Erik Paulsen on Immigration

Ah yes...don't talk about Iraq, don't even acknowledge it on your website. But apparently, Paulsen has a great answer on immigration.

Several right wing bloggers parroted a recent Rothenberg report on candidates.

His response to a question on immigration policy was the single best answer that I have ever received -- and I've certainly asked the same question to at least 100 other candidates.

While the excitement ran through the right wing blogosphere, no one can actually cite what Paulsen says about immigration.

Lake Minnetonka Liberty has a post up, "Just in case you missed it".

Looks like we all missed it, much like Paulsen's Iraq policy.

Maybe MDE can get us the scoop?

After he goes CSI on Norm Coleman video and several year old parade photos...

Bachmann in Monticello Times

Congresswoman Bachmann is featured in two articles in the Monticello Times.

Bachmann speaks before the Monticello Chamber over lunch.

On the differences between the 06 race and 08

“In 2006, we were at a pivotal stage in the Iraq conflict,” she said. “We were preparing to answer the call for more troops in the region, and I got to be there shortly after that happened in 2007 when I spent Fourth of July in Iraq with our troops. I went back again in for Christmas Eve. And the progress we made in that six months was astounding.”

On taxes

She said her home district has been especially hard by taxes. The middle and upper-middle class share a tax burden that is at historic highs. In some cases, her constituents are paying in the 40 percent tax rate.

“That’s a number that needs to go down to about 20 to 25 percent,” she said. “That’s going to move the economy.”

So she pushes her friends in Congress to continue the Bush tax cuts, implemented before she arrived and phased out as the Democrats took control last year. She said she’s heard no discussion to keep them going, which is wrong, in her opinion.

Her background

“I guess, with my background, I wasn’t a complete neophyte,” she said. “I think owning a business with my husband helped a lot. Raising our foster children gave me experience with government. Working as an attorney and a federal tax attorney helped. So I had a good sense of what was to come.”

She added that six years in the Minnesota Senate was also a huge help overcoming the partisan “poison” that is so prevalent in Washington, as well.

“Coming from Minnesota, you learn to reach across the aisle,” she said. “Some of my closest friends there are Democrats. The problems we’re going to face in the next term are so big, no one party can solve them all. You have to work together. I think I’ve made that a priority and will continue to do that.”

When the campaigning begins, Bachmann said she’s ready to “come home” and spend time with “real people.”

“Conversations with the people you meet back here are where real legislation comes from,” she said. “I get excited to come back. I can’t wait. This is the fun part of the job. You get feedback and learn from real people. That’s the best.”

Bachmann reaching across the aisle? Seriously? Her voting record would suggest otherwise.

The "conversations with people you meet back here" bit is equally as alarming. 16 months into her term as Congresswoman and we have yet to have an open forum with the Congresswoman.

While public citizens don't have the opportunity to talk to their Congresswoman, Bachmann did take some time to meet with the Monticello Chamber Government Affairs Committee.

“This is great,” she said. “This is where legislation comes from, conversations
like this. I’m honored you would ask me to sit down with you.”

Yet she won't help with DeSoto Bridge funding.

On immigration and Iran

Q & A session

Prior to the roundtable, Bachmann held a brief Q and A session after giving her remarks to the Monticello Chamber of Commerce.

She touched on various topics, including the Iraq war, immigration control, healthcare and energy conservation.

She was particularly emotional about immigration, a subject that she made headlines with back in February when she was very critical of the system that allowed the woman charged with crashing into a bus in Cottonwood, Minn., to continue driving.

“We’re losing our country,” she said. “People are not assimilating themselves to America. They’re not speaking English, and you must speak it if you want to succeed here in this country.”

A Monticello businessman asked about a fence along the southern border of Texas and Arizona.

“The money is there. Why haven’t we seen anything?” he asked.

“Exactly. The money is there. It’s our (Congress’) fault. We aren’t doing our job here,” Bachmann replied. “And the argument that fences don’t work doesn’t hold water. Look at Israel and Palestiine Fences work. Maybe people have too much interest or benefit from open borders.”

She also was questioned on the status of a conflict with Iran.

“War will be the last resort,” she said. “We can’t afford to be the lead on it this time. We have work to do in Afghanistan and Iraq,” Bachmann replied.

The article also stated that the Chamber and Bachmann had a lengthy discussion on the mortgage lending crisis and the epidemic that has risen from this in Wright and Sherburne Counties. No details were given.

Fear mongering on immigration...it will get much worse as the 2008 election cycle continues.

A rural GOP mutiny?

Apparently, McLeod County Republicans are not satisfied with Senator Coleman.

The past month or so, multiple stories and op ed pieces have been covered in the McLeod Chronicle.

At the Glencoe caucus.

"I'm disappointed the Republican Party is becoming too liberal," Krueger said. He pointed to the elections of Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman and the fact that former state Rep. Scott Newman was "left out to dry" in the last judicial election as proof the party has changed.

"I can't go on holding my nose," Krueger said as Arizona Sen. John McCain has surged in the polls for Republican candidate for president.

"John McCain is a liberal," Krueger lashed out. "There's no difference between (Barack) Obama, (Hillary) Clinton and McCain," he added. He pointed to the media bias as having brainwashed Republicans about McCain.

The McLeod County Convention in Silver Lake

"Your voting record is disappointing to say the least," the letter stated. "Reviewing some of your votes within the last month, we wonder if you have forgotten that you are a Republican and not a Democrat."

The letter stated Coleman's support of the "Dream Act," which allows illegal immigrants access to federal money for student loans and gives a fast-track to citizenship to millions "is a sellout to millions of taxpayers in the United States who will have to pay for 'lawbreakers' to go to school" and will bring millions more of illegals into the country.

Also, the local GOPers were critical of Coleman's support for a "hate crimes bill," that will enhance punishment for crimes against homosexuals and transgender people.

"Why do you feel that a homosexual or a transgender person should be given special treatment? All crimes are hate crimes," the letter stated.

Coleman's support for a bill to spend $35 billion on healthcare for children and his intention to override the president's veto also drew criticism.

"Of course, we all want children to be healthy! But having the federal government manage the program will never work and will only lead to failed socialized medical care and cost taxpayers in America billions of dollars."

Fourth, Coleman's support of $65 million for the Northstar Corridor Rail and another $35 million for the Central Corridor Rail line at a time when the country is trillions of dollars in debt drew the ire of the local Republicans. "What is the sense in this?"

The local party board members wrote to state leaders and to Coleman that they elected the leadership; "However, there is also a responsibility on your part to support our party principles to the best of your ability.

"We don't see you are doing that; therefore, we have decided not to support you (Coleman) if you are endorsed next spring," the letter stated.

Wow, McLeod County Republican leadership will not support Senator Coleman?

The mutiny LTE: They don't like RINO's much in this neck of the woods...

This county "problem" brings to light the greater national Republican "problem." Now that the Democrats have moved from a liberalist to a socialist platform, the Republican machine thinks it is in their best interest to slide left and take up some of the liberal void left behind, all in hopes of capturing a few votes from the "other side.

"Let us tell you, those few votes aren't even going to come close to the votes you are going to leave behind. We, who make up the core of the party, are not going to slide left with you. We have reached our moral "line in the sand." We are tired of voting against someone rather than for someone.

Senator Coleman responds!

"I represent Minnesota, not just the conservatives," Coleman responded. He said his aim is to do what is right in the end on the main things important to the state.

As to the Dream Act, he said some of these immigrants have served in the armed forces, while others "are here due to the sins of their parents (born in the U.S.). Should they be punished for that?"

He said if the immigrants grew up in the U.S., they should be allowed to attend schools in the U.S.

As to the hate crimes legislation, Coleman said he recognizes the concerns of the conservatives in the party, but what is proposed on the federal level "is already Minnesota law."

He said if the federal bill oppresses folks' religious beliefs, "I'd oppose it."

He said he has spoken to a lot of conservatives who are worried about their Christian values being attacked, but he said there is no evidence that is happening "or I would have opposed it."

As to county criticism by conservatives, Coleman said the same thing is happening on the federal level with conservatives having a tough time supporting Arizona Sen. John McCain as the Republican nominee for president.

But Coleman said, "I think the talk radio" attacks on McCain, "are a death wish for the party."

He asked Minnesota conservatives if they want Al Franken as their next U.S. Senator. "That's a judgment people have to make. Or do you want Hillary or Obama there (in the presidency)?"

He said voting for McCain "is not the less-of-two-evils choice. The choices are so clear."

While Coleman said he disagrees with McCain on some issues, "he's there on life, 2nd Amendments, national security (issues)."

Coleman said he often uses an old saying from former New York Mayor Ed Koch. "If you agree with me 100 percent, you need a psychiatrist. If you agree with me 80 percent, then support me."

Ah, the DREAM Act.

In 2006, we had an actual debate in Hutchinson at Ridgewater College. Congressional candidates, State Senate and House candidates were in attendance.

The subject of the DREAM Act came up. Out of the 7 people on stage, I was the only one who knew what the DREAM Act really was about. I was the only one on stage that could actually explain the Minnesota legislation.

Michael Barrett was crazy on this subject! Senator Dille responded by saying, "It seems like Hal knows a lot more about this subject than any of us up here. I'll have to take a look at this."

After the debate, Barrett supporters in McLeod County told me I would lose the election over my support of the DREAM Act.

Damn, had I just not supported this fair piece of legislation...

Olson fights Bachmann, Tinklenberg has salmon...

It's been an interesting week watching the Olson and Tinklenberg campaigns!

We got emails earlier in the week asking to donate to Elwyn Tinklenberg's campaign so he could take a night off for his birthday.

Bob Olson was out speaking to VFW's, Rotary Clubs, and other organizations.

Elwyn Tinklenberg dined on salmon, sauteed spinach, yellow potatoes, and bread pudding...

Bob Olson was challenging Michele Bachmann for her comments on Bill O'Reilly's show.

As predicted, the right wing blogosphere jumped to the rescue of their conservative goddess, Congresswoman Bachmann.

Gary Gross and Michael Brodkorb came to Bachmann's rescue...

While Brodkorb is of the opinion that Gross "gave Olson's campaign a well deserved smack down", Political Muse at Liberal in the Land of Conservative smacks back in a more effective post.

Political Muse astutely points out that one of Bachmann's lackey's sent Gross the video of the Bachmann / O'Reilly lovefest.

How could it be that Bachmann and Associates will return an email about a potential Bachmann media appearance so quickly when most constituent emails are left unanswered or take weeks to return? How is it that Gary Gross is able to have such quick response time from Bachmann central about a trivial media appearance when the vast majority of constituents are left without any contact with their representation? Nope, no politicization here!

Nice work Muse!

It begs the question. Would you rather have someone who will actually fight for you or someone who will send out a campaign email about their menu?

Tough choice, I know!

Olson reponds to Bachmann's O'Reilly experience

Olson: Bachmann's Fear-Mongering Fails Minnesota

For Immediate Release
Contact: Christopher Truscott

ANOKA—Bob Olson, a DFL candidate in the 6th Congressional District, released the following statement regarding Rep. Michele Bachmann's Wednesday night appearance on the O'Reilly Factor:

"In the wake of the tragic accident in Cottonwood, Minnesotans had a right to expect smart and compassionate leadership from those in power. That Michele Bachmann chose instead to go on the O'Reilly Factor and play along with O'Reilly's fear mongering is absolutely disgusting.

"It's true that we need comprehensive immigration reform, but it's important to remember, as John McCain reminded us recently, that we're all children of God. This serious debate must be handled in a manner consistent with the human decency that has defined our great state for 150 years.

"Countless number of lives were forever changed after that crash. Instead of scape-goating an entire class of people, it's time Mrs. Bachmann demonstrate leadership worthy of her office and the people of Minnesota."

Who's fighting this war?

Is this why this quagmire in Iraq is costing us billions of dollars every week?

On top of the nearly 150,000 US troops in Iraq, we have 127,000 contractors employed by our military industrial complex? Less than 20% of them are American?

Anyone see any irony in the extreme right wingers taking an extremist stance on immigration and border issues but allow US Contractors being payed via our tax dollars to recruit the same individuals who they don't want here to fight a war "over there"?

INS shooting case in Texas

I have heard a lot about this case listening to Glenn Beck on KTLK and other right leaning radio shows. I don't recall this getting much discussion on the left leaning blogs but I do think the case merits discussion.

From a Los Angeles CBS affiliate.

Jose Alonso Compean, 30, and Ignacio Ramos, 35, both of El Paso, Texas, were convicted with assault with a deadly weapon and other counts in the shooting of Osbaldo Aldrete-Davila.

Aldrete-Davila was allegedly trying to smuggle about 750 pounds of marijuana across the border in a van on Feb. 17, 2005 when he was spotted by one of the agents. As he ran back across the border, he was shot in the buttocks.

No weapon was found at the scene and Aldrete-Davila was not caught at the time. The government granted the suspected drug smuggler immunity to testify against the two agents.

Ramos is serving an 11-year sentence in a federal prison in Florida, where Hernandez said he was recently assaulted by at least four individuals. The assault renewed calls for a pardon. Compean was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Simply put, justice was not served in this case.

Should the Homeland Security/INS agents shot the suspect in this case? I think it's debatable. They should not have attempted to cover up the events around the case though, as has been reported.

The perp in this case is suing the US Government for $5 million? Meanwhile, the officers in this case stand to serve at least a decade in prison? For shooting an illegal immigrant in the buttocks who was smuggling 750 pounds of pot across the border?

That is insane!

It gets better. Seems like some of those involved in the investigation have ties to the pot smuggler.

Some conservatives have even used the dreaded "I" word in conjunction with President Bush, to describe their abhorrence to what has happened.

Yes, Republicans have started impeachment talk!

Bush faces increasing demands from House Republicans and others that he pardon Ramos and Compean, who were sentenced in October to 11 and 12 years, respectively, after being convicted of violating the trafficker's civil rights and tampering with evidence for picking up their shell casings and not reporting the shooting.

"The president has lost my respect because he will not step forward and do what's right," said Rep. Walter Jones, R-N.C.

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif., went a step further, saying Bush would face dire consequences if Compean or Ramos is killed while in prison. If that happens, he said, "There's going to be some kind of impeachment talk on Capitol Hill."

Last month, Bush said in response to passions about the case and the pardon request that he would take a hard look at the case.

Wow! Unbelievable.

Again, I do not condone any sort of cover-up. While the agents supposedly removed some evidence from the scene, it would appear as though some higher up in the INS or Homeland Security have something at stake here. Reports also have come out stating that one of the former officers has been attacked in prison.

So, they put officers who shot a drug running and illegal immigrant in the buttocks, and they get more than a decade in prison, in general population, where when it's uncovered that they are former border agents, their lives will be in even greater peril?

It's not a liberal thought nor a conservative thought that something is seriously wrong here. It's neither a Democrat nor a Republican thought that this is wrong.

In the Army, we had a saying when it came to the ridiculous Rules of Engagement we had to abide by at times.

"It's better to be carried by 6 than tried by 12".

We knew that justice in the military is flawed. No one can understand what happens "downrange" as many put it.

At the most, these officers should be fired, at the most. To serve a decade or more in prison for these offenses is ridiculous.

SC Times immigration letter

A LTE in the SC Times support legalizing all immigrants.

I guess I am a moderate on illegal immigration. I do not support the extremes of the Republican Party to expel or deport all illegal immigrants and do not support a Democratic view of granting citizenship to all illegal immigrants.

I believe in realistic reforms to immigration that do not include 50 foot walls and National Guard men and women at our borders.

We can start by a VISA program that works. A program that allows the number of workers that will allow businesses to obtain the workforce needed. The farm industry would be hurt by extremist reforms on either side.

Secondly, we must examine the damage to the global economy caused by NAFTA and CAFTA. One of the reasons commonly cited for the surge in illegal immigration is that the economies of many NAFTA and CAFTA nations, Mexico and Central America, have been hurt by these "free trade" agreements. It's time to revisit the impact.

More importantly, isn't it also clear that there are plenty of jobs for them to do? After all, if there wasn't enough work for them to do here, they certainly wouldn't be hopping fences, digging tunnels, crossing treacherous rivers, to then cross the blast furnace heat of deserts or to hide in dark cramped and scarcely ventilated cargo containers to come here just to sit around and do nothing.

So obviously the work is here for them to do. So the next leading concern about legalizing all illegal immigrants entering our country is that by doing so it would lower the wages of all American workers in general.

In actual fact, just the opposite would happen!

Immigrants do not hop a fence or swim a river just because of jobs. One can obtain access to health care and other beneifts not available in their nation as well.

While I am not an economist, I do not believe any argument that allowing illegal immigrants to be citizens will raise wages. I believe it will create more competition for a market that already has slower job growth than in previous decades.

We must also punish corporations that expolit illegal labor, create an incentive to not cheat the system.

Real reforms are needed with regards to immigration. Extremist views on both sides will not accomplish this.

Misleading headline of the day

A SC Times LTE on immigration it titled, "Don’t forget danger posed by illegal immigrants".

The letter goes on to talk about what happened at Swift & Co. plants across the US in the past month. Illegal documents were acquired via Social Security Numbers, allowing illegal immigrants to work.

I guess when I saw danger in the title, I would have assumed that the writer would have made some correlations between crime rates in these cities and illegal immigration. Perhaps the numbers of convicted felons that have come here illegally. No such luck.

Is our immigration policy in need of serious reform. Yes. Imminent danger? That's your call.

Looks like Story Chat has turned into a bad South Park episode.

"They took our jobs!"

Bachmann on Ag and Immigration

From the Monticello Times.

She said that she has grown used to a fast- paced and heavy workload from her time spent on the farm to her six years in the Minnesota Senate. Her new title, however, may carry with it the busiest schedule of all, and is one that has still not registered with her.

Dump Bachmann and a constituent from Stillwater beg to differ.

When I think of State Sen. Michele Bachmann, hard-working aren't the first words that come to mind. Self-serving maybe, but not hard-working.

Bachmann has the lightest workload of any state senator. Although she serves on only three committees, two of them meet at exactly the same time. That means Bachmann only attends a maximum of four committee meetings a week. The rest of her colleagues' calendars, with the exception of two in leadership positions, are filled with anywhere from six to 11 committee meetings a week.

According to the Secretary of the Senate's office, senators are "strongly discouraged" from requesting assignments to committees with conflicting schedules. An aide in Bachmann's office says she often attends committee meetings in lieu of the senator. Is this the kind of representation Washington County voters elected in November?

Fear not though CD 6 and Minnesota, Congresswoman Bachmann will support a tax cut for all of us! Yeah!

"My bottom line is to cut taxes for all Americans, whether it is businesses, singles or family members," Bachmann said. "I want to cut people's taxes, and in order to do that, we have to get a grip on out of control government spending."

She included in her discussion, a national taxpayers bill of rights. The TABOR as they like to call it, went no where in Minnesota and is destroying public education in Colorado.

On the local level, area farmers will be glad to know they have one of their own headed to Congress. Bachmann, with a family background in dairy farming, said she is interested in agriculture concerns in the district.

The City Pages had a great atricle on her as well, farmers did not seem to be to impressed with then Candidate Bachmann.

In response to a complex question about setting up a permanent disaster fund for farmers and ranchers who raise beef cattle, Wetterling balked and admitted she didn't really understand the question or have an answer. Bachmann, by contrast, dove right in. "I appreciate the question, because on our dairy farm, we raise beef cattle as well," she began. "One thing we can never, ever, ever get away from is that we are not two separate entities: Commodities. Livestock. If there's anything that can interact, it's commodities and livestock. Without commodities, you don't have livestock. It's just that simple."

She concluded by noting that, as a mother of the sum of 28 children, she has learned that when families don't get fed, "they get cranky."

This drew a small chuckle from the crowd, but it was an uncomfortable one. One farmer turned to the one sitting next to him, shaking his head. "What the fuck is she talking about?" he wanted to know.

Bachmann opined on the Civil War in Iraq

I think that America has brought a great deal of stability to the Middle East.

I can't keep a straight face and read this...but I continue on. She decries the "Blame America" first crowd, calling to a partisan job. I for one have never "Blamed America". Both Senator Dayton and Wellstone voted against the use of force in Iraq.

The Republican Party is to blame for more than 3000 US deaths in Iraq, not America.

Immigration also was an issue Congresswoman Bachmann discussed.

"The travesty has been that we have had porous borders, and that must end," she said. "We must return to a respect for the rule of law, and right now there is a complete breakdown in respect for that. America has every right to say who comes into our country and who doesn't, and we need to get back to that.

"Bachmann said she will advocate for increased border patrols and a greater reliance on the use of technology to secure United States' borders. Overall, though, she said the entire immigration system needs to be modernized and streamlined.

Immigration reform is vital, I agree. Will she support going after Big Business that exploits this cheap labor? Will she support the building of the 50 foot fence?

Day One of Congress has begun...

I'm sure I could find a 51 foot ladder.

Illegal immigration and meat packing plants

I've taken a few days to ponder what occured in Worthington, MN and in 5 other cities across the US this past week. Some 1300 illegal immigrants were arrested across the US, 400 detained here in MN with 230 arrested.

The concept of the American Dream is in fact a fallacy, at least for Americans. It's what keeps the corporate millionaires in business and raking money in hand over foot. They expolit people for their labor. Yeah, I am sounding a bit Marxist here, but it's reality.

Americans simply want more money to be expolited by big money capitalists. When companies, like Fingerhut and many auto makers, reach a certain profit margin, they look to dump labor, while not cutting costs in their rich exectuives. See Northwest Airlines as a great example. When pilots, mechanics, flight attendents and baggage handlers were getting salaries cut by 40%, how big of a hit did Steenland, Griffin and the other coprorate executives take? Not 40%, although even 40% of $5 million is staunchly different than 40% of $25,000!

Illegal immigration in MN is an issue, not of the same significance as other issues raised, or as high as the GOP would put it, but an issue nonetheless. Taking the high estimate of 85,000 illegal immigrants in MN, that's still less than 2% of the population.

The Fed's have cited identity theft as the issue at hand. Identity theft is a significant issue in our technology based society. But why would the Fed's only charge 65 of the 1300 they arrested with ID theft?

I am a moderate Democrat on this issue. I do believe in the laws of this nation. During my campaign, I spoke to many people who came from Scandanavian areas who came to this country legally. They paid thousands of dollars and went through a process to legally stay in this nation.

On the other hand, I do understand the desire to seek a better life for one's family.

GOPers will label us as weak on immigration. They will call us out on homeland security. We are the dominant party now. It's time to push real reforms, reforms that could have come forth when the GOP had a majority, but they failed.

I find it funny that AAA calls out DFLers for their use of unions in the GOTV efforts. It is true, unions play a large role in this. But AAA, your party uses MCCL and Focus on the Family and other GOP stalwarts in your GOTV efforts.

I've never seen a labor flyer in a mall or church parking lot. How many MCCL flyers adorned cars throughout the state the Sunday before election day? Thousands upon thousands.

GOPers will attempt to destroy Democrats who see the cununbrum before our very eyes. Compassionate conservativism is an oxymoron of the greatest degree.

It starts with real immigration reforms. Frankly, businesses, specifically Agriculture, need a strong immigrant work force. A comprehensive plan needs to be created. A tough yet broad standard for visa's need to be established. The penalties for those that violate the broad visa standards need to be swift and severe, a speedy deportation.

The visa documents need to be secure. A workplace should be able to verify the authenticity of a visa. Businesses found to be hiring illegal immigrants should be dealth with again, swiftly and severely. Swift & Co. was an example. I think the Strib LTE from 12/15 was dead on here. The raid was a show. They could have continued raids on many other facilities across the United States.

Real reform is needed...the GOP could not get it done and it's time for Democrats to step up and make it happen.