Letter: Elected officials’ unethical actions not up for debate

We hear North Dakota is at a crossroads regarding wealth, energy development and technology. Another crossroads is more important.

Jack Dalrymple, Kevin Cramer, Rick Berg and now, Randy Christmann, have accepted donations that cast doubt on their character and ability to protect the best interests of North Dakota. Thursday it was revealed that Christmann has accepted campaign contributions of more than $54,000 from entities he would regulate if elected to the Public Service Commission. Already Brian Kalk and Kevin Cramer are embroiled in questionable campaign contribution lawsuits for similar corruptive actions that will cost the taxpayers of North Dakota $400 an hour to defend. Is that what we want to defend?

The culture of corruption and unethical actions by elected officials is not even up for debate since the Republican-controlled Legislature defeated the establishment of an ethics review panel this last legislative session. When one party wields all the power in a state, they do what they want. There are no checks or balances and corruption prevails.

Vote for integrity, honesty and our future. Vote Heidi Heitkamp, Ryan Taylor, Pam Gulleson and Brad Crabtree.

Leonard Conradson, Dickinson

Tags: opinion, letter, letters