The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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  • A group came to U.S. Rep. Tim Walz’s Mankato office Wednesday to air their complaints about the health care reform bill. Meeting with them was Walz’s chief of staff, Josh Syrjamaki (center). Tim Krohn

    Walz

March 10, 2010

Health bill grievances heard in Walz office

By Tim Krohn The Free Press

MANKATO — A group of 1st Congressional District residents opposed to the health care reform bill came to U.S. Rep. Tim Walz’s Mankato office to air their grievances.

“Government-run health care isn’t about health care, it is about control,” said Steve Luther, a retired police officer from Waseca.

He and eight others from Waseca and Steele counties contacted local media and came to Walz’s office Wednesday, saying they haven’t gotten enough answers from Walz on his position on health care reform.

Walz was in Washington, but his chief of staff, Josh Syrjamaki, listened to their points in what was a civil exchange on both sides.

In a later telephone interview with The Free Press, Walz said he appreciates hearing from any constituents but said he is concerned that critics of reform have been making accusations without proper response from supporters.

“We — and the Democratic leadership — have done a terrible job of responding to things. We’ve let things go without saying, OK, ‘so make your case.’ ”

He said his staff is non-political and he staffs his offices to do constituent work and pass criticism and suggestions to him. “These people can walk in, no appointment .. and bring the media ... and I made my chief of staff available to them.      

“My staff is there to take information, not (argue) my positions.”

Walz said he has advocated for many of the issues the group brought up, including allowing health insurance companies to sell across state lines and tort reform. He said the Mayo Clinic is in support of much of the reform bill. 

Members of the group, many of whom attended recent county Republican conventions, said the bill would add to an already enormous debt, lead to higher costs for businesses and individuals, and create more government control over people’s lives.

“I have seen firsthand what government’s assistance has done to our people,” Luther said. “Ronald Reagan had it right when he said, the 10 scariest words in the dictionary are, ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help you.’ ”

Members of the group told Syrjamaki that the distrust of government and Congress’ handling of health care reform “has woken a sleeping giant”  in the district. “I’ve never seen such outrage. They’ve had it,” Luther said.

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