Political Cartoons from Australia‏

Explosive Video, Fannie Mae CEO calling Obama and the Dems the "Family" and "Conscience" of Fannie Mae

This great video exposes who is behind the current economic crisis.



Now watch Betty McCollum bash President Bush. Betty McCollum calls for Bush to appear before Congress blaming him for not doing enough. Yet it was President Bush who addressed the people on this issue last week. Does she forget that the democrats control Congress? Is she earnestly waiting for the President to come hold her hand? It was Betty McCollum who voted for an enormous bail out package yesterday. The very package she is bashing in this video. This is lame Republican bashing at it's worst. This is a prime example of why Ms. McCollum will not debate anyone. She does not have it in her. She has not debated an opponent in at least four years. She refused debating Obi Sium. She refuses to debate Ed Matthews. She recently refused an invite by the League of Women Voters! How easy does she want it!



This video is on http://www.youtube.com/ at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duX49VHMyec
You will notice that the ability to leave a comment has been disabled. Why, or what, is she being protected from? Why would anyone think that any kind of protection is needed? As an elected official, you would think that comments from voters would be welcome. Not here people.
Contact the person responsible fro posting this video here, http://www.youtube.com/user/BMcCollum04
Feel free to send him/her an email and express your desire to comment on the exploits of Betty.

Minnesota Groups Oppose Bailout

Minnesota Groups Oppose Bailout
Campaign for Liberty Minnesota, Republican Liberty Caucus Minnesota,
Minnesotans for Limited Government, and Sons of Liberty issue joint statement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 29, 2008


MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – Leaders from four Minnesota organizations issued a joint statement today opposing the imminent Bailout, aka the ominous-sounding "Emergency Economic Stabilization Act," which they deem a nationalization of a failing banking industry caused by poor business decisions, encouraged by a runaway Federal Reserve, at the expense of taxpayers.

"The proposed bailout of Wall Street is not a ‘rescue plan,’" said Sue Jeffers, KTLK 100.3 FM talk show host and former candidate for governor. "It is massive purchase of bad debt using taxpayer’s dollars. This is not a free market failure or a failure of capitalism; this is a market failure caused by government interference. The ultimate responsibility for this failure rests on government policy which allows the greed and recklessness of their political party, their friends, lobbyists and others to flourish instead of allowing the free market to work."

"The current ‘emergency’ is a result of the Federal Reserve’s attempt to stopper the bust of the earlier tech bubble," said Marianne Stebbins, Campaign for Liberty Minnesota Coordinator. "If we had let the market work then instead of allowing the Fed to tinker, we wouldn’t have launched ourselves right into the housing bubble. Now our collective debt problem is much deeper. If we don’t allow the market to reset the credit levels and prices itself, causing some short term pain, we’re going to right back here, in even worse shape in a couple years – or a couple of months or weeks – by trying to paper over our malinvestment with dollars again. We’re in too deep a hole now for throwing dollars at it to work. We must allow the market to exert its ‘invisible hand.’"

"Meddling with the free market inevitably creates unintended consequences which will
undoubtedly be unforeseen by a group of hasty lawmakers," said Grant Cermak of the Sons of Liberty, a Minneapolis-based political action committee. "Since the Federal Government does not have the necessary capital to purchase the toxic ‘assets’ of the banks seeking a bailout, it will inevitably fall upon the Federal Reserve to create more dollars to supply the effort. This new money will ultimately lead to massive inflation and reduced buying power for all Americans. Minnesotans can expect nothing short of a free fall of their purchasing power and a greatly reduced standard of living in the months and years to come."

"Members of Minnesotans for Limited Government stand united to oppose the bailout and the future bailouts that are sure to be announced in the next months to come," said Rick Karschnia, Chair of Minnesotans for Limited Government, a Saint Paul-based political action committee. "If we look at all the failed attempts to stabilize the market over the last several months such as Bush’s Economic Stimulus package, the Bear Sterns bailout, the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Bailouts, and the AIG Bailout we see a clear track record of failure and incompetence from both the Bush Administration and Congress. This bailout will only hurt Minnesotans by putting families on the hook for government’s failures."

"The RLC applauds the stamina and fortitude of multiple Republican Senators and
Congressmen who have opposed any corporate bailout, expansions of government fiscal power, new burdens on taxpayers, or any further assaults on the value of the dollar through inflation," said Norann Dillon of the Republican Liberty Caucus Minnesota. "The Republican Party purports to believe in free markets. Now is the time for Republican incumbents to stand on these principles if they are to earn our votes."

Bill Jungbauer, a Republican Liberty Caucus endorsed candidate for MN House added, "When I am witness to the number of foreclosed homes in my district, I feel that it would be unconscionable to spend taxpayer money on a bail out for wall street executives."

The leaders of these groups asserted that they will be opposing the re-election of any Congressman who votes in favor of this unprecedented power grab, saying that this bailout violates the proper authority and all principles of a legitimate, Constitutional government.

Rick Hansen and His Fellow Democrats Believe Government is Better at Spending Money Than Citizens

Rick Hansen has gotten himself into trouble with Minnesota's sportsman's groups. He voted yes for the Legacy Act designed to fund initiatives for Minnesota's outdoors and the arts. I have recently spoke with members of several outdoor groups such as Sportsmen for Change and Pheasants Forever. What I have found out in these discussions is that Rick Hansen went to various banquets and events claiming to be a proponent of a citizen council of outdoors people. This group would recommend to the legislature how and where to spend funds on clean water, public hunting lands, and the arts. Where Rick Hansen has made enemies is that he went and played demagogue on the House floor and spoke against the citizen panel by saying that "citizens do not know how to spend money." He even went ahead and voted "no" to the formation of the citizens council.

Watch this video of Senator Larry Pogemiller. He is quoted as saying, "I think it's simplistic and naive to say people can spend money better than the government." Is this what democrats like Rick Hansen think of us? When they are elected to office are they instantly smarter than us? I think not.

Rick Hansen Voting Record

Rick Hansen's voting record tracked by the Minnesota Majority. Forty three votes that affect the quality and morality of our lives here in Minnesota.

http://capwiz.com/mnmajority/officials/congress/?lvl=L&only_votes=1&azip=55118-2418&x=10&y=8

This is the lowdown on how he has voted for the 2008 session. He voted to raise taxes on just about everything. Even on compressed natural gas! There goes our heating bills again.

He voted against an amendment to HF3201 that would have prevented increases in the assessed taxable value of homesteaded property owned by persons aged 65 or older.

He voted against an amendment to HF3149 that would eliminate state income tax of Social Security income. House Journal page 11320.

And many, many other questionable votes! Look and see for yourself!

My 3:44 of Fame on ABC News at the RNC

Palin’s husband was member of third party

This is encouraging. We can have hope that she will have a libertarian influence on the presidency.

http://kstp.com/article/stories/S564355.shtml

(AP) ST. PAUL, Minn. - Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s husband, Todd, twice registered as a member of the Alaskan Independence Party, a fierce states’ rights group that wants to turn all federal lands in Alaska back to the state. Sarah Palin herself was never a member of the party, according to state officials.

Iraq signs $3B oil deal with China

China gets a huge oil contract with Iraq and what do we get? I recall that when this war was about to begin it was reported that Iraqi oil was going to fund the war. We liberate the Iraqi people from Saddam Hussein, spend trillions of dollars on it, and after the deaths of thousands of our young soldiers, China gets a big contract. What a kick in the teeth! The only thing I can think of hoping for is that somehow our debt to China will be reduced by this. But I doubt it.

Read the whole article here,

http://www.cnn.com/2008/BUSINESS/08/30/iraq.china.oil.deal/index.html?iref=topnews

An Example of How Environmentalists Affect Our Lives

I just bumped into this article written one year ago. It stirs up some thoughts in my head. What relationship does the democrats and environmentalists share here in Minnesota? Rick Hansen, Jim Metzen and John Zanmiller all have been catering to the Sierra Club. For instance, the Sierra Club has a seat on the Robert Street Transit Corridor Study. Why? Could it be that any transit decision must be approved by them or they will file suit in court and litigate it to death from now until eternity like the Stillwater Bridge?

Affordable energy is another subject that is hampered by environmentalists. We have two electrical power plants in the twin cities that no longer burn coal. Natural gas is now the fuel of choice. We may soon have a third. Electricity is costing us more everyday with no end in sight. Road blocks created by environmentalists are preventing access to the Big Stone II power plant in South Dakota which will have the latest emissions devices. Because of environmental roadblocks the Big Stone II plant may have to burn natural gas.

Every fall for as long as I can remember, there has been an article in the newspaper that states that we will be paying more to heat our homes because of natural gas shortages. Just last month there was an article that stated that this winter we can expect to pay as much as fifty percent more. Yet now environmentalists are basking in the glory of clean energy by burning up all the natural gas!

The amount of oil in Alaska, the continental shelf, and the Bakken formation which stretches across North Dakota, Montana and southeastern Saskatchewan is estimated to have enough oil (as well as plenty of natural gas) to supply the United States alone for 125 years. Environmentalists are planning to file suit to stop exploration by claiming that the Sage Grouse is an endangered species.

I am posting this article to point out how much power environmentalists have in this country. Our countries Constitution states the "We the People" are in charge of the government. Now it appears that its the environmentalists that rule the land. Time to shake things up and put the people back in control.

We all want a clean environment, be it air, water, or the land, to be stewards of the resources that God gave us. However, discussion on these issues, is not tolerated by the Sierra Club or their allies. Facts have become irrelevant, and any type of descent is subject to punishment, by whatever means possible.One has to ask, if this really represents freedom and liberty, that we say we cherish.

Bill Jungbauer


By Eric Christen
September 2, 2007

On Labor Day, we take time to reflect on and celebrate accomplishments and new beginnings regarding union labor in the United States. Considering the recent local controversy over the Gaylord-Chula Vista bayfront project, debate over the future relevancy of the organized labor movement now seems more prescient than at any time in our regional history. But to understand that future, we must turn our attention to the past.

The father of the modern union movement was Samuel Gompers, the legendary founder of the American Federation of Labor. Gompers made sure that labor remained inoculated against the burgeoning threat of socialism and the bitter rancor of partisan politics, focusing instead on organizing and winning concessions from targeted industries through collective bargaining. In the first half of the century, the AFL even refused to support minimum wage legislation. Labor under Gompers was dedicated to the principles of free enterprise under a market economy and opted for what he and his colleagues referred to as “trade unionism,” a collective bargaining strategy on which workers from across the political spectrum could agree.

For the most part, labor took neutral or centrist political positions – particularly on social issues. For example, in 1968, when the United Auto Workers threatened to leave the AFL-CIO because of AFL-CIO founder George Meany's opposition to an alliance with radical left-wing activists, Meany bid the UAW good riddance. With this type of focus and centrist leadership the organized labor movement in America flourished throughout much of the 20th century.

Nonetheless, over the last three decades, union membership has witnessed a rapid decline – from 35 percent of workers in 1960, to 12 percent today – while the mission of organized labor radically shifted course into one of political hyperactivity and intensive partisanship. The 1995 election of John Sweeney, a card-carrying member of the American Socialist Party, as head of the AFL-CIO was a watershed moment in the evolution of modern-day union radicalism.

It is Sweeney who immediately determined that the only way for unionism to survive under a modern, technology-driven global economy is to bastardize the collective bargaining process and employ any and all means necessary to force nonunion workers to join unions – while making them pay for the pleasure. This serves as much a practical as ideological purpose – it inflates union coffers to finance union political activities while increasing regional-level union influence throughout the nation. In the meantime, Sweeney and his ilk have taken out huge positions in the Democrat Party by bankrolling candidates who claim nearly 100 percent of all of organized labor's election-cycle donations – never mind the fact that 40 percent of individual union workers consistently vote Republican.

The Gaylord issue is a perfect example of this radicalized plan in local action. Throughout a turbulent year of negotiations with local labor leaders concerning a union project labor agreement, or PLA, for the company's $1 billion hotel and convention center plan along the Chula Vista bayfront, Gaylord displayed an incredible level of good faith by agreeing to almost every single union demand – except one. Labor leaders insisted that the project be built union-only.

Where do union leaders draw leverage for this type of negotiation? Simple. They tap their left-wing allies within the environmental movement, particularly on those regulatory commissions that approve projects such as Gaylord's. If a company such as Gaylord acquiesces to union demands, it can expect to zip through the regulatory process with little or no cost. If not, it is sure to incur the extra multimillion-dollar expense of regulatory delay and even frivolous environmental litigation.

The tactic – known as “greenmail” – is nothing more than a modern-day form of extortion, but has proven wickedly effective in the past, including on San Diego's beloved Petco Park, where all threats of environmental bureaucratic hullabaloo vanished as soon as the owner succumbed to union pressure over a union-only PLA. Of course, union-only PLAs have absolutely nothing to do with preserving local ecosystems, just ensuring union work force monopolies and ergo political primacy, which is exactly why the National Labor Relations Board recently voided a union-only PLA signed under similarly dubious circumstances in New York.

However, Gaylord is standing firm against union intransigence, and now that union officials have unilaterally withdrawn from negotiations, intends to pursue its project without their input. So, in this case, what have local union leaders achieved for their members by pursuing a politically rather than practically driven agenda? Absolutely nothing. In fact, they almost chased Gaylord out of San Diego and are still trying to kill the project.

Whom does that protect? How can you promote better wages and benefits if you're too busy killing jobs? If that is the union-present, union members should be very concerned about the union future – particularly those hundreds of thousands of hard-working men and women who simply want to earn a living and would rather their representatives not spend their dues lobbying such issues as more gun control. Or more access to abortion. Or the repeal of the death penalty. Or greenmail.

Unions are supposed to defend workers' rights, not stampede over them on the way to the political trough. If there is one lesson to be taken from this Labor Day, it is that union members deserve sound, solid, capable representation. The Gaylord debacle proves that union leadership across the board has been corrupted to the point of illegitimacy.

If the movement is ever to regain its original prestige and influence in the name of workers' rights, it must turn away from the radical job-killing political agenda of the John Sweeneys, Jerry Butkiewiczs and Tom Lemmons of the world and shift back to the practical collective bargaining path laid down by Samuel Gompers and nurtured by George Meany. Otherwise, the American labor movement is not likely to survive the next decade, let alone the new century – and rightly so.

Action Alert From the Minnesota Majority!

Tell Congress to Act Now to Solve America's Energy Crisis

On August 1st, a majority of Minnesota's Congressional delegation voted to skip-town rather than address our nation's energy crisis (click here to see how your Representative voted). Speaker Nancy Pelosi was so concerned that she and her anti-energy allies were loosing the energy debate that she unexpectedly adjourned session for five weeks rather than allowing a vote on the American Energy Act. This bill offers a comprehensive approach for addressing America's energy crisis, including domestic drilling, funding for scientific research and common-sense conservation efforts.

Despite Pelosi's abrupt adjournment, a number of pro-energy House members decided to proceed with making statements on the House floor in favor of the bill. Pelosi promptly responded by shutting-off the lights, microphones and cameras in the House chamber. This has not deterred pro-energy Representatives fighting for lower energy costs for American families. They have continued to stage a protest in the House chambers without lights, microphones or cameras. They are calling upon Pelosi to reconvene session and allow an up-or-down vote on the American Energy Act.

For decades, liberal politicians have been advocating higher prices for energy. They want to "save the environment" by punishing Americans for energy consumption. They have passed policies preventing domestic drilling for oil, the use of coal and the development of nuclear power. The end result has been a growing dependence upon foreign oil, much of which comes from our enemies in the Middle East.

Most people are unaware of what is happening, thanks to the mainstream media which has largely ignored this story. Minnesotans should be outraged. At a time when most families are struggling to deal with record gas and energy prices, a majority of our Minnesota Congressional delegation decided to duck the energy issue and not allow domestic drilling for our own oil!

TAKE ACTION

1. Sign our petition calling on President Bush to reconvene Congress for a special session and for Congress to pass the American Energy Act by visiting www.ActNowOnEnergy.com.

2. Forward this message to friends and family members asking them to also take action on this important issue.

Thanks in advance for taking action to protect America's energy independence.

Sincerely,

Jeff Davis
President, Minnesota Majority