The column below reflects the views of the author, and these opinions are neither endorsed nor supported by WisOpinion.com.
As we speak out against the cruelty, lies, racism and violence by Trump in Minneapolis, keep your eyes on the midterm elections. To check Trump, Americans must be convinced to vote for a Democratic-led Congress. Violence and extreme rhetoric would be wrong and counterproductive. Keep your eyes on the prize.
Wisconsin Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin has stepped up. She voted to separate funding for the Department of Homeland Security from other spending bills. This keeps the government open. Importantly, it gives Congress 2 weeks to agree on guardrails against Trump’s madness: “Senate Democrats demanded that Republicans agree to tighten warrant rules, implement a code of conduct for ICE and other federal agents, require independent investigations of misconduct, bar agents from wearing masks and require they wear body cameras” (Washington Post).
As always Wisconsin GOP Senator Ron Johnson said no and voted against the compromise: “I expect Democrats aren’t going to be negotiating in good faith (most GOP senators voted yes). I expect that they (Democrats) don’t want to fund ICE and Border Patrol.” Part of a cruel deceptive pattern from Johnson. He blames Democrats for VA nurse Alex Pretti and Renee Good’s deaths. Johnson said: “Minnesota Democrats are inciting violence and obstruction of federal law enforcement.” Shameful!
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However, Johnson is not alone. Wisconsin GOP 3rd CD Representative Derrick Van Orden tweeted: “Walz (MN governor) is a moron who is getting people killed to cover up for the massive fraud he oversaw.” Outrageous! And, VA Secretary Doug Collins tweeted: “We can confirm Alex Pretti was a nurse at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. … Such tragedies are unfortunately happening in Minnesota because of state and local officials’ refusal to cooperate with the federal government … .” Later the VA reportedly tried to block a memorial service at the Minneapolis VA before relenting.
Democratic 3rd CD candidate Rebecca Cooke once again showed she has character and judgment: “Another death at the hands of ICE – this is a federal agency out of control. ICE needs to vacate Minnesota and leave our neighbors alone. This is not a policy disagreement, this is a moral imperative.” And, Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial candidate Sara Rodriguez (a nurse) was blunt: “A nurse is dead. Communities are traumatized. People are heartbroken, angry and scared. And they know this never should have happened.” Her opponent, GOP 7th CD Representative Tom Tiffany, sees no evil.
It’s past time to end Trump’s “engineered suffering” (National Catholic Reporter). Vote in November for a Democratic-led Congress to address the above, and critically, affordability and economic security. A new Kaiser Family Foundation poll found that the cost of healthcare is at the top of voters’ worries. With the GOP-led Senate’s not extending Affordable Care Act enhanced advance premium tax credits (APTCs), healthcare coverage is becoming out of reach. Listen to the Wisconsin Medical Society: “Extending the enhanced APTCs will continue to lower premiums across income levels, mitigate financial barriers to care and sustain enrollment in the marketplaces.”
Vote Democratic in November. Our lives are at risk.
– Kaplan wrote a guest column from Washington, D.C., for the Wisconsin State Journal from 1995 – 2009.
