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Twin Town High (vol. 8) |
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Letters to the Editor - McLaughlin's worth
Wednesday 18 May @ 13:53:02 |
 Not even a dime’s worth of difference in mayoral race
I would like to take this opportunity to make a personal observation about the Minneapolis mayor’s race. I know that Commissioner [Peter] McLaughlin talks a good talk, but have found that he can’t even return a phone call.
Furthermore, the good commissioner wants to provide Carl Pohlad with $30 million a year with new tax money and not a single cent to help those of us who cannot afford medical assistance, based on a formula used by the county.
I have lived on the south side of Minneapolis for several decades. Presently I
live in a board and care facility licensed by the county. I pay $700.00 a month,
that comes out of my Social Security disability. In addition, in order to qualify
for medical assistance from the county I have to pay another $600.00. Needless
to say this is more than I receive. Several of my friends are in the same situation. 
I either have to go homeless to afford my medications, or go without the meds
that keep me out of the hospital.
With
the Legislature cutting vital health care programs—HCMC being cut last year
and another $13,000,000.00 this year—why hasn’t McLaughlin asked the
legislature to be able to tax residents the same amount he wants to give the Twins?
It would meet a more basic need than helping a billionaire.
Why didn’t Mr. McLaughlin have the courtesy to call me back (or a member
of his staff at the very least) after I called over a month ago to ask for his
help?
I am surprised that any union would support a candidate that doesn’t support
giving basic health care to those of us who are disabled and most in need.
McLaughlin talks of neighborhood revitalization, but he doesn’t seem to
think that health care is an essential part of it. If he tries to argue that the
formula is set by the state why hasn’t he tried to get it changed? He
knows how to lobby the Legislature for the billionaires, but not to raise his
voice for those of us who have a limited below-poverty budget and who need vital
health coverage.
In last week’s edition of the Pulse, you asked if there was a dime’s
worth of difference between Rybak and McLaughlin. To me McLaughlin isn’t
even worth a dime.
Moncena S. Rowley
Minneapolis
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