tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-189873232024-03-07T15:35:52.879-08:00Multipartisan MinnesotaFocusing on a sustainable humanity through the Long Emergency.Kevin Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17125012625896751511noreply@blogger.comBlogger147125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18987323.post-15411223713671915242011-10-17T21:46:00.000-07:002011-10-17T21:52:53.586-07:00Farheen Hakeem and the 99%<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiarQxi6ldnbXM0ElwJIdtwksBXAKbo8XkJiS-h6DrUsEeYPrFZJx05hwtuuwBcg7RLcg7AEr-84pxcZQnx-jWMXhinrojtVYxBTG3MMs9sFN607UH_yjLNlFCvNdlcYqNvNJMEQ/s1600/311951_10150366024669238_744909237_7971551_1985645597_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiarQxi6ldnbXM0ElwJIdtwksBXAKbo8XkJiS-h6DrUsEeYPrFZJx05hwtuuwBcg7RLcg7AEr-84pxcZQnx-jWMXhinrojtVYxBTG3MMs9sFN607UH_yjLNlFCvNdlcYqNvNJMEQ/s320/311951_10150366024669238_744909237_7971551_1985645597_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>Hilarious and pathetic defines last Sunday's Star Tribune Op-Ed section. Except this time <a href="http://www.startribune.com/opinion/otherviews/131888548.html">Jason Lewis</a> was telling it like it is and <a href="http://www.startribune.com/opinion/otherviews/131888538.html">Lori Sturdevant</a> was spinning partisan lies. Then again, they alternate between their opposing roles. Both enjoy leaving out vital information that might actually serve to inform voters - what the media is meant to do.<br />
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Without mentioning <a href="http://www.farheenhakeem.org/">Farheen Hakeem</a>, Sturdevant attempted to paint Hayden as the savior of Minnesota. The one politician who will channel the <a href="http://occupywallst.org/">Occupy Wall Street</a> movement into Minnesotan politics. The one person who can save the day when people clearly have given up hope.<br />
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Hayden says in the article, "You don't hear any longer about good governance or negotiating or 'try
to get along. People are very fed up. They see the Tea
Partiers as obstructionists, and they want us [DFLers] to be tougher on
them. ... These people see their community starting to erode, and they
want to fight for it." So what has he been doing the last few years? Obviously constituents expect more than a politician who toes the party line and refuses to push new and creative agendas. <br />
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I got a call today from a DFL activist. She said that I should vote for Hayden because he is a "true progressive champion." Pondering the article I had read only yesterday, I asked her what his stance was on Occupy Minnesota. She knew about the occupation but didn't know his stance. She then stammered "I don't really know him or what he stands for. Check his website for more information." Asking her if she even lived in Minneapolis, she replied that she lived in northern Minnesota. Partisans without a cause are not the type of leadership people look up to.<br />
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For a progressive champion, I would expect the DFL candidate to actually BE at Occupy Minnesota. Except, he wasn't. His opponent <a href="http://www.fightbacknews.org/2011/10/8/over-1000-rally-minneapolis-occupymn-kickoff">Farheen Hakeem was there</a>. She spoke at the opening day rally about the need for real political change. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzrRGC4Y8j4N1Qmx6r4C89yVjAhHvZ8VE7VJobXAoQhcZyuixegVUu72s_BYsvZt7pBU1k4OgNrqNUSYlej-62EJTHShfbXaAg-AlpGb0AGo-9ZRzCDfUdItpN-GmRDnAmmuF4LA/s1600/311855_2405616788698_1499503332_32584159_2065610196_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzrRGC4Y8j4N1Qmx6r4C89yVjAhHvZ8VE7VJobXAoQhcZyuixegVUu72s_BYsvZt7pBU1k4OgNrqNUSYlej-62EJTHShfbXaAg-AlpGb0AGo-9ZRzCDfUdItpN-GmRDnAmmuF4LA/s320/311855_2405616788698_1499503332_32584159_2065610196_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Fortunately, I saw one individual there who was wearing a Hayden shirt several days into the occupation. I pointed this out to some of the individuals I had been chatting with. "He's a pretty sorry representative" was the response with nods of agreement. These were not fellow <a href="http://www.mngreens.org/">Greens</a>, but individuals who were hyper aware of politics. They see through the DFL-speak, where a "true progressive champion" doesn't really mean anything.<br />
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So, with all the anger people have these days against injustice, do we really want to vote for another corporate shill? A guy who <a href="http://www.startribune.com/politics/statelocal/125271659.html">keep taking money during a government shut down</a>? Or do we want to vote for someone who proposes <a href="http://%22those%20who%20make%20peaceful%20revolution%20impossible%20will%20make%20violent%20revolution%20inevitable.%22%20-%20%20john%20f.%20kennedy./">economic and environmental policies</a> that would benefit the 99%? Only <a href="http://www.farheenhakeem.org/">Farheen</a> has relentlessly brought up that we need to tax the rich to resolve systemic inequities. She would advocate for her constituents while spearheading a new agenda that Minnesotans have long awaited. Minneapolis voters can choose more of the same OR vote against the 1% by electing <a href="http://www.farheenhakeem.org/">Farheen Hakeem</a>. <br />
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<br /></div>Kevin Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17125012625896751511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18987323.post-3570959534383881122011-09-10T19:16:00.000-07:002011-09-25T14:42:19.328-07:00Democratsy is Failing but Opportunity for Real Change Exists<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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"The people who are controlling our economy, are controlling our democracy," says Dan McGrath of Take Action Minnesota. Those with money are clearly the ones with power in our society. Unfortunately, McGrath did not elaborate on the DFL endorsement process - or his organization's. The conversations not occurring and the lack of shared power with the average person says a lot about ruling class perceptions.<br />
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We have two special elections in Minnesota. One is in south Minneapolis and the other in Brooklyn Center. While the media has given these races some attention, there is still little discussion of them. What I find disturbing is that the DFL executive committee has overruled their local parties from endorsing, <a href="http://politicsinminnesota.com/2011/08/hayden-eaton-earn-dfl-endorsements-for-special-elections/">deciding themselves</a> who is best fit for the state senate. <a href="http://mnpublius.com/post/9543092600/dfl-endorses-jeff-hayden-in-the-sd61-special-senate">Some within the DFL</a>, who were unable to vote on endorsement, thought the process was fair if unusual. Others were quite appalled at being a delegate or precinct chair without a say.<br />
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Take Action Minnesota has decided to take a similar stance. On Thursday, September 8th they choose to endorse <a href="http://www.takeactionminnesota.org/home/37/event/165">only one candidate</a> in the senate district 61 race. None of the other candidates were invited to screen or compete against him in their endorsement. If this is not a flawed process, I do not know what one is.<br />
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Most of my friends and neighbors in the district aren't hearing much. Yet, they don't seem enthused about the DFL primary, either. The election is this Tuesday and there is complete silence. Okay, I know a few people who support candidate X or candidate Y. A concerted campaign by anyone is what I have not seen. In the blogosphere, there is only one post from the <a href="http://juliedfl.tumblr.com/post/10042410519/campaign-diary-coffee-talk-with-rep-jeff-hayden">SD61 DFL chair</a>. This scenario bodes well for either the candidate with the best name recognition and/or who can mobilize the most voters to show up. I expect extremely low turnout, perhaps 1800 voters.<br />
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I could be wrong, as residents could be mobilized to vote. Senate District 61 is in one of the economically impoverished parts of the state. Minnesotans for a Fair Economy door-knocked here earlier this summer, with fantastic results. The organization wants to mobilize the working-class and unemployed to change our political system as the Tea Party folk have. With a long-term weak recovery followed by another potential recession, there is no better group of people to get involved in politics.<br />
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Minnesotans for a Fair Economy has a goal of rectifying the unfair economic system we find ourselves in. They have been quite honest about the predicament we are in. However, if someone is inspired to run for office after attending their events - would this group support them? Donna Cassutt is their executive director but has also spent time as the DFL associate chair from 2005 until early this year. Likely their real motive is to inspire a Tea Party movement of the left and funnel solely into the DFL. If they get involved in the primary or general special election, they will only do so for the DFL endorsed candidate.<br />
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So those who are without a job or are struggling, can they trust a corrupt political system? Sure, they can run for office. However, it's not what they know but who they know that will get them institutional support. Also, these very same voters have no idea how they have been continually robbed the opportunity to hear about other candidates.<br />
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Am I the only one who find this situation disturbing? If local party delegates and even political candidates themselves are stifled, can we still call our partisan democracy functional? Or do we call it efficient and open to those with wealth and social connections. If what Dan McGrath says is true, then closed door groups of Democrats and Republicans decide our politicians and control our economy.<br />
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Our state government shut down this summer to the detriment of everyone. Our Federal government also faced a near collapse. Democrats and Republicans continue to play partisan games while families can barely make it pay check to pay check. They blame each other while continuing to do nothing to change our country's direction.<br />
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<b><u>Things could be different... </u></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh23UT93dIYhIxdI3-brehk_1qfjy8Sxgoo3Y2g1LLh8QygVEO_mhTVOAgOgpdMsLmcdrXT-o0YUgQdIrouj5QhATROMhnI_omPoXVjc5f6HOvqUime-unU8jj5CasowHcyea1ow/s1600/Farheen+Hakeem780_a33479d4e8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh23UT93dIYhIxdI3-brehk_1qfjy8Sxgoo3Y2g1LLh8QygVEO_mhTVOAgOgpdMsLmcdrXT-o0YUgQdIrouj5QhATROMhnI_omPoXVjc5f6HOvqUime-unU8jj5CasowHcyea1ow/s320/Farheen+Hakeem780_a33479d4e8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The sad predicament we find ourselves in need not be so. I attended an endorsement today that did not shut its doors to non-executive committee members. The <a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=10150156273355273">Senate District 61 Green Party</a> endorsed <a href="http://www.farheenhakeem.org/">Farheen Hakeem</a> for Minnesota Senate. She has raised over $10,000 and will be mounting a campaign over the coming weeks to change the direction of our state.<br />
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Minneapolis voters who want a progressive champion at the capitol need look no further than Farheen. She will be a fighter for the working class and unemployed who feel voiceless and discouraged. Essentially, she won't take her position for granted and be content with the status-quo.<br />
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Some of what <a href="http://www.farheenhakeem.org/">Farheen Hakeem</a> stands for:<br />
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Single-payer universal healthcare - healthcare for everyone in Minnesota</li>
<li>Uninterrupted and increased E-12 funding</li>
<li>A moratorium on foreclosures so people can stay in their homes</li>
<li>Lower and affordable college tuition</li>
<li>More rights for undocumented workers and saner immigration policies</li>
<li>Alternative energy and green jobs</li>
<li>A fair tax system that includes taxing the rich</li>
<li>Protecting the environment </li>
<li>Ending the achievement gap</li>
<li>LGBTQ rights</li>
</ul>
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Minnesotans have changed the trajectory of America's politics many times. Through the Farmer Labor Party we pushed for such things as Social Security. Hubert H. Humphrey brought social justice issues onto the national stage. The election of Jesse Ventura may have "shocked the world" but it also led to our first light-rail transit project. </div>
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Our current well-known politicians project hyper-individualistic values. T-paw's anti-tax governorship has bankrupted our state, with the DFL refusing to fight against his un-allotment. Michelle Bachmann makes us look intolerant and ignorant. She serves as comic relief and a glitter bomb target. Is this the Minnesota we want projected forward?<br />
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Let's imagine a different future scenario. A green movement that empowers people by prioritizing our collective needs. A movement that provides sustainable jobs that pay a living wage. A state that cares about all its people and would never relegate them to 2nd class. What we need is a positive movement in these dire times.<br />
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Things do not seem to be getting better and they never will unless we do something about it. We are heading down the road to failure but we can still take the path towards shared success. A vote for <a href="http://www.farheenhakeem.org/">Farheen Hakeem</a> sends the message that we want a better vision to represent our future. </div>
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Kevin Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17125012625896751511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18987323.post-30721114728616352272011-07-10T16:25:00.000-07:002011-07-10T17:01:47.128-07:00Nonfeasant Politicians<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZv9VbBeKGYdt5ZWddn1auSYfkANjSEjyekhwdH57WF5giJqcnG1Ehl73a6f054gbw7Y2fgBVzunWGWtCVI9lw9m4gKRf6XxN0yDxHEL4mxHQpDYU6Mb31pEinVU8_7fQYLSw3mA/s1600/Call+us+back+to+work.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZv9VbBeKGYdt5ZWddn1auSYfkANjSEjyekhwdH57WF5giJqcnG1Ehl73a6f054gbw7Y2fgBVzunWGWtCVI9lw9m4gKRf6XxN0yDxHEL4mxHQpDYU6Mb31pEinVU8_7fQYLSw3mA/s200/Call+us+back+to+work.JPG" width="110" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">With the government shut down, it is apparent that partisan gridlock is not working. Neither side can seem to agree on how to resolve the impasse that creates greater challenges for Minnesota each day. Republicans are opposed to any taxes to resolve the budget crisis. Dayton refuses to give in as Margaret Anderson-Kelliher and other DFLers did during Pawlenty's last term. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Republicans want Governor Dayton to "call them back to work." However, he will likely dismiss any bills they give him that do not include a tax increase. And what work did Republican achieve while "working?" It is laughable to say the Republicans were focused on the budget "like a laser" as House speaker Amy Koch claimed. They passed Constitutional amendments requiring photo identification to vote and an anti-gay marriage bill. Neither of these will save Minnesota any money long-term and could have been brought up next year when the budget is less an issue. Minnesotans wisely chose to focus on biennial budgets so that the first term could focus on budget issues. Republicans, primarily elected on fiscal issues, chose to push a social agenda Minnesotan voters have little taste for. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What Minnesotans want is for government to work for them and not against them. Voters have a civic duty to elect representatives who will represent them and theoretically hold them accountable for their actions. Yet Minnesota has a growing body of elected officials choosing to ignore their duties. These representatives and senators choose not to vote at all.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Voter anger over the government shut down is only beginning to stir. Some are asking what are neighbors in Wisconsin have and are beginning to do: How do we recall these good for nothing politicians?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Minnesota was the first state in the country to pass a Constitutional amendment allowing for the <a href="http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hrd/pubs/ss/ssrecall.htm">recall of elected state officials</a>. It essentially states, "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">State officers can be recalled for “malfeasance,” “nonfeasance,” and “serious crime.” So breaking the laws are clearly problematic but so is the issue of nonfeasance. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">Nonfeasance is defined as, "...</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">intentionally and repeatedly not performing required duties of the office." Since elected officials are intended to represent their constituents, when they choose not to vote, are they not in derelection of their duty? I would certainly consider this a form of nonfeasance. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">Are state politicians really not voting when, in fact, they should be? People can miss all sorts of things. Democrat defenders of Bobbi Jo Champion claimed he had "family business back home" and could not vote on the gay marriage Constitutional amendment. We could ignore the fact that his district in predominately African American, a community that appears to support homosexual oppression.It's an astute political move enabling him to keep the label of a "progressive" within his party, while simultaneously prevent a primary threat in his own district. Senator Obama also chose to not vote on most controversial bills while running for President, so there appears to be legitimacy and precedence for not voting. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><u><b>Which elected officials "forget" to vote?</b></u></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">As you can see from the graphs below, most politicians miss out on voting. Next time you forget to vote, remember that even our politicians do not consistently. The average house DFLer missed 6.4 votes in this year's session(8.7 in the senate). The average house Republican missed 2.8 votes (3 in the senate). The clear outliers are who I would like to point out. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">There were a total of 164 bills (111 in the senate) that were voted on during their third reading. In the Minnesota House, On the Republican side you have Steve Smith (Mound) who missed 25 votes, Rod Hamilton (Mountain Lake) 21 votes, and Bob Gunther (Fairmont) 19 votes. On the DFL side, Carolyn Laine missed 45 votes, Bobby Jo Champion (Minneapolis) missed 37 votes, Kerry Gauthier (Duluth) 21 votes, and Karen Clark (Minneapolis - 61A) 19 votes. The Minnesotan Senate was much more proficient in completing their duties.However, Republican Senator Geoff Michel (Edina) missed 12 votes, and DFLer Senator Roger Reinert (Duluth) missed 40 votes. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">During the government shut down, Governor Mark Dayton and some state senators and representatives <a href="http://www.startribune.com/politics/statelocal/125271659.html">are foregoing pay</a>. Would you believe ALL of those mentioned above, except Carolyn Laine, are collecting paychecks during the government shutdown? This should be appalling to the constituents in these districts where your elected officials are refusing to fully represent you. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In a perfect world, these politicians would be docked pay for not doing their job. For all the talk from Republicans about government being run like a business, it never applies to politicians. They are not the ones out of work right now and collecting unemployment. They are not worried about paying bills this month or next when the rental rebates are being held back. Politicians seem to be the last to feel the pain of the people, living in an immaculate bubble of delusions. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">Another solution that would still allow districts to be represented in each vote, would be to have alternate representatives. The candidate who received the second most votes could easily do this. If a Democrat or Republican chose not to vote for their district, one of their opponents could step in. This would be a boon for constituents who lack a voice in the legislature, to include major and minor parties. (Let me interrupt with a shout out: I'd love to have fellow <a href="http://www.mngreens.org/">Greens</a> Farheen Hakeem and <a href="http://www.dancraigie.com/about.shtml">Dan Craigie</a> at the state capitol to voice what is being ignored by the corporate parties!) </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There are currently no actions to take against these officials apart from a recall. Twenty-five voters in a district could sign a petition stating their purpose for recalling, submit it to the secretary of state and get things started to recall their malfeasant elected official. If approved, there would need to be an organized petition effort to attain 25% of those who voted in the district's election. This is not an impossible goal if constituents are angry enough. If the government shut down lasts for too long, what was once unthinkable will manifest.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilsno72TF3SkgI2KRDi5bHP2hI1gsTk0I24SMug6UCFVJ6H5YYq-yU3PMGmkhnSve6c0g-2mz9pbK8MEklH_1YrV48hg9BH5W7j6cP5roM8CkQ3-SOOreg_b94zY4bpU9fBdmsNg/s1600/Senate+Republicans+votes+missed+2011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilsno72TF3SkgI2KRDi5bHP2hI1gsTk0I24SMug6UCFVJ6H5YYq-yU3PMGmkhnSve6c0g-2mz9pbK8MEklH_1YrV48hg9BH5W7j6cP5roM8CkQ3-SOOreg_b94zY4bpU9fBdmsNg/s320/Senate+Republicans+votes+missed+2011.JPG" width="320" /></a>Kevin Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17125012625896751511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18987323.post-17843062785184422462009-08-08T12:16:00.000-07:002009-08-08T14:46:17.802-07:00America's car-centric short-sightedness clunking along<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBEXjgjzp5ZtJgjyvCrqsm4EWAjj8ZSW3N4yS2IIRAfcA1F3W4AU3nYes_7NKRin6zU05LLveR9poJDnYQJgKb-mk-I-S_PCv_IIUucaPhWiJDCtkKTUzP_Ul_wRMfP3kDrVxYg/s1600-h/overpass.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 331px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBEXjgjzp5ZtJgjyvCrqsm4EWAjj8ZSW3N4yS2IIRAfcA1F3W4AU3nYes_7NKRin6zU05LLveR9poJDnYQJgKb-mk-I-S_PCv_IIUucaPhWiJDCtkKTUzP_Ul_wRMfP3kDrVxYg/s400/overpass.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367712117456363778" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Now that the <a href="http://business.theatlantic.com/2009/06/now_that_the_government_owns_general_motors.php">US taxpayer's own a good portion of GM</a>, the thought is we should subsidize the purchasing of cars. The justification for this is that handing car owners $4500 to trade in vehicles for those with better mileage is that fewer oil will be consumed. The problem with this is that it perpetuates the belief that "all Americans must own cars." The very notion of not owning a car is still regarded as suspect, and peraps even un-American. Yet more Americans will need to abandon their cars for our nation to transform to a lower energy society.</div><div><div><br /></div><div>Oil is at<a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i5TtajgUpSm7KY5jf-lCJGHBB-tAD99U0C8G0"> half what it was a year ago</a> ( $71 a barrel ) , but we are also in the worst recession since the 30s. Once the economy begins to pick up again, the price of oil will skyrocket again. Anyone that is car dependent will be whining for even more car-centric subsidies like the cash-for-clunkers program, but for oil. </div><div><br /></div><div>Yet, the much touted "cash-for-clunkers" program is a measly $7 subsidy per taxpayer. At $4500 per clunker, that comes to one beneficiary per 643 taxpayers. Right now this is very cheap and has received a lot of hype. Unless Congress decides to throw more money at this car-centric program, it will run out again within weeks. And if the majority of taxpayers want a bite <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">at this program, it would take a significant portion of the Federal budget. And how can a car</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">-subsidizing program end our addiction to oil when none are electric?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Naturally, Republicans are starting to oppose this program. </span><a href="http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/08/07/pawlenty-clunkers/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> Governor Tim Pawlenty also opposes the clunkers program</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> because it takes many used vehicles out of the market. He believes this will hurt the poor who could have used the cars currently being recycled. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas also opposes because it will further burden future generations with pointless debt. And interestingly, Democrat Senator Patrick Leahy voted against more clunker money because he did not see enough evidence the program was working. </span></div><div><br /></div><div>One argument conservatives make against building more transit is that they could just spend the money buying cars for everyone. This argument is pointless for those who are too young/old to drive, cannot afford gas/repairs/insurance, and who care about our environment. Yet, altering their argument, one might say about the clunkers program: why not buy everyone bikes?</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg5fods4u56PAbjzCr1-s-EFogWksJa6C_zjgr7AlyOjjeLd2J8q0HSJpJdhggZo3A3HyC-8hZNtY0tuXKMwX3Bt05MK2HypxhA3wsKoSYlFVAsqg7TuzPtpSgiWoJwz-4PC956A/s400/bicycle_spiffy.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 382px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367708802489350818" /><div><br /></div><div>A "cash-for-rusters" program. Trade in any working vehicle or rusty bicycle for a shiny new bike. This would greatly reduce oil consumption and cost far less per beneficiary than the clunkers program. It would appease conservatives railing against wasteful spending because it is cheaper. Environmentally bikes clearly use less gasoline to produce than even the most energy efficient vehicle. America needs a pro-bicycle program, not more car-centric subsidies. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">( Top image produced by Ken Avidor )</span> </div></div>Kevin Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17125012625896751511noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18987323.post-84607367402437619152009-07-26T14:26:00.000-07:002009-07-26T14:49:08.059-07:00Anti-Choice Democrats<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDop-dG9kujt-kJYK6D4YA_dr3natKkvkY0_eU7xzKbgvgn7xtFhc0pC6sK29ftI4Upzi0Zh_pnCtdYtPe_uKQWu7eNjOyn4Aye9wuZAHkvPYCKjJRHPUzyMF0pQioqlWZDl6ZEg/s1600-h/donkeyelephant.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 206px; height: 153px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDop-dG9kujt-kJYK6D4YA_dr3natKkvkY0_eU7xzKbgvgn7xtFhc0pC6sK29ftI4Upzi0Zh_pnCtdYtPe_uKQWu7eNjOyn4Aye9wuZAHkvPYCKjJRHPUzyMF0pQioqlWZDl6ZEg/s400/donkeyelephant.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362885093674105330" border="0" /></a><br />This may come as a surprise, but good number of self-proclaimed Democrats are anti-democratic. Having experienced the wrath and dumbfounded anti-choice logic several times last summer feel it should be known.<br /><br />My first incident was gathering signatures for candidates on July 4th, 2008 at Powderhorn Park. Those who arrived their early were primarily those who lived outside of Minneapolis and even Minnesota. Still talking about politics was fairly pleasant. Because I was not gathering signatures for Democrats some people of color assumed I was "the enemy" or something. They gave me a lecture about how the Republicans used to represent blacks but now only Democrats did. The Greens were not on their radar and they were mistrustful of why we even wanted to be involved in the electoral process. Clearly, there would be a benefit if people of color had a choice rather than a default vote, and an eternal blank check, for Democrats.<br /><br />Next at Powderhorn, I found it increasingly difficult to gather signatures for our Congressional District candidate Adri Mehra. Local residents would sign to get Farheen Hakeem on the ballot, but refused to sign for Adri. The comments I heard were "I like Keith Ellison," "No thanks," and "he's doing a good job." Mentioning his unwavering support for sending more money to the Iraq war were met with sympathetic comments for "the troops" or simply blank stares. Mentioning that only America has such strict ballot access laws and if this were any other nation there would be no problem was also met with blank stares. I even asked a woman's parents visiting from Norway if their country had such anti-democratic tactics, which they didn't. I also asked if their nation had more than two political parties, which they laughed and said "of course we do!" Their daughter, a staunch DFLer, refused to lend her signature for the sake of democracy. Partisan Democrats simply do not care about democracy if it isn't "their" democracy.<br /><br />Staunch partisans take note: <a href="http://franken.senate.gov/">Senator Al Franken</a> signed every ballot access sheet for the<a href="http://www.mngreens.org/"> Green Party's</a> statewide candidates in 2006. If there are other prominent partisans who support democracy like Franken, I would like to hear about them. From my perspective, Democrats and Republicans oppose ballot access and open debates. While Senator Al Franken does not support the Green Party, he at least understands democracy should exist.<br /><br />When I door-knocked for Farheen Hakeem, who ran for state representative, many were very excited with her candidacy. One woman in particular told me in a very upbeat manner "Oh, I think Farheen is great! I saw her on May Day and at Pride. Of course I will vote for her and <span style="font-style: italic;">all the other </span>DFL candidates!" I did have to mention that on the ballot she would be listed as a Green, not a Democrat. "Oh," She said rather surprised. Her facial expression morphed to that of shock and utter disapproval "Well, now I am not so sure then..."<br /><br />Not so sure? One second she was an enthusiastic supporter, the next all energy had dissipated into thin air. Is this the heart of the Democrat party? Discussing issues with her did not matter, because she only supported "DFL" issues. Those issues are less political and more social in nature. In Bill Bishop's book "The Big Sort" a theory is put forth that America is politically sorting itself. Democrats only consider moving and living in Democrat controlled areas. The same goes with Republicans. Red and blue regions are becoming more and more concentrated. It's like the Libertarian Free State Project except on a national scale.<br /><br />So in regions like Minneapolis, the one political party control the majority of all politics. The other major national party does not exist, supplanted partially by a third party ( in Minneapolis, it is the Green Party). According to Bill Bishop, in areas with only one powerful political party, voting for that party becomes an "affirmation of your community." To vote DFL in Minneapolis is equated to being a good neighbor and citizen of the city. But if you don't like the candidate, you might be able to vote for a Green.<br /><br />This does not mean this will happen. Not all cities have an active Green Party, and find the idea of an opposing political party to Democrats scary. I had a new neighbors last year from Chicago. I told them about my volunteering for Green campaigns and they were very skeptical. They thought we were Republicans in disguise and were stealing votes from Democrats. In fact, these thoughts are echoed on the <a href="http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/mpls">Minneapolis Issues list</a> where Greens are attacked for being extremists of the far right and left. Greens were either "too hot" or "too cold" but never "just right" simply because Greens are not Democrats.<br /><br />One interesting phenomena in Minneapolis is that the local Republicans are becoming more active, having been revived by Ron Paul supporters. Their mayoral candidate is a former Green Party candidate for Attorney General Papa John Kolstad. In addition, he has the endorsement of the Independence Party and is seeking Green support also. While his candidacy is late in the game, viable strategy for change at this point. Whether self-proclaimed Democrats go against their afirmation of community remains to be seen. Even with Ranked Choice Voting, such social coercion is difficult to undo.<br /><br />Further, the Republicans only have three actual candidates listed on the ballot with <a href="http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/elections/candidate-filings.asp">95 total filing</a>. The Green Party has five endorsed candidates and three more are seeking endorsement. Three who previously sought endorsement decided to run independently or as DFL.<br /><br />An idea I have to improve the chances of Green candidates coming forward in the future and support is through voter education. Many do not know we exist and clearly do not know what Greens stand for. Gossip, rumors, and blatant partisan lies frequently fill the void. The national Green Party does not have the necessary literature, yet there should be a handout to explain the party's history and our <a href="http://www.gp.org/tenkey.shtm">Ten Key Values</a>. Locals could create their own and start an outreach campaign to inform voters. I also think asurvey with key questions could allow for a more open-minded electorate. Mindless partisanship need not be inevitable in Minnesota, even if so in other parts of the country.Kevin Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17125012625896751511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18987323.post-90496601408935748212009-01-01T09:11:00.000-08:002009-03-05T09:25:26.983-08:00Blogger Disclosure for 2008Another fun year has gone by. And one where Americans are beginning to come to turns that everything is indeed "changing" economically. A world without cheap oil is changing everything, and politics has yet to adjust.<br /><br />In 2008, this blog had 3970 visits.<br /><br />I have personally been involved in a few campaigns during 2008. Those I donated money to:<br /><br />Bicking for City Council $22<br />Neighbors for Cam Gordon $22<br />Green Party of Minnesota $50<br />Cynthia McKinney for President - $35<br />Dean Barkley for US Senate - $50<br />Green Party of the United States $225<br />Neighbors United for Farheen Hakeem $65<br /><br />Campaigns I have volunteered on in 2008:<br /><br />Farheen Hakeem for Minnesota House 61B<br />Colin Lee for Minnesota House 36A<br />Adri Mehra for US Congress 5th District<br />Michael Cavlan for US Senate<br />Cynthia McKinney for President of the United States<br /><br />I also distributed lawn signs to Minneapolis residents for the Dean Barkley for US Senate campaign and Cynthia McKinney for President.<br /><br />2009 appears be an active year in local Green politics. Look forward to the new year!Kevin Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17125012625896751511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18987323.post-2280940911384245412008-11-09T15:37:00.000-08:002008-11-09T15:39:26.624-08:00National Debt Report October 2008Per <a href="http://www.treasurydirect.gov/">www.treasurydirect.gov</a>, the newest National Debt statistics are in.<br /><br />As of November 6, 2008:<br /><br />Publicly held:<br />$6,358,998,910,837.97<br /><br />Intragovernmental holdings:<br />$4,265,731,316,960.28<br /><br />Total:<br />$10,624,730,227,798.25<br /><br />Interest Payment October 2008:<br />$18,984,305,636.29<br /><br />Interest Payments Fiscal Year to Date:<br />$18,984,305,636.29<br /><br />Gifts to reduce the public debt September 2008:<br />$42,512.35<br /><br />Gifts to reduce the public debt FY 2008:<br />$2,189,358.89<br /><br />Gifts to reduce the public debt FY 2007:<br />$2,624,862.42<br /><br />Cross posted at <a href="http://nationaldebtbusters.blogspot.com/">http://nationaldebtbusters.blogspot.com</a>Skydancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13479039305065841849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18987323.post-65100818230254499822008-11-02T21:02:00.000-08:002008-11-02T22:18:30.629-08:00Farheen Hakeem - Building TRUST across party lines<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYvkzaJoncCEhROqPdBUGAmxKZasAR7M8EiU0OmJL7o8WG2kHkZvaCdygaAKbF8Kpw83hQI-QzRlOX7xOm4eDTyWyTqWJvJWwfi3ebcLL8lw9bdW9e3Nm9yS9VBhSNLTHKsnkavg/s1600-h/Farheen_Door.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 149px; height: 332px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYvkzaJoncCEhROqPdBUGAmxKZasAR7M8EiU0OmJL7o8WG2kHkZvaCdygaAKbF8Kpw83hQI-QzRlOX7xOm4eDTyWyTqWJvJWwfi3ebcLL8lw9bdW9e3Nm9yS9VBhSNLTHKsnkavg/s400/Farheen_Door.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264295634736643746" border="0" /></a>Farheen the Green. That's all partisans want you to see of her. Yet her supporters are able to transcend simplistic notions continually parroted by the media. Farheen Hakeem is marshaling a multipartisan force rarely seen in American politics.<br /><br />One could assume an Obama supporter would vote solely along party lines. This is not so in 61B as evident across the district. You see more Farheen signs paired with those of Obama, AL Franken, and Keith Ellison. Norm Coleman supporters also tout Farheen signs. They no doubt see she is of strong character and unwavering in her principles. Her issues may be different from conservatives, but her consistency and professionalism are appealing to them. Farheen has earned the respect and trust among the diverse community of south Minneapolis.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmxGTWK9FDux7zQyi1MRU-HHNMilfDEy6xjRv-XtGggS7lWo0GuxLWmU_eKday3j9sl4SSr0BAzFifKwjgm3SGFe-ePy0lebSDdTQzVLWgm-fWvbOJWRBCEuO3OOei_F50co953g/s1600-h/Hayden+final+lit+quote.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 223px; height: 173px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmxGTWK9FDux7zQyi1MRU-HHNMilfDEy6xjRv-XtGggS7lWo0GuxLWmU_eKday3j9sl4SSr0BAzFifKwjgm3SGFe-ePy0lebSDdTQzVLWgm-fWvbOJWRBCEuO3OOei_F50co953g/s400/Hayden+final+lit+quote.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264296649093164786" border="0" /></a><br />Farheen's final get out the vote literature let's residents know where to vote and what to bring for same day registration. She asks voters to consider supporting political diversity at the polls - meaning voting for whoever they see fit but not forgetting a check by Farheen Hakeem.<br /><br />Her opponent has chosen another route: vote partisan only. He has a rather insular logic on his literature: "because I am DFL endorsed and because I endorse Obama, you should vote for me." Unfortunately, he does not inform voters as to where to go to vote or what to bring to register. The residents of south Minneapolis deserve better than the myopic elected official Hayden clearly wants to be. Rather than being TOLD how to vote, Farheen gives voters the information to not only vote, but actually make them think about who they truly support.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6GE9nO8ZnZclrof2x5T8KyP6LgZF1XtucYx0NWnw_TviDXaWV7xRdBqPgLgh5l5SZ-dMG8Ax7TC7vZyyRDYFGlMbAZpRN3IJ_0hbuQkeBQlEszPSqTx9S6tScAQ2whbxS5KRy6w/s1600-h/farheen+hakeem+Coleman.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 278px; height: 209px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6GE9nO8ZnZclrof2x5T8KyP6LgZF1XtucYx0NWnw_TviDXaWV7xRdBqPgLgh5l5SZ-dMG8Ax7TC7vZyyRDYFGlMbAZpRN3IJ_0hbuQkeBQlEszPSqTx9S6tScAQ2whbxS5KRy6w/s400/farheen+hakeem+Coleman.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264296911397914242" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Farheen's differentiation from Hayden can be articulated through her vision:<br /><br /><ul><li>Repeal the Minnesota PATRIOT Act</li><li>Enact Single-Payer Univeral Healthcare</li><li>Environmental Justice ( Farheen opposed the Mid-Town burner, Hayden and the Sierra Club did not ) </li><li>Improving Education - The core of Minnesota's budget and our collective future<br /></li><li>Improving transportation and transit ( Farheen has attended forums and meetings, while Hayden did not )<br /></li><li>Homelessness - not just throwing money at it, but solving the root causes<br /></li><li>User Friendly State Government ( Farheen has been at every community event in 61B, and major event in Minneapolis. She will be visible to constituents long after she is elected, Hayden has not )<br /></li><li>Children and Youth rights<br /></li><li>LGBT Rights - beyond marriage<br /></li><li><a href="http://www.farheenhakeem.org/issues">More here</a> ( not unabridged )<br /></li></ul>It is clear that Farheen Hakeem is the most capable and sensible person to represent the heart of Minneapolis. No one has refuted this beyond naive rhetoric. On Tuesday, November 4th Vote Green with Farheen Hakeem!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tNVazWmUufs/SQ6XlO7k5bI/AAAAAAAAApA/aDFiE9n7XL8/s1600-h/100_0615.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 331px; height: 248px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tNVazWmUufs/SQ6XlO7k5bI/AAAAAAAAApA/aDFiE9n7XL8/s400/100_0615.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264311680361620914" border="0" /></a>Kevin Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17125012625896751511noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18987323.post-69924598402743158992008-10-29T19:14:00.000-07:002008-10-29T22:12:19.934-07:00Anti-Endorsements<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGTuI9brKGnp9wG5U3-3l14ysequhNIehLOZtSlNbOWyByvCEQP0C9bIZdTABbJpRI6f5dxZU4OyU_yAsyyiJZ866L13lsMHWZSqlH9bJqjBvwX0yt-LVGHyeBwmXrTmty2JGKgA/s1600-h/Craig+S.+Sindelar.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 132px; height: 61px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGTuI9brKGnp9wG5U3-3l14ysequhNIehLOZtSlNbOWyByvCEQP0C9bIZdTABbJpRI6f5dxZU4OyU_yAsyyiJZ866L13lsMHWZSqlH9bJqjBvwX0yt-LVGHyeBwmXrTmty2JGKgA/s400/Craig+S.+Sindelar.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262795610453874594" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >Who and what <span>NOT</span> to vote for </span><br />( AKA the names to cross off your ballot )<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >President</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> - </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >John McCain</span><span style="font-size:130%;">: </span>Four more years - really? Seriously? Honestly, can we really afford four more years?!? And do we really want a deer caught in the headlights to take over when he keels over? This is real life people, not some fantasy island where it would be entertaining if he were to win - there would be REAL consequences. One tiny example: he might, oh, end the world as we know it by bombing Iran!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >U.S. Senate</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> - </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Norm Coleman</span><span style="font-size:130%;">:</span> A snake-like career politician. Or should I say chameleon-like? Once a "progressive" DFLer, then a staunch conservative Bush clone, now morphing his image into the likeness of a "moderate." Does he think Minnesotans are idiots?!?<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >U.S. Congress</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> - </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >3rd District</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> - </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Erik Paulsen</span><span style="font-size:130%;">:</span> Come on. Ashwin Madia and David Dillon are far better candidates than Erik!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >U.S. Congress</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> - </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >5th District</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> - </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Barb Davis White</span><span style="font-size:130%;">: </span>Her energy and tax policies are worse than Bush. At least Bill McGaughey supports single-payer Universal Healthcare. And I have seen more Dean Barkley signs throughout the 5CD than hers! ( not that I have even seen any of Bill's )<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqyv2HlyliJ-sKEi5R_Bn8n597YLFwhKIH7lI-eSJK20y1nOeHhYHr1FU0T4Jt7FQTYjYLVb4ThEesJlEzH2thpBnJrO1yQNRFIlKaSiKoAwA2q8GzpAtoL118rqsmE-u7_rG4EA/s1600-h/vote-yes.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 165px; height: 97px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqyv2HlyliJ-sKEi5R_Bn8n597YLFwhKIH7lI-eSJK20y1nOeHhYHr1FU0T4Jt7FQTYjYLVb4ThEesJlEzH2thpBnJrO1yQNRFIlKaSiKoAwA2q8GzpAtoL118rqsmE-u7_rG4EA/s400/vote-yes.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262796302159770146" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >U.S. Congress</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> - </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >6th District</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> - </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Michelle Bachmann</span> - I thought this jester would be re-elected easily in this district. Her latest gaffe was one Bachmannism too many! Adios Michelle! She has enough fans to publish a book like that un-funny Anne Coulter character.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >MN House 61B</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> - </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Jeff Hayden</span><span style="font-size:130%;">:</span> Does anyone even know who this guy is? He's not "scary" as some of the above clearly are. But his contempt for the electoral process is quite unsettling. Just because he has the endorsement up and down the DFL doesn't mean he is a shoe-in. Where is his political courage? Where is his long-term activism and name recognition? A Republican has no chance of winning in south Minneapolis, but Farheen Hakeem has shown she will engage her neighbors. This is what <a href="http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=109113">Vote Smart </a>has said about Jeff Hayden:<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">Jeff Hayden repeatedly refused to provide any responses to citizens on the issues through the 2008 Political Courage Test when asked to do so by national leaders of the political parties, prominent members of the media, Project Vote Smart President Richard Kimball, and Project Vote Smart staff</span></span></span><br /><br />This open seat previously held by Neva Walker is clearly not important to Mr. Hayden. The fact that Mr. Hayden has NOT received the endorsement of Neva says more about his campaign - that and no one in his district seems to know who he is. They do notice the signs - but know <a href="http://www.farheenhakeem.org/">Farheen Hakeem</a> because she actually has an active campaign.<br /><br />One ironic liability for Mr. Hayden is his endorsement by the Northwest Sierra Club. This is the same Sierra Club that <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.sierraclub.org/pressroom/releases/pr2008-01-15.asp">endorses Clorox products</a>, and yet <span style="font-style: italic;">did not oppose the Mid-Town Burner to be built in Phillips - at all</span>. <a href="http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/mpls/messages/topic/6pQFJ48oaZ7K6tUkG7GVj">Clearly</a>, Mr. Hayden did not abstain from parading around this endorsement. Unfortunately, the Sierra Club does not worry about environmental justice, as they are another facet of the green-washing movement begging Americans to purchase "green" SUVs.<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >MN Senate District 61 in 2010</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> - </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Hussein Samatar</span><span style="font-size:130%;">:</span> Come on DFLers, you know this is pretty sad when you endorse someone more than 2 years before an election! No one even knows that Linda Berglin intends to step down and you have the gall to hand pick like this?!? I understand it is part of your <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_operating_procedure">SOP</a> but dang. Maybe I will write him in for Soil and Water or Hennepin County Judge - that way I can say I voted for him before I campaign against him in 2010.<br /><br />Anyone who intends to run for Minnesota Senate in 61 should run as a Green. At least you would have a shot at winning, the DFL endorsement is always fixed before anyone even knows there's an open seat.<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Mayor</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> - </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >New Prague</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> - </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Craig S. Sindelar</span><span style="font-size:130%;">:</span> This former mayor ran a paper campaign last election cycle, and lost to Bink Bender by less than 100 votes. Bink actually campaigned and had lawn signs. Sindelar did not. So what has this real estate agent and owner of half the homes in New Prague decided to do this year? Post his own lawn signs on his rental property! The town is littered with his signs. He isn't door-knocking, but assumes he can win with his lawn sign campaign!<br /><br />Sindelar is a small-town advocate. That is, he believes it should stay small so he can control it. The anti-Wal Mart, anti-Coborn's, and anti-roundabout voters will support him. Anyone that knows him personally, outside the business community, will realize he is an angry and out of touch ego-centric man. New Prague deserves better than this sad man. Nothing personal, Craig, but you should stick to your shady business enterprise and stay out of politics! ( Does anyone know who <a href="http://www.laurabrod.com/about/">Laura Brod</a> is supporting? You can respond anonymously - she can always deny it later! )<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIXADC8-J8b28njxNshiCgI9Rt1M8kFgmeh-Rhwpp8-st2eWnDCs2cpLcI0_dcVp3I-dG4wmjoT5PW6B_mc2_7RSSS4nD3vtfbnl3GzFxEAyJRrZyvxRWwfnYcwPeHQPkGgt6ug/s1600-h/strong+schools+MPLS.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 132px; height: 80px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIXADC8-J8b28njxNshiCgI9Rt1M8kFgmeh-Rhwpp8-st2eWnDCs2cpLcI0_dcVp3I-dG4wmjoT5PW6B_mc2_7RSSS4nD3vtfbnl3GzFxEAyJRrZyvxRWwfnYcwPeHQPkGgt6ug/s400/strong+schools+MPLS.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262796895435583554" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Voting No</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> -</span> Why not vote yes? And I am talking about every amendment, referendum, and change on the ballot for Minneapolis and Minnesota. Yes for schools and the future of our students. Yes for Minnesotan environment and unique culture. Yes for school board accountability with fewer at-large seats. Is three-eighths of one percent increase in the sales tax really worth squabbling about when it leaves a long-term legacy? Minnesotans deserve more than what we get for our Federal taxes - let's keep more of our money working for us here! Vote Yes in November!<br /><br />Of course, if the Minneapolis school referendum fails, Co-chairs Keith Ellison, R T Rybak, and Hussein Samatar will be the ones to blame. I personally have never seem them campaign for this, so perhaps they are just making it look better. I have seen many school board members attend neighborhood and political meetings to rally support. Nonetheless, I support more money for schools. Though I believe charter schools in Minneapolis should gain some of the referendum money.<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/awg2VRoCUhk&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/awg2VRoCUhk&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Kevin Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17125012625896751511noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18987323.post-68658763885448632852008-10-24T10:51:00.000-07:002008-10-24T10:52:29.583-07:00Dave Ramsey's Thoughts on the Elections<a href="http://www.daveramsey.com/tdrs/index.cfm/2008/9/23/Fix-the-bailout-with-mark-to-market" target="_blank"></a>Dave, which bozo should I vote for in this election? Who’s going to fix the economy? Who’s going to give me the most money?<br /><br />Well, I’m here to remind you that you’re going to fix the economy because your personal economy is up to you. It's not Washington's job to fix what's going on with you. If you are waiting on Washington to change something, you've got a long wait!<br /><br />You’re going to give yourself money as a result of your hard work and persistence. Waiting for money to be taken from others and given to you is a spirit of envy, and it's wrong.<br /><br />I’m not here to tell you who to vote for. But I am here to tell you that the government doesn’t have the capacity to fix your problems. Washington is full of bozos, and I am doing my part to send a lot of them home!<br /><br />This economic mess is a reality, but we can each only control one thing—our reactions. Does this stuff define you? Only if you let it. The weird thing about the economy is that YOU are the economy! I learned this the hard way. I got my real estate license when I was 18 years old. By the time I was 21, interest rates had risen to 17% fixed-rate … and I still sold houses. How? Because I worked hard.<br /><br />As bad as USA Today meant a recent article to be about what we think of the suffering economy and upcoming election, I think it’s rather encouraging that no one thinks that President Bush or Barack Obama or John McCain can fix the economy!<br /><br />This may be the beginning of the biggest level of prosperity this nation has ever known if we don’t look to a candidate to fix our lives. How about we say, "I’m going to vote for the candidate who’s going to fix the nation. I’m going to fix my life, so leave me alone and let me do my own thing."<br /><br />Don't react based on fear or panic. Don’t look to Washington to fix your problems. Why would you do that? At what point did Bill Clinton fix any of your problems? At what point did he cause you to prosper? At what point did George Bush end your career or cause you to prosper? When did Ronald Reagan fix your problems? Guess what? I liked Reagan the most, and while he was in office, I hit rock bottom and filed bankruptcy—but it wasn’t Reagan’s fault. It was mine.<br /><br />So when you go to the polls in a few days to cast your vote, don’t get caught up in following a political party or candidate without knowing the issues they support. Do your research so you can make educated decisions.Skydancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13479039305065841849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18987323.post-26607713834573068262008-10-17T22:50:00.000-07:002008-10-17T23:01:18.641-07:00Forget third parties in 2008 debatesIt appears that third party candidates have<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics/AP/story/730874.html"> blown their only chance</a> at mainstream media coverage. It's unlikely they will have any shot this election year, apart from MPR. Perhaps one of them could go to Ohio and convince Joe the Plumber to endorse them?<br /><br />America needs to hear alternative visions. Greens know that energy independence is an illusion - let's end our addiction! Greens know health-care is a right - let's stop corporate HMO rationing! And the majority of independents believe that our national debt will hinder the livelihoods of future generations - let's stop overspending!<br /><br />At some point this may change. The media may decide dichotomy is too boring, and add more perspectives and political movements. Otherwise it appears the two "major" parties will lead our nation to downfall, as is currently underway.Kevin Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17125012625896751511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18987323.post-31663427361384201512008-10-06T11:05:00.000-07:002008-10-06T11:06:00.114-07:00History made Sept. 30 as National Debt hits $10 TrillionHistory was made on Tuesday Sept. 30, 2008, the last day of Fiscal Year 2008 for U.S. Government accounting purposes, as the National Debt crept up over $10 Trillion for the first time ever. There was no fanfare, no balloons, no real mention of it in the newspapers. This was an important milestone in American history and it went by as an average day.<br /><br />On Sept. 30th, the total debt amounted to $10,024,724,896,912.49Skydancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13479039305065841849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18987323.post-15106924076753334162008-10-02T20:17:00.000-07:002008-10-02T20:18:47.802-07:00A Letter to My CongresswomanWritten on Oct. 2, 2008 at 10:14 p.m.<br /><br />Dear Congresswoman McCollum:<br /><br />I find it amazing that you have already voted to increase our National Debt by $700 Billion, and the fact that you are even considering supporting an even bigger bill of $810 Billion is completely unthinkable.<br /><br />It's bad enough that we pay nearly $500 Billion each year on the interest on our National Debt but you want to raise that to $600 Billion. How much Federal Spending is enough? I highly encourage you to vote NO on the Wall Street bailout package. It's time we have some financial responsibility back in Washington and New York. Main Street American's right here in St. Paul, your home district, cannot afford this.<br /><br />In addition, I would like to know your reasoning behind the vote, and what you plan on doing to eliminate our national debt. Please put it in writing to me at:<br /><br />(Edited)<br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Jeffrey S. Williams<br />ConstituentSkydancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13479039305065841849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18987323.post-83224521389782490852008-10-01T13:16:00.000-07:002008-10-01T13:18:01.057-07:00Gingrich: We Need Action NowReplace Secretary Paulson and Suspend Mark to Market <br />by Newt Gingrich (more by this author)<br />Posted 10/01/2008 ET<br /><br />Following Monday's failure of the Paulson plan in the House, it is imperative that our leaders not hesitate to bring stability to our financial markets.<br /><br />We need action now.<br /><br />The Paulson Plan - is dead. The time has come for Congress to turn its attention to a plan that does the right things the right way instead of trying to fix the wrong way of this monstrosity of a Wall Street bailout bill. <br /><br />As I said to Fox News' Greta Van Susteren Monday night, and spoke about at the National Press Club on Tuesday, there are two steps that could be taken that would send a needed signal to the world financial markets that America has leaders who recognize the gravity of the crisis and are capable of putting aside narrow partisan self-interest for the good of the country.<br /><br />Step One: Replace Secretary Paulson<br />A plan that relies on the former chairman of Goldman Sachs presiding over disbursing hundreds of billions of dollars to Wall Street is a terrible concept and inevitably will lead to crony capitalism and the appearance of - if not the actual existence of - corruption.<br /><br />The American people understand this and they don't trust the Paulson plan. Congress should never have been faced with this as its only option to solve the financial crisis. Congress never should have been confronted with this bill. And one man, above all others, is responsible. <br /><br />That man is Henry Paulson, who may have been a great deal maker for Goldman Sachs, but has been an utter failure during this economic crisis.<br /><br />It's time - passed time, in fact - for President Bush to fire Secretary Paulson.<br /><br />President Bush should replace Paulson immediately with someone more capable of forging a deal that the American people can trust. Secretary Paulson's Deputy at Treasury is Robert Kimmitt. He does not have the Wall Street background that made Secretary Paulson so difficult to trust as a negotiating partner and should be much more open to alternatives because he has less invested in the "Paulson" plan.<br /><br />Kimmitt need not go through the actual confirmation process to immediately take over negotiating with Congress. The sooner Paulson is replaced as the chief negotiator for the administration, the sooner we will have a deal the American people can support.<br /><br />Step Two: Suspend the Mark-to-Market Accounting Rule<br />The second thing our leaders should do immediately is simple and uncontroversial: Suspend the "mark-to-market" accounting rule that is exacerbating this crisis. <br /><br />Under this artificial rule, the value of assets of banks moves up and down with economic conditions, regardless of their underlying worth. So in a time of economic crisis - such as the current subprime mortgage crisis - the value of bank assets gets caught in a downward spiral, causing investor panic and a drying up of credit.<br /><br />In 2004, the European Central Bank issued this now eerily prescient opinion of the mark-to-market rule: <br /><br />"With a real estate crisis or a stock market crash... [a bank] under [mark-to-market] accounting might aggravate the effects of the shock. Banks may be encouraged to react by panic selling and tightening lending standards, thus contributing to a further deepening of the crisis."<br /><br />A Smart First Step<br />I've spent the past few days talking with businesspeople across the country - from Oklahoma, Georgia, Nevada and California - and they agree: this artificial accounting rule is needlessly making the financial crisis worse. <br /><br />On Monday I appeared on Fox News' On the Record with Greta van Susteren and called for mark-to-market to be suspended.<br /><br />I also wrote this op-ed yesterday for forbes.com urging the same course of action.<br /><br />I gave a speech at the National Press Club in which I discussed in depth the need to end this problem now. You can read the text and view it here. <br /><br />Then, later that afternoon, the Securities and Exchange Commission took a smart first step by issuing a "clarification" giving companies more leeway in estimating the value of mortgage related investments. You can read more here. Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Chris Cox deserves credit for recognizing how this accounting requirement is needlessly exacerbating our current financial difficulties.<br /><br />The Bush Administration's Expensive Legacy<br />Taking these two steps - replacing Secretary Paulson and suspending the mark-to-market rule - are absolutely necessary right now to give Congress the breathing room to develop a plan to replace the Paulson Plan and to re-establish trust with the American people.<br /><br />The Bush Administration has now provided three case studies that have badly damaged the cause of conservatism.<br /><br />First there was former FEMA head Michael Brown during Hurricane Katrina, whose incompetence convinced Americans that Republicans can't be trusted with governing.<br /><br />Then there was Ambassador Jerry Bremer in Baghdad, whose decisions as the head of the American occupation of Iraq convinced Americans that Republicans can't be trusted to manage foreign policy.<br /><br />And now we have Secretary Paulson at the Treasury, whose intransigence during the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression has convinced Americans that Republicans can't be trusted with their money.<br /><br />It's a tragic and very expensive legacy. No conservative and no Republican should doubt how much it has hurt our cause and our party.<br /><br />Rebuilding Public Trust with a Work Out, Not a Bailout<br />As I told Greta Van Susteren Monday night on Fox News, the fundamental flaw in the Paulson Plan was that it was seen by the American people as a deal designed by and for Wall Street. <br /><br />Congress needs to go back to the drawing board and develop, not just a financial markets rescue bill (which should be a work out, not a bailout) but also an economic growth bill. <br /><br />This economic growth package should do two fundamental things:<br /><br />First of all, it needs to provide relief for our financial markets that is based on lending troubled institutions the capital to restore our credit markets, rather than buying their bad assets. The taxpayers should be asked to extend these institutions a line of credit until they can get back on their feet, rather than blindly acquire these institutions' toxic paper. This is the essential difference between a workout and a bailout.<br /><br />Second, the plan should stop the flow of $700 billion each year out of our economy and into the coffers of foreign dictators by achieving energy independence. Not only would our national security be improved, but this much new energy income would cause our economy to boom and government revenues to grow.<br /><br />A Final Warning: Don't Allow the House Democrats to Move the Plan Left <br />A lot of people are scratching their heads over what would cause House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to deliver such a bitterly partisan speech minutes before the House voted down the Paulson Plan - a plan she purported to support.<br /><br />I think it's likely that Speaker Pelosi deliberately delivered her highly partisan speech at the last minute to get precisely the result that she got - the defeat of the Paulson Plan. The danger now is that she and the liberal Democrats in the House will spend the next couple days re-loading the bill with all the leftwing pork projects that Senator McCain and the House Republicans were able to remove from it.<br /><br />This danger makes it imperative that Republicans unify behind Minority Leader John Boehner in resisting moving any rescue plan to the left. The stakes are too high for the American people to allow liberal Democrats to use the current crisis to line the coffers of their special interest allies.Skydancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13479039305065841849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18987323.post-70933852901239781612008-09-29T13:09:00.001-07:002008-09-29T22:58:46.511-07:00Bipartisan Coalition Defeats Casino Socialism<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/S27yitK32ds&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/S27yitK32ds&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></object>
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<br />The Wall Street Bailout bill failed to pass Congress. And the corporate media, Democrats, and President Bush are <font style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">"shocked"</font> that it happened. Bush said our economy would collapse within days. Democrats and Bush also wanted to ensure that their corporate donors get more of their money back. The corporate media said it was a "done deal." The American public were told it would pass, so don't bother try to call your Congressperson. The American people didn't capitulate as the so called leaders of our nation did. Now Wall Street is throwing a temper tantrum and dropping the values of stock they <font style="font-style: italic;">thought</font> could be purchased with "free" taxpayer money.
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<br />Just a couple months before the election, the economy is looking in worse shape than ever. To buy our confidence, <font style="font-style: italic;">and our votes in November</font>, the government wanted to bail out their long-term corporate donors. It appears that Americans are no longer fooled by such gimmicks. We defeated the biggest corporate handout of taxpayer money in world history! For once, the people of this country actually have had a say. It appears that for once, Americans are actually comfortable with change!
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<br />The Federal government has long felt its role was to end or prevent recessions. Unfortunately, by doing this they make future recessions harsher. After every energy spike, the US economy goes into recession. The Feds should have allowed it to run its course, assuming we believe in capitalism. But Democrats continually believe it is the taxpayer's job to "create jobs." And they were literally the party behind the bailout.
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<br />There were some leaders against the bailout. On the Republican side, our own Michelle Bachmann stated her opposition early on. The Democrat who best represents my own views is <a href="http://www.kaptur.house.gov/">Representative Marcy Kaptur</a>. Someone else the corporate media love to hate also took a stance against the bailout: Dennis Kucinich. Too bad the media determine who wins elections, because Kucinich could easily beat a insanely sad McCain-Palin.
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<br />In Minnesota, half of our elected representatives refused to give in to Pelosi's pleas to help out Bush's bailout. There were also many Republicans who enabled the American people to stop this corrupt handout of money that could be better spent elsewhere. In Minnesota, these representatives deserve great praise for their stance against George Bush and Nancy Pelosi:
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<br />Michelle Bachmann (R )
<br />Jim Ramstad (R )
<br />Collin Peterson ( DFL )
<br />Tim Walz ( DFL )
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<br />This could be the issue that gains the Walz campaign some traction against the GOP. It is a very close race, and if he wanted to win he would vote with his constituents and not against them.
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<br />BAILOUT SUPPORTERS
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<br /><font size="4"><font style="font-weight: bold;">Call these supporters of the Wall Street Bailout today:</font>
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<br /></font><font size="4"><font style="font-weight: bold;">Keith Ellison --- 202-225-4755</font>
<br /><font style="font-weight: bold;">Betty McCollum --- 202-225-6631</font>
<br /><font style="font-weight: bold;">James Oberstar --- 202-225-6211</font>
<br /><font style="font-weight: bold;">John Kline --- 202-225-2271</font></font>
<br /><font size="4">
<br />Tell them that the only Americans supportive of the bailout are the corporations that stand to profit and the politicians who stand to get more political contributions. Everyone else stands united against this abhorrent form of government policy that is appearing before us. </font>
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<br />These un-leaders deserve to be called out for their pathetic stance in handling our economic situation. None of them have proposed weaning the American public off of oil. Skyrocking energy prices are the primary culprit of our economic doldrums. They refuse to deal with the reality of Peak Oil and global energy demand, but want a "deal" with Wall Street before our government can no longer sell its T-bills to China.
<br /><br style="font-weight: bold;">America needs long-term solutions, not short-term election gimmicks. A rescue package for Wall Street is a future tax-bill for the working class. Democrats need to get the message.
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<br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/nAGzLfmV4Ks&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/nAGzLfmV4Ks&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></object>Kevin Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17125012625896751511noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18987323.post-20995909926542585112008-09-27T20:32:00.000-07:002008-09-27T20:33:02.881-07:00The Bailout Is a Band-AidThe Bailout Is a Band-Aid: Housing Crisis Needs to Be Fixed <br />Thursday, September 25, 2008 4:18 PM<br /><br />By: Christopher Ruddy <br />www.newsmax.com<br /><br />Yesterday Sen. Orrin Hatch was hitting the airwaves.<br /><br />The subprime crisis, he said, was the fault of the Clinton administration, who he said created the subprime mortgage crisis. <br /><br />Other Republicans have been laying blame on the financial crisis on minorities and illegal immigrants who got mortgages they simply couldn’t pay. They offer no statistical proof on this point. <br /><br />Nor does the usually sensible Senator Hatch offer evidence when it comes to pointing the finger at the Clinton administration.<br /><br />The attempt to deflect blame for the crisis is not simply wrongheaded; I think it will compound Republican political woes and bring us disaster again in November. <br /><br />Doesn’t Hatch and Co. know that Bill and Hillary Clinton voters in the swing states will decide who becomes the next president? They are wary of Obama, but love the Clintons and remember the good economic times of the’90s. <br /><br />As a conservative Republican of the Reagan type, I find myself in this odd place cheering on some of the sensible things I hear from Democrats. <br /><br />Barack Obama said any bailout to Wall Street must not be simply a cash payout or a loan, but be treated like an equity investment in these firms. We want our money back and then some. Yes to that, I say. <br /><br />And demands by House Democrats that the secretary of the treasury alone not be given a blank check for more than a trillion dollars of our money, and that we have complete transparency in the transactions, I say yes to that, too.<br /><br />Fiscal responsibility, transparency and accountability — aren’t these things Republicans believe in? <br /><br />The Democratic complaints about the Bush plan shows that our government is working. The executive branch tried to put a gun to the head of Congress and told them, “Sign this check or the whole U.S. banking system will collapse.” <br /><br />Congress didn’t blink. <br /><br />Don’t get me wrong. I am for a bailout, but one that is sensible and is a win-win for Wall Street, Main Street investors and taxpayers like you and me.<br /><br />But remember the government bailout plan proposed by the president and modifications supported by the Democrats won’t fix the underlying problem: the housing market collapse. Home prices are continuing to fall, and fewer people are buying homes than ever. Foreclosures will continue. <br /><br />Unless this underlying problem is fixed, the economic symptoms will continue. There are some remedies. But before I get to them, let’s review what has happened. <br /><br />The Federal Reserve under Alan Greenspan gave the U.S. economy shock treatment back in 2001 and 2002 when it lowered interest rates to 1 percent — the lowest Fed Funds rate in recent history. <br /><br />By pushing the pedal to the metal and backed quietly by the White House, the Fed injected massive liquidity in the U.S. economy, creating the largest asset bubble in history, according to the Economist magazine. <br /><br />Incredibly low rates by the Fed were accompanied by an acceptance of the central bank for all sorts of exotic mortgage loans. No down payments. Interest only. No job and income verification. Get the picture? <br /><br />Compounding this irresponsibility was then the “greed factor” that kicked in at several levels. <br /><br />First were the local banks and mortgage companies that pushed mortgages, notably adjustable rate ones that offered extremely low introductory rates, and gave them to buyers who would not be able to pay back once the rates adjusted up. <br /><br />Well rates have adjusted up and the crisis hit. <br /><br />Many mortgage providers also encouraged loan applicants to lie about incomes and qualifications to approve these mortgages. <br /><br />Wall Street as a whole had little role at this stage. But later, Wall Street took these mortgages, which had been rolled up into collateralized debt instruments, better known as mortgage backed securities, and sold them off to investors globally.<br /><br />Wall Street failed to compute the risks involved in these securities. It was a failure, not a crime. <br /><br />But many Wall Street firms, hedge funds and other investments took incredible, unwarranted risks using these securities. These firms would borrow money at low rates — say 4 percent — and invest in CDOs paying 6 to 7 percent. This small difference in rates of 2 to 3 percent, the arbitrage, would throw off enormous returns, especially considering little or no money had been placed on the table to buy the securities. <br /><br />I have been told that Lehman and AIG played this leveraging game, investing only $1 for every $30 they held in such toxic suggestions. Again, what they did was not a crime. They took enormous risk and reaped huge returns — for a while. <br /><br />Now they want us to pay for the huge losses that ultimately fell upon them.<br /><br />Washington played a role in the mess too. The White House pushed for easy money and easy lending practices, many weighted in favor of the banks and lenders and against the consumer. <br /><br />Congress, dominated largely by Republicans from 1994 to 2006, did an awful job in oversight. This is especially true after President Bush took the oath of office. <br /><br />When Bill Clinton was president, the Republicans acted beautifully, working diligently to keep President Clinton on a center-right economic course. The results were great. <br /><br />This seems like ancient history, but it’s important to have a clear picture of how we got into this mess. It may help us get out of it. <br /><br />First, we need to know the “crisis” the Bush administration presented to us just last week is not a crisis that just popped up. It was apparent to many two years ago the real estate market was in a bubble and would bust. <br /><br />And when the Fed moved in 2004 and raised rates from 1 percent to 5.25 percent by 2006 — a more than 400 percent increase in two years, it also led directly to those adjustable mortgages re-adjusting at very high rates. Homeowners got struck hard — with monthly mortgage payments on medium size homes mushrooming literally overnight.<br /><br />The Fed increase rates started the credit crisis. The first tremors were apparent over a year ago when the Fed took emergency steps to give banks liquidity. <br /><br />It’s important to remember that most adjustable mortgages created in the boom years still have not reset – and will continue doing so through 2011. <br /><br />This problem will worsen unless Washington tackled the underlying problems.<br /><br />The first thing the Fed must do to reduce the continuance of the problem is drop rates. It doesn’t have much wiggle room, because the dollar needs to be protected, but a small decrease in rates could have an enormous impact on those readjusting mortgages. <br /><br />The second-most-important thing to do is for Congress to give a significant tax credit for new home buyers. Congress just passed a $7500 tax credit for new home buyers, though it’s not actually a credit but a loan at no interest. <br /><br />The famed economist Edward Leamer of UCLA’s Anderson School says a $25,000 tax credit to new home buyers would put an immediate end to the fall in home prices. He suggests it would spur economic activity and government tax revenues would grow, more than covering the cost of the program. <br /><br />Already home prices have fallen to reasonable prices and it should be a buyer’s market. But government can spur home buyers who keep staying on the sidelines think prices will fall more. <br /><br />If this is done, home prices will stabilize and likely begin rising. All of the sectors that relate to the housing market will find relief. <br /><br />And, most important, the value of those mortgage backed securities will increase as the underlying mortgages become current. Foreclosures will also abate. <br /><br />The key to solving the financial crisis is not to simply send a blank check to Wall Street, but to get consumers buying homes again.Skydancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13479039305065841849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18987323.post-70059734660553860362008-09-27T20:22:00.000-07:002008-09-27T20:30:23.105-07:00The National Debt Is An American IssueGreetings. My name is Jeff Williams, blogger at National Debt Busters, finally responding to an invitation that was given to me months ago to post here regarding economic matters.<br /><br />Since this is my first post, I want everybody to know that the National Debt is not a Republican issue or a Democrat issue. It is an AMERICAN issue that must be dealt with. While I personally am a fiscal conservative and tend to vote Republican, my blog is not necessarily aimed at furthering the Republican agenda. It is aimed at educating citizens (who are hopefully voters) about the size and scope of the National Debt and other economic issues that face this great nation of ours. There are areas where I agree with Democrats, disagree with Democrats and same with Republicans. <br /><br />Most of the time, I merely post articles that have been posted elsewhere, giving full attributions to the original authors, because not everybody has access to the same sources of information. <br /><br />In the ensuing weeks and months, I'll be making occasional posts on Multipartisan Minnesota on issues that we Minnesotans should care about from an economic perspective regardless of political affiliation. My hope, again, is to educate people on the economic ramifications of the political decisions made by politicians of all parties at the State and Federal levels. This is something that all Minnesotans and all Americans should care about.<br /><br />Thanks for listening.<br /><br />JeffSkydancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13479039305065841849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18987323.post-76168559635501039312008-09-24T23:09:00.000-07:002008-09-29T08:02:01.738-07:00End of the American Empire - time for change!<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/dxN0TGIuPTA&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/dxN0TGIuPTA&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />Our economy is collapsing as Republicans go on about how Wall Street Socialism is GOOD and Democrats concede to Bush, again. Neither party wants to talk about change - REAL change. No partisan wants to say<span style="font-size:130%;"> "The America we have had for the last 60 years is</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" > over</span><span style="font-size:130%;">. Life will be different from now on." </span>That is the true reality, one that I thought it would take $250 a barrel oil to make true. It seems our economy is more fragile than I had thought.<br /><br />The government is trying to instill confidence in the market, well I am not buying it. Nor will I respect their "leadership" in saving us. I want the bums thrown out - all of them. Every Democrat and Republican has failed at this point. Even my first term congressperson, Keith Ellison, has done NOTHING to prepare my district for this. Is there enough frustration like my own out there? Is switching from D to R or vice-versa really making a difference? There are those who who feel as I do, but they have to actually vote for change. ( Note to non-voters: make an economic statement instead. Stop shopping. Buy only necessities. And you might need some savings if your job disappears. )<br /><br />Most Americans will have little hope to change Congress. Anti-Democracy activists have ensured that only major parties have any media attention, assuming they could get on the ballot. In Minnesota, one candidate shines very brightly: <a href="http://www.senatorbarkley.com/%20">Senator Dean Barkley</a>. The media here only mention him in 2 out of 3 articles, which is astounding in our elitist democracy. <a href="http://www.senatorbarkley.com/pressrelease19.htm">Barkley questions the need </a>for the $700,000,000,000 bailout of Wall Street. I don't hear the Democrats or President Bush questioning, but wanting Republicans to vote with them so it's "bipartisan." Let's throw the bums out who got us in this mess and elect those like Dean Barkley!Kevin Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17125012625896751511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18987323.post-33039720601283558822008-09-20T20:43:00.000-07:002008-09-20T22:28:08.043-07:00Harry Grigsby supporting Farheen Hakeem<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/weo27MuKQus&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/weo27MuKQus&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />A day before the primary the Obama campaign made phone calls to its Minneapolis supporters, asking them to volunteer on a "get out the vote" initiative. They wanted members to show up at.... <span style="font-size:85%;">(drumroll please )</span> the Jeff Hayden HQ. Upon arriving at 9AM, they instructed their foot soldiers on the true nature of their calling: ensuring Jeff Hayden is endorsed. While on their valiant mission for a candidate they did not know, they performed an informal survey of 61B voters: it appeared that Hayden and <a href="http://www.farheenhakeem.org/">Farheen Hakeem</a> are currently tied. This doesn't worry Hayden as his main objective was complete, thanks to volunteers of a candidate <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> in the Minnesotan primary race.<br /><br />Harry Grigsby, Jeff Hayden's sole DFL opponent, did not win the primary endorsement. Yet a plethora of average, and not so partisan, voters who tend not to participate in the primary supported him. His campaign did not focus on internal partisan organizing, but spoke directly to actual residents of 61B. His supporters, along with independents and undecideds, can easily vote for the candidate Harry Grigsby has now endorsed: <a href="http://www.farheenhakeem.org/">Farheen Hakeem</a>.<br /><br />Harry knows that Farheen Hakeem is the candidate truly meant to represent the heart of south Minneapolis. While the Democrats tax us to build a stadium for a billionaire <a href="http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/09/15/targetfield/?refid=0">(Target Field </a>should be Hennepin County Taxpayer's Ballpark), Farheen has fought against such unscrupulous acts. Her voice is consistently ignored by the corrupt powers that mock the needs of the working class. Fortunately, these powers cannot squelch her message as the campaign goes door to door to ensure victory in November.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.farheenhakeem.org"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 209px; height: 98px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqaOst5n1lNzfER5t_9QK-deWyAjtvbdHXjxOKYnkI1ltPhZHBBbEL7HnB5RIYqyAaEz_xALpF8HZXSM0qr8oAyEtE9h086j1tl7T7DzbFrfvdcuGuqLUJ4XSAOu_q6UMF_o1ug/s400/Farheen+61B_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248338128590110930" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Can the Obama and Al Franken campaign really spend much more time on this local Minnesotan race as November approaches? Not if they want to win. Fortunately, the voters in this small Minneapolis district can rest assured that one campaign will not ignore them. The volunteers on this campaign wear brown t-shirts that beg the question: "What does Farheen Hakeem mean?" It means <span style="font-style: italic;">fresh wisdom</span>. In times such as these , when change is both crucial and vital, Minnesotans need such a leader. Vote for <a href="http://www.farheenhakeem.org/">Farheen Hakeem</a> on November 4th for Minnesota House 61B.Kevin Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17125012625896751511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18987323.post-86724561172388207542008-09-10T07:20:00.000-07:002008-09-10T15:36:10.001-07:00November Predictions<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-1E2Jd_oSPr84pVTyjixWDy2l3jXseMAJw6Dsmv5Hcy_3rXXDkOVEniUl9CvEDsRImyPrc65R4zLhgktFsXjgaMY_kgC-b4LTC49R-MwAVoBIGgzDkCKDziJuYrxORi9yv6LV4w/s1600-h/Norm+Coleman+Dean+Barkley+Al+Franken.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 288px; height: 142px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-1E2Jd_oSPr84pVTyjixWDy2l3jXseMAJw6Dsmv5Hcy_3rXXDkOVEniUl9CvEDsRImyPrc65R4zLhgktFsXjgaMY_kgC-b4LTC49R-MwAVoBIGgzDkCKDziJuYrxORi9yv6LV4w/s400/Norm+Coleman+Dean+Barkley+Al+Franken.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244509707591166882" border="0" /></a>Yesterday was an interesting primary election!<a href="http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/20080909/ElecMenu.asp"> It says a lot more than polls</a> do about how those invested in democracy choose to vote! Based on the election info, I would like to make some estimated guesses at the general election. These are using current statistics, as debates and other political unknowns will come into play.<br /><br />With regards to my support in November, I believe that candidates should seek to solve our intertwined energy and economic crisis. More "rebates" from Democrats or "drilling" from Republicans are both insufficient. I'd love to hear someone try to prove, without blatant misinformation, that they will be. My solution is an annually increasing carbon tax in support of green jobs.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">President</span> - I do not see Minnesota as up for grabs. It will go to Obama. Assuming there is no voter disenfranchisement issues this time, only <span style="font-style: italic;">one hour</span> waits in Cleveland this year, Obama should win nationwide.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">U.S. Senate</span><br /><br />Coleman - 45%<br />Franken - 35%<br />Barkley - 20%<br /><br />There are about 10% of Republicans who voted for Jack Shepard. These Republicans would most likely not vote for Franken, but would consider Barkley. The biggest loser is clearly Al Franken, because he lost nearly a third of his support to Priscilla Lord Faris. I really don't think he can recover such a hit. He's been trailing Obama for a while in Minnesotan support, and this is a bad hit. And there are parts of Minnesota where she almost surpasses him in support ( in 25A, Franken got 49% of the vote, Faris 46% )!<br /><br />If <a href="http://barkleyforsenate.com/home.html">Dean Barkley</a> is allowed in the debates, his support could improve. Franken is no longer seen as viable against Coleman, which reduces any form of political momentum. Barkley will need to attract Republican votes that Franken obviously can't if he is to beat Coleman. Being a former U.S. Senator helps Dean Barkley considerably, assuming the media refers to him as one.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">US House - 1CD<br /><br /></span>This race will be close. Still, I think that <a href="http://briandavisforcongress.com/">Brian Davis</a> will beat<a href="http://www.timwalz.org/"> Tim Walz</a>, who is in his first re-election bid.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />US House 3CD</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnx-6AaEt4ruSxCfyzn84OqG234cTJDNTMf_zMbRLJ8HUmzFWq1HwOOVGDDVbwLfIfJ-XzqNR8kzJrXH9gnjnhnflGORiSqHEbCHRwQ1mqWr_GSrifUo7KngrFdOkCVuFcy1rFQ/s1600-h/Madia+for+congress.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 207px; height: 87px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnx-6AaEt4ruSxCfyzn84OqG234cTJDNTMf_zMbRLJ8HUmzFWq1HwOOVGDDVbwLfIfJ-XzqNR8kzJrXH9gnjnhnflGORiSqHEbCHRwQ1mqWr_GSrifUo7KngrFdOkCVuFcy1rFQ/s400/Madia+for+congress.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244507103633316386" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The Democrats shouldn't cry too much about possibly losing 1CD, as <a href="http://www.madiaforcongress.com/">Ashwin Madia</a> should win here. <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">US House - 5CD</span><br /><br />Ellison - 84%<br />Davis - 10%<br />McGaughey - 6%<br /><br />I could be overstating Barb Davis White's support. Ellison's opponent Gregg A. Iverson received more votes in the primary than she did. I could also be overstating McGaughey's support, though he may get the anti-Ellison vote. Keith will win easily by double digits.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">US House - 6CD</span><br /><br />This is another close race. I would really like to see the last of Michelle Bachmann. Perhaps Tinklenberg will be able to gain enough support from moderate Republicans who do not feel Bachmann truly represents them.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">US House - 7CD</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.house.gov/ross/BlueDogs/Member%20Page.html">Blue dog Democrat Collin Peterson</a> should easily win.<br /><br /><br />In Federal races, it is difficult to really change current trends months before an election. These races tend to be media dependent and less "activist" oriented. Though get out the vote efforts are still very important.<br /><br />As far as local races go, we will see. It will be up to local candidates to ensure that they stay ( or become ) engaged with the residents of their district. Candidates who accurately reflect their community's needs stand the best chance to be chosen to serve.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Minneapolis School Board</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNVdgfRhoRrPCyV8HU2zpraysviz7PGtqWiq1u94mCSF7ofH-7ISrQPnpl5KmZDXM0V9kgsocEB6YXDDOvYKPH9pKtWC0ky7lE_87223vGQiEVLIbfzA5xtNqwDnoQT7neLqkZvw/s1600-h/DFL+Mpls+School+Board.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 201px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNVdgfRhoRrPCyV8HU2zpraysviz7PGtqWiq1u94mCSF7ofH-7ISrQPnpl5KmZDXM0V9kgsocEB6YXDDOvYKPH9pKtWC0ky7lE_87223vGQiEVLIbfzA5xtNqwDnoQT7neLqkZvw/s400/DFL+Mpls+School+Board.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244521708327716242" border="0" /></a>The voters of Minneapolis always support DFL endorsed. My fave non-DFL candidate, Mary Buss, did not make it past the primary. However, Doug Mann did and is seeking <a href="http://5cd.mngreens.org/">Green Party </a>endorsement. I still like Lydia Lee and Jill Davis. Anyone else will have to prove themselves, assuming I vote for a third candidate.Kevin Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17125012625896751511noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18987323.post-85514162516142380272008-09-08T09:36:00.000-07:002008-09-09T12:43:19.810-07:00Primary Election 08<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7l-pPLQn_PI&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7l-pPLQn_PI&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">US Senate</span><br /><br />Tomorrow is the all important primary, and have done a little homework. I have decided to support <a href="http://dotheimpossible08.com/">Jack Uldrich</a> for U.S. Senate. He clearly stated in one ad that off-shore drilling is like giving more cocaine to a coke-head. Sounds like he knows more about our addiction to oil than the "major" two-parties. You won't hear Al Franken mention anything about our nation's addiction to oil, you'll only hear it from people like Jack. Franken simply wants to end our "dependence on foreign oil" which will never happen if we never cut consumption.<br /><br />I was appalled listening to bits of the RNC, when delegates shouted "Drill here! Drill now!" How much oil can be drilled in Minnesota? How about off-shore oil in Lake Superior? I'll bet there is oil that has runoff into Lake Calhoun - but that doesn't mean we should drain the lake, process the water, to get whatever is in it. Thankfully, Minnesota has no shale oil or uranium. Our best local energy solutions are solar, geothermal, and wind. But I didn't hear any catchy slogans about these at either "major" party conventions this year.<br /><br />The only Independence Party member who could beat Jack is <a href="http://barkleyforsenate.com/home.html">former US Senator Dean Barkley</a>. He spoke at the "Open the Debates" super rally with Ralph Nader, Rosa Clemente, Governor Jesse Ventura, and others. He has support of Jesse and former Congressman Tim Penny. He <span style="font-style: italic;">does</span> have experience as a U.S. Senator, unlike Al Franken. We will see ho<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-LLNI6c6DxN_YS4_z3lg0kYDMJDY6BMLKWFMfCxBb5aITtDiY0yvjvCnwPQKLVp9EXILFr8qVGY9BO6rjelHnEGE6WeUgKVSrFNp23By9udArF_Uj5c9oDLmQ7ReqKdZ5JwJbQ/s1600-h/Dean+barkley+shirt+logo"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 341px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-LLNI6c6DxN_YS4_z3lg0kYDMJDY6BMLKWFMfCxBb5aITtDiY0yvjvCnwPQKLVp9EXILFr8qVGY9BO6rjelHnEGE6WeUgKVSrFNp23By9udArF_Uj5c9oDLmQ7ReqKdZ5JwJbQ/s400/Dean+barkley+shirt+logo" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243830529793698146" border="0" /></a>w both of them do in the primary tomorrow.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Minneapolis School Board</span><br /><br />I have thought about this, read some discussions on e-mail and online. I intend to vote for <a href="http://www.marybuss.com/">Mary Buss</a>, <a href="http://jilldavis.net/">Jill Da</a><a href="http://jilldavis.net/">vis</a> and <a href="http://lydialeeforkids.com/">Lydia Le</a><a href="http://lydialeeforkids.com/">e</a>. <a href="http://dougmannlnc.com/id21.html">Doug Mann's</a> opinion on <a href="http://www.startribune.com/local/27979059.html?elr=KArks:DCiUHc3E7_V_nDaycUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiU">Curriculum Based Measurement (CBM) and Response To Intervention (RTI)literacy strategies</a> is in the comments section. But both Doug Mann and Thomas Picks are perennial candiates for school board and other local offices. I don't think it should be discouraged for people to run for office, but it is a factor.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Judicial Offices</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">- Associate Justice 3</span> :<br /><br />For the Supreme Court <a href="http://www.highesthill.com/">Tim Tingelstad's</a> website screams "extremist Christian", but he does believe in abiding by the Constitution. Something I rarely hear anyone talk about lately, being the Supreme Law of our land. Tim has a good point that having our judicial branch appointed by committee doesn't allow for accountability. He emphatically states: "<span class="TreeviewSpanArea">The seats on the Supreme Court belong to the people of Minnesota, not to an individual, not to the governor, and not to committees. Our courts must be accountable to the people."</span><br /><br />But My vote will be going to <a href="http://www.nelson4office.org/">Alan Lawrence Nelson</a>, because he's a Minnesotan with a worldview. He also has the experience necessary for the job.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Associate Justice 4 :</span><br /><br />I personally like <a href="http://www.jillclarkforjustice.org/">Jill Clark</a>, who stated this about incumbent Lorie "Gildea<span> votes overwhelmingly with Justice Barry Anderson. Justice Anderson is a well-developed jurist, but aligning so often with him indicates that Gildea is not.</span>" And I just liked her <a href="http://www.minnlawyer.com/elections/2008/clark.cfm">statements overall.</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4th District Court - Judge 53 :</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.davidlpiper.com/">David Piper</a> is running - and he called me just about an hour ago asking for my vote. I think he got a hold of some of the DFL candidate's supporter list. ( it's too easy to get on these, you just sign up as a supporter of say.... Al Franken ). It's tough to weed through six excellent candidates, but being a part of the DFL establishment doesn't bode well with me. I am most likely going to vote for <a href="http://www.paulabrummelforjudge.com/">Paula Brummel</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">US House - CD5 :</span><br /><br />No one. I am voting in the Independence Party primary, but have no intention of supporting their candidate.<br /><br /><ul><li>More info on Minnesota Judicial Elections go here:<a href="http://www.minnlawyer.com/elections/2008/index.cfm" target="_blank">http://www.minnlawyer.com/<wbr>elections/2008/index.cfm</a></li><li>In Hennepin County, you can find your polling place and a sneak peak at your ballot : <a href="http://www16.co.hennepin.mn.us/voterinfo/addrsrchnonfrm.jsp" target="_blank">http://www16.co.hennepin.mn.<wbr>us/voterinfo/addrsrchnonfrm.<wbr>jsp</a></li><li>On Minneapolis School Board: <a href="http://www.startribune.com/local/minneapolis/27939899.html" target="_blank">http://www.startribune.com/<wbr>local/minneapolis/27939899.<wbr>html</a></li></ul>Kevin Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17125012625896751511noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18987323.post-28097934684489475342008-08-30T11:53:00.001-07:002008-08-30T12:07:09.291-07:00Sister's Camelot WINS Myspace Impact Award!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sisterscamelot.org/"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 258px; height: 193px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX9dLvSY_9OK1Ui8eIh1dge-OGFe6mz9cID6fEclAQ429ZCw7EraMeQfG67i-hSLDPHVRGz_8yKVp9TlOk4F7bu5bRukWlY_00YjpqTS97E-Wvhyphenhyphen1WuXw-K2LSM8g2S-FhecQc2Q/s400/sisters+camelot+bus" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240388132682705826" border="0" /></a>When I initially voted for them, they were in third place and needed promotion. <a href="http://www.sisterscamelot.org/">Sisters Camelot</a> didn't even have a video to encourage voters, and thankfully did get one in time. Thanks to everyone getting the word out and voting because <a href="http://www.myspace.com/impactawards">they won!</a> Their reaction:<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />We are thrilled to receive this award and would like to thank everyone who voted, giving us this wonderful gift. We will use the money to continue rescuing organic fruits and vegetables from going to waste, and making sure t</span><span style="font-style: italic;">hey end up in tasty dishes eaten by hungry people in our communities.<br />- Karen Eisert (Collective Member & Staff Member)</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sisterscamelot.org/"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 201px; height: 307px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3tkozxmOQVLv7kBk0wWbkrriIndhcorD4EHcbU58bM-svRAa6MpM9ItW1c-PzGw0HEctgsdTj64fJNlC7X0ZW8qPh5epJCTRganMf3r0oVidCghprS-_-NgAhUMlnRvpIZTddg/s400/sisters+camelot+distribting+food" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240388200905429250" border="0" /></a><br /><span><br />They will </span><span>be able</span><span> to buy another bus and further expand their amazing work!<br /><br />Thank you to everyone who voted for them! If you live in the Twin Cities, <a href="http://www.sisterscamelot.org/volunteer">I encourage you to volunteer with them.</a> It's fun and you get a bunch of food also!<br /><br />Peace,<br /><br />-Kevin</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span>Kevin Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17125012625896751511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18987323.post-45344936675150479402008-08-23T07:01:00.000-07:002008-08-23T17:32:34.025-07:00DLC wins VP nomination with Joe Biden<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOlaWej2DVAGBdCWRAbjZ0Sq3eRvo66rw4AcZO4yPYywhCqn3qK0_WemByfT-yb3DiKbfvr8JjI9khnDPpAfPFi-PcXShNFK0BP-uwu_CKN1p0O_1vyw25nD9PBfaMjpFPRW5FLA/s1600-h/DLC+Clinton+Quote.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 247px; height: 177px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOlaWej2DVAGBdCWRAbjZ0Sq3eRvo66rw4AcZO4yPYywhCqn3qK0_WemByfT-yb3DiKbfvr8JjI9khnDPpAfPFi-PcXShNFK0BP-uwu_CKN1p0O_1vyw25nD9PBfaMjpFPRW5FLA/s400/DLC+Clinton+Quote.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237718610668006818" border="0" /></a>While I had assumed <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blackcommentator.com%2F48%2F48_cover.html&ei=TRuwSOXfFZOe8QTAhaho&usg=AFQjCNHmOz4EsHhwYU4EPBd9R1GCD3TlDw&sig2=Wjs1t6UuVFyksrdPAuZWNQ">Barack Obama would not capitulate to the Democratic Leadership Council</a>, because he had said he was independent of them, he has. Joe Biden might as well be Joe Lieberman - both are war hawks who could easily transition to the Neo-Conservative wing of the Republican Party. Because, the DLC is comprised of the same liberals who espouse the Neo-Con agenda, they just never left the Democrat Party.<br /><br /><span class="copy">In 2005 when <a href="http://www.ndol.org/ndol_ci.cfm?contentid=253240&kaid=85&subid=108">he received a DLC award</a>, Senator Biden stated. "I believe that our military power is necessary, but not sufficient, to change the world. It will be our ideas and our ideals -- the things we value, the things we stand for, the same things that brought the Berlin Wall down -- that will nudge the world toward more freedom and democracy." Peace through strength mantra, again. Bomb the world to peace?</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQU2GO77UxTpchhxstRjgaUUu9qAWFuVKDw8bHSGmygJp9Hjk8u5PgtNpVbOA2V6YQnU8zShDTGXN_TL4fJZ3F7caf8YZGk_kA0wnV8AeGc32LBPj_ocpRCvL00BFCGk_Rm6J7Nw/s1600-h/DLC.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 76px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQU2GO77UxTpchhxstRjgaUUu9qAWFuVKDw8bHSGmygJp9Hjk8u5PgtNpVbOA2V6YQnU8zShDTGXN_TL4fJZ3F7caf8YZGk_kA0wnV8AeGc32LBPj_ocpRCvL00BFCGk_Rm6J7Nw/s400/DLC.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237716858396050978" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="copy"><br />Sorry, Obama you have failed miserably in your</span><span class="copy"> choice. I will not even consider voting for you, not that I have ever considered McCain. The DLC and NeoCons envision a world where America's military is sent from nation to nation to hang on to resources we "need." What we need is a world where all people are secure, not just the American people. Most Americans agree on this, but they also know that the power in the upper echelons of our society are difficult to rein in. Just ask Obama, who may not have wanted a DLCer but because he ran in the Democrat Party, has no choice. Hillary lost, they need the VP, and now we get another Cheney.<br /><br />Cynthia McKinney has a different perspective of our military. She wants accountability, not an never-ending empire that loses Trillions in taxpayer money. You won't hear Joe Biden grilling Rumsfeld or any other NeoCon because..friends protect their own right? Watch the video and decide who is best to lead America's military and the world into a better future:<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/eootfzAhAoU&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/eootfzAhAoU&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /></span>Kevin Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17125012625896751511noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18987323.post-85032600840656961822008-08-22T18:09:00.000-07:002008-08-22T18:59:44.243-07:00Which would you pick:McCain's War Economy or McKinney's Green Economy?<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/vpmFd25tRqo&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/vpmFd25tRqo&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br />Unless McCain is living in some warped reality, which he is, the economy needs a LOT of work. Not being able remember how many homes you own is a bit disconcerting. I mean, Norm Coleman only owns one! And he rents his place in Washington!<br /><br />Let's consider that if McCain considers the fundamentals of our economy to be just fine - then do not think he will address our addiction to oil. He will not address the need to properly ensure access to education for future generations of Americans. He will not worry about the growing National Debt or reducing our imperialistic ambitions abroad. Why worry about the Homeland when you have to prop up your empire instead? Because, Mr. McCain, empires fall. And they can do so gracefully, or they can collapse in a heap.<br /><br />So, if the Presidential race were done by <a href="http://www.goodsearch.com/Redirect.aspx?type=1&url=http://rc10.overture.com/d/sr/?xargs=15KPjg1hRSt5auwuf0L%5FiXEbqUkwwB5enG8L1ueZF6GaYqgnplIvYuPa7By%5FVIb%2D1mnHukzoOViacUOqz2n%5F%2DUFBCMQVKXGOb6yt2QwNJ%5FcLnwDFl3t7R6y%2Dr%5Fz9FDayBZNi3kKJDtxoGVfoWlej0SodFshUDF66AqzMeglL8TEayJgl947Q7Zed9Arao2npmdN91QEesVKo3AwjjJMstfj%2D1FqPLdYGNWeXXm%2DS1J9AXWcl85%5FuqUItgf6Ljwu7%2Do">Instant Runoff Voting</a>, I wouldn't even put a number by McCain - unless it were double-digit. In the #1 spot would be Cynthia McKinney, who I adamantly support and WILL be on the ballot in Minnesota. Her ideas for a Green economy are expressed in the video below:<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9jJtSkQlhqI&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9jJtSkQlhqI&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object>Kevin Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17125012625896751511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18987323.post-55369260981312340142008-08-20T19:04:00.000-07:002008-08-22T16:09:28.879-07:00The Misunderstood "independent"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.independentvoting.org/"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 221px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-JzpjrEa0x31SFuhHXVV6tXt6AgIfMY8Nb98MoTNzI9g8YazL1lhWeTMRNev94Pu7xD818tVVVyg_4xVh53dX7d9ZggIhEnykVl49GMMBlUkPBTpkwqC0xmHV6_6oq4p3ZCw7Q/s400/NeoIndependent+08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237366329104823666" border="0" /></a><br />I just had my second conference call Sunday with<a href="http://www.independentvoting.org/about/"> CUIP, which stands for the Committee for a Unified Independent Party.</a> Jacqueline Salit is chair and co-founder, and she facilitated the conference call. She was also on the Midmorning show on <a href="http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/08/13/midmorning1/">MPR</a>, so I have heard some of what she had to say again during the conference call.<br /><br />What is interesting is that she and CUIP really are at the forefront of a monumental change in American politics that few in the media truly understand: independent voters. People who choose not to label themselves with a party brand, but say " no party for me." I really admire the independent who does not worry about what is "best for the party." For instance when Democrats nominate an "electable" candidate, independents smell this right away as an act that is "good for the party" and not necessarily good for our great nation.<br /><br />Independents are frequently relegated to second class citizen when they are not allowed to vote in primaries, because they are for "partisans only." Independents want political power too - just outside of parties. Minnesota has open primaries and same day voter registration - which works in favor of independent swing elections( partisans would call them spoiling elections ). It would be wise for any party or organization to recognize this demographic.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Take Action</span><br /><br />I recently volunteered with <a href="http://www.takeactionminnesota.org/">Take Action Minnesota</a>. My primary motivation to do this because they initially told me they were <a href="http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/01/15/universal_rally/">supporting Sen. Marty's Single-Payer Universal Health-care Plan</a>. Excellent! I made phone calls <a href="http://www.myactivate.com/">using their automated/computer calling system,</a> which I found annoying as it called people and made them wait for a volunteer to say "hi." I was calling on behalf of DFL candidate Jerry Newton.<br /><br />What I disliked most was the script they had written up for us. It didn't feel like me saying these things, although I liked Jerry. I did call many voters who were self-identified as independents. The first question on my script was asking the voter a partisan question, and independents<span style="font-weight: bold;"> hate</span> these ( as did I - I am no Democrat! ). One person told me " I am a staunch Republican." And I was like "Well, <a href="http://www.newton.dflsd49.org/">have you heard of Jerry Newton</a>?" And she was "Oh, Jerry? Yeah! I like him, can I get a lawn sign?" So much for consistent partisanship.<br /><br />I spoke with some of those in Take Action after, and they<a href="http://www.muhcc.org/"> agreed with me on Single Payer</a>. But they believe in an "incremental" approach to health-care. Is this the same type of approach being supported by more pro-lifers? Chip away at choice, until there is none? Incremental works when you are tearing something down - like the icebergs slowly melting in Greenland. There comes a point when they just sink. But how do you build up Single-Payer from..small pieces? But Take Action buys what polls are saying - that only 30% of Americans support it. Maybe Take Action could educate the public instead of capitulating to polls?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.takeactionminnesota.org/"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_czCyN-1huWwCJqqdAHac713PrFfp11F7m-9b0Wp2Tj6oYnzTHuBw-QjRe_w0qiEr-eU7sg5bUmb6iLJp7cCMKrvsyeQahXMMIsX-NTuvp8DdKnokDV1u_LhmPFbnqCjbeOwkCQ/s400/Take+Action+MN.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237378074522657602" border="0" /></a><br /><br />What Take Action has become, is a partisan organization. They believe progressive change can <span style="font-weight: bold;">only</span> occur through the Democratic Party, and electing more of them. They want to show the DFL that they are a grassroots organization that can mobilize its members to help them win crucially close elections. But they do this by alienating non-partisan independents. They also believe that third-parties are not a vehicle for any type of change.<br /><br />But Take Actions says they want to hold the Democrats accountable, by running candidates against anti-progressive Democrats. They were doing this in Minneapolis, in House District 58A with Peggy Flanagan. <a href="http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/08/13/midmorning1/"> Rep. Joel Mullery did not get his party's endorsement</a>, and could have lost in the primary had she been able to stay in the race. Of course, when I asked who they would run against my senator, Linda Berglin, they were quiet. "Perhaps she is going to run for higher office?" was one thought. ( <a href="http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/node/1666">Linda Berglin is opposed to Single-Payer</a> ) Why aren't they recruiting for this and just allowing the DFL to dictate the agenda of my district? They conveniently "forgot" to endorse<a href="http://www.jackforsenate.org/"> Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer </a>for US Senate, waiting until after the DFL endorsed Al Franken. Sounds like they just want to stay on the good side of the DFL, and not radically challenge them.<br /><br />But this is why it is difficult for independents to support partisan organizations, we do not care whether the party thrives or crashes and burns. Independents want to <span style="font-weight: bold;">get things done on</span> health-care, deficit spending, oil addiction, and peace. None of these are issues either Democrats or Republicans are strong on. But they sure like to pretend like they are!Kevin Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17125012625896751511noreply@blogger.com0