To the writer of “Sure is a lot of Paulsen bashing,” you had some questions about letters criticizing Erik Paulsen, and as the author of one of those letters, I wanted to answer. Why are there so many people speaking out since the election?
Perhaps it’s because that event elevated to office a man who the majority of voters didn’t cast their ballot for, who makes claims that are demonstrably false false, whose stated policies are harmful to women, minorities, the poor and the sick, and who, as his administration crosses the 100-day threshold, polls show is historically unpopular, according to Gallup.
In my opinion he’s easily the least-qualified president in my lifetime, and our best outcome is if he simply demeans the position to enrich himself and his family. The worst is that he bungles into a nuclear exchange. You wonder where we were over the last eight years.
Perhaps you’re right. If more of us were involved, maybe we wouldn’t be where we are. But it’s been said that the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, and the second best time is now.
What does this have to do with Congressman Paulsen?
With his votes, his actions and inactions, he has supported this administration at every turn. He was one of the very few who were able to cast a vote (in committee) for the deeply unpopular American Health Care Act and rose to speak for its passage before Speaker Paul Ryan withdrew the bill in disgrace. He has voted four times against releasing the president’s taxes, despite polls showing 74 percent of Americans want those tax returns released, according to Langer Research.
Those are just two of the votes he’s cast on his way to 100 percent support of the Trump administration, according to FiveThirtyEight.
Simply put, Erik Paulsen and the GOP are complicit in supporting a president and administration that already has shown itself to be inept, unprepared and unfit.
As to what’s motivating people like me, I think the information above makes that self-evident. We are concerned, engaged, and proud residents of the 3rd District who are availing ourselves of the political system that makes America great. We are allow — it is our right — to make our voices heard in opposition to politicians and policies we object to.
To label that free speech as a “rant,” those engaged in the process “termites” and ti imply that the only possible motivation for such action is payment not only demeans active citizens on both sides of the (a)isle, it lowers the standard of discourse and diminishes the greatness of the country you and I both love.
Rob Wilcox, Eden Prairie
Eden Prairie News, May 4, 2017