Outstate Politics - Latest Comments

Re: Weekly Address: Congress Must Compromise to Stop the Impact of the Sequester

Eric Austin — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 14:46:50 -0000

President Obama also compromised in January by allowing the payroll tax credit to expire which Republicans wanted and setting the tax hike to only those above $450,000 rather than $250,000. So, it's time to compromise again.

Re: Weekly Address: Congress Must Compromise to Stop the Impact of the Sequester

Tim Burke — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 13:25:33 -0000

Congress (the GOP) did compromise -- in January when Obama got his tax increases. Time for Obama to fulfill his end of the bargain.

Re: President Obama Delivers His Second Inaugural Address

houseguy.org — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 09:03:40 -0000

where's the mockery or comments about his speech, his demeanor, your concerns going forward for 4 more years?

Re: My Thoughts On The Minnesota Social Studies Standards And The REAL Outrage…

Rich — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 22:48:14 -0000

Good review but ...the grade specific standards were required by state law, all of the revised standards are. The choice about which courses are taught when in high school is a local decision, not specified by the standards. For example, government is in 12th grade in my district.

Re: Dan McGrath Claims VOTER FRAUD Partially To Blame For Voter ID Failure

MinnesotaCentral — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 23:11:09 -0000

Just curious, did Mr. McGrath mention how many newspaper editorial boards encouraged voters to vote YES ... I know that 58 newspaper boards encouraged voters to cast a NO vote. Many of the newspapers did question the wisdom of changing the Minnesota Constitution but they also cited the cost and the failure to prove that voter fraud was a problem.

Considering the number of voters who took the time to vote on the Constitutional Amendments, it is a recognition of how important that voters felt about this election. For example, I looked at the voting activity in the Second Congressional District and the Marriage Amendment had 375,018 ballots cast; the Voter ID had 374,012 ... now compare that to the US Senate contest where only 366,576 voters cast ballots ... the US House seat had 358,444 ... the MN Senate had 356,062 while the MN House had 346,836 ... it's a tribute to the Minnesota voters that they cared more about Constitutional Amendments then they cared about who would represent them in the Congress or the State Legislature.

Re: The Moment Of Victory For MN United For All Families

Jay McHue — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 10:11:30 -0000

Yeah, I guess you're right. I'd be happy too if, like the amendment opponents, I had won after hedging all my bets on a campaign of lies, vicious smears and vandalism.

Re: The Moment Of Victory For MN United For All Families

Eric Austin — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 11:17:43 -0000

Really, Jay, that's the best you've got? Calling people wuss because they displayed emotion about an emotional issue. I guess perhaps fighting for right and for freedom is a little more emotional than callously fighting to restrict freedom.

Re: The Moment Of Victory For MN United For All Families

Jay McHue — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 14:50:43 -0000

Yeah, um... Had the amendment passed, I don't think any supporters would've reacted like complete wusses about it. Sheesh.

Re: Kate Engstrom Videotapes Collin Peterson And Claims NO Connection To A Campaign AFTER Appearing In Byberg Campaign Video

Jay McHue — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 16:25:03 -0000

So... you don't actually know if that's her or not? Is that why you're asking, "Is this YOU Kate Engstrom?" [sic]

Re: Gary Gross Is Mad At Craig Westover For Not Supporting Guy Gary Promised He Wouldn’t Support

Eric Austin — Sat, 15 Sep 2012 09:55:26 -0000

Craig, I am less concerned about who you are or are not supporting than I am in showing how amusing it is for Gary Gross to demand your complete allegiance to a candidate that he vowed never to support and who he angrily denounced during the primaries.

Re: Gary Gross Is Mad At Craig Westover For Not Supporting Guy Gary Promised He Wouldn’t Support

Craig Westover — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 10:32:05 -0000

For the record, I am supporting Gov. Romney and will be voting for him in November. The point is, support for a candidate is reflective of support for a set of principles. When a candidate wanders from those principles, support, loyalty, demands one stands up for principle above candidate. When a candidate is disloyal to principle to give him a pass in the name of loyalty is nonsensical.

Nonetheless, Gov. Romney is the best alternative to the openly progressive and destructive policies of the President, and the Republican Party, with a substantial and growing segment that understands we win on principle not personality is the best option to restore America to its fundamental principles of the primacy of individual sovereignty, the sanctity of private property and the preservation of the rule of law.

Ww live better when we live free.

Re: How Many “Bills” Has YOUR MN Congressperson “Passed”?

MinnesotaCentral — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 10:13:52 -0000

MadVoter should be asking a different question … not how many bills did your Member of Congress pass, but instead do you agree with the bills that were offered ?

For example, is the bill that is offered, good legislation that will
improve our country … or is it offered to appease a limited, selected group of individuals.

For example, John Kline (R-MN-02) has authored the H.R. 1621 -Marine Corps Aviation Centennial Commemorative Coin Act and H.R.3981 – Honoring Our Nation's Outstanding Rifle Squads Act … if they get passed, then MadVoter would count them as two bills … but is that the measure that you want ?

Conversely, Tim Walz (D-MN-01) has gotten two bills signed by the President this year - related to veterans and jobs -- but the bill that he is best associated with the STOCK Act was not approved by Congress … instead, Eric Cantor’s version of the bill was approved (a much weaker version) … so to MadVoter, Walz gets credit for two bills but really, voters should be angry that the bill Representative Walz championed failed.

Let’s look at Raymond Cravaack (R-MN-08) … he has pushed to defund the Institute of Peace … issuing press releases about his efforts … guess what, it was funded last year, and for FY2013, the Republican-controlled House Appropriations Committee recommendation includes “$37,400,000, as authorized, for the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), which is $6,811,000 above the fiscal year 2012 enacted level” … OK, so Raymond gets credit for a Post Office bill and no one talks about how House Republicans actually will spend more for a program that he opposes … but Raymond will publicize his efforts to save
taxpayer dollars.

How about Erik Paulsen (R-MN-03) … his signature bill is the repeal of the Medical Device Tax … okay, that does have wide implications … yet it will benefit a selected industry … and the offset to pay for it will impact more people … IMO, it’s probably the worst bill that the House has approved this year
(just read the supporting report and industry commentary, and you will realize that the taxpayers are being played as suckers.) Paulsen will get credit (if it ever becomes law) in MadVoter’s analysis … but it is a very bad bill.

How about Michele Bachmann (R-MN-06) … her signature bill is the Stillwater Bridge … a project that was created by an earmark and has limited implications - something that Congresswoman Bachmann would normally oppose if it was in other parts of the country … while her district may like getting the project, the broad American electorate may disagree.

So let’s move on to the target of Mad Voter … Betty McCollum (D-MN-04) …
yep, she voted for Paulsen’s Medical Device Tax bill but protested the funding offset and pledge to continue to seek a better funding offset in a presumed House-Senate conference … but she has also championed a number of Taxpayer Savings bills …

How much do you think that taxpayers should spend for radio and television broadcasts into Cuba ? The House Republican-controlled Appropriations Committee advocates increasing FY 2013 by $4,468,000 to $28,062,000 for OCB, Radio and TV Marti … Congresswoman McCollum has introduced Stop Wasting Taxpayer Money On Cuba Broadcasting Act (H.R. 1317) to end U.S. taxpayer funding for Radio and Television Martí.
I agree with Congresswoman McCollum … this is a waste and ineffective as a January 2009, GAO reports that the best available research suggests that Radio and TV Martí’s audience is small, and cited telephone surveys since 2003 showing that less than 2% of respondents reported tuning in to Radio or TV Martí.

It has been well reported of Congresswoman McCollum’s efforts to reduce funding for military bands … did you know that over four years, the Department of Defense has spent a stunning $1.55 billion on military bands, musical performances, and concert tours around the world. That's right, $1.55 billion in
taxpayer funds for 4 years for military bands. Congresswoman McCollum offered an amendment to reduce the Pentagon spending for military bands and musical performances from the $388 million in this bill to $200 million for fiscal year 2013 --- a $188 million reduction.
Congresswoman McCollum failed despite getting support from leading Republicans such as Paul Ryan and Eric Cantor … as
Minnesota Republicans Bachmann, Cravaack and Kline said let the band play on.

It has also been well reported of Congresswoman McCollum’s efforts regarding Department of Defense spending at least $63 million in taxpayer funds to sponsor motorsports for so-called recruitment purposes and her efforts to limit it to $20 million … once again Paul Ryan was at her side, but Minnesota Republicans Bachmann, Cravaack, Kline and Paulsen said “start your engines” … let’s waste some taxpayer money.

Yep, Congresswoman McCollum has failed by MadVoter's criteria … sadly, her message of making “smart cuts that reduce the federal deficit by eliminating ineffective, outdated, and unnecessary programs,” has been lost on Republicans.

It is misguided to “count bills passed” … instead look at what the Member proposes and who benefits … IMO, America needs more Betty McCollums in Congress and less self-promoting out-of-touch Republicans representing Washington embedded interests.

Re: How Many “Bills” Has YOUR MN Congressperson “Passed”?

Eric Carr — Sat, 01 Sep 2012 16:23:42 -0000

Bills passed is not the issue: you only have to be present to vote to see a bill passed. The real issue that I think MadVoter wanted to look at was how many bills has your congressperson written that have passed and become law.

Re: Clint Eastwood’s Bizarre Speech At The Republican National Convention

MinnesotaCentral — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 22:48:31 -0000

This is very insightful ... but you must ignore the messenger and listen to the message.

Are you familiar with expression : A drunken man says what a somber man thinks ?

IMO, I do not like the constant media mentioning the fact that Clint Eastwood is an "82 year old man" ... because it misses the aspect that Mr. Eastwood was a Mayor of Carmel by the Sea ... a highly successful businessman (self-made, using investors money - much like Mitt Romney) ... oh, yeah, Clint has fathered many children out of wedlock while he has avoid marriage with
many women yet is a supporter of same sex marriage ... is that what the RNC delegates wanted as their perfect intro for their nominee ?

But what what they heard was what they liked ... someone who depicted Obama as an empty chair and "we all know Biden is the intellect of the Democrat Party Ouch ... he said something that no other politician could say on TV to a national audience ... and he said it in context that will live on the Internet long past Election Night.

Oh, and this was not lost on Rush Limbaugh ... did you hear his assessment :

This is a great bit, and Eastwood was the essence of simplicity.
How, This is a great bit, and Eastwood was the essence of simplicity. How, if somebody's not doing a job, you let 'em go. Just simple as it could be. Real world simple. Just simple as it could be. Real world simple.

Just like they say, What's The Matter With Kansas ... or why do people not vote in their best interests ... this is the problem that President Obama must confront ... Eastwood teed it up ... if somebody's not doing a job, you let 'em go. ... and Romney followed it with :
"disappointments of the past four years” and
I wish President Obama had succeeded, because I want America to succeed ... the message was clear ... it's okay to fire President Obama.

Romney will use TV ads to attack Obama and never acknowledge that he is woefully unprepared to be President and that the Ryan plan will add more debt, take us further behind in education (affecting our future) and reduce the safety net that so many rely on.

Yes, Eastwood gave a great performance ... it's the same message that you probably hear from "crazy old" Aunt Helen or Uncle Joe ... you know those are the same people that voted in the Chip Cravaack and the rest of the TEA Party folks ... that's the problem ... those "old crazy" people vote.

Replay the tape and think about the other "82-year old" men and women ... Eastwood expressed their voice

I fear for our country ... 'cause Romney doesn't have any backbone and the
TEA Party Congress and NEO-Cons will force him to do whatever they want.

Re: How Many “Bills” Has YOUR MN Congressperson “Passed”?

Minnesota Central — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 09:11:38 -0000

Just curious, so if Betty McCollum only passed five bills but sits on the
Budget Committee with Paul Ryan (where she has been in the minority for more
years than in the majority), what is the reaction to Paul Ryan having passed
only TWO bills that he authored ?

One, was for a Post Office in his district ... named after Les Aspin ... a former House Republican ... thus probably not that difficult to get
approved.

But the other bill is more interesting ... it was a piece of legislation
that would be called a TAX EARMARK ... the legislation amended the Internal
Revenue Code to impose a 39-cent tax per arrow shaft, instead of a 12.4 percent
tax on the sales price. The bill also “includes points suitable for use with
arrows in the 11 percent excise tax on arrow parts and accessories.” As a tax
earmark, it will “keep on giving” because as the price of arrows increases the
tax on arrows will now remain constant and as such, tax earmarks are more
expensive than appropriations earmarks in that they reduce overall
revenue on a continuing basis.

This Congress has failed to address a number of issues -- like No Child
Left Behind ... but one area that it could accomplish this year is a
Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB) process ...
whereby Congress would grant TAX EARMARK relief for a number of products ... if
so, then John Kline may get credit as a co-sponsor of the Affordable
Footwear Act (AFA) of 2011 (H.R. 2697) which is a bill that
would temporarily eliminate approximately 40% of the $2 billion in duties paid
on imported shoes ...

Meet the Republicans who only seem to have only one goad ... reduce
taxes.

Re: Meet The Guys Who Mitt Romney Laid Off To Make A Quick $100 Million

Charlie — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 18:22:33 -0000

One thing these people fail to mention in these smear commercials is that their business was not competitive and would have been closed down no matter who owned them.

Re: Leader Pelosi Debunks Trickle-Down Economics

Jon — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 16:04:04 -0000

Lets remember this is the same lady whos arguement to pass the "affordable" care act was....."well we have to pass the bill to find out what's in it." and besides her whole lack of a point with a crappy little graph i guess you could call it lets dig in. Trickle down economics has been incredibly over hyped in a sense by the left along with the media (who is also radically left) in saying that it is only for the rich. Yes it does cut taxes for the business owners and job creators but it does not "raise taxes on the middle class." In fact, many conservitives believe there should be a flat tax rate across the board so everyone pays the same rate....I mean isnt it the liberals who are all about "fairness?" And not to mention the fact that nearly half of the country isnt paying income tax, whats the point of cutting taxes for the people who are not paying them anyways? All in all the government needs to decide on a fair tax rate for all americans no matter the amount of income they gather. And to get back to those evil rich people who create ideas and build businesses and invest in other businesses if you cut their taxes what are they going to do with that money? are they just going to sit on it? No! they are going to spend it by, expanding their business, or invest in other businesses, ect. Even if they go on vacation the money spent is being sent directly back into the economy. Its time to get past the little comon demacrat lines about "fair" share and its all for the rich and look at the facts and think a little.

Re: MN GOP Amendment Title “Deceptive” Says Justice Paul Anderson

Joe — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 10:22:10 -0000

whats not to understand? you are required to show an id to vote....absent ballots do not require an id

Re: Study: Mitt Romney Would Raise Taxes On The Middle Class While Cutting Them For The Rich

Joe — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 10:10:19 -0000

What the real problem is is that nearly half of the American people are not paying income tax. So you want to cut taxes for those who arnt going to pay them anyways? Or you can cut the taxes for the people who are paying them so they have money to invest into other small businesses or expand their own. Really I think the real culprit is government red tape that has made the process to start a business agonizing and costly but thats another issue. Really what it should be is a flate rate....no matter how much you make everyone is taxed x% across the board. Liberals want to talk about fairness.....yet they dont agree with everyone getting the same tax rate? haha just doesnt make sense to me im curious to what you think

Re: The Sanctity Of Marriage (Or Something) The @MaryFranson Version

Jay McHue — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 12:27:26 -0000

Actually, this district has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the state -- much lower than state or national average.

Re: The Sanctity Of Marriage (Or Something) The @MaryFranson Version

Jay McHue — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 03:07:33 -0000

What are your sources for your potentially defamatory claim against Rep. Franson, Mr. Austin?

Re: The MNGOP Encourages Everyone To Get Out The Vote SEPTEMBER 6th!

JohnGilmore — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 17:49:24 -0000

Just seeing if you were paying attention. You passed.

Re: The Four Most Important Articles You Should Have Read Yesterday…

Matt Jones — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:41:44 -0000

I'll believe the GOP has changed its views right about the time they bounce the ENTIRE Texas delegation for cheerleading stuff like this:

http://jezebel.com/5922169/off...

Ditching every representative that's appeared at the "Faith and Freedom (for people our invisible friend likes)" conference *ever* would also be a good start.

Re: Another Friendly Reminder From A Conservative Blogger About Republican Mitt Romney

MinnesotaCentral — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 18:51:13 -0000

GREAT POST !

BTW, I was listening to KTLK (1130-AM) on Saturday morning during their
Roundtable ... Pawlenty was getting "discussed" ... well, actually one of the
Roundtable participant stated "Pawlenty-bashing" ... the comment was made about
TPaw's time that featured "fees" that are not taxes (gosh, doesn't that bring up
the concept that a mandate is not a tax) ... a few other things ... and then the
mandate on ethanol. Gosh, there's those mandates again.

The best comment was : Why would Pawlenty get picked to be Veep when he
only was elected Governor because the Independence Party hurt the DFL (let's
give-em credit for honesty) ... and that if Pawlenty couldn't get Democrats to
support him, what makes them think that he would help on the Romney ticket.

It does make you wonder, if I guy cannot get out of the Iowa Straw Poll,
then why would he make a great campaigner as Veep ?

Re: Health Care Reform IS CONSTITUTIONAL…

MinnesotaCentral — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 09:03:02 -0000

One big one that is missing on the list is FREEDOM … employees will no be shackled to their employers because of company-provided insurance. Yesterday, you wanted to put out your own shingle and set-up your own business but because a family member (or yourself) would be denied coverage due to pre-existing conditions, you had to stay with your current employer … and every day worry that this could be the day that your employer will make the decision to shutdown that business leaving you with no insurance coverage.

Thursday was the happiest day of my life since the day the Twins won the World Series and you know how long ago that was … that’s fear of losing health insurance.