Six Imams in MSP Airport

Source. I love a well-done political cartoon. A picture and a few words say it very well. When freedom to yell fire in a burning theater is stifled, intimidation has been complete. By the way, this plane was full of Democrats.

Administrative note...

Some of the changes to the CCGOP blog deserve an explanation. Perhaps the most significant change is the addition of the Minnesota Organization of Bloggers (MOB) blogroll and graphic in the right-hand column.

The MOB is simply a group of bloggers based in Minnesota. Although many, if not most, are conservative, it is not a requirement for membership. I count over 115 blogs listed on the roll. Most, if not all, have the MOB blogroll on their blogs as well. That means that, in one fell swoop, CCGOP is linked by over 100 blogs. Better yet, it is linked at blogs from our own state. Since many of the blogs are political in nature, membership to MOB gives CCGOP a presence among politically minded Minnesotans.

It's about as targeted as one can get for free.

Power Line and Captain's Quarters, with their incredible clout on the national scene, are honorary members. Both are great policy blogs and a regular stop for serious minded conservatives. Some other great state blogs include Fraters Libertas (of Hugh Hewitt fame), MN Democrats Exposed, Pioneer Press columnist Craig Westover, and the always funny Nihilist in Golf Pants. Notice that Chisago is not the only county GOP to be a member. Carver County GOP is also on the roll.

I suggest visiting a couple every day or two and finding blogs that you like. After all, that's what it's all about.

OTHER CHANGES

Note the counter at the bottom of the page. It is keeping track of how many hits and page views the blog gets per day, week, month, etc., and where in general they came from. In this way the blog can see how it's impact increases over time.

Polls are a simple function of Blogger, and can be changes at any time. If anyone has an idea for a poll, simply e-mail one of the blog authors.

If anyone has any additional questions about the blog look or features, send e-mail to tfgoper2008@yahoo.com.

Happy blogging!

Hillary Clinton Flip-flops

On July 23, 2007,

"Hillary Clinton pounced on rival Barack Obama on Monday for his willingness to meet with some troublesome world leaders during a Democratic US presidential debate..."

Read the rest of the report.

Back on April 22, Clinton declared the diametrical opposite:

"I would begin diplomatic discussions with those countries with whom we have differences, to try to figure out what is the depth of those differences," said Clinton, who spoke to about 1,000 people at Luther College in Decorah in northeastern Iowa.

I think it is a terrible mistake for our president to say he will not talk with bad people. You don't make peace with your friends -- you have to do the hard work of dealing with people you don't agree with," said Clinton, who is seeking the Democratic presidential nomination."

Read the quote in the whole report.

Which position is the one she holds? She has the right to change her mind, but she needs to tell the public. However, it seems the answer she gives depends on whom she is addressing--President Bush in the latter and candidate Barack Obama in the former. And don't forget the two audiences.

Letter Writers Call for an Economic Summit

In a recent letter to the Post Review editor, Wade Vitalis asked, "Why are our taxes so high?" and offered the solution of reducing taxes by increasing the commercial tax base in the county. Read some related comments.

Tom O’Mara and David Whitney followed by calling for an economic summit because "Chisago County needs commercial development. Its residents need tax relief. A focused effort to make Chisago County grow in sensible ways is needed now." Read the rest of their letter.

Before we jump at this "solution," we need to ponder some factors that certainly should be included in any economic summit, if such were to take place.

O’Mara and Whitney suggest increasing the commercial tax base by two and a half times to create the right mix with the residential tax base.

• To accomplish their goal, this growth would need to occur while the residential side of the equation remains static.
• This would require all new employees of this commercial growth to come from the current county population or commuters into the county in order to attain the proposed optimal commercial/residential ratio.

Of course this alleged optimal commercial/residential ratio will not be reached in this manner because it is patently impossible to hold residential development at a stand-still while increasing the commercial/industrial by 2.5 times.

• Commercial/industrial growth brings residential growth. Thus the commercial and industrial growth would need to be far greater than 2.5 times to attain the "ideal" ratio eventually, decades in the future.
• Is it even possible to attract this enormous commercial/industrial tax base into the county?
• There is a high rate of failure for new business ventures.
• Does the county have a work force that is skilled in these jobs?

The social and economic engineering required to meet this goal of reducing taxes would have significant consequences for the county.

• The commercial and industrial areas of all governmental jurisdictions would become much more than 2.5 times the current size.
• The population of the county would increase significantly.
• It entails an enormous consumption of farm land and wood land. It would change the character of the county. It would stress the ecosystem that environmentalists want to preserve.
• This would require a tremendous influx of tourists and non-resident customers to patronize these commercial businesses.
• The industrial and manufacturing products would need non-resident consumers. If the county becomes a significantly greater exporter than importer, then total taxes may decline because non-resident consumers are picking up more of the tax tab.
• Roads would see increased congestion. Government services (police, fire, zoning, court, human services, schools, EDAs, HRAs) would need to be increased.
• In other words, the county would become essentially one large city, mostly indistinguishable from the area to our south, which reminds us why we choose to live here. The proposed solution would tend to destroy what we have.
• Commercial and industrial growth in Wyoming, for example, may reduce taxes in that city, but increase taxes in Taylors Falls. The work force needed for this growth may decide to live in jurisdictions without the ideal economic ratio and exacerbate the very problem that these gentlemen set out to solve. Instead of being a bedroom county for the Twin Cities as now, the county could unintentionally create bedroom communities for favored jurisdictions within the county. The infrastructure necessary for this growth is not equal in all jurisdictions, nor can it be made equal.

The three gentlemen seem to think that commercial and industrial taxes are magically created. Businesses, whether commercial or industrial, do not pay taxes. Business taxes are paid by consumers because business taxes are built into the price of the products. Shifting more of the tax load to business may sound great to the homeowner, but in the end, the consumer still pays all the taxes. Some of what was in the homeowner’s real estate tax column is simply slid into the sales tax column and the excise tax column and other business tax columns, all of which he still pays when he buys products and services. It may feel better, but the homeowner is just fooling himself. A hamburger stand does not pay taxes. The customers do; all of the taxes are built into the price of the hamburgers and the end price is raised. If the business owner does not raise the price to offset tax increases, he makes less profit and/or goes out of business.

The proposed economic summit needs another set of facts. In today’s market, large subsidies are given to many businesses to entice them into town. Gifts of land, tax increment financing, tax abatement and other subsidies are almost expected by companies to set up shop in town. Who ultimately picks up the tab? The local taxpayers do. Yes, even existing businesses contribute taxes to finance these subsidies for new businesses. But who pays the business taxes? The consumers do. Increased business taxes mean increased product costs.

Let’s assume the optimal business/residential ratio actually reduces our real estate taxes by 20%. Is this real estate tax savings worth it? I will choose the status quo any day over the socially and economically engineered proposed solution. The "solution" will bring with it its own set of problems that are bigger than any we have now. The law of unintended negative consequences will kick in. A savings of some hundreds of tax dollars may just destroy our quality of life.

The chief problem with this "solution" is perennial. Any improvement in local, county, regional, or statewide tax structure is viewed as a fountainhead to be tapped by Democrats. They cannot keep their grubby hands off income. Whatever policies will be put in place today to correct a tax problem will be changed to negate the gains that are made. Letting the taxpayers build up their own wealth, reducing government spending, living within the financial means, and promoting a tax environment that keeps business investment capital from exiting to better tax environment states is not in the play book of the Democrats. A savings of some hundreds of dollars will never last long when those who want to redistribute your wealth eye your improved lot.

Minnesota Ends Fiscal Year with Higher Revenue

Without a Higher Tax Rate

Thanks mostly to higher-than-expected income tax payments and lower-than-expected refunds, Minnesota ended fiscal year 2007 with an unexpected $158.7 million in the bank.

Read the whole article here.

The Refuted Dem Had to Write Another Letter

The following letter in Chisago County Press, July 12, 2007, is printed here since it is not online. It responds to Bob Barrett’s letter which refuted Wade Vitalis’ original complaint.

___________________________________________

Response to Gov. Pawlenty letter
To the editor:

I recently wrote a letter to the editor which contrasted the successful approach of Mayor Michael Bloomberg, in wake of similar fiscal challenges, with the unsuccessful approach of Governor Tim Pawlenty.

A writer responded critically to the comparison and conveniently glossed over the key points, like:

The fact both men were elected from the same political party - Republican.

That Mayor Bloomberg has a job approval rating of 70-75 percent and Governor Pawlenty doesn’t!

That for the first time ever, Minnesota’s unemployment rate exceeded the national average and that our growth has fallen for two consecutive years, leaving us ranked 30th in the country when we’ve been historically in the top 10.

Though these facts are troublesome enough, the key element in my letter was the lack of business savvy by Governor Pawlenty to understand what we already know as residents and businessmen in Minnesota - we have a "brand."

Minnesota’s "brand" has been education, transportation, public service and recreation with an intentional focus on shared prosperity. By focusing like a laser on these brand characteristics we have prospered.

The best and most successful corporations in the country spend millions each year to preserve, promote and build their "brand." Why should Minnesota be any different?

Bloomberg remarked, "The difference between having the courage of your convictions and being pig-headed is in the results."

In the face of these results, higher unemployment and low growth, my question was how can anyone not think Governor Pawlenty is being a bit pig-headed himself?

Wade Vitalis
Shafer

___________________________________________

That Bloomberg was a Republican in 2002 is hardly significant. He had been a lifelong Democrat. Now the former Democrat and erstwhile Republican is an Independent, proving, along with the 18.5% tax increase, he was not a typical Republican.

The letter writer’s doom and gloom of "...higher unemployment and low growth..." is not shared by analysts. Forbes Magazine recently ranked the fifty states for the best business climate. Moving Minnesota from 14th place last year to the present 10th best spot in the nation, Forbes ranks it high as a good place for business, in comparison to other states. New York state moved from 35th place to 33rd in the over all rating. Hmmm, Minnesota is in 10th place and New York state is 33rd. Minnesota is in trouble indeed! And its Pawlenty’s fault!

Forbes ranks Minnesota number one in quality of life. Both states are right in the middle of the pack, tied at 26th place for growth prospects. If this is doom and gloom for Minnesota, then New York is in trouble. The touted wizardry of erstwhile Republican Mayor Bloomberg has produced a 5.2% unemployment rate for NYC in June. Compare Minnesota’s 4.5% unemployment rate.

It must be Pawlenty's fault!

Response to the letter from Vitalis

This blog entry features a letter in response to Vitalis’s letter posted here. Since the July 5, 2007, response letter is not on the Chisago County Press web site, it is presented in this column for the convenience of the reader.

___________________________________________

Different view on raising taxes

To the editor:

I would like to suggest the following to the letter writer from last week who was irritated by the fact that Governor Pawlenty chose to cut spending in 2002 instead of raising taxes by 18.5 percent like New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg did when faced with a similar budget problem. Calculate the total amount of taxes you’ve paid since 2002. Write a check for 18.5 percent of that amount and mail it to the Minnesota Department of Revenue, St. Paul, MN 55145.

As for me, I’m OK with saving this money while still achieving private sector job growth of 135,000 jobs (vs. 151,000 for NYC) in a market that has 3 million fewer people than NYC. I’m also OK with our $1 billion budget surplus (some reports have this figure as high as $2 billion) instead of the NYC budget surplus of $1.3 billion. Considering the fact that Minnesota’s annual budget is about $44 billion less than NYC ($16 billion vs $60 billion) most people would say our $1 billion surplus is quite an accomplishment.

It’s too bad that, for the letter writer, political agendas such as being chairman of Rep. Jeremy Kalin’s political campaign (http://www.cfboard.state.mn.us/) get in the way of a fair and accurate communication of the numbers.

Bob Barrett
Shafer

___________________________________________

While neither letter writer gives the source for the numbers presented, if the numbers are accurate, Barrett has given a good answer to Vitalis. Both NYC and Minnesota recovered from significant red ink. Both accumulated more than a billion in reserve. Both added to the work force. But Minnesota did it without raising taxes. The state reigned in spending and the market went to work to provide the revenue for the state. It worked! Congratulations Governor Pawlenty and all Minnesotans who labor.

It is exceedingly difficult for so many Democrats to understand that a lower tax rate creates more taxable dollars. But JFK knew.

A Travesty 38 Years Ago Tonight

"Mary Jo [Kopechne] died 38 years ago tonight. And yet we the people of Massachusetts re-elected him [Ted Kennedy], in 1970, 1976, 1982, 1988, 1994, 2000 and 2006. And isn’t that the real lesson of Chappaquiddick? In a democracy, you get the government you deserve, dammit." Read the whole article from the Boston Herald.

A Conflicted Letter Writer

The letter below was printed in the Chisago County Press, June 21, 2007. Since it is not online at that paper’s web site, it is included here for convenience of the reader.

______________________________________

NYC had right idea

To the editor:

In January of 2002, the mayor of New York City faced a $6 billion deficit and the same tough choices as Governor Tim Pawlenty.

But facing the same three options; cut services, raise taxes or both and against the advice of his advisors - Mayor Michael Bloomberg raised taxes 18.5 percent. By the following summer his approval ratings had plunged to 31 percent.

The success of his strategy, however, is undeniable. New York City has added 151,000 private sector jobs and has attracted 44 million visitors through a not for profit marketing juggernaut aptly named NYC & Co.

The city, where residents are treated like business customers, touts a $1.3 billion surplus and Mayor Bloomberg’s approval ratings hover between 70-75 percent.

In contrast, Minnesota’s growth has fallen for two consecutive years, now ranked 30th in the country, and for the first time ever, Minnesota’s unemployment rate exceeded the national average.

The difference is Mayor Bloomberg, a billionaire businessman, understood what Governor Pawlenty, an upstart lawyer/politician, didn’t. Mayor Bloomberg saw public transportation, clean streets and safe neighborhoods as critical to maintaining the “brand” that makes New York City successful.

Minnesota, like New York City, has a “brand” that business people and residents understand and protecting that “brand” will be more productive than abandoning it.

“I’ve always joked”, says Bloomberg, “that the difference between having the courage of your convictions and being pig-headed is in the results.”

Did he just call Governor Pawlenty pig-headed?

I believe he did.

Wade Vitalis
Shafer

_____________________________________

The next week, this same author sent the following to the Post Review, which asks “Why are our taxes so high?” Read it here.

In the former letter he argued that Governor Pawlenty should have pushed for a substantial tax increase, suggestively comparable to Bloomberg's 18.5% increase in 2002. In the latter, one week later, he argued taxes should be decreased. This conflicted letter writer wants it both ways! Inside of two weeks, in two papers, he has two views.

Reserve your tickets for the Reagan Day Dinner

Click on the graphic to view and print. Send your request for the number of tickets by e-mail to:

reagandaytickets@yahoo.com

Spread the word about this fund raiser for the Chisago County Republican Party.

New Date for Minnesota Republican Caucus

Mark your calendar now to prepare for caucus. The Republicans have announced that caucus has been moved up to Tuesday, February 5, 2008.

Read the article at the Brainerd Dispatch.

AlGorithms

Here is a blog that goes hand in hand with Pat Tepoorten's comments on the Minnesota Energy Plan. The author just introduced this topic and will make future comments. Notice his play on the word algorithm, which is defined as a set of rules to solve a problem. Al Gore has it all solved with his set of rules.

Notice also a web site mentioned in this article. How the temperature of an area is measured affects the temperature that is recorded in the records. Look at the absurd conditions in which many official thermometers are placed. No wonder temperatures are skewed. "Houston, we have a problem!"

Local Commentator

Pat Tepoorten writes for the Post Review. He also writes an editorial column entitled The Upsider.

For his comments on the Minnesota Energy Plan, check out this site.

Also, check out Pat's blog.

Some Random Thoughts

of Thomas Sowell

"Bill Clinton's attack on President Bush's commuting of Scooter Libby's prison sentence qualifies Clinton for the Guinness Book of World Records in chutzpa."

"Before we panic about "global warming," we should take a look at six-day weather forecasts and see how much they change during those six days -- quite aside from how much they differ from what the weather actually turns out to be."

"In politics, there are few skills more richly rewarded than the ability to misstate issues in a way that will sound plausible and attractive."

Thomas Sowell

Fox News Network

We often hear Democrats and Leftists complain that Fox News is too conservative, that the network slants the news to the right and that they are part of the "vast right-wing conspiracy" (as if CBS, ABC, NBC and NPR don't have a bias). Say it loud enough and frequent enough, some people will buy into the hype.

Now, the next time your Dem friend makes this claim, you have ammunition. Point them to this hard evidence. John Lott has written a book entitled Freedomnomics: Why the Free Market Works and Other Half-baked Theories Don't. Ann Coulter, in her column calls attention to some information in this recently released book. She says

Fox News Channel isn't conservative: "Even employees of Fox News, which is widely regarded as a conservative channel, donate 81 percent of their contributions to Democrats."

The Democrats have a lot more compatriots at Fox News than they want you to believe. And, of course, that left-leaning bias affects the way they present the news. Armed with this information, you can approach Fox News with eyes and ears wide open.

Read the whole article here.