To the editor:

I come from a long line of Democrats in my family. My father and my uncle ran for office in Missouri and in Maryland. I graduated from a liberal college, so I thought I was a Democrat and voted accordingly. But Democrats are nothing now like they used to be. They are way out of line compared to when I was a young person.

I think we ought to vote for Republicans so that the government doesn’t take over our healthcare. The people behind it blatantly lied to us that we’d save $2,500 per year, and that we could keep our doctor, and our plan. Now they are blaming the Republican candidates for outrageously expensive and deficient health insurance. They are even lying that Republicans will take away protections for pre-existing conditions. The truth is that Minnesota insurance companies are prohibited by law from denying coverage for people with pre-existing conditions. The Republican candidates have specific plans to make health insurance transparent, affordable and with more choices for everyone without a government takeover. Of course that includes the elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions.

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it along to our children in our bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.” — Ronald Reagan

Democrats are no longer the same party we grew up with. The leadership had character and integrity. They’ve lost sight of civility and the cardinal virtues they once practiced in their daily lives. I don’t feel like I can trust them anymore. I will be voting Republican.

Cindy Deichman

Mankato