Thanks to Rose Anderson for her letter published March 31 in the Albert Lea Tribune. She named the candidates running for lieutenant governor and two who are running for secretary of state as Mark Ritchie is stepping down. As a conservative, I ask you to consider several questionable issues.

Among them:

• The voter ID bill. Anyone applying for a driver’s license can obtain a necessary document without much effort and for those who do not drive may receive a free ID document.

• A situation with the federal government suing Anoka and Hennepin counties on the bullying issue. Parents, if you haven’t researched this bill now in the state Senate, do so if you care about keeping our school board in control of local decisions. Anoka/Hennepin school district is under a multi-million dollar fine to be paid for the next five years. If we fail to comply, do we want our tax dollars paying fines to the government? For more information on this bill look up Minnesota Family Council at www.mfc.org. Minnesota Association of School Administrators also has serious concerns with Outfront Minnesota’s bullying bill.

• Common Core Educational Curriculum is devastating to our educational system. Check it out.

• MNsure has spent thousands of dollars for advertising that could have gone toward actual medical costs of our eligible citizens. Federal dollars poured into this effort will run out and our state will be assuming the costs.

• Our state Legislature boasts of a balanced budget with a $1.2 billion surplus with some of the funds returned to taxpayers, however, billions more were initially taxed.

• Attendance at town hall meetings. Recently one such meeting was held in Mankato with U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar and U.S. Reps. Tim Walz and Collin Peterson in attendance. A question was asked as to why the Affordable Care Act was not working. Stunned silence and then laughter from Klobuchar and Walz. Forgive me, the question was no joke. When you meet the candidates, ask candid questions and expect forthright answers.

• It’s time for citizens to be aware of the two-party system, seriously studying the platforms of those running on the Republican ticket. Minnesota voters can do better by getting more in-state focus rather than seeing our tax dollars go to finance those who vow to favor Washington’s plan to “fundamentally transform America.” Much to our dismay, we’re seeing the effects of this transformation and it’s not healthy.

Voters, it’s time to research, get involved, ask questions and make your voice heard at the ballot box.

 

Carol Bybee

Albert Lea