. Lakeshore Weekly could ask why his voting record is aligned 100 percent with the Trump agenda and how his votes represent our district or not.
Most importantly, Lakeshore Weekly could ask Paulsen why he continually states on television, over the radio and in newsprint that he has, and will continue to hold, regular town halls. His unrelenting assertions of a history of holding town halls are patently false and he needs to be called out for this blatant deception.
Congressional District 3 needs Lakeshore Weekly to consider in-depth reporting that helps our representatives stand in the honest light of public scrutiny. We don’t need photo-ops of Paulsen at parades and brew pubs. The real Paulsen has been in the shadows for way to(o) long and its time for him to be brought into the light. Lakeshore Weekly News can help.
John Albers, Minnetonka
Lakeshore Weekly News, July 21, 2017