Kowabunga

RepubliCon SD36 2008

Yesterday I took a break from one event I was at with my family to attend RepubliCon SD36 2008 in Lakeville, MN. This is the bi-annual conference of the Minnesota Senate District 36 where we endorse candidates for office, choose delegates to go on to the congressional district and state levels, and vote on proposed changes to the party platform to move up to the next level. The turnout, like caucus night, was astounding. I think we have the $6 BILLION tax increase that is being foisted on Minnesotans by the Democrats and the six “Republican” defectors that voted to overturn the Governor’s veto. People are MAD. I believe, and should have said at the time, that while the Democrats have forgotten this country came about as a result of a massive tax revolt, we have not.

There was also tremendous interest in being delegates with over 60 people running for the 22 delegate and 22 alternate slots. Somehow I managed to squeak by and make it in as alternate number 11, so I will be going to both conventions. I’d be going anyway, but now I will at least have a pretty good chance of getting seated. I won’t make it to the national level, but there are ways to go to that and cover it as well.

This year I also served on the resolutions committee, and learned a bit about how that process works. The committee received kudos for a job well done.

Mrs. Kline, the wife of Congressman Kline, spoke as John Kline was busily making the circuit of hitting the other conventions in CD 2 (and he would put in an appearance later in the day) spoke to the gathered throng. She expressed great delight in the turnout and all of the new faces that were at this year’s convention. She went on to say she was “proud of my country for the billionth time.” This goes to show another significant difference between Republicans and Democrats. We are always proud of our country, whereas the Dems are only proud for the first time when Barack Obama became the frontrunner for his party’s nomination.

Patrick Garofalo, my state representative, talked a bit about what went on the Minnesota House with the veto override, and what that means. Part of it includes over $100 MILLION for transit (most likely light rail) while a scant $10 million will go to roads and bridges. This increase from a party that condemned the GOP for not providing enough money to roads and bridges and blames that “lack of funding” on the recent 35W bridge collapse.

Garofalo also pointed out that it is the intent of the DFL to increase the amount of debt the state carries from the 3% of budget (or is that 3% of the state level equivalent of GDP), putting our excellent credit rating at risk, while at the same time putting greater debt and related expenses on our children.

The day was a reminder of what is at stake this year, and that we have a lot of work ahead of us if we are to reverse the damage being done to Minnesota and the U.S.

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Republican John Kline SD36 Garofalo Taxes

Tags: American Politics, Garofalo, Kline, MN Politics, MNGOP, Taxes