Peggy Bennett loves children. She often says this, and I believe her. But if you love children, you can’t vote for her. Why?

• She has said that she doesn’t oppose vouchers. Vouchers siphon money from our local public schools and give the money to private schools. This is not good for our Albert Lea public schools and students.

• She doesn’t support federal government programs that help students such as free breakfast programs for low-income students. Without them, our students would go hungry. Hungry students can’t learn.

• She doesn’t support anti-bullying legislation and expresses concern about the cost.  Wow. Tell that to Jake Ross, an elementary school student who recently spoke at the Education Minnesota (teachers’ convention). He was bullied in second grade and testified at the last legislative session to ask legislators to pass anti-bullying legislation. He said, “No kids should be bullied. All kids should be safe.” But Ms. Bennett would abandon Jake and kids like him. Since when does Minnesota put money before what’s good for our kids?

• Peggy Bennett describes herself as a small-government advocate. So what does that mean? It means she wants the government to do less for us. You will recall that like-minded Republicans in the past cut education funding (and funding for senior programs, roads, bridges). All you need to do is to think back two years when the Republicans had control and cut programs and aid rather than raise taxes on the wealthiest 2 percent of Minnesotans.

I think we all want to move forward to support our students, their families, our seniors. I think it is time to re-elect Shannon Savick and Mark Dayton for proven leadership. The kind of leadership that is good for children.

 

Ted Hinnenkamp

Albert Lea