Sarah Palin

So last night was billed as Sarah Palins big coming out party but even thou she gave a good speech She seems to have a little problem with her facts. her is some interesting info from CBS fact checking

Palin on Special Needs Children
Palin said: "To the families of special-needs children all across this country, I have a message: For years, you sought to make America a more welcoming place for your sons and daughters. I pledge to you that if we are elected, you will have a friend and advocate in the White House

But the Fact is;
Palin actually slashed funding for schools for special needs children by 62%

Palin on the Bridge to Nowhere:
I told the Congress "thanks, but no thanks," for that Bridge to Nowhere. If our state wanted a bridge, we'd build it ourselves."

The Fact is
the Earmarks for the Bridge to Nowhere were removed before Sarah Palin became governor. and in her campaign for governor when asked;
Would you continue state funding for the proposed Knik Arm and Gravina Island bridges?
Palin replied: Yes. I would like to see Alaska's infrastructure projects built sooner rather than later. The window is now--while our congressional delegation is in a strong position to assist."

I also think it is interesting when Palin says America needs more energy ... our opponent is against producing it."
But the fact is that the Obama plan is to develop more energy then Sen.John McCain 's plan it's just that Sen. Obama want to increase renewable energy not carbon-based energy.

An interesting side note is if Sen. McCain is so interested in our Energy Crisis why has he missed the last eight votes on renewable energy?

I have to admit that Sarah Palin is bringing back memories of Dan Quayle

Ask Real Questions

Rep. Tim Walz had a nice editorial in the Albert Lea Tribune today if you missed it here it is

Ignore finger-pointing and ask real questions

If there’s one thing Minnesotans don’t need from their politicians, it’s more finger-pointing and political slogans. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what state Sen. Dick Day gave the readers of the Albert Lea Tribune on Aug. 24.
I ran for Congress in 2006 because I was fed up with the partisan bickering. In Washington, from the farm bill to the G.I. Bill, I have worked with members of both parties to forge common-sense solutions to the problems facing the people of my district. I spend my time back home traveling hundreds of miles across southern Minnesota and talking to folks about their hopes and concerns.
From the economy to energy, I have sponsored good legislation to help middle-class families. My middle-class tax cut will help 61 million Americans. And, I’ve worked with colleagues from both parties on a bipartisan energy bill that increases offshore drilling and uses new royalty payments to finance research and development in clean fuels and speed up our transition to energy independence.
These bills are common-sense solutions to the problems facing ordinary Americans. In fact, Sen. Day himself has said he doesn’t oppose my middle-class tax cut and he’s glad I’m working on the bipartisan energy bill. And groups like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce have endorsed my energy bill, saying it will, “have a meaningful impact on energy prices.”
This campaign season, I encourage you to ignore the political finger-pointing and ask: Which candidates are forging common-sense solutions that work for us? I think you’ll find that on a host of important issues, I’m working for you.
Tim Walz
U.S. representative
First Congressional District
Mankato

Great Job

I was talking to some friends the other day and they told me that they had heard that Robin Brown was closing in on having door knocked over 8,000 homes so far this summer.

WOW, GREAT JOB ROBIN

Then I saw this recently on the Albert Lea Tribune Website

Why I plan to vote for Robin Brown this Fall
By Jeshua Erickson

I plan to vote for Robin Brown this Fall. Here's why:

1) She is accessible. If you want to talk to Robin about something, ask her a question or need help solving a problem that involves the Minnesota State Legislature, call Robin. She can help.

2) She values education. Robin is a teacher at Albert Lea High School, so when it comes to knowing how important it is that we support education in Minnesota, Robin has first-hand experience. She uses her experience as a teacher to make education decisions that are right for Minnesota's future.

3) She has foresight. I remember a debate in the last election cycle where Robin was telling members of the audience how important it was that we keep our roads and bridges in good shape. She was emphatic about this long before the I-35W bridge fell in Minneapolis. Robin is a state representative who is proactive, not reactive.

4) She works hard.Robin works hard to earn your vote and she wants to find out what it is that matters most to you. She's personally knocked on door after door after door, wearing her bright yellow blazer on hot summer days just to let you know she cares about each and every person she represents.

Robin, thanks for everything you've done for us so far. Keep up the great work!

I can't agree more
Thanks Robin for listening to my concerns when you were out in my neighborhood this summer
in 90 degree heat.
Keep up the good work

Random Thoughts

I received a call tonight from a friend of my who was out at the Freeborn County Fair today.
He told me that the Republican booth was lacking their nice big pictures of President George W Bush and VP Dick Cheney. Gee what happened Guys and Gals don't tell me that you want to forget the last 7 years too.

My friend also told me that the Freeborn County GOP was going to give away $20.00 for free gasoline in a drawing on Sunday. So I decided to do the math and when I figured in the price of gas at today's price of 3.59 a gallon the total gas you will win in the drawing is 5.6 gallons. They must figure that they can't afford to five away a full tank because it would cost them to much. So being the conservatives that they are they must of figured that a quarter of a tank was enough.

My friend also said that the Freeborn County DFL was giving away some Tim Walz T-shirts which lasted less then 10 minutes before they were all gone. He also said that the Robin Brown Fans were going like hot cakes. On a day like today I would take a Robin Brown fan over a GOP Sticker any day.

I'm Shocked

As I was web surfing tonight I noticed that Minnesota 20/20 has done a report on road safety. A survey of Minnesota's County Highway Engineers has brought some interesting facts about the roads and bridges in our state , such as:

• Nearly three-quarters of county engineers surveyed say the roads and bridges they maintain have deteriorated in the past decade as costs and traffic demands have risen while state support has stagnated.
• The falloff in county road and bridge quality and safety has persisted despite a doubling of local property taxes dedicated to roads and bridges in 10 years, to an estimated $1.6 billion in 2006
• 4% of county engineers surveyed say they have even returned 20th century paved roads to 19th century style gravel or dirt roads
• New state-level road and bridge financing enacted this year over Gov. Tim Pawlenty's veto will ease the situation somewhat, but "not enough to make a real difference." More than 92 percent of county engineers surveyed said the revenue increases won't allow them to meet their transportation goals.

County engineers that responded to the survey stated in their recommendations that, the state should adopt recommendations of the Minnesota County Engineers Association, particularly:

• Inflation indexing of the gasoline tax, which lost nearly half its buying power in the 20 years between the two most recent increases.
• Authority for counties to levy annual wheelage taxes of up to $20 per vehicle for roads and bridges.
• Some form of road impact fees to defray a fair share of the actual costs of real estate development
and heavier truck traffic on county roads.
• Increased state general obligation bonding to repair or replace aging local bridges.

In a Poll taken of the county engineers when asked what strategies they used to meet road and bridge funding challenges

70% said they had to increase property taxes. But the number that really jumped out at me was that 44% of county engineers stated that that they had cut snowplowing and other maintenance efforts because of lack of funding.

That is not right! We are talking about public safety here, yours , mine, our children and our grandchildren safety. Yes we need to find ways to keep our roads safe but cutting maintenance and snow plowing is NOT the way to go.

Jotting

I heard Dick Day was in town recently tryng to muster up support from the small business folks. So now that he is out on the campaign trail driving all over the First District one has to wonder if he has finally noticed just how bad the roads are in the state.

Do You Think?
With the July 3rd parade just days away, will the Freeborn County Republican party be welcoming Dick to town with open arms?

Next

While I'm writing about our local republican party, I was checking out their website recently and noticed they have a little write up on Norm Coleman. well since Sen Coleman has been senator for the last 6 years I for one would think that they would be able to spell his name right. So here is a little heads up to my republican friends Norms last name is spelled Coleman not "Colman" hope that helps.

I also notice that Erik Larson said on his website that he give back to the community as a part of the Bayside Skiers water show. Ok so is showing off ones water skiing skills really giving back to the community? I think not.

What has Erik really done for the citizens here? Looks like "Nothing."

Lastly

I have always wondered why the Chamber of Commerce holds the Independence Day parade on the evening of July 3?

By doing so they are excluding the men and women of the community and the area who work the night shift at our local business and factories from taking part in or enjoying this event.

These are young to middle age working class citizens with families, why would we want to exclude these hard working people and their families from attending? The committee that plans this parade need to at least look into planing this event in the future so the working class citizens that work the night shift can also enjoy this wonderful event.

Walz fight for Us

The high gas prices are inflicting some real pain on the citizens of the first district. Rep. Tim Walz also feels the pain and is doing something about it.

As Minnesotans are preparing their travel plans for the 4th of July, Congressman
Walz took steps today to stop price gouging at the pumps. Walz joined 275
of his colleagues in voting for the Federal Price Gouging Prevention Act (HR
6346). This legislation will allow the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to
investigate and punish individuals and companies taking advantage of American
consumers and will help families and businesses that are struggling with record
gas prices.“Our summer driving season is well underway and hard working families
are paying a heavy price for this Administration’s failure to hold Big Oil
accountable,” said Walz. “In Mankato, gas costs $3.93 a gallon, which is more
than double the cost when Bush took office. Enough is enough.”Walz continued,
“This bill will allow the FTC to investigate and punish those who artificially
inflate the price of gasoline and diesel fuel to greedily make more money. Under
the bill, the Justice Department could impose criminal penalties of up to $150
million on corporations and fines of up to $2 million and jail sentences of up
to 10 years for individuals who are found guilty of gas price gouging


Rep. Walz understands that the high cost of fuel has a ripple effect on us all. Beside costing us more at the pump it also drives up the cost of food, goods and services which in turns takes more money out of the pockets of hard working citizens. It's time to stand up for the citizens that are feeling the pinch.

Thanks Rep Walz