Congressman Hagedorn,
I am writing to express my thoughts as one of your constituents, and I'll strive to maintain civility while expressing those thoughts, because maintaining a civil discourse even in disagreement is how effective communication works.
Two days ago you voted against condemnation of racist language from President Trump, and I'd like to know why.
The vote did not contain any actionable policy or any legislation, so you couldn't have voted against it on the grounds that it was supporting policy with which you disagree.
Perhaps you thought the language Trump used wasn't racist. If so, I ask simply why other lawmakers, who are not people of color, are not told to return to where they come from, to "go home?" Trump feels free to engage in name-calling and lies of all sorts against many lawmakers, but only to people of color did he reserve the instruction to "go home." This language is embedded in the racist idea that white Americans are an "us" and people of color are a "them." Such language divides people and encourages fear and hatred. It is deeply unamerican and deserves condemnation.
Maybe you felt you had to vote with your party, or had to vote against a democratic party motion simply because they are the opposition. If that were the case, I ask if there is a line beyond which you will stop this behavior and use your vote to represent american ideals and values rather than party politics?
The appearance of your vote is that you support or agree with the president's racist comments, and that stirs up significant anger in me, because you are supposed to represent me in our government. I don't want my representation to take the form of support for racism, even if it is in the form of a lack of condemnation.
Sincerely,
Tommy Rinkoski
