As a wife of a Minnesota National Guardsman, I have to use the freedom of speech he fights for to express my concern with my representation or lack thereof. I'm not a political person, but I do believe in paying attention and voting.
Recently, there was a call-in radio show in Ortonville for candidates. While Mike Bredeck took on-air questions, Rep. Aaron Peterson refused to take questions on-air. I sat on hold, being told that he refused to take questions unless screened. They did let Peterson know that my question pertained to the National Guard. I then sat on hold and thought I could ask it off-air and perhaps get a minute for Peterson to talk to me about the veteran's question I had. The radio person said he would not.
The title of the position these men are seeking is "representative." When my representative refuses to take questions and then refuses to speak to me, even briefly, it's a slap at what our troops are defending: representative democracy.
Peterson botched the handling of an important veteran's bill in the past session and it's important for people to know that. I'm exercising my freedom of speech today and I will be exercising my right to vote on Nov. 7 and supporting Mike Bredeck for state representative.
Renee Eustice
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Ortonville
