To everyone who cares about this blog and the freedom of debate it offers: Recently one of the names that make up Elephant Herd was outed. This is not a good thing. It is the policy of this blog to offer opportunity to anyone to debate an issue. Anyone can comment with or without revealing one’s name. That is a good policy. That policy allows free and honest commentary and should be respected.
How did this happen? Names of contributors are not shared. Only the Executive Board of the Chisago County Republican Party are aware of the names.
If anyone can shed light on how this name was revealed and to whom, please contact a board member.
Our party has been invaded and we need to know the identity of the invader.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Kalin Leaves Questions Unanswered Thus Far
An earlier post made the simple request for Representative Jeremy Kalin to document his claim that he was on the "teaching faculty of Waterford high school from 1996 to 2000." We renew the request for the above information including the city/state location of the school and we add: 1) What subjects did he teach? 2) Why is he longer teaching at the school?
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Why Obama's Speech Was Unconvincing
From: REAL CLEAR POLITICS March 25, 2008
By Ed Koch
Barack Obama's speech last week addressing his 20-year relationship with his radical pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, was very well done, yet unconvincing.
Obama sought to explain that relationship and why he could not end this close association, despite the minister's hate-filled rhetoric. He said, "There will no doubt be those for whom my statements of condemnation are not enough. Why associate myself with Rev. Wright in the first place, they may ask? Why not join another church?"
Yes, those are the questions that people are asking.
Many of Rev. Wright's incendiary statements are on videos sold by his church. Minister Louis Farrakhan, a friend of Rev. Wright with whom he traveled to visit Muammar Khadaffi in Libya, also makes his sermons and those of others associated with the Nation of Islam available for sale. Their attacks on the U.S. and Israel often coincide with those of Rev. Wright.
Rev. Wright's sermons charge that the U.S. government gives African-Americans drugs, created AIDS and is deliberately infecting blacks with that disease. His sermons claim that the U.S. unjustifiably nuclear bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki in World War II, and that 9/11 and the deaths of 3,000 Americans were caused by U.S. foreign policy. He alleges Israeli state terrorism against the Palestinians; calling Israel a "dirty word" and "racist country." He blames Israel for 9/11 and supports the divestment campaign against it, denouncing "Zionism." His venomous thoughts are summed up in his most discussed sermon in which he says the U.S. government "wants us to sing God Bless America. No, no, not God Bless America. God damn America. God damn America for killing innocent people."
Senator Obama in his speech acknowledged that the rantings of his minister are "inexcusable," but stated, "I can no more disown him than I can disown the black community. I can no more disown him than I can my white grandmother - a woman who helped raise me, a woman who sacrificed again and again for me, a woman who loves me as much as she loves anything in this world, but a woman who once confessed her fear of black men who passed by her on the street, and who on more than one occasion has uttered racial or ethnic stereotypes that made me cringe."
Before we discuss his grandmother, let's examine the impact of Rev. Wright's statements on the Senator's two daughters. Nothing says it better than a song from the musical "South Pacific," to wit, "You have to be taught to hate and fear...You've got to be carefully taught." Few dispute that Rev. Wright's sermons are filled with hate.
Why didn't Senator Obama stand up in the church and denounce his hateful statements or, at the very least, argue privately with his minister? It was horrifying to see on a video now viewed across America the congregation rise from the pews to applaud their minister's rants.
Now to Obama's grandmother. There was a time spanning the 70's to the mid-90's when many blacks and whites in large American cities expressed the same feelings on street crime held by Obama's grandmother. Indeed, Reverend Jesse Jackson made similar comments in 1993 at a meeting of his organization, Operation Push, devoted to street crime. According to a November 29, 1993, article in the Chicago Sun-Times, he said, "'We must face the No. 1 critical issue of our day. It is youth crime in general and black-on-black crime in particular.' Then Jackson told the audience, 'There is nothing more painful to me at this stage in my life than to walk down the street and hear footsteps and start thinking about robbery. Then look around and see somebody white and feel relieved....After all we have been through,' he said. 'Just to think we can't walk down our own streets, how humiliating.'"
Isn't that exactly what Obama's grandmother was referring to? To equate her fears, similar to Jesse Jackson's, with Wright's anti-American, anti-white, anti-Jew, and anti-Israel rantings is despicable coming from a grandson. In today's vernacular, he threw her under the wheels of the bus to keep his presidential campaign rolling.For shame.
What is it that I and others expected Obama to do? A great leader with conscience and courage would have stood up and faced down anyone who engages in such conduct. I expect a President of the United States to have the strength of character to denounce and disown enemies of America - foreign and domestic -- and yes, even his friends and confidants when they get seriously out of line.
What if a minister in a church attended primarily by white congregants or a rabbi in a synagogue attended primarily by Jews made comparable statements that were hostile to African-Americans? I have no doubt that the congregants would have immediately stood up and openly denounced the offending cleric. Others would have criticized that cleric in private. Some would surely have ended their relationships with their congregation. Obama didn't do any of these things. His recent condemnations of Wright's hate-filled speech are, in my opinion, a case of too little, too late.
It is also disturbing to me that Obama's wife, Michelle, during a speech in Wisconsin last month, said, "For the first time in my adult lifetime, I'm really proud of my country, because it feels like hope is finally making a comeback."
Strange. This is a woman who has had a good life, with opportunities few whites or blacks have been given. When she entered Princeton and Harvard and later became a partner in a prestigious law firm, didn't she feel proud to be an American? When she and the Senator bought their new home, was there no feeling of accomplishment and pride in being a U.S. citizen? When her husband was elected to the state legislature and subsequently to the United States Senate, didn't she feel proud of her country?
Senator Obama was asked if he thought his speech changed any minds. He replied he didn't think so, and certainly not of those who weren't already for him. A more important question is, whether his 20-year relationship with Wright has done lasting damage to his candidacy. We will soon know.
Ed Koch is the former Mayor of New York City.
By Ed Koch
Barack Obama's speech last week addressing his 20-year relationship with his radical pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, was very well done, yet unconvincing.
Obama sought to explain that relationship and why he could not end this close association, despite the minister's hate-filled rhetoric. He said, "There will no doubt be those for whom my statements of condemnation are not enough. Why associate myself with Rev. Wright in the first place, they may ask? Why not join another church?"
Yes, those are the questions that people are asking.
Many of Rev. Wright's incendiary statements are on videos sold by his church. Minister Louis Farrakhan, a friend of Rev. Wright with whom he traveled to visit Muammar Khadaffi in Libya, also makes his sermons and those of others associated with the Nation of Islam available for sale. Their attacks on the U.S. and Israel often coincide with those of Rev. Wright.
Rev. Wright's sermons charge that the U.S. government gives African-Americans drugs, created AIDS and is deliberately infecting blacks with that disease. His sermons claim that the U.S. unjustifiably nuclear bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki in World War II, and that 9/11 and the deaths of 3,000 Americans were caused by U.S. foreign policy. He alleges Israeli state terrorism against the Palestinians; calling Israel a "dirty word" and "racist country." He blames Israel for 9/11 and supports the divestment campaign against it, denouncing "Zionism." His venomous thoughts are summed up in his most discussed sermon in which he says the U.S. government "wants us to sing God Bless America. No, no, not God Bless America. God damn America. God damn America for killing innocent people."
Senator Obama in his speech acknowledged that the rantings of his minister are "inexcusable," but stated, "I can no more disown him than I can disown the black community. I can no more disown him than I can my white grandmother - a woman who helped raise me, a woman who sacrificed again and again for me, a woman who loves me as much as she loves anything in this world, but a woman who once confessed her fear of black men who passed by her on the street, and who on more than one occasion has uttered racial or ethnic stereotypes that made me cringe."
Before we discuss his grandmother, let's examine the impact of Rev. Wright's statements on the Senator's two daughters. Nothing says it better than a song from the musical "South Pacific," to wit, "You have to be taught to hate and fear...You've got to be carefully taught." Few dispute that Rev. Wright's sermons are filled with hate.
Why didn't Senator Obama stand up in the church and denounce his hateful statements or, at the very least, argue privately with his minister? It was horrifying to see on a video now viewed across America the congregation rise from the pews to applaud their minister's rants.
Now to Obama's grandmother. There was a time spanning the 70's to the mid-90's when many blacks and whites in large American cities expressed the same feelings on street crime held by Obama's grandmother. Indeed, Reverend Jesse Jackson made similar comments in 1993 at a meeting of his organization, Operation Push, devoted to street crime. According to a November 29, 1993, article in the Chicago Sun-Times, he said, "'We must face the No. 1 critical issue of our day. It is youth crime in general and black-on-black crime in particular.' Then Jackson told the audience, 'There is nothing more painful to me at this stage in my life than to walk down the street and hear footsteps and start thinking about robbery. Then look around and see somebody white and feel relieved....After all we have been through,' he said. 'Just to think we can't walk down our own streets, how humiliating.'"
Isn't that exactly what Obama's grandmother was referring to? To equate her fears, similar to Jesse Jackson's, with Wright's anti-American, anti-white, anti-Jew, and anti-Israel rantings is despicable coming from a grandson. In today's vernacular, he threw her under the wheels of the bus to keep his presidential campaign rolling.For shame.
What is it that I and others expected Obama to do? A great leader with conscience and courage would have stood up and faced down anyone who engages in such conduct. I expect a President of the United States to have the strength of character to denounce and disown enemies of America - foreign and domestic -- and yes, even his friends and confidants when they get seriously out of line.
What if a minister in a church attended primarily by white congregants or a rabbi in a synagogue attended primarily by Jews made comparable statements that were hostile to African-Americans? I have no doubt that the congregants would have immediately stood up and openly denounced the offending cleric. Others would have criticized that cleric in private. Some would surely have ended their relationships with their congregation. Obama didn't do any of these things. His recent condemnations of Wright's hate-filled speech are, in my opinion, a case of too little, too late.
It is also disturbing to me that Obama's wife, Michelle, during a speech in Wisconsin last month, said, "For the first time in my adult lifetime, I'm really proud of my country, because it feels like hope is finally making a comeback."
Strange. This is a woman who has had a good life, with opportunities few whites or blacks have been given. When she entered Princeton and Harvard and later became a partner in a prestigious law firm, didn't she feel proud to be an American? When she and the Senator bought their new home, was there no feeling of accomplishment and pride in being a U.S. citizen? When her husband was elected to the state legislature and subsequently to the United States Senate, didn't she feel proud of her country?
Senator Obama was asked if he thought his speech changed any minds. He replied he didn't think so, and certainly not of those who weren't already for him. A more important question is, whether his 20-year relationship with Wright has done lasting damage to his candidacy. We will soon know.
Ed Koch is the former Mayor of New York City.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Olseen on Illegal Immigration
As with Kalin, someone sent an e-mail to Senator Olseen (D-17) stating, "I am writing to let you know that I have signed the Immigration Enforcement Petition. Cities that implement sanctuary policies that prevent police officers from enforcing immigration laws should lose their state funding. I object to having my hard-earned tax dollars go to fund programs for people who are in our country illegally."
Senator Olseen responded to his constituent:
"Thank you for your email regarding immigration enforcement. I appreciate you taking time to share your input on this important issue.
I understand your concern over undocumented immigrants in Minnesota, and I agree there is much room for responsible and effective reform of outdated immigration policies. However, with the recent debate over immigration policy in Minnesota and throughout the country, there has been a significant amount of misinformation distributed. Many people believe undocumented immigrants come to this country only to draw off the social programs states make available to its residents.
Undocumented immigrants do not receive health care benefits and are not eligible for state-funded programs. Only citizens with proper documentation are eligible for such benefits. The only exception is for pregnant women who require pre-natal services. It is important to recognize that, under federal law, the children of these mothers will be U.S. citizens once they are born. By denying pregnant women the vital prenatal care they require, we are risking an entire population of U.S. citizens who could be born with serious health problems because they missed out on important prenatal care.
I understand your frustration with our country’s handling of new immigrants to this country. I, too, believe the system is in desperate need of repair, but any reform must come at the federal level. It is the federal government that is charged with the responsibility of forming immigration policy and effectively enforcing those laws. Immigration enforcement is not the job of local law enforcement. Local peace officers currently have the right to investigate immigration issues as part of other criminal investigations, as they should, but do not have the resources to routinely question citizens about their immigration status.
At the state level, provisions creating tougher penalties for identity theft and fraud, human trafficking, and employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants have been introduced in previous legislative sessions and I will continue to support these proposals if they come before the Senate in 2008.
Additionally, I believe state policy should reflect Minnesota’s values of recognizing hard work, determination, and the goal of citizenship. The best thing we can do as a state is focus on policies that help illegal immigrants work toward citizenship and become contributing members of our society, while also calling on Congress to provide the much-needed reform of federal immigration laws.
Again, thank you for contacting me. If you have further questions on this or any other issue facing the Legislature, please feel free to contact me anytime."
Sincerely,
Rick Olseen
State Senator District 17
Senator Olseen responded to his constituent:
"Thank you for your email regarding immigration enforcement. I appreciate you taking time to share your input on this important issue.
I understand your concern over undocumented immigrants in Minnesota, and I agree there is much room for responsible and effective reform of outdated immigration policies. However, with the recent debate over immigration policy in Minnesota and throughout the country, there has been a significant amount of misinformation distributed. Many people believe undocumented immigrants come to this country only to draw off the social programs states make available to its residents.
Undocumented immigrants do not receive health care benefits and are not eligible for state-funded programs. Only citizens with proper documentation are eligible for such benefits. The only exception is for pregnant women who require pre-natal services. It is important to recognize that, under federal law, the children of these mothers will be U.S. citizens once they are born. By denying pregnant women the vital prenatal care they require, we are risking an entire population of U.S. citizens who could be born with serious health problems because they missed out on important prenatal care.
I understand your frustration with our country’s handling of new immigrants to this country. I, too, believe the system is in desperate need of repair, but any reform must come at the federal level. It is the federal government that is charged with the responsibility of forming immigration policy and effectively enforcing those laws. Immigration enforcement is not the job of local law enforcement. Local peace officers currently have the right to investigate immigration issues as part of other criminal investigations, as they should, but do not have the resources to routinely question citizens about their immigration status.
At the state level, provisions creating tougher penalties for identity theft and fraud, human trafficking, and employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants have been introduced in previous legislative sessions and I will continue to support these proposals if they come before the Senate in 2008.
Additionally, I believe state policy should reflect Minnesota’s values of recognizing hard work, determination, and the goal of citizenship. The best thing we can do as a state is focus on policies that help illegal immigrants work toward citizenship and become contributing members of our society, while also calling on Congress to provide the much-needed reform of federal immigration laws.
Again, thank you for contacting me. If you have further questions on this or any other issue facing the Legislature, please feel free to contact me anytime."
Sincerely,
Rick Olseen
State Senator District 17
___________________________________________
Olseen wrote a whole lot of verbiage and never once came close to addressing the sanctuary cities issue that was protested by his constituent. His constituent’s statement is not hard to understand.
On the one hand, Olseen says the police ". . . do not have the resources to routinely question citizens about their immigration status," but on the other hand, he implies health care providers have the time to determine if a person is an illegal alien. They are not entitled to health care benefits, unless they are pregnant. I guess we are to conclude doctors and nurses have more time than police!
Notice too that he proposes the immigration system is broken and needs "reform." That sounds great, but he doesn’t tell us what he has in mind for "reform." It’s just feel good language to fluff his message that doesn’t have any solutions in it.
Olseen promises, ". . . I will continue to support these [aforementioned] proposals if they come before the Senate in 2008." But significantly, Olseen does not propose to produce any legislation to address the issues he claims bother him.
It looks like Olseen’s response was drawn from the same DFL canned mush that Kalin used. These guys don’t think for themselves.
On the one hand, Olseen says the police ". . . do not have the resources to routinely question citizens about their immigration status," but on the other hand, he implies health care providers have the time to determine if a person is an illegal alien. They are not entitled to health care benefits, unless they are pregnant. I guess we are to conclude doctors and nurses have more time than police!
Notice too that he proposes the immigration system is broken and needs "reform." That sounds great, but he doesn’t tell us what he has in mind for "reform." It’s just feel good language to fluff his message that doesn’t have any solutions in it.
Olseen promises, ". . . I will continue to support these [aforementioned] proposals if they come before the Senate in 2008." But significantly, Olseen does not propose to produce any legislation to address the issues he claims bother him.
It looks like Olseen’s response was drawn from the same DFL canned mush that Kalin used. These guys don’t think for themselves.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Kalin on Illegal Immigration
Before the sanctuary cities vote took place as mentioned in the previous post, someone sent an e-mail to Rep. Kalin stating, "I am writing to let you know that I have signed the Immigration Enforcement Petition. Cities that implement sanctuary policies that prevent police officers from enforcing immigration laws should lose their state funding. I object to having my hard-earned tax dollars go to fund programs for people who are in our country illegally."
Rep. Kalin responded to his constituent:
"Thanks for your email supporting Minnesota Majority's Immigration Enforcement Petition. I read Governor Pawlenty's immigration initiatives with interest.
Because immigration is an issue of international proportion, I have grown increasingly frustrated by the lack of progress in Congress. Although they considered several proposals over the past few years, no comprehensive legislation has been enacted to bring about significant immigration reform. It is extremely awkward for state legislatures to try to resolve issues that are best dealt with by Congress - especially in light of our need to fix our roads and bridges, enact health care reform, and stimulate Minnesota's economy.
I spend a lot of time working with local law enforcement. They are stretched thinner than any time in recent history. They currently have the power and right to investigate immigration issues as a part of a criminal investigation, and law enforcement agencies routinely cooperate with federal officials when this action is warranted. Congress needs to provide the resources for federal agents to focus on enforcing the existing immigration laws and rules; otherwise, diverting police resources will result in other public safety needs going unmet, or in increased local and state taxes to cover these needs.
Just one example: the State Patrol currently does not have enough resources to adequately patrol I-35 in Chisago County and MN-65 and MN-95, especially during the weekend nights. I-35 has the highest growth rate of fatal accidents, but our Sheriffs don't have the money to fully staff these patrols on their own, even with a nearly 10% increase in our county levy.
State agencies already are currently using extensive verification processes to ensure that public dollars are used responsibly. Minnesota's Department of Human Services works closely with the federal U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office to verify a non-citizen's immigration status so that public benefits are only provided to those who meet rigid eligibility guidelines, including regarding citizenship. Minnesota law already stipulates that undocumented individuals are not eligible for assistance through General Assistance, MFIP, Supplemental Aid, Food Support, MinnesotaCare, General Assistance Medical Care, or Group Residential Housing.
While a cost-benefit analysis of immigration is a very difficult undertaking, I do think it is worthwhile to note that the Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor released a report in 2006 highlighting economic research that concluded that, overall, non-immigrants are better off economically due to immigration. The report also reiterates that any comprehensive look at the cost of immigration should also account for the economic activity that results.
I agree with this statement in the original petition: "Employers who knowingly hire illegal aliens should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law." As you may know, I am taking a lead role in reforming MnDOT's design-buld [sic] contracting - used in the 35W bridge contract - to ensure that Minnesota's law favors Minnesota companies and Minnesota workers who play by the rules and follow the law. I feel the same way about companies that knowingly skirt the law because they are too cheap to pay Minnesota workers what they deserve. In some instances, modern-day slave ships are smuggling workers across the Mexican border in airtight semi-trailers, with no food or water for days in 120+ degree temperatures inside the trailer. Unsurprisingly, people are being killed in these conditions.
I look forward to reviewing all legislative proposals dealing with immigration, including our human trafficking laws, identity theft penalties, and fines for employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants.
I appreciate your input very much. Happy New Year, and my best wishes to you and your family."
Jeremy
___________________________________________
Kalin wrote a whole lot of verbiage and never once came close to dealing with the sanctuary cities issue that was addressed by his constituent.
What does state highway patrol on the interstate system have to do with Minneapolis and St. Paul ordinances that prevent their police officers from asking someone about their citizenship status? Nothing!
In his sixth paragraph, Kalin can’t even identify us as citizens. He calls us "non-immigrants." So for him, the immigrants define the natives rather than the citizens defining the immigrants, whether legal or illegal. This guy has it backwards!
And who cares if we are allegedly better off economically because of immigrants? That is not the issue. The issue is criminal aliens. He calls them "undocumented individuals."
Notice too that he proposes the immigration system is broken and needs "reform." That sounds great, but he doesn’t tell us what he has in mind for "reform." It’s just feel good language to fluff his message that doesn’t have any solutions in it.
It looks like Kalin’s response was drawn from some DFL canned talking points that he could pull out of a data bank created to answer constituents who make annoying comments.
Kalin on Sanctuary Cities
Minneapolis and St. Paul have adopted ordinances prohibiting their police officers from inquiring about the citizenship status of people detained for violations of the law. Thus these two cities are safe harbors for aliens in Minnesota illegally.
Representative Marty Seifert (R-Marshall) thought something should be done about this. He offered an amendment to a bill that would have reduced local government aid (LGA) to such cities and distributed that to the rest of the cities in Minnesota.
Seifert's amendment failed 66-67, with DFLers keeping the voting board open and urging their members to vote against the measure. All of Seifert’s fellow Republicans voted for the amendment, while all votes in opposition were DFLers. Seifert was able to persuade 18 DFLers to vote with him, but it wasn't enough.
Rep. Jeremy Kalin (D-17B) voted once again in lockstep with the DFL. That’s right—his yes vote would have passed this amendment. Instead of voting for those whom he was elected to represent in Chisago County, he voted for illegal immigrants (or as Chris Baker from KTLK rightly calls them, criminal aliens) in the Twin Cities. He voted against Chisago County cities receiving the redistributed LGA. Imagine a liberal turning down cash for his own district!
Check this out in the House Journal for March 3, 2008. Look at pages 8058-59 and 8094-95.
And then HF 3010, which would prohibit the enforcement of sanctuary cities laws such as Minneapolis and St. Paul have, was tabled by a 67-66 vote. Again Kalin’s vote prohibited debate and a vote on this bill.
It takes a lot of chutzpah to flaunt the immigration laws of the USA right from Chisago County. I think we need to ship Kalin to Mexico without a passport so he learns firsthand what a criminal alien is.
You can squawk to Kalin about his miserable failure by sending him an e-mail here.
A Message to our Readers
This blog is the Internet face of the Chisago County Republican Party. A few of the many Republicans in the county post on it. The contributors change from time to time. None of us individually speaks for the GOP in Chisago County. As Republicans, we hold to the State GOP platform. But there is a wide range of thought in the GOP. The contributors are free to disagree even among themselves. We all have different backgrounds and various interests, but we are all passionate for freedom and conservatism.
The current contributors have chosen to be anonymous. However, a contributor is free to post under a legal name. Our names are unimportant; the ideas we present are foremost. We desire to engage the readers’ thoughts with ideas. Who states those ideas is unimportant.
We read widely and link to many informative articles and opinion columns available from many sources. We peruse other blogs and pick up information. Many of our readers do the same and find this blog of value also. We aim to be educational, even if it may only be by passing on a link to an educational piece on the web. Frequently we engage the piece with our own comments to stimulate our readers. The increasing traffic on our blog indicates our readers find it to be of some modest value.
We are interested in the national and international scene, the state and local. This blog has taken Republican legislators and our own Republican Governor to task. And we tackle our DFL Senator and Representative. While a politician’s name is always attached to ideas in legislation, it is the ideas that we are after. But we challenge the politician who tries to govern the rest of us with those ideas put into law.
This blog fills a niche to make what is happening in St. Paul readily available to Chisago County readers. To fulfill this, there are many links on our blog for readers to utilize. The material that is available is too voluminous for any contributor to handle. Thus we must be selective. It takes considerable time to investigate a particular topic, locate the data on the web, evaluate it and then write comments that are concise and understandable with all the source material readily available to the reader for you to check the accuracy of our posts.
This blog is our soap box. You are welcome to listen. Without readers, our words are so much breath in the wind. We welcome your comments too, because that stimulates us. That is what a blog is for. It is a dialog that takes place in a public venue with the expectation that we all learn.
While on our soap box, we do not want to be dull and boring. We will be light-hearted and deadly serious. We aim to needle and provoke. We aim to be educational. We will be critical. In the end, we are after truth which is so elusive in this relativistic age. Our greatest joys would be strengthening a weak conservative and converting a liberal to conservatism.
If you enjoy our blog, let us know via a comment. If you disagree with something, say it in a comment. We will engage those comments that deserve a response.
Elephant Herd
Sunday, March 23, 2008
KAYLIN'S KAPERS - KONTINUED
So you thought it was your local friends who underwrote the election of Jeremy Kalin as Representative for 17B.
Well, take a look at one website listing of contributors provided by www.followthemoney.org showing Top Contributors for Jeremy Kalin under publication date of June 10, 2007 and see a profile of some of those who really bought and paid for him:
PUBLIC FUND $6,122
COALITION OF DEMOCRATIC VALUES $500
LAKES & PLAINS REGIONAL COUNCIL OF CARPENTERS AND JOINERS/UBC $500
ST. PAUL PIPEFITTERS LOCAL 455/UA $500
AFSCME MINNESOTA PEOPLE CMTE COUNCIL 5 $500
MIDWEST VALUES PAC MINNESOTA $500
CHISAGO COUNTY DFL $400
EDUCATION MINNESOTA $400
17th SENATE DISTRICT DFL $300
ELECTRICAL WORKERS LOCAL 111/BEW $300
IRONWORKERS LOCAL 512 $300
MINNESOTA LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS $300
SUNDBERG HOUSE DIST 17A CMTE, PATRICIA $250
MINNESOTA AFL-CIO $250
COWLES, JOHN $200 (Minneapolis Star newspaper?)
VITALIS, CAROL N. $200
SICHENEDER, STEVE $125
Well, take a look at one website listing of contributors provided by www.followthemoney.org showing Top Contributors for Jeremy Kalin under publication date of June 10, 2007 and see a profile of some of those who really bought and paid for him:
PUBLIC FUND $6,122
COALITION OF DEMOCRATIC VALUES $500
LAKES & PLAINS REGIONAL COUNCIL OF CARPENTERS AND JOINERS/UBC $500
ST. PAUL PIPEFITTERS LOCAL 455/UA $500
AFSCME MINNESOTA PEOPLE CMTE COUNCIL 5 $500
MIDWEST VALUES PAC MINNESOTA $500
CHISAGO COUNTY DFL $400
EDUCATION MINNESOTA $400
17th SENATE DISTRICT DFL $300
ELECTRICAL WORKERS LOCAL 111/BEW $300
IRONWORKERS LOCAL 512 $300
MINNESOTA LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS $300
SUNDBERG HOUSE DIST 17A CMTE, PATRICIA $250
MINNESOTA AFL-CIO $250
COWLES, JOHN $200 (Minneapolis Star newspaper?)
VITALIS, CAROL N. $200
SICHENEDER, STEVE $125
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Carbon dioxide: Part 13
Here is an interview and article worth reading. I will tantalize you with just a couple of paragraphs.
Duffy asked Marohasy: "Is the Earth still warming?"
She replied: "No, actually, there has been cooling, if you take 1998 as your point of reference. If you take 2002 as your point of reference, then temperatures have plateaued. This is certainly not what you'd expect if carbon dioxide is driving temperature because carbon dioxide levels have been increasing but temperatures have actually been coming down over the last 10 years."
And:
With catastrophe off the agenda, for most people the fog of millennial gloom will lift, at least until attention turns to the prospect of the next ice age. Among the better educated, the sceptical cast of mind that is the basis of empiricism will once again be back in fashion. The delusion that by recycling and catching public transport we can help save the planet will quickly come to be seen for the childish nonsense it was all along.
Read the whole article here. Contrary to Marohasy, it will take the politicians a long time to catch up with the scientists. By that time the world will be saddled with energy policies that the next generation will need to shake off.
From the Goracle to Rep. Kalin, as politicians, they need to do something, that is, create law to "help." It will take longer to change manufactured law than for a natural weather cycle to complete its course. Global warming/climate change politicians will make sure their legacies stay alive in law. For politicians, energy policies have little to do with climatology. Rather it is for control of the masses.
Legislative District 17 & 17B Under Olseen & Kalin
It is a reasonable expectation to ask the question: "What has been the return on our investment?" with Olseen as the Senator in District 17 and with Kalin in 17B as the State Representative.
What have we "invested?" We have paid them their hefty salaries and they have latched onto overly generous per diems and for that what have we got in return?
The Highway 95 North Branch bridge over freeway 35 still sits untouched; the schools in the area are clamoring for funding to avoid program cuts, increased class sizes along with layoffs of staff; the roads are falling apart fast while the taxes we pay are spiralling up propelled like rockets. Our legislators spend their time playing the blame game - covering their own ineffectiveness, incompetence and inaction by criticizing the Governor.
What have we "invested?" We have paid them their hefty salaries and they have latched onto overly generous per diems and for that what have we got in return?
The Highway 95 North Branch bridge over freeway 35 still sits untouched; the schools in the area are clamoring for funding to avoid program cuts, increased class sizes along with layoffs of staff; the roads are falling apart fast while the taxes we pay are spiralling up propelled like rockets. Our legislators spend their time playing the blame game - covering their own ineffectiveness, incompetence and inaction by criticizing the Governor.
Question for Kalin
Representative Kalin: You have listed yourself as a member of the "teaching faculty of Waterford High School from 1996 to 2000." In what State is the Waterford High School where you taught?
The Rick and Jeremy Show
Minnesota's liberal legislators function under the mistaken notion that government can spend itself into prosperity!
And Senator Rick Olseen and Representative Jeremy Kalin - peas-in-the-pod liberals - do the bidding of their liberal caucus commanders at the Capitol with total disregard for what is best for the constituents of this District and for the citizens of the State of Minnesota. In fact one would almost want to cry for Rick and Jeremy for they are not only abysmally ignorant of the elemental facts of economics, they are totally hog-tied to the commands and mandates of their DFL caucus.
In no other area of human endeavor would one entrust one's future or welfare into the hands of such gross incompetence and such slavish partisan obedience yet sadly when the Olseen/Kalin duo was elected - as the saying goes - "the people got what they voted for; but surely they didn't vote for what they got!"
And Senator Rick Olseen and Representative Jeremy Kalin - peas-in-the-pod liberals - do the bidding of their liberal caucus commanders at the Capitol with total disregard for what is best for the constituents of this District and for the citizens of the State of Minnesota. In fact one would almost want to cry for Rick and Jeremy for they are not only abysmally ignorant of the elemental facts of economics, they are totally hog-tied to the commands and mandates of their DFL caucus.
In no other area of human endeavor would one entrust one's future or welfare into the hands of such gross incompetence and such slavish partisan obedience yet sadly when the Olseen/Kalin duo was elected - as the saying goes - "the people got what they voted for; but surely they didn't vote for what they got!"
Friday, March 21, 2008
Kalin’s Latest on Transportation: Part 2
This continues our comments on Rep. Jeremy Kalin’s (D-17B) March 20th column in the Post Review.
Kalin justifies voting for the T bill, saying, " . . . I know that the Transportation Funding bill will save us all money on our property taxes."
How many jurisdictions in Chisago County will actually be paying property taxes for a transportation project in their corporate boundaries that rightly belongs in the state highway system? If your city or township will not, then the T bill didn’t save you any property taxes.
Kalin claims "The best example of this [saving property taxes] is the new North Branch bridge." Would North Branch actually have borrowed $4.2 million to start rebuilding that bridge before 2012 when it is scheduled by Mn/DOT to be replaced? If they would, that would be their own choice to raise their own property taxes. But that is doubtful.
It seems Kalin uses this rather remote possibility to claim he saved North Branch residents from paying higher property taxes by voting for the T bill. So he attempts to win support for his T bill vote by setting up a highly unlikely scenario to make North Branch residents prefer the costly T bill instead of costly property taxes.
The figure of $4.2 million from the T bill doesn’t come close to building the $21 million bridge. What are the sources that will make up the difference? Kalin says, "The City has secured funding from Congress, from the County and from their own coffers." Why can’t he tell us when and how much will be provided from these sources? Is that too much to ask? And when will the bridge be built?
So will North Branch kick in property tax dollars after all to supplement the T bill? Will their share come from state apportioned gas tax revenue that cities with a population of 5,000 or more receive? Will Chisago County be kicking in property tax dollars for the NB bridge? If so, all of us in the county will pay some property tax toward the NB bridge and then Kalin’s statement is untrue. Why keep us in the dark while you pat yourself on the back for doing so much for us? I think you want us in the dark.
Kalin has the audacity to write, "The 2008 Transportation Funding bill saved taxpayers $4.2 million . . ." No, Rep. Kalin, the T bill actually will cost us $4.2 million plus the balance of $16.4 million to build the bridge. Remember, all this money is ours to begin with. You didn’t save us a dime. We will pay for it through the gas tax, property tax, federal income tax and a host of other taxes. All the money for the bridge will come from us through various forms of taxes.
It takes a whole lot of chutzpah to tell taxpayers that a politician saved us money when we will be the ones paying for the whole project.
By the way, your statement that ". . . the gas tax is dedicated by the Constitution to only roads and bridges . . ." is patently false. You also claim to be ". . . a fiscal conservative . . ." That too is patently false as demonstrated by your support of the T bill and this.
Kalin's Kapers
Kalin must be one busy, busy man for he tells us he has knocked at over 10,000 doors. That figure came up a long time ago in connection with his election campaign - so is this now a new set of door knocking figures as well as his being at the legislalture as well as his being a "designer" employed in North Branch? As with his other "facts" and "statistics" and "figures" he never ties them down so they can be verified. And where does he live? Lindstrom as in the telephone book? North Branch which is the place of his supposed current employment as a design engineer? Or in Minneapolis in which case we are represented by an "absentee Representative?" Please clarify Jeremy.
Friend of Freedom
Friend of Freedom
Kalin’s Latest on Transportation: Part 1
Rep. Jeremy Kalin (D-17B) once again justifies the transportation bill in his March 20th column in the Chisago County Press and in the Post Review.
Reacting to criticisms that the T bill is the largest tax increase in state history, he dismisses them as "grandiose claims" because he doesn’t like having that pinned on his donkey behind. He asserts the $934 million fee increase for the 2006-07 biennium holds the record. Sadly, he doesn’t seem to realize $934 million for a biennium is less than $660 million for a year. Putting it another way, $1.32 billion for a biennium does exceed $934 million for a biennium.
Next he makes a distinction between bonding and new taxes so the $660 million T bill won’t cost us that now much because part of it is bonding. Bonding will increase taxes if the value of the new bonds exceeds the value of the old bonds being retired by the state. But even if the bonding does not increase taxes, it will still be paid by our tax dollars. That’s what matters.
Kalin didn’t like Pawlenty’s distinction between fees and taxes. However, now he wants to make a distinction between bonding and taxes to create the same perception he didn’t want Pawlenty to make. If he didn’t like Pawlenty’s word games, why should we like Kalin’s word games?
To attempt to lead us to believe that state bonding does not increase taxes is deceitful. Paying for some of the T bill through bonding actually increases the $660 million cost because interest over the life of the bond will be added to the principal. In the end, it will actually take more tax dollars to pay for the T bill through bonding than the pay-as-you-go method.
Kalin loves to obfuscate the truth.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
New from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
The following was in my mail box today, it seems everywhere you turn people of intelligence are worried about what the dems are doing to us, and finally are beginning to call the culprit party by name..instead of the generalized "house" or generic statement about the government
STATE BUDGET
We don’t need tax increases to balance the state budget, yet that’s the direction House and Senate DFLers are headed with their tax proposals unveiled this week.
HF 4103, which could become a key component of the House DFL tax bill, would reduce Minnesota’s corporate tax rate to 8.8 percent, but it also eliminates many existing tax credits and deductions such as foreign royalties and incentives for research and development. The net effect is a $170 million tax increase for businesses in FY 2009 and a $288 million tax increase in FY 2010-2011.
The Senate DFL bill would remove cabin owners from paying the statewide property tax and leave businesses to pay those dollars, thus increasing commercial and industrial property taxes by about $35 million a year. Business property taxes – without this shift – already are expected to increase 7 to 10 percent this year.
Remind your legislators that the state should be able to operate under existing general fund revenues. State spending still would increase 9 percent under the Governor’s plan to address the 2008-2009 shortfall.
STATE BUDGET
We don’t need tax increases to balance the state budget, yet that’s the direction House and Senate DFLers are headed with their tax proposals unveiled this week.
HF 4103, which could become a key component of the House DFL tax bill, would reduce Minnesota’s corporate tax rate to 8.8 percent, but it also eliminates many existing tax credits and deductions such as foreign royalties and incentives for research and development. The net effect is a $170 million tax increase for businesses in FY 2009 and a $288 million tax increase in FY 2010-2011.
The Senate DFL bill would remove cabin owners from paying the statewide property tax and leave businesses to pay those dollars, thus increasing commercial and industrial property taxes by about $35 million a year. Business property taxes – without this shift – already are expected to increase 7 to 10 percent this year.
Remind your legislators that the state should be able to operate under existing general fund revenues. State spending still would increase 9 percent under the Governor’s plan to address the 2008-2009 shortfall.
Endorsing Convention for Congressional District 17B
The Chisago County Republican Party's endorsing convention is on the calendar:
Note to Chisago County residents in Congressional District 17A: Fish Lake Township, Harris A and Nessel Township.
While you are members of the Chisago County Republican Party, you are part of CD 17A with Isanti County and their convention. Your Representative is Rob Eastlund, a great Republican. Please be sure to support Rep. Eastlund from now through the election. We in 17B need him in the legislature.
You are certainly welcome to attend the 17B convention, but be aware of the above information. There are many new delegates and alternates this year who may be confused by the distinction between 17A and 17B.
- April 5, 2008, Saturday
- 10:00 a. m. sharp
- registration begins at 9:00 a. m.
- North Branch High School auditorium
- convention calls have been mailed to all delegates and alternates
Note to Chisago County residents in Congressional District 17A: Fish Lake Township, Harris A and Nessel Township.
While you are members of the Chisago County Republican Party, you are part of CD 17A with Isanti County and their convention. Your Representative is Rob Eastlund, a great Republican. Please be sure to support Rep. Eastlund from now through the election. We in 17B need him in the legislature.
You are certainly welcome to attend the 17B convention, but be aware of the above information. There are many new delegates and alternates this year who may be confused by the distinction between 17A and 17B.
Democrats for Chavez
The Democrats continue their unabashed attack on the citizens they laughingly claim to 'protect'. While still patting themselves on the back for pulling the wool over in Minnesota and passing the new gas tax, Pelosi and friends are getting ready to quietly pull off another coup, HR5351, for their good buddy Chavez. I am sure that the off shore accounts have been set up by now for rewarding them for 18 billion dollars in new taxes for his hated Americans, and the exempt status they have offerred his oil company. How easy it is to fleece the sheep who never bother to read or examine what their leaders are truly doing, but instead listen to all the pie in the sky lies and promises that seem to flow like honey to their sound bite mentality. If you can read this, thank a parent, a homeschooler or someone who cared that the dumbing down of America is a constant goal that socialists strive for daily. Become active, they are. The great "Silent Majority" needs to find its' voice again, before it is too late. Type in HR5351 in your browser, read and share.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
The Failure of Ethanol and IPCC
I always enjoy economist Walter Williams whenever he hosts a talk show or writes.
Check out his article on the ethanol hoax.
Also the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is on the hot seat.
The founder of the weather channel says we should sue Al Gore.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Sunday musing
First thought on reading Elephant Herd today, what an awesome asset we have in Chisago to have this watchdog on our side! Someone who makes time to read and dissect the local scene and give us the facts. Thanks EH, you do us proud!
On the other side, watching the morning news shows from cable to local makes me crazy on the national front. Mr. Seifert did get a second on the tube today, rightfully lambasting the floor for allowing sanctuary cities and cow towing to their political handlers. Gotta love it. We lost of course, but it does the heart good to hear someone call it like it is.
The Obamination was once again showing his teflon coating is barely chipped, with supporters telling us again that it is our fault that this mans close advisor espouses hatred of whites, America and whatever other vitriole he spouts from the pulpit: (from Fox News online). What is it about Americans that so willingly takes on the role playing of guilt or victim? Ayn Rand should be a must read in high school...Atlas Shrugged..
"This is an attack on the legacy of the African American Church which led and continues to lead the fight for human rights in America and around the world,” he said,( church leader) adding “The African American Church community continues to face bomb threats, death threats, and their ministers’ characters are assassinated because they teach and preach prophetic social concerns for social justice. Sunday is still the most segregated hour in America.”
Prophetic social concerns? Aids was created by whites to kill African Americans?
Michelle Obama has been rather quiet, after one of her last interviews included the statement that "she went through Harvard and graduated cum laude, all the time knowing her professors looked at her like she was black" (not an exact quote). Her thesis was on surveying black Princeton alumni on how they felt. (washington post) I am sorry, but I am tired of hearing that everyone plays the race card but the Obamas. They have been trained for 20 years by this pseudo minister to do just that. She graduated cum laude, how do you look at someone as if they are black, when they are black? Where is the inequality? Michelle claims that she 'came out of Princeton sharing goals of white classmates' how about just goals, do we demarcate everything by race? In income, (she made over $275,000 last year) I think not, housing...no, jobs? no...hmmmm..Oh, maybe if she does not get to be First Lady, someone will have withheld that from her..they could not possibly have lost it on their own.
The "voice of change" goes on and one about the power of words, than says they don't matter if the words reflect on him. Michelle accepts $50K plus from a Walmart supplier as a board member for 3 years, but her husband says he won't shop in the unionless stores. A racketeer supplies money for their home and their election, but this was just a 'slip of judgement', and the masses just keep on nodding. Just what you want, a president who has slips of judgement when it comes to morals, money and economics. Just what we want, a president who is as facile as an eel, no morals, no judgement, and willing to turn on all the people who have put him into his position as expendible...oh, that would be the electorate. They get sold out next.
On the other side, watching the morning news shows from cable to local makes me crazy on the national front. Mr. Seifert did get a second on the tube today, rightfully lambasting the floor for allowing sanctuary cities and cow towing to their political handlers. Gotta love it. We lost of course, but it does the heart good to hear someone call it like it is.
The Obamination was once again showing his teflon coating is barely chipped, with supporters telling us again that it is our fault that this mans close advisor espouses hatred of whites, America and whatever other vitriole he spouts from the pulpit: (from Fox News online). What is it about Americans that so willingly takes on the role playing of guilt or victim? Ayn Rand should be a must read in high school...Atlas Shrugged..
"This is an attack on the legacy of the African American Church which led and continues to lead the fight for human rights in America and around the world,” he said,( church leader) adding “The African American Church community continues to face bomb threats, death threats, and their ministers’ characters are assassinated because they teach and preach prophetic social concerns for social justice. Sunday is still the most segregated hour in America.”
Prophetic social concerns? Aids was created by whites to kill African Americans?
Michelle Obama has been rather quiet, after one of her last interviews included the statement that "she went through Harvard and graduated cum laude, all the time knowing her professors looked at her like she was black" (not an exact quote). Her thesis was on surveying black Princeton alumni on how they felt. (washington post) I am sorry, but I am tired of hearing that everyone plays the race card but the Obamas. They have been trained for 20 years by this pseudo minister to do just that. She graduated cum laude, how do you look at someone as if they are black, when they are black? Where is the inequality? Michelle claims that she 'came out of Princeton sharing goals of white classmates' how about just goals, do we demarcate everything by race? In income, (she made over $275,000 last year) I think not, housing...no, jobs? no...hmmmm..Oh, maybe if she does not get to be First Lady, someone will have withheld that from her..they could not possibly have lost it on their own.
The "voice of change" goes on and one about the power of words, than says they don't matter if the words reflect on him. Michelle accepts $50K plus from a Walmart supplier as a board member for 3 years, but her husband says he won't shop in the unionless stores. A racketeer supplies money for their home and their election, but this was just a 'slip of judgement', and the masses just keep on nodding. Just what you want, a president who has slips of judgement when it comes to morals, money and economics. Just what we want, a president who is as facile as an eel, no morals, no judgement, and willing to turn on all the people who have put him into his position as expendible...oh, that would be the electorate. They get sold out next.
The Bureaucrat/Transportation Complex
Wade Vitalis posted a comment at the Post Review, stating, ". . . 33,000 jobs/year will be created by the transportation bill recently passed by the legislature."
Senator Rick Olseen (D-17) wrote, "This transportation funding package will not only improve the safety of the state’s roads and bridges, but will create an estimated 33,000 jobs per year."
Rep. Jeremy Kalin (D-17B) issued this news release, stating, "Passage of this bill will also result in over 30,000 new jobs every year for the next five years – nearly all from private contractors."
At least partially, these three local liberals justify the massive taxing and spending for transportation on the grounds that it will create jobs and improve a sluggish economy.
On the other side of the issue, "Deputy Minority Leader Tom Emmer, R-Delano, slammed the transportation bill, which contains a gas tax increase, sales tax provision, tab fee increase and other revenue raisers, as neither creating thousands of jobs nor a guarantee property taxes would decrease," reported T. W. Budig.
Channel 5 Reporter, Tom Hauser, analyzed the Dem's assertion and found it hollow.
On his blog, Drew Emmer presents a list of those who lobbied for the transportation bill, many of whom will benefit from it. When those who will be the ultimate beneficiaries of the money are lobbying for that money to be appropriated, we taxpayers do not stand a chance. We are the true victims of legislators and the bureaucrat/transportation complex.
However, we who are victimized must never adopt a victim mentality and thereby capitulate in despair. We conservatives must band together, devise plans, rally hope and fight this pork barrel mentality. We must not enable the tax abusers to victimize us. We must vote out the thieves. We must do this at every level of government, from city councils and township boards, to school boards, to county boards to the legislature, to the constitutional offices of the state. My pocket book has been robbed enough. How about yours?
Friday, March 14, 2008
The Facts Ma’am, Just the Facts
Responding to Reporter and Commentator Patrick Tepoorten’s article, Senator Rick Olseen (D-17) said, "Tepoorten should report the facts" and "I would like to point out the facts" and charged Tepoorten with ". . . irresponsible journalism . . . " Did Olseen really give the facts—all the pertinent facts about the issues he addressed? No!
According to Senator Olseen, a person ". . . driving 15,000 miles with a fuel economy of 22 miles per gallon, would spend about an additional $37 due to the increase in the gas tax." He opined, "I don’t think that’s too much to ask for safe roads and bridges for our families."
Using his figures for a year of driving, that’s 682 gallons of gas at 5.5¢ tax per gallon. That $37 is correct for the first year of driving, but Olseen didn’t say anything about the second year and the third and the fourth year.
You can read all the facts for yourself online in the transportation bill. The gas tax increases by 2¢ per gallon within 21 days of the passage of the bill, making it effective in early April (see lines 17.5-17.13 of the bill). Then it increases another 3¢ on October 1 (lines 16.31-17.4). Then in the succeeding years, a surcharge is added each July 1st (lines 6.29-7.18).
- 2009 0.5¢
- 2010 2.1¢
- 2011 2.5¢
- 2012 3.0¢
While taking Tepoorten to task, Olseen didn’t tell his readers about the future surcharges, but he should know because he voted for them.
Then too, the $37 increase for the first year isn’t just a $37 increase. That amount is for your personal driving. Olseen didn’t tell you that all the goods and services you buy will also have the gas tax increase which will be passed on to you, the customer. The electrician, plumber, UPS driver and cartage truck will see an increase in the gas tax that they add on to the cost of doing business. So you will actually see double or triple the $37 increase.
There is more. Low income people will receive a $12.50 credit per person to help offset the gas tax increase (16.10-16.30). Guess who pays that? You’re right, the middle and high income earners do. So add that to the $37. But even the low income bracket will pay the extra cost passed on in the goods and services they use.
This paragraph is added on March 16. I forget to mention the following tax increase when I made this post. Vehicle license tab fees (otherwise known as highway user taxes) have been increased at least $25 (14.15-16.9). For a two-car family, that's at least another $50 per year. That additional cost to owners of vehicles providing goods and services will be passed on to consumers as part of the cost of doing business. This will hit the lower income earners too.
There’s more he didn’t tell his readers. The tax on propane and natural gas you use for heating, cooking and grilling is increasing (17.11-18.6). And of course there is an increased gas tax to transport those energy necessities to you.
There’s more he failed to mention. Rental cars have a higher fee (18.7-19.2). And then there is the potential of a sales tax on vehicle purchases (24.27-25.11).
All this adds up to a figure significantly higher than $37. Tepoorten is far more accurate than the Senator. Politicians should spend more time telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, and less time taking an accurate commentator to task.
Senator Olseen wrote that he is proud of his vote. If so, why does he have to attack an accurate commentator?
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Vitalian Economic Theory
In the comment section of a letter to the editor found here, Wade Vitalis offers economic advice to Mr. Schaps. Let’s examine the Vitalian theory of economics just from what he instructed Mr. Schaps.
According to the time-tested Vitalian theory, while it is somehow “. . . un-American, anti-capitalistic and darn near socialist” to expect a private business owner to create jobs during a slow time, it is American, capitalistic and anti-socialist for the government “. . . to create jobs in an unstable ecomomic [sic] time like we are in.”
He theorizes this is because, “. . . Government spending creates jobs and if people have jobs they spend money. That money multiplies in the economy as it is re-spent on consumption.” And “ . . . a dollar of govenment [sic] spending multiplies as it gets spent over again throughout the economy generating income and wealth.”
Voila! The problem is solved. It just takes government.
Question. So if this theory works for government, then why doesn’t it work for the private business owner? Why any hamburger shop should just spend some money to create jobs and those employees will spend money which will be multiplied in the economy many times over!
I guess government money works, but private money doesn’t. It must take legislation to create jobs. This is the Vitalian version of the “Keynsian [sic] economic policy [that] saved us from the great depression” which therefore should save us from this much milder recession.
I would take the economic theory of Adam Smith and Milton Friedman any day over John Maynard Keynes. In the end, a liberal like Vitalis has a different economic theory than conservatives do. He thinks Keynesian government spending in the New Deal delivered our parents and grandparents from the Great Depression.
Jim Powell has a different idea, stating it clearly in the title of his book FDR's Folly: How Roosevelt and His New Deal Prolonged the Great Depression. Click here and scroll down for some significant comments about this book.
According to the time-tested Vitalian theory, while it is somehow “. . . un-American, anti-capitalistic and darn near socialist” to expect a private business owner to create jobs during a slow time, it is American, capitalistic and anti-socialist for the government “. . . to create jobs in an unstable ecomomic [sic] time like we are in.”
He theorizes this is because, “. . . Government spending creates jobs and if people have jobs they spend money. That money multiplies in the economy as it is re-spent on consumption.” And “ . . . a dollar of govenment [sic] spending multiplies as it gets spent over again throughout the economy generating income and wealth.”
Voila! The problem is solved. It just takes government.
Question. So if this theory works for government, then why doesn’t it work for the private business owner? Why any hamburger shop should just spend some money to create jobs and those employees will spend money which will be multiplied in the economy many times over!
I guess government money works, but private money doesn’t. It must take legislation to create jobs. This is the Vitalian version of the “Keynsian [sic] economic policy [that] saved us from the great depression” which therefore should save us from this much milder recession.
I would take the economic theory of Adam Smith and Milton Friedman any day over John Maynard Keynes. In the end, a liberal like Vitalis has a different economic theory than conservatives do. He thinks Keynesian government spending in the New Deal delivered our parents and grandparents from the Great Depression.
Jim Powell has a different idea, stating it clearly in the title of his book FDR's Folly: How Roosevelt and His New Deal Prolonged the Great Depression. Click here and scroll down for some significant comments about this book.
Now we know why Senator Olseen (D-17) and Rep. Kalin (D-17B) voted for massive spending to create 33,000 jobs. It's the Vitalian theory at work.
Just Spend More Tax Money
Here is an interesting interaction in the letters to the editor over at the Post Review. Bob Barrett wrote his letter which received a favorable comment in the addendum. Then Senator Olseen responded with his side-stepping letter. A reader took Senator Olseen to task in the comments section. Wade Vitalis also added his agreement with Olseen and disagreement with Barrett.
Barrett responded to Olseen on his diversionary tactic. Then Wade Vitalis addressed his comments to Barrett. Read the comment section for their further exchange where Barrett returns the discussion to his original proposition.
In all of this retort to Barrett, Barrett’s original question never was answered. That of course is typical of politicians and their support staff. In his first letter, Barrett stated two premises and drew a conclusion:
Barrett boxed the Dems into a corner on their own statements and drew a logical conclusion that Olseen and Vitalis didn’t like. They love spending, but hate logic. Thanks Bob for being right on the money. You are logical and fiscally conservative!
Barrett responded to Olseen on his diversionary tactic. Then Wade Vitalis addressed his comments to Barrett. Read the comment section for their further exchange where Barrett returns the discussion to his original proposition.
In all of this retort to Barrett, Barrett’s original question never was answered. That of course is typical of politicians and their support staff. In his first letter, Barrett stated two premises and drew a conclusion:
- 1. the Minnesota Dems plan on “ . . . substantially increasing Minnesota state spending which will have to be paid for by raising taxes.”
and 2. “ . . . [Olseen’s] Democratic colleagues have spent the last few months loudly complaining about how inefficient and wasteful current state spending is.”
Then Barrett drew the simple conclusion in the form of a question, “Why would you give more money to someone who doesn’t take care of what they already have?”
Barrett boxed the Dems into a corner on their own statements and drew a logical conclusion that Olseen and Vitalis didn’t like. They love spending, but hate logic. Thanks Bob for being right on the money. You are logical and fiscally conservative!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Endorsing Convention
The Chisago County Republican Party's endorsing convention will be held on April 5, 2008, at 10:00 a. m. at the North Branch High School auditorium.
The purpose of this meeting is to endorse a Republican to take back the House seat for 17B.
Delegates and alternates will be receiving a convention call by mail. Check back here for more details regarding the event.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Let Me Help You
The do-gooders are at it again.
Kentucky Representative Tim Couch has introduced a bill to prohibit anonymous blogging. To the embarrassment of Republicans, this elected official has an "R" by his name.
He aims to stop online harassment and bullying. How will he do that? He aims to require all bloggers to register with the blog administrators and then fine the administrators if the bloggers violate the rules.
This is typical leftist thinking, making someone else accountable for the perpetrator’s sins. How does that change the behavior of the perpetrator? Why is that fair to the blog administrators? It never deals with the heart of the matter. Of course, do-gooders never deal with the heart of the issue. They just want everyone to get along and "we (by using others) will make you get along if we have to!"
Bullies never change their behavior by this approach. Bullies must be dealt a blow (physical or metaphysical) equal to or more powerful than the one they administered.
It also does not teach the downtrodden how to overcome harassment. In person, bullies harass certain people and not others. They know who will knuckle to their harassment. The downtrodden must be taught not to capitulate to it, but to retaliate by standing up for themselves. The bully might learn or move on to the next easy target.
If you are truly picked on, the bully does not respect you. You must earn the respect of the bully. Do that by exercising your freedom to knock the bully down a couple of notches. One well placed punch will frequently end the bully’s career in harassment. One or several stinging rebukes online will do far more to get the message across to the online bully than a do-gooder’s good-for-nothing law. Capitulation is not an option because you will be capitulating the rest of your life to bullies.
On another note, some bullies love to play the victim. They have an endless supply of victim cards in their wallet. But that’s for another blog.
Carbon dioxide: Part 12
The Heartland Institute's 2008 International Conference on Climate Change in Manhattan has just been completed. You can poke around at that web site for information, but I want to call your attention to one presentation at the conference. Václav Klaus, the president of the Czech Republic, is an outspoken critic of those who promote climate change for political ends.
Shawn Macomber of the American Spectator quoted Václav Klaus saying, "It is not about climatology . . . It is about freedom." Please read the full text of his speech for your own benefit (and these comments) because he warns about the use of climate change to usurp our freedoms.
He closed his speech, saying:"I am also afraid that the same people, imprisoned in the Malthusian tenets and in their own megalomaniac ambitions, want to regulate and constrain the demographic development, which is something only the totalitarian regimes have until now dared to think about or experiment with. Without resisting it we would find ourselves on the slippery "road to serfdom." The freedom to have children without regulation and control is one of the undisputable human rights and we have to say very loudly that we do respect it and will do so in the future as well."
"We have to restart the discussion about the very nature of government and about the relationship between the individual and society. Now it concerns the whole mankind, not just the citizens of one particular country. To discuss this means to look at the canonically structured theoretical discussion about socialism (or communism) and to learn the uncompromising lesson from the inevitable collapse of communism 18 years ago. It is not about climatology. It is about freedom. This should be the main message of our conference."
This man knows personally the loss of freedom imposed on the Czech people by the former Soviet Union. He is capable of looking beyond the alleged climate change to the dark politics that would be imposed worldwide to counter it. The climate change movement is not just some anti-smoking kick to get rid of some annoyance by robbing our freedom. It is a life and death struggle to take away freedom around the entire globe to use energy, the blood of life.
The western world, culminating in Ronald Reagan’s "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall," brought freedom to the Czechs. But that same western world is now threatening the freedom of all peoples in the world. It is incumbent on all freedom loving people to heed Václav Klaus. It is not about climatology. It is about freedom.
Saturday, March 08, 2008
Endorsing Conventions on Saturday
Some Republican Representatives who overrode Gov. Pawlenty's veto of the transportation bill as facing opposition at their endorsing conventions on Saturday. Check out the story.
___________________________________________
Update
Representatives Ron Erhardt in 41A and Neil Peterson in 41B were defeated at the endorsing conventions and replaced by others.
Representative Jim Abeler's endorsement was delayed at the SD48 convention.
Minnesota conservatives are speaking out and voting out the RINOs. This is a good read.
Carbon dioxide: Part 11
Forget global warming: Welcome to the new Ice Age
While carbon dioxide has been pilloried as the cause of global warming which has caused the melting of the ice mass in the Arctic, that can hardly be the case as we saw in Carbon dioxide: Part 10.
Now two climatologists have concluded the wind has driven the ocean currents northward which in turn have melted the ice pack. The wind currents have a forty year cycle. Thus when the wind changes, the ocean currents change and the Arctic ice increases or decreases.
It’s nice to know some scientists can follow the evidence to the truth, rather than steer the evidence to the desired conclusion. Let’s see what The-earth-has-a-fever-Gore will say about this.
While carbon dioxide has been pilloried as the cause of global warming which has caused the melting of the ice mass in the Arctic, that can hardly be the case as we saw in Carbon dioxide: Part 10.
Now two climatologists have concluded the wind has driven the ocean currents northward which in turn have melted the ice pack. The wind currents have a forty year cycle. Thus when the wind changes, the ocean currents change and the Arctic ice increases or decreases.
"We missed what was right in front of our eyes," says Prof. Russell. It's not ice melt but rather wind circulation that drives ocean currents northward from the tropics. Climate models until now have not properly accounted for the wind's effects on ocean circulation, so researchers have compensated by over-emphasizing the role of manmade warming on polar ice melt.So the experts did not know it all. They discovered something they did not know. Carbon dioxide is not increasing the earth’s temperature to melt Arctic ice. Rather the wind, in its long forty year cycle, has warmed the Arctic.
But when Profs. Toggweiler and Russell rejigged their model to include the 40-year cycle of winds away from the equator (then back towards it again), the role of ocean currents bringing warm southern waters to the north was obvious in the current Arctic warming.
It’s nice to know some scientists can follow the evidence to the truth, rather than steer the evidence to the desired conclusion. Let’s see what The-earth-has-a-fever-Gore will say about this.
Friday, March 07, 2008
Kalin and Transportation: Part 3 Updated
This is an update on the posting found here.
Rep. Jeremy Kalin (D-17B) issued this news release on February 22, 2008
In his news release, Kalin wrote, "According to MnDOT's own projections, Minnesota is $2.4 billion behind every year in keeping up our current system."
Despite spending considerable time searching the Internet and Mn/DOT’s website to find the information to which he alludes, I could not. So I contacted Mn/DOT to ask if this assertion is found in any of their documents. Today I received the answer that Mn/DOT has not made this projection.
The Director of the Statewide Planning & Analysis Section indicated they completed long range plans in 2005 and estimated the cost of meeting their system performance goals between 2008 and 2030. At that time, they estimated there is about a $1 billion per year funding gap (in 2004 dollars).
This study can be found here.
Thus it appears that Kalin has grossly overstated the need. It appears he is relying on DFL talking points, as noted in the afore referenced post, that are not rooted in reality. Of course Dems hype most everything, so it is difficult to believe anything they say. The sad thing is Kalin lives in his dream world and the taxpayers end up paying for his hallucinations.
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
random thoughts on the convention
I have been a Republican all of my life, very unpopularly so as a young person in the 70s! Never outspoken in public, always willing to let the raving Democrats rant on about the woes of our country, caused of course by my party. My father-in-law still tells me that as an owner of local business, I should always shut up so as not to affect my liveliehood. I guess I still don't plan to put banners out that intimidate my customers, but neither do I plan to keep shutting up. I am tired of listening to this vocal minority drone on with their litany of socialistic drivel, most of which they have been spoon fed and never bothered to pursue beyond a headline or sound bite.
The past month has been a wake-up call for many residents of our county, and I hope country. We Republicans are a bunch of individualists; that might be part of our problem. It takes a lot to make us want to become a part of a herd...We believe that we make our own choices, we want government to stay out of our lives, we want to decide where our money goes, and we want to decide where our charity goes. It is our strength, but it has occasionally been our downfall..can you say Kalin?
The Democratic leadership knows that their followers are sheep. They want to be led, told what to do, and be taken care of...at a standard they believe is owed to them. By continuing to promise that they will be coddled, not need to think for themselves, and leave the details to others, they willingly give their power to their shepards. They recruit immigrants with the promise of a higher standard of living provided by me and you...we like giving our money away. Their leaders believe in the inferior intelligence of the masses, and total rightness that only they can make decisions for the 'children'. They are socialists.
Last night was invigorating, as were the caucuses. I joined an auditorium filled with newbies, and just enough veterans to keep us on task. Well, kind of...I have not seen 1:30 am in a very long time! Pete Nelson ticked off a list, which I will try to get, of the most insane bills currently on the floor. Marty Seifert had to leave to go back to help re-assign committee leadership after the resounding fireing of the turncoats in our own party. You could feel the energy and the change in the air! It is time to clean house, shore up the base principles of the party, and fight for them! I do believe a groundswell has begun, our very independent group of free thinkers is beginning to gel. We have been pushed too hard..we are awakening...it is time to take the nation our forefathers envisioned back! It is our birthright because our ancestors and our children have given their blood to make it so. Do not tell me that I should give it away freely and without a fight.
Last night, three incredible young adults were seated as delegates. They understand that it is their future being given away. They have been out trying to gain access to the higher public education that our country has been proud of. They are being shut out by the very nature of their ancestory, they are white, middle class Americans. The fact that there were only three is bad. They are afraid to talk out at school for fear of bad grades. Why should they be afraid, in the places we pay to educate them, to voice their opinions, their fears, without having guilt thrust down their throats for questioning? We had three kids, willing to come and sit all night to understand the process, to feel like this is the party that validates their intelligence, their values and their individualism. There should have been more, they need mentors. They need to know that they are not wrong to feel abandoned. After speaking to them after the convention, they did not feel welcomed...we need to change that immediately!
Republicans need to temporarily lose our lone wolf mentality. Right now we need each other to continue the group hug, (as abhorrent as it seems) and pull together to right the county, the state, and our nation. We need to nurture ourselves, our kids, and our standards. We need to reinforce the kids who are seeking answers and mobilize them into the patriots we need at home. The party needs to reach out to the younger members of our society, so where do we want to start?
The past month has been a wake-up call for many residents of our county, and I hope country. We Republicans are a bunch of individualists; that might be part of our problem. It takes a lot to make us want to become a part of a herd...We believe that we make our own choices, we want government to stay out of our lives, we want to decide where our money goes, and we want to decide where our charity goes. It is our strength, but it has occasionally been our downfall..can you say Kalin?
The Democratic leadership knows that their followers are sheep. They want to be led, told what to do, and be taken care of...at a standard they believe is owed to them. By continuing to promise that they will be coddled, not need to think for themselves, and leave the details to others, they willingly give their power to their shepards. They recruit immigrants with the promise of a higher standard of living provided by me and you...we like giving our money away. Their leaders believe in the inferior intelligence of the masses, and total rightness that only they can make decisions for the 'children'. They are socialists.
Last night was invigorating, as were the caucuses. I joined an auditorium filled with newbies, and just enough veterans to keep us on task. Well, kind of...I have not seen 1:30 am in a very long time! Pete Nelson ticked off a list, which I will try to get, of the most insane bills currently on the floor. Marty Seifert had to leave to go back to help re-assign committee leadership after the resounding fireing of the turncoats in our own party. You could feel the energy and the change in the air! It is time to clean house, shore up the base principles of the party, and fight for them! I do believe a groundswell has begun, our very independent group of free thinkers is beginning to gel. We have been pushed too hard..we are awakening...it is time to take the nation our forefathers envisioned back! It is our birthright because our ancestors and our children have given their blood to make it so. Do not tell me that I should give it away freely and without a fight.
Last night, three incredible young adults were seated as delegates. They understand that it is their future being given away. They have been out trying to gain access to the higher public education that our country has been proud of. They are being shut out by the very nature of their ancestory, they are white, middle class Americans. The fact that there were only three is bad. They are afraid to talk out at school for fear of bad grades. Why should they be afraid, in the places we pay to educate them, to voice their opinions, their fears, without having guilt thrust down their throats for questioning? We had three kids, willing to come and sit all night to understand the process, to feel like this is the party that validates their intelligence, their values and their individualism. There should have been more, they need mentors. They need to know that they are not wrong to feel abandoned. After speaking to them after the convention, they did not feel welcomed...we need to change that immediately!
Republicans need to temporarily lose our lone wolf mentality. Right now we need each other to continue the group hug, (as abhorrent as it seems) and pull together to right the county, the state, and our nation. We need to nurture ourselves, our kids, and our standards. We need to reinforce the kids who are seeking answers and mobilize them into the patriots we need at home. The party needs to reach out to the younger members of our society, so where do we want to start?
Saturday, March 01, 2008
A MESSAGE FROM YOUR REPUBLICAN PARTY
2007 was a momentous year for the Chisago County Republican Party. The re-organized and re-energized county executive committee had great successes.
The Campaign Coordinating Team held “Conversations With Precinct Chairman/Leaders.” Each “Conversation” was an informative event where people from all over Chisago County could discuss their concerns and suggestions. The executive committee has already implemented many of their recommendations. These “Conversations” were the first step in organizing each of Chisago County’s 24 precincts.
The Taylors Falls precinct sponsored the first annual Reagan Day Dinner. A sold-out audience listened to radio talk show host Jason Lewis give his assessment of conservative politics in Minnesota. Republicans began fundraising for a full and successful 2008 campaign. If you missed this event, you missed a triumphant evening.
Pachy, the pachyderm, “marched” in every Chisago County parade this past summer to the cheers (some jeers…you can’t win them all) of the crowds. Many of you waved as Pachy passed by… THANKS!
The Chisago County Republicans are not stopping with these successes!!!!
First on our agenda was the precinct caucuses. Over 800 citizens took part in this first leg of the political process.
On Saturday, February 9th, the CCRP held Ready, Set, Go…Kick Off To The '08 Elections! This event was FREE. It was an all day event to prepare volunteers for the 2008 election. About 60 people attended and learned how to get involved in a campaign.
And best of all: the CCRP will soon announce their candidate(s) for the 2008 election! Whew! What a year!
Your Chisago County Republicans are re-energized and ready to address the issues of Minnesota through hard work, positive attitude, cooperative efforts and great candidates. The Chisago County GOP is committed to electing fiscal conservative Republicans to get our state back on the right track. It will not be easy, but with your help and everyone working together, we will win and win BIG in 2008.
The next step in this renewal is asking you for a contribution. The county party cannot function without an adequate amount of cash. The 2008 election will be an expensive affair.
The 2006 election was as close as any election can be. If a few votes had moved our way, we would have been victorious. It is imperative that we are completely prepared to do our job in 2008 and the Chisago County Republican Party needs cash to get the job done.
The state of Minnesota makes political contributions easy as 1 2 3.
1. Make your check to the Chisago County Republicans ($50.00 per individual or $100.00 per couple is eligible for refund) and mail it to:
Chisago County Republican Party
11262 Lekoday Lane
Chisago City, MN 55013
2. You will receive, by return mail, a receipt and a “Political Contribution Refund Application” form. Fill out the form and mail it with your receipt to the address on the form.
3. In 6 – 8 weeks (often sooner) you will receive the entire amount refunded from the state of Minnesota.
We need to move toward VICTORY. Please consider a contribution to the Chisago County Republican Party. You can use the PAY PAL on the right on this page. All you need is a credit card. You will not regret your contribution to this re-energized organization.
Have a wonderful 2008 and keep thinking right.
Please accept our sincere thank you for considering a contribution to the Chisago County Republican Party. If you have any questions please send emails to: ChisagoCountyRPM@yahoo.com
The Campaign Coordinating Team held “Conversations With Precinct Chairman/Leaders.” Each “Conversation” was an informative event where people from all over Chisago County could discuss their concerns and suggestions. The executive committee has already implemented many of their recommendations. These “Conversations” were the first step in organizing each of Chisago County’s 24 precincts.
The Taylors Falls precinct sponsored the first annual Reagan Day Dinner. A sold-out audience listened to radio talk show host Jason Lewis give his assessment of conservative politics in Minnesota. Republicans began fundraising for a full and successful 2008 campaign. If you missed this event, you missed a triumphant evening.
Pachy, the pachyderm, “marched” in every Chisago County parade this past summer to the cheers (some jeers…you can’t win them all) of the crowds. Many of you waved as Pachy passed by… THANKS!
The Chisago County Republicans are not stopping with these successes!!!!
First on our agenda was the precinct caucuses. Over 800 citizens took part in this first leg of the political process.
On Saturday, February 9th, the CCRP held Ready, Set, Go…Kick Off To The '08 Elections! This event was FREE. It was an all day event to prepare volunteers for the 2008 election. About 60 people attended and learned how to get involved in a campaign.
And best of all: the CCRP will soon announce their candidate(s) for the 2008 election! Whew! What a year!
Your Chisago County Republicans are re-energized and ready to address the issues of Minnesota through hard work, positive attitude, cooperative efforts and great candidates. The Chisago County GOP is committed to electing fiscal conservative Republicans to get our state back on the right track. It will not be easy, but with your help and everyone working together, we will win and win BIG in 2008.
The next step in this renewal is asking you for a contribution. The county party cannot function without an adequate amount of cash. The 2008 election will be an expensive affair.
The 2006 election was as close as any election can be. If a few votes had moved our way, we would have been victorious. It is imperative that we are completely prepared to do our job in 2008 and the Chisago County Republican Party needs cash to get the job done.
The state of Minnesota makes political contributions easy as 1 2 3.
1. Make your check to the Chisago County Republicans ($50.00 per individual or $100.00 per couple is eligible for refund) and mail it to:
Chisago County Republican Party
11262 Lekoday Lane
Chisago City, MN 55013
2. You will receive, by return mail, a receipt and a “Political Contribution Refund Application” form. Fill out the form and mail it with your receipt to the address on the form.
3. In 6 – 8 weeks (often sooner) you will receive the entire amount refunded from the state of Minnesota.
We need to move toward VICTORY. Please consider a contribution to the Chisago County Republican Party. You can use the PAY PAL on the right on this page. All you need is a credit card. You will not regret your contribution to this re-energized organization.
Have a wonderful 2008 and keep thinking right.
Please accept our sincere thank you for considering a contribution to the Chisago County Republican Party. If you have any questions please send emails to: ChisagoCountyRPM@yahoo.com
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