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Health & Fitness

An open letter to John Kline

Dear Mr Kline:

I am your constituent. I live in your district. You represent me. My taxes pay for your salary, your staff, your offices, your health insurance. My taxes pay for your franking privileges.

I disagree with your positions on most issues. You know that. I would like Mike Obermueller to win the next election. You know that.

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But I respect your office. I respect your right to hold the views that you do, and your right to expound upon them. I respect you as a person.

I am disappointed that your respect is not mutual. I have asked multiple times to be on your email list for your letters to your constituents. You don't include me. I have asked multiple times for your schedule of local personal appearances so we might have a civil dialogue about issues where we disagree (e.g. minimum wage, unemployment compensation, immigration, the SNAP program, how to reduce the deficit, and many more). I have asked multiple times that you publish notice of your telephone town hall meetings. You have done none of these things.

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I commend you for publishing notice of last night's telephone town hall. But, Congressman, what an illusion. I waited by my phone. I followed your twitter feed of the meeting. I knew it was happening. No call. Worse yet, my twitter feed was full of your constituents who suffered the same experience.

Lack of respect is one thing. Lack of leadership is wholly another. Your refusal to engage with the entirety of your constituency is strong evidence of your lack of leadership. But, worst of all, as a Marine, your refusal to talk with all the people you represent, demonstrates a lack of courage.

You have some remaining opportunities to demonstrate that you care about the entirety of the Second Congressional District. Despite the politics, we all agree that improving the United States of America is the ultimate goal. Let's find a way we can do that. If not, we need a change in the chain of command.

 

 





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