Issues of importance to you!
Whether it's immigration, gas prices or the high cost of prescription drugs, Congressman Gutknecht wants to hear what issues are important to you and your family. Use the form below to send your message or comments. Check back often to see what other First District residents are saying!
What's on your mind?
What others are saying...
NOTE: All responses are subject to posting on the website, but not all will be posted. The site administrator reserves the right to approve or deny public posting of any message.
...on Prescription Drugs and Anti-Counterfeiting Technology
It seems like seniors in many areas don't count - maybe it is because they don't have the finances so aren't as important in our society. (People forget about all they have contributed through out the years and still do.) Thanks for realizing that and attempting to help.
Congress needs to change the law on prescription drugs that Medicare can get the lowest price like the VA can. The drug companies have already committed fraud in raising their prices on seniors from 3-15% since the Part D became effective. Seniors are getting ripped off.
Darlene
Specifying the manner by which counterfeiting should be prevented is an example of the typical cost ineffective bureaucratic mechanism that big government is famous for. Far better would be to specify the end result required and let industry find the most cost effective method of achieving that result. That's called market efficiency. Enforcement will be required either way and sufficient budget must be allocated. Otherwise, this is just a way to increase the production cost of drugs and shuffle more patient money to drug, packaging and raw material companies.
There is no reason why an unbroken chain of evidence regarding drug history can't be required tomorrow, without the addition of technology. Let the companies figure out what technology will save them money.
...on Marriage
You are absolutely correct. If not for judicial chutzpah, we could leave it to the states to legislate. Unfortunately, it's going to take a federal constitutional amendment to do the will of the people.
Congress should keep their nose out of it. Gay marriage is not going to harm you or I or anyone else. This is a religion issue and hopefully there is still such a thing as separation of church and state. There isn't room to list all the things congress should be worried about ahead of this.
Merrill
Marriage will always be between a man and a woman. It's sad that this has to be debated. Because the court has so much power, this issue should be decided by the people, and the legislators do need to act.
We need a Federal Constitutional Amendment. Here in MN, we are temporarily "safe" from activist judges due to a State Law that defines marriage properly, and a Minnesota Supreme Court decision upholding the aforesaid Law. What worries me is what will happen in future years when we have a "different" Supreme Court that may strike down their previous ruling and the State Law. At that time we better have a Federal (or State) amendment in place, or else marriage of anybody to anybody or animal may become "acceptable." This must not be allowed to happen.
...on Immigration
Basically, I agree with your stance. 35 years ago I met the love of my life in Colombia. We walked through hell to get her green card. She became a U.S. citizen in the Bicentennial year. Illegal aliens are cheaters--they cut in line. Send them back.
Raymond
Dear Congressman,
I'm on a slow boil as I watch the liberals sell out our country for the votes it will gain them. They are playing fast and loose with our rights, tax, property, and birth, by opening the borders for illegal immigrants. I don't know what the future holds for our country if we cannot control immigration.
Please hold the line and do not compromise with the Senate unless there is real controls on the border put in place. We don't need a replay of the legislation passed in the 80's that did nothing to stop the flow of illegals.
Dan, Owatonna
FINALLY I agree with Gil on an issue. I am against making it a felony for sneaking into the country for peaceful purposes even if they are taking welfare. I am also against letting them get the prize of citizenship by breaking the law. I am not against a guest worker program if it requires them to leave the country after the permit expires like most of the countries around the world. Not leaving would be a crime. I have an employee that is jumping through hoops and spending thousands to gain a green and eventually citizenship. Allowing all of these unknown millions to become citizens is unfair to him and all the others. We simply can't afford this.
