To the editor:
Rep. Erik Paulsen’s “town hall” meetings are a joke. First of all, they’re telephone conference calls because for some reason he’s afraid traditional face-to-face open forum meetings with his constituents would be too confrontational. Individuals who have questions for him are screened by an aide for further control. Then after you ask a question, your phone is muted so there’s no opportunity for follow up, which is frustrating because Erik rarely provides a direct answer.
Important questions were asked including why he supported tax reform that limits the state and local tax deduction to $10k and is detrimental to many in his district, why he supported a budget bill that projects a $1.5 trillion deficit, and concerns regarding his record of failing to deal with gun violence over his many years in Washington, as well as his “A” rating by the NRA.
I urge you to listen in on Rep. Paulsen’s next Town Hall and believe many will agree it’s time for a new congressman who truly wants to represent the interests of the people in our district.
Roger Geckler, Edina
Edina Sun-Current, March 23, 2018