To the editor:

It is soon time for Gov. Tim Walz to extend his dictatorship again. Do as I say, not as I do Walz.

Remember the riots in Minneapolis? Minneapolis had mask requirements at the time. Funerals were postponed or cancelled across the state. Public gatherings were limited to 10 people. Unless you were “peacefully demonstrating.” As a concerned citizen, I participated in the first demonstration in front of the governor’s residence begging Walz to re-open the state for business. We did so in daylight, without incident. I suspect many of us were Republicans, but even Democrat business owners and employees wanted to go back to work.

Fast forward to the riots. Demonstrations were peaceful in the daylight, but rioters do their best work under the cover of darkness. So they rioted and looted the first night after George Floyd died. At this point, Minnesota needed a leader. Walz is not that leader.

Walz and Mayor Frey issued an 8 p.m. curfew, and called up the National Guard. And rightly so, because that’s what they are for, emergencies. Walz all but told the rioters that the National Guard would not fire upon the people unless the Guard was in fear for their lives.

Same thing for what was left of Minneapolis Police, and the State Patrol. Then the most absurd thing happened. The Guard was told to stand down. Guard members were standing on a football field wondering why they left their families and jobs. This essentially rendered law enforcement useless. Rioters, BLM, and ANTIFA simply ignored the curfew. The Guard and law enforcement stood by and watched the melee, waiting for direction from leadership which was essentially absent. Finally at 12:30 a.m., the Guard was told to move in (and the rioters scattered like rats), but by then the damage was done. Where was Walzdo at 8:01 pm? THAT was the time to move in. Later, a funeral for Floyd was held with hundreds in attendance, including Walz and Frey. No six-foot social distancing, no 10 person limits, those without masks, and my personal favorite, singing in church!

So, in the last week, Walz has asked President Trump and the Federal Government for $500,000,000 in public assistance for Minneapolis. I hope Trump, the Federal Government, and The Minnesota Senate has the good sense to say NO. Why would anyone rebuild a business in Minneapolis? Why should the rest of us pay for the failed leadership of Walz and Frey? This problem started in Minneapolis, let Minneapolis clean up it’s own mess. If the citizens of Minneapolis have to pull money out of their own pockets, they might just have to re-evaluate their Democrat leadership.

Paul Platz

Lafayette