Mark Buesgens
Stae Representative Legislative District 35B
(R) - Jordan, Minnesota
(R) - Jordan, Minnesota
Mark Buesgens
Here is the e-mail sent for the 52nd time:
Response from ad is:
To read the link provided by Representative Buesgens go here.
I had heard the "philosophy" disseminated by Representative Buesgens at least thirty years ago. It is a piece of fiction authored by a dime novelist in the late 19th century recounting a fictional story that took place twelve years before the author was born. An historian sets the record straight here.
My response to my State Representative:
“FIFTY-SIXTH REQUEST”
Representative Buesgens,
I wrongly assumed that your response to my oft queried concern would be more insightful than a fabricated anecdote that does not do an elected official any merit – particularly a legislator that claims to be an “Educator.” (Perhaps in a classroom the use of fables to teach a class of youngsters may be acceptable to an “Educator.”) However, for public discourse to have any value and rise above the level of propaganda, it would seem only honorable to use the truth to demonstrate a philosophy. Wouldn’t you agree?
Also, may I suggest that the dime novelist’s tale of Colonel Davy Crockett you presented as a philosophical gospel does not give insight to individual liberty or responsibility. You should understand that there is a real difference in the role of the federal government – Congressional restraint, and your role as a state legislator having taken an oath to uphold the Minnesota State Constitution.
As a reminder to you, here is Article 1, Section 1 of the document:
"ARTICLE I
BILL OF RIGHTS
Section 1. OBJECT OF GOVERNMENT. Government is instituted for the security, benefit and protection of the people, in whom all political power is inherent, together with the right to alter, modify or reform government whenever required by the public good."
Do you as a human being assert that the fable you suggest is your philosophical underpinning is responsive to discharging your service as a legislator? Do you not believe that disaster relief is appropriate for the State of Minnesota to engage?
Remember this bill which you voted for just last month: H. F. No. 1, A bill for an act relating to disaster assistance; authorizing spending to acquire and better public land and buildings and other improvements of a capital nature with certain conditions; authorizing the sale of state bonds; providing flood loss aid and property tax relief; making cash flow and other budgetary adjustments; appropriating money for flood and tornado relief; amending Laws 2008, chapter 152, article 2, section 3, subdivision 2, as amended; repealing Laws 2010, First Special Session chapter 1, article 24, sections 1; 2; 3?
Was this disaster any worse than the one made up by Mr. Ellis in the fable you suggest provides you with philosophical guidance?
For the fifty-sixth time: Will you help me understand your vision of individual responsibility versus individual liberty?
Tom Rees
After another couple of weeks go by:
And here is the learned response:
And my response:
Re: Minnesota Health Care Freedom Act Query (Fifty-eighth Request)
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| Representative Buesgens, I am flabbergasted! I know of no time that I ever felt intellectually superior to you; you are a man of letters with considerable achievement for your legacy. My first introduction to you after you were redistricted into being my legislator was when I checked out your campaign finance filing and discovered that you had faxed them from your employer's fax machine and your campaign had claimed a fax machine was purchased by your campaign committee. I called your attention to what I consider use of public resources for your campaign effort. You agreed that it was wrong but took no action to rectify your error. There is no accountability without providing remedy. This inaction and behavior lacking understanding of the importance of ethical fiscal conduct while recognizing it was wrong has left me with the perception that you were acting as if you were still an adolescent. For example: Your taking of per diem payments in excess to your real expenses, my belief that you have abused your campaign finances, your unthinking statement on the House floor - remember, sell the state parks, citing your attendance record for a committee you served, or bill introductions without asking for committee hearings for the bills - is not twisting your words or misstating your public records, reports or statements. Remember Horatio Bunce? His character was one that was holding a Congressman accountable for his actions as an elected representative; am I not capable of holding my State Representative accountable for his actions as an elected representative? Do you have a "Bunce" in your life? I will sincerely apologize if there is anything that I have said in our campaigns that is untrue or misrepresenting your words and/or actions. (I did engage with your Campaign Chair in a fantasy in a Jordan Independent blog that was hyperbolic when describing your financial connection with the local Republican Party that I am sorry I wrote even though I believe I identified my ramblings as fantastical.) As to my "motives" and "agenda": I want someone representing me that has a record of success and honesty with the intellectual ability to engage the tough challenges of governance while being a role model for the children he or she represents. When I had the honor to serve in the Minnesota legislature this was my agenda and I am proud of my legacy. Come on, can you find where I publicly have stated: "Gavels? We don't need no stinkin' gavels!" (Nice touch - using the Royal "We." - and nice role model with the sunglasses.) Who really is being juvenile? And I would not have needed to send "repeated, redundant messages" if you had replied in a timely, adult manner. How many of your colleagues in the House have constituents that have to take out a newspaper advertisement to get a response from their Representative? (By the way, that is not being "intellectual superior" when forced to pay for an ad to get the attention of an elected public servant.) Tom |
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For the reader: Here Representative Buesgens' Twitter page and the reference to "Gavels":
We can only hope that discourse improves and we may all learn your vision of individual responsibility.
