An open letter to Congressman Tim Walz and Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken:

The issue of the proposed health care legislation is nearing another vote in Congress, and each of you have a decision to make — will you vote according to how your constituents would have you vote, or will you continue to vote the way the president and Democratic leaders in both houses would have you vote? The following quotation from a speech by Congressman Paul Ryan of Wisconsin is worthy of your consideration in making this decision:

“Americans understand that the problems facing our health care system today, real as they are, can be addressed without nationalizing one-sixth of the American economy and moving us past the tipping point toward a European-style social welfare state. They know that we can solve these problems while at the same time remaining a free society and acting consistently with the principles that have made us the greatest and most prosperous nation on earth. It is our duty now as their representatives to come together and do so.”

There have been alternatives to the massive and expensive overhaul proposed in the current plans proposed in the House, the Senate and by the president. They deserve the consideration of our elected representatives (that is you, in case you have forgotten that) and I would respectfully request you vote against the adoption of the current proposals and seek truly a bipartisan solution to the health care problems we face.

My question to each of you is simple — will you cast your votes according to the wishes of those you represent, or will you, like sheep, follow the dictates of the Democratic leadership? It is a simple question and it deserves a simple answer.

Please do not send me a listing of the Democratic “talking points,” I have heard them all. I just want to know if we can count on you to represent us, or do we need to find alternative come the next time you are up for re-election?

Thank you.

Ralph I. Olson

Albert Lea