Category: The Real Erik Paulsen

Kids in pro-Trump rural areas have a lot to lose if GOP rolls back Medicaid

The following article by Noam N. Levey was posted on the Los Angeles Times website July 6, 2017:

Communities like this aging West Virginia coal town along the Kanawha River were key to President Trump’s victory last year; more than two-thirds of voters in surrounding Fayette County backed the Republican nominee.

Now, families in this rural county and hundreds like it that supported Trump face the loss of a critical safety net for children as congressional Republicans move to cut hundreds of billions of dollars over the next decade from Medicaid, the half-century-old government health plan for the poor. Continue reading “Kids in pro-Trump rural areas have a lot to lose if GOP rolls back Medicaid”

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”

America must repair its scientific infrastructure

The following commentary by Olle Heinonen was posted on the Minneapolis StarTribune website July 3, 2017:

This is especially important in Minnesota, with its background of innovation.

Source: Morguefile.com

President Donald Trump’s $1 trillion plan to repair the nation’s dilapidated roads, antiquated bridges and shabby railways through an infrastructure overhaul is a worthy goal. But to fully boost the economy, strengthen our competitiveness and increase job growth, Trump’s plan should include our nation’s scientific infrastructure. I urge U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen of Minnesota’s Third Congressional District — who is in a position of influence on this because of his service on the Joint Economic Committee — to take the necessary steps to ensure that the president includes science in his infrastructure plan.

Americans rely on our country’s scientific infrastructure — national labs, university research facilities and cutting-edge instrumentation — for the breakthroughs and discoveries that improve our lives, fuel our economy and help protect our country. Continue reading “America must repair its scientific infrastructure”

Where is the kindness?

Where is America’s heart?

All over the news, I hear politicians reference religion and their belief systems to justify their actions. And that is fine. It’s a right in this great nation to hold those beliefs. However, what’s interesting is that even a cursory glance at all major religions shows one major similarity: treat others with kindness.

Kindness. We don’t seem to see that much anymore. But I ask one question. The new healthcare bill written in total secrecy by the GOP. Does it evoke the idea of kindness to others? Continue reading “Where is the kindness?”

Rep. Erik Paulsen: Still Missing in Action

As a resident of the Third Congressional District, I’ve become accustomed to Rep. Erik Paulsen’s unavailability. His last public, in-person town hall meeting was September 2011, and he refuses to hold another because he doesn’t want people yelling at him. However, his last-minute cancellation at Edina’s July 4th parade took his unavailability to a whole new level. A Paulsen spokesman said he doesn’t make public events like this a priority during “off” years. I guess we can only expect his presence during election years when he needs our votes.

Paulsen recently stated he is “good friends” with former Rep. Gabby Giffords, and even attended the commissioning ceremony of the Navy ship in her honor. I implore him to listen to her advice: “Town halls … were a hallmark of my tenure in Congress. … [L]istening to my constituents was the most basic and core tenet of the job I was hired to do. … To the politicians who have abandoned their civic obligations, I say this: Have some courage. Face your constituents. Hold town halls.”

And, maybe even attend a parade.

Colleen Graf, Brooklyn Park
Minneapolis StarTribune, July 8, 2017

Voices cast into a vacuum

Our elected US. 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. Thank about that. He won’t even be honest with our children.

Dean Phillips, a potential challenger to Paulsen in 2018, just had a maxed-out town hall, where constituents met to discuss our needs and the future of our children. Continue reading “Voices cast into a vacuum”

House Republicans pass tort bill by slim margin

NOTE:  MN03 Rep. Erik Paulsen voted for this bill.

The following article by Kimberly Kindy was posted on the Washington Post website June 28, 2017:

Oscar Gronner

A medical malpractice bill that limits attorney fees and some patient damage fees in civil lawsuits was passed by the House on Wednesday by a narrow margin of 218 to 210, with numerous Republicans voting against the measure.

The biggest point of contention was over a provision that places a cap of $250,000 on noneconomic damages awards to victims, which includes for pain and suffering. Nineteen Republicans voted against the bill, many of them citing this as a key reason, saying it would trample on states’ rights because it would take away their ability to establish their own laws on the matter.

At least two dozen states do not cap noneconomic damages, and several state supreme courts — including Washington and Florida — have determined they are unconstitutional. Continue reading “House Republicans pass tort bill by slim margin”

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”