Let me introduce myself. I am a veteran, senior citizen, Medicare recipient, retired union worker and a retired union steward. That said, as a veteran, I am humbly aware of the sacrifices our brave military men and women made in order for each of us to have the privilege of voting. Because of those sacrifices, I take my voting privileges very seriously.

As a member of the union, I strongly feel the importance the union plays and its purpose of representing its members. Being a union steward, I was able to represent my union brothers and sisters for which I had the honor of serving for eight years, through good times and bad. Through strikes and compromise, I believe in union jobs. However, I do not follow the union mantra of blindly voting for the Democratic Party. I listen carefully to the new candidates’ and incumbents’ stances on the issues, follow debates, check the voting records of the incumbents, etc. In other words, I try to be an informed voter, and I decide whether the current representative has indeed properly represented his/her constituents. It is not an easy process, but it is a responsible one.

I also factor in whether these candidates and incumbents are aligned with my moral and conscience values and obligations. In light of all that I have heard and seen, I cannot vote for our current state representative, Shannon Savick. I will not be swayed by repetitive and false media ads. Being known via household name does not equate the importance of her position and duties. When I get to the voting booth, I will instead be voting for Peggy Bennett.

Peggy Bennett will honestly represent her constituents. When you get to the polls, be an informed voter and do not be swayed by slick repetitive advertising geared at calling to mind only the one name that you heard over and over again. Remember the scare tactics regarding federal programs that was in those repetitive ads. A state representative does not deal with those federal programs, which are instead voted on by the U.S. (federal) Congress. For jobs, for honesty, and for fiscal responsibility, vote for Peggy Bennett.

 

Terry Sippel

Albert Lea