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| 3/20/2007 10:27:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article | Take a deep breath, Rep. Seifert
Tim Douglass
Publisher
The latest politcal posturing at the state legislature rings hollow for most of us except for maybe the extreme right or left. Sure there are a lot of things on the table, but that's mostly because in the past two sessions very little has been accomplished. Our Governor's past pledge to special interests and a Republican majority in the House and a DFL majority in the Senate made sure of that.
And then came the fall elections. The Republicans were voted out of the majority in the House and reduced even more in the Senate. Somehow, probably because of who he ended up running against, Gov. Pawlenty kept his job, though escaping defeat by the narrowest of margins. Because of his narrow victory, he somehow increased his appeal in the national Republican circles. His trip to Iowa last week proved he's embracing that new role.
Now, Rep. Marty Seifert, R-Marshall, the self-appointed spokesman for "perpetuating partisan bickering," is on the attack saying Democrats are wasting their time in a "futitle proceess of introducing bills to raise taxes that will be vetoed by the governor." In a commentary sent by Seitfert's office to probably every newspaper in the state (at taxpayer cost), he says it isn't about Republican verses Democrat and then goes on to blame the DFL for anything and everything he can. He needs to take a deep breath and do his job instead of screaming "foul" like some kid who wasn't picked first by either team at the sandlot baseball game.
The legislative sessions are a political process that allows committee discussion and then full discussion by both the House and the Senate, and finally the Governor. While Seifert's political commentary sent to newspapers blames only the DFL, Seifert should have stated that some legislators are wasting time on bills that will be vetoed by the governor, because three Republicans signed on to a gas tax increase so that it could move forward out of committee. And the Governor has promised to veto that bill once again. By coming out and blaming everything on Democrats, Siefert loses what little credibility he had. It's just more of the same-rattle your sabre and scream loud enough, but do nothing while our state's public schools, our roads and the cost of college tuition and health care go unaddressed.
And where's the Governor on this? He's campaigning for presidential hopeful John McCain in Iowa. He apparently has bigger fish to fry, choosing to leave the state to stump for McCain rather than heading to flooded Browns Valley in Western Minnesota. His itnerary, also sent to all state newspapers at taxpayer cost, said he had "no public" events scheduled last Thursday when he was in Iowa. A political junket to Iowa isn't a public appearance, apparently.
It is no wonder many of us tend to turn away from the politial process. Or worse yet, listen to the 30-second sound bytes from some political "wannabe" and actually base an opinion on that.
There is a lot of work to be done by our legislators this session. The elections proved that the people of this state don't want more of the same. Someone should tell Rep. Seifert that. Our Governor apparently got the message. His time in Iowa indicates he's moving on.-Tim J. Douglass
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Reader Comments
Posted: Saturday, April 07, 2007
Article comment by:
Johnny Jones, Jr.
I don't care about how much my taxes are! I want this state to have the best services and education in the world! Now that's the bottom line! Thanks!
Posted: Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Article comment by:
Chris Judd
The battle between the have's and have-nots is eternal. Only by voting do we correct the miss placed agenda of the rich, i.e. "to get richer on our backs". The Republican party is nothing but a snake oil show to move taxes away from equality to overburden on the middle class.
Posted: Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Article comment by:
Michael Daly
Representative WHO?
With people like this in government we are bound to inaction on issues that matter to the People of Minnesota.
With bi-partisan bickering in the Legislature it makes one yearn for a Uni-Cameral body.
Yes it is time to get to work with no more do nothing sessions. Cooperation in a bi-partisan manner might just work after all.
Posted: Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Article comment by:
lance lindeman
Thanks for editorial about Representative Seifert. If he keeps it up, maybe he will end up complaining about the DFL as a private citizen, who by the way, is a public employee employed by MNSCU.
Posted: Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Article comment by:
Carol Pass
Thank you, Pope County Press
and Tim Douglas,
I am writing from the inner core neighborhood of South Minneapolis, Phillips Neighborhood. Some refer to this as the "Ellis Island of the Midwest". Most of the refugees and immigrants to the state of Minnesota land here. Our schools do the English teaching and the enculturation for the literally thousands of new immigrants. Our health care systems bear the load of the emergency calls for people who often have no insurance and need translators. Our police respond to the varied needs of new arrivals. And our neighborhood organizations befriend and create community for all these people as well as the low income people already here. We are desperate for the legislature to move on so many things from educational funding and health care to increased Local Government Aid to cities with first arrival issues. Those who log jam the legislature with personal agendas are more than myopic. They are immoral. The assistance that has been withheld for several years has really created a humanitarian crisis for those cities that bear these loads and yet receive no compensation for that fact. We need to move on these important concerns. Tell everyone to read "Whatever happened to Kansas" if they want a future prognosis of where Minnesota will be if we listen to the likes of Seifert. People come and stay in Minnesota less for low taxes than for stellar services and the care the legislature has taken of the maintenance and enhancement of every facet of the state. Let's return to that agenda. Thanks for what must be a great paper.
Carol Pass, Chair, East Phillips in South Minneapolis
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