Letter to my Congressman

I live in the 6th Congressional District of Minnesota, once the domain of the notorious Michele Bachmann, now represented since 2015 by the ambitious Tom Emmer.  From 2019-23 he was the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, the group that seeks to elect Republicans to Congress and now serves as the House Majority Whip, whose job is to corral the votes needed to pass Republican sponsored bills through the House.  

Through those two positions he has cemented his position of power in the party and represents those interests exclusively.  He has won reelection by a significant margins each time and he may be able to maintain his seat for as long as he chooses to do so.  

This leaves me and the views of about a quarter of a million people in our district basically unrepresented and it has been so mostly recently since 2001 when Mark Kennedy (R) was elected.  Republicans have held the post for 70 out of 114 years that the district has existed.  

As a constituent I don't have much power.  I write and I call and I get disappointing responses.  I have even participated in a video call with one of his aides on environmental issues, along with others from Faith in Minnesota, a faith-based action group and also found that our impassioned pleas would fall on deaf ears.

I can understand that elections have consequences and that the majority can have their choice.  However, after the politicking is over; the elected congressman works for everyone in their district, not just the ones that elected them  This should mean that at the very least, the representative should have integrity and honesty and explain their positions and be accountable for their actions.  They should consider how everyone is affected by the legislation they support and should listen to dissenting voices and be well grounded in facts.  Ah, wouldn't that be nice?  

Instead, on the subject of the debt ceiling, Mr Emmer is disingenuous and blaming.  He ignores the facts and the history and makes false comparisons.  He is speaking for his party not for his constituents.  I'm including his most recent newsletter and then my reply, which is a stream of consciousness response, a scolding mom response.  I could edit it, but whatever I would say and do, it would be unlikely to dent his armor.  I just can't let such hubris go unremarked.  I'm highlighting some of his blatant statements and have included several links.

His Letter:

If you gave your child a credit card, and they kept maxing it out, you wouldn’t blindly raise their credit limit. You would correct their behavior. Our nation’s credit card is maxed out and it is time for a major course correction. However, due to President Biden and Senate Democrats’ inaction and refusal to negotiate on the debt ceiling, thousands of Minnesotans’ financial futures are in jeopardy.  

Congressman Emmer discusses federal debt ceiling on America Reports

It has been more than 21 days since House Republicans passed our Limit, Save, Grow Act. Since then, President Biden and Senate Democrats have been missing in action. This legislation responsibly raises the debt ceiling while limiting wasteful government spending, saving taxpayers money and growing our economy. By raising the debt ceiling, while simultaneously making practical spending cuts, we are preventing a default while addressing the out-of-control spending that has become commonplace in Washington.

In the last 30 years, the only meaningful spending reforms we have seen have been associated with debt ceiling discussions and negotiations. (My note: there is no real connection or value in connecting spending reforms with a crisis situation according to Brookings Institute experts)  It is time for Joe Biden to stop holding Americans hostage and negotiate a proposal that limits wasteful spending, saves taxpayers money, and works to grow the economy. (My note: it's a real failure at that according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities)

Our bill is a solution to the crisis. Biden’s inaction at the negotiating table jeopardizes Minnesota families and workers. Analysts predicted that nearly 100,000 Minnesotans in the Sixth District who are nearing retirement would lose more than $20,000 in value in their 401ks if our nation defaulted. Thousands would lose their job and mortgage costs would increase. It is long past time for Joe Biden and Senate Democrats to come to the table.

Congressman Emmer,

Once again, you misrepresent to your constituents what is at stake in the debt ceiling debate--there should be no debate about paying our bills.  That is your responsibility!  That is the 14th Amendment!  President Trump created the huge debt that you are now complaining about.  Your dishonesty is stunning!  

You work for me and I expect that you do not hold the economy of the United States and by extension, the economies of the rest of the world hostage to put through very bad policies that will hurt millions of Americans.  You must look at increased revenues from your wealthy donor class as well as reasonable cuts where appropriate.  

However, the climate crisis must be addressed and you should not be taking away food and other services from those in need.  Many in my family have served in the military and my son continues to serve.  You are willing to cut services to veterans--shameful, utterly shameful!   It is ridiculous to attempt to pull back funds from the IRS under the guise of protecting privacy...it is protecting wealthy tax cheats.  It's clear that the IRS has been underfunded for years and with more adequate funding and staffing, they can do the job that is needed by Americans and collect the revenues that are legally due to serve the nation. 

The Republican plans are shameful, wasteful and fail to serve average Americans...quit trying to say that they do.  If you don't see how awful your plan is you should get out of the business of politics or at least read the analysis by the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities on what they call "the Republicans Harmful Debt-Ceiling-And-Cuts-Bill."  It's actually quite clear that Republicans do not care about most of their constituents

 Someday I would love to write a complimentary letter to you, but I have yet to feel that you are representing me.  Didn't your mama teach you to be honest?  Don't you try to be a good example to your children?    Guess integrity is not a characteristic valued by Republicans anymore.  I know I'll get a boilerplate response that will not address my concerns and I'll be disappointed in you all over again.  I'm sad, mad and utterly disappointed that you are in a position of power to do so much destruction to our nation.