Tag: MN03

That was a VP (very poor) commentary.

Vice President Mike Pence wrote a love letter to President Donald Trump and his party that graced the Opinion Exchange page of the Star Tribune on March 28 (“Our tax, energy and trade policies are working for Minnesotans”). The article was misleading in a variety of ways, but particularly so for low-information voters.

Here’s Pence describing how Trump’s policies are “working for Minnesotans”: Continue reading “That was a VP (very poor) commentary.”

Paulsen Doesn’t Listen

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. Continue reading “Paulsen Doesn’t Listen”

Minnesota schools join national walkout to protest gun violence

The following article was posted on the Fox9 website March 14, 2018:

(KMSP) – Students and teachers across the country plan to walk out of classWednesday in support of tougher gun laws.

Wednesday marks one month since the deadly school shooting in Parkland, Florida.

Thousands of students at schools across the Twin Cities metro are participated in Wednesday’s demonstration. Beginning at 10 a.m., students got up and left class for 17 minutes to honor the 17 victims killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Continue reading “Minnesota schools join national walkout to protest gun violence”

What Rep. Paulsen Lacks

The article (“Paulsen flexes his muscle on economy”) summarizes the Dean Phillips campaign in the Third Congressional District as well-funded, then stops, as if funding is all that matters. Ideas, principle, passion and a willingness to listen to constituents also matter. Dean Phillips has these; Erik Paulsen does not.

Rod Fisher, Eden Prairie
StarTribune, March 14, 2018

Don’t talk him up, Star Tribune, and do mention all challengers

Once again, U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen has been showcased in a positive light by the Star Tribune and portrayed as a fiscal conservative who is concerned about the economy, and as a public servant working hard to do what’s best for Minnesota (“Paulsen flexes his muscle on economy,” front page, March 12). When is the sucking up going to stop? This constituent completely disagrees with the Star Tribune’s assessment and knows better. This is a man who self-describes himself as “The Math Guy,” yet voted to increase our country’s deficit and give tax cuts to the wealthiest individuals in our country. How’s that math adding up for our country?

Let’s be clear: Paulsen was only given the appointment to the U.S. Joint Economic Committee by House Speaker Paul Ryan because his job as congressman is in jeopardy! It has nothing to do with his experience or knowledge. Continue reading “Don’t talk him up, Star Tribune, and do mention all challengers”

Medicare Advantage isn’t all that advantageous

To the Editor:

The March 8 edition of the Sun Sailor Plymouth published three letters for or against Rep. Erik Paulsen. Two of those letters were about guns and the third, about Medicare, was apparently sent to you by the vice chair of Senate District 44 Republicans, Tracy Sterk, and is just more of Erik Paulsen’s pandering to seniors.

The writer does not appear to be of Medicare-age based on internet pictures. While this does not disqualify her from writing about it, I really wonder how much input she had into its content and how much was produced by some association of Medicare Advantage plans to thank Paulsen for a vote or for a letter he signed. Continue reading “Medicare Advantage isn’t all that advantageous”

Erik Paulsen’s ‘town calls’ fail to connect with constituents

To the Editor:

Congressman Erik Paulsen is fond of talking about how he connects to his constituents through a method called a “town call.” Paulsen has not had an in-person town hall meeting since 2011, so this is his preferred and main method of connecting with his constituents. I am not sure the “town call” method is connecting as robustly with his constituents as he thinks he is. His preferred method of contact looks a lot like hiding.

I called Paulsen’s Eden Prairie office to learn more about these “town calls,” since I have never received one. According to Paulsen’s staff, they make about one phone call a month to about 40,000 numbers. The calls are each targeted to a certain geography. Out of the 40,000 people called, there are between 2,000 and 8,000 people on the call. Usually, closer to 2,000. There is no advance announcement of when the calls are coming. When I asked why the calls are not announced ahead of time, the staff person told me: “There is no reason. We just don’t.” Continue reading “Erik Paulsen’s ‘town calls’ fail to connect with constituents”

The right to bear muskets (1791) and bear machine guns (2018)?

The following column by Jason Jenkins was posted on the Sun-Sailor website March 1, 2018:

The Second Amendment was passed in 1791, giving the right for ordinary citizens to bear arms. Congressman Erik Paulsen has accepted nearly $32,000 in contributions from the National Rifle Association according to a full page ad in the Feb. 21 New York Times. He favors the NRA’s contention that we can’t mess with the Second Amendment, particularly in a state that has thousand of hunters, myself included. I have nothing against guns and have several myself, but an AR-15?

I have guns including a stainless steel Martin hunting rifle, and, at home, I have a .38-caliber revolver, which seems more like a handheld cannon than a handgun. But even with this tiny legal arsenal, I have more firepower than any patriot had in 1791 when the Second Amendment was passed. Remember that was the era of the front-loaded musket, which had a barrel of 3.5 feet – not a concealed weapon. With practice, an accomplished marksman could load three rounds per minute. And, Hollywood movies notwithstanding, it was highly inaccurate. That is why soldiers would stand together and let loose a barrage of bullets hoping they would hit their target at a rate of three rounds per minute. Continue reading “The right to bear muskets (1791) and bear machine guns (2018)?”

Word do not translate into action

A recent letter to the editor in reference to U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen’s voting record reminded me of my own experience as a voter for Paulsen (“Paulsen works with both parties,” Feb. 22).

I too considered him a moderate and believed from his words that he had enough of the beliefs and principles I hold to deserve my vote. I was mistaken. Continue reading “Word do not translate into action”