Do poor people cheat? Of course – just look at Denny Hecker, Tom Petters, Frank Vennes – the last two, noted pals of Michele Bachmann (well, Norm “Smokescreen” Coleman, too). People on welfare? Not so much pals of Bachmann (nor Norm), but yes, some of them have been known to cheat. And the State has been diligent in finding ways to prevent cheating, such as going from actual paper “stamps” in the “food stamp” program to using plastic “debit cards” – EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) Cards. Diligent as the State is, cheaters are equally diligent in finding ways to beat the system – which is why, for instance, that years ago the State quit allowing cash deductions from EBT cards at casinos.

I bring this up, because I saw this tweet:

It has to do with this map, that the GOPers hauled out at the State House yesterday:

That map shows that of almost $500,000,000 in assistance, about $10,000,000 was spent outside of Minnesota – with about half of that in neighboring states.

That map allegedly “supports” a bill introduced yesterday by Kurt Daudt, GOP=GreedOverPrinciples that is, in essence a solution in search of a problem. In other words, a waste of time. GOPers want to pass a law that money in an EBT account can only be spent in Minnesota – even though Federal Law says, for instance, that Food Stamp money, even in an EBT account, can be spent anywhere.

“Tentherism” ring a bell, here?

The amount of money that could – and should – be tightened up out of that $10 million is only about $3 million, according to federal law. My point is that the time to take time and tighten that $3 million up, is AFTER the GOP has put their budget plan forward AND put their plan to put Minnesotans back to work.

It’s about priorities – and so far this session, the GOP priorities have been anything but putting a budget plan forward and planning to put Minnesotans back to work.

We are staring at a budget deficit of about $6 Billion, and these GOPer Tenthers are wasting time with a $3 million stunt like they did yesterday. But hey, why work on the big problems, when you can trot out the ol’ “welfare cadillac” canard?

Which is why I have to say, once again: Republicans run on the platform “Government doesn’t work!” – and once elected, they prove it.

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

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)

EXCLUSIVE: Ron Paul explains why the MN GOP suddenly needs his help: “They Want My Money.”

The MN GOP blocked Ron Paul from speaking at their 2008 convention in Rochester, MN. But on Sept. 25, 2009 the MN GOP sponsored an appearance by Dr. Paul at Northrup Auditorium in what was billed as a joint town hall with Congresswoman Michele Bachmann.

What’s behind the MN GOP’s sudden change of heart? According to Ron Paul, “They want my money. They want to get a little bit of influence from our supporters, too.”

I think this says a lot about Ron Paul, who’s been a consistent voice for what he believes in, so much so that he was willing to forget the past troubles with the MN GOP.

I also thinks this speaks volumes about the MN GOP. Their leadership realizes that they have alienated roughly 15% of their party. Now they realize that Michele Bachmann is actually in trouble and the only way to save her is to turn to the person they publicly shunned and beg for his money and help.

The MN GOP is exploiting Ron Paul because they are terrified without his support they will lose and lose big.

On a side note, I’d like to thank Congressman Paul for taking moment to speak with me. (DustyTrice)

Let’s watch!!!

I’ll have my own thoughts about Dusty’s breaking story later, for now, link here for Mary Lahammer’s May 30th, 2008 report from the 2008 MnGOP State Convention – the footage of the floor scuffle between a Ron Paul supporter and a McCain suporter is “must see TV” – great job by Mary Lahammer and the Twin Cities Public Television team!!!

(cross-posted from MnProgressiveProject)