Dear Congressman Finstad;
I am a constituent living in southeastern Minnesota. The actions being taken in Washington, bypassing the checks and balances of our government, alarm me. These measures will create precedents that echo into subsequent administrations, and leave our democratic system vulnerable to those who would prefer to see it fail.
I understand the need to downsize our government; sky-rocketing debt has been a concern for far too long. I also know that in any bureaucracy there is going to be waste, and departments that are not run as efficiently as they should. However, the way this cost-cutting is being done is not helpful to those of us who live in the real world. Removing the personnel who provide services that are sorely needed will only harm those who need those services. Perhaps those of you who work in your Washington world forgot what it feels like to need an appointment at the VA or to find a nursing home for your aging parent with dementia. When is the last time you called the Social Security office? This reckless downsizing with no regard for the effects it will have on American citizens is not only irresponsible, but in many cases, cruel. I am horrified that anyone – much less our congressional representatives who claim to be patriots – would consider these moves to be in our country’s interests.
As a member of Congress, you are in a position to stop this madness. I beg of you to consider your state and those who voted you into office. Work with others in your party to recognize the truth of what is happening and how it will affect the non-millionaires in this country. Remember who America is, and what our founders envisioned for this nation.
Judy Nelson
Spring Valley, Minn.