Norm Coleman - In Bed with the Oil Companies?

We've been saying for some time that Norm Coleman, like the rest of the Republican Party, is in bed with the oil companies.

A new report indicates that for regulators with the Minerals Management Service, being in bed with the industry seems to have been literally true.

Now, we know Norm Coleman has accepted "gifts" from powerful special interest groups (the ones identified in official reports reflect much special interest paid travel). Do we need to ask Norm for a more detailed report on his involvement with special interests? I doubt we'd get one.

For those who believe that the Republicans have been screwing American taxpayers - or more specifically those American taxpayers of modest means - for years, the report seems to offer yet another example.

What - exactly - have Republicans received in exchange for their tax breaks to Big Oil and other special interests?

We know what the average citizen got - higher costs, higher unemployment, broken pension promises, giveaways to one favored industry after another, poor industry oversight (resulting in the loss of billions of dollars), and a failed economy.

Yet, Norm continues to run on a "more of the same" platform.

Norm, we deserve better.

Pawlenty Bridges Falling Down!

Talk about Governor Tim Pawlenty's dumb "luck."

News out of the Twin Cities this evening is that I-35E in St Paul had to be shut down in both directions after a four foot chunk of concrete fell off the Maryland Avenue bridge and struck a car. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries.

The bridge is to be inspected before it, and I-35E, is reopened.

It's been almost a year since the I-35W bridge over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis collapsed. The rewritten children's song of that day comes to mind again:

Pawlenty bridges Falling Down,

Falling Down, Falling Down.

Pawlenty bridges Falling Down.

No New Taxes!

For years, our politician's have spent lavishly on their pet projects and assorted corporate welfare (St. Paul is still paying for the Xcel Center; Hennepin County has just started paying for the new Twins Stadium), while ignoring our crumbling infrastructure.

Tim Pawlenty didn't invent infrastructure neglect. But, he deserves our scorn, as he signed a "No New Taxes" pledge for a wealthy lobbyist group. And, he appointed his Lieutenant Governor to oversee the Department of Transportation - a clear conflict of interest.

It's hard to advocate for necessary maintenance funds when you're catering to a special interest group which appears to oppose all government spending. The Pawlenty administration clearly appears to be less concerned about a crumbling infrastructure than they are about breaking a pledge to their wealthy benefactors.

Fortunately, today's "incident" doesn't sound too serious. Only one car damaged. Nobody was killed. If it had happened during rush hour, as the I-35W bridge collapse did, the story might have been completely different.

As we approach the Republican National Convention in September, Governor Pawlenty had better pray that there are no more infrastructure failure issues to further damage his image.

And, voters everywhere should think hard about how political indifference, in general, and the Republican brand of "Trickle Down Economics," specifically, has damaged this country.

McCain Campaign Stop

John McCain came to visit the state of Minnesota on Thursday, July 10. He spent about an hour at a meet and greet with the Republican telephone call center team, before retreating to his hotel to rest.

On Friday morning, he crossed the border into western Wisconsin to hold one of his town meetings - this one for women only - in Hudson. The attendees included, God bless them, some of the local crowned Princesses (without a parade in site). As is typical Republican fashion, it was an invitation only event.

Senator McCain did not look to be comfortable in front of the crowd. He looked old and tired. Could it be that the campaign has already aged him?

I like John McCain. I think I'd be honored to have him as a father, a grandfather, or a great grandfather. I can imagine sitting with him for hours, trading stories, talking politics, and perhaps gaining a new perspective on historical events.

While I have much respect for the man, and more than a few policy disagreements, I can't see him as President.

His time has passed.

He's too old.