2014 Election Observations

The day after election day, the sun rose in the sky, as it always does. I didn't see it, as it was overcast and rainy in my area.

As I watched the election returns from around the country, I thought about citizens from around the world who live in countries which have never seen a peaceful transfer of power. While our nation's elections certainly can't be described as “peaceful,” at least our nation's usual transfers of power have not been accompanied by gunfire and deaths.

As with most elections, I like to say “I voted for a bunch of losers... Some of which won.”

I guess it's my way of saying that no candidate is perfect. I'm not perfect. My friends and family aren't perfect. In fact, the only ones I know who are “perfect” are the “church ladies,” if only in their own minds. And, I love them for it.

For me, this year's election results were mixed. I was very pleased that most of Minnesota's voters didn't punish our state's success by voting out the Democrats responsible for it. Unfortunately, some in Minnesota, and many in other states weren't so enlightened.

I was very pleased that all of Minnesota's top officers were reelected, despite the fact that Governor Mark Dayton had pushed through “a record $2.1 billion tax hike," at a time when seemingly all Republicans were calling for more tax cuts (for the wealthy) to get our economy moving. Oh, I forgot, Governor Dayton's tax hikes were targeted toward the wealthy. The top 1% of earners will pay most of the new taxes, the middle class was left unscathed. While Republicans like to call such hikes “punishing success,” Governor Dayton didn't see it that way.

During this election cycle, I did hear one or two Republicans repeat the phrase they've used for as long as I can remember "He raised our taxes." The fact is, most Minnesotans did not see a tax hike. The very wealthy did. And, the wealthy are still doing just fine.

Governor Dayton's predecessor, Tim Pawlenty, had carefully groomed himself for a Presidential bid. He cut taxes (for the wealthy). He cut spending on damn near everything, including Minnesota's schools (although the cuts were sometimes called “slowing the rate of growth” of spending). Every year was full of drama, as Governor Pawlenty cut spending (and programs) to balance the budget, rather than raising taxes. Sometimes, “creative accounting” methods had to be used. These included delaying payments, and “borrowing” (stealing) funds designated for schools.

In contrast, Governor Dayton promptly “spent” the money raised by the new taxes. Some was used to balance the state's budget, without the need to cut valuable programs (and without the drama of previous years). The rest was used to repay the money “borrowed” (stolen) from the state's school districts, and to invest in Minnesota's future. In addition to investing in some public-private development projects, Minnesota invested in K-12 education, including state funded all-day kindergarten. The state also invested in higher education, to help ensure Minnesota's future success.

By contrast, Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin took the opposite tact. Like former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, Governor Walker aspires to be President. He has chosen to cut state programs, rather than even considering raising taxes. He added another nail to the coffin for Wisconsin's middle class by abolishing Civil Service collective bargaining rights for most of Wisconsin's (middle class) public employees. He cut state funding for K-12 education by more than 15% . While Minnesota embraced “Obamacare,” and expanded its Medicaid coverage, Governor Walker rejected both ideas. Minnesota had some of the lowest premiums in the nation for insurance policies purchased on its state exchange, Wisconsin's premiums were much higher.

Minnesota's already low uninsured rate improved under Governor Dayton, and Minnesota is, once again, investing in its future.

Wisconsin's economic growth has lagged Minnesota's economic growth.

While two, four, or even ten years, may not be enough time to properly evaluate the long term consequences of the “invest” versus the “cut” strategies of Minnesota and Wisconsin (or the strategies of our nation's other states), I like Minnesota's prospects much more than I do those of Wisconsin.

Minnesota and Wisconsin have elected two very different Governors. I know that a policy of cuts, as championed by former Presidential hopeful, Governor Tim Pawlenty, was not beneficial for Minnesota. But, perhaps, Governor Walker can make it work in Wisconsin.

I doubt it. But, it is an interesting experiment to test an unproven economic theory. And, no matter what the outcome, I'm confident Governor Walker will declare it to be a success during his Presidential campaign.

I prefer to see my state, and our nation, move forward.

Successful businesses are constantly investing in their futures. Businesses which are constantly “cutting” may see some temporary “success,” but typically they're in a fatal downward spiral.

I believe that the same holds true for our states, and our nation. Minnesota is growing. Wisconsin's downward spiral has yet to be stemmed.

Time will tell.

Cell Phones, Traffic Deaths, and Politics

I note that under a "Freedom of Information Act" request, the New York Times forced the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to release a copy of a 2003 report on cell phones and "Distracted Driving."

Supposedly, it was Congress (this time) which "ordered" that the report be withheld, not the science hating Bush Administration. I'd like to see some names. Who was involved, and was their "debt" to the cell phone industry so great that they "pushed" the NHTSA to suppress the scientific evidence?

Were the same forces at work over at the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in their examination of the facts and their conclusions regarding the collapse of the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis? Was the lack of a public hearing to examine the facts done to avoid embarrassing Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, a Republican "star?" After all he vetoed money for road maintenance in Minnesota.

All politicians seem to lack a certain amount of candor and honesty. Republicans just seem to have taken dishonesty to entirely new levels.

I find it entirely plausible that Republicans might have "ordered" the suppression of research which might have "damaged" the cell phone industry while saving lives. Republicans have a long history of supporting big business at the expense of ordinary citizens.

I hope that news organizations continue to research the issue. The people who "ordered" the suppression of potentially life saving research to support the cell phone lobby should be named and asked to account for their actions.

And, now that the secret's out, how about publishing a clean copy of the report on the NHTSA web site, and formally submit it to Congress for review?

Norm Coleman - Getting It Done

In the days following the I-35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis, politicians of all stripes came forward, vowing to rebuild. Then, unlike what happened in New Orleans (remember, they were poor and unworthy of Republican support), they proceeded to do so. Money was appropriated. Money was spent. The new bridge nears completion.

This morning, we're treated to another message from Norm's "bowling buddy" spokesperson who claims that Norm's "leadership" provided the money to rebuild the I-35W bridge.

To be fair, Norm Coleman, and the Republicans, did help in securing bridge replacement funds. But, "leadership" from Norm? I think not. As a country, we have always come together after a crisis or a natural disaster (New Orleans being a major exception). Securing the money to rebuild was assured from the start.

Besides, the I-35W collapse happened on the watch of a Republican governor known for vetoing transportation bills, along with others necessary for infrastructure maintenance and repair. They had to support Tim Pawlenty (unlike what happened with a Democrat as governor in Louisiana).

As long as Norm wants to take responsibility for funding the I-35W bridge replacement, perhaps he's willing to take responsibility for the country's infrastructure decline while he's been in office.

Norm has voted to spend billions of dollars in his support for Iraq (which now has a huge budget surplus). Meanwhile, in our country, governmental agencies and programs suffer from inadequate funding.

Norm, and his fellow Republicans, have their priorities wrong. They'd rather run up huge debts funding a senseless war, while allowing our country's assets to deteriorate to the point of collapse.

Norm, when will you start to take responsibility for the failures of the Republican "trickle down" economic policies and quit rushing to take credit for the work of others?

Here We Go Again....

Republicans are nothing if not unlucky.

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty appointed his Lieutenant Governor, Carol Molneau, to lead the state's Department of Transportation. Under the Pawlenty "leadership" needed road maintenance and repairs were ignored. When consultants hired by the DOT suggested that money be spent on repairs and maintenance, they were directed to come back with "less costly" options.

After all, Tim Pawlenty had made a pledge to the wealthy taxpayer's lobby, promising to hold down taxes. The citizen's of Minnesota be damned. Protecting the wealthy was more important.

Then, a little over a year ago, the 35W bridge in Minneapolis collapsed into the Mississippi river. Many were injured and about a dozen killed. What unfortunate "luck."

While never stated publicly, the Republicans are "good businessmen." Such losses, while "regrettable" in a public sense, are "acceptable" as long as good Republican principles are maintained.

Now, on the eve of the Republican National Convention, a tropical storm - predicted to become a category 3 hurricane - is heading toward the gulf coast.

If the storm causes damage in New Orleans while the Republicans celebrate in St. Paul, Americans can't help to be reminded of the incompetent "leadership" the Republicans have offered over the last 8 years

That's something that even the Karl Rove attack machine will have a hard time spinning.

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.

Norm Coleman, Apply Directly to the Forehead...

Every time I see Norm Coleman's commercial - You know the one: "He brought hockey back... He brought hockey back..." - it reminds me of the infamous "Head On, Apply directly to the forehead... Head On, Apply directly to the forehead..." commercial.

That product was shown to be little more than a placebo. Unfortunately, Norm Coleman is much more dangerous.

For some reason, Senator Coleman won't talk about his current record of strong support for George W. Bush, and the dirty politics of Karl Rove. Instead, he wants to talk about his record as mayor of St. Paul.

Norm apparently wants people to believe that he was responsible for professional hockey's return to Minnesota. I suppose that's news to all the fine people who worked on the project. But, it's not unusual for a politician, especially one like Norm, to take credit for the work of others.

One thing Norm did deliver, however, was the necessary "corporate welfare" to build the Xcel Center. Yes, it was Norm who saddled the long suffering citizens of St. Paul with the debt to pay for the Xcel Center. They continue to make payments on this debt.

Way to go, Norm!

I'm surprised that he hasn't brought up one of his "major accomplishments" as Mayor of St. Paul. He successfully moved the street maintenance budget out of the "general fund" and replaced it with an annual property assessment. The net result was that the city could collect the ever increasing costs of street maintenance from the tax payers of St. Paul. And, Norm could continue to claim that he "held the line" on taxes. No new Taxes!

Way to go, Norm!

Norm, you lead the way for Governor Tim Pawlenty to use the same tricks. Raise fees, not taxes. Continue to raise fees, all the while preaching "No new taxes."

I'd give just about anything to meet an honest politician today, especially a Republican. But, I fear that they've all been lying for so long that they now believe it's the truth because they've heard it so often.

Sad. Very Sad.

Minnesota deserves better.