Today we’ll be talking with John Van Hecke, Executive Director and Fellow at the Minnesota 2020 thinktank about he Republican tactic of repealing health care reform if they take control of Congress and what Minnesota healthcare will look like if they are successful.

For a quick look at the historic Health care legislation, go to AARP.org.

We’ll also be talking to DFL State Representative Maria Ruud (Nurse Practitioner when the State Legislature is not in session) and her race for re-election.

I’ll be talking about, and asking listeners to call in about, particularly egregious examples of Republicans behaving badly during this election cycle. In particular, I’ll be singling out Republican State Representative Mary Kiffmeyer.

Here’s the artwork that once adorned a wall at Kiffmeyer’s failed bank; I call it “Jesus At The Closing Table”:

(more details here)

So, again, tune in the radio today to AM-950, or listen live on your computer, here.

(cross posted from MnProgressiveProject.com; comments welcome there)

So, how does she do it, in a district once thought of as rock-solid-red? Let’s look!

Click on the thumbnail, and note all those Republican lawn signs: Paulsen, Coleman, McCain/Palin, and Aho. And also note the one non-Republican lawn sign, in between the Coleman and McCain signs, circled in red…

…that’s Maria Ruud’s sign!

Maria is easily one of the most accessible elected officials I’ve ever met. She works hard at being involved in the community. She listens to all sides of issues. Maria is more than willing to work with Republicans when required. And in a district located in southern Minnetonka and northern Eden Prairie, home to many Republicans, she often does – as all those signs on that lawn attest to. “Finding Common Ground” is more than a campaign motto for Maria – it’s how she works to solve problems. Maria Ruud has proven progressive politics and policy – practiced with respect, grace, and dignity – is a winning combination.

(originally published at MnProgressiveProject.com)