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Can’t get Indiana off my mind,
Anywhere I chance to roam;
The music on the Wabash that I left behind
Calls me back home.
The music on the Wabash that I left behind
Calls me, calls me home.
—- CAN’T GET INDIANA OFF MY MIND
Music by Hoagy Carmichael and Lyrics by Robert De Leon
Tom Emmer, the Republican candidate to replace Tim Pawlenty as Minnesota’s Governor just keeps talking about Indiana … at the Chamber of Commerce Governor Candidate’s debate and just yesterday on the radio.
Having been born in South Bend Indiana, it might be explain his longing … yet is that’s not the reason …
Republican Tom Emmer told chamber members that he would work to make taxes low and reduce permitting hurdles. He pointed to Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, a fellow Republican, as an example of a governor who bolstered job creation by lowering taxes and eliminating regulations.
“He has gotten control of the runaway spending train that was the state of Indiana’s government,” Emmer said of Daniels. “He has created stability and predictability. So guess what? More venture capital then ever is being invested into the state of Indiana, and the state of Indiana is responsible for 7 percent of all of the new jobs in the country.”
Emmer has said he’ll balance the state’s budget without raising taxes — and even promised tax cuts, despite the state’s projected $5.8 billion deficit.
WOW … that’s a good benchmark … let’s just look at a couple of critical areas.
For everyone that needs a job, today’s market is discouraging. Yet, when looking at how Minnesota is fairing, it is much better than the national unemployment average which sits at 9.7%.
Rochester is at 5.5%,
Mankato is at 6.1%,
St. Cloud is at 6.7%,
the Metro area at 6.8%
and Duluth is at 7.5%.
Now, let’s look at Indiana …
Bloomington is at 8.5%,
Evansville is at 8.9%,
Columbus is at 9.0%,
Indianapolis is at 9.2%,
Lafayette is at 9.8%,
Fort Wayne is at 10.3%,
Michigan City/La Porte is at 11.4%,
Terre Haute is at 11.5%,
Muncie is at 11.6%,
Anderson is at 11.7%,
Kokomo is at 12.1%,
South Bend (his birthplace) is at 12.2%,
and Elkhart is at 13.9%.
OUCH, Indiana’s got problems. In some ways, that may explain why jobs are being created … they have the supply of workers and employment could only go up.
Mr. Emmer did not mention where those jobs came from …
Indiana is getting about $4 billion from the $787 billion plan President Barack Obama signed into law. Of that, $658 million will go to roadway construction projects. INDOT gets $440 million, while local governments receive $198 million. An additional $20 million is directed for projects such as sidewalks, trails and stoplights, according to state officials.
By jump-starting road projects, Indiana is “trying to play our part, we hope, in bringing economic life back to the country,” Daniels said.
Sen. Lindel Hume, D-Princeton, gives Daniels credit for acting quickly to accept the federal stimulus and spend it, when some Republican governors in other states have said they would decline stimulus dollars. Hume said Daniels is doing what he can to at least slow the “horrible, downward spiral we’re in. … To sit back and do nothing is a recipe for disaster,” Hume, D-Princeton, said. “If our governor was like some of the other Republican governors who are saying they’re not going to take the money, that would do nothing but hurt Hoosiers. Instead, he’s taken the initiative to move forward.”
And just in case you were wondering, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels has asked for about $407 million in federal stimulus money for schools and Medicaid that Congress just recently approved.
And how about “green” jobs — you know, the new economy that will help America reduce its dependence on foreign oil …
President Obama announced hundreds of green energy jobs for north central Indiana. A Colorado-based company, Abound Solar Manufacturing, will establish an assembly plant in the empty Getrag transmission plant building in Tipton. The company is expecting to create 850 jobs at the plant by 2013.
Jobs .. yep, that’s a concern … but how about taxes?
Eight days after taking office as governor of Indiana in 2005, Mitch Daniels pitched a temporary tax hike on all individuals and entities earning over $100,000 — would Mr. Emmer do that … today he is pandering to everybody and would never say that, but if elected and facing reality, who can guarantee that he won’t change tax rates that won’t negatively affect you ?
And just last month, Governor Daniels when asked about raising federal taxes, he said
“At some stage there could well be a tax increase. If you believe our fiscal mess is republic-threatening, and if you have to take the third- or fourth-best approach, at the end of the day, I’d do it.”
At least Governor Daniels is grounded in reality.
Governor Daniels has made some tax changes … for example, property taxes are limited to 1%, 2%, or 3% of assessed value, depending on the type of property in question.
That might sound good … until you get into the details.
The 1% cap for homeowners is not helpful to owners of less expensive homes since they already benefit from a pair of large homestead deductions offered by the state. Instead, only those Hoosiers with very expensive homes (who may in fact be paying more than 1% of their property’s value in tax), are expected to benefit most from the caps. Renters, who are generally less well-off than their home-owning neighbors, get a higher cap …as does farms which are hit at 3%.
Of course setting property tax caps has other impacts …
The change drastically cut local government revenues and a 1 percentage point increase in the state sales tax was approved to offset the difference.
BTW, Indiana has a sales tax on clothing.
And, does cutting local government aid sound familiar ?
Hoagy Carmichael may have written a catchy melody, but Mr. Emmer’s maybe out of key with reality.
So what is it about Indiana that Mr. Emmer likes ?
Will Mr. Emmer really follow Governor Daniels lead … and accept Medicaid funding … embrace the projects that invest in infrastructure … seek out “green energy” jobs …. Or will Mr. Emmer revise the structure of property taxes to favor McMansions over working class homes, renters and farms … will he raise sales tax … will he cut LGA ?
I lived in Indiana before being transferred to Minnesota … and have never looked back … blue skies … friendly people … safe communities … and reasonable taxes.
If Mr. Emmer likes Indiana so much, then maybe it’s time that he get that tune out of his head … and head to his birth home.
This is a continuation of a series, regarding the 12 Big Lies. For the opening salvo, go to mnpACT! and read the opening post. We continue here:
4. Men and women are equal.
Did you know that this is a Big Lie? I thought that we had really gotten past all of that sexist thinking. But, no, in the religious world, this still holds in all of those patriarchical hierarchies. It doesn’t matter which religion, they all still maintain this medieval thought process.
In our modern society, we tend to dismiss this as ancient history, but in virtually all Fundamentalist religions, the hierarchy between men and women is still held as a fundamental truth.
Over the years, fundamentalists have softened the role definitions. Some have even used word games involving the man “serving” the woman as his means of taking his “rightful” place as head of the family. But, the end result is always the same. Women take the back seat in the final analysis.
In a way, this centuries old religious philosophy has made the differences between men and women more concrete. Because of the woman’s traditional family nurturing role, she has become very good at it…beyond the realm of child bearing itself.
Men, however, have not been very good at limiting their own role. Dominance has become power, and religious philosophy has been used to re-enforce it all.
To call this a big lie is simply acquiesing to religious interpretation. There is no other proof or validity to back it up. Fortunately, men who adhere to this tenant are probably less likely to reproduce.
5. A fetus isn’t human.
I’m not certain who is arguing that a fetus is not human — after all we have DNA that says it is has to be human. Of course, that is not the issue that is being argued. The problem here is that the argument has too many facets. Maybe we are arguing about when a fetus is viable. For all the billboards that talk about fingers and toes and heartbeats, a fetus is still completely dependent on the body of the mother. A more important question is …does a fetus have the ability to reason? That is what makes us unique. That is what make us think about these questions. Sure….a fetus is human; but the negative of that has never really been the questionable “big lie”.
6. The world is overpopulated.
OK. I’ll play along. No, the world is not overpopulated….and it never will be, because overpopulation is the symptom, not the problem. The issue is: Do we have the resources to sustain the earth’s population? And that answer is rapidly moving towards the negative.
Again, I say that we never will have actual “overpopulation” because we have too many self correcting mechanisms. War, famine, disease….they tend to thin us out when we get out of hand.
As we manage to withstand some of these pestilences, the earth will have to find a bigger correction to deal with us. I am counting on the fact that I will not be around to find out what that will be…..but it will come.
OK — there you are. Three more tackled and three more left completely unanswered. Actually, there is no real answer to these “lies”. They can’t be solved because that would mean “religion” is unnecessary.
And we have too much invested in fundamentalism to let that happen.
Ethics investigations can take a long time, and so it is not a surprise that an event that happened on December 10th could take until yesterday to result in a formal ethics investigation.
Along the way, many have to be investigated …
The Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) has sent corporate donors and fund-raising hosts more than three dozen requests for documents involving eight members who solicited and took large contributions from financial institutions even as they were debating the landmark regulatory bill.
Lawyers knowledgeable about the investigation said those eight were picked in large part because in the 10 days immediately before the initial full House vote on the bill — which took place Dec. 10 — they solicited and received an unusually high proportion of campaign dollars from the financial sector. They received $140,000 in all, and at least seven of the eight had fund-raisers during this period.
On December 9th, Representative Tom Price, a Georgia Republican on the Financial Services Committee, scheduled what he called a “Financial Services Luncheon” at the Capitol Hill Club, as part of a fund-raising push that netted him nearly $23,000 in contributions from the industry in a two-month period around the vote.
Some will not result in further action …
Davis & Harman LLP, a Washington law firm that represents financial institutions, hosted a fundraising breakfast for Earl Pomeroy’s campaign on Dec. 10. Pomeroy said the fundraiser was scheduled in October, and there was no intended link with the House debate on the financial regulatory measure.
“We had no idea what was going to be on the floor,” Pomeroy said. “Essentially, what I didn’t do was have a bouncer at the door, making sure that no one got in that had something (up for a vote) that week.”
“There was never anything there. We gave the information to determine that,” Pomeroy said. “They took plenty of time to work this … They had my name hanging out there for a long time, and that was, I believe, unfortunate.”
Investigators have recommended ending the investigation against North Dakota Democrat Earl Pomeroy and North Carolina Democrat Mel Watt, along with Republicans Jeb Hensarling of Texas, Frank Lucas of Oklahoma and Chris Lee of New York.
While others require additional review …
Rep. John Campbell is under investigation by the OCE for fundraising immediately before voting on the 2009 financial regulatory reform bill. The OCE is also reviewing the circumstances surrounding the withdrawal of Rep. Mel Watt’s amendment to the financial regulatory reform bill. The amendment would have put auto dealers who provide car financing under the oversight of the proposed finance industry watchdog. Rep. Campbell openly opposed the amendment for extending oversight to auto dealerships that provide car financing; once the amendment was withdrawn Rep. Campbell praised Rep. Watt on the house floor. Mr. Campbell, a former auto dealer, also held fund-raisers around the time of the financial-services votes.
Investigators recommended that the House Ethics Committee look into potential rules violations by the other three legislators: Rep. John Campbell, R-CA; Tom Price, R-GA-06.; and Joseph Crowley, D-NY.
At the heart of the problem is the system … lobbyists making down payments for “just in case” we need you.
That presents a problem for Erik Paulsen (R-MN-03) …. the finance, insurance and real estate sector (FIRE) gave $549,996 in contributions to his campaign … that’s just through June 30, 2009 (remember Mr. Paulsen was first elected in November 2008) … that’s a lot of money in a short period of time. Mr. Paulsen sits on the House Financial Services Committee which voted on H. R. 3126, which would create a new executive branch agency to oversee consumer financial protections and is known as the Consumer Financial Protection Agency Act.
On October 22, 2009, Mr. Paulsen voted NO on the legislation.
Contrast that with another Minnesotan on the same committee … Keith Ellison (D-MN-05) who received $159,207 from FIRE for the period January 2007 (yep two years before Mr. Paulsen was elected) until June, 2009. Mr. Ellison voted for the consumer protection.
If you remember the movie “All the President’s Men”, you’ll recall the phrase “Follow the money” (Side note : that’s a fictional movie quip as “Death Throat” never said that) … and let’s look at the Tom Price’s “Financial Services Luncheon”.
The main attraction was Spencer Bachus (R-AL) … Mr. Bachus has a Growth and Prosperity PAC … … and who gets money … why no other than $10,000 to Erik Paulsen.
Meanwhile, Tom Price also has a PAC
… The Voice for Freedom which gave Mr. Paulsen $2,000.
What’s interesting about Mr. Price’s fundraising is that his personal net worth is currently ranked No. 32 $8.5 million. The Hill said Price’s wealth raised $1.4 million in 2009 after several investment funds increased in value. In 2008, Mr. Price was #42 included in Dr. Price’s net worth is a college savings fund which increased from $50,000 in 2008 to more than $100,000 in 2009 — lucky that he only has one son … hopefully Robert will be able to attend a “good” school within that price range.
Mr. Campbell’s wealth (#27) on the list includes several large bank holdings including at least $500,000 at Goldman Sachs.
With Mr. Price and Mr. Campbell’s extensive personal wealth, hosting fundraisers clearly is to maintain influence with younger members and current lobbyists.
They say that “All Politics is Local” … nah, not anymore … too many politicians get too cozy in Washington … even if they are in their first term … Mr. Paulsen is proving to be a Dynamic Fundraising Machine … just look at this seven day time period earlier this year Target hosted a Breakfast fundraiser on on March 17th, Vin Weber and the NRCC hosted a Breakfast fundraiser on March 18th and that evening there was another event … then on March 24, there was a NRCC sponsored luncheon and in the evening, a fundraiser at the home of Bernie Robinson of The Livingston Group. … at each event, the suggested contribution $1,000 for a PAC or $500 individual.
That’s a lot of money … and at what obligation will Mr. Paulsen have to those donors ?
Voters in the Third District heard a strong denouncement of Washington during the 2008 election, when Republican Erik Paulsen in his campaign to replace Republican Jim Ramstad, said “Congress is broken, and I want to help fix it.”
It’s time to ask Mr. Paulsen “HOW are you fixing Congress by becoming so beholding to lobbyists and party leaders ?”
Then ask Jim Meffert the same question … Minnesota needs someone to represent us.
Dave Mindeman on his MNPact.org blog notes
that Dakota County Commissioner’s plan to raise property tax rates for transit improvements after failing to obtain the final $20 million through a Federal appropriation :
Republican U.S. Rep. John Kline has refused on principle to seek earmarked federal funding for Cedar Avenue, (Dakota County Commissioner Will) Branning said.
While Mr. Kline’s well-publicized campaign against “earmarks” has been a successful election strategy, this year, his challenger, Shelley Madore, is showing the impact to the voters through her 35 Cent tour highlighting how little Second District tax dollars are returned for programs here.
John Kline brings us only 35 cents. He helps transfer your tax dollars to other states while ignoring our own communities’ needs. His refusal to request federal tax dollars for our community makes it much more difficult to attract businesses that need adequate infrastructure to support their transportation needs.
It would be easy to consider this a philsophical difference (if it wasn’t OUR MONEY). But Mr. Kline knows the Second District has needs.
Consider his press release :
Listening to constituents is fundamental to my job as a Representative. Last week, I shared the input of Carver County constituents and others who live near or commute through the Highway 212 corridor and Highway 5 with Minnesota Department of Transportation Commissioner Tom Sorel and Metropolitan Council Chairman Peter Bell. Because of safety considerations, I requested that the Highway 212 corridor be included in plans to complete a continuous four-lane facility from Eden Prairie to Norwood Young America. Additionally, I asked that Highway 5 be upgraded from a two-lane highway to a four-lane highway from Chanhassen to Norwood Young America.
It is important that Congress works with state transportation experts like MnDOT and the Met Council to improve Minnesota’s transportation system. Prioritizing improvements to Highways 212 and 5 will improve safety and alleviate congestion around the metro area. I look forward to working with MnDOT and the Met Council on this important matter.
What Mr. Kline has done is acknowledge the problem, shirk responsiblities and using the logic of someone who has been in Washington too long, TELLS Minnesota officials to fix the problem — but don’t look to me for the money — even if Minnesotans paid tax dollars for infrastructure improvements.
In typical government-speak, it’s called an unfunded mandate !
Worse yet, Mr. Kline when given an opportunity to vote for funding – the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act of 2011 included safety improvements to the Highway 212 corridor – he voted NO.
While Mr. Kline just sits there, doing nothing … he has a fellow Republican taking more aggressive steps. On the same bill, Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann (R-MN-06) offered two amendments :
– Would reduce funding for Capital and Debt Service Grants to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation for capital investments by $1,203,500,000.
– Would reduce funding for operating grants to the National Railroad Passenger Association by $563,000,000
Ms. Bachmann’s amendment to eliminate $1.2 billion in capital funding would mean the there would be NO capital investment for FY11. The lack of a capital funding program would affect service to 29 million people in over 500 communities in 46 states. Without the funding, 20,000 employees would be at risk of furlough.
The vote on Ms. Bachmann’s amendment had the support of Mr. Kline … but not the support of many other prominent Republicans … including Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA-07) … was soundly defeated.
Voters need to take a hard look at the choices this November … Mr. Kline ignoring the district is bad enough, but when empowered with Ms. Bachmann, the policies they promote are down right scary.
Yesterday I read an article in the Star Tribune about how Joel Pourier stole more than $1 million from a charter school in Minneapolis. Pourier was hired by the school in 2002 as a finance director and was later promoted to executive director. When he applied for the position he listed on his resume that he had an MBA, it took 5 years for someone to figure out that he was lying about the degree! During those 5 years Pourier was able to embezzle $1.38 million from the charter school.
Pourier’s careless actions cut into the school’s funding for field trips, updated science and computer labs, and teachers pay. He then used the money to support his mistress and purchase expensive cars. When people from the school began asking questions about Pourier’s finances, he lied and said that he was a member of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux.
Pourier is also responsible for writing 124 bad checks. He directed the money that he embezzled into 6 different bank accounts that he controlled. Pourier pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 10 years in prison, with a requirement of serving at least 7 years.
Pourier deserves what he is getting for stealing the money, but what about the kids? Heart of the Earth was a Native American school that had been around for 37 years. Due to Pourier’s action the school lost its license and was forced to close down in 2008. 250 students ranging from kindergarten through high school were left without a school to attend. A lot of the students who attended the school didn’t enroll into other school’s after it was closed. How did Pourier prepare them to be successful within society?
What disappoints me the most (as a person of color) is that Pourier is a person of color. I believe that the best way to rebuild an infrastructure is by education the youth from an early age. But embezzling money from a resource that is suppose to help your people, is counterproductive. I don’t know what could have possibly been going through Pourier’s mind when he was taking the money?
Another thing that baffled me about this story was that it took the MN legislative auditor until 2008 to discover that there was a lack of monitoring at some charter schools, which have been funded by tax dollars since 1991. The state isn’t even responsible for catching Pourier, the schools bookkeeper Mona Stegeman was the one that reported him.
Another issue that I’m having is that Congressman John Kline from CD2 is the Senior Republican Member of the Education & Labor committee. What has he been doing to address this issue? From what I have seen, he hasn’t been doing anything to bring reform to guaranty that charter school spending is properly monitored.
Joel Pourier isn’t the only one to blame for this big mess, it extends beyond his act of embezzling money. Congressman Kline is responsible for not creating legislation that would stop these types of crimes from taking place. What is he doing in D.C.?
Today’s Must Read story comes from Newsweek’s Andrew Romano (here are the highlights) :
Nothing is more important to Republican politicians these days than jobs and the deficit. Elect Republicans in November, as House Minority Leader John Boehner put it, we will put an end to this insanity.
There’s only one problem with Boehner’s message: so far, the things that Republicans have said they want to do won’t actually boost employment or reduce deficits.
In fact, much the opposite.
The bottom line, then, is that recent GOP proposals would produce fewer jobs and far larger deficits than the plans Obama has already passed or currently wants to pass. This isn’t to say that the Republicans couldn’t create jobs or cut the deficit if restored to power—just that right now, they’ve chosen to support policies that would prove less effective in both respects than the Democratic programs they so vehemently criticize.
On the trail, it’s easy to talk about cutting pork, slashing taxes, and reducing “uncertainty.” But if the party wants to provide voters with real alternatives on jobs and deficits, they should start talking about the sort of deep spending cuts and targeted tax incentives that might actually make a difference someday: reforming Medicare and Social Security, cutting defense spending, reducing payroll taxes, and creating tax credits for job creation. Otherwise, they’re worse than what we have now.
Take five minutes and read the complete article to see the details of the additional $371 Billion that Republican policies would add to the deficit.
The article uses CBO numbers to dollarize the Healthcare Reform proposals as adding $455 billion under the Republican proposal. It does not consider the difference in the programs. For example, under the Republican legislation, pre-existing conditions would be considered later after a study was preformed to determine it there was a problem … nor the number of people covered … nor what services would be included in the plan.
On Jobs, the advantage goes to the Democrats … by over 2 million.
A good snake oil salesman can peddle snow to an Eskimo, but voters need to be read beyond the candidate’s banter … a lot of what they say just does not pass the smell test.
John Kline (R-MN-02) warned us on September 29, 2009 :
Congressman John Kline, the top Republican on the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee, today strongly criticized legislation that would dramatically expand the federal government by eliminating the private sector-based federal student loan program and spending tens of billions of dollars on a range of new entitlement programs. The legislation, H.R. 3221, was approved by the House in a vote today largely along party lines.
“Democrats have had their sights set on a government takeover of student lending for more than a decade, and they’re capitalizing on the economic downturn to make it happen,” said Kline. “Today’s vote was about expanding the size and scope of the federal government through tens of billions of dollars in new entitlement spending and the elimination of choice, competition, and the innovation of the private sector. This job killing legislation is rife with hidden costs that will be passed on to future generations.”
Eventually, the legislation was enacted in March as Mr. Kline continued his protests of the “Government Takeover”.
It was a good soundbite … until the facts were presented :
In a private lending market, you would expect lenders to make decisions about whom to lend to and what interest rates to charge. And in return, you would expect those lenders to bear the risks of borrowers defaulting.
None of that happens in the market for guaranteed student loans.
Instead, the federal government establishes who can qualify for these loans, what interest rates they will pay, and what interest rates the lenders will receive.
And the government guarantees the lenders against almost all default risks.
So, what’s happened ?
This month, community banks Mifflin County Savings Bank in Lewistown, PA and Manufacturers Bank and Trust in Forest City, IA announced that they would begin offering private student loans to borrowers in their state.
In July, SunTrust rolled out a new private loan program with financial-services firm First Marblehead in Massachusetts.
OK, so you don’t live in Pennsylvania, Iowa or Massachusetts … but is there a Wells Fargo in your neighborhood ? In May, Wells Fargo launched the Student Loan for Parents, which allows parents (or other adults) to sign up for a private loan of up to $25,000 per year to help fund a student’s college education.
Hmmm … more players going into the business ? In fact, according to FinAid.org, which tracks financial aid and scholarship issues, in the last year and a half, the number of private student lenders has almost doubled, to 23.
But it’s not just banks … Credit Unions are also jumping into the private loan business. Unlike most banks that were hit hard by the recession, many credit unions have generally maintained healthy balance sheets and are looking for additional sources of revenue. By targeting students, credit unions are attempting to recruit new, lifelong customers to whom they hope to sell mortgages and other loans to later on, says a spokesman for Credit Union Student Choice, which processes credit unions’ loans and provides regulatory compliance.
More than 65 credit unions have entered the private student loan marketplace through CUSC since the beginning of the year, nearly 30 of which have joined since June. Another 55 credit unions have entered the marketplace through Fynanz (a company that originates, services and underwrites private student loans for credit unions), year-to-date – 33 of which have entered since June.
Hmmm … Mr. Kline, do you really think this is “job killing legislation” ?
It sounds to me like the playing field is being expanded … and the taxpayer is not left holding the bag.
Makes you wonder what will happen with the “Government Takeover” of healthcare ? Suggested Reading : The First Victims of Health Care Reform … aka the non-value added middle-man
Agents and brokers are also worried about the future for another reason: a vital part of their current role, sales and marketing, could be made redundant thanks to the new state insurance exchanges that will go online by 2014. These Web-accessible marketplaces will be where individuals and small groups go to purchase insurance. In addition to listing plans available by location, the exchanges will post quality and price information and administer federal subsidies for those who qualify, making it easier for individuals and small-business owners to compare plans and choose the options that best suit their needs.
Lastly, for those considering student loans, Mark Kantrowitz, publisher of FinAid.org, offers some advice when considering Private Student Loans:
1. Tap into federal aid first — Before considering a private loan, students should try to get the most money they can through federal and state aid, including grants, which don’t have to be paid back, and federal student loans, which tend to offer more favorable terms than private loans.
2. Prepare for variable interest rates — Most private student loans have variable interest rates that can change as often as each month or on a quarterly basis. (Interest rates on federal student loans are fixed.)
3. Brace for higher overall costs — Private loans tend to cost more than federal student loans by the time the borrower has paid them down completely. That’s in part because fluctuating interest rates, origination fees and other expenses can contribute to a higher total price.
4. Don’t expect a reprieve on repayment — Many private student loans require borrowers to start repayment the moment they receive the loan. Federal student loans require repayment after the student graduates college.
5. Don’t count on a watchdog soon — The financial reform legislation signed into law last month will establish a private student loan ombudsman to whom borrowers may file complaints against their lenders. Currently, an ombudsman for federal student loans operates out of the Department of Education, but private loans are outside the office’s purview. (Oh, and Mr. Kline voted AGAINST the Financial Reform legislation.)
Right now there are more choice, more competition, and best of all, the legislation will save money.
Mr. Kline, care to revise your assessment ?
The negative political ad was born on September 7, 1964 …
The advertisement begins with a little girl (Birgitte Olsen) standing in a meadow with chirping birds, picking the petals of what appears to be a daisy counting each petal slowly. (Because she does not know her numbers perfectly, she repeats some and says others in the wrong order, saying them in the order of 1,2,3,4,5,7,6,6,8,9, all of which adds to her childlike appeal.) When she reaches “nine”, an ominous-sounding male voice is then heard counting down a missile launch, and as the girl’s eyes turn toward something she sees in the sky, the camera zooms in until her pupil fills the screen, blacking it out. When the countdown reaches zero, the blackness is replaced by the flash and mushroom cloud from a nuclear explosion.
As the firestorm rages, a voiceover from President Johnson states, “These are the stakes! To make a world in which all of God’s children can live, or to go into the dark. We must either love each other, or we must die.” Another voiceover then says, “Vote for President Johnson on November 3. The stakes are too high for you to stay home.”
The ad was only aired once … but the talk about the ad has lasted for decades.
The beauty of the ad was that the competitor was never mentioned … but voters knew who the target was.
Fast forward to now … a different image and once again, the competitor’s name is not mentioned … and the beauty of the ad is that it works without saying the name … it sets an impression.
ANNCR: For centuries, Muslims built mosques where they won military victories.
Now they want to build a mosque at ground zero.
Where Islamic terrorists killed 3,000 Americans.
It’s like the Japanese building at Pearl Harbor.
The Muslim cleric building the mosque believes America was partly responsible for 9/11.
And is raising millions overseas from secret donors.
But incredibly, Bruce Braley supports building a mosque at Ground Zero.
Tell Braley what you think.
If you don’t know who Bruce Braley is, that doesn’t matter … it could be anybody, the impression is set. AFF spokesperson Nick Ryan stated, “This insensitive and crass opinion by an Iowan Congressman does not reflect the views of hardworking people of Eastern Iowa. Not only is the suggested mosque tactless, it is offensive to those families whose loved ones died in those horrible terrorist attacks.”
Ryan continued, “Braley’s extreme views clearly are not in-line with Iowa values, and he is out-of-touch with the American People. It is obvious that as DCCC Vice Chair, Braley is too wrapped up in siding with Pelosi than doing what is right.”
So, what is it that Congressman Braley exactly said ?
When asked for his thoughts on the mosque, Braley said, “Well, there are a couple of thoughts. One is that local zoning decisions are made locally. Just as Iowans don’t want people from outside of Iowa telling them how to make zoning decisions, this is a decision that the people of New York are going to have to deal with.”
“The other one is that we have always been a country that has been based and founded on religious diversity. So, these are delicate issues because they are the types of issues that people are really passionate about, and at the same time, it’s our religious diversity that has made this country great,” Braley added.
When asked directly whether or not there should be a mosque built at Ground Zero. Braley said, “Well, I don’t know what you are talking about, because Ground Zero is a very specific area. The mosque you are talking about is in the general area of Ground Zero.”
When pressed further, Braley said, “Well, I can tell you that people should be promoting religious worship as a place where people can get their spiritual needs met, and that’s a local zoning issues.” He added, “It bothers me when people make statements that are outrageous and inconsistent with our American values, but those are also issues that come up all over, and it’s part of our religious diversity.”
Hmmmm…. so the site that once housed a Burlington Coat Factory … and has as its neighbors a New York Dolls strip club, an off-track betting parlor and numerous fast food restaurants … that is planned to be an Islamic cultural center is campaign fodder in Iowa.
Braley’s response is reasoned … one that would be supported by those that viewed the Kelo property rights case as being incorrectly decided … after all, that what this is … a local zoning question.
After all, he didn’t say :
Is the controversy over building a mosque near ground zero a grand distraction or a grand opportunity?
Or is it, once again, grandiose demagoguery?
In my opinion it has come from the neo-conservatives who demand continual war in the Middle East and Central Asia and are compelled to constantly justify it.
They never miss a chance to use hatred toward Muslims to rally support for the ill conceived preventative wars
This is all about hate and Islamaphobia.
Now, those comments would surely rile up commercials funding by the American Future Fund … but will they ??? probably not … as those words were written by Ron Paul – a Republican Congressman from Texas.
Will the American Future Fund run a similar commercial in Minnesota … maybe, after all they advertised for Norm Coleman in 2008.
If they did advertise in Minnesota, Keith Ellison (R-MN-05) would be the easy target … yet the real target would be to use political demagoguery as a blanket statement against all Democrats.
Citizens should be wary of these commercials … and the emotional messages they send.
As Kathy Ireland responded to Randy Brown, the webmaster for MN-GOP Senate District 56 who found a YouTube video that he decided to link prominently on the official District party website. The piece is called “Republican Women vs. Democrat Women”
Vile. Ugly. Lies. Someone wasn’t thinking @ Minnesota Republican legislative district produced “video” comparing Republican&Democratic WOMEN on appearance vs. policy! Deeply regret that such negativity is our political scene. Resent my image was used in this offensive way.
I vote for integrity, character, leadership and policy, regardless of party label.
But my fury derives from the way these “leaders,” and a bipartisan collection of other political negativists on both sides of the aisle, are debasing our democracy and the essential exercise of our privilege to vote our leaders in or out. Political candidates of every stripe are responsible for holding their supporters and campaign teams to their own ethical standards, or else we have to assume that these excesses (whether their prejudices are misogyny or any other form of ignorance) represent what the candidates stand for.
It’s a good message … I vote for integrity, character, leadership and policy, regardless of party label … something that groups like the American Future Fund need to learn.
Did you know : Defense firms poured millions of dollars more into lobbying during the first two quarters of 2010, increasing expenditures by about 7 percent over what they spent in the first half of last year, an analysis by the Center for Responsive Politics shows. Between April and June, only the financial services and energy industries, which have been the focus of major legislation on Capitol Hill, posted bigger percentage increases than defense compared to last year’s second quarter lobbying spending.
Why ? To build relationships with Members of Congress. For example, Lockheed Martin Corp.’s PAC has donated $2.35 million during the 2010 cycle, or $128,000 more than it gave during the entire 2008 cycle, according to the center’s analysis of campaign finance reports filed in July.
Boeing Co.’s PAC, meanwhile, has contributed $2.18 million in this cycle, almost $300,000 more than any previous cycle.
Who benefits – the taxpayer or the Congressman ? Well, elections cost money … and Boeing has donated $7,500 to John Kline (R-MN-02), who happens to sit on the House Armed Services Committee, and $1,000 to Erik Paulsen (R-MN-03), who does not. Meanwhile, Lockheed gave $10,000 to John Kline and donated $1,200 to Michele Bachmann (R-MN-06). In addition to the candidates’ re-election campaign, Boeing has also donated $7,500 to Mr. Kline’s Security and Freedom PAC.
There have been plenty of stories about the influence of lobbyists … but not about the efforts to make changes. For example,
How can we limit the influence of corporate lobbyists? Right now, the revolving door in Washington between government and corporate lobbying offers far too much incentive for government employees to seek favor with potential future corporate-lobbyist employers — and for corporations to hire lobbyists with the expectation that those lobbyists will treat the corporation well if they enter the government. That’s why we must prohibit individuals from switching from corporate lobbying to government service, or vice-versa, within a 5-year period.
And because lobbyists are most effective operating in the dark, to ensure faith in the deliberative process we must require transparency about who is influencing decisions and on whose behalf. That’s why there should be mandatory online posting of all meetings between lobbyists and government officials.
How many lobbyists are there? Astonishingly, there are more than 13,000 lobbyists prowling Washington, DC, on behalf of corporate interests. Clients spent over $3.47 billion last year to pay for their services.
What’s a corporate lobbyist’s job? A corporate lobbyist’s job is to fight on behalf of his or her employer to make sure laws, rules, and regulations do not get in the way of corporate profits. In turn, lobbyists receive high salaries. So they find lots of ways to curry favor in Washington, including providing gifts and free travel to government officials. This system ensures that an ordinary person doesn’t stand a chance in getting legislation passed to benefit themselves and their families
It’s the other 98% of us that need representation in Washington.
In Minnesota, Congressman Keith Ellison (D-MN-05) is being joined by candidates Shelley Madore (D-MN-02) and Jim Meffert (R-MN-03) to pledge to make changes.
Also making the pledge is Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME-01) who is leading the fight against wasteful spending on duplicative engine for the Joint Strike Force which shows who is supporting the Pentagon in trying to control spending and who is serving on behalf of the lobbyists.
Let’s support candidates that work for us … the other 98.
Tonight a DFL Congressional District 2 Central Committee meeting was held at Lakeville’s Heritage Library. The meeting was called after the results of the primary showed that Shelley Madore won over DFL party endorsed Dan Powers. The committee needed to vote this evening to see if Madore would receive the party endorsement.
It was great that Madore and Powers were in attendance. Both candidates addressed the audience and are ready to work together so that Madore can replace Kline. Its really interesting & exiting to see the political process taking place. I don’t think anyone expected for Madore to make it past the primaries, but she did. After the ballots were cast, with votes counted, Madore received the party endorsement. It just shows that everyone’s vote counts. It’s important that we all vote, so that the candidates we support get elected.
Our political process is what makes our country so great. You can visit a number of different countries around the world and find that its citizens don’t have access to open elections like we do. We shouldn’t take our right to vote for granted. Whenever the polls are open, we need to be voting.
In the Gettysburg Address, President Abraham Lincoln finished by saying that our government was “of the people, by the people, for the people…”. President Lincoln wrote the Gettysburg Address to invoke the nation to the principles of human equality, union, and most importantly freedom. It’s our duty as American’s to uphold these principles. The best way of doing that is by becoming involved in our communities and exercising our right to vote.
During Gil Gutknecht’s ten year career representing the First District, his most insightful contribution was an observation on the failings of government, when he aptly called the US Senate “the graveyard of all good ideas”. Sadly, those words still ring true today.
Roundtable readers may recall the Lessons Learned From Obstructing Food Safety discussion that the Minnesota delegation in the House had unanimously approved the legislation while the Senate was still debating S 510 – the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act.
While lamenting the Senate’s slow pace, the obvious fear was that a major infraction would occur before Congress enacted the necessary safety regulations.
Recent headlines now warn us about eggs.
As the NY Times reports :
The company behind the recall, Wright County Egg, of Galt, Iowa, is owned by Jack DeCoster, who has had run-ins with regulators over poor or unsafe working conditions, environmental violations, the harassment of workers and the hiring of illegal immigrants.
Mr. DeCoster is well known to federal regulators.
In 1997, one of his companies agreed to pay a $2 million fine by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for violations in the workplace and worker housing. Officials said workers were forced to handle manure and dead chickens with their bare hands and to live in trailers infested with rats. The labor secretary in the Clinton administration, Robert B. Reich, called Mr. DeCoster’s operation “an agricultural sweatshop.”
Mr. DeCoster’s facilities have also been periodically raided by immigration officials. In 2003, Mr. DeCoster pleaded guilty to charges of knowingly hiring immigrants who were in the country illegally and he paid more than $2 million as part of a federal settlement.
Mr. DeCoster had also been charged by Iowa authorities in the 1990s with violations of environmental rules governing hog manure runoff.
This outbreak couldn’t have happened at a worse time for enacting the necessary legislation.
Why ?
Because Congress has a tendency to “react” to a crisis to show that they are doing something.
In this case, what was a good bill that was approved by the Senate Agriculture Committee, now has had a “managers’ amendment” applied … most likely to gain approval of some special interest group that some Senator is striving to please.
Originally, the FDA would have been required to inspect high-risk food facilities at least once during the first two years following the bill’s passage and at least once per year thereafter; while FDA would inspect non-high-risk facilities at least once every four years.
Under the managers’ amendment, the timeline changes. The FDA would only be required to inspect high-risk facilities at least once during the first five years and at least once every three years thereafter. FDA would have to inspect non-high-risk facilities at least once during the first seven years and at least once every five years thereafter.
Regular and frequent inspection is a basic part of prevention.
Inspectors are cops on the beat—checking to be sure that corporate process controls are operating as intended. Even the most sophisticated and well intentioned company can make a mistake and history shows some plants are careless and not concerned with protecting their customers.
The recommendation is pretty simple … if you’re a Senator who got bad eggs, throw them out … if you’re a Senator that is presented with bad legislation, throw it out. The inspections need to be as originally approved by the Agriculture Committee.
Updating two other matters discussed in the Lesson Learned commentary.
Elizabeth Hagen is now Undersecretary for Food Safety … now, because President Obama made a recess appointment … because the Senate was so slow in approving her despite being approved by the Ag Committee … and was to have a full Senate vote before the Fourth of July recess. Sad performance by the Senate.
Another matter discussed was the opposition by John Boehner (R-OH) and John Kline (R-MN-02) for a moratorium on regulations even those that relate to worker safety and Massey Energy (where 29 coal miners died at Upper Big Branch). The thought is “voluntary compliance” is what is needed … not “cops” inspecting for compliance. Well, AP reports :
Government investigators have cited Massey Energy for failing to report more than 20 accidents at its Upper Big Branch coal mine in the two years before an April explosion killed 29 miners there, according to documents released by the Mine Safety and Health Administration on Tuesday.
Just four of the alleged violations directly involve the explosion. The rest occurred between January 2008 and early this year. Among other things, they involve unreported roof collapses, assorted injuries and two instances of miners exercising their right to move out of dusty areas of the mine because they’ve contracted black lung disease.
All were supposed to be reported. MSHA said the citations were issued because the agency did not learn of the violations until it performed an audit stemming from its investigation of the explosion. The blast also is the subject of a federal criminal investigation.
Please contact Senator Amy Klobuchar (1-888-224-9043) or email and Senator Al Franken (1-651-221-1016 or email) to encourage that they fight for their bill … the one that the Agriculture Committee approved and reject the managers’ amendment.
The US Senate does not have to be “the graveyard of all good ideas”.
Did you notice how many colleges in our area have nicknames featuring animals ?
There are the Golden Gophers for Minnesota, the Bison for North Dakota State, the Jackrabbits for South Dakota State, the Hawkeyes for Iowa, the Badgers for Wisconsin
… do you know John Kline’s favorite
… anybody guess the Corinthian Colleges Cash Cows ?
For those of not familiar with the term “cash cow”, it’s slang for : a steady dependable source of funds or income from a profitable asset producing funds that are used to finance investment in other areas, support unprofitable ventures, etc.
And Corinthian is a cash cow … John Kline happens to be the most recent recipient … not directly, but better … indirectly.
The top contributor to John Kline (R-MN-02) Freedom and Security PAC is Corinthian College at $15,250.
Corinthian has been a “steady dependable source” for Republicans for awhile … for example, from this 2006 Washington Post story about John Boehner (R-OH) and his Freedom Project PAC :
Boehner’s PAC received $72,550 in donations from employees and lobbyists from for-profit colleges and trade schools.
The largest single source of money from the for-profits, $17,500, was given by corporate officers and senior employees of California-based Corinthian Colleges Inc., a for-profit educational firm which disclosed eight weeks ago that the Florida attorney general is investigating a Florida subsidiary.
Boehner has sponsored legislation strongly supported by private student lenders to restrict the ability of the U.S. Department of Education to make government student loans less expensive by cutting fees. Student loans constitute a multibillion-dollar market in which the nonprofit government and for-profit private lenders compete.
During the current congressional session, Boehner’s committee endorsed his legislation to allow the for-profit colleges and trade schools to gain millions of dollars in federal subsidies.
Earlier this month, the RoundTable reviewed a General Accounting Office study which included undercover tests at 15 for-profit colleges found that all 15 made deceptive or otherwise questionable statements to GAO’s undercover applicants.
Considering those fraudulent actions encouraged by for-profit colleges, the Department of Education is proposing regulations which will reinforce a ban on compensating admissions recruiters based solely on success in securing student enrollment, i.e. incentive pay. There is also a proposal which would cut federal aid to some for-profits whose graduates paid more than 8 percent of their salary to service their student-loan debt.
Mr. Kline, as the ranking Republican and potential Chairman of the Labor and Education Committee has made his views clear, writing : “Are some students borrowing too much for a college degree from which they receive too little value?
Absolutely.
Can that problem be solved with arbitrary debt-to-income ratios?
Absolutely not.”
Mr. Kline will protect his “cash cow” … but who will be slaughtered ?
Consider a recent Good Housekeeping article featuring a heartbreaking story of a 28-year-old single mother who paid $27,000, $15,000 of it borrowed, to attend a for-profit school based on promises of placement support and a booming job market, only to discover that her training was not sufficient to allow her even to register to take the test for the professional credentials she would need to get hired and the placement services were missing in action.
The education that had cost her $27,000 turned out to be worthless—but of course she still had to repay the loan.
The predatory practices to which this young lady was subjected are two of the most common and most egregious. And they represent the essence of what is wrong with far too many for-profit colleges and career schools. These schools are expensive—substantially more than most public universities and private colleges, and far more than the community colleges that, like career schools, offer certificate-focused programs. The curriculum they offer at these inflated prices all too often turns out to be worthless in the job market. And their economic model is based on luring students into exhausting their federal student aid and running up debt—debt that, because the training is so often worthless in terms of finding a good job, they cannot repay.
Statistics from the College Board and the Department of Education statistics show, for example, that more than half of all for-profit students leave school with more than $30,000 in debt (compared to 12% of four-year college students) and more than one in five federal student-loan borrowers default within three years of leaving school and beginning repayment. If the syndrome sounds familiar—companies fattening up their bottom lines by leading low-income families and individuals into borrowing money they cannot repay to buy goods and services that turn out to be, at best, vastly overpriced—it should. Because it replicates the course of conduct that led us into the financial crisis that began in 2007 and persists today.
It was bad enough that, when housing prices stopped increasing and loans came due, the already-fragile economic security of millions of families was destroyed. And then it got worse. The widespread defaults on ill-advised loans destroyed not only the people who had borrowed the money, but the financial institutions that had loaned it. And those institutional defaults spread throughout the economy.
Do these gloomy portents seem overstated? The amount of money being consumed by proprietary schools is skyrocketing. “Federal aid for students at these schools has exploded in the last few years,” NPR reports, and now stands at about $27 billion. “And even though only 7 percent of all college students attend for-profit schools, they represent almost half of the students who default on their loans.” And default rates among students of for-profit schools have almost doubled in the last decade, according to the independent education policy think tank Education Sector, “growing from 11 percent to 21.2 percent.”
Yep, it’s a Cash Cow …. And by giving the money to Mr. Kline’s PAC means that he can direct “finance investments to other areas” … which he has done … such as “contributions” to Demmer for Congress and Paulsen for Congress. Investing the Cash Cows monies now, will ensure the votes of Randy Demmer (Congressional candidate for Minnesota’s First District) and Erik Paulsen (R-MN-03) if their campaigns are successful this November.
Now, if you accept that the nickname is “Cash Cow”, the obvious question is : “What’s the sport ?”
The answer : Golf.
Not only is golf, John Boehner’s prime sport, but Mr. Kline’s PAC has expended $12,389 at the Kiawah Island Golf Resort in Charleston, South Carolina. Yes, $12,389 is a mere pittance compared to Mr. Boehner’s whose Freedom Project PAC spent at least $82,998 on golf outings in 2009 as Mr. Boehner headlined 119 events.
Golfers, mark your calendar for Monday, August 30th when Mr. Boehner takes his “tour” to Minnesota that is being promoted as a benefit for Randy Demmer (but maybe should be a down-payment from Corinthian for future votes).
Hopefully, between swings, some media member will be able to ask : If the taxpayer should be stuck with 100 percent of the unpaid principal on defaulted loans ?
Erik Paulsen (R-MN-03) has done something that his predecessor, Jim Ramstad, never did … in fact, he did something that no Minnesotan in the House of Representatives has ever done … he “won” a Best of Congress Award from Working Mother Media and Corporate Voices for Working Families.
I am honored to receive this award for supporting working families,” said Rep. Paulsen. “While much of my work in Congress has been devoted to growing jobs and the economy, those legislative goals serve as a means to larger, more important goal: helping build strong families. Strong families are the best social program we have in America, and I’m happy to have support from groups like Working Mother Media and Corporate Voices for Working Families that are also working towards that goal.”
Wow ! Is this a Big Deal or what ?
Hmmm …. That’s a fair question … is this a “big deal” ?
Many times congressional awards are given out willy-nilly … and sometimes they seem to be slanted toward one issue … but in this case, the award has given to members from both political parties (8 Republicans and 22 Democrats) and not everyone got one. That would suggest some degree of grading … after all, the award was given to only 30 out of 535 members of Congress. So how was this whittled down to the final 30 …
Fifty-seven members of Congress submitted applications for this award, which is held every two years. Applicants were judged on their voting record, sponsored/co-sponsored legislation, and efforts to promote legislation that supports working families. In addition, applicants were asked to submit policies and practices within their own offices that support working families and flexible workplace options.
Whoa … so this is not 30 out of 535, but instead 30 out of 57. Gosh, it might be more interesting to know who the 27 “losers” were than the 30 winners.
AND, the member had to apply for consideration … this is sounding more and more like a “Look at me Mom, I am winner” participation award than a real assessment of who are the best advocates for working families.
The judges do not state the criteria for the award but there was this statement :
“Not only did we judge the esteemed members on their voting records for supporting working families, we also examined the benefits that their own employees receive like paid leave and flextime,” Carol Evans, CEO, Working Mother Media, said. “There are no rules about flextime or paid leave for Congressional staff. They are stepping up voluntarily because they believe in progressive policies and act on their beliefs in the real world managing their staff.”
OK, so there’s something we can look at … flextime or paid leave for Congressional staff. There actually was a bill that would provide a gauge … HR 626 – The Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of 2009 provides four weeks of paid parental leave to federal employees for the birth or adoption of a child. The legislation’s chief sponsor was Carolyn Maloney (D-NY-14) and she is a two-time winner of this Best of Congress Award. So how did Mr. Paulsen vote … AGAINST … wait a second, the award was to be based on just this type of “family friendly” legislation … and Mr. Paulsen voted against it yet still gets an award ?
Yep, it’s a “Look at me Mom, I am winner because I submitted an application” award.
Looking at some other votes that could improve working families’ lives is not that flattering for Mr. Paulsen.
For example, HR 4247 the Keeping All Students Safe Act which Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA-05) was a prime proponent … which no doubt helped her win this Best of Congress Award. Listen to the words of Mrs. McMorris Rodgers:
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 4247, the Keeping All Children Safe Act, and I urge my colleagues to support it as well.
When is it appropriate to lock up or tie up a child, or handcuff a child to a desk? Common sense tells us these extreme measures should not ever be used against children with autism or Down syndrome or other learning disabilities. Yet the truth is there are thousands of incidents reported involving the inappropriate use of seclusion and restraint. Reports by the National Disability Rights Network, GAO, and others reveal that our children are at risk for serious injury and even death in the school setting.
The bill we are considering today outlines minimum standards that must be included in guidelines issued by the Department of Education. States then have the flexibility to determine how best to proceed. For the 10 States that already have comprehensive policies, all they need to do is show what they have already done. For the other States, the law will put in motion a review of current practices and a chance to put in place adequate guidelines. I would like to emphasize that these are guidelines. These are standards, like parents should be notified, that seclusion and restraints should only be used as a last resort, that training needs to be given to staff. I believe more often than not staff don’t even know how to respond. And I would also like to emphasize that there is no private cause of action. This bill is not opening up all these lawsuits.
There are some that believe this is an unprecedented expansion of Federal authority, but I disagree. The Federal Government is involved in the schools. The Federal Government is the one that mandated that every child should have access to an education, including those with special needs. When we enacted the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, we committed to ensuring that children with special needs have access to a free, appropriate public education. This bill ensures those children, as well as all students, are safe.
Despite Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers plea, Mr. Paulsen voted against this legislation.
Or how about HR 11 / S 181, the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 which makes one wonder how Mr. Paulsen will explain his vote AGAINST fair pay to Cassie, Briana, Tayler, and Liesl Paulsen … heck, their only kids, but someday his daughters will be in the workplace and one would think he would want them treated fairly.
Oh, there are so many more … HR 1106 Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009, HR 1728 Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act of 2009, HR 3221 Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009, HR 4173 Wall Street Accountability and Consumer Protection Act … and of course, HR 3962 the Affordable Health Care of America Act of 2009.
NO, I think that Mr. Paulsen has voted more times against “family-friendly” legislation that this award is truly a sham.
While Mr. Paulsen may flaunt his “Look-At-Me” award, voters in Minnesota’s Third District should review his challenger this November. Jim Meffert bio shows a real commitment to “family” … and to a “family-friendly” workplace. Considering his involvement with Minnesota P-20 Education Partnership, Alliance for Student Achievement, Growth and Justice Foundation Smart investments in Public Education Steering Committee, Future Leader by the American Society of Association Executives, Health Care Access Commission Cost Containment/Medical Home Working Group, and past President Minnesota State PTA board … that’s commitment to “family values”.
Voters need to ask candidate Meffert how he would have voted on these pieces of legislation that Mr. Paulsen voted AGAINST … then they will know who will really provide leadership, advocacy and support of best-practice family-friendly workforce policies.
“It was a one-time investment, we were told – they would not be back for more.
Yet here we stand, and they’re back for more.”
“Finally, spending another $10 billion we do not have is not good for our children and grandchildren. This bill is not ‘paid for.’
“I oppose this legislation. I encourage my colleagues to vote against this rule and against the underlying legislation. I give this whole effort an ‘F.’ ”
These could be the words of offered by a Congressman in opposition to a war spending supplemental bill … but they are not.
During the previous discussion of this legislation, John Kline, R-MN-02, asked, “Are we really looking at not paying” troops who are fighting the wars?”
Ironically, those words are coming from the same man – John Kline — except now the legislation has been split. Mr. Kline favored the war supplemental …. but opposed $10 billion in aid to states and school districts to avert educator layoffs and hire new staff members. The original bill had grouped education funding and war supplemental in one; now they have been approved separately.
Why is that John Kline never protests the ballooning bureaucracy at the Pentagon and questionable acquisition policies … the result is money and patronage … did you know, the number of active-duty generals and admirals of all rank has increased by about 13 percent since 1996 … that’s not the troops on the front line … that’s bureaucracy run amuck. Mr. Kline is supportive of earmarks that add programs that defense contractors want but have been opposed by the Pentagon.
With his years in the military, Mr. Kline should be able to identify military programs that can be cut, or at least minimized … yet he is silent.
Not so on Education … and those teachers that operate on those front lines.
“I know my schools, I know their challenges, and I understand the difficult budget decisions our governors, superintendents, and school boards are being forced to make.
And I know a federal bailout is not the answer.
Spending another $10 billion we do not have will not balance state budgets or bolster our economy. Because of major increases in the number of school personnel in recent years, states are operating education budgets they cannot afford. At best, inflating state education spending for another year will kick the can down the road – merely postponing the tough decisions and allowing states to overextend themselves for another year.”
Hmmm … bloated budgets and increases in school personnel …. Well, Mr. Kline “knows” Minnesota, so Roundtable participants can comment on their own school district … mine has seen cuts (in operating expenses and teachers while teacher’s benefits have been cut.) But listen to Jim Foster, a spokesman for the South Carolina education department, whose districts had eliminated about 4,000 jobs over the past two years, mostly classroom teaching positions : “Those positions are gone. We anticipate that districts may be forced to eliminate several thousand additional positions in next year’s budget, and these dollars may help districts stave off some of those cuts.”
Despite the objections of Mr. Kline [along with Erik Paulsen (R-MN-05) and Michele Bachmann (R-MN-06)], this legislation was signed by President Barack Obama with the objective of keeping more than 160,000 teachers on America’s Education front lines.
Minnesota will receive $167 million for education (plus $263 million in additional funding for health care provided by Medicaid.) The extension of the federal matching rate for Medicaid is paid for, or offset, by reductions in other spending to that it will not increase the federal deficit.
A major aspect of this funding is that the monies will avert the short-term borrowing that Minnesota was facing due to its cash flow problems.
Mr. Kline’s committee, the House Committee on Education and Labor, estimates that the $167 million would be used to fund approximately 2,800 teacher positions.
By keeping teachers employed, it will not only keep focus on educating the students, but those teachers will be spending monies in our local communities as opposed to collecting unemployment checks … helping Minnesota’s economy … and paying their share of income taxes.
Despite what Mr. Kline states that “This bill is not ‘paid for’“, there were tough choices that had to be made. Budgets faced rescissions … small cuts, such as $50 million from the Millennium Challenge … and large cuts, nearly $12 billion cut to the food stamp program … and Education funding took a hard hit … including a $10.7 million cut to Ready to Teach, which finances telecommunications-based professional-development programs for educators and educational videos; an $82 million cut to student financial-aid administration; and a $50 million cut to Striving Readers, which underwrites adolescent-literacy programs.
These are the hard choices that Mr. Kline should be making in the Defense Budget. We do not have to impact the soldiers operating on the front lines … but there are bloated bureaucracy and procurement opportunities that need to be addressed.
Mr. Kline may offer a strong vocal dissent … yet that’s not what we need … saying “NO” does not solve problems. On the day that Mr. Kline expressed his views, voters in the Second District went to the polls to select a challenger for the general election. Shelley Madore will bring the “front line” experience from her work in the educational field and work in Minnesota’s legislature.
Shelley Madore is educating the voters on John Kline’s track record … writing :
Myth : John Kline protects our Federal tax dollars. Mr. Kline promotes what he calls a “no pork” ideology, which might be perceived as protecting our tax dollars from being wasted. In reality, he has refused to request Federal tax dollars for important community projects, even when asked by our trusted county, city and school leaders. The result: For every Federal tax dollar paid in our Congressional District, only 35 cents is spent here! At the same time, Kline voted FOR the bill that included the infamous “Bridge to Nowhere” in Alaska, among many other bills that included earmarks for other states. States vary widely in the amount of Federal tax dollars they receive, from 61 cents to $2.03 for every dollar paid. John Kline brings us only 35 cents. Fact: John Kline helps transfer your tax dollars to other states while ignoring our own communities’ needs.
As a longtime community advocate and former state representative, I fully understand our communities’ needs and how our Federal tax dollars can best be spent to meet them. We need a more efficient transportation system to help attract large businesses to our community and allow trucks and commuters to waste less time sitting in gridlocked traffic. Our state and community colleges need funding to help keep tuition affordable and to properly educate our children and displaced workers for living-wage jobs. And we need a Congressperson who will bring back the money needed to ensure the safety of our roads and bridges.
It seems clear that Shelley Madore will fight for those on the front lines … intelligently and prudently.
Brothers of the Sigma Lambda Beta, Minnesota chapter, stepped for the crowd at the 2010 Dakota County Fair. It was awesome! The recently created step team showcased multicultural influence in their dance. The video clip below shows Cambodian influence and then regular stepping. Besides what is shown in the clip, group members strolled, showed Pakistani and Lebanese moves, and rallied the crowd.
Stepping then, and now:
In the 1950′s, South African black miners weren’t allowed to talk and so they communicated using other means. Now, African American fraternities across the United States have modified stepping and use it competitively while they call attention to freedom of speech and unity issues.
The Brothers of the University of Minnesota Sigma Lambda Beta have established a scholarship fund for incoming students who are hampered by a lack of means. If you care to donate, please contact them here or here. Elabbady is now the acting president.
Brothers of the Sigma Lambda Beta at the 2010 Dakota County Fair: Partially sponsored by the Senate District 36 DFL and arranged for by Kevin Roberson. This video was taken with my Droid, and then shared via a YouTube application. Ha! Easy or what.
Update: August 18, 2010, 7:15 pm. Be sure to read this: SLB is mostly a Latino frat, and stepping has ties that go way back to the early Aparteid years and may be connected with military aspects (rather than just the 1950′s and miners). Thanks!
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