Letter: Kline misses important detail

To the Editor:

I recently received an e-mail from Congressman John Kline’s office, touting an online “Listening to you” survey — rather ironic, considering the email I had received from the congressman’s office last week.

I had e-mailed the office the previous week to express my opinion that it was time to retire the “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy the military has and allow gays to serve openly.

Imagine my surprise when I received a reply thanking me for “sharing my opposition to repealing the current policy.”

This is the second time I’ve received an e-mail from the congressman’s office thanking me for an opinion that was different than what I had expressed.

It concerns me that representatives not only vote on issues with total disregard to our opinions, but also have the nerve to thank us for expressing opinions that we don’t hold.

I respect the congressman’s right to hold a differing opinion, but I do request that he notes and recognizes my right to voice mine.

Until last week, I had planned to vote for Kline’s re-election. Now I’m reconsidering that and wondering if there will be someone to step up and actually represent Minnesota’s 2nd District, rather than continue to be part of the Washington machine that does as it sees fit.

Eric Dowden

Red Wing

Tags: john kline, opinion, letters