Jump to full article: Grand Forks (ND) Herald, 2009-04-26
Author: Elizabeth Summers, Grand Forks
Intro: As a Grand Forks resident, I am not directly represented by Rep. Al Carlson, R-Fargo, and so I wondered how it is that this one legislator from Fargo can undo my vote for Measure 3 and thwart the will of the majority of North Dakota voters.
What kind of person does that? Who is this Al Carlson who arrogantly ignores 165,000 voters?
Well, I did a little checking and found out that in 2006, when Carlson was re-elected to the North Dakota Legislature, he got only 2,903 votes or 52 percent of the votes cast. By contrast, some 3,998 voters in Carlson’s district voted to support Measure 3 in November.
That’s right: In his own district, 1,000 more voters supported Measure 3 than supported Carlson’s re-election bid. . . .
on pretty much all tobacco-control issues, Carlson takes the side of the tobacco industry over the constituents in his district, Fargo and the public health community. Shame on him.
Now, the only mystery left for me to resolve is: Why do Republican house members (with the notable exceptions of Bismarck Reps. Bob Martinson and George Keiser) support Carlson’s pro-tobacco industry policies over the public-health interests of the people?
I don’t know. That is something voters should ask their legislators directly. I intend to ask mine.
Jump to full article » |