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(crossposted at MnProgressiveProject.com)
… are very comfortable with where we are.”
Say WHAT??!?
“Our guys, obviously, are very comfortable with where we are.” — House Speaker Kurt Zellers, R-Maple Grove — 30 June 2011, 8:30pm
Well, actually that’s true – because “their guys” are The Top 2% of wage earners; their guys are their Boardroom Base; their guys are the guys this recession hasn’t even hit.
Here’s Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton explaining last night exactly why the GOP chose to shut down the great state of Minnesota today:
“I cannot accept a Minnesota where people with disabilities lose part of the time they are cared for by personal care attendants so that millionaires do not have to pay $1 more in taxes.
I cannot accept a Minnesota where young people cannot afford the rising tuitions at the University of Minnesota or a MnSCU campus, so that millionaires do not have to pay $1 more in taxes.
I cannot accept a Minnesota where elderly widows are denied the at-home services that permit them to remain healthy and able to live in their own homes. Or a Minnesota where local governments have to further slash their firefighter and police forces. Or a Minnesota where special education is being cut, so that millionaires do not have to pay $1 more in taxes. That is not Minnesota.” – Governor Mark Dayton, 30 June 2011
GOP: “Our guys, obviously, are very comfortable with where we are.”
Governor Dayton: “I cannot accept a Minnesota where (fill in GOPer slash ‘n burn) so that millionaires do not have to pay $1 more in taxes.”
Will you stand for the GOP’s Boardroom Base, which includes “guys” like Target Corp CEO Gregg Steinhafel?
Or will you stand with the workers in the middle class?
Pick your side, Ladies and Gentlemen – pick your side.
(cross posted at MnProgressiveProject.com; comments welcome there)
I’ve written about the GOP’s Small Tent Party; I’ve often said that Republicans are morally bankrupt, intellectually dishonest, and institutionally corrupt. And at the bottom of my comments, here on MPP, it always says “Those that forget the lessons of history tend to vote GOP.”
I bring this up today, because of a column the other day on Alternet.org:
10 Historical ‘Facts’ Only a Right-Winger Could Believe
Facts, including historical ones, are ‘biased’ against the right’s worldview.
By Roy Edroso February 11, 2011
Here’s a couple off the list:
10. The Robber Barons weren’t robbers — they were capitalist heroes.
7. The Founding Fathers really tried to end slavery.
4. Margaret Sanger was all about the eugenics.
1. FDR: History’s greatest monster.
And here’s how the author concludes his column:
Clearly the War on FDR is a proxy struggle with the (substantially less aggressive) current president — they seek to make activist government look foolish, in hopes of preventing it from being tried again. But then, in a way all their other historical revisions are also directed at their current enemies. They go through the ghost of Margaret Sanger to stymie feminists; through the shades of Galileo and Darwin to warn off scientists; through the late MLK to get at voters whose enthusiasm for a black president thwarts their own electoral ambitions, etc. For them, history, like everything else, is just politics by other means.
This column is all about “dividing and conquering” – the only way the GOP – The Small Tent Party – can achieve electoral victory.
Tell an untruth – a “lie” if you prefer – and splinter off a segment of the electorate (eithe through gaining their vote, or disgusting them to the point they stay home on election day) is how the GOP operates.
“I have been thinking that I would make a proposition to my Republican friends… that if they will stop telling lies about the Democrats, we will stop telling the truth about them.” ~ Adlai E. Stevenson
True then, true now, and it’ll be true tomorrow too – just as “Republicans are morally bankrupt, intellectually dishonest, and institutionally corrupt” is true.
The only way to stop the GOP’s Small Tent “divide and conquer” strategy is to band and stand together with people you simply will not always agree with, but agree with most of the time.
The “DFL” here in Minnesota is, by definition, a coalition. “Democrats, Farmers, and Labor.” By definition, the diverse members of this coalition have not/ do not/ will not always agree. And that’s ok. Just remember that while you’re arguing an issue with someone that generally agrees with you on other issues, they generally agree with you on other issues. Agree to disagree on that issue when the day is done, because being part of this coalition makes strength through numbers; strength to fight The Small Tent Party’s lies, deceit, revisionistic history – the GOP’s “divide and conquer strategy.”
(cross posted at MnProgressiveProject.com; comments welcome there).
…Today’s Example Of The Consistently Inconsistent GOP.
GOPer State Senators Dave Thompson, David Hann, and Gen Olson are shameless in their desire to inflict heavy-handed state control upon local school boards. Ostensibly, they claim they’re trying to “help” local school boards; their manner of doing so – tying local school boards hands – is (of course) the exact opposite of today’s “get big-government out of local government’s business” GOPer mantra.
OK, if these “conservatives” feel that the power of the State is justified in removing decision making ability for local school boards is just swell, why not continue down that path and take away local decision making authority for small towns and cities, too?
Want to see how easy it will be for Thompson, et al to go down that path? Here’s what Thompson said on the subject of usurping local control of local school boards:
“We all want our teachers to prosper, but we cannot ignore economic realities. All taxpayers, whether business owners or employees, are struggling. We must not add to their burden, but still find a way to maintain our high standards for public education,” Senator Thompson added.
Let’s just change a couple of words (two, to be exact):
“We all want our COPS to prosper, but we cannot ignore economic realities. All taxpayers, whether business owners or employees, are struggling. We must not add to their burden, but still find a way to maintain our high standards for public SAFETY,” Senator Thompson added. (emphasis added)
Here’s how the Strib quotes that noted “conservative” David Hann in advocating for freezing teacher salaries:
Hann, who long advocated similar measures when DFLers controlled the Senate, said the bill would “be a way to help the school districts manage their costs in a period in which they know they’re not going to be getting additional revenue.”(Strib)
Let’s assume that Hann would be consistent (yeah, “right”) and apply that same principle for screwing the teachers freezing teacher salaries, to tying local municipalities hands by screwing the cops freezing police salaries:
Hann, who long advocated similar measures when DFLers controlled the Senate, said the bill would “be a way to help small towns and cities manage their costs in a period in which they know they’re not going to be getting additional revenue.”
Is that what Hann is really going to be saying next? That’s EXACTLY what Hann (and Thompson, and Olson, and all the rest of the “let’s screw the teachers freeze the teachers salaries” GOPers will be saying – IF (and that’s a mighty big “if”) those GOPers had any consistency in ‘em — which those that pay attention know they don’t.
Here’s what Gen Olson, GOP=GreedOverPrinciples was quoted as saying:
“Holding the line for a couple of years we didn’t think was too much to ask,” she said. “And I think the school districts would appreciate that assistance as they try to continue to function effectively on behalf of their students and get through this time.”
To be consistent, here’s what Olson will be saying next:
“Holding the line for a couple of years we didn’t think was too much to ask,” she said. “And I think the municipalities would appreciate that assistance as they try to continue to function effectively on behalf of their taxpayers and get through this time.”
Here’s what Thompson’s campaign website proudly proclaimed, while he was running for State Senator:
Education policy should be set at the local level. Parents, family members, friends and neighbors are in the best position to determine what is best for their children.
Is there anyone that’s really going to argue that a local school board deciding what and how to pay their teachers is NOT “setting policy”? Class? Anyone? Anyone?
Well, anyone except that flip-flopping Dave Thompson, that is…
It’s time for the GOPers to come clean – either they believe in local control, or they don’t.
Thompson especially.
And if they aren’t honest enough to admit that Senate File #56 isn’t just an underhanded attempt to screw the teachers and their union, the cops in this state better be more than a little worried because they (and their union) just may be next.
Unless it’s firefighters….
(cross posted to MnProgressiveProject.com; comments welcome there)
I read it on a rightwing blog:
“We all want our teachers to prosper, but we cannot ignore economic realities. All taxpayers, whether business owners or employees, are struggling. We must not add to their burden, but still find a way to maintain our high standards for public education,” Senator Thompson added. (emphasis added)
“ALL”??!? ROFLMAO!!!
A quick google search of “unitedhealth ceo compensation” found this, about those poor, struggling corporate boardroom types:
UnitedHealth CEO reaps nearly $100 million from stock options
By David S. Hilzenrath
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, April 16, 2010; 6:07 AMThe chief executive of UnitedHealth Group, one of the nation’s largest health insurers, reaped almost $100 million from exercising stock options last year, the company reported Thursday.
Stephen J. Hemsley exercised 4.9 million options in February 2009 at a gain of $98.6 million, the company said in a regulatory filing.
Earth to WaterBoy, Earth to WaterBoy: some of those you tote for are doing very well – and they appreciate your hard work, Senator.
Senator Dave Thomson, GOP=GreedOverPrinciples, has no problemo bashing teachers in the classroom, while protecting suits in the boardroom.
Which is why Thompson, in his first elected term, has been put in a “leadership” position – he knows how to lead the way in carrying water for those whom this economic slump has affected not a whit.
(cross posted to MnProgressiveProject.com; comments welcome there)
“Oh, but TwoPutt: Brodkorb doesn’t own that blog anymore!”
Yeah, “right.”
Until it’s registered to somebody, it’s still Brodkorb’s blog and all the filth and slime that still is on it is simply the continuation of Mud Slinger Mike’s “work.” And this “work” is the stuff that continues to stoke the GOP’s extremist base; the base, for example, that rallied behind candidates such as Tom Emmer, who said: “I don’t think you can call yourself a freedom-loving American and be a Democrat.”
Or, for example, Michele Bachmann, who stated on right wing radio:
“I want people in Minnesota armed and dangerous on this issue of the energy tax because we need to fight back. Thomas Jefferson told us, having a revolution every now and then is a good thing, and the people — we the people — are going to have to fight back hard if we’re not going to lose our country. “
Take a look at the YouTube below the ad Brodkorb’s Blog named the “3rd Best Political Ad of 2010. For a full minute, you have an exceedingly angry former Marine acting like a crazed cowboy; waving a rifle around and then firing a round to land God knows where.
By now, you should have seen the map Palin put on her website, “targeting” Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. It’s now been taken down.
Will Brodkorb take back his gushing plattitudes for Bachmann and Palin, who Brodkorb called the GOP’s “Gold Standard“?
Don’t hold your breath.
Then again, maybe you won’t have to; some GOPer with a gun just might take your breath away.
It’s been said if you’re not a part of the solution you’re part of the problem.
Brodkorb, Brodkorb’s Blog, and Brodkorb’s “Gold Standard” mentality are the epitome of the problem.
That YouTube “featured” on Brodkorb’s Blog’s “3rd best ad” is below.
I
(cross posted from MnProgressiveProject.com; comments welcome there)
First posted on October 4th. the GOP SD42 Webmaster – Peter Bozanich – made a startling revelation yesterday in a comment on a blog in yesterday’s on-line Eden Prairie News: disgraced GOPer Mayor Phil Young’s 2006 campaign website and GOPer-Endorsed candidate for City Council Donna Azarian’s 2010 campaign website were written by the same “author”.
Here’s what I said, after the SD42 GOP webmaster made that startling revelation:
When a voter went to Phil Young’s website in 2006, researching candidate Young, the casual voter could/would assume that the website was Youngs; that the thoughts/ideas presented in Young’s website were his.
Four years later, you’re finally telling us that simply isn’t true; the website wasn’t his; the thoughts weren’t his – they were/are “the author’s.”
And you’re now admitting that Azarian’s website isn’t hers; the thoughts/ideas in it aren’t hers: the website and the thoughts belong to the “same author.”
Peter, why don’t you quit the charade, and just have one website listing the GOP Party Manifesto, and list the GOPer Endorsed candidates that fall in line?
It would be much more honest; then again, honesty isn’t a long suit in today’s GOP.
“Peter” is Peter Bozanich, webmaster for the GOP SD42, and a member of the local GOP’s “leadership.”
It’s pretty clear the following post from 04 October 2010 is correct; the local GOP “leadership” tells GOPer endorsed candidates what to say.
Well, more accurately: it says it for them; the “leadership” just doesn’t tell you that…..
Eden Prairie Republican Leadership: “Re-Elect Phil Young! No, Wait: Elect Donna Azarian!!!”
by: TwoPuttTommy Mon Oct 04, 2010 at 12:22:50 PM CDT
I’ve been saying this for years: “when it comes to Republican Congressmen, the people elect them, but the GOP Leadership directs them.” (see “The Hustler”, 29 Jan 08). This saying relates to changes made by Newt “Is My Wife Well Enough To Divorce Yet?” Gingich. Gingrich, of course, is the architect of 1994′s “Republican Contract On With America”, where in the GOPers promised to, and I quote: FOURTH, limit the terms of all committee chairs; which fundamentally changed how the House GOP Caucus operates, and directly led to the institutionalized corruption of the GOP Party – best exemplified by the infamous Jack Abramoff. Make no mistake, Gentle Readers: The Abramoff Scandal was a Republican Scandal. If a GOPer is in “denial of reality” mode (they usually are), remind them of this.
It was back in those days that I also started saying: “GOP now stands for ‘Greed Over Principles’”. For a scholarly review of what exactly that “#4″ above (and more!) did to the US House of Representatives, get a copy of Thomas Mann and Norm Ornstein’s “The Broken Branch” (Oxford University Press).
That’s background for today’s post and it’s title. (For more background, last week, we looked at some wanna-be “king makers”.) Today’s post is a quick examination of two local (Eden Prairie) “do as your told” GOPer-Endorsed politicians: the outgoing (and could/should be going to trial Mayor Phil Young and City Council Candidate Donna Azarian. More specifically, their websites; Young’s website from 2008 2006 and Azarian’s current 2010 website.
Why look at Young and Azarian’s websites? Well, because they’re eerily similar. How similar? There’s lots of screenshots below the fold, so: let’s look!
From Phil Young’s 2008 2006 “Values” webpage:
Parks and Open Spaces: The park system drew my family to Eden Prairie and I am certain many other families say the same thing. Eden Prairie has an incredibly rich park system which benefits residents of all interests and ages. This must always be a priority.
OK, let’s look at Donna Azarian’s 2010 “Issues” webpage:
Parks and Open Space — The park system is one reason my family came to Eden Prairie and I am certain many other families say the same thing. Eden Prairie has an incredibly rich park system which benefits residents of all interests and ages. This must always be a priority.
Hmmm…. pretty dam close… any more? But of course!
From Phil Young’s 2008 2006 “Values” webpage:
Volunteerism: Eden Prairie is an extraordinarily blessed community. Proudly, our residents can claim that giving back has long been a community value. Lions, Rotary, PROP, ABC Foundation, Meals On Wheels, Friends of the Library, and the Eden Prairie Foundation are but a few of the many groups which strengthen our city through volunteerism. If you haven’t conributed to one of these groups, please do. (emphasis added)
From Donna Azarian’s 2010 “Issues” webpage:
Working with local organizations — Eden Prairie has many local organizations that add to our quality of life. Lions, Rotary, PROP, ABC Foundation, Meals On Wheels, Friends of the Library, and the Eden Prairie Foundation are but a few of the many groups which strengthen our city through volunteerism. (emphasis added)
Any more? But of course!!!
From Phil Young’s 2008 2006 “Values” webpage:
Efficient Government: Eden Prairie is a very-well run city. I want to make it even better….
GOPer-Endorsed Azarian, 2010 “Issues”:
Fiscal Responsibility — Eden Prairie is a very-well run city. I want to make it even better….
More? You betcha!!!
Young, 2008 2006:
…While every community should take steps to capture its past, our residents have told us that spending tax dollars on historical preservation is not a priority. The City Council should honor the community opinions which it has solicited.
Azarian, 2010:
…While every community should take steps to capture its past, our residents have told us that spending tax dollars on historical preservation is not a priority. The City Council should honor the community opinions which it has solicited.
I could go on; maybe someday I will. The question is, just who wrote that stuff??!?
Phil Young, or the local GOP “leadership”?
We know – KNOW – Donna Azarian didn’t; there are too many exact – EXACT – cut ‘n pastes for THAT to have happened. We also know (and if you didn’t, you know now) that Donna Azarian’s website was registered by Peter Bozanich, the GOP’s SD42 webmaster.
At the national level, as I’ve said before: “When it comes to Republican Congressmen, the people elect them, but the GOP Leadership directs them.”
It appears to be the same at the local level, too.
This November 2nd, on election day, the choice is clear:
a) Vote locally for someone endorsed with an “R” behind their name and you vote for someone responsible to the dictates of their endorser: the local GOP Party Leadership; or
b) Vote locally for someone without a party endorsement and you vote for someone responsible to you, the voter.
It really is that simple; a) or b).
And remember, as Young’s and Azarian’s websites demonstrate: “the more things, change, the more today’s GOP doesn’t.”
Here’s the links and screenshots of Young, 2008 2006 and Azarian, 2010, plus the “Who Is” screen shot of the registrar for Azarian’s website, Peter Bozanich – the GOP’s SD42 Webmaster.
Donna Azarian’s 2010 “Issues” webpage:
Phil Young’s 2008 2006 “Issues” webpage – hosted by the SD42 GOP:
Donna Azarian’s 2010 “Values” webpage
Phil Young’s 2008 2006 “Values” webpge (cached) – and again, hosted by the SD42 GOP:
Donna Azarian’s 2010 webpage registration, registered by Peter Bozanich — the SD42 GOP webmaster:
(cross posted from MnProgressiveProject.com, comments welcome there)
I’ve said many times: “The more things change, the more GOPers don’t.” Here’s three examples of just that.
In 1994, Newt “Is My Wife Well Enough To Divorce Yet?” Gingrich came up with some slogans he packaged and sold as “The Contract On With America.” In September 2010, GOPer Minority Leader (thank God!) John Boehner cut and pasted from it and repackaged that same old (stuff) as the “Pledge To America.” Let’s look!
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Postcards From the Pledge | ||||
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(link to The Daily Show” here)
In California, The “new” GOPer candidate for Governor is saying the exact same (stuff) the old GOPer candidate did. Let’s look!
(Link to YouTube here)
WOW!!! They titled that YouTube “Echoes” for a reason, yes?
And then locally, as described in full detail here, disgraced GOPer Mayor Phil Young’s 2006 campaign website was blatantly cut and pasted to GOPer Endorsed candidate Donna Azarian’s 2010 campaign website.
This is from Phil Young’s 2006 “Values” webpage:
Efficient Government: Eden Prairie is a very-well run city. I want to make it even better….
This is on the GOPer-Endorsed Azarian, 2010 “Issues” webpage:
Fiscal Responsibility — Eden Prairie is a very-well run city. I want to make it even better….
More? But of course!!!
Young, circa 2006:
…While every community should take steps to capture its past, our residents have told us that spending tax dollars on historical preservation is not a priority. The City Council should honor the community opinions which it has solicited.
GOPer Azarian, today:
…While every community should take steps to capture its past, our residents have told us that spending tax dollars on historical preservation is not a priority. The City Council should honor the community opinions which it has solicited.
And there’s more, of course, as described in full detail here – with screenshots, too! Maybe I should make another YouTube….
It’s really rather pathetic. The more things change, the more the CAP (Cut And Paste) GOP doesn’t.
(cross posted from MnProgressiveProject; comments welcome there)
