Category: John Kline

by Dave Mindeman

A Open Letter to the 2nd District Constituents

As we approach April 15th, I'm sure a lot of people will be talking taxes. And of course, our Congressman John Kline will be patting himself on the back as the ultimate friend of the taxpayer.

But consider this.

For all of Kline's crusading against "pork", how much does that save you on your Federal Tax return? That money all goes to Washington, not one dime less because of Kline's "crusade".

And then consider this.

Not only are the Minnesota Super Bowl rings, we all started to get excited about, going to New Orleans, but a good portion of your Federal taxes are fixing levees in the bayou and not roads in Minnesota.

Not only are the former corporate offices of Northwest heading down to Atlanta as they become Delta Airlines, but your Federal taxes are helping Georgia build fire and EMS stations in Lumpkin and Sandy Springs, GA, and not emergency services in Minnesota.

Most Congressional Districts get some of that Federal tax money back in basic infrastructure via requests from local governments. The 2nd District requests fall on deaf and stubborn ears.

For all of Kline's boasting about "Stopping the Pork", it has not saved us one single dime in taxes and worse yet, not a single dime is coming back for needed district projects.

Category: John Kline

by Dave Mindeman

John Kline has assurances for us about the economy....

"The American economy can recover, but it will be in spite of the Democrats’ big government, special interest policies – not because of them.”

John Kline is confident about the economy. So confident that he considers his do nothing approach another indication of its resilience.

When Kline discusses Democratic policies, he neglects to mention the one Republican contribution that he supported -- the banking bail out.... to make sure Wall Street was taken care of going forward.

Since then, he has ignored pleas for mortgage help. Despises the Jobs Program. He voted against any stimulus. Has refused to pass forward requests from his district for help with infrastructure projects. And he has repeatedly worked against working men and women in their quest for union representation.

Yes, John Kline believes in the ability of the economy to recover. He just doesn't believe in helping people while we wait.

Sure, the economy can work its way through things gradually, over time. While jobs continue to get lost. While credit continues to tighten. While small businesses give up. And while health care costs continue to escalate. Sure, if John Kline had had his way, it could have happened....eventually...at some point....with people in dire economic straits waiting.

But Congressman Kline will only act if there is a real need. Like the needs of the banks. That situation is a cause for action.

On everything else -- John Kline is content to wait.

Because he believes in doing nothing.

Note: Hey, it is John Kline's Monday/Monday.

Blogs about Minnesota's worst Representative on the Worst Day of the Week.

Check out these other local blogger posts every other Monday/Monday.

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MN MODERATE TO LIBERAL ROUNDTABLE:
Dear MN Congressman John Kline, We Need a Jump-Start, Instead

MINNESOTA CENTRAL --MN-02 : (Don’t Ask) Don’t Tell John Kline, The Times They Are A Changin’

HEGEMOMMY -- Protect Me From John Kline!

Category: Sarah Palin

by Dave Mindeman

You think her speech was worth $100,000?

Sarah Palin, Tea Party Entrepeneur, has discovered a way to get through the recession unscathed. She talks.

Not well at times, but she's good at that platitudey thingey.

I listened to part of her speech on C-SPAN last night. (I couldn't get through all of it, because it sounded too much like the 2008 Republican campaign.)

Sarah tells us the "hopey changey" thing is dead and that the Tea Partiers have founded the new age of politics. They are our future.

Yikes.

I was a little surprised that the hope of Democracy has changed:

"Around the world, people who are seeking freedom from oppressive regimes, wonder if ALASKA is still that beacon of hope for their cause."

Darn. I always thought it was America itself. I'm not sure that Sarah gave Alaska a full shot at being that beacon. She quit in the middle of her term.

(What was really funny about that Alaska line is that she just finished a paragraph that ridiculed Obama for using a teleprompter.)

Still, there is a sobering reality to all of this. Sarah Palin has clearly won these people over. And the Tea Party crowd is going to be a factor for awhile. As long as the economy continues to underperform and stagnate, the Tea Party Nation will get some attention.

When people are hurting and dissatisfied, they will listen to anything. Even if, in the long run, it is flat out wrong.

During our economic turmoil, Palin may have a chance to merge the Tea Party Nation with a disjointed Republican Party that is hungry for a return to power. In ordinary times, these two philosophies might be incompatible. But when they can grab attention by merely being against everything....things that are slow to give us an answer to severe economic doldrums....then the two disparate entities can seek that tentative unity.

Palin may increase her popularity in both of them for awhile. As long as things stay economically bad. As long as negatives are acceptable. As long as obstruction is winning the day. As long as platitudes and ancient GOP tag lines don't have to give us any real results.

Sarah Palin thinks she is carrying the day. Trouble is, she has no plans beyond the day....you know, that futurey thingey.