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.
It’s ironic that he would criticize people who are actually doing their civic duty to do and say something when the person who is supposed to be representing them is so wrong on the issues. Then again, it’s his way to show no interest in representing his constituents, much less talking or meeting with them, as evidenced by the seven years that have passed since his last town hall meeting. He instead hides behind such myths as the illusion that meeting with his constituents is dangerous. He has no proof that that’s true either; in fact, a town hall meeting held a year ago for him proved quite the contrary. It was a civil meeting that tens of thousands of people engaged in either in person or through live streaming. He was given ample notice of the meeting, as well as the ground rules for audience behavior, yet he chose not to attend, and then lied about his being out of town for it when in fact we know he was in the district.
Please, Mr. Paulsen, wage an honest and truthful campaign about the issues rather than spreading lies about the constituents who oppose you. If you believe that what you’ve done is right, then there is no need to rely on such dishonesty or hide from the people you’re supposed to represent.
Kelly Guncheon, Plymouth
Plymouth Sun-Sailor, March 1, 2018