Tag: CD3

Local Newspapers Uniquely Positioned to Promote Healthy Political Discourse

The following letter was submitted to the Lakeshore Weekly News June 27, 2017:

To the Editor:

The Lakeshore Weekly News is an important resource for local information that falls under the radar of state and national news feeds. Thank you to reporter Patty Dexter for the exception to this in the June 22 edition by providing Congressman Erik Paulsen’s reaction to the attempted murder of congressmen in Washington DC on June 14th . This terrible assault on our democracy is a local issue because it was an attack on all Americans. The article also demonstrated access community news organizations have to our elected representatives and the opportunity they have to report on them. This is especially important because Congressman Paulsen has chosen to ignore his constituents and refuse on‐the‐record open public discussions.

Lakeshore Weekly is uniquely positioned to promote healthy political discourse because of its access to Paulsen which is not afforded, or is affordable, to his constituents. Lakeshore Weekly has the opportunity to raise the bar in reporting on Paulsen by asking him rigorous questions on his positions affecting our district and demanding complete and truthful answers. For example, Paulsen voted for legislation (H.J. Res. 40) to make it easier for those suffering from severe mental illness to purchase firearms. This regressive legislation was rejected by over 70% 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/or others. Continue reading “Local Newspapers Uniquely Positioned to Promote Healthy Political Discourse”

Paulsen votes are unlike his comments

I just read the letter to the editor from Christine Cleary of Shorewood and her comments about U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen.

I, too, have found that Mr. Paulsen’s voting record and public comments are at odds with the facts.

Mr. Paulsen now has consistently either not taken a position on long-term environmental issues or simply has followed the party line and voted against these issues. Continue reading “Paulsen votes are unlike his comments”

“Minnesota nice” is a good place to start

To the editor:

June 14 marked the day when Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise and other congressional staffers were injured in a horrific act of gun violence. I hold each of them in my thoughts and prayers for a full recovery, and thank them for their service to our country.

It was a day that I heard my representative, Erik Paulsen, take time from his schedule throughout the day to reach out through the airwaves, to speak to his constituents for updates and share his take on the day’s events. Continue reading ““Minnesota nice” is a good place to start”

Constituents lose in the town call lottery

Tuesday, June 13, there was another Paulsen Town Call lottery in Minnesota’s Third Congressional District.

For years now Rep. Erik Paulsen claims to have had many town hall events. What most constituents would label a Town Hall — a public, in-person meeting with plenty of notice and no entrance fee — doesn’t seem to happen. As a lottery winner on Tuesday, you would have received an unexpected, dinner-time call from an unidentified caller. Thus, to really win, you must be both available and willing to pick up that call.

Earlier this year I left my number with Paulsen’s Eden Prairie office to increase my chances of getting a call. So far, indicating an interest hasn’t garnered a call. At that time I asked about a transcript, but was told they do not have that capability. The staff member I spoke with said ‘someone’ may be recording these calls so I could try a search online. To me that suggests Mr. Paulsen is checking off a box labelled Constituent Contact with no concern for quality, accuracy or real communication. Continue reading “Constituents lose in the town call lottery”

Paulsen constituents concerned over healthcare future

The following article by Meghan Davy Sandvold was posted on the Eden Prairie News website June 22, 2017:

Source: Eden Prairie News

EDEN PRAIRIE — Faith leaders and constituents of District 3 recently gathered outside U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen’s Eden Prairie office. They said they were mourning the potential deaths of those who may not be alive for long if significant changes are made to their health care plans.

Clergy and faith leaders from Congressional District 3 gathered outside of Paulsen’s o􀃕ce at 250 Prairie Center Drive in Eden Prairie, on Wednesday, June 21, to raise awareness of the impact the proposed American Health Care Act could have on thousands of Minnesotans. Continue reading “Paulsen constituents concerned over healthcare future”

Lack of response frustrates constituent

To the editor:

Congressman Erik Paulsen is my congressman. I frequently call his offices. I have both his Washington, D.C., and Eden Prairie numbers on speed dial. I call because the November 2016 election had a profound effect on me, and now I call my congressman.

I have called Paulsen’s offices about Obamacare, Planned Parenthood and releasing President Donald Trump’s tax returns. The people who answer Paulsen’s phones are usually polite, but our conversations are hollow and unsatisfying. Continue reading “Lack of response frustrates constituent”

Voices cast into a vacuum

To the Editor:

Our elected U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen hasn’t had an in-person town hall with us constituents since 2011. He only comes out in public under circumstances where he can control the narrative.

Even his visit to a Chaska High School class saw him dodging important questions from students. Think about that. He won’t even be honest to our children. Continue reading “Voices cast into a vacuum”

What’s Paulsen’s stance on Paris climate agreement?

To the editor:

My family enjoys Minnesota’s natural beauty yearlong, from swimming in Lake Minnetonka to biking on the Lake Minnetonka LRT Regional Trail to Nordic skiing in Three Rivers Parks.

So I was alarmed when President Trump pulled out of the 195-country Paris climate agreement. This move is the single biggest threat to American global leadership in job growth, innovation and negotiations on trade deals. Trump did this unilaterally, despite pleas from Republican and Democratic Congressional members, 30 high-profile CEOs, hundreds of companies, environmental and conservation groups, and world leaders, including Pope Francis. Continue reading “What’s Paulsen’s stance on Paris climate agreement?”

Erik Paulsen, you insulted me

As a constituent of CD3 my most direct avenue to Washington is Congressman Erik Paulsen. I was fortunate enough to have two in-person meetings with him in April. I say fortunate because, according to District Director John-Paul Yates, “it’s been a few years” since his last in-person town hall.

At my first meeting, I expressed my sleepless nights thinking about President Trump and his ties to Russia. I pleaded with him to exercise his abilities on the House Ways and Means Committee to start the process of exposing his tax returns. Unfortunately, he has voted “no” several times on this request telling me if this request is made to President Trump it could set the precedent for “any civilian.” Really, our president is “any civilian?” During my second meeting our topic was internet security. I left this meeting questioning Erik’s knowledge on the difference between ISPs and apps like Google and Facebook. He continued to ask if companies in question were “opt-in” or “opt-out.” Continue reading “Erik Paulsen, you insulted me”

House passes sweeping legislation to roll back banking rules

NOTE:  Rep. Erik Paulsen voted for this bill, which impacts bank financial health and consumer protections from banks (as Wells-Fargo did with their bogus accounts).

The following article by Renae Merle was posted on the Washington Post website June 9, 2017:

The Republican-led House on Thursday voted to free Wall Street from many of the constraints put in place after the 2008 financial crisis, the opening salvo in what is likely to be a protracted battle over deregulation of the powerful banking industry.

Big banks, from Goldman Sachs to Bank of America, would face less scrutiny, and other large financial institutions, such as insurance giant MetLife, could escape tougher rules all altogether under the legislation approved largely along party lines. Continue reading “House passes sweeping legislation to roll back banking rules”