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Ralph Rosenberg's avatar

Thanks, Chris for responding. If you’re up for it, send her another response. And if you’re up for it since she’s not holding town halls, please push Democratic leaders or opposition groups to hold public forms

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Ralph Rosenberg's avatar

Thank you, Josiah. Your points are well taken. I look at my recent volunteer efforts doing postcard writing sessions for Iowa special elections, the Wisconsin judicial race, and those three critical federal special elections.

I firmly believe that taking tangible action, however modest, is better than inaction every time. Tomorrow, I am participating in a Red, Wine and Blue effort --a simple but visible protest— a sign, at a busy intersection.

Emails and calls serve dual purposes: they help me deal with frustrations while showing others that I am engaged rather than merely complaining. That visible commitment matters tremendously.

I'm actively challenging local organizations to host town halls—Democratic parties, grassroots activists (and I know Red Oak has several impressive ones), and potential congressional and statewide candidates should all be convening public forums about these devastating federal cuts.

Additionally, we should pressure Democratic state legislators to propose concrete amendments allocating state funds to offset federal losses at veteran centers, senior facilities, cancer research programs, and refugee services.

I'm happy to share town hall organizing strategies with folks in the Red Oak area, though I suspect you don't need my guidance—your community possesses local wisdom and capability.

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Ralph Rosenberg's avatar

Thanks Michael. I suggest others write a second letter, referring to the first Ernst response. I might consider a letter to the editor or column, referencing the letter. I am a former legislator; I understand form letters. This issue is too important for 'do nothing' responses from Ernst.

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Chris's avatar

Ernst’s response is the same one I received. Her staffers aren’t very creative. There are times when there is a font change in the letters so I can tell the staffers are cutting and pasting from other stock letters. She had no courage. Towing the Trump/Musk/Vance line trying to avoid a primary. Ernst is putting her own political career ahead of her constituents’ concerns.

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Josiah Wearin's avatar

Same response I received as well. So one wonders what use the letter-writing is. Blows off steam at our end, but no real response and absolutely no inkling that her views diverge from Trump’s. We would love to see Senator hold a publicized town hall in RedOak!

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Mike's avatar

Ralph, that is the exact same letter I received from Joni Ernst the other day regarding her public stands on Ukraine. Word for word in fact, except for Mr. Pelelo instead of Mr. Rosenberg. My wife said when I received it that it was one of the clumsiest form letters she's ever seen.

I would laugh if it wasn't so effing serious.

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Denise OBrien's avatar

I appreciate your persistence Ralph. Thank you.

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Jill Laughlin's avatar

Gee, did he ever get a response from part 3?

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