Comcast backs health care reform

Good story at Think Progress

But on Thursday, Comcast, the nation’s largest cable provider, came out and endorsed the Senate health care legislation. CEO Brian Roberts sent a letter to President Obama saying that the “enactment of comprehensive health care reform legislation is, in my judgment, critical to putting this country on a path of sustained growth and prosperity.”

Bachmann lies about Capitol protest

20,000-40,000 people?

I've seen more people at a SCSU Hockey game...

Spread via only "word of mouth"?

Really?

Ummmmm....I was there Congresswoman!

Sorry Bluewife...I mean WE were there...

A. When we spoke to Capitol Police, they estimated the crowd at 3-5,000. I politely asked to reduce that figure by two...since we didn't support that level of crazy.

Bachmann and her cronies are lying.

Here's a quick cell phone pic from the front of the Capitol, taken about 30 minutes into the love fest.


Look at all that "green space"! We'll post video's soon...don't worry!

So here's the question.

Do we cave for 5,000 teabaggers at the base of the Capitol?

Or do we listen to 1.5 million folks who showed up longing for change?


What do you think?

B. All those people showed up via "word of mouth"...

Really? So linking to the House protest on the Congresswoman's official Congressional web page constitutes "word of mouth"?

Actually, it's yet another violation of House ethics rules. But really...who cares right? When you stand out on the steps of the Capitol, tout lie after lie while missing a vote on the recognition of service in our nation's military by women, why not continue to violate rules and lie?

Especially when you parlay those lies into more face time with her constituents, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck, and Rush Limbaugh.

One year from tonight we'll be celebrating Congresswoman Tarryl Clark...

Lack of health care killed 2,266 Veterans last year

This just pisses me off...

The number of US veterans who died in 2008 because they lacked health insurance was 14 times higher than the US military death toll in Afghanistan that year, according to a new study.

Veterans Day for me is a time to reflect.

I reflect on the good times and the great times of my 11 years of Active Duty military service.

I remember my friends that are no longer with us.

I think about the men and women who suffered through so much that they felt the only choice they had was to take their own life.

I think about all of those homeless Veterans out there, struggling day to day.

And I realize just how lucky I am...

Pawlenty doesn't like VA Healthcare

Not a good stance to take as a Presidential Candidate...

Over at Think Progress.

CHALIAN: But you would lead a charge in your state to opt out if that was an option available?

PAWLENTY: I think so because I don’t like government run health care.

He doesn't like government run health care, we get it.

Message to Governor Pawlenty:

Forms of government run health care include:

Medicare
Medicaid
SCHIP's
Veterans Administration health care

Stuff like this can't be helping Republican approval ratings, the lowest in 25 years.

The GOP Healthcare Plan?

Domestic Violence a "pre-existing condition"?

This is what happens when corporate greed supersedes common sense.

But, in DC and eight other states, including Idaho, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Wyoming, insurance companies have gone too far, claiming that "domestic violence victim" is also a pre-existing condition.

Yet another reason real and strong reforms are needed to health care in this country.

John Kline Exposed (Updated)

I've spent some time over the past few weeks working with folks down in CD 2 on a John Kline exposed/greatest hits post.

If you'd like to send more of his greatest hits, simply reply to this post. Otherwise, here's a quick snapshot of some of John Klines "greatest hits". Leadership and courage at its finest ladies and gentlemen.

Talking to several Veterans buddies who have tried to work with John Kline:

During the race against Colleen Rowley, Kline was overheard the finals days of the campaign saying he had the endorsement of the Diabled American Veterans. This was a bold faced lie by John Kline, DAV does not endorse candidates.

DAV sends groups to Washington to lobby members of Congress on important Veterans issues. While Kline met with Veterans in 04, 05, and o6, he blew off the Minnesota delegation in 2007, saying he was too busy to meet with the decorated Veterans.

Kline's voting record according to the DAV? Not very good, especially for a Vietnam Veteran.

In 2004 and 2005 he was rated 0. Zero!

He also only supported the interests of the Vietnam Veterans of America 50% of the time in 2003-04, but the National Retail Asscoation recieved 100% support from John Kline.

John Kline's record on Veterans issues is simply unacceptable and esspecially troubling since Kine is a Veteran himself.

Kline refuses to work in a bi-partisan manner on Veterans issues. He told the leader of a local veterans’ group, who had presented Kline with a number of bills his group wanted support for, “These are all Democrat bills, and I do not support Democrat-authored bills.”

*Update* A concerned Veteran forwarded me this video. John Kline snubs a Veterans forum. He also blew off Veterans forums in Goodhue County and at the Zumbrota VFW too.



On oil and the environment:

In response to a parade-goer in Eagan, a gentleman encouraged Kline to get out of Iraq , Kline responded, “Don’t you want oil?”

And lets recall the John Kline energy tour this past July, the one where he refused to meet with any constituents again.

Classy!

And what about Congressman Kline's lack of townhall meetings? Why won't he meet with constituents?

Probably because he got tripped up by this college student the last time he let common folk like us talk to him.



He doesn’t hold town hall meetings because he’s said they’re “too political,” and because “20 people in the district have this notion that it is my job to provide them with a venue just to protest."

He's no Jed Bartlett, that's for sure.

Kline even has a bit of time to display his "compassionate conservatism"!

He told the mother of a kid with cancer, that “hundreds of people a year try and parade their sick kids in front of me for money.”

So, while Norm Coleman uses them for political gain, John Kline just spits in their face and tells them to "move along now"

Sorry, but that's just sickening.

So, anyone else have any good John Kline stories? Post them in the comments or shoot them to me in email!

We support Steve Sarvi for many reasons and cannot afford to remain silent about John Kline's record and demeanor as a Congressman.

Paulsen: Not so good on healthcare either...

This is a powerful ad!

Sarvi / CD 2 Poll Numbers Out!

Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a race.

A poll was conducted May 19-22 polling 400 registered voters in Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District.

Here are some very interesting findings from the poll.

-Congressman Kline’s job rating is a bleak 44% fair/poor to only 39% excellent/good; aside from the fact that it is a net negative showing, one should note that 39% approval is a long way from 50%. Incumbents under 50% are considered vulnerable.

-69% of district voters think the country is on the wrong track. Furthermore, the data show that the tired, traditional attacks on a Democratic candidate will work no better in this district than they did in the recent Mississippi, Louisiana and Illinois special elections. Congressman Kline's tired attacks are a failing tactic.

-Congressman Kline's support is neither broad nor deep. After hearing just one positive statement about Sarvi and nothing critical of Kline, voters quickly shift their preference to Sarvi, 49% to 37%. A second positive message about Steve (still without a negative on Kline) shifts the balance further, increasing Sarvi’s lead to 58% to 26%. The most basic voter education about Steve’s record and vision makes the race competitive, on an issue terrain that clearly presents the Sarvi campaign with enormous opportunities.

-Wedge issues will not work! Typical "wedge" issues wield very little power in the 2nd District. Half of those polled prefer a pro-choice candidate, and 80% either partly favor or strongly favor a moderate position on dealing with illegal immigration.

-The poll confirms what we've known for quite some time. The political demographics in the 2nd District are changing. The generic ballot between any Democrat and any Republican starts out tied at 40%. This is the first time in the district’s history that this has been the case.

-Being a Bush-dog does not help Congressman Kline at all. Bush has a 76% disapproval rating in the 2nd CD. With a voting record closely aligned with Bush policies, this does not bode well for Kline.

The key issues in the 2nd?

The economy (38%), the war in Iraq (32%), healthcare/prescription costs (21%), and gas prices.

Steve Sarvi is the right candidate at the right time. His service to our Country in both Iraq and Kosovo and his experience in local government are strong qualifiers for office.

It's early.

These are great polling numbers! Things can change a lot between now and November. The time to act is now. Team Sarvi has worked hard to make this a competitive race in the 2nd CD. It's our turn to step up and help him out in every way possible.

Go here to volunteer for Sarvi!

Go here to contribute to the campaign!

Shimanski praises survey, DFL objects

Ah, McLeod Chronicle letter day!

Rep Ron Shimanski writes about his survey. "Survey painted clear picture".

Really? I'd say it painted a tainted picture because of the biased survey.

Respondents replied at an overwhelming 88 percent rate they prefer a health care system that includes things like freedom and choice, privacy and security, and no government take-over.

Gaining only 12 percent of your support is a health care model that includes higher taxes and potential care rationing in a single-payer model.

With such biased questions, I'm surprised 12% of the people read through the rhetoric.

You can distort the situation pretty easily by asking the question in a biased manner.

Ask 50 3rd graders if they want to spend a cold winter holiday all dressed up with their sister or if they would rather have a day off from school in February, to go sledding.

The majority would select sledding.

Add Christmas and Martin Luther King Jr Day to each of those situations, the response will change markedly.

Shimanski's survey was biased.

McLeod County DFL Chair, John Hassinger responds.

A recent questionnaire mailed and put in the area Shopper by State Rep. Ron Shimanski, R-Silver Lake, asked for people to respond to a series of questions about health care, taxes, transportation, etc.

Attempts to gain citizen input are important; asking leading questions to get the answers you want is not fair and does not allow a full range of opinions.

An open, fair discussion of issues is vital to our democracy, leading questionnaires don't get us there. Rep. Shimanski, you can do better.

Additionally, we would be interested in how much taxpayer money was used to create, print, distribute and tabulate the results?

We'll anxiously await Shimanski's response telling us the survey was not biased...

Legislative Survey's: Shimanski v. Peppin

Thursday, while eating in Maple Grove, I found a Legislative Survey for Rep. Joyce Peppin.

As my heart raced like a little kid on Christmas, I opened the survey and was, well, disappointed.
It was not the conservative rant I had hoped it would be. But I found it very interesting, when comparing it to the survey of Rep. Ron Shimanski.

Rep Peppin is a staunch conservative. However, her survey is worded fairly.

It starts off with a question about the respondent's most important legislative concerns.

A. Economy/job creation
B. Taxes
C. Education
D. Health Care
E. Environment
F. Transportation
G. Other

As we recall, Shimanski starts his Legislative Survey with a very politically loaded question.

Question 1. Which system of health care reform do you prefer?

A. I'd like to see a health care system that allow freedom and choice, privacy and security, and no government take-over.

B. I am willing to pay higher taxes and face potential care rationing so the government can provide single payer health coverage to all Minnesotans, regardless of income.

The Shimanski Survey doesn't even ask constituents for their top legislative concern.

Peppin's Survey asks for the respondent's opinion on health care.

A. The system is broken. To ensure coverage for all, we should enact a government administered program.

B. The system needs reform that ban be best accomplished by empowering consumers and the free market.

C. The system works sufficiently well and no massive changes are necessary.

D. Don't know/ need more info.

I had been wondering for quite some time now whether or not the House Republican Caucus had pushed surveys similar to Shimanski's across the state. It would appear as though Shimanski's poorly worded and biased survey was exclusive to himself.

I'll scan both surveys and post them later.

Fisking the Rep Shimanski survey

State Representative for 18A, Ron Shimanski, recently sent out a Legislative Questionnaire.

In an email I received a few weeks ago, he provides a sample of the results thus far and encourages those that want to participate, to call or email him to obtain a survey.

Question 1. Which system of health care reform do you prefer?

A. I'd like to see a health care system that allow freedom and choice, privacy and security, and no government take-over.

B. I am willing to pay higher taxes and face potential care rationing so the government can provide single payer health coverage to all Minnesotans, regardless of income.

Shimanski provides early numbers on what people think:

Respondents replied at an overwhelming 88 percent rate they prefer a health care system that includes things like freedom and choice, privacy and security, and no government take-over. Gaining only 12 percent of your support is a health care model that includes higher taxes and potential care rationing in a single-payer model.

Could these questions have been worse? Seriously?

With the questions worded so poorly, so politically loaded, it's amazing 12% supported a single payer model.

50 kids at a local elementary school recently took part in an informal survey (aka, a show of hands).

They were posed the question, which would you prefer?

A. A holiday from school so that they can go sledding and watch Sponge Bob.

B. A holiday from school in which you have to spend the whole day with you little brother or sister, dressed up!

100% of students wanted to watch Sponge Bob and go sledding.

The next day, they were posed with the nearly the same question, just worded a bit different.

What is your favorite holiday?

A. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

B. Christmas.

In a complete reversal, 100% of the students said Christmas as their favorite holiday. Note, each question talks about the same holiday, they are just presented differently.

That's the problem with Rep Shimanski's Legislative Questionnaire. It's a politically loaded questionnaire.

His question about health care feeds on fear mongering. He continues his fear mongering with the final question on his survey.

"Should Minnesotans be required to provide photo identification in order to vote?"

Area constituents also show strong support for voter protection,indicating at an 84-percent rate photo ID should be a requirement to vote. This would be effective in preventing voter fraud on election day and make it easier for election officials certify fair elections.

Shimanski and his colleagues, are creating a problem where no such problem exists.

The Voter ID requirement is troublesome for many reasons. It creates a backdoor poll tax. If you can't afford the $25 for a State of MN ID, you would not be able to vote.

In 1964, Congress ratified the 24th Amendment which banned poll taxes. A photo ID is just another hurdle for potential voters to jump over. Ultimately, it disenfranchises hundreds of thousands of voters, particularly low-income, communities of color, senior citizens, women and young people.

It would also appear that Shimanski will use "smokers" as a constituency group this coming fall. At the bottom of his survey, he lists several boxes for people to check. A constituent ID.

Veteran/Active Military, Parent, Teacher/ Student, Smoker, Hunter/ Angler, Senior Adult, Business Owner, Pro-life.

Why did Shimanski feel the need to post the preliminary results and ask for more surveys? Any statistical validity is called into question by releasing this info then calling for more surveys. We've already discussed the poorly worded questions...

It's important for our elected officials to know what's in the minds of their constituents (hear that Congresswoman Bachmann?). However, with such politically loaded, rhetoric filled questionnaires, Shimanski is getting the constituents to tell him what he wants them to hear, so he can remain in St Paul and not advocate for the people of 18A.

Bob Olson's message to the delegates

Spent a bit of time talking to Bob Olson about the campaign and offered to post a You Tube for him.

Olson expressed great concern over the lack of debates in the 6th CD. When you compare and contrast what's happening in CD 3, who have had nearly 20 debates and forums, you can understand the concern. (There has only been on debate/forum).

I know students at St Johns/ St Bens attempted to put together something but from what I understand, no dates would work out for Tinklenberg.

With Senate District and County Unit conventions looming in the very near future, Olson wanted a way to "get the word out" to delegates.

Check it out!



In my opinion, his most powerful statements start right around the 5 minute mark, as he begins his close.

Check it out!

Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer in Buffalo

Joan Pauly Schneider from Buffalo organized a really fun event. Bluewoman and I will probably try to organize an event like this in SD 18.

I'll post photos later in the day!

One of the most important facets of this event was that it brought out other Democrats that I had not met in Wright County. About 60 people were in attendance at this event and I probably knew right around half the group. Normally, we recognize nearly everyone.

Coffee and rolls are always good with a fun group of Democrats around. Jack worked the room, eventually getting to BW and I. We had a fun and short chat.

After some introductions Jack spoke. His focus on not only the issues but real solutions was powerful.

He highlighted 4 areas, chief concerns he has heard as he has traveled the state. In Buffalo, Iraq may be #1, but in Fergus Falls, it could be education. Regardless of where he is though, these 4 issues are most certanly the most important.

Global Warming: The military industrial complex moved our society forward post World War II. The time to move from the MIC to a Marshall Plan to rebuild our energy infrastructure. We spend more in 1/2 day in Iraq than we do on renewable/sustainable energy funding in the United States.

"Without urgent action we will experience devastating effects, including coastal flooding, an unprecedented refugee crisis, prolonged droughts and heat waves, and water shortages. While our country is the largest contributor of greenhouse emissions, the Bush administration has refused to join international efforts to address global warming. The economic costs of not acting to address global warming are far greater than the costs of taking bold action now."

"We need to enact effective public policies to address global warming and build a renewable energy economy. This includes setting an ambitious national goal to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2030 through conservation, efficiency, better mileage vehicles, mass transit, responsible building codes and carbon taxes. Creating a renewable energy economy will generate millions of high-paying jobs. Federal research and development dollars must be reprioritized away from new weapons systems to renewable energy."

Iraq: Going to war in Iraq based on the Bush Administration intelligence was wrong, it was criminal. Continuing our militarization of Iraq with permanent bases and lengthy multiple deployments is even more wrong. Providing lacking support to our returning soldiers and Veterans is immoral.

"The Bush administration never had an exit strategy for Iraq because it does not plan on leaving. The Bush administration invaded and occupies Iraq in pursuit of two principle goals: to establish permanent military bases and to control Iraq’s vast oil supplies. Responsibly ending the occupation depends on rejecting these goals."

"All of our hopes and dreams are held hostage to the Iraq war. The $12 billion per month we spend on the war not only hurts Iraqis, it also cripples domestic efforts to address pressing environmental, health, education and other needs at home. It is shameful that the Bush administration demands hundreds of billions of dollars to continue an unnecessary war while refusing to adequately fund programs for returning vets or health care programs for uninsured US children. "

Health Care: 50 million Americans who go with no coverage is immoral. Lobbyists and the pharmaceutical industry have a stranglehold on the American health care system.

He supports a single payer health care system that provides universal coverage, focuses on prevention, and offers parity between mental and physical health needs.

Education: Jack understands the importance of high quality public education. He is the only candidate in the Senate race who has sent his kids entirely through the public school system.

"Shifting the costs of education from general taxes to property taxes also strains budgets, aggravates inequalities and erodes financial support for public education. One day of Iraq War spending could pay for 9,600 more teachers for a year."

Intertwined within each of these areas is the facet of the economy. Shifting focus from a military industrial complex based system to a sustainable / renewable energy economy will kickstart our nations security concerns and will allow ourselves to be energy independent. The wasteful spending in Iraq, putting on our future children's credit cards, harms the economy in a profound way.

Instead of taking care of our infrastructure needs, we are taking care of the needs of another nation we destroyed.

Before his Q&A session, JNP used a FDR quote. Fortunately, BW and I had visited the FDR Memorial in DC this past November and captured the quote in stone.

"Unless the peace that follows recognizes that the whole world is on neighborhood and does justice to the whole human race, the germs of another world war will remain as a constant threat to mankind."

BW and I hung around for a bit after the event, spoke to people who had not seen him speak before, as well as spoke to some of the campaign staff about organizing activities.

It was a wonderful event. It galvanizes my progressive side. I'll always support candidates who embrace hope, compassion, and the struggles that face working and middle class American's. Candidates who have a vision for change and are working to create a movement to bring forth this change always get my support.

JNP described, in part, voter dissatisfaction with Congress. “The Democrats treat the environment (or Iraq, Education, Health Care) as if we are in a car going 150 miles per hour towards a cliff and they propose to slow the car down to 100 mph. But we need a change of direction.”

Until we reject candidates of the status quo we'll continue our 100 mph plunge off a cliff.

Olson on the State of the Union Address

It's a good thing I was driving home from work during the State of the Union. Had I been playing the SOTU address game, I would have been "full" by 8:24.

It may have been the Pell Grants for kids thing that pushed me over the edge...

Olson on SOTU: Bush 'Failed the Great Test of Leadership'

For Immediate Release
Contact: Christopher Truscott

ANOKA—Bob Olson, a DFL candidate in the 6th Congressional District, released the following statement in response to President George W. Bush's State of the Union address:

"On a day when five troops were killed in Iraq, President Bush failed to deliver the exit plan our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines have earned.

"On a day when 9 million children went uninsured, President Bush failed to deliver health care coverage for the most vulnerable among us.

"On a day when millions of working families worried about losing their homes, President Bush failed to deliver a plan to end the agony.

"On a day when his country needed him most, President Bush failed the great test of leadership—again."

Olson gets another A: Talking Issues on AM 950

Listening on my way home from the U tonight, I thought Olson did very well.

Olson Talks Issues on The Mark Heaney Show

For Immediate Release
Contact: Christopher Truscott

ANOKA—Bob Olson, a DFL candidate in the 6th Congressional District, was a guest on The Mark Heaney Show, where he discussed critical issues facing our country.

(Note: Audio will be provided once it's available.)

On moving to renewable energy:

"(The best thing we can do) for our national security, our economy—which is very important right now—and our environment is break our dependence on foreign oil."

On reproductive rights:

"I'm pro-choice … My opponent says she's pro-family, but she votes against health care for children. … I think supporting health care for children and the poor is the real pro-life position."

On defeating Republican incumbents:

"Our Democratic candidates and representatives in Congress have not been strong enough in opposing (Karl Rove tactics)."

On the economic benefit of American-made energy vs. sending $1.3 billion abroad each day for oil:

"The solution is to keep that money here and build our economy from the grassroots up."

On economic stimulus proposals:

"If we do this, it needs to be going to the working class, the poor, the middle class—not the very, very wealthy."

"The wealthy aren't hurting. The wealthy aren't having their homes foreclosed. They're not worried about health care. We need to take care of the middle class."

"We need someone in Congress who understands these things and has the backbone to stand up to the Dick Cheneys and Karl Roves of the world."

On taxes:

"I understand the tax law and understand the middle class and working class are paying far more on the next dollar earned than someone living off capital gains and dividends. It wasn't like that (before President Bush took office)."

On health care:

"There are a lot of ways to get (to universal coverage), but every American needs health care. It is immoral that we're in this situation."

On Iraq:

"Our forces have done everything asked of them. They've done a good job and now they deserve an exit strategy."

"It made as much sense to go after Iraq and Saddam Hussein after 9/11 as it would have to attack China and India after Pearl Harbor."

Muse covers Tarryl Clark healthcare listening session

Just up the road from my Wright County Outpost, in St Cloud, State Senator Tarryl Clark hosted a health care listening session. Present at the listening session were Senator Clark, Senator John Marty (Nancy Larson's running mate!), and State Reps Haws, Hosch and Gottwalt.

Political Muse covered the event, with YouTubes! Check them out!

Muse posts a handout from Senator Marty on health care reform

In order to keep Minnesotans healthy and provide the best quality of health care, our health care system must:
(1) Ensure all Minnesotans receive high quality health care, regardless of their income;
(2) Not restrict, delay, or deny care or reduce the quality of care to hold down costs, but instead reduce costs through prevention, efficiency, and reduction of bureaucracy;
(3) Cover all necessary care, including all coverage currently required by law, complete mental health services, chemical dependency treatment, prescription drugs, medical equipment and supplies, dental care, long term care, and home care services;
(4) Allow patients to choose their own providers;
(5) Be funded through premiums and other payments based on the person's ability to pay, so as not to deny full access to all Minnesotans;
(6) Focus on preventative care and early intervention to improve the health of all Minnesotans and reduce costs from untreated illnesses and diseases;
(7) Ensure and adequate number of qualified health care professionals and facilities to guarantee availability of, and timely access to quality care throughout the state;
(8) Continue Minnesota's leadership in medical education, training, research, and technology;
(9) Provide adequate and timely payments to providers.

Compare this to what the House GOP Caucus plan, unveiled by Rep Marty Seifert at the Hutchinson Townhall meeting on October 16, 2007.

Crushing health care costs: Marty's plan
1. Monopolistic Control: 4 non-profits provide 80% of the HMO insurance. Open up competition, prices go down.
2. More mandates on private health care. Allow for cafeteria plans.
3. MN Care tax repealed.
4. Reform welfare system. 4-6,000 people move to the state every year to take advantage of Minnesota's benefits. EFC cards: You can take them to an ATM and get cash for the casino, 6 pack of beer and smokes.
5. Reform torts. Avg cost of malpractice is $100,000-200,000 per doctor. $11-1200 per baby pays for the malpractice insurance. Trial lawyer lobby...take on the Army of Lobbyists, the Welfare Rights people, trial lawyers. Rise up...
6. Pass tax credits to get Government out of Health care and allow the people to choose your doctor and hospital.

House GOP plan vs. Senate DFL plan? Senate DFL everyday and twice on Sunday. I'd love to see Marty Sieferts sample size for determining the cost per child for malpractice insurance. Anyone wanna bet he used Lyon County stats and the proportionally lower birth rates as opposed to at least a statewide figure?

Another interesting post by the Muse had to do with Rep Gottwalt's inappropriate mannerisms when a woman spoke of her personal experiences with Canadian Health Care.

Nice catch Muse! Kind of like Rep Urdahl essentially blowing off a Litchfield City Council member's question about cuts to LGA.

How bad is it getting out here in Greater Minnesota? The City's may soon be responsible for doing all the sanding and salting of State and US Highway's through our area.

All this for "no new taxes", until our local governments are forced to raise our property taxes to compensate that is...

So, do you trust a Republican who is looking to gut your state's infrastructure (LGA, Transportation, Education) with making a life and death decision on health care?

Bachmann turns her back on working families

I was disgusted today when I heard that the President's veto was upheld...

ANOKA – Bob Olson, a DFL candidate in the 6th Congressional District, released the following statement following Michele Bachmann's vote to uphold the president's veto of the State Children's Health Insurance Program funding bill:

"Working families were counting on Mrs. Bachmann and today she turned her back on them.

"By voting to sustain the president's veto of the S-CHIP funding bill, Mrs. Bachmann made it painfully clear that when she talks about family values that doesn't mean providing health care for low-income kids.

"With 9 million uninsured children nationwide, including 85,000 here in Minnesota, we need leaders whose actions match their rhetoric.

"I'm proud of the local people who took time to let the congresswoman know what an important issue this is. While it appears we lost this round we must never give up the fight until every child in America has access to the health care they deserve."

S-CHIP currently provides insurance coverage for 6.6 million children in families that earn too much to qualify for Medicare and not enough to afford private insurance coverage.

The bill passed by bipartisan majorities in Congress last month, opposed by Bachmann and vetoed by President Bush, would have renewed S-CHIP funding and extended coverage to another 3.8 million uninsured children.

More information is available at www.bobolson.org.

Bachmann leaves no child insured!

Rep. Bachmann: Leave No Child Insured

Rep. Bachmann Stands With Bush Over Minnesota’s Families, Votes to Sustain Veto of Healthcare for 10 Million Kids in Need

Rep. Bachmann Would Rather Spend Half a Trillion Dollars in Iraq Than a Fraction of That on Healthcare for Her Most Vulnerable Constituents: Low-Income Children

Click Here to View AUFC TV Ad “Abby” Targeting Bachmann: http://www.americansunitedforchange.org/blog/entries/aufc_schip_ad_campaign/

St. Paul, MN – Rubberstamping the backwards Bush policy of “Billions of Dollars for Iraq, But Veto for Kids’ Health Care,” Rep. Michele Bachmann stood with the President today over thousands of Minnesota families by voting to sustain a veto of meaningful legislation to reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) for 6.6 million kids and provide coverage to nearly 4 million more – legislation that enjoys the support of 72 percent of the American public, including 61 percent of Republicans, according to a recent Washington Post-ABC News poll.

“Even as President Bush was vetoing a modest, $35 billion expansion of the children’s healthcare insurance program, he asked Congress for nearly $200 billion in additional funds for Iraq ,” said Donald McFarland, spokesperson for Americans United for Change. “Today, after a half a trillion dollars spent in Iraq, Rep. Bachmann still chose to deny healthcare funding for millions of children in need when, the fact is, for the amount spent in just one week in Iraq , 800,000 children could get health insurance for an entire year. And Rep. Bachmann voted to enable Bush’s endless war every chance she had. The needs of our children and other priorities here at home, like education and prescription drugs for seniors, have been shortchanged for far too long while this President spends billions and billions each week in Iraq .”

“We understand Rep. Bachmann doesn’t have much, in any, history breaking ranks with President Bush, but when it comes to taking care of children who are most in need – we thought even she might be able to make an exception. But once again, she chose to put blind loyalty to this President ahead of the basic health care needs of thousands of children in Minnesota .”

“When it comes to spending 10 billion a month fighting an endless war in Iraq – Rep. Bachmann can find the money,” continued McFarland. “When it comes to shelling out billions of dollars in tax breaks for the special interests – she can find the money. But when it comes to providing basic health coverage for nation’s most vulnerable citizens – low-income children – she can’t spare a dime. It sends a sorry message to the Minnesota families who pray each night that their children don’t get sick or hurt – a message that it’s more important to give political cover to this President than it is to protect our children.”

“What’s particularly disturbing is that Rep. Bachmann couldn’t find anything wrong with this bill, so she resorted to wild distortions and outright lies about the legislation to excuse her opposition to healthcare for thousands of kids in Minnesota,” continued McFarland.

According to the Associated Press, as the debate over Children’s Healthcare heated up, House Republicans circulated a survey by a pollster with close ties to House Minority Leader John Boehner, offering suggested talking points to House Republicans that critics of SCHIP could win the public debate if they say they favor "covering uninsured children without expanding government coverage to adults, illegal immigrants and those who already have insurance...."

FACT V. FICTION on the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act:
http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2007/09/schip_factcheck.html
http://majorityleader.house.gov/docUploads/SCHIPFactVSFiction.pdf

And Rep. Bachmann was all to happy to parrot the misinformation: http://bachmann.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=76551

“Rep. Bachmann knew she didn’t have a leg to stand on opposing this bipartisan, popularly supported legislation -- so she resorted to making stuff up. This legislation doesn’t provide a dime of coverage to a single illegal immigrant. The only adults this legislation would cover is low-income pregnant women, because research has shown that prenatal care leads to healthier babies, which will reduce the cost of SCHIP over time. And this legislation doesn’t expand eligibility for CHIP; it targets low and lower-middle-income children who have no health insurance, not children from wealthy families. Right now, less than 1 in 10 children covered by SCHIP live in a family of four earning more than $41,000 a year, and that wouldn’t change a lick under this bill. So, either Rep. Bachmann -- a professional legislator, mind you -- didn’t read the bill, or she is so loyal to this President that she would rather knowingly mislead her constituents to provide him cover. Either way – it’s reprehensible and her constituents are not as stupid as she apparently thinks.”

Olson on SCHIPs

Since some liberal blogs are ignoring Bob Olson's position on SCHIP's...


ANOKA – Bob Olson, a DFL candidate in the 6th Congressional District, urged Rep. Michele Bachmann to vote to override President George W. Bush's veto of the State Children's Health Insurance Program funding bill.

"Michele Bachmann's been given a second chance to do the right thing for Minnesota families," Olson said. "She's backed the White House by voting against the bill last month and I understand that's very important to her. Now she needs to stand up for uninsured children."

S-CHIP currently provides insurance coverage for 6.6 million children in families that earn too much to qualify for Medicare and not enough to afford private insurance coverage. But there are still nearly 9 million uninsured children nationwide, including 85,000 here in Minnesota.

"This should really be a no-brainer," Olson said. "Getting children the health care they deserve is something we should all be able to agree on. It's tragic that some of our representatives have joined the president in using this issue to make a political point."

The House is scheduled to hold an override vote on Oct. 18.

Bachmann joined Rep. John Kline in opposing the S-CHIP measure when it passed in the House of Representatives on a 265-159 vote. The rest of the Minnesota House delegation supported it, as did Sens. Norm Coleman and Amy Klobuchar.

More information is available at www.bobolson.org.

Check out New Jersey Governor John Corzine's response!