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A few weeks ago the chairman of the Freeborn County Republican Party, Robert Hoffman, called Tim Walz a communist. He was referencing a school trip Walz had chaperoned to China years ago. I find it ironic he would even suggest such outlandish tripe at the risk of bringing attention to the nominee of the Republican Party, whose close relationship and camaraderie to Kim Jong Un and Putin are well documented. Both of these dictators are indeed Communist. This appears to be something Trump admires and, I’d surmise from his rhetoric, aspires to.

I look at the damage Trump has already reeked with his lies, claims and campaign of false narratives and would compel you to read Project 2025. Medicare, Social Security and public education are all at risk from a party I used to have respect for, though I didn’t always believe in their approach.

I encouraged him to apologize to Walz. Robert Hoffman discounted me and indicated he would under no circumstances apologize.

Peggy Bennett has also done a disservice to the community that depended on having a hospital in Albert Lea. When I expressed my concern about the huge amount of money being distributed to Rochester and questioned whether this was a good idea, she dismissed my concern. This wasn’t something she would do. However, not long after, in lockstep with 35 other Republicans, threatened to hold money back, (the very thing she assured she wouldn’t do), if the mask mandate was not abandoned during the COVID crisis. Where do her interests lay?

We deserve better community conscience building representation that benefit the majority of citizens, not the self-interested greed represented by our present “officials.” We need to keep our democracy. I urge you to vote!

Les Anderson
Albert Lea