It’s What He Says It Is
By Mitch Berg
In America, we have a veto to protect the minority from the depredations of the majority. It’s part of our system here in Minnesota; it has been since we became a state.
The whole point is to prevent majorities, even prohibitive majorities, from running roughshod over the minority.
Cut to Keith Langseth, who entered the Legislature the same year Jimmy Carter came to the White House, knows better. As Govenror Pawlenty ended the session without caving in to the Dems’ control of both houses of the Legislature, Langseth groused…:
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” said Sen. Keith Langseth, DFL-Glyndon, who has served in the Legislature since 1974.
Langseth expressed exasperation with Pawlenty and his refusal to give in on the budget. “I’ve served with six governors, and five of them know what democracy is about,” Langseth said. “You compromise.” DFLers hold strong majorities in the House and Senate.
Yes, “you” do compromise.
If “you” are the DFL, “you” always means “the GOP”.
May 17th, 2010 at 9:09 am
I bet he feels a warm tingle up his leg when he reads Lori SturDFLevant’s pining for the days of the Minnesota Miracle.
May 17th, 2010 at 9:30 am
“I’ve served with six governors”. That pretty much nails the problem down, doesn’t if?
May 17th, 2010 at 10:59 am
I don’t think Langseth is lameting the legitimacy of the Gov’s right to veto. I think he was lamenting Pawlenty’s obtuse stubborness.
May 17th, 2010 at 11:40 am
Obtuse? I prefer to think of Pawlenty’s stubborness as being astute and fun-loving.
May 17th, 2010 at 11:45 am
“obtuse stubborness” = a spine. Thank you, Governor Pawlenty.
May 17th, 2010 at 11:50 am
Yes, you should compromise like Bush 41 did on the 1991 tax hikes. So, how’d that work out for him?
May 17th, 2010 at 12:10 pm
I don’t think Langseth is lameting the legitimacy of the Gov’s right to veto. I think he was lamenting Pawlenty’s obtuse stubborness.
No, he’s just lamenting that the DFL is a few votes shy of having the ability to override his veto. They’re all about power, AB and if they had the ability to turn T-Paw into a speed bump instead of a roadblock. Meanwhile, what Kermit said about serving with six governors.
May 17th, 2010 at 12:30 pm
Take a look on Pogy’s mug, I’ve tentatively entitled it:
The Return of the Sh*t Taco!
http://www.minnpost.com/stories/2010/05/17/18223/after_two_all-nighters_legislators_wrap_up_brief_special_session_approving_compromise_budget_action
How sweet is that?
May 17th, 2010 at 12:31 pm
Shorter ayebee: “We got our asses kicked….again”
Get used to it, ayebee….we’re just getting warmed up, baby.
May 17th, 2010 at 12:33 pm
“So, how’d that work out for him?”
Didn’t you post that exact comment last week? I think you’re reusing your stock responses.
May 17th, 2010 at 1:33 pm
I think you’re reusing your stock responses
To be fair, Republicans should at least start every conversation on tax hikes with a stock response…
(DFLer: “Let’s raise taxes!”
GOPer: “Over my dead body”.
DFLer: “You always say that”
GOPer: “Yup”)
…and ideally finish with the same.
May 17th, 2010 at 1:52 pm
How sweet is that?
Pogey and Big MAK make such a cute couple.
May 17th, 2010 at 5:49 pm
Pogey’s going out with Rosie?