Rep. Peggy Bennett was quoted at the Republican caucus that she is still watching the gubernatorial candidates.  Quite honestly, I’m waiting on Peggy to take a stand on issues.  She has refused to take a stand on the Dreamers immigration situation. It has been falsely stated by many Republicans that the Democrats want open doors at our borders — which is a bunch of crock. In addition, Peggy has some incredibly vague statements about what government is supposed to do. Peggy, can you get more specific? 

She says she wants to keep working on reforms. What reforms? I’m very curious. We know that Donald Trump has eliminated many practice codes, which makes it easier for big business to avoid accountability. One example of that is to allow environment — our waters and lands — to be polluted. Even the prestigious Mayo Clinic is a big business and is not always held accountable for its actions. 

At the environmental debate Jan. 24 at Hamline University, all gubernatorial candidates were invited and only the six DFL candidates showed up. Not one GOP candidate for governor attended.  It was hosted by nonpartisan environmental groups.  I believe that the Republican candidates often embrace business over quality of our environment. This was evident by the fact none of them showed up. I think it looks like Bennett also embraces greedy money over our natural environment — typical.    

“I can see so clearly that government has forgot its purpose,” Bennett said. “It has forgot why it was developed in the first place — developed by the people. It has forgotten that it is here to serve the people.” Good grief, Bennett, you can’t have it both ways.  You’ve voted against the people so often that you don’t’ know who the people are anymore. 

You are correct that big business often controls government. Think about it, like Trump, you have wealthy parents who have benefited from big business. In addition, you have received a load of campaign money from big business and billionaires, such as Stanley Hubbard. I have no doubt where your loyalty resides. 

Government has given over $1 trillion in corporate welfare this past year. No one in the Republican Party will speak against that. Yet, when a bill is introduced to give some assistance to people who are in need of help, you billionaire lovers come out of the woodwork to scream against any help to regular working class people. These are “the people.”  You continually vote against us.

Peggy, you keep talking about reforms, but be specific and try looking out for people less fortunate than you for a change. I’ve been waiting for some specific answers for a long time from the Republicans and Rep. Peggy Bennett in particular. 

Paul Tuveson

Woodbury