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| Posted by: Dan McGrath |
6/17/2011 |
 New ad will remind Dayton (and voters) of his pledge not to shut down the government to get his way on a tax increase
Anticipating a shutdown which looks like a near certainty, Minnesota Majority produced a new radio ad to remind governor Dayton of a campaign promise. During a gubernatorial debate, Channel 5’s Tom Hauser asked Dayton if he’d shut down government to get his way on a tax increase. “No I will not shut government down,” he answered.
Despite that campaign pledge, the governor appears dead-set on shutting down the state government just to make a point.
The legislature offered a balanced budget that spends more money out of the state coffers than any budget ever passed before. Had the governor signed that budget, government would continue to operate as normal, spending $4 billion more state dollars than in the past biennium – without having to raise anyone’s taxes.
That’s evidently not good enough for Governor Dayton who has indicated that he will shut down government and insiders say he wants it to be as painful as possible, because it’s part of an ill-conceived political strategy – not about what’s best for Minnesota.
Dayton continues to demand a tax increase that mirrors a national Democrat messaging campaign: “Tax the richest 2%.” The same strategies and talking points are being employed in other states and at the federal level by Democrats, President Obama and their allied activist organizations. It’s evident that the proposal isn’t really about what’s best for Minnesota. Each state will naturally have it’s own unique circumstances, challenges and conditions, but the Democrats have adopted a blanket national strategy of increasing taxes on the productive sectors of our economy and Governor Dayton seems to be following that national plan in lock-step rather than looking out for the people who elected him to govern the state.
If the government does shut down when current funding runs out on July 1st, it will be because Governor Dayton has refused to sign any bill funding state government operations that doesn’t adopt the national democrat plan to “tax the richest 2%” more.
If the government shuts down, state parks will be closed, metro transit busses will cease operation, the Minnesota Zoo will close, fishing licenses and other permits may be unobtainable, road repairs and construction will cease, up to 36,000 government workers will be laid off (though they will likely be retroactively paid for their time off when government operations eventually resume).
There is no need to shut down the government or to raise taxes. The legislature’s budget proposal funds state government at the highest level ever. All the governor has to do is sign it to prevent the impending shutdown.
Minnesota Majority’s new ad exposes the fallacy of Dayton’s plan and reminds the governor (and voters) of his pledge not to shut down government to get his way on increasing taxes. It will begin running after the 4th of July if governor Dayton continues on his path and shuts down the state government.
Take Action: Check out the new ad and consider making a contribution toward putting Minnesota Majority's messages on the air. Also see "Battle of the Ads," where donors can decide which pre-shutdown messages should be broadcast.
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Comments (34)
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Re: Minnesota Majority Prepares Ad in Anticipation of Shutdown |
By tim kaiser on
6/19/2011 |
| Dayton is the voice of reason in the budget debate. The republicans and their anti-government cohorts (Minnesota Majority) do not represent 80% of Minnesotans. |
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Re: Minnesota Majority Prepares Ad in Anticipation of Shutdown |
By Alan Olson on
6/19/2011 |
A shut down is like having brain surgery for a headache. The Republican Party is irresponsible without a sense for justice for the majority of Minnesotans. The fact is the rich do not pay their fair share. Most families that have kids end up spending everything they make. These families pay sales tax on basically all their income. A rich person pays sales tax on a small portion of their income. Most people pay payroll taxes on all their wages. The rich only pays payroll tax on the first $90,000 of wages. This payroll tax is not simply used to pay for someones retirement but funds a large portion of the medical costs in this country.The cleaning woman for Warren Buffet pays taxes at a higher rate than the dividend income tax rate. The rich take advantage of tax laws not available to most taxpayers. The income tax is the only tax where the rich pay a higher rate. Overall I suspect their are studies that show that the rich pay an overall tax rate less than the middle class.
Republicans are constantly telling me the rich create the jobs. In most situations it is the market that says an area needs a grocery store or an auto repair store. In a free market when there is a void someone fills that void. There are very few business owners who can create a market.
The fact is a lot of people are going broke. The retired are losing their savings because they can't make anything on their savings. More people are qualifing for food stamps and programs while the eligibility requirements become more stricter. Despite what is happening to most Minnesotan's, the rich feel they are entitled to be a protected class. |
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Re: Minnesota Majority Prepares Ad in Anticipation of Shutdown |
By dan.mcgrath on
6/19/2011 |
Alan - Am I obligated to pay for your medical care? What about your groceries? Mortgage? After tpaying all taxes and all household and living expenses, should every family wind up with the same amount of money left, regardless of their income?
A middle class person will pay a higher percentage of their income on a loaf of bread than someone who is wealthy. Is that fair?
Even if income taxes were a flat rate, say 10%, for simplicity, those with higher incomes would pay more. 10% of $200,000 is $20,000. 10% of $40,000 is $4,000. Our progressive income tax system is more punative than that. A person making over $200,000 might pay 40% of their income in income taxes, or $80,000 of $200,000.
How is someone making $40,000 a year going to open a grocery store?
The bottom line is tax hikes are not needed. We don't levy taxes to even the score or "stick it to the rich." We levy taxes to fund essential government operations. If we don't need more revenue, what's the reason for higher taxes? |
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Re: Minnesota Majority Prepares Ad in Anticipation of Shutdown |
By Barb on
6/20/2011 |
Most people on government assistance have more earnable income then my family Alan! Why should my family carry a heavier load at the expense of others? We don't want government dependency, and exactly where Dayton is DRAGGING us. We are unable to get ahead or even MOVE OUT OF STATE because of the outrageous costs of past and present GOVERNMENT and DAYTON! My husband hasn't had a raise in over 5 years because of government regulations put on the business he works for. Imagine that Alan. All costs including government wages going up except our income!!!! Why do you want the rich punished because of government's incompetence, failures and overreach beyond our control?
...by the way I liked the latest add the best as it shows the seriousness. Not that I don't appreciate humor but we are faced with a challenge by force. You'd think Mr. Dayton would have some sense of empathy in comparison to the American success of his father who didn't need the hands of government!, which in turn gave Mark Dayton his American dream without the hand of government and in turn gave his children the American dream without the hand of government and I'm sure their children are not holding the hands of government? Why is he forcing us to??!!
If possible, try to expose the contradiction. Didn't he admit it "will be shut down"? Even though everyone else takes responsibility in doing their job??!!!!! What's his latest pity trip? |
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Re: Minnesota Majority Prepares Ad in Anticipation of Shutdown |
By Peggy on
6/21/2011 |
Dear Dan McGrath -
I am a state employee. I would like to know where you got the idea that I am likely to be retroactively paid for my "time off" when government operations eventually resume? This is certainly the first I've heard . . .
You shouldn't make such infammatory statements without backing them up. |
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Re: Minnesota Majority Prepares Ad in Anticipation of Shutdown |
By Peggy on
6/21/2011 |
| I find it very interesting that the comment I made on Monday hasn't been posted. I thought writers were supposed to cite their sources. It seems you can't or won't, but are willing to get people all riled up over a false statement. Shame on you. |
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Re: Minnesota Majority Prepares Ad in Anticipation of Shutdown |
By dan.mcgrath on
6/21/2011 |
| Retro pay may depend on the particular contracts different employees are working under, but in the past, state workers were retroactively compensated for their time off during the shutdown of 2005. |
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Re: Minnesota Majority Prepares Ad in Anticipation of Shutdown |
By Barb on
6/23/2011 |
| friends of mine work for the state and unless anything changes, will definitely be getting unemployment!!! Why Peggy, would the government of Minnesota discriminate against you!?? |
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Re: Minnesota Majority Prepares Ad in Anticipation of Shutdown |
By Paul on
6/23/2011 |
| Dear Governor: The legislature proposed and passed a balance budget for you, which represents a 6% spending increase already. Sign the budget bill or you will be a 1-term governor!!! |
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Re: Minnesota Majority Prepares Ad in Anticipation of Shutdown |
By dan.mcgrath on
6/23/2011 |
| Actually the legislature's budget spends 12% more state dollars than the last biennium. The 6% figure considers the one-time federal stimulous money which should not be considered part of a regular budget. |
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Re: Minnesota Majority Prepares Ad in Anticipation of Shutdown |
By unknown on
6/27/2011 |
| I know if he does shut the government down there will be RIOTS because some people depend on services for income and if that ends how will they feed themselves and children? some people can't work its crazy to me |
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Re: Minnesota Majority Prepares Ad in Anticipation of Shutdown |
By Steve Hansmann on
6/27/2011 |
| Republicans never get it. It's about shared pain, sacrifice. What's the difference between someone paying 10% of their income intaxes when they make 46 grand a year compared to somone paying 10% making 460 grand a year. That those most well off pay a lower rate than I do, with six kids, working more than one job, is disgusting. The most well off among us have never spent more on luxury goods: furs, jewelry, yachts, gold-plated bidets, luxury cars now, than ever before in history. Does this sound like shared sacrifice. And for the last time, show me proof, any proof, that the republican plan creates even one job, even one. It doesn't, and no rightie has been able to show me anything other than opinion, and blind belief approaching a religion. One example: the first year of Bush's tax cuts gave GM almost nine billion dollars in tax "relief". Over the next year they laid off almost 20,000 workers. That's the republican dellusion in action, writ large. |
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Re: Minnesota Majority Prepares Ad in Anticipation of Shutdown |
By dan.mcgrath on
6/27/2011 |
| Watches and yahts don't just appear out of thin air, my friend. Somebody has to manufacture them. Those are jobs. GM is entirely propped up by the federal government. It's not fiscally sound and should have gone bankrupt. More effecient companies would have taken their place. |
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Re: Minnesota Majority Prepares Ad in Anticipation of Shutdown |
By Barb on
6/29/2011 |
I heard from sources, different people who don't know each other, both Dayton supporters but citizens of this state non the less, that say "the governor promised this money!" my response: ?????"To who???????" "the people!" me: "for what?" Obviously we're not all being equally informed!! The duty of the governor.
He promised "the people" does not include "all" people in the state of Minnesota. Sounds like dirty dealings! But also Important why he refuses to specify the need and important to know who "the people" are, the governor promised other peoples money to, as "they" will be "the ones" causing any unrest the media has been suggesting. What's going on behind our backs and in our face? Isn't that a violation of ethics? For a governor of a state to inform and favor "the people" OVER all? A governor of a state in America provoking resentment against people? Explanation from the governor of what exactly he wants this increased hardship of taxes put on Minnesotans for? What happened to Minnesota? |
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Re: Minnesota Majority Prepares Ad in Anticipation of Shutdown |
By bookit on
6/30/2011 |
So sick of government ruining our lives. Will you voters quit putting these idiots in charge of your lives.Get a clue people in charge, grow up, and start making our lives a little easier please.
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Re: Minnesota Majority Prepares Ad in Anticipation of Shutdown |
By Tigermom on
7/1/2011 |
| I support Gov. Dayton. It is time to work together and compromise. I have voted strictly Republican in the past but that is changing!! |
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Re: Minnesota Majority Prepares Ad in Anticipation of Shutdown |
By Steve on
7/1/2011 |
| Let's put the blame where it should be. Neither the governor nor the legislature did their jobs. Both shut down our government and both should share in the embarrassment and hardships this will and is causing. |
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Re: Minnesota Majority Prepares Ad in Anticipation of Shutdown |
By Stacie on
7/4/2011 |
| Both sides are at fault so they can all stop the blame game & do their job. We are losing half of our income during this shut down and do not have millions to fall back on like most of the politicians. At this point I don't care how they resolve it, just get it done. Whoever gives in first is the best of the worst in my opinion |
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Re: Minnesota Majority Prepares Ad in Anticipation of Shutdown |
By Barb on
7/4/2011 |
Really Steve, you should listen to both sides instead of defending one! The rich and elite governor wants more money from Minnesotans! WHY??? SPECIFICS PLEASE!
Why can't he accept Minnesotans strong and dignified? Because he sees us weak and pathetic. It's a ploy for pity, to excuse an increase of more dollars. His only answer is increasing everyone elses taxes to fulfill his "promise" to some Minnesotans of who we don't know, and I personally don't believe. Just an excuse that shows he's as good as dirt!
The government isn't a charity and he mentioned all charitable reasons for more money his out of pocket could donate to! He's unfair, unreasonable and irrational. He's patronizing and insulting the people of this state!
If government employees worked in the private sector they wouldn't be laid off today. Private camp grounds are open currently not forced to compete with government as they shouldn't be but compete with their rightful private sector counter parts.
It's dangerous when government takes over areas the private sector once had available. While government takes more and more of it. Wonder what will happen when all are dependent and no one is sitting well. GREECE!
Why government would close down the zoo or stop fishing licensing sold at convenient stores when it brings in money, is beyond my understanding and a revealing of government inefficiencies at our cost. It's understood these are nonessentials but they bring in the money Dayton wants private tax payers to. What special interests did he shut down??? Those are definitely not essential as they are of "special interests" not of ALL.
He refused to agree to a bill that proposed efficiencies and rightful duties of government because he's focused on increased government dependency!!!!!!!! HE WANTS IT!!!!! This is a violation to our INDEPENDENCE and may be the last year we can sincerely celebrate it! He spins the facts to reflect his failures on Republicans! Such a sad display of weakness. I didn't expect this from governor Dayton and he continues to disappoint us. If you had some personal dignity you wouldn't have so much love for government dependency. Government isn't suppose to make our lives contemptuous. Thanks! and thanks alot Governor Dayton but we'd rather live our lives without needing to depend on you. |
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Re: Minnesota Majority Prepares Ad in Anticipation of Shutdown |
By Linda on
7/4/2011 |
| This is not Governor Dayton's shutdown. It is the shutdown by the Republican legislature, and I will hold them responsible. The Republican party is unrecognizable these days, both at the state level, and the National level. We all know the arguments back and forth. I won't repeat them here. All I know is that a bunch of newbie Republicans without skills in governing or compromising have filled the halls and all hell breaks loose. And, the worst is yet to be seen. I thank God that we have a Democrat as Governor, and stand behind Mark Dayton 100%. I will never vote Republican again. |
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Re: Minnesota Majority Prepares Ad in Anticipation of Shutdown |
By Don Lowell on
7/4/2011 |
| Dan:: We need a tax increast to make up for all the years Pawlenty refused to govern. |
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Re: Minnesota Majority Prepares Ad in Anticipation of Shutdown |
By dan.mcgrath on
7/4/2011 |
| Can you be more specific? What do you want to spend a tax increase on? What department is lacking funding? HHS and Education were funded exactly to the level Dayton wanted by the legislature's budget proposal. So, where's the money needed? And by the way, raising taxes doesn't always increase revenue. It often decreases state revenue as capital flees the state. |
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Re: Minnesota Majority Prepares Ad in Anticipation of Shutdown |
By Sharon on
7/19/2011 |
| I am so ashamed of the republican legislature, to refuse a surtax on ONLY millionaires ... and require abortion, labor union law and million dollar cost to the tax payer voter ID concessions, debit spending future settlement money for short term need, among others for negotiation in a matter as serious as this? This is not the republican party my grandparents were so active in. This economy has NOT been bad for all of us, we ALL understand the concept of shared sacrifice, and sharing the sacrifice means that some willl have to accept less in services and others who can afford it will have to pay more. Believe it or not, this budget HAD cut in it, we have more people with more need than ever before, plus even with these budget numbers, we will still be spending a smaller percentage of the worth of the state than we did 30 yrs ago on local govt. I have voted for my last republican, until republicans remember who they were at one time. |
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Re: Minnesota Majority Prepares Ad in Anticipation of Shutdown |
By ex-demcrat on
7/19/2011 |
What an opportunity for Mr. Dayton to return what government shouldn't have taken in the first place causing Mr. Dayton to see the people of Minnesota vulnerable, poor and helpless under his leadership. Return peoples initiative to do for themselves. It's what being free is.
Day care and preschool are great private sector businesses between parents and provider with no relevance to government costs and expenditures. The PEOPLES freedom to conduct daycare and preschool services fitted to the parents expectations and at a price set by the provider is called "free enterprise." "capitalism." Where the provider can make exception when times are troubled for the parent.
It eliminates all government costs, corruption! and overreach! Democrats manipulate the population into paying government what people can do for themselves. If we had leadership with dignity, leadership would relax the citizens, open the free market and build economic growth. Democrats are wrong to take away from people what the freedom of people would otherwise capitalize on.
Democrats have more concern on what government can regulate (for controlling and patronizing reasons) causing needless work and higher costs. WOW! People and society have proven to do better for themselves.
Dayton proves his incompetence by shutting down government. |
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Re: Minnesota Majority Prepares Ad in Anticipation of Shutdown |
By Don Lowell on
7/19/2011 |
| Pawlenty had 6 years to get the states finance's in order and never lifted a finger. I suppose he wore out his knees worshiping the goons over at the tax league. We have to correct this to move ahead. |
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Re: Minnesota Majority Prepares Ad in Anticipation of Shutdown |
By Sharon on
7/19/2011 |
Dan, for the past 8 budgets, Tim Pawlenty limited increases to 1.7% this number is well below inflation which averages closer to 3% That is why it seems like these important departments like our schools are begging for more year after year ever louder than the year before, it is because they are not getting it. We have made up for some of that loss with school funding shifts, which are deficits, and skyrocketing tuition, but still these programs have not risen with the rate of inflation. In fact, even with Tim Pawlenty's ridiculous Job Z giveaways of our tax money, MN governs on nearly 2 % less of it's total product than it used to prior to Jesse Venturas ill conceived tax cuts. I voted for Arne Carlson, but he is the last republican i will vote for. What part of shared sacrifice do you not understand? Sharing does not mean everybody BUT the best off among us.
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Re: Minnesota Majority Prepares Ad in Anticipation of Shutdown |
By T. Paine on
7/19/2011 |
| What do the voters expect of Gov. Mark Dayton, who was elected by a majority of Minnesotans on the platform of raising taxes for the top 2 percent?!?! Then we go ahead and hand the legislature over to a bunch of Tea Partiers, promising to reign in spending/big government/not willing to raise taxes on their wealthy constituents? These two sides are incapable of agreement -- and we the voters put them in their place. |
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Re: Minnesota Majority Prepares Ad in Anticipation of Shutdown |
By Ross Willson on
7/19/2011 |
| Make the cuts, the Government is too full of entitlements anyway. Dayton promised he would not shut down the Government over taxes, but here we are..if I were in the Legislature (with half a brain) I would maintain the revenue source (Lottery, fishing license etc) at least for a period of time which (to my thinking) might pay down some of the deficit for the State and lessen the burden across the board. |
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Re: Minnesota Majority Prepares Ad in Anticipation of Shutdown |
By Steve Hansmann on
7/19/2011 |
Mr. McGrath,
I take it then that your side, ultimately, believes Warren Buffet should pay the same amount of taxes as the single working mom earning 20 grand a year, no? What I want is Michelle Bachmann to pay the same rate as I do, and she doesn't. And please, all you republicans out there, the wealthy are okay. Don't forget, under President Ike, the last good republican president, the wealthiest among us, and corporations, paid a tax rate in the 90th percentile, yet the country clubs were full, they still summered in Europe, they were extremely profitable, and the economy was strong. The rich are okay. And Mr. McGrath, please show me any proof at all, that cutting taxes on the leisure class creates even one job, in this country I mean. I've been waiting for a sane response for the last ten years from my conservative friends and relatives, and I'm still waiting. |
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Re: Minnesota Majority Prepares Ad in Anticipation of Shutdown |
By J.J. on
7/19/2011 |
| The "i would not shut down the government " quote should be on a billboard with a statement of the date, time and place he made the lie. |
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Being away on business makes me realize how dysfunctional you are |
By Greg on
7/19/2011 |
Minnesota Majority and the right wing lunacy that dominates St. Paul should be ashamed of their blatant attempts to "drown government in a bathtub" a la Grover Norquist while blaming the Governor. The Minnesota I knew and loved was doing just fine before crazy became synonymous with Republican.
I was an independent voter. Thanks for making me realize that state and national politics are team sports. My moderate Republican state rep lost my vote (and my wife's, my New Ulm father-in-law's who hasn't like a Dem since HHH, my suburban Obama-hating Assembly of God preaching cousin who is watching what is happening in his economically challenged congregation, among others....) over these past 10 days, not because I don't like him, but because I can't stand his colleagues. Just thought you should know how this is playing just a little south of you.
"Majority" my foot. You are losing non-partisan votes and eventually the legislature every minute of every hour with this crap. |
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Re: Minnesota Majority Prepares Ad in Anticipation of Shutdown |
By Bill Piechowski on
7/19/2011 |
when I was Born we were just comeing out of a republican depreshion
now the I,m comeing to the end of life were going into a republican depression
I have a simple solution ,if some one runs into your car they are responsible for the costs, sow the politishions that can not get there work done sould get no wages , plus have to pay back all losses goverment the peoples money and also privite people who lost money....it should be devided equally between all represenatives, and a lean put on there property also there contrbuters sould be included.they are ther to get work done not act like 2 year old kids |
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Re: Minnesota Majority Prepares Ad in Anticipation of Shutdown |
By ex-democrat on
9/21/2011 |
Strength can be overpowered by the weak when weak becomes the majority. Of course government doesn't help when their actions and decisions cause a force of dependency that IS foreseen. Strong leadership would avoid that.
Just like independence can be overpowered by the majority of Minnesotans living under the wings of government's flighty programs.
Strength is independence. Weak is depending on government to manipulate their constitutional duties for special recognition or discriminating favors that interfere with the ability of people to do for themselves. Weak is also being satisfied with corruption, thievery, irresponsibilities and incompetence with no concern to correct.
Carry on Minnesota. May you live your life in harmony with your independence controlled by government dayton. |
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Re: Minnesota Majority Prepares Ad in Anticipation of Shutdown |
By Barb on
9/21/2011 |
Mr. Hansmann, why are you so jealous of the rich? People who've made themselves a decent living without government interference? Rich people keep businesses going. They buy things that we can't afford but that if not purchased would devastate employment in many areas. More taxing on the rich is less of their money going into the markets that provide for those unmentioned jobs. If I were you I'd rethink my love for government and refocus on what freedom and personal responsibilities government is crowding out. I'd rather handle my own earned income to spend on my livelihood and the less government the more of my earned income, I get. Why is that unacceptable to you and the democratic party? Why do you want to punish people who were able to fulfill their American Dream?
You bring up the past, yes I remember the past when people were self reliant and freer when the last thing if they'd even go that far, was getting help through GOVERNMENT DEPENDENCY.
Proper and decent leadership would respect the dignity of a free people and encourage self reliance to those who can't or see it to be someone elses job to pull up their own pants. Your side wants progressivism over freedom and independence?
I vote for American principled. Haven't voted democrat since they fooled me once! Not that they're not given a chance, but they act without wanting one. I hear no principles, not even American. Democrats disrespect and patronize and I don't like that from anybody but democrats are in a controlling position outside my own and I don't like it one bit. |
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