By Ken Shindler

Editor’s note: This is an open letter from Ken Schindler to his former classmate, newly elected Congressman Erik Paulsen.

Dear Erik,

I was reminded of why I wanted to write you on the way to work today. I saw your face up on the massive billboard just past Highway 6 on 494 North. You know the one. You’re standing next to current Congressman Jim Ramstad. Both of you wearing smart suits and easy smiles. Summer foliage in the background. Your name in blue block letters set in a blaze of orange.

I saw in your bio over the course of the election that after you graduated from St. Olaf, you worked for Ramstad in Washington, D.C., as his aide for a couple of years. Clearly the long-standing and well-respected representative of the Third District supported your bid to succeed him in our nation’s Capital.

I also spent time away from Minnesota after graduating from college. Like you I moved back here to raise a family. Your four daughters are beautiful by the way. Now I can guess why you missed our 20th reunion. It’s shocking how often taking care of children can keep us from getting out and seeing old classmates.

Congratulations on your election win and impending move to Capitol Hill. I don’t know how many Chaska High School graduates have made it to the halls of the House of Representatives, but District 112 and your former teachers must be proud.

You probably don’t remember me very well. I do remember sitting next to you in Mr. Waletski’s anthropology class. You were always a better student than I was.

Why am I writing?

The attack ads like the ones on TV and radio that you and Ashwin Madia sponsored have to stop. I know you feel the way I do, and I’m hoping you can help put an end to them in future elections.

I saw you on Nov. 4, the night of the election, being interviewed at the Bloomington Sheraton, site of the Minnesota Republican headquarters. The final results were not in, but you already had a substantial lead. A Channel 5 reporter asked you about the viciousness of your campaign ads and whether you thought this was a “necessary evil” of modern politics.

You contorted your face in an uncomfortable grimace, paused and said that you would like to focus on the positive participation and the impending record Minnesota turnout.

Erik, I could tell in that facial grimace and pause that something beneath the surface didn’t like what happened with the campaign and those relentless, nasty ads. I know from how you were raised that cutthroat campaign techniques can’t sit well with you deep down inside. I’m sure you feel the millions of dollars wasted on this kind of redundant tear down could be used on more altruistic endeavors.

I’m aware that some of those ads were paid for by Republican advocacy groups, but it’s difficult for voters, much less kids, to tell the difference. I’m sure you would agree that if the public really believed that our choices for higher office are “liars,” “tax evaders,” “anti-Americans,” we would stay home and not vote for anyone.

Erik, over the last month, I have not spoken with any co-worker, relative or friend that thought that these ads were a “necessary evil.”

I’m not naive. I understand that a lot is at stake and our political system is based on the power struggle between political parties.
However, now that you’ve been elected, I implore you to take that subsurface discomfort I saw on your face that night and reflect on why you began to work for Jim Ramstad in the first place.

Please start some legislation, or at least the conversation, to stop trashing political opponents on TV and radio.

A resident of Chaska, I know I don’t live among your constituency and can’t help vote for you the next time around, but as a fellow 1983 CHS graduate and a family man like yourself, I’m asking you for this favor.

You want to do something for Minnesota families and the future democracy of our children?

In election season 2010, avoid the superficial nonsense and campaign with your gut.

Best wishes,
Ken Schindler

Ken Schindler is a Chaska resident and occasional columnist for the Chaska Herald, a sister publication of the Eden Prairie News. This article appeared in the Nov. 20 Herald.