To the editor,

In our rural Minnesota communities, it is vital to keep our small businesses alive and thriving. The Cravaak/Ryan/Romney budget plan will devastate our businesses and jobs. Business people and job creators when your customers suffer, your businesses suffer. 

Here are some facts about Koochiching County demographics and income: 20 percent of our population is over 65 and 40 percent of total resident income comes from the government; most of which comes from social security and Medicare benefits. The remaining 60 percent of total resident income comes from salaries, self-employment income and investments.

The Ryan budget cuts to Medicare, which Chip Craavack voted for and the House passed, would cost each senior on average $6,200 per year. That is $6,200 per year less for 20 percent of our population and a total of $16 million per year for our county’s economy. Should Craavack and Republicans prevail in the election, this money is then not available to buy food, clothes, housing, services and discretionary items in our stores.

Nolan will not place the burden of Medicare reform on seniors or on small business customers. Nolan, as a retired business owner, understands how important the incomes of seniors are to the economic vibrancy of our Northern Minnesota communities. The Nolan choice for Congress is a wise business choice.

Amy Mortenson

International Falls, MN