With everything that has happened, I just about burst a blood vessel after reading a LTTE stating the reasons why our area should vote for conservative republican. I had to respond. So much to say so little space.
From the Duluth (MN) Newstribune:
http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/articles/index.cfm?id=26717§ion=Opinion&freebie_check&CFID=3621446&CFTOKEN=81293606&jsessionid=8830aff7437e3c11793cTime to vote straight DFL
What do the attacks of Sept. 11, the Iraq war, Hurricane Katrina, stem cell policy, the recent Foley scandal and global warming have in common? They are all instances of Republicans ignoring warnings from experts and whistleblowers in order to further their own political agenda to the detriment of Americans.
This same conservative mind-set is slowly moving the U.S. toward fascism as Congress continues to give the president unprecedented powers to declare war under the guise of fighting terrorism, remove the protections of habeas corpus for what the administration calls unlawful enemy combatants (even if they are American citizens), and allow torture that violates the Geneva Conventions.
An Oct. 19 letter, “GOP has ticket to help area grow,” implied Northeast Minnesota would benefit by embracing the agenda of conservative Republicans and dumping “30 years of failed liberal socialist policy.” I disagree.
Ever since moving to Duluth from out of state three years ago, I have learned to really love the city and outlying community. The emphasis placed on sustainable practices and education, the high work ethic of the populace and plain old “Minnesota nice” will only help to serve the area in the long term. Why should I vote for Rod Grams whose recent mailings indicate a platform largely based on the desire to not travel to foreign countries and build trade relations as Jim Oberstar does? Or Mark Kennedy, who rubber-stamped the corrupt Republican policies described above? Why should I vote for Gov. Pawlenty, who has never met a fee he didn’t like and whose budgetary cuts have led to inefficient local tax increases across the state? Also, all Minnesotans should have access to an affordable, quality education; not just “the best and brightest” as Becky Hall stated during a recent candidate forum. For the good of the Northland, Minnesota, and all America, I will be voting straight DFL.
Greg