I Don’t Hate America!

The folk from Minnesota Democrats Exposed posted a press release from former three-term MN state representative from the 80’s, Allen Quist, announcing his candidacy to challenge Tim Walz in the 1st district.  This 65-year old who should be retiring is now an ambitious McCain clone with views that actually hurt our senior’s healthcare (as a nurse, I’ll never understand that conservative viewpoint).  What is most interesting is Allen Quist’s lack of mentioning GOP efforts to support him, the Mayo Clinic (given the issue of healthcare and of course, the failure of Brian Davis to win in 2008), but instead mentions the Tea Party!  This is awesome (or blatantly stupid on his part) considering recent posts on Bluestem and here on IDHA about the tea baggers ridiculous anti-immigrant views.  Seriously, just watch the video from the two posted links above to see how proud they are of being “European Americans.”  Hell, if I was there they’d be hating me simply because I am of mixed blood of two of our enemies from WWII, Germany and Japan.  I’m guessing their ancestors at least have one of those two in them as well, yet they are clearly much better… sure.  I’m hoping for them to announce their public support for Allen Quist very soon, especially after Quist mentions them in his press release:

 “Southern Minnesota voters have been holding Tea Party rallies and contacting Congressman Walz’s office asking him not to support these wasteful government spending bills that force more government control of our lives,” said Quist.

DJ recently discussed Allen Quist’s horrible political ads when him and I were just youngin’s, but DJ’s incredible memory is relived through this post.  He also mentions Quist’s tendency to be a “super-mega-ultra right winger.”  If Brian Davis got a little over 30% of the vote in 2008, I’m guessing someone even more right-winged would likely get less of a turnout.  Again, let’s hope for a public endorsement from the Tea Party.

Here’s MDE’s posting of Allen Quist’s press release announcing his candidacy (credit must go where credit is due):

(St. Peter, MN) – Former State Representative Allen Quist has announced that he will run against U.S. Representative Tim Walz for the First District Congressional Seat.  Quist served three terms in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1982 to 1988, runs a family farm of 1200 acres with his son Andrew in rural St. Peter, and recently retired as a teacher at Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato

Quist, a Republican, said his message will be simple and straightforward:  ”If people like what Congress is doing, they should vote for the incumbent,” Quist said.  ”But if they believe, as I do, that Congress is headed in the wrong direction, then I will be the alternative.”

According to Quist there have been three unusually important bills under consideration during this session of Congress: the $787 billion Stimulus bill, Cap and Trade, and the Health Care bill.  ”Representative Walz has been on the wrong side of all three,” said Quist.

Quist emphasizes that government spending is totally out of control.  ”Just the Stimulus bill by itself added over $10,000 of new government debt for every family of four in our nation,” he explained.  Quist also said that present Congressional spending trends will almost double our national debt-from 40% of GDP today to 87% of D+GDP by 2020.  Quist says this means, “continued high unemployment and burdening the next generation with a level of debt that will substantially reduce their quality of life.”

“The Cap and Trade bill will add $6,800 per year of higher energy costs for every family of four and the Health Care bill, which is supposed to reduce medical costs, will actually increase total costs by over $100 billion each year,” said Quist.

Quist added that the Health Care bill contains a huge hidden tax on the middle class and will substatnitally reduce the access senior citizens have to needed health care.  ”In terms of costs,” Quist said, “big business is the big winner and the middle class is the big loser.  American citizens of the middle class will be forced to pay the bills.”

“Southern Minnesota voters have been holding Tea Party rallies and contacting Congressman Walz’s office asking him not to support these wasteful government spending bills that force more government control of our lives,” said Quist.  ”Congressman Walz continually shows by his votes that he is out of step with the voters of the First District.

Not a real bad press release, despite the ugly spelling error of “substantially” (spell check anyone on a major release?) to try and emphasize his agenda.  In other news, I just finished my Master’s degree so I should have more time to post!  Woohoo!

[Update 11/19/09, 8:00 P.M.]

In a press release sent out by the Tim Walz camp, they responded to Allen Quist’s announcement of his candidacy by mentioning the Tea Party connection as well.  Check out this excerpt:

Today, the right-wing tea party Republicans announced their plans to run long-time politician and former State Representative Allen Quist from St. Peter. 

I really hope the tea baggers and Quist work closely together in this race as a simple google search (”tea party rally”) of the group portrays their not so patriotic movement.  A substantial amount of the news and blog links focus on the groups attacks on protesters at Tea Party rallies across the country while they appear impervious to expressing racism.

Here are some excerpts from the Christian Science Monitor about Tea Party violence around the country.  Visit the aforementioned link for the entire article.

“At one anti-Obama protest in Arizona this summer, a protester carried a rifle slung over his shoulder. “[Tea-partiers] bringing weapons does suggest a stronger degree of alienation and threat,” he says.

Conservatives place the blame at Mr. Obama’s feet, saying his liberal leadership has made “union thugs” comfortable enough to confront conservatives in the streets.”

“The first spark of violence connected to the Tea Party movement came in St. Louis Aug. 6 when a Tea Party protester named Ken Gladney was injured after a confrontation with Service Employees International Union protesters.”

“A second scuffle also broke out last Saturday when Tea Party protesters in Phoenix attempted to evict a group of neo-Nazis trying to join their protest.”

Since these guys continue to be buzzworthy, IDHA will continue exposing connections between this radical conservative group and their support of candidates seeking positions in a government representing the great freedoms in our country.  More to come later!

After a Bush presidency where an expansion on a successful childrens’ health insurance program was not worth an increase in tobacco taxes, Obama will be able to decide in his first days in office if he believes in this same logic.

What I find most interesting is according to the CDC, tobacco is responsible for the deaths of 5 million people worldwide every year.  Raising taxes would give one way to curb its use to those who are needing a reason to quit.  This is similar to what happened when oil prices sky rocketed last year.  When gas prices were at all time highs, Americans drove much less and public transportation was used much more (Smackers, 2008). This gave us an opportunity to call out for alternative fuel sources, use energy efficient sources, and require politicians to endorse it in their speeches.

According to UPI, the SCHIP bill calls for a “61-cent-per-pack increase in the federal cigarette tax.”  The Cigar Aficionado, a website I do not regularly read, posts that “legislation would impose a revised federal excise tax on large cigars—52.4 percent, with a maximum tax cap of 40 cents per cigar.”  I am not sure if this includes the Strawberry flavored Swisher Sweet’s at this time.

From Tim Walz press release:

WALZ SAYS CHILDRENS HEALTHCARE EXPANSION FISCALLY AND MORALLY RESPONSIBLE

Twice vetoed by Bush, SCHIP expansion passes House with wide bipartisan majority on its way to Obama’s desk

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Congressman Tim Walz voted with a bipartisan majority of his colleague to expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, providing 11 million American children with health coverage. Growing unemployment, which reached 7.2 percent in the 4th quarter of 2008, combined with the housing crises mean that more children will need health insurance than when President Bush first vetoed the plan in 2007.

“During these tough economic times, when millions of middle-class Americans are losing their jobs and health care, it is essential that health care coverage for children be expanded without further delay,” said Walz. “This bill is the best of both worlds – it is fully paid for and insures an additional 4 million children who are not covered today.”

“This bill makes it easier for those 11 million kids to get preventative care and for their parents to reduce health care costs by replacing emergency room care with access to critical preventive health services,” continued Walz. “I believe that expanding health care coverage for children is a powerful statement about the value that we as a country put on our children’s health. Children’s healthcare is not just another detail — it is critical to strengthening the American family, and it deserves our continued attention. With the Senate’s help, this bill will land on President Obama’s desk in the next few weeks.”

The State Children’s Health Insurance Program was created under a Republican Congress in 1997, and has been wildly successful at providing health care for children whose parents earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but not enough to afford private insurance. SCHIP is a program any fiscal conservative can support — it costs less than $3.50 a day to cover a child through the program, and it saves money in the long run, as providing children with routine preventive care means that families no longer have to rely on emergency rooms for their medical care.

Under SCHIP, private health care plans run by private insurers work with individual states to cover uninsured children. That innovative public-private partnership is the reason this legislation has been endorsed by America’s Health Insurance Plans, the American Medical Association and the American Hospital Association. Those groups recognize that this program is good for the health care industry, as well as being good for America’s kids.

The expanded SCHIP program passed today by the House of Representatives:

Ensures health care coverage for 11 million American children. The bill renews and improves the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), reauthorizing it for four and a half years – through FY 2013. The bill ensures that the 7 million children who currently participate in SCHIP continue to receive coverage. It also extends coverage to 4 million uninsured children, according to the nonpartisan CBO.

Improves care and strengthens funding. The bill invests billions in new funding over five years in SCHIP in order to strengthen SCHIP’s financing; increase health care coverage for low-income, uninsured children; and improve the quality of health care children receive.

Provides resources for states to reach uninsured children who are today eligible for SCHIP and Medicaid but not yet enrolled. Two-thirds of uninsured children are currently eligible for coverage through SCHIP or Medicaid – but better outreach and adequate funding are needed to identify and enroll them. This bill gives states the resources and incentives necessary to reach and cover millions of uninsured children who are eligible for, but not enrolled in, SCHIP and Medicaid.

Improves SCHIP benefits – ensuring dental coverage and mental health parity. Under the bill, quality dental coverage will now be provided to all children enrolled in SCHIP. The bill also ensures that states will offer mental health services on par with medical and surgical benefits covered under SCHIP.

Improves outreach tools to streamline enrollment of eligible children. The bill provides $100 million in grants for new outreach activities to states, local governments, schools, community-based organizations, safety-net providers and others.

Improves the quality of care for low-income children. The bill establishes a new initiative to develop and implement pediatric health quality measures and improve state reporting of quality data.

IDHA Side Notes:

-  IDHA is still around so please don’t delete us from your blogroll just yet.  We currently have one blogger on staff, but have some plans in the works.  It may be slow, but we are still around.

- Close friend of IDHA and also a personal/political blogger, Chad Larimer recently lost his mother to illness.  Our deepest condolences go out to him and his family through this rough time.  We ask that the blogosphere keep Chad in their thoughts and prayers.

I just received this breaking news.  My beloved nurses association has endorsed Ashwin Madia (Distict 3), Elwyn Tinklenberg (District 6), and Steve Sarvi (District 2) for Congress!  This adds to their previous endorsement with the AFL-CIO for Al Franken.

The United American Nurses (UAN), a parent organization for the MNA announced on June 11th their endorsement for Barack Obama.   This was in contrast to the American Nurses Association (ANA) who previously endorsed Hillary Clinton.  It sounds like the ANA is moving toward Obama now, however.

Via press releases:

Minnesota Nurses Association Endorses Ashwin Madia for Congress

The Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) announced today their endorsement of Ashwin Madia in his candidacy for U.S. House of Representatives, Congressional District 3.

” Ashwin Madia understands the broken state our healthcare system and he will fight for reforms that will produce real improvements, especially for those most in need,” said MNA Political Committee Chair, Tom Kelly, RN. “With his unequivocal support of the Federal Staffing Bill, HR 2123, he has also recognized the need to improve the nurse’s work environment which includes addressing safe and appropriate staffing.”

Registered Nurses have long advocated for reforms vital to the improvement of health care and are demanding legislative action to change a health care system that does not safely serve sick Minnesotans. Nurses are calling on elected officials to recognize a staffing crisis and its impact on the lives and well-being of all those in their care.

“Right now, nurses are demanding that health care is reformed to put patient care ahead of market share, put nursing over numbers and people before profits,” said MNA President, Linda Slattengren, RN. “On behalf of MNA we are pleased to endorse Mr. Madia and look forward to have him as the next elected congressman in support of
Registered Nurses.”

Unlike the Republican candidate in the House race, Mr. Madia has clearly demonstrated his commitment to implementing real change in the U.S. health care system to ensure high quality, affordable and accessible care. His health care platform incorporates important research that proves better RN staffing saves patient lives.

In addition to the endorsement of its 20,000 members, the Minnesota Nurses Association will forward a recommendation for Mr. Madia’s endorsement to the American Nurses Association and the United American Nurses federal PACs.

Uniting nurses in vision and voice since 1905. With 20,000 members, MNA is the leading organization for registered nurses in the Midwest and is among the oldest and largest representatives of RNs for collective bargaining in the nation. MNA is a multi-purpose organization that fosters high standards for nursing education and practice, and works to advance the profession through legislative activity. MNA is a constituent member of the American Nurses Association, the United American Nurses and the AFL-CIO.

The two other press releases state the same reasoning that both Tinklenberg and Sarvi support the Federal Staffing Bill, HR 2123.

We at IDHA are hoping to get exclusive interviews from these candidates before the election.  Keep an eye on the site as the election looms closer.

Tim Walz recently endorsed Steve Sarvi for Congress, as announced on Sarvi’s campaign website. In his statement, Walz says,

“Steve’s experience serving his community and country prepare him well for service in Congress. Change began in 2006 with my election and now we must strengthen that change in 2008.”

Also announcing his endorsement is construction contractor Dan Powers, who recently dropped out of the race for the 2nd district seat. His statement says,

“I have decided to support Steve Sarvi because the 2nd Congressional District needs to be united, today, around a candidate who will defeat John Kline in November. In Steve Sarvi, we have a candidate with the vision, values and experience to help our nation change course – something Democrats, Republicans and independents all are calling for. In Steve Sarvi we will find the solid leadership and strength of character needed to move us forward on a path of hope. I believe Steve will unite people from all sides of the ‘aisle’ to bring meaningful, needed change to Washington.”

Steve Sarvi is an Iraq war veteran and has given 19 years of military service. His fresh perspectives, especially on the war on terror, will hopefully move voters in a traditionally red district. We saw Walz do it in 2006 and we can bet Sarvi will put up a good fight as well.

*Update - Ollie at Bluestem has more analysis of Sarvi’s endorsement.

Steve Sarvi is launching his second listening tour in the 2nd district of Minnesota. From the e-mail sent out today, here are the listed dates and times for the tour:

Saturday, February 16:

11 AM, Sister’s Coffee Shop, 202 2nd Street East, Hastings

1 PM, Tom Moy’s Cafe, 8200 Hadley Avenue South, Cottage Grove

3 PM, VFW, 8790 Upper 208th Street, Lakeville

5 PM, Apple Valley Community Center, 14603 Hayes Road, Apple Valley

Sunday, February 17:

1 PM, Home of Kathy Siebsen, 42108 205th Avenue, Le Center

3:30 PM, Hosted by Mick McGuire, 202 Oak Avenue West, Montgomery

5:30 PM, Chameleon Cafe, 408 Main Street West, New Prague

Monday, February 18:

5:30 PM, Mocha Monkey, 115 S Olive Street, Waconia

7:00 PM, American Legion, 102 West 4th Street, Chaska

Tuesday, February 19:

11:30 AM, Inver Hills College, 2500 East 80th Street, Inver Grove Heights

5 PM, Caribou Coffee, 5763 Blaine Avenue, Inver Grove Heights

7 PM, Al Baker’s Restaurant, 3434 Washington Drive, Eagan

Wednesday, February 20:

5:30 PM, Coffee ta Cream, 1156 Shakopee Town Square, Shakopee

7 PM, Dan Patch Coffee Depot, 4800 West 123rd Street, Savage

Thursday, February 21:

5:30 PM, Edelweiss Bakery, 16186 Main Avenue South East, Prior Lake

7 PM, Jo Jo’s Rise and Wine, 12501 Nicollett Avenue, Suite 100, Burnsville

Friday, February 22:

11:30 AM, St. Olaf College, 1520 St. Olaf Avenue, Northfield

4:30 PM, Froggy Bottom, 305 Water Street South, Northfield

6 PM, Home of Yvette Marthaler, 821 Northwest 3rd Avenue, Faribault

Sunday, February 24:

4 PM, Home of Peggy Hanson, 500 Calhoun Avenue South, Lanesboro

Sarvi campaign website: http://www.stevesarvi.org/

Via press release:

WALZ TO RETURN APPROXIMATELY $100,000 OF OFFICE BUDGET TO TREASURY

(Washington, DC) – Congressman Walz announced today that he will return approximately $100,000 in unspent funds from his 2007 congressional office budget to the U.S. Treasury.

“In my first year representing the people of Southern Minnesota, my staff and I exercised fiscal discipline and were good stewards of the people’s money,” said Walz. “We finished 2007 with money left over and today, I am proud to announce that we will give approximately $100,000 back to the Treasury to help pay down the monstrous federal debt.”

Walz said, “One hundred thousand dollars isn’t a lot in comparison to a $9 trillion federal debt, but I believe that we’re all in this together and that every little bit helps.”

Every member of the House of Representatives receives an annual allowance to fund his or her office activities.  This appropriation is called the Member’s Representational Allowance and in 2007 it totaled roughly $1.4 million.  Walz will return approximately 7 percent of his budget.

-30-

Via press release:

WALZ SUPPORTS EMERGENCY ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE

Package signals a clear change of priorities in Washington

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Congressman Tim Walz joined 384 of his House colleagues in voting for the bipartisan Recovery Rebates and Economic Stimulus for the American People Act of 2008. The emergency stimulus package provides tax rebates this spring of up to $600 for an individual and up to $1,200 for a married couple, plus $300 per child. A total of 117 million families will receive a check. The package also includes mortgage lending reforms and additional write offs for small businesses.

“American families are hurting and this package provides them with badly needed relief,” said Walz. “I’m pleased that Democrats and Republicans came together and found agreement on helping every day Americans. We will continue to monitor the economy and to work together if additional actions are necessary to spur the economy.”

“Under this plan, a single mother with two children making $15,000 will get a $900 rebate. That is real money in the pockets of working people who desperately need the assistance,” said Walz. “When it comes to the economy, this legislation is a clear sign that Washington’s priorities have changed. A few years ago, big business would have been the priority during an economic downturn. Today, every day Americans are first on the agenda, and that is a change we can be proud of.”

The following provisions are included in the legislation passed by the House:

Broad-Based Relief for Individuals

· Tax Cut for 117 million Families. This broad-based stimulus package will provide tax relief of up to $600 per individual and $1,200 per married couple, plus an additional $300 per child. Recovery rebate checks could be sent as early as mid-May, getting money to Americans who will spend it immediately to reinvigorate the economy.

· Unprecedented Tax Relief for Working Families. The measure provides $28 billion in tax relief for 35 million families who work but make too little to pay income taxes — families who otherwise would not have been included in this recovery effort. More than 19 million of these are families with children. Americans who earned at least $3,000 in 2007 will get at least $300 per single and $600 per couple, plus a child tax credit of $300 per child. Economist Mark Zandi of Moody’s Economy.com estimates that tax rebates that include low- and moderate-income families are 24 percent more effective as stimulus than rebates that leave these families out.

· Tax Fairness and Targeted Rebate. Nearly $50 billion of the rebate will go to middle-income Americans and those aspiring to it — making less than $50,000. The wealthiest taxpayers are not eligible for this relief. Tax relief begins to phase out above incomes of $75,000 for a single and $150,000 for a married couple.

· American families are struggling in weakening economy. Family incomes and home prices are down as health care, energy, food, and education costs and mortgage foreclosures have climbed. No wonder American families falling behind on their bills and consumer confidence is at a five-year low.

Helping Families Avoid Foreclosure

· Increasing Affordable Refinancing Opportunities and Liquidity in Housing Market. For 2008, the bill increases the FHA loan limits up to $729,750, to expand affordable mortgage loan opportunities for families at risk of foreclosure through the Federal Housing Administration. To enhance credit availability in the mortgage market, the measure includes a one-year increase in the loan limits for single family homes from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from $417,000 up to $729,750 for 2008.

Encouraging Business Investment

· Small Business Expensing. The bipartisan plan doubles the amount small businesses can immediately write off their taxes for capital investments made in 2008 from $125,000 to $250,000, for purchases of new equipment of up to $800,000 (from $500,000).

· Bonus Depreciation. It provides immediate tax relief for all businesses to invest in new plants and equipment by speeding up depreciation provisions, so that firms can write off an additional 50 percent for investments purchased in 2008.

-30-

Via press release:

WALZ RESPONDS TO BUSH’S FINAL STATE OF THE UNION

(Washington, DC) – The following statement can be attributed to Congressman Tim Walz (MN-01).

“I’m pleased that this was President Bush’s last State of the Union speech. The American people are demanding change in Washington’s priorities and while the Congress has made some progress, the President has been a consistent roadblock. Tonight we heard more of the same from the President. What we need is a change in priorities.

“I, like many Americans, had high hopes for the President’s State of the Union Address: We wanted to hear his plan to make the economy work for all Americans, his plan to truly change the course in Iraq, and his plan to make health care available and affordable to everyone. Instead of rolling up his sleeves and sitting down with us in Congress to make the changes the American people are waiting for, the President delivered uninspiring sound bites.

“The American family needs to be Washington’s top priority as we move into 2008. Joining me tonight to listen to the President’s State of the Union was Victor Vieth, Director of Winona State University’s National Child Protection Training Center, which helps protect our kids from predators. I wanted to hear the President make protecting our children a priority.

“Tomorrow, the House will vote on an economic stimulus package to help ensure American families can afford the rising costs of food and heat during this economic downturn. And in the coming weeks, we will try again to expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program so that more of America’s kids can get the health care they need. These are America’s priorities and I will continue to fight for our kids and families.

“I believe strongly that despite the economic downturn, the future holds great promise for America. Democrats and Republicans found common ground on the economic stimulus package and I am hopeful that we can sit down and work together on more issues.”

-30-

The three remaining Republican candidates wishing to vie for the seat in Congress currently held by freshman DFL Rep. Tim Walz debated for the first time last night in Rochester.

First time? I guess if we’re playing under the “if no one was allowed to see it, it didn’t happen” rules, maybe

The Post Bulletin has coverage of the debate featuring Mayo physician Brian Davis, state Sen. Dick Day and state Rep. Randy Demmer, who collectively form “Team-3D.”

All three were fighting for the anti-immigration vote:

Day said a framework could be put in place that would alert potential employers to the immigration status of job-seekers.

“If we don’t protect our borders, we don’t have a country,” Day said.

State Rep. Randy Demmer of Hayfield and Mayo Clinic physician Brian Davis also said they’re strong believers in adopting a get-tough stance against illegal immigration.

Wow, great original insight, Dick.

The candidates also agreed on the importance of fostering greater energy independence by increasing the domestic oil supply, including drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge; and in making sure that DFL Rep. Tim Walz of Mankato is not re-elected to a second term in November.

I thought the cookie-cutter talking point on domestic oil was about “individual liberty and choices,” not energy independence. Oh, you mean this isn’t the Jason Lewis show? Sorry, my bad.

The candidates also seemed to touch on issues such as education, national security and health care.

The PB article did not mention if Iraq or transportation issues were discussed, though apparently Day’s greatest qualification is his old age and newest conquest is apparently earmarks.

“I’m too old to be influenced by power or prestige,” he said.

Day, an 18-year state senator, also said fiscal discipline would be a top priority and that he would shun earmarks.

“I’m a guy that says, ‘no earmarks. We should cut out the earmarks,’” he said.

I wish we could get real and stop with this demagoguery about earmarks. Good luck getting funding for a project, say, I don’t know, Highway 14, to go through the United States Congress in a stand alone bill. People complain about how nothing gets done in Washington as it is; can you imagine how bad it would be if every single line item to be appropriated had to have its own bill? Ollie has her views here.

Will we see Day on a mission to stop omnibus bills in the state legislature, too? Somehow I doubt it.

Tomorrow, Brian Davis will appear on NARN’s “the FINAL word” at 3:00 p.m. on 1280 AM. Glad to see Davis has caught on that it’s easier to reach his prospective voters on a conservative station as opposed to say, this lefty-blog.

If you’re in the First District, or even three miles away from the interchange of Cliff Road and 35E, and thus out of the 5,000 watt station’s reach, they offer convenient web streaming. How sweet of them!

A week ago today Bill Habedank of Red Wing experienced one of the main consequences of having Rep. John Kline in office: zero constituent service.

Habedank and others tried to visit Kline’s office last week and he tells his story in a letter to the Red Wing Republican Eagle:

You are told no one is ready to discuss your issue even though you called ahead. The young lady has you fill out a form.

As 13 of us wrote down our issue and contact information, each knew that was as far as this would go. Why? Because that is what happened all the other times you have done this.

Treatment is the same whether you visit, send an e-mail or call. You are always treated courteously, but you could (or should) get that treatment in any office. You came to be heard even if your message was contrary to the representative’s views. That is his job.

This wasn’t the first time he had to deal with this runaround.

We asked when we could speak with someone of authority. We are told the congressman’s and his assistant’s schedules are not to be revealed, so it becomes a guessing game. We are then told issues of this magnitude are best brought to the Washington, D.C., office.

I did that last March. I asked at least two weeks in advance to meet with Kline. I did get an appointment and get beyond the front desk. I had a 20-minute meeting with a young man in Kline’s plush office. As I relayed my issue, I found the man to be slightly argumentative. Is that his job?

You would think if Kline is unable to hold a decent town-hall meeting his taxpayer funded staff would at least show an effort to listen to constituents. I have an experience lobbying Kline in Washington D.C. as well and while the legislative assistant with whom we met wasn’t argumentative, it was clear from the start of the meeting that the congressman’s position on higher education (the issue about which we were lobbying) had already been established.

Steve Sarvi was able to teach democracy over in Iraq; it looks like we will have to elect him in order for Second District citizens to be able to see it in action here in America.