Tag: MN03

Math Guy Paulsen Votes FOR the AHCA

Second vote on a major bill affecting large numbers of people in the country he says he represents — without having any idea of the social or monetary impact of the bill

Yes, Mr. Invisible did it. He cast his vote in favor of damaging coverage for millions of people nation-wide — hundreds of thousands in his home district. All without knowing how deep the impact will be on these people.

Remember this, folks.  He isn’t a moderate.  He’s never been one, but has hidden in plain site as one for years. Don’t return this person to office in 2018.  He doesn’t care about you, he only cares about getting enough money to keep himself in office. It will be interesting to watch how his large donations come in moving forward. We think we know.  (He had no time to meet with his constituents in a public town hall, but did have time to meet with organizations that are made up of businesses and executives who’ve given him big bucks.)

We’ll have to watch what happens with coverage changes (it WILL trickle down to those with employer coverage from what we’ve read and will impact any child in special education with a massive funding cut).

 

Patients can’t go back to pre-ACA

I am twice a cancer survivor.  With my first diagnosis in 1999 and my second in 2001, I felt lost.  I couldn’t see what the future would hold.  My fears lessen as time passes and my treatment has been successful, but a new concern has emerged.  I now have a pre-existing condition that health insurance companies used to claim made people too risky to insure.

The Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare, prohibits such discrimination and implemented many other positive patient protections, that often get lost when we talk about its downsides. The ACA isn’t perfect. But cancer patients and survivors cannot afford to return to a time when insurance is unaffordable, coverage is inadequate and their treatment is at risk. Continue reading “Patients can’t go back to pre-ACA”

It’s time for a real town hall meeting

Thanks to John Mallo for posing questions to Rep. Erik Paulsen; my hope is that we have the opportunity to hear or see thorough answers to these questions, and not by way of “phone” town meetings. Constituents like me would like to meet with him, perhaps in a real town hall meeting. It’s an important part of what it means to be a democracy.

I would like to add questions about an additional area of concern:  health care legislation. Prior to the withdrawal of the Republican proposal (which I assume Paulsen would have voted for*) his position was:  “After many years and countless stories of patients facing skyrocketing premiums, losing their health care plan and not being able to see their doctor, we are replacement Obamacare with a plan that will lower costs and give patients immediate relief.” Continue reading “It’s time for a real town hall meeting”

Trump’s budget built on greed, fear

Former Vice President Joe Biden said:  “Don’t tell me what you value. Show me your budget, and I will tell you what you value.”

Republican President Trump has just released the short version of his proposed budget. The Trump administration proposes a $54 billion increase in military expenditures. This budget moves us to the ideals of the Roman Empire. Peace through military strength. Rebellions were ruthlessly put down by military might. The wealthy ruled, and the ordinary people were heavily taxed. Continue reading “Trump’s budget built on greed, fear”

Congress just made it easier for ISPs to sell your personal information

The commentary by the Editorial Board to the Star Tribune was posted March 31, 2017.  We wanted to make certain the people in CD3 are aware of this vote, and the fact that Rep. Erik Paulsen voted for the bill, for allowing internet providers to sell our personal information without asking us:

Before the public could even figure out what was happening, the Republican-led U.S. House and Senate acted with uncharacteristic speed to repeal Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules that would have protected consumers’ personal information from the all-seeing eyes of their internet service providers, or ISPs.

While health care, the budget, climate change, the deficit and countless other issues linger, Republicans moved in quick lock-step to ensure that provider giants Comcast, Verizon, AT&T and others can collect your most personal information without permission and then profit from its sale to third parties if they choose. Continue reading “Congress just made it easier for ISPs to sell your personal information”

Selling Out Consumers

For the record, Rep. Erik Paulsen voted for allow the sale of this information.

The following article by Ernesto Falcon and Karen Gullo was posted on the U.S. News and World Report website March 31, 2017:

Congress sold Americans’ privacy to already wealthy internet providers.

Congress’ vote to roll back vital broadband privacy protections opens the door to a host of opportunities for your internet service provider to profit from invading your privacy. Continue reading “Selling Out Consumers”