Enough

Our State Legislature is composed of these sociopathic personalities. It is hard to remember this was the state of Humphrey, Mondale and Wellstone. This is the stuff destruction is made of. We have a decent Democratic Governor (why, Minnesota did you vote him in and then give him this to work with?), but he can't accomplish anything. All he can do is veto and hope there aren't enough turncoat Dems to join them in an overturn. They have cut funds for Meals on Wheels, healthcare for the poor, nursing home funding, more and more. 

For those who don't know, we had the Presidential hopeful, Tim Pawlenty, as Governor for eight years, The worst eight years of our history. He left us with a 6.2 billion deficit, the great fiscal conservative that he is. And let us not forget, we have the pleasure of hosting Michelle Bachman. My head spins. It really does.

Ernie Leidiger (34A) - Email Newsletter

From the Capitol Legislative Update, April 1, 2011

Balancing the Budget and Putting Priorities First

This week Republican colleagues and I released our plan for a balanced budget that slows the growth of state spending and reforms government for the future.  Our budget solution is fiscally responsible, provides tax relief and realigns state spending to reality.  Unlike the tax and spend Governor, we know it’s time to leave the status quo behind and take real steps towards a stronger future.  Read on for details of the first of our budget bills passed out of the House to balance the budget and improve Minnesota’s economy.

Taxes

Our tax bill passed a series of tax reductions aimed at putting more money in the pockets of middle-class Minnesotans and helping the people of this state drive us forward to economic recovery.  Our proposal reduces the lower income tax rate from 5.35% to 5.25% in TY2012; from 5.25% to 5.15% in TY2013; and 5.15% to 4.75% in TY2014.  The bill also includes business tax relief designed to improve the state’s economic climate, most notably an upfront capital equipment sales tax exemption to provide businesses more capital for expansion and new jobs.

As the latest budget forecast showed, when families and job creators have more money to put into the economy, state revenue improves without raising taxes and our economic outlook strengthens.  As budget negotiations continue, my colleagues and I will continue to stand up for the taxpayers of Minnesota and the economic opportunity that will help us lead the recovery.

Education

Our Higher Education Finance Bill focuses on students by fully funding programs that help them pay for college – the state grant program – and making no reductions to the work study program. It also creates tuition controls to protect students from unreasonable tuition increases and sets performance benchmarks for the U of M and MnSCU.

In the midst of a challenging budget situation, the funding levels for the U of M and MnSCU are rolled back to late 1990s levels. Total reductions are 14.1% or $411.063 million as compared to the Governor who reduced the Higher Education budget by $170.908 million.  By focusing on students, promoting reform and driving accountability our goal is to maximize the effectiveness of human and financial resources.  

 The House GOP’s K-12 education bill proposes many reforms, including ending wasteful integration aid, sunsetting ineffective compensatory programs, providing scholarships for families to send their children to early childhood educational programs and enable parents to choose the best place for their children, enhanced accountability measures and school grading, expanded family choice in education, and mandate relief.

When it comes to funding, our legislation increases the state’s commitment to K-12 education 3.2% compared to the previous biennium.  We’re working to protect public schools, and our legislative committees are working to direct money into the classroom and towards programs that help our schools and students achieve the best results.

---

Last fall, the people told us they wanted smaller government, less spending and better service.  Innovation and reform is how we put Minnesota on track for fiscal sustainability and economic strength. Stay tuned as in the next weeks I’ll send out updates on our omnibus legislation as they move through the House.

Throughout the session I will keep constituents updated with these columns and regular email updates, which you can sign up for at www.house.mn/34a.  Constituents are also welcome to stop by my office or call anytime with questions, comments and concerns.  I look forward to hearing from you and making sure your voice is heard in the legislature.

Sincerely,

Ernie

My reply:

Representative Leidiger,

I don't know where to start. Let me say, up front, that I am one of the people and I never voted for any of this. Let me also say, this is sociopathic behavior destined to destroy our social fabric.

You will not listen because you are either a person with a personality disorder or you are in the pocket of the monied powers. It really does not matter, because either reason is beyond redemption.

I am an older person. I remember a much different Minnesota. A vibrant Minnesota. A Minnesota that had excellent education, high paying jobs and a very strong social safety net. I was actually a recipient of that net in my youth.

We had great schools, good roads, wonderful arts and a helping hand to those in need second to none. Our higher education opportunities were the envy of the country. All of this made up for the terrible weather. Business flourished. And, we had one of the highest income tax rates in the nation. Somehow, it did not matter, we had jobs and self-respect.

Thirty years of this mental illness in the US has finally led to this. I really can't imagine how this is better. My property taxes are very high. If this continues, I will not have a home. My health insurance premiums are reaching a point where we eventually won't have any. We have private insurance. If we got sick enough, our deductible is so high that it would bankrupt us. The privileged are spared, while the rest of us slowly witness our own demise.

And no one creates a job. A job happens because there is a demand for something. The demand becomes great enough that the provider of the product needs increased help. Tax cuts will never create one job. Spending cuts will only create further misery, but never a job. 

I hope you are not one of the usual conservatives who proclaim yourself to be a Good Christian. I would hope you are not so cynical as that. I think if the question, "What would Christ do?" were answered by Christ, it would be wholly different from what you and your brethren propose.


SJN