Joe Doakes from Como Park emails:
Republicans take Minnesota House, Democrats retain Governorship, fundamental disagreement over amount and direction of spending. Another state government shut-down coming this Summer?
Republicans should start battle-space preparation in the media today. They can start by finding the list of all the “essential” services from the last shut-down, re-frame the debate by declaring all other spending has been judicially determined to be non-essential, and set the tone of the debate by demanding the Governor join them in refusing to waste taxpayer’s hard-earned money on “frivolous” spending. Every time he wants to justify the spending, claim he’s trying to overthrow the rightful powers of the judicial branch, which is Un-American.
Set up dozens of websites aimed at DFL legislators in purple districts: “Sen. Johnson’s Follies” to list all the stupid spending he voted for, with a big flashing total in alarming red letters saying “He wasted more money in three months than you’ll make in your LIFETIME. Tell him to STOP. Call him at this number.” Purely for educational purposes, of course, to inform the voters of his record.
And find somebody to start a series of Internet ads and bus shelter posters attacking Robber Barons Buying Minnesota Elections. Why should the Koch brothers be the only boogymen? Why not the Rockefellers?
And find somebody to start a Twitter hashtag proclaiming Extortion Elected Klobachar, to raise public awareness that unions are the biggest donors in Minnesota elections by far.
To run it, we need somebody really smart and also a little crazy. I’m thinking John Gilmore.
Joe Doakes
The possibilities abound.
Will the GOP – or, more importantly, Minnesota business – bite?
There is so much right about this.
Now we have a good test/comparison between lefty Minnesota and, well, Wisconsin is still kind of lefty, but hae chosen moderate-right leadership.
By 2018, we’ll have 8 years of mostly Democrat rule in Minnesota, and 8 years of center-right rule in Wisconsin. That should be enough times to see what the results are. If I were a businessman, I would have been leary to expand in Wisconsin over the past 4 years. Too much uncertainy. Now I would feel comfortable that Wisconsin isn’t going to flip to being anti-business in the near future.
If I were a businessman, I would have been leery to expand in Wisconsin over the past 4 years. Too much uncertainty. Now I would feel comfortable that Wisconsin isn’t going to flip to being anti-business in the near future.
Excellent point, Chuck. No matter what Walker does in the next cycle, he has his people in key positions in Wisconsin and businesses see stability and favorable policies.
I don’t think you need favorable policies towards businesses to convince them to move or expand in Wisconsin. You just need to have an environment that isn’t blatantly anti-business. Unfortunately, Minnesota is heading the wrong direction.
Joe I will like to see the following. On the first day of the new legislative session the Republicans mandate the Health Department take all responsibility for enter MNsure policies and to refund the counties all the money they have spent.
When the democrats complain this will cost millions reply with three quick questions.
One, so it was okay after you championed relieving the cities and counties of financial burdens that you don’t want to relieve them of this financial burden.
Two, okay if costs money how much?
And three, okay what spending programs will the Senate cut by the answer to question two to pay for it?
Walter Hanson
Minneapolis, MN